Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset. We spent last weekend at the Northern Presbytery Matariki Youth Camp at Hunua Falls. There we learned the Creation story at a camp where we were shrouded in mist every morning, then thawed by surprising warmth as the sun gained confidence. During the day, we were surrounded by mossy native trees and flitting fantails. At night, brilliant stars winked, indications of an amazing God whose glory stays quiet. In this setting, what shone was the exuberance, shy smiles and chats from the youth. Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset.
Matariki is about looking back to what has gone before and looking forward to the future. Edd and I have served the youth for 8/9 years, and now this Sunday is our last. I remain amazed by our young people. They don’t need to be exceptionally good or athletic or smart (although they are these things) for me to delight in them. Deep questions, wise insights, a LOT of insane tangents and wild adventures have filled our time, and I thank God for it all. I look forward to who they will become, knowing that God has brought them this far, and He will lead them home on paths paved by our prayers. He will lead us all as we love and trust, fall and get back up. So it is with gratitude an ocean-wide that I sign off, praying for God’s best - His Presence - for us all.
Steph Smart
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