Monday 16th June

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.

Started day with Debbie giving an inspirational thought from Dr Martin Luther King. Headed off to visit work sties and would-be work sites. Group down from five to two. Met the principal of Takitumu School – Ana Makara, where Nikki and I will be tutoring reading mainly to students in grade 4. From grades 1-3 the students’ lessons are in Maori. From grades four on up, English reigns.

Stopped by the other two schools with news of too few volunteers to accommodate them. Also saw some interesting sites – place where Vaka’s took off for New Zealand. Also met a man with a mission. He was working on a Vaka for a trip or many trips ahead. He needs a crew of around twenty people – both men and women these days.

Free time for lunch and looking around the town of Avarua. In the evening a scrumptious traditional kai kai dinner was prepared by Nikki and shared with community partners: Nikki, Red Cross; Meneana Te Kainga, Mental Health; Karen and Eve, Immanuela School; and Sisters Catherine and Margaret. Good time, good food and good conversation.