May 2025 – From Ferries to Fire-Filled Worship

Hey friends,

We’ve spent the last month weaving our way down New Zealand’s South Island—chasing beauty, serving where we can, and meeting some incredible people along the way. It’s been full. In every way.

After wrapping up our time in Tauranga, we took the ferry from Wellington to Picton. None of us had ever been on a ferry before, and the three-hour ride through those forested cliffs, lighthouse hills and teal water was one of those rare travel days that actually felt peaceful. The kids were wide-eyed the whole time, and it gave us a slow entry into the South Island that we really needed.

From there, we stayed a night at the YWAM base in Nelson—brief, but full of sweet connection. There’s something really grounding about resting with people who carry the same heart and values. It reminds us that we’re not alone in this.

Then we drove west to Westport, a small town tucked into the coast. We worked alongside a local church, helping out at their small groups, Sunday service, and various community needs throughout the week. Keira shared her testimony, and we both had the chance to talk about how we got into missions and why we’ve stayed. Our main goal was just to come alongside those who’ve been faithfully holding the line in that town—encouraging them, praying with them, and reminding them that their consistency matters.

We also got our hands dirty—literally. A lot of what we did would be called “gardening” here in NZ, but it was really landscaping: hacking overgrown yards, hauling trash, and helping single moms and elderly folks clean up their spaces. Some homes we went back to multiple times throughout the week. It was simple work, but deeply relational. Keira said it best one afternoon when we got back in the van covered in dirt: “I think the most powerful thing we’ve done all day is just listen and be present.”

Midweek, Jathyn had a rough accident—he got his finger slammed in a heavy door, which led to an ER trip, some medical glue, and now weeks of healing. He lost the nail, but he’s been a champ about it. I’ve been on “dad nurse duty” ever since, making sure the wraps stay clean and the bandage stays on.

After Westport, we drove down to Greymouth and stayed with a pastor and his wife who run both a church and a youth center. We helped clean up their property, did some organizing at the youth shed, and prepared the space for the teens who gather there throughout the week. Many of those kids don’t come from faith backgrounds, but they keep showing up because the space feels safe—and because the people there love them well. We got to share the gospel, connect over games and conversation, and lighten the load for Tim and Nikki, who are giving so much week in and week out.

Keira also got to share at a local women’s group that was full of mission-minded ladies—many of them were already actively supporting other missionaries and ministries. That gathering felt like iron sharpening iron.

On the way down to Oxford, we stopped in Hokitika for a Brave Love worship night we were invited to lead. That little church was packed—mostly with youth—and their hunger for God caught us off guard. During one instrumental moment, they spontaneously broke into their own chorus, singing over the room with zero prompting. We didn’t plan for that, and we definitely weren’t leading it—but it was one of the most powerful moments of the night. We stayed for hours afterward, praying, talking, and even getting invited to one family’s home for tea later that week. That kind of connection—quick, deep, real—is one of our favorite parts of life on the road.

We also made a stop at Castle Hill—huge boulders scattered across rolling hills that made the kids feel like they were in Narnia (which, depending on who you ask, might be partly true). It was a much-needed pause in the middle of so much movement.

We’re now in Oxford, staying at one of the longest-standing YWAM bases in New Zealand. There’s a strong sense of shared DNA here—same heart, same passion for the Holy Spirit, same desire to live it out in real ways. This week, we’re helping host a women’s night, leading some worship, and serving in whatever ways are needed. It’s refreshing to be in a place that isn’t just about what we can give but is also intentional about pouring into us.

We’re thankful—for the open doors, the long drives, the aching arms after yard work, and the surprising conversations that turn into moments of deep connection. There’s a lot of life happening here, and we’re grateful to be in the middle of it.

Prayer Requests:

• Continued healing for Jathyn’s finger
• Strength and joy as we finish out our final weeks here in New Zealand
• Clear ears and hearts to hear God as we head back to Kona at the end of the month

Thanks for being in this with us.

—The Taylors
(Damion, Keira, Korban, Jathyn, Adaleigh, and Emery)