There is a Louder Shout to come!

It has been an action packed couple of weeks. I'm quite wired at the moment, experiencing a bit of an adrenaline hangover. Last week I worked as late as 11.30pm on Tuesday, 10.30pm on Wednesday and past midnight Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Whew!

But it was for a GREAT reason. One of my big projects this year has been as part of the planning team that coordinated our ISMNZ national conference. It was an important celebration, marking our 10th Anniversary since God called a group of people to establish the organisation.

But before I get into that, the week of 18th October started with a VERY special Lord's Day service. Two of the Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF) students originally from Malaysia who fellowship at our church were baptised. What a wonderful day. In this picture are MANY of the OCF students who came for the celebration. As a gift to YY and Eugene, they sang Amazing Grace (my chains are gone...) - and one of the students from China become a follower of Christ that morning. It was hard to keep a dry eye that day. Please pray for YY and Eugene as they grow in their walk with Christ and serve Him on campus and at the church, and of course for their STUDIES, because the next three weeks are the final assignments and exams for the semester.

LABOUR WEEKEND (23-26 OCTOBER) in Rotorua! Peeeyuuu! Sulfuric Thermal capital of NZ!

Thank you to all who prayed for me to have the strength and endurance to give God my best in serving everyone at the ISM conference. I'm still a bit numb from it all - but words can't really describe my joy. God provided me with so many great team members to make it possible. The beauty of a conference where everyone belongs to Christ is that everyone serves one another, so the 'burden' of the work was never too much for me.

Our great worship team coordinators (Kenneth Koo and Joel Wicks) pulled together a nationwide team of gifted musicians and prayerfully chose the songs that would enhance the them of the conference: "Reaching the nations from our doorsteps - Impacting lives for eternity".

One song we especially sang from our toes and out our mouths was Anthem of the Highest Praise.

There is a louder shout come,
there is a sweeter song to hear,
all the nations with one voice,
all the peoples with one fear.
Bowing down before Your throne,
every tongue and tribe will be,
All the nations with one voice,
all the peoples with one King.

And what a song we'll sing upon that day...
O what a song we'll sing and
O what a tune we'll bear.
You deserve an anthem of
the highest praise.
O what a joy will rise and
O what a sound we'll make,
You deserve an anthem of the highest praise!

Gotta go to You Tube and listen to this one. It'll have your heart leaping. It truly represented the reality we were experiencing. 16 nations were represented at this conference - all singing with one voice. During one of our prayer times, everyone was asked to pray aloud in their mother tongue - but there was such a spirit of unity that it sounded like one voice.

Our main sessions speaker was Craig Barrow (principal of Pathways College of Bible and Mission who we partner with for our ministry internship). Wow... that is a 'dude' on adrenaline shots. Seriously... he is a 'mountain runner' and based on the energy with which he delivered inspirational and challenging messages, I know why. He inspired us from Hebrews 11 & 12, but I'd say the pivotal passages were these:

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. 3 Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. (NLT)

The way to live a life of faith is to: strip off every weight (busyiness, service, work, etc.) that has slowed our relationship with Jesus; especially the sin that trips us up all the time (confess, repent and get back in the race - you are not disqualified); run with endurance (the Christian walk is not a sprint to the finish); and always keep our eyes on the One who ran before us and who already holds the victory! He finished, and He promises that we'll finish in His power (not by our own strength).

So, we were challenged to get it right! Face the realities that have kept us from great fellowship with Christ, weighed us down and tripped us up. He asked each of us to think about what we need to keep our eyes on Jesus.

That afternoon I took a few people to Okere Falls who wanted to have a nice time connecting to the Lord through enjoying His creation. We had miraculous weather over the weekend! So, we all scatttered for a couple of hours and had quiet time. My place to catch up with the Lord was by the trout stream, listening to a little Third Day ("Show me Your glory, send down Your presence, I want to see Your face!")..

my retreat time...

Enjoying some sunshine with Jingxiu

Claudia offering up McDonald's 'chips' to the sea rats

Japanese schools don't teach students how to drink from a bottle!

A lovely sushi lunch at Lake Rotorua

Some of the other conference highlights included mini-olympics (as created by Alan from Vanuatu and Yuki from Japan). Nothing like a little coconut cracking and ten pin bowling using a pumpkin and milk bottles. My country team, Turkey, took the overall gold medal!

We also had great workshops on Storytelling the Bible, thinking through how to minister to international students at every stage, how to reach out through international family hostels, and sharing with more of our staff and volunteers how they can be involved in the ministry internship programme.

Saturday night was AWESOME... a "Kingdom Celebration" lasting nearly three hours. One of the groups sharing the camp with us was the AoG Samoan Youth from around the region. If you have never heard a choir of passionate young Samoan's sing... you are truly missing something. Wow... I asked them to open our celebration night before they went to their own session. They sang "Moving Forward" and seriously - it was like riding a freight train to heaven. WOW. Check out my link on You Tube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PilfgFt-S4&feature=related

Not going back! Moving ahead!

