*Here's a description of what you will be doing and who you are working with:

You will be working at a Christian retreat and ministry center called El Rancho. You will be working alongside the director Rob Namba (a native Californian who moved to NZ with his family to work here!). The missions statement of the center is to “Encourage children, support families and grow God's Kingdom.” The center runs a number of activities and hosts many church and community groups for retreat and refreshment time. The center is also involved in outreach, which is a big part of what your team will be involved in!

You will be involved in a number of outreaches. Rob has shared with us several exciting opportunities for your team! You will be going out into the community on a regular basis—the needs include city prostitution ministry, elderly visits, youth outreaches at the camp, sausage sizzles at the local mall to draw people and evangelize, and service projects at the camp. The camp is hosting a missions conference in July, so you will have the opportunity to meet missionaries from all over New Zealand. You will get to interact with them and serve them during the conference. There is also a possible opportunity to travel and serve earthquake victims at the Christ church.

They will arrange to pick your team up from the airport and take you directly to El Rancho (which, by the way, is a beautiful drive). As I have told you all before, I spent a month there last year and absolutely loved my time. Rob, his wife and their three young boys are incredible. The staff at El Rancho was also amazing (and the food they cooked was delicious). Waikanae, the city you are staying in, is beautiful and you are only a short walk from the beach. I had many great quiet times by the water!

Excited for you all. Training camp is less than a month away. Make sure to finish uploading all your documents (medical insurance etc), get your money in by the 16th and let me know if you need anything else!

-Katie Swan