School Holidays

School holidays provided us with a great opportunity to explore nearby tourist spots with the extended family. Probably the most severely affected industry in NZ due to Covid has been tourism - with no foreigners allowed into NZ many places are struggling to stay alive!

We don't have to constantly remind ourselves of this road rule anymore, but initially we would chant "keep left" at every turn! (Mum and Dad)

 

With a couple of nieces we ventured underground to see the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Another day we visited my aunt who is very experienced and knowledgeable in all things wool (from farming sheep, spinning, dying, knitting and weaving wool!) She spun some wool for Cedric, showing him how it's done and why it works.

Then there were local days with school friends - a beach visit (not quite warm enough for a swim),

and a hike through a nearby gorge.

We met some wildlife in a nature park near Rotorua. This guy is a 38 year old alpine parrot (a Kea). Very intelligent birds.

And ... since I forgot our annual anniversary post, here's a picture from this year's one... 22 years and going strong. (See old anniversary pics if you want to see how the aging process is treating us!!)

An Unexpected Extended Time in Kiwi-land!

Due to Covid-19 chaos around the world, our return home to Colombia has been delayed. Likely till early 2021. It took us some mental and emotional adjustments to having to stay put, but now we look back and see the blessing that it has been to have an extra long break with Angela's family here in New Zealand. Here are some pictures to summarize some of the things we've experienced over the past few months.

Experiencing Kiwi (the endearing term for a New Zealander) culture... picnic lunch after church at the beach:

Our alternative "Zoom" picture, Cedric's depiction of the Mount Bible Chapel's meeting during lockdown:

Over our many neighborhood walks over lockdown we got familiar with a pair of black swans who ended up having 3 cygnets, grateful for a nature walk nearby during our weeks of isolation:

 The first weekend outing after lockdown was lifted was to Angela's hometown of Gisborne to visit her aunt and uncle:

 

 

First stop on our trip to the South Island was the capital city of Wellington where Angela's nephew studies. This is on the steps of the parliament buildings just before our tour inside:

We drove right down to the bottom tip of the South Island. Visiting churches and friends along the way:

In Invercargill we met a number of Colombian immigrants, newly settled in that remote city. Bill has been able to have several Bible studies with them long distance over the months we've been here and it was great to be able to meet them in person and fellowship over God's word:

 

The South Island has spectacular scenery, my photography skills don't do it justice. From mountains to beaches to farmlands, it's all stunning. Here we are at the Moeraki Boulders:

And on the 3 hour ferry ride between the two islands - much of the ride is in the Marlborough Sounds:

On the west coast in the town of Greymouth, we went there on the TransAlpine train departing from the city of Christchurch:

Best friends since high school days... shivering on top of a Christchurch mountainside with Leasa (in July it's winter in the southern hemisphere):

August has included celebrating my dad's birthday with him:

Geocaching with my niece:

Visiting a church and making new friends in the city of Hastings:

Track meets and fun "mud" runs in the rain for Cedric:

And frequent, beautiful reminders of God's love and care:

Time Away With Family in New Zealand!

 Angela's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January and we were so glad to share the special event with everyone!

 Our extended family: parents and Nesbitts live in New Zealand, Jr. Yarralls live in England and the Loudons in Colombia. So it's always quite an amazing gift when we can spend time all together.

Cedric has loved getting to know his cousins and grandparents better.

 This break away from Colombia has been long enough to enroll Cedric in Bethlehem College's primary school for a term of 10 weeks. Such an educational opportunity to see how school is done in another country and a bonus to be just a few classrooms away from his cousins who attend the same school.