Still standing as the evening came to a conclusion...

A Tongan choir is also a heavenly sound!

Sing a long with our Malaysians! (plus a couple of Kiwi's)

We also took the opportunity to honour Terry & Jenny McGrath

Now we see a part of this
One day we shall see in full
All the nations with one voice
All the people with one love
No one else will share Your praise
And nothing else can take Your place
All the nations with one voice
All the people with one Lord

Even now upon the earth
There's a glimpse of all to come
Many people with one voice
Harmony of many tongues

We will all confess Your name
You will be our only praise
All the nations with one voice
All the people with one God

Finally, below is a little video of a worship song and dance taught by our J2 team!

The Following Took Place Between Aug19 - Oct12

HAVING A GREAT TIME LIVING THE MANDATE!
Titus 2 teaches that us 'older' women are to train the younger women to love their husbands and childnre, to be self-controlled and pure, to run a household, to be kind, and to teach them to submit to their husbands so that God's word would not be maligned.

God has given me some great younger women to meet with and mentor in these past few months. I am thrilled to be able to spend time doing some Skypleship with Mai in Tokyo! It makes for late nights but is such a blessing. Please pray for Mai-chan. One of the passages that we can pray for her is "Teach slaves (workers) to be subject to their masters (employers) in everything, to make effort to perform work that pleases them, to not talk back to them but rather show they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching of God our Saviour attractive" (Titus 2:9-10).

Since my last update, I've had the joy of continuing to meet with YY (Malaysia), one of the leaders of OCF and organisors of Camp Chica. She's a third year Vet student with a full heart to serve God. During her mid-semester break, she asked me for books to read - so I gave her lots of choice. She ended up completely connecting with "The Holiness of God" by RC Sproul and read it more than once. I knew before that she was a kindred spirit, but now I am certain! Please pray for YY as she is getting baptised on Sunday, 18th October at our church! And pray that she will continue to grow in her faith, as well as succeed in her studies... "commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed" (Proverbs 16:3) & "So do not worry, saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we wear?' or 'what shall we drink?' For those who do not know Christ run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and your needs will be met as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt 6:31-34).

Minami-chan (Japan) came to me and said she wanted to live for God and not be distracted by things in this world, but that she struggled to keep her focus when she gets depressed. We're going through "Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth that sets them free." Please pray that she will learn to hear God's voice above the lies, and that she will know, "Since you've been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden in Christ in God... put to death therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature" (Col 3:1-5a).

Nane (Tonga) gave me a text and asked if we could start meeting together for accountability. She's been very busy working full time as an accountant, planning a January wedding, and while she has seen God moving in their relationship and wedding planning - she misses her close fellowship with the Lord and wants to revive her heart and passion for God's word and God's people. I am so excited to meet with her. Please pray as we do a study on the faithfulness of our Lord who desires that we "go disciple all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end of the age" (Matt 28:19-20).

The Cardiff girls having tea before their Friday Night Girls bible study, Nonoka & Mana

Cardiff Street continues to be a blessing. Miyuma returned to Japan for a little while, and Nonoka moved in. Both came to faith this year through the foundations laid in Cardiff Street by Mai-chan last year, and the continued support of J2. Nonoka is growing heaps in her relationship with Christ, and will face returning to Japan for the holidays in early November. Nonoka is studying nursing at Massey university, and is a very busy girl. Our best hours are between 10 and midnight for talking about life and ministry and God.

Mana will be with us until March, when she returns to Osaka. Mana-chan has truly grown during her months here in NZ. I met her in 2006 during our mission trip in Osaka, and it's such a blessing to see the young woman she is becoming. This year she's learned how to cook, and is the main chef in our house now because Nonoka and I are often working. Please pray for Mana as she seeks God for direction in career and ministry back in Japan.

JingXiu is our part-time Cardiff lady... (with her own garden in the back). She's still looking for work since her graduation last year. Even though she hasn't found a job, she is ministering full time - serving the church, ISM and the OCF students. Please pray for her that she will see God's perfect plan for job and future, whether in NZ or in Malaysia.

GRACE CITY CHURCH CONTAGIOUS STUDENTS
The fellowship on Sunday nights with the youth and university students continues to be a highlight to begin my week. We have completed two series of teaching by RC Sproul and have now launched into the final one called "Ultimate Issues". It is amazing seeing how God is moving in each heart in a very deep and profound way.

Please pray for Kenny, Ian, Jingxiu and I as a 'leadership team', that we would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in guiding this group. There is a sense in which this year was a seed, and next year something incredible with come to fruition to reach many students for Christ in the local high schools and uni's. Pray too for Vincent, who has recently become a follower of Jesus and is himself contagious!

