We have just returned  from another motor home trip …..this time we went around the East Cape area of the North Island of New Zealand, mostly an area we have seen very little of. So we took our time this time, and spent nearly a week in this part of our country. When we got back, I was asked what the most memorable part of our trip was….without hesitation, I said, “Potholes!”

   We had travelled for six hours and covered about 120 ks in that time around Lake Waikaremoana in the middle of the North Island. The road here was unsealed and with a gravel surface, and shut down of things due to covid 19, the roads had got progressively worse and worse.

Also we weren’t able to see much of the lake due to the shrubbery that was growing on the roadside between us and the shore, but the small glimpses we got were fabulous!  A lot of the trip was through primeval bush growing on steep, steep hills.

    It was amazing to think that here we were in the middle of nowhere, sitting in the comfort of our motorhome, and being  able to enjoy these giants of nature with no effort on our part (except for the jolting of the potholes!!). To think that these trees had never been touched by man’s axe or saw, was really something. Seeing them like this reminded me of God’s power in creation, and in spite of the potholes, we couldn’t help but thank Him for being able to be here to see them!

   Another memorable thing about this trip was when we saw the oldest and largest pohutukawa tree in New Zealand, at a place called Te Araroa. We walked around it in amazement….it was so old that a great many of its enormous branches were lying on the ground around it, some of them having re-rooted. Not only that, but this ancient tree was still bearing flower buds….it was a bit early in the season for them to out yet, but I couldn’t help thinking that no matter how old or how infirm we are, or wherever we find ourselves, we can still bear flowers or fruit for our Master. Even a smile or a thank-you is a small bit of flower for Him, and will bring joy to others.

   So never give up or let ourselves think we are too old or useless to shine wherever we are!