Hong Kong

(Mum, me & Gran at the flower market)

On our way to the wedding we had a stop-over in Hong Kong. Girls, this is the place for serious bargins on almost everything we could ever want.

Must admit though, travelling with six people its hard, even if it is your family. I found out what my Gran meant when she said that she snores loud - its worse than a train going past your house. Also found out that my mother and I do have very different tastes when it comes to clothing and some perfumes....

We did the Flower market, bird market, Ladies Market, the food market - which included a 10min walk thru an huge open space separated into areas with chickhen, beef, fish both dead and alive...not good if you have just eaten...the smell was shocking...
Each market was very busy and interesting with people bargining, yelling, bumping into eachother, swaping of money and plain hussle and bussle. If you are into a good feed - then Hong Kong is also the place to be, the food is great and not to mention cheap! My little brother Micah was delighted to find that McDonalds there still had McFlurrys and they were cheap even with the $$ exchange, so he practiclly lived on those while we were there...But all in all, it was a good time...

Packing

Still trying to work out if I like doing this - but it usually means something excitng at the other end.....

The Countdown

It has began, or should I say, its almost done.....

I have 4 hours to finish packing and tidying my room. In 7 hours I will be on a plane making my to Auckland. In 10 hours I will on my way to Hong Kong - just the beginning of this amazing jounery.

Truth be told I started counting down 20 days ago and I'm excited - WHY?
1 I'm in love
2 We are getting married
3 I love Jesus
4 Church Planting
5 Living my dream
6 Blessing others

OK - so they are in radom points - I am so excited. I am so blessed. Its not every day that your WHOLE immediate family get to travel half way round the world to come to their eldest daughters wedding (who is marrying a wonderful young man, with a passion for Christ and to see nationS transformed) and also get to visit one of the most beautiful countries in the world and meet my mans amazing family. The thoughts of - oh dear they dont speak the language have run thru my little mind over the last couple of days - but who needs words and language when fellowship, friendship is just a smile or a simple gesture? Have thought of how they will get on? The answer - simple - just brillantly - both families are amazing. Language is not a barrier - just takes a little longer to understand. Besides its funny hearing my parents trying to speak portuguese!

The TIME TRACKING
We leave Auckland at 2pm and arrive in Hong Kong at 8.40pm (same day). Then we are buzy little bees walking around Hong Kong taking up the sights and sounds and smells and just generally haveing a great time....
Then on the 23 Oct we leave HK and fly to SA - yip yet another continant - but a bigger one. Where I hope that we will be met and greeted possibly by my Man! If he cant come - I still love him just the same.
Then eventally depending on my mothers map reading skills they will arrive safely at the finial destination in Maputo, Mozambique.

Bless you all.

Amost Done

Well, cant believe that I've been in the Land of the Long White Cloud for almost 8 weeks. Some days have gone fast and some days have gone really slow.

God has been so amazing! He has given me so many opporunities to shout His name, and to receive His love and grace and mercy and also blessing. But since I have been back, God has showen me time and time again, that He LOVES ME and no matter what He is always there for me. His provision is awesome! I love the way he always shows me the way....

One of my first blessings was to arrive back in Wellington to know that my Mum was doing a lot better and a huge answer to prayer at how fast she recovered.
Another blessing was to be able to catch up with my family and friends, especially my best girlfriend Ella - whom we've been friends for almost 8 years....
God blessed me with the most amazing temp job and the team I worked with were amazing and so very helpful. I learnt lots and will remember them always.
It was great to be welcomed back by everyone, even though I did leave my heart in Mozambique, and africa.
Being able to share at different churches and homegroups have been amazing. God has been so very faithful and His presence has been incrediable. I give all praise and glory to Him - because without him we are nothing, there is no purpose.

Have learnt to be more thankful for the many things in my life and the people whom God has placed in my life - without them I wouldnt be who I am today.

I leave you with this....

Our Greatest Fear
Marianne Williamson from her book A Return to Love


Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.