ISMNZ MINISTRY INTERNS' MINISTRY RETREAT &
Planning for upcoming ISMNZ National Conference

In mid-September our seven ministry interns (Joel/UK, Allen/Vanuatu, Victoria/Scotland, Claudia/Mexico, YangYang/China, Yuki & Koyo/Japan), along with our operations manager (John Wallis) and his wife (Reena), and one of the intern's wives (Lauren) set off on a five hour road trip to Lake Rotorua (some call it 'rotten-rua' because of the very heavy sulfur smell from all the thermal activity in the region). We stayed at Keswick Christian Camp on the lake.

The purpose was two-fold: to have a focussed time of prayer for the world and for our disciples, and to plan the upcoming ISMNZ national conference which is being held at Keswick.

What a great time! One of the biggest blessings was the morning we each spent with the Lord. In all the busyness of work and study, even when you're serving God and teaching and studying God's word and about God -- your relationship with Him can get lost. Suddenly you find yourself doing it all in your own strength and according to your own plan, and lose sight of His will, His wisdom and His purpose. Not to mention, you really miss those intimate times with your marvelous Creator and Saviour. We forget the reality that "He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6)... Therefore -- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose" (Phil 2:12b-13).

As I sat with the Lord by the lake, I saw a storm moving slowly towards me. It was so warm sitting there, but I knew it would only last for a moment. Still, the song by MercyMe came to mind, and with my iPod handy I turned on "Jesus, Bring the Rain"... "I can count a million times, people asking me why I can praise You with all that I've gone through. The question just amazes me, can circumstances possibly change who I forever am in you. So I pray - bring me joy, bring me peace, bring the chance to be free, bring me anything that brings You glory. For I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise You, Jesus - bring the rain!"

COMBINED 'FATHER'S DAY' SERVICE AT GCC...
One of my favourite things at our church is when the Chinese congregation that usually meets for service in the afternoon combines with our international family for a full service. This time it was to celebrate Father's Day (which is in September in New Zealand).

The service is conducted in both Mandarin and English, and for the first time, we had both pastors take a part of the sermon. Thank you to EVERYONE who has been praying for my church. God HAS answered our prayers for leadership, unity, healing and we continue to covet your prayers in that regard. Our heart is to continue to be a reflection of the kingdom of God as people from many tribes, tongues and nations worship, serve and reach out together in the name of Jesus!

The prodigal son story... KungFu Panda style!

FINALLY! AFTER SIX YEARS IT'S OPEN!
THE WAIORA (Living Water) CENTRE

One of the first projects I was a part of when moving to New Zealand in late 2003 was the planning of the new Christian chaplaincy centre to be built at Massey University. It was in the early planning stages, and the architects had submitted their first draft to the committee.

Well, after six years and God's raising of a million dollars, the construction is completed and the Waiora Centre is officially opened to serve the students. It brings to mind the verse, "God is able to do immeasureably more than you could ever ask or imagine."

Sesimani Havea, one of our ISM Pasifika ministry leaders and a chaplain for Pacific Island students (and of course any student) commented, "I have to pinch myself that God really gave us this amazing gift to serve the students with".

The old chaplaincy was a donated house on campus, that was definitely stretched in terms of meeting the needs of the various Christian groups on campus. But this new Centre is a fresh beginning, and Friday nights at Massey University are bursting with praise and outreach in the name of Jesus. Not just at the centre through the Overseas Christian Fellowship group, but with Pasifika "Fresh Zeal" fellowship, the Chinese 'Oddfellows" fellowship, and the MU Christian Fellowship meeting all over campus. Please pray for all who are involved in these student-led ministries, that God would continue to raise up labourers to mentor them. It is such a privelege to care for these students, who serve God with such zeal even in the midst of studies and part time work. They chose to lay down their lives to reach out to their classmates with the love of Christ.

The 'two Daniels'. Next year's OCF & MUCF ministry presidents, carrying the painting done by students from the old chaplaincy to the new centre.

The 'grand' opening blessing day! Overwhelming JOY

The rooms open out onto a deck into a lovely 'forest' sanctuary. Wow - did you say LEATHER couches? That are NEW? And wireless internet? Wow.

"You mean we can fit the entire fellowship in ONE room?"

J2 CAMP AT FOXTON BEACH...
Jesus taught us a lot about discipleship. He was very clear in telling his disciples to "go and disciple everyone (all peoples, all 'ethnos')". And He taught them how... "teaching them My words, teaching them to obey My words, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, casting out demons, loving one another, loving your enemies, blessing those who persecute you, doing good to those who hate you... and He also said... "Baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".

I think what blesses me most about spending time with J2 is the way the model discipleship. Sure, they do Bible study, and they share the gospel, and they teach others what Jesus said and how to live according to His word. But, other people who have met the J2 students and leaders "know that they are Jesus' disciples by the way that they love one another."

