In 2007, 29 young adults from new zealand, america, canada, phillipines, england, australia, germany, and france gathered to live on one small ship. we fell in love with God, each other, the nation and people of New Zealand, and the nation and people of Fiji. We laughed, ate a lot of Movenpic ice cream, swam, prayed, worshipped, cooked, cleaned, and learned. Some of us threw up into buckets in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, while others of us slept, and others still sat and watched as much of it as they could. Some of us even stuck our heads out over the very bow of the ship so all we could see was the ocean. haha i was one of those. We hiked up mountains, swam in water falls and wild rivers, and sang many a song. We learned how to say I love you in Fijian, Au La mani iko. We prayed for provision. And God met our needs. We saw God cause ants die at the rebuke in Jesus' Name so our food would stop being attacked, while our legs were knawed by mosquitos! haha We trusted in God and one another, and became closer day by day. We heard the most beautiful a capella voices you have ever imagined in the remote islands and schools you wouldn't know existed, but would never forget if you visited. I loved those tiny Fijian feet who pittered pattered through the village community halls and sang, "read your Bible pray every day, and you'll grow, grow, grow!" clasping tiny hands in hopes to please the Westerners who came to tell them about Jesus. But i reckon they told us just as much. I love them. and I miss this experience. We ate the best friend dough balls for breakfast anyone has ever had, even from the best doughnut shop, not only because we smothered them with jam, but because we were on the island of Kavewa eating with the people who made them in the new light of morning. We got chubby faces from Gunzy's cake and Fijian hospitality. There was nothing like a Fijian morning! Newness never felt so new! So fresh. Air never smelled to good and felt so invigorating. Stillness never felt so peaceful. Joy never exuberated so much light and freedom! I learned to make Roti with Caroline, Esther, and Christa. And i prayed for mari after cooking with Caroline and mari's mom. we saw a child delivered from fear and run freely with the sheer joy of a smiling child, lookin different and new because he received Jesus! I will be forever changed. I will never forget Peter and Loraine, the most humble woman i have ever met. no one knows her who is reading unless you were on this discipleship training school, but i pray for her riches in the Kingdom to be beyond tenfold. Her prayers and praises to God were the most joyous i have ever been ministered to in hearing, and she led the least glamorous life i have gotten to share in. May she be honored, because she blesses our God, having stood on her tired feet all day long with nothing but praises on her lips and a joyful attitude in her posture, to mince our beef by hand. So we could make lasagna. What a saint. she is more beautiful than any hollywood starlight. i love her, and she shames my pride. my friends will be intricately stamped and embroidered in beautiful designs as the mosaic imprints of love and example grown through interdependence and vulnerability found through brokeness and rebuilding dance on my heart. A season spent together in our time of growing in our relationships with Jesus. We experienced some sanctification together. I will never forget. You all are beautiful. and most beautiful of all, is the one we are to gaze upon, our heavenly Father, more beautiful than all of this which HE created. He loves His beloved bride. That is what we are. That is what you are. This journey was conceived and birthed first in the eye of His heart. I am so thankful! Amen. Thank you Jesus!