Final Reflections of Gratitude for 2008

Leaving behind the summer Christmas season of New Zealand was bittersweet. The blessing of my Grace City Church family, the relationships with my ‘sons and daughters’ from many nations and ministry of ISM, and the sense of having worked hard makes me treasure each day I have been privileged to serve Christ overseas.Five years have already passed since I journeyed to Middle Earth, and I can testify they have been God’s best for me. As the Lord leads and provide, I’ll return in 2009 and face new opportunities and challenges in ministry and life in New Zealand.

2008 was an amazing year, which began for me in the USA. I am so grateful for the MANY new friends God brought into my life and equally a grateful for the reunions with old friends (internet is an amazing thing). But in 2008 there was a lot of sadness as well as happy times. Many of us lost loved ones – and in some cases those losses were sudden and tragic.

The darkness of mourning is eventually replaced by the light of morning and a new day dawns. It reminds me that even in the chill of the dawn, the light brings hope for a future yet to be lived this side of heaven. That same light shone brightly in Bethlehem 2000+ years ago. The light of hope for a better future! But even that hope wasn’t easy – and before eternal hope could come, mourning once again cast its shadow at the cross of Christ and in His burial.

As a follower of Jesus, I believe the ultimate hope came with the resurrection of Jesus, the firstborn from among the dead. Never before had such an event taken place, yet the promise that came with it allows me to have joy because Jesus was the firstborn of millions who will follow in resurrection as they follow Him. My biggest prayer is that all who have heard the name of Jesus would have that light of hope shine in their hearts, the light that illumines that Jesus IS THE way, THE truth, and THE life. That is my Christmas prayer and the gift I’d like to see everyone I know receive.

Below are a few final glimpses into the last few NZ weeks of 2008 – and as always THANK YOU for your prayers and support – you are a vital part of this ministry and people around the world are thanking God for you!

Some of our Grace City Church fellowship time... how many countries are seated around this table?... (seven + me taking the photo so = 8) Thank you for praying for our church. God has established Pastor Richard Tien as our senior pastor and brought us a wonderful lay minister who is good with helping churches that have gone through trials AND raised up more godly leaders AND given our fellowship the desire to be a disciplemaking and evangelistic church...

Packing for home... Mai-chan lived with me for 3 1/2 years. She finished her degree in November and has returned home. This was her final night (we had a full house - all night farewell time with many friends) as she puts the finished slam on her luggage.

Oh what a night. Still Mai's farewell... from left to right - Mai, Meleane & Sete (Tonga) and Enid (Samoa) who look smiley but lots of tears followed.

Speaking of Enid, here she is at her book launch during Massey University's graduation week. Her family flew in from Samoa for her graduation and were equally blessed to attend the launch of her book of poetry 'Raw Edges' published by the Pasifika Dept at Massey. Left to right: her mom, dad, grampa, Enid and the head of department @ Massey.

More South Pacific Island joy - I call these ladies my power PI's:Tanya (Samoa), Letia (Fiji) and Sesimani (Tonga) - all bold witnessess for Christ and leaders amongst the PI students and communities. Praise God for them (and their awesome husbands).

Ah yes... Feliz Navidad! My flatmate and also the ministry intern I mentor, Claudia (left) and Gloria captured a vision to reach the Latin American community in Palmerston North. The result was over 150 in attendance at a Christmas Nativity celebration en espanol... We all look forward to Claudia's return next year for year 2 of her internship diploma. She is in Guadalajara now with family. Please pray that God will provide for her scholarship and return airfare to New Zealand.

Just last week I travelled to Auckland to visit Pathways Bible College campus (ISM partners with them to provide mininistry training and experience for our interns). It was great to hear the testimonies of the interns, not just our ISM students but students ministering in churches and with other missions organisations. All said they were grateful for how God changed them and their lives through the theological study as well a ministry experience. This photo is me with four of our five intern grads (Yuki was delayed on a plane back from Bangladash - his latest short term mission adventure).