The ministry of J2 involves friendship, hospitality, crazy crazy Japanese game show style fun, meeting needs, ministering to those who are weak... even dealing with the issues of spiritual oppression and depression.

And, at J2 camp this is even more highlighted. This semester's camp was again a wonderful display of the fact that our God is still saving souls. This year, there have been so many come to Christ through J2. Pray for all of the J2 leaders, that they will wisely follow up and continue to 'teach them' Jesus' words and ways.

... baptising them.... another highlight of J2 camp was the baptism of one of the students who came to know Jesus while in New Zealand. He wanted to be baptised in New Zealand amongst his brothers and sisters in J2, before he returns to Japan to live. Praise God for this marvelous day!

The seas were rough as the baptism took place. It reminded me of the story where Jesus walked on water, then Peter left the boat to go to him. Everyone who went into the water on this particular day did so by faith in God, cuz for sure it was a crazy storm. Even though the waves were overwhelming, no one drowned and there was so much joy - the joy of the Lord was their strength!

TIME AND TIME AGAIN: QUIZ NIGHT 2009
The Contagious youth poured their hearts into planning Grace City Church's annual trivia quiz night. The theme: Decades of the 20th Century. So, teams were challenged to choose their decade, come in costume, have a song prepared and study up on their 20th century trivia, their Bible knowledge, and know where things are in Palmerston North.

Wait... is this a church? What's with the disco ball?

Another amazing area of growth this year has been with the Contagious worship team. God has really blessed them with talents and passion for praising Him through music. Everyone was so blessed.

Who's the dude with the 'fro? And is that Slash on guitar?
80's RAAWK!

Okay...hmmm... looks more like 1490's than 1990's.

Massey Overseas Christian Fellowship's team at quiz night!

OVERWHELMED!

On the day before I was leaving the states earlier this year to return to New Zealand, my dear friend Erika insisted that I buy a copy of a movie titled: FACING THE GIANTS! I had already seen Fireproof and loved it, and the same folks that made that movie had previously produced Facing the Giants.

Since returning with it to New Zealand in March, I’ve seen it several times, because the students are all keen to see it, and they tell others and so forth. At the end of the movie, the main character has just experienced major blessings as a result of living for God’s glory, and one more word of good news pushes him over the top emotionally… it’s like he’s so filled with gratitude and joy he can barely breath, and he manages to say through tears, “I’m overwhelmed!”

I know exactly how he feels. Overwhelmed! That is the word that most describes what has been happening in the past two months. Sometimes being overwhelmed is a good thing, and sometimes it’s not the best thing. Yet, I praise God because in Him I live and move and have my being, so even the tough situations are not hopeless… there is a plan.

Recently I attended the J2 camp at Foxton Beach. During my morning quiet time before Nonoka and I had our devotional sharing, I asked God to help me put into a word or words why I felt like I was choking on everything as if my heart had grown so big I was having trouble breathing. That’s when the word overwhelmed came into my mind and here’s what I have reflected on since:

• I am overwhelmed with passion for what God has me doing in life. I can see so much potential for ministry and so many opportunities to choose from but don’t know which way to go.
• I am overwhelmed with joy seeing so many youth and university international students coming to Christ or growing deeper in their walk with Him, and in their love for one another.
• I am overwhelmed with the way God has answered prayers for Grace City Church and He is really raising up a family of people who love each other and are ministering together.
• I am overwhelmed with praise for God as I spend time in the newly completed WaiOra (Living Water) Centre at Massey University (Christian centre). It was the first committee I recorded minutes for when I moved to NZ in last 2003 and to see this million dollar facility be completed six years later is a testimony to God’s faithfulness. The students at Massey are already benefiting from it.
• I am overwhelmed by things to do and losing track of the days and weeks and months as a result.
• I am overwhelmed with a desire to have more of my friends, family and supporters be a part of this amazing ministry, to come and visit me and experience the blessing I get to participate in every day.
• I am overwhelmed at all of the labourers God is raising up to work in His harvest field amongst international students in New Zealand.
• I am overwhelmed with compassion for all my friends and family-in-Christ in the Philippines, Samoa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and Tonga as so much calamity has come to them over these past few weeks.

OVERWHELMED –verb (used with object)
1. to overcome completely in mind or feeling: overwhelmed by happiness.
2. to overpower or overcome, esp. with superior forces; destroy; crush: Roman troops were overwhelmed by barbarians.
3. to cover or bury beneath a mass of something, as floodwaters, debris, or an avalanche; submerge: the tsunami from the earthquake overwhelmed the islands of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.
4. to load, heap, treat, or address with an overpowering or excessive amount of anything: a child overwhelmed with presents; to overwhelm someone with questions.
5. to overthrow.

Storytelling through pictures

Some of our Contagious fellowship as we sent one of students off
to China where he will study pre-med.

