The generosity of some people never ceases to amaze me. Since I’ve been here in Papatoetoe, I’ve made many new friends; friends I’ll have for a lifetime. And since I’ve known these friends,
my socks have been blessed off!

These friends I’m talking about are
Dave & Emma. I work for both of them as my internship and have fallen head over heels in love with them both. The thought of leaving them here in May is
heart breaking, but the thought of knowing they’ll always be here whenever I want to come back is
comforting.

The latest blessing is one that will be one of the most memorable. It’s one that’ll make a dream come true for me—a dream that’s been several years in the making.

You see, New Zealand has this Christian music festival called
Parachute every year that’s their equivalent of the State’s
Cornerstone Music Festival. For the past two years,
Shawn McDonald has been one of the artists performing at this festival. Also, for the past few years,
Shawn McDonald has been one of my favorite musicians.
His voice is soulful and soothing, his lyrics original and thought-provoking, his story…amazing.

So, as a thank you for doing what I’ve done the last few weeks of 2006,
Emma asked
Manurewa Baptist Church to sponsor me a ticket to go to
Parachute! There are no words that can explain my gratitude. This is something I’ve wanted to do, but the money was a hindrance. I also felt a teeny bit guilty about going to the festival while on a mission trip. But, since it’s been given to me,
I can’t pass it up. It’d just be rude! I
HAVE to go—and I
HAVE to have a good time!

I'll be off on January 26th and will be going to concerts, listening to amazing musicians and take part in awesome seminars until January 29th, when I'll come back and write about my adventures.  No doubt :-)