Not a coffee fan, Troy supped on hot chocolate festooned with marshmallows, as we chatted in a mid centre café, taking in the ambience of sidewalk dining in a rare break in the gloomy weather of early spring on the Coast. Troy is a cat loving night owl, who tries his best to fairly divide his affection with the four moggies he shares a home with – Molly, Zena, Tink, and Ginka. He’s a gentle souled creative, and time spent with him revealed a nuggety depth to his person.
Troy was born just before the change of millennium at Greymouth Hospital and has lived the bulk of his life locally. A graduate of Greymouth High School, Troy found most pleasure and success in the disciplines of art and photography and headed off to study Film and Animation at Yoobee’s Christchurch College of Creative Innovation. Yoobee is a niche campus with space for around 700 students and attracts those with a bent for blending the creative with technology in some pretty stunning ways. Timing was a bit askew however, and his course was thwarted by Covid, and all that unfolded in that era.
Troy still loves to spend time behind a photo capturing device, more often his phone these days, mesmerised by the beauty he sees in nature. His best advice for the adventuring phone photographer is to spend a bit more on a decent waterproof case – one you can take swimming on a lanyard round your neck should you happen upon a mountain tarn on a hot day. Now that’s close to my definition of faith!
It was Troy’s keen interest in hockey that, through of series of people associations, developed into another keen interest – Zoe! Troy smiles broadly as he describes their solid connection, and shared adulation of what he calls “geeky stuff” – Star Trek, Doctor Who, and (quite wonderfully in my humble opinion), Thunderbirds!
His heroes it seems, were all adventurers of other worlds, and as it turns out, Troy is quite the adventurer too. He seldom turns down an invitation to venture forth on trips with local enthusiasts, many close to home on the West Coast. Some of his favourites include the gut-busting Mount Te Kinga by Lake Brunner; the majestic Ballroom Overhang, a large limestone outcrop in the Paparoa National Park; and the gentle but long meander to the hot pools at Welcome Flat in South Westland. Exceeding them all however, is the Hole in the Hill, a grand arch inland from Charleston, measuring 15 metres wide and towering 80 metres above the Makirikiri Stream. A waterslide formed naturally in the soluble limestone makes a fun spot to swoosh forth, careful to angle the body right for a water pool ending!
A regular hiker and biker, Troy has also tried his hand at caving, abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and sea kayaking while at Whenua Iti, an outdoor education centre attended for extra credits at high school. In a freak accident of timing, Troy was dissuaded from the joy of sea kayaking while performing the required sea rescue kayak roll, surrounded by a swarm of jellyfish – so delicate to look at, so painful to be amongst! These days he prefers to stay land based, just in case, and has recently joined LandSAR to find an outlet for his combined love of the land, and of the people who venture into it.
Troy’s first introduction to church life came through the habits of his dad and nana, both regular attendees at the local Catholic church. But it wasn’t until he started attending the Shed youth ministry in 2015 that he found peers with a different sort of spiritual journey than he’d previously encountered. Here he could listen as people shared of the God they knew, and ask questions in a smaller group setting, gradually building his understanding of Jesus and the gift of new life on offer. It was a slow journey, he says, but there were a few significant stepping stones along the way.
Troy recalls in 2018, hearing the testimony of Wayne, one of the adult leaders who connected regularly with the Shed folk. Wayne spoke of facing potential amputation of a foot due to circulatory issues, the medical staff concerned by his icy cold extremity. As folk gathered around to pray however, a simple prayer of faith without fancy words or long spiels, Wayne could sense a change. There was warmth returning to his foot, colour and feeling was restored, and in the days to come the medics would pronounce him miraculously healed. Troy was touched deeply by the power of Wayne’s testimony.
Then followed an unusual encounter with a stranger in Eastgate Mall, Christchurch. A conversation ensued, and afterwards the man shared a message he believed was from the Lord, saying simply that the Lord wanted to talk with Troy. Curious, Troy stored away this message to ponder further.
Friendship, often the gateway to faith for many, was the clincher for Troy. It was 2019 when Troy met Ezra, a young man of earnest faith, and Troy’s own search for meaning and significance finally found its home securely in Jesus, this time more caught than taught. Troy is quick to express his gratitude to God, for the quiet but sturdy confidence that has grown in him, and the friendships of other young Christians that help sustain him as they journey together.
It was pure joy earlier this year to witness Troy’s baptism at Nelson Creek, a public declaration of the faith that has taken root.
Troy feels closest to God in creation, walking in the bush, or along the Cobden Beach, and has a gentle company-keeping relationship with the Lord, turning towards him more intentionally as he closes each day.
As Troy imagines himself, 80 years old, looking back at his young life to offer a word of advice or encouragement, he is thoughtful for a moment before replying, “I think he would say ‘Thank you. Thank you for choosing to follow the Lord so early in life. Well done young fellow.’” He comments gratefully that he prayed for friends, and God has answered abundantly, filling his life with other young folk who not only know Jesus, but follow him with passion and excitement.
As we look together on the harmonious greens of nature, lets remember too that we don’t need to hurry the journey of faith. It’s the slow growing trees that often have the deepest roots.
Check out other articles in the
Coffee With...
series below.
More articles in the
Coffee With...
