What an outrageous day!

Okay so for about three weeks I have known that I today I was going to visit Gloriavale, the Christian Community out in Westport.
What I didn't know is that nothing could prepare me for the surreal, intense, amazing day I would have.

Got to uni about 9:30am, we left in a convoy of vans a bit after that. Today was chilly! Winter is here people! Winter as we now know it!
So after freezing myself, we made the ardouos journey to Springfield and then further on to Westport, to let the fun begin...

I was mystified with how beautiful the scenery was on the way up through Arthur's Pass, stunning forests and greenery. Arthur must be proud.
Got to Gloriavale about 2pm to find that our group was standing in a shed watching over a dozen cows being automatically milked. One of the "Shepards" was leading the proceedings...he mainly explained what their community (which is composed of approximately 420 members) is all about.

Next we were lead up to a smallish lounge room adjacent to a kitchen where we were given glasses of fizzy apple juice, and home made biscuits that resembled chocolate wheatens, very nice!

Next Howard preceeded to speak at length about the community's beliefs and how they feel about those. To put it bluntly, the community believe that if you do not completely surrender your will to God, that you are destined for the firey furnaces of Hell. This may be hard to read for some people, but please remember that this is their belief and not everybody agrees with this.

There were quite a few sticky questions asked, and these were mainly answered with: "It is God's will" Hmmm!

After a tour of the expansive community grounds, we had quite a nice meal and settled down for the night for a sample of the concert that is held during winter. Quite moving really, beautiful music!

This was all good and fine, but I did not enjoy after the meal, when every outsider was surrounded by a friendly face, to "talk" to us about their beliefs. This made me very uncomfortable as I already have what I would describe as a loving relationship with God and Jesus. I was asked about my beleifs by a beautiful fifteen year old, she was incredibly persistent in letting me know that she thought it was their way or the high way...
I did what I do when I'm on autopilot (it had been a very long day!) smile and nod with a glazed look in my eyes.
I was involved in this conversation for around an hour and a half, other young girls came in went, telling me about their wonderful life, and how the outside world is not safe.

I am glad to say I made it home all well and good! I feel extremely blessed to have freedom in God, and even though faith can be tested sometimes it usually just makes it stronger!!

Bye for now :)