A family holiday in NZ for the family of Joe "the brave" Thom (21.3.2013 to 27.5.2015) who bravely fought ALL leukemia.

We greeted the family at Auckland airport on baby Joe’s birthday, I think he would have wanted it that way. The time with the family went swiftly but we treasured each moment, what an incredible blessing this trip had been, filled with much love, relationships being strengthened and built, joy, laughter, tears, sorrow and celebrations. We celebrated the beauty of New Zealand and God’s creation, we celebrated life and eternal life, friendships and family.

Much of the tracking of the family’s trip with photos was put up on the Facebook page for Joe, https://www.facebook.com/NZholidayJoesfamily/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel and I have added photos to the gallery of the Givealittle page. The family started with a few stormy days in Auckland during which they managed to have a day in the city and caught a ferry. We then took them up to the beautiful Tutukaka coast where we were gifted the use of a wonderful home owned by a very special couple. We had a lovely 4 days there, did lots of kayaking, walking, swimming, relaxing and exploring. We had a blessed time together on Easter morning fellowshipping with one another, followed by an Easter egg hunt, then a generous cooked breakfast. On the Monday we left to go up to the Bay of Islands where we joined friends on the waterfront for fish and chips. During our time in the Bay of Islands we went to the Treaty of Waitangi grounds and attended a cultural performance which was most interesting. We also had an amazing Hole in the Rock boat trip with an Island stopover. We managed to encounter a number of dolphins which is always amazing to see. The family then had a few days in Auckland, the first day we were joined by Caleb’s grandparents, Brian and Jenny, and was spent going to Goat Island for some snorkelling, which was followed by coffee at the Morris and James pottery shop. Then the family had a day at the zoo by themselves as we started preparing for Bruce’s 50th party and went to fetch Jeremy from the airport. It was amazing to have the 3 brothers together for a special occasion. The party went off very well and all had a great time. On Sunday it was special to have the family join us at church, after which we dropped them with Brian and Jenny to start their long trip down to Invercargill.

Geoff, Rina and Caleb had a great road trip, stopping in Rotorua for 2 nights, then a night each in Taihape, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin then finally arriving in Invercargill. In Rotorua they took the gondola which has amazing views of the lake and they did some luging. A trip was had to the Buried Village where they learnt a bit about New Zealand’s explosive history. On the way to Taupo they managed to see the Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon and stopped at a trout hatchery. In Taihape they visited a farm and then they headed down to Wellington and had awesome weather for their ferry crossing thoroughly enjoying the Sounds as they came into Picton. In Blenheim they stayed among the vineyards and had lots of farm animals for Caleb to enjoy.

The family in Invercargill were really excited to have the 3 little cousins to play together, Caleb had been really good with mostly adult company up till then, so as you can imagine really enjoyed having friends and what is more, cousins, to run around with. Good quality family time was had by all, tears and laughter as memories shared and new memories made. The kids were treated to heaps of time in the park, the indoor swimming pools and the climbing wall. A trip down to Bluff and a treat at the World’s fastest Indian was enjoyed. Soon came time for the dreaded goodbyes and Tanya drove the family up to Queenstown where they had a few hours exploring before catching a plane back to Auckland.

On their last day here Sharnay and Jonathan took the family out to see a West Coast Beach, Muriwai and then had coffees at Riverhead Tavern. In the evening we took Caleb to a park then we all enjoyed a lovely walk along Red Beach, it was a stunning evening. It was a really early morning to get to the airport and so incredibly hard to say those goodbyes. We decided to say this in the Kiwi way of “see you later”, we do trust that we will someday see them later and pray it’s not too long away.

This dream could not have happened without you sharing the vision and being prepared to make the sacrifice in your generosity. Some of you were fortunate to meet the family here and get to know them or get reacquainted. Seeing their smiles, their love, their faith in action was a wonderful and encouraging experience. I believe their trip was a wonderful blessing to them but I know too that each life they have touched in this journey is so much better for it. Geoff, Rina and Caleb we treasure your gentleness of spirit, your love, your wisdom and will miss you like crazy, love you always.