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Not a coffee fan, Troy supped on hot chocolate festooned with marshmallows, as we chatted in a mid centre café, taking in the ambience of sidewalk dining in a rare break in the gloomy weather of early spring on the Coast. Troy is a cat loving night owl, who tries his best to fairly divide his affection with the four moggies he shares a home with – Molly, Zena, Tink, and Ginka. He’s a gentle souled creative, and time spent with him revealed a nuggety depth to his person.
Troy was born just before the change of millennium at Greymouth Hospital and has lived the bulk of his life locally. A graduate of Greymouth High School, Troy found most pleasure and success in the disciplines of art and photography and headed off to study Film and Animation at Yoobee’s Christchurch College of Creative Innovation. Yoobee is a niche campus with space for around 700 students and attracts those with a bent for blending the creative with technology in some pretty stunning ways. Timing was a bit askew however, and his course was thwarted by Covid, and all that unfolded in that era.
Troy still loves to spend time behind a photo capturing device, more often his phone these days, mesmerised by the beauty he sees in nature. His best advice for the adventuring phone photographer is to spend a bit more on a decent waterproof case – one you can take swimming on a lanyard round your neck should you happen upon a mountain tarn on a hot day. Now that’s close to my definition of faith!
It was Troy’s keen interest in hockey that, through of series of people associations, developed into another keen interest – Zoe! Troy smiles broadly as he describes their solid connection, and shared adulation of what he calls “geeky stuff” – Star Trek, Doctor Who, and (quite wonderfully in my humble opinion), Thunderbirds!
His heroes it seems, were all adventurers of other worlds, and as it turns out, Troy is quite the adventurer too. He seldom turns down an invitation to venture forth on trips with local enthusiasts, many close to home on the West Coast. Some of his favourites include the gut-busting Mount Te Kinga by Lake Brunner; the majestic Ballroom Overhang, a large limestone outcrop in the Paparoa National Park; and the gentle but long meander to the hot pools at Welcome Flat in South Westland. Exceeding them all however, is the Hole in the Hill, a grand arch inland from Charleston, measuring 15 metres wide and towering 80 metres above the Makirikiri Stream. A waterslide formed naturally in the soluble limestone makes a fun spot to swoosh forth, careful to angle the body right for a water pool ending!
A regular hiker and biker, Troy has also tried his hand at caving, abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and sea kayaking while at Whenua Iti, an outdoor education centre attended for extra credits at high school. In a freak accident of timing, Troy was dissuaded from the joy of sea kayaking while performing the required sea rescue kayak roll, surrounded by a swarm of jellyfish – so delicate to look at, so painful to be amongst! These days he prefers to stay land based, just in case, and has recently joined LandSAR to find an outlet for his combined love of the land, and of the people who venture into it.
Troy’s first introduction to church life came through the habits of his dad and nana, both regular attendees at the local Catholic church. But it wasn’t until he started attending the Shed youth ministry in 2015 that he found peers with a different sort of spiritual journey than he’d previously encountered. Here he could listen as people shared of the God they knew, and ask questions in a smaller group setting, gradually building his understanding of Jesus and the gift of new life on offer. It was a slow journey, he says, but there were a few significant stepping stones along the way.
Troy recalls in 2018, hearing the testimony of Wayne, one of the adult leaders who connected regularly with the Shed folk. Wayne spoke of facing potential amputation of a foot due to circulatory issues, the medical staff concerned by his icy cold extremity. As folk gathered around to pray however, a simple prayer of faith without fancy words or long spiels, Wayne could sense a change. There was warmth returning to his foot, colour and feeling was restored, and in the days to come the medics would pronounce him miraculously healed. Troy was touched deeply by the power of Wayne’s testimony.
Then followed an unusual encounter with a stranger in Eastgate Mall, Christchurch. A conversation ensued, and afterwards the man shared a message he believed was from the Lord, saying simply that the Lord wanted to talk with Troy. Curious, Troy stored away this message to ponder further.
Friendship, often the gateway to faith for many, was the clincher for Troy. It was 2019 when Troy met Ezra, a young man of earnest faith, and Troy’s own search for meaning and significance finally found its home securely in Jesus, this time more caught than taught. Troy is quick to express his gratitude to God, for the quiet but sturdy confidence that has grown in him, and the friendships of other young Christians that help sustain him as they journey together.
It was pure joy earlier this year to witness Troy’s baptism at Nelson Creek, a public declaration of the faith that has taken root.
Troy feels closest to God in creation, walking in the bush, or along the Cobden Beach, and has a gentle company-keeping relationship with the Lord, turning towards him more intentionally as he closes each day.
As Troy imagines himself, 80 years old, looking back at his young life to offer a word of advice or encouragement, he is thoughtful for a moment before replying, “I think he would say ‘Thank you. Thank you for choosing to follow the Lord so early in life. Well done young fellow.’” He comments gratefully that he prayed for friends, and God has answered abundantly, filling his life with other young folk who not only know Jesus, but follow him with passion and excitement.
As we look together on the harmonious greens of nature, lets remember too that we don’t need to hurry the journey of faith. It’s the slow growing trees that often have the deepest roots.
Check out other articles in the
Coffee With...
series below.
More articles in the
Coffee With...
series are to come.
