Time with the Pipers

So in case you didn't hear yet we had horrible flying experience in that we had a fog delay, than a mechanical delay followed by missing our plane to NZ. We still ended up there only 2 hours later than expected just without our luggage, which we received 2 days later. Flying in we did see the most beautiful sunset ever. It started at the horizon with red, orange, yellow green, a dark blue into the light blue of the sky – such wonderful color and a great way to see NZ for the first time. We also saw our first rainbow there the first day but no more although they saw they see them all the time. After arriving, Mr McLain picked us up and took us home for a shower, change of clothes and a little rest before our ride to Rotorua showed up. Jason, a deacon of the church came and picked us as well as the Australian speaker of the week, Bro. Anger. I didn't want to miss anything so I tried to stay awake but did sleep for the three hour trip but did snooze for about 20 -30 minutes. Lots of beauty everywhere, mountains in the background. Saw sheep, goats, emu, cows, and horses. We arrived at the Pipers house for dinner and then went on to meet our host family – Paul and Tracey (local kiwis) Actually most Kiwi's hardly ever drive over an hour from their home. Usually only for a big “holiday” (vacation) that they would save money and plan ahead for. I got to spend a lot of time with Tracey over the week and really enjoyed being with her. They made us lamp chops on the grill – so yummy! They have a cat named Bob b/c he has a bob tail. They had such a nice house on the rim of the volcano crater, outside the one window was a cow and sheep farm, out the other you overlooked Rotorua. Paul works for a bread company and could bring home 2 loaves a day – really yummy, had it every morning with either jam or honey. While we were there we also ate at McDonalds, and KFC. The Pipers took us around while we were there. The one day we went to as they call it “Stinky park” It is going to take me awhile to learn all the Maori names. They did clue us in that the vowels in their words often make the sounds of the Spanish dialect. Anyway back to the park. There was one formation of rocks that steam was coming up out of that actually blew up several years ago and threw rock all over the place. There are spots all over of bubbling mud or steam coming up and new tape around new areas frequently. Some of the houses use the steam to help heat their homes, also the mud is used in some of the spa houses there. Some of the mud is helpful to you, other toxic. Mike felt the mud in one place that was not marked off and said it was quite warm. Another day we went to the Redwood forest. We took about a 45 minute walk there. Lots of ferns there as well. We saw the silver ferns that you hear so much about and found out that the Maori's would lay the ferns upside down(silver side up) to mark there path so as the moon reflected off them they could find their way back again. Also drove around to see a mountain that erupted in 1886, as well as the green and blue lake. The green lake is only allowed to be entered if given permission by the chief Maori.
The church in Rotorua is one of the largest, and has its own facilities. It is pastored by Garth Piper. The Pipers, American missionaries have one son who is a sophomore at the college in Canada. A daughter Lydia who went to college there for a time but came back and will be married this summer to a kiwi and they will live in Hamilton. Their youngest son is 14 but looks 17. While we were there he was busy doing school and getting ready for a hunting trip. Hunting is quite different in NZ – lots of hiking into the bush/mountain areas carrying all your supplies and then carrying them and your “meat” back out. They were able to get about 4 wild goats on their trip. They would have liked to have gotten some red deer. Note about school, even the nationals will tell you how bad their schools/education is and NZ is now paying home schoolers money for teaching in the home rather then sending their kids to the schools – added bonus as at this point I will definitely be homeschooling our boys. Saturday we rode the Gundalet up the mountain and rode the Ludge down then went back up on a ski lift. Really good prices the weekend we were there because they were have an anniversary special. The Ludge was the funnest thing we did in NZ I think – should have gone twice. While riding up you look out over Rotorua and see the lake. This day there were a bunch of sailboats on the lake. After the time at the Ludge we headed to church for a family time afternoon. We watched as they played wheelbarrow, shoe and blindfold games and then they played a game of touch rugby – if I would have been dressed better I probably would have played. That was followed by an international dinner of Peanut butter soup, cold Chinese beans, butter chicken, rolls, dessert and service.