This week was devoted to our first class, Sustainable Community Development part one.  The story-loving Mick Duncan gave provocative lectures which challenged the class to think about issues of social justice and evangelism.  We learned that it’s not just giving a man a fish or teaching him to fish- it’s both.  Living as followers of Christ we are called to attend to the pressing here-and-now needs of others as well as the longer term transformational changes that are needed.  Mick is a brilliant professor and we are delighted to have him with us.

Celebrations and Feasts

At CCSP, birthdays are a big deal, and the staff doesn’t hesitate to celebrate their own birthdays to the fullest extent. It just so happens that the first three birthdays this semester have all been those of staff members, and each was celebrated in their own uniquely outrageous manner. Sara, the lover of lambs, experienced an entire day of sheep-themed humour, games and gifts. Marcel’s constant references to the current issue of Skymall resulted in a party game where goofy (yet clever) invention ideas were presented by students and staff. Hilarity ensued. Courtnay, who grew up a huge fan of WWF wrestling, was given what she always dreamed of: a WWF-style Royal Rumble, complete with a ring and colourful spandex.
Through all of it, our very own chef-extraordinaire, Jess, has provided the token birthday treats, along with a meal of choice for that special birthday girl or boy.
Those students who have birthdays coming have lots to look forward to.

A week and a half full of activity greeted the students, as orientation commenced.  They spent time getting familiar with their new hometown and its friendly locals, starting with a photo scavenger hunt.  The goal was to explore Kaikoura to find many goods and services they might need such as "gum boots" and a cheap place for mom and pops to stay when they come to town.  Later on, they went tramping around the Kaikoura peninsula, led by Ranger Paul (aka Heartthrob Paul), where they saw Hutton's shearwater habitat reconstruction, sunbathing seals, and perfect panoramas.  As if getting to know the place and locals weren't enough they got to know each other better too during "Big Red Stool", our version of a 4-minute-random-question-hot-seat.  The week ended with a trip off campus to a destination of their choosing.  Most travelled to Christchurch to check out the city life while others carved up the slopes at neighboring Mt Hutt.  

Sunbathing seals, as well as people, like to pose for pictures

With a successful landing on the Christchurch International Airport tarmac, the SoPac Fall 2008 students made their glorious entry onto New Zealand's south island.  Armed with passports, cameras, and a semester's worth of luggage, their bright eyes absorbed the beauty of the raw New Zealand scenery with all the excitement you would expect from a group that is going to spend three and a half months in it.  On the two hour drive from Christchurch to our new home in Kaikoura, the scenery transformed itself from a rolling pastoral setting, all the way into a rugged, winding mountain scene.  Gasps turned into silent awe as we came into Kaikoura, where the ocean finally greets those mountains.  We went to the lookout to get a good view and then finally proceeded to our new home at 'The Old Convent'.  A gorgeous old building with an even more gorgeous view, this is an answer to many hopes and prayers, as it will serve as CCSP SoPac's home for years to come.  

The students settled in, and went to bed quickly as jet lag had

 the final word on the day.