New Zealand
is a beautiful country. It’s difficult to drive anywhere without admiring the
varied and lush scenery. That’s if you don’t mind driving on the wrong side of
the street; after all, North Americans drive on the right side of the street.
But
there are a couple of experiences I could do without. Doors on restaurant and
motel toilets rarely see an oil can and squeal like a thousand drowning rats,
announcing your business to all and sundry. But my favourite whinge is the
earthquakes. We’ve already felt a couple of tremors since our arrival.
New Zealand
sits squarely on the “ring of fire,” that encircles the Pacific and affects
countries on the Pacific Rim. This creates spectacular scenery of thermal
valleys, volcanoes and hot springs. And this week, Christchurch remembered its
earthquake causing destruction and loss of life two years ago.
It’s a vivid
reminder that not only humankind, but the whole creation is behaving contrary
to its preordained mandate. But one day “the creation itself will be liberated
from its bondage to decay, and brought into the glorious freedom of the
Children of God.” (Romans 8:21)
