“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3). The first country in the world to see the sunrise each day is New Zealand. In January, young people were praising the Lord “from the rising of the sun” during a Journey to the Heart. 

The IBLP Training Center in New Zealand provided an ideal place for the young men to get away from the busy things of life and seek the face of the Lord. Young ladies had the opportunity to seek the Lord at a scenic farm nearby. Thirty-five young people participated in these two Journey to the Heart retreats. 

Nearly six years ago, IBLP hosted a Journey to the Heart in New Zealand. Many attendees of this Journey are the younger siblings of those that attended the Journey six years ago. It is exciting to see another generation of young people seeking the Lord and growing in Him! God was at work as the Journey participants spent time in small group discussions, learned from large group sessions, and spent individual time seeking the Lord. 

The young men discussed topics including the danger of bitterness and the importance forgiveness. God did a powerful work through the sessions and small group times, and several individuals experienced key breakthroughs when they became free from the weight of bitterness. At the end of the night, there were many tears, and the men closed that evening singing Amazing Grace. Truly, it is the amazing grace of God that enables us to forgive those who hurt us. 

Meanwhile, the young ladies and their leaders were also seeking the Lord. One of the topics they covered was the lies that we believe. The ladies experienced more freedom to pursue the Lord as they allowed Him to deal with lies in their lives. Some beautiful grape vines on the property served as a great reminder to the ladies of the importance of abiding in Jesus Christ as the True Vine.

The Journey concluded with a combined time of sharing personal testimonies of God’s work in their lives. It was exciting to hear all that God had done during the past week as the young people shared. In fact, the testimony time continued for nearly two hours! One young man testified that during the week he had forgiven his sister, and how that helped so much in his relationship with the Lord. His sister attended the girls Journey, and she immediately embraced him! She then went on to share how she had forgiven him during the Journey and was so grateful to be forgiven by him. Praise the Lord for His working on this Journey in New Zealand!