Mokau Boat Sojourn.

Mokau

On bow,

She says "wow,

Glad saw this now".

Sped by an Angus cow

But no wild boar or sow

Had put green grassland to snouty plow,

Only Billy on the gorge heard fatal ka-pow!

;~Pikipikipoet

Checking tides, dodging rain forecasts, and scrambling food together Andrew and I set out for a last risky venture before bubbas due date climbs any closer. We were off Good Friday morning heading for the Mokau River, with just one essential stop on the way to stock up on chocolate. ;) After struggling to find a shop open on a public holiday, chocolate covered almonds, Kit Kat's and a chocolate bar found there way safely into our travel bags. 

Two and a half hours of driving through beautiful NZ countryside led us to a muddy river bank where we assembled and let down our boat. I cringed at the messy sight thinking selflessly of the nine fresh stitches on my husbands leg and not so selflessly moping at getting wet and dirty just at the start of a trip. Andrew disappeared with the car, hiding it behind some tall brush under the bridge. 

Soon after Andrew pull-started the outboard and zoomed us up river. Farm land quickly turned to bush and then thicker bush, Andrew pointed out wild goats. Friday turned out to be pretty though a little overcast. The breeze off the water kept me pulling Andrew's Swazi tight around me, along with Mum's rain coat and a hat. We had a late lunch on a sandy bank after dropping off some of our stuff at the cabin. The water was too low to boat all the way to the cabin so we walked through the bush a little ways. 

The hunters cabin was charming though I'd probably rather admire it in pictures than live in it. A blue barrel caught the raingutters supply and a hose deposited the water in the kitchen sink. A small wood-stove occupied a corner with an ax ready for splitting wood. We didn't bring along any food for cooking to make use of the two burner kerosene stove on the counter. One cupboard for rat poison and two bunk beds finished out the cabin. A guy in his twenties, Josh, had pulled up in his boat with three dogs just as we did. He was there to stay a couple nights and hunt wild pigs. 


We went out on the river again before dinner and surveyed the river up stream. I drove the boat for a while then we floated down stream enjoying the wild. It got dark quick, Andrew guessed his way around logs and rocks as he guided us back to the cabin. 

Thankfully New Zealand has no snakes or bears to worry about when staying out in the bush. We were surprised Josh wasn't back at the cabin when we got in. Andrew had laid a sleeping bag on top for himself and one on the bottom bunk for me but I begged him to sleep with me. He sacrificed the extra space and joined me in the single bed to fight off the skanky looking wall. Thick cobwebs cloaked much of the cabin and a couple huge spiders eyed us from their quiet thrones above.
We sat on the floor on my cozy contentment blanket that Emily made me and munched down our cold dinner. A deck of cards entertained us for a while, then we read a couple chapters from our book 'God's Spy' by Chris Panos. We had light from a huge torch/ flashlight Andrew brought and I'd brought some candles as well. As the hours ticked by were worried about Josh being out alone in the bush after dark. Andrew went outside, walked around the cabin shining the torch and called his name a few times. Baby jumped inside me at Andrew's loud shouts. We prayed and bedded down for an early night around 8:30pm. I've never heard opposum's grawl, snarl, and hiss like they did out there in the trees around the cabin. Josh got in after 9:30pm with only two of his dogs. He said he'd go back out in the morning to look for his lost and wounded dog as well as bring back the pig he'd shot. Andrew and I both tossed and turned quite a bit throughout the night. 


We had a leisurely Saturday morning, ate what was left of our muffins and home made snack bars, read together and slept some more. Around 11am we gathered our gear and headed back to the boat. We took the trip downriver slower, munching on veggies, apples and chocolate. Saturday had warmed up and the river was serene. Drifting through the slower bits without the rumble of the motor we could listen to the bubbling water, birds singing, waterfalls, and goats playing. We even managed to get in another chapter of Chris Panos' exciting faith-filled life. 

                    

               




Every so often Andrew used the motor to navigate the boat through tricky bits of rapids and shallow waters. The goats were lucky that AD can't both drive and shoot. With the rifle along I thought Andrew would want to put it to use at least once. An old billy goat took the shot, making it as dramatic as possible by wailing, moaning and then pathetically stumbling into the river. I think Andrew feared I might not speak to him after his heartless kill but somehow we were chatting again way before our muddy dock appeared around 4.30pm. We managed to haul the boat up through the mud, dissemble it, and get everything back into and on top of the car. Andrew's left leg suffered a dunking once on the trip, and infection was beginning to show :( 


A dry, clean change of clothes waited for us in the car for the ride home. It was a pretty time of day for a drive as the sun was beginning to set. A stop for a hot roast dinner in Te Awamutu made the ride particularly wonderful. We even made it back to Hamilton in time to rest before Easter Sunday! :)

Kendra, I know you don't get online very often and you'll probably never see this (maybe someone could pass on a word for me and give you a hug) but I have just enjoyed the most splendid cup of chai tea from the last tea bag that you sent to me in your loving Christmas package! ;) I love you so much and am inspired by you every time I miss you! xx

Engagement Story- The beginning of a Journey

Memory reflection time ;)...