I've shared before about our Contagious Student group at Grace City Church! It's been an amazing year. We are thankful that God has brought together such a great group of young people, jr. high, high school, uni and even a post grad or two. A major highlight has been our first 'prayer' retreat as a group. For many, they had never set aside time or space for time alone with God or focussed prayer. On of our students commented, "three hours straight in prayer is really INTENSE". We set up areas all over the church, 'stations' for specific prayer... a space to do business with God, an area for "waiting" upon the Lord, an area to pray for friends and loved ones who do not know the Lord (and lighting a candle for each), praying the word of God, praying for the leaders and congregation of the church and its mission, prayer for Palmerston North, China and the world. It was beautiful. Then, we did prayer walks on the street our church is located and at two of the high schools.

We recently farewelled one of the students who has gone to China to study. It was a fun night of FOOD and lots of rediculous games... including my old favourite TWISTER!

Some of the Contagious guys... nations 'twisted' together in Christ (Singapore, NZ, Brunei, Malaysia)

Sue Joe migrated to NZ as a child from China... she is one of the FIRST fruits of the original mission (China Mission) that eventually became Grace City Church. Our church founder began an outreach to the children of Chinese migrants and Sue was one of those kids. All three of her daughters have been a part of Contagious at some time. She and I have served together for a couple of years as deacons on our church council.

Hola Chica! Girl power at Camp Chica

A few weeks ago one of the Massey University students in our church asked me if I could lead a session at their upcoming women's camp. I was so blessed and humbled by the request and definitely keen to participate. There are two Christian groups on campus under the IFES (aka Intervarsity in USA) umbrella. One that is primarily "Kiwi" students and the other that is made up of international students. They wanted to have a girls camp to build better connections and fellowship between the two ministries.

The result was an amazing blessing. A core of 23 girls (14 international, 9 Kiwi) with a few extra who came for parts of it, participated in a weekend of food, crafts, reading, fun including Bible study, messages on love, relationships, how God created and treasures women, and wonderful messages on the cross. I shared at two sessions, and a wonderul woman, Mercy David, shared at the other two. We drove out of town to the Mudford Dairy Farm and lived together at the farmstay house. Yes, over 25 women and one toilet - and no long queue's (miracles follow God's children).

GETTING CONNECTED!

(l-r) John (ISM Nat'l Operations Mgr) & Reena Wallis, Jenny McGrath (my boss' wonderful wife); and Dianne Stock (part time Massey chaplain & wife to our internship director)

One Saturday per month, the local ISMNZ family gathers for what we call "connect". Because our ministries are so diverse, we don't see each other often even though we live in a small town. So, as part of the staff training and development introduced this year, we've been going through a Bible study on the ISM philosophy of ministry. It is a good time of sharing our experiences, ideas and growing in unity around the vision and purpose of our mission.

On 4th of July we met at the Cardiff Chateau (my home) for the study and a BBQ extravaganza. Jenny even brought out the fireworks!

Dennis & Olive Pimental with my boss Terry (ISM Nat'l Director). Dennis has a real passion to minister to post-grads and their families. Olive works for Massey in the International Student Office and takes great care of those students!

Paul and Dianne along with their daughter Charlotte and friend - enjoying a good feed of burgers, chilli con carne, hot dogs, and of course for dessert brownies and PAVLOVA (yummy NZ dessert).

Terry, along with Natalia and DJ who recently moved to NZ. They are originally from Indonesia but have lived in several nations, including a number of years in the USA. We connected with them through one of the USA Navigator ISM leaders. Also pictured are Neil and Jean Crawford. They were my first Kiwi family - I lived with them for several weeks when I first moved to NZ after having broken my ankle. They adopted me and cared for me and helped me become acculurated in New Zealand.

Ready for Springtime!

Heavenly views... flying above Mt. Ruapehu! Spring will soon arrive.

"So, what do you do?" asks the interested person.

I get that question a lot. And until recently, I must have often looked like a deer in the headlights as I thought of an answer to give. Not because I don't know the "things" I do, but in terms of defining it in a sentence (which, lets face it, is usually the most people want to hear from us) I was at a loss. But, since a recent missions conference I was a part of, that's changed for me.

"I help international students studying in New Zealand become life-long followers of Jesus!" I now exclaim cheerfully.

The reaction from those who ask... now THEY are like a deer in the headlights, and I am the one behind the wheel (heehee).

But, it's true. That IS what God has led me to do here in New Zealand. Sure, I am working in the National Office of ISMNZ, am a part of the executive management team, and yes I work with staff training and development, Bible college internship curriculum development and teaching, support the National Director, and so on and on and on.

Seeing these students become followers of Christ, become established in His word and His ways and being a part of our returnees' lives as they carry on in faith in their home countries is the adrenaline in my blood stream!

