Little boxes made of ticky tacky,
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same.
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.
And the people in the houses
All went to the university,
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same,
And there's doctors and lawyers,
And business executives,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.
And they all play on the golf course
And drink their martinis dry,
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school,
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university,
Where they are put in boxes
And they come out all the same.
And the boys go into business
And marry and raise a family
In boxes made of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.
This is what New Zealand was to me. My opinion and my opinion only. The country, though breathtakingly beautiful, raised a lot of questions in my mind. Little boxes describe the life in suburbia perfectly. Kids always want more and locals, though living in what can be called heaven on earth, find reason to complain. What hit me the most is how similar this is to South Africa and how I use to live.
Right in the beginning Tobi prayed: "God, I need you again. In India you sat next to me on the bed, now I have a TV and microwave again but I don't feel you next to me on the be anymore." I think the difficulty is that when you have everything, you might not need God anymore. Not that there's anything wrong with having a lot - just remember that you need God more than you need a TV and microwave. That is what I experienced, I came form India where I had next to nothing to a counrty where I had everything I use to have and all of a sudden God seemed so far away.
Of course this is a generalization and all Kiwi's can't all be all cut under the same blade - we met amazing people and were blessed in so many ways. We had the opportunity to hang out with some ex South African teens and were spoilt with lovely food and hospitality of our guest parents! Marisa and I stayed together and had the privilege of meeting and getting to love the Grey family. (Keith and Rosheen - once again thank you SO much for everything!)
All and all we had a blessed time in New Zealand, we were well rested (before our challenge off course) and received a lot of donations. I would like to thank everyone who made our stay so pleasant and possible.
Love