And we're away...

2008 sees Te Haerenga begin in Kawhia as we continue to plough the ground of this particular model relevant to Maori. This weekend was the birthing of Te Haerenga in a place that was so pivotal in last years one. With the return of 99% from 07 combined with the freshness of new faces, we each took hold of the hoe to begin the journey ahead.

"although many of us were apart of 06 & 07, none of us have been apart of 08. We all begin at the same place together"

The weekend unfolds

txt msg from Tauranga 'ah, we are running a half hour late' Waiuku crew (relieved) 'sweeeeet, we're about that far away from Kawhia' Kawhia crew 'do you need some directions' Tirau crew no answer

We arrived safely at the marae to begin the powhiri 'anyone seen the Tirau crew?' The ironic thing is that we had visitors from Japan and Canada who were there on time and Tirau is just over 100kms away. (we'll have them on when they arrive :)

Friday night after dinner we settled in the wharenui to introductions and an overview of the weekend which led into fellowship and catching up time.

Saturday morning we gathered to learn 'hoatu ki a Ihowa' one of 2 waiata learnt in the weekend. You certainly needed a huge set of lungs to carry the song.

Karen Bishop spoke to us adults and shared about her experience as a weaver, the process of weaving, the significance of each part, how and where to cut flax and how to make a kono all at the same time tying it back to biblical principles and revelation to apply to our lives. The korero was awesome, interactive and inspiring.

Meanwhile the little kids were playing games with Freda the middle sized kids done some baking with Robynne  to put inside the kono's the adults made and ... who's looking after these ones?

The rangatahi had time with Te Aro Moxim a young maori man who came through kohanga reo, kura kaupapa and now on his 6th year studying to be a doctor. It certainly was an inspiration to see, a great role model. Later in the afternoon the rangatahi did some touch rugby workshops with Nathaniel & Dion.

Robynne & Dno spent time hearing from and speaking to the rangatahi. We heard stories of Maoris in far out places such as the Amazon jungle and Jack Porima (local kaumatua) and Ray Totorewa shared their story over the weekend.

'the journey is just as important as the destination'

It was an awesome beginning for Te Haerenga, we were graced by the presence of other indigenous people. Our heart went out to Sherry from the first nations who shared her heart with tears. We felt the heart of God come through in many ways.

Sunday we learnt our second song, continued with some korero, had lunch, poroaki and before you know it we were all back on the road again.

Karen summed it up in this way

"it's the feeling you get when you first step into a kayak, its sort of wobbly at first, bit unstable, until you put your other leg in, sit down, relax, then it all balances out ready to move"

Well... God navigated the weekend well and we look forward to our next weekend which is hosted in Waiuku on the 7th - 9th March. Sam Chapman is the guest speaker and we will be doing maurakau with Chris Wiremu. Already Steve & Ngaire from Waiuku are revving the  locals up to jump on board!

Hei te tau titoki!

Pray for:

• Our next gathering in Waiuku

• Funds to run Te Haerenga

• Changes be made in our lives

• Te Haerenga in Tauranga as they start their first gathering on the 29th Feb

Ngaa mihi nui ki Kawhia tangata, waipapa marae, ngaati Hikairo! Mauri ora

Glossary

• Hoe - Paddle

• Powhiri - Welcome ceremony

• Wharenui - Meeting house

• Hoatu ki a Ihowa - Give unto the Lord

• Waiata - Song

• Kono/Rourou - Food basket

• Rangatahi - Youth

• Kohanga reo - Language nest (Maori pre-school)

• Kura kaupapa - Total immersion Maori school

• Kaumatua - Elder

• Korero - Talk

• Poroaki - Farewell

• Maurakau - Tradition Maori martial art

• Hei te tau tioki - Term referred to time in particular the growth of the Titoki tree (Until next time)