On Saturday afternoon Andrew strapped his motorboat on top of our car and took me for a surprise trip to Lake Karapiro, the place where we got engaged. It hasn't yet been a year since that monumental night (June 21st 2010) but we just might be in for another surprise about that time with buba due the 24th of June so this was a perfect time for a little romantic revisit.


Last June I stepped foot in New Zealand for the first time to be introduced to Andrew's family. June isn't New Zealand's prime as it's the middle of winter but it still holds its wonders. I've heard it said more than once that in the Waikato you can pass through every season in a single day. This described many of the days last June as I would wake up to a frosty winter morning, be greeted by a warm sun at noon, and find spontaneous showers trickled throughout the afternoon.


On the afternoon of June 21st, 2010 I lay on the sofa in the Living-room of the Dickson's wood-stove heated home with my journal and book while Andrew was out running some errands. He popped in about four and asked if I was up for an adventure. The adventures I'd been on with Andrew thus far in Tanzania, Uganda, Ohio, Maryland, and New Zealand have been tops. I jumped up, we scrambled around for warm clothes, gear and headed out the door. It was windy out and the sky looked as if it couldn't decide if it wanted to rain or be sunny. Andrew was pondering whether he should take his boat or his bro-inlaw Graeme's Canadian canoe, for time's sake he decided on the canoe so we drove his Dad's truck (called a 'ute' here) down through the farm to Graeme & Lyndas and loaded up. The trip was about an hour with one stop for Andrew to fill up on gas while I ordered a to-go pizza from across the road. It drizzled lightly while we drove but once we got out it stopped. I questioned which seat to occupy, Andrew handed me a paddle, ordered me to the front of the canoe and pushed us off. Hot pizza got the second seat and Andrew steered from the rear. I didn't realize it then but later that week I was struck with awe to find this very scene described in my journal in the form of a prayer that Todd Roberts (pastor at our wedding) shared with me the last week of Insight.


Nearly a month earlier Kelly and I sat at Open Doors coffee shop for our last gathering with Todd. It was May 11th and we each shared prayer requests...I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure of all that would unfold before me as I left the nurturing and encouraging environment of Stony Glen Campus. Todd looked at me and his words spoke directly to my heart, I scribbled down what I could as he spoke: "you think this leads to a time of disaster but it doesn't, it's leading to a time of revelation. I see you sitting in the front seat of a canoe. For me, that signifies entering a time of rest. Just walk it out. Enjoy this next part of the journey. Enjoy the ride. Always a journey with Him. His grace poured out. Going to a new place, first time down the river, enjoy the sights and sounds... It will propel you into the next season of the journey."


I found encouragement and comfort from his words of counsel but I didn't see any relevance in the canoe picture or what was meant by 'a time of rest.' So I tucked the words away in my journal and forgot about them until a week after our engagement. That night in the canoe under the stars as Andrew asked me to marry him it did begin a journey and I am enjoying the ride with all the new sights and sounds. I never thought it would be restful getting married and jumping continents but in the last year God has given me so much rest. I'm learning to rest spiritually and emotionally as well as in body. Knowing that God designed this phase for me and desires me to rest has helped me to trust him for the future and not be anxious about what lies ahead with job, living situation, family, etc.


As for the rest of our engagement story. We paddled through a gorge up a side stream and then climbed onto shore, enjoyed what was left of our pizza and waited for it to get dark. Andrew had brought TimTams (a chocolate coated cookie) which are now one of my favorite New Zealand treats. As the sun disappeared and stars started to poke out, Andrew took out a slip of paper with a poem he'd written, he lit a lighter to read it to me in it's glow. My heart warmed and my throat welled up as I felt the significance of the occasion. Andrew was on his knee before me asking if I would be his wife! I fell over on him with a 'yes!' and we embraced. He pulled out a wee box and presented me with a gold band, three diamond ring. It fit perfectly! (though he never knew my size :) I couldn't find words but I felt so excited and as if I had found home. No more wondering and questioning - this man would be my husband! We whispered and Andrew prayed, I remember his prayer started 'Lord, protect this love...' The lake was now cloaked in darkness with only the light of the moon. We put our life jackets in the center of the canoe and laid on them with our heads on the seat as we floated down stream through the gorge. The glow worms lining the walls lit up the passage way like stars.


This Saturday the glow worms put on an even more spectacular show as the moon was not out to steal their glory. ;) Another highlight of our latest trip was I took a turn steering the motor boat. ;) As wonderful as it was last June to venture out into a starry night and come back with a ring on my finger....I feel so much more settled now 10 months later, at peace in Andrew's love, content in God's care and happy to have a little boy on the way. God is so good!

Andrew's allowed me to add a poem he etched after our latest trip to see the glo-worms. Enjoy ;)


Ring It Up Again!


Ting ting ting

Sounds our boat

Its 2-stroke note

And we float

Down a way.

Wing wing wing

Swans now flapping

We caught napping

Are gapping

Up away.

Cling cling cling

Too fast; she bucks

To tip out sucks

Scares the ducks

Away.

Bring bring bring

Her in by oar

Rocks’n'weed a bore

I nearly swore

Away.

King King King

Triune God’s terms

Created glo-worms

Tiny star germs

Up away.

Ring ring Thing

Love you so

Drifting we go

Through grotto

Down a way.

;~pikipikipoet