In our world vision course we've been looking a lot at God's mission in the world. I had Yuki read aloud the entire geneology of Noah & his sons as recorded in Genesis 10:1-32. Not an easy ask for a Japanese, English as second language student to read out all those names. However, the reason I did it was to make this point: In that geneology are ALL of our ancestors. Your ancestors, mine... and Noah - well, he's the man that God chose to be the one that all peoples of the earth come from to this very day.

Not only that, but it was God's intention that Noah's descendants continue to be on the move - to "be fruitful and multiply and fill all the earth" (Genesis 9:1). So, what happens when a people group decides to stop moving on? They end up building towers in order to "make a name for ourselves" and "not be scattered over the face of the earth" (Genesis 11:1-7).

If you wonder why the gospel dies after a few generations in one culture... it's because its meant to continue to spread throughout all peoples, not just "my" people. As I studied once again the 'great comission' (which is a Co-Mission because we do it in partnership WITH Jesus) I realised... it's not a noun, it's a verb! Let me explain - it doesn't actually say "Go, make disciples" of all nations. It says "Go disciple all people... ethnos - peoples - everybody." And that's not just Bible teaching. That's healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, living for others and laying down your own life for their good and God's glory.

So, my challenge to those who follow Jesus is to get about the business of following Him into His world. He says He'll be with us always, and He says 'follow Me'. He is always on the move. Praise God that when a nation stops looking upward and outward with compassion to the rest of the nations, God Himself brings the nations to us. Through Globalized eduction, He is scooping up a harvest of international students and bringing them from their home countries to us... He's bringing them TO the gospel! So, if you haven't been going to the nations through prayer or supporting missionaries, bring the gospel to an international student in your town! They're there!

And, if you have sensed God's call on your heart to get moving out of your comfort zone but continue to say, "I could never leave my family", then realise the entire earth is filled with family!

Japanese are so inventive, eh? Mana comes up with one way to fight onion tears.

Kiwi's helping me celebrate the 4th of July!
The USA's independence from 'the crown' (that NZ is still a part of)

Did you know that to every other culture - root beer tastes like bad stomach medicine? Mana and Hwang Lin (Malaysia) aren't sure what they think of it.

It's Definitely Catching

CONTAGIOUS! That's the name coughed up by the high school youth group of Grace City Church a few years ago. While the original members have graduated and moved on, they spread their fever for Christ onto the younger ones and Contagious continues to catch on to this day.

Kenny (right) directing Act 2, scene 2 of "the Prodigal son returns"

This year we decided to spread the love to our university students and beyond and the youth were keen for that. So, many of the international students who attend our church are now Contagious too! God has also brought us a few post grad students and young professionals who are just learning about God and Christianity. They continue to come and learn, and we continue to pray for God to give them new hearts and put His Spirit in them that they may receive the faith to believe.

Nothing like a good feed to attract students in the midst of exams!

I am so grateful for answered prayer. I sought God for direction on how to best serve ISMNZ as a part of Grace City Church’s leadership team, and He guided me to become involved with the student ministry. Their current youth leader, Kenny Wong (from Brunei) had a lot on his plate and had been praying for God to bring more help. So, along with me and one of our elders Kellis (from Fiji) Jing Xiu is serving the ministry as well as Ian Lim, one of our Malaysian post grad students who is also a graduate leader of OCF (Overseas Christian Fellowship). God put together a good team!

(left) Marcus & Ian: our engineering specialists (not);

Act 2, scene 2 from the "prodigal son"... two pigs & a man in a pigsty!

We launched the Contagious spread with a BBQ. Then spent the follow six weeks studying at the feet of RC Sproul (DVD series ‘Choosing My Religion’)! While RC is a deep thinker, he is also very gifted in teaching deep things in a way that students can relate to. The series focuses around the parable of the prodigal son, and we spent time having discussions around the tables about “who is God?”, “What is a Christian?”, relativism, absolutes, the Law of God, the wrath of God, sin, grace, forgiveness. The students were really focussed and asking some awesome questions.

J2 crew (l-r) Koyo, Mana (my flatmate), Nonoka & Mayumi;

(right) Mayumi (also a Cardiff Chateau girl)

At the end of the series we threw a celebration banquet, “Welcome Home” in honour of the prodigal son’s return. It was an outreach to the university students who are in the midst of their end of semester exams. But, it was also an opportunity for talented musicians to literally throw together a praise band (they practiced after high school every day that week) – and fulfill a vision they had for Contagious. It is so exciting to see them grow in Christ and seek ways to serve Him and reach out to their classmates and others!

CONTAGIOUS LIVE on stage for the VERY FIRST TIME!

Please continue to pray for Contagious. They have a ‘Dream Box’ where they put in their requests and ideas. One major request is “we want to participate in a prayer retreat”. As a result, over these next three weeks we will have studies on: “Model prayers: Lord teach me to pray, the prayers of Jesus, the prayers of Paul” – then “how to spend a day alone with God” – and “Praying as you go – a look at prayer walks”. Then, we plan to have a prayer advance overnighter at a beach nearby. To God be the glory for His love growing in the hearts of the students!

God's Favour and a Quite a Thrill

People still ask me, "what brought you to New Zealand?" -- Of course it is the fact that part of the 'work God has prepared for me to do' (and planned by Him beforehand, Ephesians 2:10) was to serve international students in New Zealand and beyond. I've been in NZ for 5 1/2 years now, and I can testify that God truly has designed me for this mission to internationals. Mentoring, teaching, hospitality... reaching the nations literally from my doorstep: what a blessing!

But of course, how He got me to even LOOK towards NZ was through the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. While googling websites for the opportunity to serve on a short term mission, God prompted my dear Navigator friend Leihlyn to phone me. She guided me to the Nav website because the opportunity to serve with ISMNZ was posted there. What began as a search for a short (6 months) mission became a confirmation of full time mission (2-3 years).

Back to the LOTR theme... I had wanted to be in New Zealand for the premier of the Return of the King which was early December 2003. And, praise the lord of Lords, I relocated to NZ one week before the premier. I was in Wellington for the week leading up to the 'big day'.

So, in His providence it would make sense that God would bring another woman, an aspiring film maker (who wanted to be in NZ to work on projects connected to Weta and Peter Jackson and perhaps even The Hobbit) into my life. I've introduced you to Claudia before. She is one of our ministry interns from Mexico, and besides having the opportunity to teach her, I am her mentor/supervisor for the internship.

Claudia has gone through much in her time in New Zealand. It has been very challenging, humbling and refining for her these past 18 months. But what is beginning to glow through is a shine and light for Christ that is on firmer ground. As part of her final year, one of the courses I teach is called "God's Workmanship" (1st Semester) and another is "Focus on the Future" (beginning in July). The first semester course focusses on understanding how God has hand crafted you with spiritual gifts, strengths & talents, personality, values, etc. The purpose is to help guide our interns in making decisions as the prayerfully consider how to serve God in ministry and in career & life choices.

It was during this course that Claudia began to receive affirmation of what God has wired her to do.

Okay, so what does all this have to do with anything? Well, in focussing on the future, we work with each intern to guide them in writing CV/Resume's, cover letters, preparing referees, applying for work or further education or mission, etc. Because Claudia had a dream when she came to NZ and entrusted it to God - putting Him first as she focussed on becoming fluent in English and most importantly, grounded in her faith... her desire to work in the film industry in NZ (in order to one day world impacting documentaries) is now the next dream in focus.

Claudia comes from Guadalajara, Mexico. The director of The Hobbit is also from her home town (even suburb). This week he was in Wellington for a book signing (his new book) so Claudia and I fasttracked her next semester course and got that CV and letter done! And, carried by the fervent prayers of many that God would give her favour “amongst kings” and the peace of God, off she went to the booksigning... CV, letter and FLAN in hand.

She is like the farmer who, even though there have been years of drought, planted his seed anyway and trusted God for the rain. She planted her seed AND MADE HEADLINES in the NZ Dominion Post! The rain is up to the Lord. I'll copy the story below, but here is a link to see it as long as they keep it up on the website:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/2510831/Fan-asks-the-man-for-a-job-any-job

Claudia & Guillermo del Toro (dir. The Hobbit)

Fan asks 'the man' for a job, any job
By NATHAN BEAUMONT - The Dominion Post
Last updated 05:00 18/06/2009

Most people used a book signing by Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro as a chance to snare a autograph and have a chat, but one used it to further her career prospects.

Hundreds of people queued to see the Oscar winner at the Weta Cave in Miramar last night, some coming from Auckland and Nelson.

Claudia Juarez, who hails from the film-maker's home town of Guadalajara, had been waiting for months to meet "the man".

As he signed her copy of The Strain , she handed him an envelope which had a job application for a role in his upcoming movie, The Hobbit.

"I don't care what the job is, cleaner, whatever, I just want to be involved in the movie. The chance to work with him would be awesome," she said.

"He is such a cool guy, very humble. I have been waiting for this opportunity my whole life." Ms Juarez, a university student in Palmerston North, had previously worked as an assistant producer in Mexico.

"I love working in the industry and I thought if you don't ask, you don't know, so we'll see what happens."

The Strain is the first part of a trilogy in which a mysterious virus turns large numbers of people into bloodsucking vampire creatures and a New York disease control team tries to contain the outbreak.

Del Toro, 44, has been based in Wellington for the past eight months preparing to direct The Hobbit. He will stay again while the film is shot here next year and till the first part is released in 2011.

He was not revealing many details about the project, but did tell The Dominion Post that he would be flying over New Zealand in the next few weeks to look at possible locations for the film.

"We have been scouting locations by using photos so once we get up in the air and see them properly it will really help us make some decisions." The elaborate Hobbiton village on a farm in Matamata, which was used in The Lord of the Rings, would also be rebuilt. The movie will be released in two parts in 2011 and 2012.

Anyone Seen Star Trek yet?

ISMNZ Ministry Interns

A lot can happen in such a short period of time. It seems like I just returned from Japan. I really want to see Star Trek, but week after week goes by and I'm still saying it. Of course, I was distracted by the Ducks vs. Redwings NHL playoffs... and up until 2 minutes before the end of game 7 was hopeful. But alas, there was no joy in the Cardiff Chateau that night! But, that's a distant memory now and things have really been rolling in Palmerston North, New Zealand. First of all, I finally scored a photo of this semesters ISMNZ Ministry Interns. So, here they are:

back row: Alan (Vanuatu), Victoria (Scotland), and Vani (Tonga)
front row: Claudia (Mexico), Yuki (Japan) and Koyo (Japan)
**not pictured is YY, but she's in my March update :-) & as you can see, Koyo & I are kindred spirits all the way to our ROOTS! heehee

Please pray for these awesome interns. Study of theology, discipleship, ministry principles and practice is a heavy load in any language, but in a second language it has even more weight. Still, each of these is growing and being refined (sometimes painfully) by God's grace and through His word. Pray they will stay in the light and draw closer to God through it all, and be able to complete their assignments and balance part time work and ministry at the same time. I am enjoying teaching the 'Being Disciples' course and the 'God's Workmanship' workshop. We have a few more classes to go before the end of this semester.

Grace City Church - CONTAGIOUS under the influence of RC Sproul!

Anyone who knows me knows it was bound to happen. I'd pass on what was given to me when I was a young follower of Christ. During my last visit to the states, I stocked up on three DVD series by RC Sproul. Three weeks ago, we launched our first series - "Choosing My Religion".

A little ice breaker gets everyone going... from fragments to a group!

Our youth group, Contagious, opened their night to include our university students. So, now we have a sort of a "student" (plus the graduates) group going. Only the Lord knows how it will evolve. Each week we see new faces and I am encouraged. At it's heart, it is a mission to get young people grounded in TRUTH and equipped to stand in the Word against the lies of culture, so-called science and relativism, while at the same time building a heart to worship God, know God for who He really is (holy, holy, holy), build a loving community of believers, and ultimately RAWK for God! "Watch this space" is our motto, because we want God to take the lead.

Our worship team has grown from 0, to 1, to 3 in just three weeks... who knows what it will be this week...

Fiji meets Kiwi meets Singapore... JR Tolkien (Giselle) & CS Lewis (Josh) find each other
during ice breaker

Last Sunday the video focussed on the wrath of God. Not something you hear a lot these days. People think if God is loving He can't be wrathful. But, it's His wrath that gives His love a context. God is holy. We are not. God hates sin. We do not. God's holiness demands justice. God's justice must be satisfied. Either on the one who sins, or the ONE (Jesus) who while we were yet sinners took the wrath of God in our place. "For God so LOVED the world, that He gave His one and only Son..." (John 3:16); "This is how we know what LOVE is, Jesus Christ laid down His life for us." (1 John 3:16). The passion of Jesus wasn't shown in His beatings and persecution at the hands of man, it was His passion to drink the cup of God's wrath in order to save us from the wrath that is to come. Meditate on that for a bit.

Pray that God's love would truly be Contagious. There were several non-Christians there Sunday night! And they said, "see you next week" when they left. Whewhew!

ISMNZ Impacting AsiaNZ relations:

One of the blessings that God has given to those who are a part of ISMNZ is that we also have an impact into the 'secular' world. That is, groups like the Ministry of Education, Professional & Business groups, Cross-Cutlural training, and foreign relations often work with many of our staff and volunteers (a lot of graduates) on research projects to better the relations for migrants and international students in New Zealand, as well as with their home nations.

The latest project that my boss Terry has been working on is a research project that involves Business graduates from Asia. Hwang Lin Cheng is heading up the coordination of the research, along with a team of our staff and volunteers throughout New Zealand. Ministry to internationals goes deep with ISMNZ. Our heart is to see as many people become followers of Jesus while in New Zealand and helpt them become established in Him. And practically speaking, our service to them goes even deeper. The Scriptures teach us to show love and hospitality to the strangers in our land. Our hope is that the fruit of these research projects will provide just that! The opportunity for New Zealand to treat all cultures who come here with dignity and value, welcoming them into the richness of culture that makes New Zealand so special.

Hwang Lin (in white jacket) instructing our team of interns and volunteers
how do arrange interviews with graduates during the recent Massey University Graduation day.

Deuteronomy 10:17 "The LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes. 18 He gives justice to orphans and widows. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. 19 You, too, must show love to foreigners…