I love my job

PASSIONFEST 2010

Some days I just love what I do and get so excited about connecting to young adults who are passionate about their relationship with God and what they can do in the world. One such occasion was during our recent visit to Aotearoa New Zealand for Passionfest.

We were first in Wellington staying with hospitable and gracious Urban Vision (UV) folks who gave up their bed for us while they slept on mats on the floor. UV is an intentional Christian community doing amazing things whlie living and working with ‘the least of these’. Check out their website http://www.urbanvision.org.nz/.

For Passionfest, on the weekend we went to another site for UV at Ngatiawa Camp, Reikorangi Valley (Waikanae), 1hr from Wellington. It is a retreat centre in beautiful bush land. In Maori language, we had a 'Hui' or a meeting, conference or gathering.

For the 'Powhiri' ceremony, the children and women walked in front of the men, as we were sung onto the property with the 'karanga', and called to enter with a Maori welcome, 'Haere Mai! Haere Mai! Haere Mai!' or Welcome! Enter!

After a speech (Whaikorero) and song (Waiata) from the hosts and similar reply from the visitors, we were individually greeted.

As I passed through the welcome line, I was told that in a true Maori welcome both people lean in touching noses and foreheads and breathe each others' breath before pulling away. So I continued through the line that way, not extending a handshake, nor giving a kiss of peace but a Maori 'hongi, where the 'ha' or breath of life is exchanged and intermingled.

One evening we celebrated with a 'Hangi' or a delicious meal 'roasted' over hot rocks in a pit. The food used to be buried in leaves but now mesh bags in wire trays are used.

Unlike the rainy weather last year, the weather was gorgeous with blue skies days and clear starry nights. Many folks brought tents but our hosts prepared a room for Mark and me with a double bed and an extra doona (comforter) "for those Australians who can't cope with the NZ cold."

A huge 'marquee' tent was erected for the main gatherings. Since we arrived early, we helped set up a 15 ft. tall teepee, which drew on Mary's Girl Guide training since the directions 'went walk about'.

One workshop we offered was on Trauma and Forgiveness with the marquee as the venue.“Did Jesus Really Mean That?: Understanding

the gospels in their context” was the name of our other workshop. Even after we returned we received requests for resources on hearing the gospels with the ears of 1st century people.

Three times a day we were invited by a bell to the new chapel for prayer, songs, worship. It formed a calming rhythm to start and end each day with

a community in prayer.

Conversations between sessions were the best times.

Another reason for attending Passionfest was to meet with next year's organising committee. AAANZ's biannual conference will be held in conjunction with Passionfest but the few days before.

After Passionfest we returned to Wellington for a few days meeting with different UV teams. One night we talked about trauma healing for some of these folks will start fostering hard to place children. Many already work with refugees who have seen and experienced terrible things before coming to NZ.

Another organisation, Praxis, asked us to speak to their first year's students on entering a new neighbourhood looking for the positive and where God is already at work rather than searching out and starting to work on the problems. Praxis offers youth work diplomas using an experience/action then reflection method. check out Praxis at: http://www.praxis.org.nz/