Two weeks in

So just over two weeks ago I arrived here in Oxford. So hard to believe that it's only been two weeks and yet it also feels like no time at all.

I'm getting used to having to translate myself to everyone. I had to mime in the supermarket to my roommate Jayla a couple days ago. I should be picking a Canadian accent any day now. The North Americans have fallen in love with Tim Tams and Fabulicious lollies, which they call Fabby sticks. Seriously I wouldn't be surprised if Tim Tams and "Fabby sticks" become the new currency here on base. Tim Tam Slams were our initiation and have been a favourite ever since.

Tim Tam Slam time

Oh yeah I also had my birthday. I am now 22. The boys played 22 by Taylor Swift for me at breakfast. It was also played as my birthday cupcakes were being brought out. I had a good day that included coffee at Seagers (Jo Seager's cafe) and finding out our outreach locations!

So the outreach locations are *drumroll* Queenstown and Vanuatu or Malaysia and the Philippines. We're keeping quiet about where we're going until it's all confirmed and such (which should be soon). Both locations will have incredible times of outreach and will really see God move. I'm excited.

We've only been skiing (or snowboarding) twice so far due to a lack of snow. Please pray for more snow so we can go enjoy God's creation and make friendships with both those that work on the mountain and the local snowboarding community.

Not a lot of snow yet.

Jayla and I on our first day up the mountain.

It's cool to see what God's doing in all of our lives. For me personally I feel that my foundations are being strengthened and that my confidence is growing. I'm being drawn more to the secret place and experiencing greater measures of His presence and rest there. We had an amazing worship session on Wednesday night that was almost like being back at Dunedin Elim. As a school it's exciting to see the growth and passion developing.

I think that sums up most of it.
Kaitlin x

The adventure of arriving

So yesterday I finished packing then travelled the 5 hour journey (thereabouts) to drive to Oxford, New Zealand (sorry to those of you who thought I was going to Oxford, England).

Saying goodbye to Dunedin was a little hard, but not as hard as it could have been. I guess it helps that most people I know had gone home for the holidays. I almost teared up driving out of Dunedin but instead focussed on how much I would grow on DTS and how much my relationship with God will grow.

I was picked up by the very lovely Sophie and Mandi who jokingly welcomed me to New Zealand. I was quite happy to learn that I am in fact the only kiwi on this DTS (hence the blog title). It's a bit weird to be surrounded by different accents almost continually in your home country.

This DTS is super small; nine students in total. We were all expecting around 30. Turns out 15-30 is the norm for here so this really is a tiny DTS. At least I should learn everyone's names. The greatest amount of students come from Canada (four), not America as I was expecting.

My hunger for more of God has been stirred over the last few days so I am encouraged for what is to occur over the next five months. Everyone's prophecies have been super accurate and encouraging. Whenever I may start to wonder what I am even doing here I remind myself of those. I'm so glad I took the time to write them down.

Please pray for more snow so we can go skiing. Porter's will be our regular ski field and has not yet opened.

Kaitlin x.