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
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 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".
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!
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!
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