So it’s kinda cool being able to read up on my blog stats and see who is reading from where. Ok so I can’t really tell who, but I can see what countries people are reading in. Who do I know in Norway? I don’t know. Norway reader, I welcome a comment to say hi 
Well actually I welcome comments from everyone who reads my blog. Say hi, make a joke, tell me a story. Comment eh?
So what is actually going on here in lil’ old New Zealand?
Not much really. I’m at work right now, it’s a little on the slow side to be honest. There is an air of Friday afternoonitis, even though it’s only Friday morning. I’ve been as productive as I can so far, but now there is really nothing left to do.
Speaking of lil’ old New Zealand though, I read a great book called “The land of two halves” Gavin actually recommended it to me and it’s a good read for all you canucks and other non Kiwis, to get a bit of a handle on how amusing and lovely my country really is. And it’s written by an ex-jouranlist/columnist so it’s really very good. How’s this for excellent: “…the ladies in the street in their tartan skirts, wearing shoes so sensible they’d go to church on their own….” brilliant
So I got the opportunity to share at Lou’s church yesterday. It was really awesome, there was a kind of missions focus, and two missionaries who know my friend’s Kristina and John in Sudan were speaking about the work they are doing in Madagascar. Very cool, and great to meet more missionaries and hear stories and pray together. Got some cool words when we were all praying together at the end, and was generally a really encouraging night. Have loved going along to ‘Base’ and I really like how outward focused they are as a group and yet also how close they are as friends and church family. Been very good to be around with how isolating this whole “re-entry” thing has been.
I have been listening to a very cool CD Lou lent me yesterday, Jose Gonzalez. Now apparently he is very popular and amazing and his songs are already being used as advertising soundtracks, but I had never heard him before. The verdict? Sweeeeeeeeet.
It’s funny, I’m going to the travel agent tomorrow to pay a big huge chunk of my airline ticket, which will probably break the bank for the next two weeks until the next pay day, but will be a very encouraging step on the way to get me back to Vancouver. It’s strange, take off day is only 5 weeks away today. Too fast. I feel like I’ve kinda skimmed in, not really landing or sinking or even getting into life here properly and now I’m taking off again.
Very cool though on the GOING BACK front, is that I have somewhere to stay all sorted out. I’ll be sharing a flat with Jacqui and Pam, both staffers at the base, and it’s going to be sweeeeeeet. YAY! God is Good!
Support raising is going alright, though I’d appreciate continued prayers as I keep making follow up calls and emails. Still another $600 monthly support to go.
Very cool thing is that I have got a bike to bring back now. Free, and even though it’s been left in the rain a few times and not used for a while, it’s in great condition and with some oil, cleaning and time with Dad and I it should be in good working order to bring back to Van! YAY!
Next on the list is that I need to find a good, yet affordable laptop to take with me. Dell has been having some sales, but still a bit too much. Anyone getting rid of a good laptop anytime soon?
So yeah, anyways, back to work, Jose, a bit of Johnny Cash, and then hopefully some chillaxing and a surprise birthday party planning session.
Oh and for those of you who knew about the ball that was going to be happening on 22nd or 29th of July (depending on who you heard from) it’s unfortunately been cancelled due to umm, ‘artistic differences’. Thanks for the support of everyone who said they would be involved, but yeah, it won’t be going ahead.
Ok, lots of love and hugs
Hill
PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY EILEEN
PPS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAVIN
PPPS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOY