tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42729878509587937572024-03-14T01:50:44.795+13:00Good News of Great JoyJaneen Mills serving with International Student Ministries of New ZealandInternational Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-30942985723183170372011-10-31T21:52:00.015+13:002011-10-31T23:25:45.698+13:00To Live is Christ<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;">"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me."</span><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-weight: bold;"> (Paul's letter to the Philippians, 1:21,22)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Beginning in October, I began taking our 'conTagious Students' on a journey to explore the Bible, teaching them to mine the Scriptures, ask questions, use tools to dig deeper. So, we journeyed to Philippi, in Macedonia. I prepared a fusion Greek meal for them, and as we learned of the region and enjoyed it's tastes and smells, we received a letter all the way from Rome, delivered by Epaphrodites, from our spiritual father the apostle Paul. There are no chapters and verses... just the complete letter as originally intended.<br /><br />The following week we journeyed to Rome and visited Paul in his 'prison' apartment, to hear him begin to read the letter to us aloud. We didn't get far before the questions started flying, "why do you call us SAINTs?", "why do you say 'grace & peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ'?", "how did Paul meet the Philippians in the first place?" and so on. I suppose the fun discovery was about the word "AFFECTION" which actually is translated from the word, "BOWEL"... so Paul's love for the holy ones/saints in the church at Philippi flows out of the depths - the bowels - the seat of passion... of his love in Christ. WOW.<br /><br />That got me to thinking - do we all as followers (those who are holy because God dwells in us) love one another with that sort of affection? Then I remembered Jesus' words,</span><span style="display: inline;" class="versetext" id="joh13-34"> <span class="WordsOfChrist">"A new command<a name="43"></a> I give you: Love one another.<a name="44"></a> As I have loved you, so you must love one another.<a name="45"></a></span> </span><span style="display: inline;" class="versetext" id="joh13-35"><span class="WordsOfChrist">By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."<a name="46"></a></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>(John 13:34, 35)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The mark of following Jesus is LOVE! If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. May our labours be a labour of sincere, abounding love!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CATCHING UP WITH A BUSY SPRING!</span><br /><br />Springtime in New Zealand is temperature-mental, very similar to my 50 year old female moods! But this year has been special, and I continue to have a silly grin on my face as I drive through my little city of Palmerston North. The picture below was take from the edge of The Square, the centre of the city.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRIIBijdmCjJqQYo94tVC6ceAVz3AkmQdoQId6oJZzRXBnxF9CO_G5lYCBH8UoynN7pMQvAKc3uSd3vdGVTeSQMWJXhxs-9YYj1B0LTUVOc03QK983ec6vXpScM1FZAinApIk5AGOV6Y/s1600/perfectsquare.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRIIBijdmCjJqQYo94tVC6ceAVz3AkmQdoQId6oJZzRXBnxF9CO_G5lYCBH8UoynN7pMQvAKc3uSd3vdGVTeSQMWJXhxs-9YYj1B0LTUVOc03QK983ec6vXpScM1FZAinApIk5AGOV6Y/s400/perfectsquare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669578188957830642" border="0" /></a>September and October have been packed with excitement. Rugby is the national sport here, and the grand royalty of world rugby hit our shores in early September for several weeks of competition in the Rugby World Cup 2011. All hopes were riding on our NZ All Blacks to win the cup, an honour that we haven't had since 1987. The further we went in the competition, the more nervous the entire nation became. Injuries plagued our team and we were calling guys up who weren't selected for the team. But... for the joy of New Zealand, just after 80 minutes of play and holding our breath in the final, the All Blacks held on to win 8-7 over France. I think the collective JUMP and SCREAM shook both islands...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEFs19g33epK5FLsnRb9wXaopu6Fq5FeXn4jJCfLS6-1lDTwlo-9jY9t2nUcEqsW9BmsouASid7GVKkt020m6UVNDnaRyZfaq8uFDDUrhkJcapQ4yCvXEplUBf5IsPwSffHcIApoodVQ/s1600/contagiousquiz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEFs19g33epK5FLsnRb9wXaopu6Fq5FeXn4jJCfLS6-1lDTwlo-9jY9t2nUcEqsW9BmsouASid7GVKkt020m6UVNDnaRyZfaq8uFDDUrhkJcapQ4yCvXEplUBf5IsPwSffHcIApoodVQ/s400/contagiousquiz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669578179680437122" border="0" /></a>But, even better than the Rugby World Cup was our very own 'conTagious Student Group Quizz Night 2011'. Team members from around the world battled it out for the coveted prize... the golden iPod trophy. The theme was 'Return of the Decades' - and teams arrived on the night dressed from their favourite decade theme. Cowboys, politically incorrect Indians, 80's punks, 50s ladies and greasers, were among the competitors.<br /><br />It was truly a blessing, and the 'conTagious 2011 Band' raised their voices to the Lord in praise (they even let me sing). I think the best part were the weeks we spent together preparing for the event. It truly was a joy to see the students come together as co-labourers in Christ. They continue to grow more and more in knowledge and depth of insight as the love one another and work together for God's glory. My love for them has grown so deep, as I sense our unity in Christ. They are learning how God has gifted them and how to use those gifts to serve together, and most importantly they have grown in their faith and dependence on the Lord. And of course, the laughter makes it all the more fun.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />HOW ONE LIFE SERVING JESUS CAN IMPACT OTHERS<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hD0UT93C4YAbuCS_e1xJUgCYC6HzOhRj6kOdqNNkP40oE-cnNNG8iIMgfs1KrL0tP_TnnsAy-Y1GRe4REDtpMRtrWmOntuR6DgXrmy7hTitGsODcfsFhcfCCfJ9yp6wPq-Y9r6oh7tA/s1600/jingxiupt2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hD0UT93C4YAbuCS_e1xJUgCYC6HzOhRj6kOdqNNkP40oE-cnNNG8iIMgfs1KrL0tP_TnnsAy-Y1GRe4REDtpMRtrWmOntuR6DgXrmy7hTitGsODcfsFhcfCCfJ9yp6wPq-Y9r6oh7tA/s400/jingxiupt2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669578162657836962" border="0" /></a>The photo you see above represents the lives that one young woman has touched in only a few years. Jingxiu (front row centre, white shirt) returned to Malaysia to carry on with studies towards teaching English as a second language. I met Jingxiu in at a student conference in 2006 (she was my roommate)... and after she graduted from university in Dunedin, she came up to Palmerston North to do our ISMNZ Ministry internship. I became not only her ministry supervisor, but "MOM".<br /><br />Jingxiu has a unique gift of motivating others, connecting people to one another who may not have normally met, and seeing people grow in their knowledge of the word of God and in Him. As you can see from the photo above, lots of people love her and have been blessed by her selfless and relentless service to them.<br /><br />For me it is such a joy to see one of my daughters impact so many lives. I certainly don't have her energy, but God has reminded me once again of the importance of investing in one life at a time. Because in doing so, we are discipling disciple makers, and developing generations of labourers for the Lord's harvest.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A SPECIAL J2 WEEKEND AWAY!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9pEyI1_L1SEOGc4-upCobldb5RDGh30INrqo4DQMCwS5W5MmV5dudQX5JHbR5hWRnc4XboW7NIcOhYt2p5kVDc-ZCuxZR5Ib1c13sFisFwAZKWpFaIDPBOZZmXChgPWComWrjZ3hJYI/s1600/j2eat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9pEyI1_L1SEOGc4-upCobldb5RDGh30INrqo4DQMCwS5W5MmV5dudQX5JHbR5hWRnc4XboW7NIcOhYt2p5kVDc-ZCuxZR5Ib1c13sFisFwAZKWpFaIDPBOZZmXChgPWComWrjZ3hJYI/s400/j2eat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669578159377895314" border="0" /></a>J2 Leaders planned a special get-away. We loaded the cars and drove 2 hours to the east coast. About 20 minutes from our final destination all cell phone and internet coverage disappeared. What a wonderful weekend being truly together with God, His creation, and one another.<br /><br />For once there was no "programme" - just a quiet weekend to spend in prayer, devotional time and recreation. The funny thing is, we ended up doing most things together even though there wasn't a schedule. It is so important to spend time just 'being together' rather than always 'doing'.<br /><br />The photos below are of our walk up to the lighthouse, and the view from the top. What a beautiful place!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQHeTs_8eJfdGH81k3Gm97bV4U4pagjhfOMn8ZYQP_MBMs9k5YDKOzxKIKhQXFi8Bj5SLv4QbHbZkB9WNtqJKj-9b7dMzsifwcIrTOwa7gMhaC_-jENqfH-rMklte-LcbK_iVES2osF8/s1600/j2light.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQHeTs_8eJfdGH81k3Gm97bV4U4pagjhfOMn8ZYQP_MBMs9k5YDKOzxKIKhQXFi8Bj5SLv4QbHbZkB9WNtqJKj-9b7dMzsifwcIrTOwa7gMhaC_-jENqfH-rMklte-LcbK_iVES2osF8/s400/j2light.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669578156095092498" border="0" /></a>Below... Shota, Laurel, me and Kenny<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUDQjsVVIn23wDFxWOUPvBTwIWDB47ylsRYlx729zQRS3DZD2akqiUeNtta8zYEu8qESZjA9miUkXe41OAomrXgb8HwK4nFIUUHzbbz1QXr14Ek-pjZy9RKj5CuxV_N0kBD2kVae2ezo/s1600/j2crew.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUDQjsVVIn23wDFxWOUPvBTwIWDB47ylsRYlx729zQRS3DZD2akqiUeNtta8zYEu8qESZjA9miUkXe41OAomrXgb8HwK4nFIUUHzbbz1QXr14Ek-pjZy9RKj5CuxV_N0kBD2kVae2ezo/s400/j2crew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669594892820717554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRIIBijdmCjJqQYo94tVC6ceAVz3AkmQdoQId6oJZzRXBnxF9CO_G5lYCBH8UoynN7pMQvAKc3uSd3vdGVTeSQMWJXhxs-9YYj1B0LTUVOc03QK983ec6vXpScM1FZAinApIk5AGOV6Y/s1600/perfectsquare.jpg"><br /></a>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-38440278565451741592011-10-19T14:42:00.004+13:002011-10-19T15:13:41.980+13:00Abounding Love<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">And this is my prayer: that your love for people may abound more and more in <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>knowledge and depth of insight about what love truly is, so that you may prove pure the things that are the best of the best, and be sincere and not offend in your love for others (for the rest of your lives and beyond ‘til the Day of Christ) – I pray that you will be filled with the fruits of righteousness, fruits that grow from the seed of Christ’s righteousness in you – in order that God would be glorified and praised. (Philippians 1:8-9, Janeen paraphrase).</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">2011 has been like a roller coaster ride, not only due to world events and natural disasters, but here in New Zealand as well. As summer begin in New Zealand, Christchurch was just beginning to heal from a September 2010 earthquake that did major damage, but no lives were lost.</span><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K7VEXIFyFkx3rX3hcveXykhfu-N1P7HQnoNLRPhxPoIg5frmyEYR-KBH5SEMrj3RvWu2FYGMK-Ymcs9IwC_vhdmWfb-xF-E_pnMEx8AzNpJ9w_8SX6KjPvIhzPgcUMUtLfwwAgSj0Zk/s1600/christchurch-quake-offer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K7VEXIFyFkx3rX3hcveXykhfu-N1P7HQnoNLRPhxPoIg5frmyEYR-KBH5SEMrj3RvWu2FYGMK-Ymcs9IwC_vhdmWfb-xF-E_pnMEx8AzNpJ9w_8SX6KjPvIhzPgcUMUtLfwwAgSj0Zk/s400/christchurch-quake-offer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665019191218402290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYWUVAHArAJk30U-rFv1_yj3VCJV_axxjddSypRn1ZSNzoCtB7898PIKoCXdAuS40fWaRo0I0aglmey66EQtBYLCyRZsqmx0NAOOtIX2DWASO8GggiYxUqmPFJz5bJoDPsmxnZj2rHoY/s1600/quake23_16vb3qg-16vb409.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYWUVAHArAJk30U-rFv1_yj3VCJV_axxjddSypRn1ZSNzoCtB7898PIKoCXdAuS40fWaRo0I0aglmey66EQtBYLCyRZsqmx0NAOOtIX2DWASO8GggiYxUqmPFJz5bJoDPsmxnZj2rHoY/s400/quake23_16vb3qg-16vb409.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665019193726551522" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">Then came the big one… The February 22<sup>nd</sup> 2011 earthquake that rocked Christchurch and 181 lives were lost, a large percentage of those were international students. In the months since the quake, people are still dealing with the aftershocks… not just the earth shakes, but financially, emotionally, and day-to-day. </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">Then when Eastern Japan was rocked by a triple tragedy less than one month later, there began a sense of ‘kindred’ love between the two nations. Still today their citizens are coming together here or there to bring hope in the midst of recovery.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ"></span><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">“Experts” really can’t say how long the rebuild of NZ South Island’s largest city will take, but we do know that thousands of homes are ‘red zoned’ and those neighbourhoods will never be rebuilt. The soil is too fragile to support any kind utilities infrastructure. Some people only began using their indoor plumbing and toilets in the last couple of months. However, they are not keen to give up the port-a-loo’s in their front yard, being always wary of another quake that could knock out the system once again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ"></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6_ZV6YTyaivKMv0uAP1jEAFQkale0eIDB8R_CpipZLiKAbBzUoCO-6nzOGgwfKvu_L1U_kHsILigZv5jcLyFx31CiMN9-KP9aRiZ_AR3Xo2oYhuwgD_yPT1AWqrfAVBCXjNparJQGLg/s1600/rena-oil.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6_ZV6YTyaivKMv0uAP1jEAFQkale0eIDB8R_CpipZLiKAbBzUoCO-6nzOGgwfKvu_L1U_kHsILigZv5jcLyFx31CiMN9-KP9aRiZ_AR3Xo2oYhuwgD_yPT1AWqrfAVBCXjNparJQGLg/s400/rena-oil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665019357567535618" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">It was a real blessing to watch the Rugby World Cup Game between NZ’s All Blacks vs. Japan. Once again those emotions were raw as a moment of silence was observed before the start of the game. Now, as the Rugby World Cup comes to a close, with our mighty All Blacks making it to the finals (for the first time in 16 years) to face France, the nation is distracted by another ecological disaster which was purely the fault of man.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">The Rena, a container ship, ran aground on a reef off the coast of the Bay of Islands. Between the 90 containers which have already fallen off the ship and floated to shore or sunk, the tons and tons of thick ‘marmite-like’ oil that has poisoned our beaches, and the risk that the ship will break apart on the reef… it’s been a real drama. Yet, the thousands of NZ citizens who have signed up as volunteers for the clean up effort is a real blessing and warms the heart of world. And in the midst of it all lies the hope that our beloved All Blacks could win the Rugby World Cup, right here in Auckland!</span><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3odMmFdVbKlQbL-W-Qe94Xova9gzx-732ZMHYq5djtdN2pJw6DOyhZe4gQ2OIpStOyk8KH6GYq2r14lNhe9ip6rQCEqeT0ggib_Sj3Ui78TfhPEadPv3PFEPl9NW8hsyL9bhceNnrts/s1600/new-zealand-ship-3_2024432i.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3odMmFdVbKlQbL-W-Qe94Xova9gzx-732ZMHYq5djtdN2pJw6DOyhZe4gQ2OIpStOyk8KH6GYq2r14lNhe9ip6rQCEqeT0ggib_Sj3Ui78TfhPEadPv3PFEPl9NW8hsyL9bhceNnrts/s400/new-zealand-ship-3_2024432i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665018957964742834" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">So, what does this have to do with Paul’s prayer in his letter to the Philippians? Nothing on the surface, but as I study the prayer, I see it somehow being modelled by people who are united through tragedy, trials and triumph. I know personally these events have given me a depth of love I never had before for the people of New Zealand, Japan and indeed around the world. It’s not a natural feeling at all. It’s something that can only be explained as divine. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">The Apostle Paul understood where the seed of that love comes from. It is truly a part of the nature of Christ – God with us – and for Christians, God-in-Us through His Holy Spirit. Jesus’ love was so deep, so compassionate, so full of tender mercy, that He sacrificed His life for the very sinners who want nothing to do with Him. He loved His enemies purely, He continues to bless those who persecute Him, He continues to do good to those who hate Him. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">The Apostle John says it best, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.” And Paul echoes that reality, “But God demonstrated His deep, unconditional love for us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">So as I my love has grown deeper and deeper for others, I am also growing in my understanding of it and am able to discern when I am ‘faking it’ or truly experiencing deep compassion from the core of my being.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">I pray that it doesn’t always take the extreme joys and sorrows and tragedies and triumphs in life to move us to love one another. I pray that our love may abound more and more because we truly understand and experience the deep love of Jesus that He sacrificially gives to us each and every day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-NZ" lang="EN-NZ">Oh, and one more thing... <span style="font-weight: bold;">GO THE ALL BLACKS!</span></span><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxZJ9cibsHfzWgvTmMEwUMn1ae-_wYsGS5gFWb3fMhSR5t3SBWD-66dYT7Exw-588tsfGXJaR6nmuHwnIJbfhCl_H7dHNupvv8zmFd3DyKRkJTwPlDlurgPM0HEhYhEyVkdzzCQorfNc/s1600/301625_2562325097835_1245300172_3162483_682474462_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxZJ9cibsHfzWgvTmMEwUMn1ae-_wYsGS5gFWb3fMhSR5t3SBWD-66dYT7Exw-588tsfGXJaR6nmuHwnIJbfhCl_H7dHNupvv8zmFd3DyKRkJTwPlDlurgPM0HEhYhEyVkdzzCQorfNc/s400/301625_2562325097835_1245300172_3162483_682474462_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665018952746541698" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VfIRkQzVWOmjYuI3-ZuSC2SH8PvvAAVZxmMpmqxBPlFozAlEqKFplrBCvdgYTbIb7LVMDZk2-U5e6cnqVkfXLak5UeYIKjCH010FQoCFClhzj24sZIXOPXLg5nupwrKHRtgiq3Xx3bg/s1600/all+blacks+haka.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VfIRkQzVWOmjYuI3-ZuSC2SH8PvvAAVZxmMpmqxBPlFozAlEqKFplrBCvdgYTbIb7LVMDZk2-U5e6cnqVkfXLak5UeYIKjCH010FQoCFClhzj24sZIXOPXLg5nupwrKHRtgiq3Xx3bg/s400/all+blacks+haka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665018944178559362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The All Blacks Haka in the face of their opponents... Australia. Ka Mate!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoILYUATK2bwkjamRW1x16jaX4UHd1oUyeRGjdrYBr95AtXgw_28QFLkXU54gy12qvQTQnLCpXNOb-nXZpqU0AKSPI5imfmD3YQKnmYwgE4VVT8kEVANSSvdp5RNvM9PMrtzEVtY3hz0/s1600/cruden+drop+kick.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoILYUATK2bwkjamRW1x16jaX4UHd1oUyeRGjdrYBr95AtXgw_28QFLkXU54gy12qvQTQnLCpXNOb-nXZpqU0AKSPI5imfmD3YQKnmYwgE4VVT8kEVANSSvdp5RNvM9PMrtzEVtY3hz0/s400/cruden+drop+kick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665018942569046354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Aaron Cruden, a graduate of Palmerston North Boys High,<br />is THE MAN... A true inspiration at 22! Drop kick - SCORE!<br /></span></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-71873255547700380512011-08-12T12:49:00.014+12:002011-10-19T14:41:06.241+13:00Japan ReflectionsThere is no way to sum up how much my trip to the Tohoku Area impacted me. Four months after the devastating tsunami it still leaves you speechless. My experiences and emotions shifted as much as the ground. Aftershocks were a continuous reminder that life is not business as usual. People cautioning us to take our “kasa” (umbrella) in case of nuclear filled rain, relief trucks passing you on the road… There is much to be hopeful about in the Tohoku region, but it is mixed with an immeasurable sense of sorrow and loss.<br /><br />We didn’t spend a lot of time in the devastated areas because the relief efforts are very controlled and monitored. You can't just walk in and start helping. God was gracious and through Kei, my Kiwi friend Greg Mackay and I were blessed to see things first hand, and get involved through the Reformed Church of Japan. Even so, the two days that we did experience were enough to overwhelm a heart for years and give me the desire to encourage others to get involved.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1</span>: E-sensei (Kei's pastor from Sendai Eiko church) drove a few of us out to one of the hardest hit towns called Minamisanriku. Oki-sensei commented that it looked ‘a lot better than before’. Perhaps that is because since the March 11th tsunami, they worked tirelessly to separate and clear tons of debris.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAyq6TAd2iJT8ialN1vEHqOA-dRB0hwqj-iDktNAIwG4slwpKIXbTZHD7KI9e-M5vNCNRC6dKyWVAbHRMkBNochyphenhyphen30MSdh1sOdCt3wXB0rcJLFULe78vifnMlbUYN8VRLAx33GZvxnx4/s1600/minamisanriku1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAyq6TAd2iJT8ialN1vEHqOA-dRB0hwqj-iDktNAIwG4slwpKIXbTZHD7KI9e-M5vNCNRC6dKyWVAbHRMkBNochyphenhyphen30MSdh1sOdCt3wXB0rcJLFULe78vifnMlbUYN8VRLAx33GZvxnx4/s400/minamisanriku1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641756474850200914" border="0" /></a><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">On the flatland, there is nothing else but debris. A few shells of buildings, ruined vehicles, and from time to time in piles you’ll see personal items like a kimono slipper or a CD or a broken china tea pot. The silence is deafening to the soul. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel_c0t81g5uROryVTuhf7Qajtct0KTdE2kg6FMKwNjGYDyRQzWEywqXT7J7242c0JnZGo6WQktR76ujZ5pU61CnTvNjdc9fCmXLlmideWs1WnOh6DvsKtAJ6SKegfgltfDqNxuXL3ido/s1600/minamisanriku3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel_c0t81g5uROryVTuhf7Qajtct0KTdE2kg6FMKwNjGYDyRQzWEywqXT7J7242c0JnZGo6WQktR76ujZ5pU61CnTvNjdc9fCmXLlmideWs1WnOh6DvsKtAJ6SKegfgltfDqNxuXL3ido/s400/minamisanriku3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641756472968086866" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> 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3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">Yet, as you look up into the hills above the valley, you see beauty and life going on. Homes overlooking the devastation are still lived in, and because it is summer – it is lush and green. Such a contrast, and still there is much to be thankful for. In a township of 18000, 1200 lives were lost that day. 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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt; text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-style: italic;">this was a hospital - all floors were impacted by more than one wave.</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">I’m no expert in Japanese culture (only Japanese food LOL). But as I met people throughout the area I was touched by their openness to foreigners, as well as the way they have become a family of people once again. Japan can be a very isolating experience, even in the midst of the crowd. But this tragedy has created a new sense of connection between people that humbled me to witness.</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhbmPppG8NgBaNO1l9m6IhIJx-Ccc4-U2TR72glRbURzLE4fUhXUJy-SIEyGCgQr68R2RJg8-lp8kx49xxw31mzzCuZkgeTgipvNW7D5B2YlHnXKuT5t4NgpOTKHvyMPh7-JK9l85z5Y/s1600/minamisanriku4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhbmPppG8NgBaNO1l9m6IhIJx-Ccc4-U2TR72glRbURzLE4fUhXUJy-SIEyGCgQr68R2RJg8-lp8kx49xxw31mzzCuZkgeTgipvNW7D5B2YlHnXKuT5t4NgpOTKHvyMPh7-JK9l85z5Y/s400/minamisanriku4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641756468378703586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Notice the homes overlooking the devastation. 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mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">We also travelled that day to an area in coastal Sendai. That had an entirely different impact on me, especially my nose. The concrete foundations were split and lifted and dotted the landscape with concrete slabs. Water that could not recede, mixed with months of rain have kept the area a swampy stinking mess… like sauerkraut, rotten banana’s, pig pen, stinking. </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhPm3fGzKfU-4XG7aPghLQWSaKINjY04zhjsg3TX4jLfio0OhyliL1GW4jkNL5dMUfWCfZQZH9oFA87HQrTPgzleLHq1fvejgEK_1oUaozU-we8uxLwquyBK4B3KvQCdCoUCZO1hE_Gs/s1600/eastsendai1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhPm3fGzKfU-4XG7aPghLQWSaKINjY04zhjsg3TX4jLfio0OhyliL1GW4jkNL5dMUfWCfZQZH9oFA87HQrTPgzleLHq1fvejgEK_1oUaozU-we8uxLwquyBK4B3KvQCdCoUCZO1hE_Gs/s400/eastsendai1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641755675694825698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The site of a church... you could sense the heart of God's mercy in the midst of tragedy.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSx87gpxsx_JhlMatiAuzyKrgtmCOLBg6ipBXsPYPNl14JppW1zSwEkiK90d2OZk7gJJoBvP_4cmlRNdpMqJxIWiRMsGwdzdjD22FbBh_J_sunt06_0foik93rNwDsHSyH7rscHqnpTYg/s1600/eastsendai2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSx87gpxsx_JhlMatiAuzyKrgtmCOLBg6ipBXsPYPNl14JppW1zSwEkiK90d2OZk7gJJoBvP_4cmlRNdpMqJxIWiRMsGwdzdjD22FbBh_J_sunt06_0foik93rNwDsHSyH7rscHqnpTYg/s400/eastsendai2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641763524449700962" border="0" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> 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</style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt; text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-style: italic;">nothing but decay and destruction...</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">There was an elementary school amongst the buildings left standing. Below are the before & after photos of the school – which just by its location and height saved a lot of lives.</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8knW2NZAhh9dAoJBvPEwOfD1u1JD5lZuGnOSzbWItc_u40pPoDMcgoMpqe3t917v4hZEHizV5f74qOgq1T3jsBef3bpUsKXVjexET_mZT0aQcGlVCfheiwVwiO-pHjpkOdSZMdM_9ziQ/s1600/eastsendai.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8knW2NZAhh9dAoJBvPEwOfD1u1JD5lZuGnOSzbWItc_u40pPoDMcgoMpqe3t917v4hZEHizV5f74qOgq1T3jsBef3bpUsKXVjexET_mZT0aQcGlVCfheiwVwiO-pHjpkOdSZMdM_9ziQ/s400/eastsendai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641755674882838850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Above - the school building stood defiant against the waves.</span><br /><span 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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><b style=""><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">Day 2: </span></b><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">After a short train journey to Higashi Sendai station, we arrived at the Higashi Sendai Reformed church for our day of volunteer work. Talk about organised. If you want to read more on their work go here: <a href="http://hopechurch-nj.org/646018.ihtml">http://hopechurch-nj.org/646018.ihtml</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">The government is working very closely with relief groups, and the team at Higashi Sendai Church are partnered with Samaritans Purse and other reformed church groups throughout Japan and the world.</span></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdKqF9MvwEQ6EmRaqqlnCAAxtKJDCC5A2PpQb2ZL50xKt1yCHSl3bjh7-u3-32Bcb603u6-ckqhoSLFDUxHgXZA_slv-AMGWVxzGWpo4hB8agUKS6JurRbFmdcvrMgRRrQwL_M3WXZMw/s1600/tonabarber.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" 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There are dozens of homes still standing, although because of the tsunami stood for a long time with their first floors submerged in sea water. Some homes were hit by debris and fishing boats and motorboats. Some have cars swept into their yards, making it look like a junk yard. But miraculously, one-by-one many are being cleaned out with hopes by their owners to move back in.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">In the photo above is the 'barber shop'. The owner was very grateful that the team came in and helped him clean his shop so he could begin to restore the building. He gave the team from Higashi Sendai Church his permission to use his building as their base for as long as they are doing relief in the area. 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mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt; text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-style: italic;">Akiko was one of our team leaders and very patient with us newcomers who dropped into the team that day! THANK YOU AKIKO!</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">M-san is one such ‘obaasan’ that hopes to move back into her home one day. <span style=""> </span>She was trapped upstairs as she watched the tsunami pour into her area. She now lives in an evacuation centre. But the volunteers through Higashi Sendai Church have removed the debris from her yard, opened up her flooring and removed the water, sludge and rotting wood and insulation, replaced the floor (with about a 2x2 foot square vent hole in each room, salvaged the items that could be kept, and now the ladies have begun the big job of cleaning inside and out the entire first floor. </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9lcAP2rRPOnAjGOsDfaRXC26e_7PifQppwBU7n86MxngMlqrhm3qjIvMnTMrK9yTx6cLFJ_coWNhRxFP9Er3eEwhTBWBf8OSjBw1VS2Q0eJhc1wOsKwPxDpjEg2vulYbsIq4BAHzsyk/s1600/tona1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" 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They took good care of me too making sure I had better gloves, a good head covering, and lots of water.</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">I never knew how much sea floor you could remove using a toothbrush and paintbrush, but they are quite handy tools to have. Because there is no electricity, the limited numbers of generators are being used on the hard labour of taking up floors and pumping water. So, we get the buckets, the handmade brooms, the putty knives and wire brushes, and begin to clean away. M-san is brought to the home each day to oversee the work being done, and she is not a spectator. She’s in there cleaning with the rest of us. 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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt; text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-style: italic;">The owner of this home did not survive. Family members aren't<br />sure whether to try and restore the home or give up.</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">When they introduced me to her, and she found out Greg & I came from New Zealand and just wanted to help any way we could, she grabbed my hands and tearfully kept thanking me. She didn’t know a lot of foreigners before this happened, and she didn’t know many Christians either. But she is so happy now to allow Christians to help her and comes to greet every new person and foreigner who is helping restore her home. 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mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt; text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-style: italic;">The team is on a very strict and wise schedule. Begin work at 10am,<br />must drink lots of water, must have a substantial lunch, and must finish<br />work at 3pm and team leaders must check in with relief coordinators by 4pm.</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.2pt;"><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">The reality of the consequences of the devastation were not far off. As we were restoring three homes that day, another was being demolished. And fear is always a factor. They told us if we felt an aftershock to get to higher ground… which was either an over-bridge near the water, or upstairs. We did feel aftershocks, and were grateful for safety.</span></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUzFp1ekf2IHSL1xHQiIZHzUr6FJcYJ_357RjAFYZuRGk9wIiTOOYfppSwf5OVOklh0sdw17M3Myib11P_ngMW_U1oevcHUMjwRKNV_mojskPJqshY8EAJWIpkcml4KU_M2NVJKMbpCU/s1600/tona9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUzFp1ekf2IHSL1xHQiIZHzUr6FJcYJ_357RjAFYZuRGk9wIiTOOYfppSwf5OVOklh0sdw17M3Myib11P_ngMW_U1oevcHUMjwRKNV_mojskPJqshY8EAJWIpkcml4KU_M2NVJKMbpCU/s400/tona9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641753984894739938" border="0" /></a><span style="" lang="EN-NZ">I will never forget M-san, and look forward to returning one day to Tona to see life restored in her neighbourhood. 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id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613844435976699618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj7aLR0NRC_oRDnON7-IocOsKwGFWxqOfje5geHGNxEP3bDMcCpmmwsx9Q0MUnk_rIUBLyfUvuFYl0Vo5tACPG72Ee-438wmszCkAISP9A9xJbgnmCyHZ5ge5ClNW3BQUyf3QAeM1nWY/s400/HopeforJapan_SIH.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><strong>A MISSION OF ENCOURAGEMENT<br /></strong><br /></span></span>The mission & vision of ISMNZ is “helping international students in New Zealand become life-long followers of Jesus Christ, equipping and enabling to reach their communities and nations for Him.”<br /><br />With this in mind, we not only seek to prepare international students in New Zealand to return to their home nations, but we purpose to continue encouraging them long after they return home.<br /><br />Since my first ‘returnee’ encouragement mission trip in late 2006, God has given me the joy of ministering in Japan five times.<br />This year, I will spend one month in Japan, with four objectives:<br />#1 - Returnee encouragement<br />#2 - Returnee Family visits<br />#3 - Building further on relationships with churches and missions organisations in Japan.<br />#4 - Relief ministry in the Tohoku (Sendai) area<br /></div><strong><span style="color:#990000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613841932987774258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWq6Iq323KfCYvSkjXHijgpYFH_MjQBc3X8OV51OoG36kcT1jBKCOTuSeQX_0giKboOm5q7AsU-VoIa7JzsyeV7C-hAvR0cJtGY8JvLFQXpca9ni1Gc7t8VY5XZkY3FqZHj0AWNlHftk/s400/sign.jpg" /></span></strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc99;"> </span><strong><span style="color:#990000;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc99;">GOD’S WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS</span><br /><br /></span></strong>When I was first planning this mission trip, it was centred around a very joyful occasion. Two of our graduate returnees, Nozomi Imai and Masayoshi Kusunoki, are getting married in Osaka on 2nd July.<br /><br />This is such a great opportunity for dozens of graduates who have returned to Japan over the past decade to get together to celebrate.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613844053174343058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11-CkbMtKOWDlJ2njNV2AJx5xVIcnvHeXGXs-jfwmweN5cl3vr5eRRPhFhB_0LRBn7QIWFo4ZeH6_TxrvhXDaF9jLcl2xg6u9Qw4sygbVJNInlPh4DNAqOjcXw0iFta1eEjhTnkzeihA/s400/nomasa.bmp" /> <em>Nozomi & Masa's big day is 2 July in Osaka!<br /></em><br /><br /><div align="left">There are also several of their friends and ‘family’ from New Zealand who will travel to Japan to attend.<br /><br />But now one of the most important returnee & family visits will be for Kei and the Yasuda family in Sendai.<br /><br />Kei and her family went for nearly one month without gas to heat their water, or cook their meals. That means no bath. In the winter especially baths are an important blessing at the end of every day. In addition, they went for weeks on very little supply of food - especially lack of meat and vegetable.<br /><br />As residents of Christchurch can attest, the continuing barrage of aftershocks has left everyone in a state of anxiety and a bit paralyzed. My heart is to go and bring some joy to them, and perhaps even give them a hope to overcome their anxiety. </div><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRn2qRZ4-RXrEuWpslCXJzmzNdenMIcqiu_2yVTRKukfRqspiq5JAWt-bGWBKmgbJQAlSle2QjHyGbxpJXCiFZcg1Uvg8j2AlevY8DLr1iETCQvjhXQyN4fdIUuLptiCGmsFWwnqpvfU/s1600/japan_prayer.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 190px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613841929988149906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRn2qRZ4-RXrEuWpslCXJzmzNdenMIcqiu_2yVTRKukfRqspiq5JAWt-bGWBKmgbJQAlSle2QjHyGbxpJXCiFZcg1Uvg8j2AlevY8DLr1iETCQvjhXQyN4fdIUuLptiCGmsFWwnqpvfU/s400/japan_prayer.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong><span style="color:#ffcc99;">THERE TO SERVE</span><br /><br /></strong></span>In my previous trips to Sendai I got to know several members of the Reformed Church of Japan (RCJ). Kei’s family are members of the RCJ in Sendai. One of the couples that I am happy to visit whenever in Sendai are Murray and Tsuruko Uomoto. Murray pastors an RCJ church, and their church/home has become a hub for the OPC relief work in the area.<br /><br />Between the relief ministry they are doing, and my friends with Calvary Chapel, and the Navigators Japan, we will be busy helping distribute care packs and going into areas impacted by the Tsunami to help in anyway they need. I also want to bring Kei and her mum along with me on a Saturday, so they can experience the hope that comes from seeing God bless people in the midst of tragedy.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><span style="font-size:130%;">PRAYING FOR THIS TRIP:</span><br /></span></strong>· For God’s plans to guide my every move.<br />· For divine appointments and opportunities to encourage and serve.<br />· For traveling mercies.<br />· For rich times of encouragement and returnee mentoring.<br />· For God to guide me to more churches and caring mentors that will care for our Japanese graduates.<br />· For financial provision for in-country transport and living, and extra for the relief work in Sendai.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#99ff99;"><strong>I'M A PROUD MUM!</strong><br /></span></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p2iMAV-lNO4NpnMLM8RLwuPNEs3VbIGUY8ki52a7dX9w_B-q6R9HUo3qb13s3pnG8QRBhfopGvI8yb8F6nxkYUTrYX_XBANEnBmeSTb-CLxlejHAG7ZcLIasI0UJrVhMYS4e1D_WhbY/s1600/Nozomis+graduate.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613841920393561122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p2iMAV-lNO4NpnMLM8RLwuPNEs3VbIGUY8ki52a7dX9w_B-q6R9HUo3qb13s3pnG8QRBhfopGvI8yb8F6nxkYUTrYX_XBANEnBmeSTb-CLxlejHAG7ZcLIasI0UJrVhMYS4e1D_WhbY/s400/Nozomis+graduate.jpg" /></a><strong> Nozomi just completed her Master's Degree<br />from Westminster Seminary in California!<br /></strong><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR6bIBby1V8TBxHyCyNT8qdab3ogL60QoN33ZOm4aBXf3EqzxEUteC4EQOHP4hJJF1FAlTqbB38Otwjx5hWcEziWI6bHEhccnswdFd3UifAoSkJr8lcdjqItwmBabOIDyURpvSdiI7LU/s1600/Enido_fly.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613841916485413794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR6bIBby1V8TBxHyCyNT8qdab3ogL60QoN33ZOm4aBXf3EqzxEUteC4EQOHP4hJJF1FAlTqbB38Otwjx5hWcEziWI6bHEhccnswdFd3UifAoSkJr8lcdjqItwmBabOIDyURpvSdiI7LU/s400/Enido_fly.jpg" /></a><strong> Enid stopped through Auckland (from Samoa) en route to Singapore<br />where she did more aviation training. While there she got to FLY again...<br />albeit in a simulator. Pray she will get back in the cockpit again<br />and realise her dream to become a pilot one day. </strong></div></div></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-65275331380307457062011-04-07T17:39:00.013+12:002011-06-17T11:28:34.897+12:00A Prayerful, Priveleged Partipant<strong>YEAH! Minami is back in New Zealand!</strong><br /><br /><div>Six years ago, God brought Minami to New Zealand as a high school student here in Palmerston North. I didn't meet her at the time, but she became a follower of Jesus through our J2 Ministry. She went through a hard time after that, and her mom (Chiyomi) came from Japan to be there for her. The J2 family took care of Minami and Chiyomi until the decision was made for her to return to Japan. </div><br /><div>Minami-chan and her mum began attending Sakai Eiko Church (Nozomi's church) and were discipled by No-chan's mom, Yoko. When I went to Japan on my first mission trip in 2006, I got to know Minami and Chiyomi, and was blessed to be at their baptism on Christmas Eve that year! Praise God.<br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714573806630018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdTOZQJhAE5LVMEPBxT9F9m7gXgK9rby2N3NrWxF_r7utRTo1QCC-BAFonwdtALno47eQ2A3WmbOkjxPP81y99xdAVOpPxv1CW7mdFP2hKwbCo6bU2C15Iez1rWY9uSBzpUk42ZV9F4o/s400/Minami.jpg" />I am happy because Minami has returned to New Zealand this year to study. She had a hard time keeping her faith solid in Japan, and wasn't walking close to the Lord there. She has never stopped believing, but she lost that intimate connection with the Lord that she had come to know.<br />Praise God, she's staying with the Doi's in Auckland and growing in her faith as she becomes involved with their J2 ministry in Auckland. Minami is very special in our hearts, and we need to pray for God's protection from the enemy as she has faced serious oppression and spiritual attack over these years.<br /></div><br /><div><strong>What's so odd about ODD FELLOWS?</strong><br /></div><br /><div>Last week I was invited to share my testimony at our Chinese student fellowship at Massey... the leaders call themselves "Odd Fellows"... after all, God chose the odd to confound the wise!</div><br /><div>What an awesome night! Lot's of yummy food, games that didn't need translation (the entire fellowship is run in Mandarin of course), and the joy of seeing three of our ISMNZ internship graduates in action, and one of our current ISMNZ interns stepping into leadership as well. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNvgB0B8FaAcvK0hxV7NNgBvTO01MkakR4RKaDD9DolHDkB5RaWcahj4OxhlO4D8ReRe220Acu_SeBigHLAUopAkyDaH0wxZpzJBAxM2Iunufn4uv_FmRXo7_ocZ2uXkYNrLKVYR3DBk/s1600/janeentest.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 142px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714440225398882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNvgB0B8FaAcvK0hxV7NNgBvTO01MkakR4RKaDD9DolHDkB5RaWcahj4OxhlO4D8ReRe220Acu_SeBigHLAUopAkyDaH0wxZpzJBAxM2Iunufn4uv_FmRXo7_ocZ2uXkYNrLKVYR3DBk/s400/janeentest.jpg" /></a> There were three testimonies that night. Christina (she calls me mom too, but she's gonna be a mamma soon) translated for me. She's great at interpretation and even adds her own humour. I enjoy working with her so much. Christina became a follower of Jesus as an international student, eventually coming to NZ for more study. She also graduated from our internship a few years ago, and continues to reach out to international students. She is working at Massey University as well as serving at our church as a deacon and leader. Please pray for she and her hubby Stephen McIvor (also a former ISMNZ intern) as they are expecting their first baby soon.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPq87A0Eu1iyd66cKpUdDBmLUDs_xGKaksZFQ4EGB7qWdQoXOg9ELRzjj2IQ8cOjodKLmtVB1_NnEwbRzR3rXrb5bEAdeGR7y6S64BkRb4Vz_tlZGrjUdofJKs-wFkEUXo1a3svgbyIg/s1600/xiaooutest.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714437635073346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPq87A0Eu1iyd66cKpUdDBmLUDs_xGKaksZFQ4EGB7qWdQoXOg9ELRzjj2IQ8cOjodKLmtVB1_NnEwbRzR3rXrb5bEAdeGR7y6S64BkRb4Vz_tlZGrjUdofJKs-wFkEUXo1a3svgbyIg/s400/xiaooutest.jpg" /></a>Xiaoou was an ISMNZ ministry intern in the early days of 2001 and on. Her arrival in NZ at the time was an answer to prayer for someone to help us with the increasing mainland Chinese student population. She helped pioneer the China Fellowship ministry, as well as was the main preacher in our Chinese congregation until she went away to Wheaton Seminary for two years. Now she's back, since been married, and continues to lead the Odd Fellows ministry and is a part of the leadership in our Chinese Congregation. We had a great time together in Cape Town last year at the Lausanne Conference, she was a multi-tasking roommate. Please pray for Xiaoou & Jikang as they grow together in ministry and God's calling in their marriage.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUgdA_h2fb6UQ8VCHRMHYBgXHdZzg9cKcPVqgXlHa3AcZhOr5rA5sWastuX_tRncxlsjG7p-d4pgHrXWlOx1K-w1RyN3B_lw1Qi0ZBE1o4KjOSzp8RkRoDXVqepjsDb60xVR3OjHwK8w/s1600/song.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714428397593122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUgdA_h2fb6UQ8VCHRMHYBgXHdZzg9cKcPVqgXlHa3AcZhOr5rA5sWastuX_tRncxlsjG7p-d4pgHrXWlOx1K-w1RyN3B_lw1Qi0ZBE1o4KjOSzp8RkRoDXVqepjsDb60xVR3OjHwK8w/s400/song.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4auetS7YnnKnVGVb7QDaYnB-uJWH6gBATe8EV99w2BSVxmVbS3pDRiYdTh5YRCnaswMcJ5c4jBtkOgbo1DtLFaYgx55WPHJY8iEBx6JPMjelATV53eKQpzKeFHzXVBJ0ihTZlQBmI-Y/s1600/danieltest.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 396px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714430994675938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4auetS7YnnKnVGVb7QDaYnB-uJWH6gBATe8EV99w2BSVxmVbS3pDRiYdTh5YRCnaswMcJ5c4jBtkOgbo1DtLFaYgx55WPHJY8iEBx6JPMjelATV53eKQpzKeFHzXVBJ0ihTZlQBmI-Y/s400/danieltest.jpg" /></a> Daniel Eggink... ah - our Kiwi intern who is quite fluent in Mandarin. His heart is to one day serve in China, so he is interning with ISMNZ and serving at our Chinese church and with the Odd Fellows ministry (and OCF). I love having Daniel in my Being a Disciple course. It's such a joy to behold what God is doing in and through him. Christina introduced him, but he did his entire testimony in Mandarin. Good on ya Daniel!<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIonkm2w9MA8LTZTYkTgdFlKQRnv2Sqxtxmo0cU7-SmD9dLkmHJ_T5QPKmILoNUUVkbyYSIOqEKAiWxF0nSTJccQI_n5kecHpdCh26A_qTpGH53ljN5x9p-0vLQGVIRi0wrqEoxVveAw/s1600/game5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 321px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714423717248322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIonkm2w9MA8LTZTYkTgdFlKQRnv2Sqxtxmo0cU7-SmD9dLkmHJ_T5QPKmILoNUUVkbyYSIOqEKAiWxF0nSTJccQI_n5kecHpdCh26A_qTpGH53ljN5x9p-0vLQGVIRi0wrqEoxVveAw/s400/game5.jpg" /></a> <em>Crazy Games!!!</em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8ZlTBK5tB5-z9jb0hG8cvaaPJTpv7qWH6THT7U1Y_pjBRObGqdTnML3S6EzHuOAdojQdqM57SEhc69Fmj8xlM5FO8_xsz3cVQeClRihexeosVq4loBZti9Ba4WAzR-afGG7fpn_QkDQ/s1600/game4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714024270801442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8ZlTBK5tB5-z9jb0hG8cvaaPJTpv7qWH6THT7U1Y_pjBRObGqdTnML3S6EzHuOAdojQdqM57SEhc69Fmj8xlM5FO8_xsz3cVQeClRihexeosVq4loBZti9Ba4WAzR-afGG7fpn_QkDQ/s400/game4.jpg" /></a> <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">It's all fun and games, until somebody loses and eye<br />which wouldn't matter cuz we were all blindfolded...</span><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRi7X0-nE2i6YGJ957IY-YGV_mLPgh5bfiMnc_VDGag2PKBa0fVAFFSV-0sc_XE8sus2sGfXsNQslsD20NVlRtcBONk9t_8RksJC6e0NVqBNyu5i8yCu2_U2ZV3i5W-iGa9SLUk7t5j8/s1600/game1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 218px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714023751231538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRi7X0-nE2i6YGJ957IY-YGV_mLPgh5bfiMnc_VDGag2PKBa0fVAFFSV-0sc_XE8sus2sGfXsNQslsD20NVlRtcBONk9t_8RksJC6e0NVqBNyu5i8yCu2_U2ZV3i5W-iGa9SLUk7t5j8/s400/game1.jpg" /></a> <strong>GRACE CITY CHURCH... 2011</strong></div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><br /><div align="left">What a joy to come back to a vibrant, growing ministry. God is blessing our Grace City Church family... please pray for us. Last week our Kidz Klub were fabulous, acting out Pilgrim's Progress for the church. WOW. As we were blessed by the growing kids ministry I just kept imagining them in the not so distant future as a part of our conTagious student group. AWESOME!<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oqMQl1OaZhFDZkt0BXEFw8eJuolbfAsXs2XFowKff-yFEc-IC1pE6UCcTvK4GbpCcAK7HYBN8ldFFr4XLl6Bd2ITOLZpYWkrSl-2obnpefv02Nust5Br-Uj4WJsA9W58PHUZFZt86aE/s1600/futurecont.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714022607351794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oqMQl1OaZhFDZkt0BXEFw8eJuolbfAsXs2XFowKff-yFEc-IC1pE6UCcTvK4GbpCcAK7HYBN8ldFFr4XLl6Bd2ITOLZpYWkrSl-2obnpefv02Nust5Br-Uj4WJsA9W58PHUZFZt86aE/s400/futurecont.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNh1YF5NJAZtjg-GH1GwdxW1ECV91alDYWNjAEhDnEfSUDL9286SH9IvsX5MydTibmBn8QzlJVTc93cY-fnPgZbKSh-WzeCPZCToPDpIqhc985SWrqQDeNTacaKXJDS7kKyunb8G1-bs/s1600/pilgrimsprog1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714016208332210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNh1YF5NJAZtjg-GH1GwdxW1ECV91alDYWNjAEhDnEfSUDL9286SH9IvsX5MydTibmBn8QzlJVTc93cY-fnPgZbKSh-WzeCPZCToPDpIqhc985SWrqQDeNTacaKXJDS7kKyunb8G1-bs/s400/pilgrimsprog1.jpg" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Christian has quite a burden on his back </span><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JeAdfzN0_grMNBZwYQigJim0O3icJPsl1JDNN6mFAeQCP0-IAc0KRUKloec9JUsuDFE3hC2I2_G9z1wL1N2genX5aJUxQ01m4WrZeg2A6uc3ti2qYaSywQs78EOxzC-YxTtgjbxPRIk/s1600/pilgrimsprog.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 313px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592714013051305874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JeAdfzN0_grMNBZwYQigJim0O3icJPsl1JDNN6mFAeQCP0-IAc0KRUKloec9JUsuDFE3hC2I2_G9z1wL1N2genX5aJUxQ01m4WrZeg2A6uc3ti2qYaSywQs78EOxzC-YxTtgjbxPRIk/s400/pilgrimsprog.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf7kGHlXK6Mz69nI7MVHkzDNa05iJZ-hNIrz-bWWkQAZ3Xro_zc4Nfm58K3c_UUI8QOOkfZV_Rh95wmt-ZETcBK9eAdYMRd7hUzunKzSeqDHAf9613v8EZQ8Wmof9w5SyNpFHDW3zO6c/s1600/socute.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 339px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592713547883223106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf7kGHlXK6Mz69nI7MVHkzDNa05iJZ-hNIrz-bWWkQAZ3Xro_zc4Nfm58K3c_UUI8QOOkfZV_Rh95wmt-ZETcBK9eAdYMRd7hUzunKzSeqDHAf9613v8EZQ8Wmof9w5SyNpFHDW3zO6c/s400/socute.jpg" /></a> <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SPEAKING OF CONTAGIOUS!<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /></span></span>As the year begins, there is much enthusiasm from the "returnees" to conTagious to reach out to others. It's been a good start. We're using these first few weeks (since early March) to reconnect and build friendships and unity. It's exciting to have so many turning up on Wednesday nights to pray for the ministry and one another.<br /><br /><div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3x4XBqqddwhUZcQ54WncFGYTdDRGplDtaznRSKV7gBeTKytu5V0NGDiMwiS3wqOTaJJ8ECLpHfpQZZ-whMGSJzd0N4hcdA2SpgG4FeFWL5wV4itNVtdMagsOJtoTdlBVAtUlx68GUuI/s1600/joshvinniealex.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592713544478573426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3x4XBqqddwhUZcQ54WncFGYTdDRGplDtaznRSKV7gBeTKytu5V0NGDiMwiS3wqOTaJJ8ECLpHfpQZZ-whMGSJzd0N4hcdA2SpgG4FeFWL5wV4itNVtdMagsOJtoTdlBVAtUlx68GUuI/s400/joshvinniealex.jpg" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Josh, Vinnie and Alex... peace that passes understanding.<br /><br /></span></div>As always, food is important. Last week was "Dinner & a movie"... could someone please pass me a tissue? We watched "Letters to God" WOW -- what an inspirational movie. How one little boy in the midst of suffering and tragedy could touch so many lives, and his story continues thru the movie all the way around the world. Praise God. After the movie, a bunch of us needed to collect our thoughts and dry our eyes and get some praying done!<br /><br />Please pray for this growing student group, that the Lord would bring more and more high school and uni students to our Sunday night fellowship. We will begin the discipleship studies again in mid-May, and there are several musicians among the group keen to put a team together. I pray that we can encourage these young lives to serve the Lord in their gifts and callings.<br /><br /><div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="DISPLAY: block" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span style="DISPLAY: block" id="formatbar_Add_Image" class=" on" title="Add Image"><img class="gl_photo" border="0" alt="Add Image" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IQlgmC0zJ3f93TfI9j_l32Rx7yaLmCT_iGRMONGXu32qPcVJsPwrbEzdKntddCYw3RG23rfidFv-NRPOlvYCu_7eeR4VRNETYNpZfMZQNAB57H0cET4AQZVJyxBpjCq5UTTUpA0aol8/s1600/zarettekenny.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593496635342046194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IQlgmC0zJ3f93TfI9j_l32Rx7yaLmCT_iGRMONGXu32qPcVJsPwrbEzdKntddCYw3RG23rfidFv-NRPOlvYCu_7eeR4VRNETYNpZfMZQNAB57H0cET4AQZVJyxBpjCq5UTTUpA0aol8/s400/zarettekenny.jpg" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Wow... Zarette & Kenny have that peace too! </span><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtb-q8kxTqeH5BmY2WzpU2phGddZgNshc4hLxGkaCAi4jRXkPBk3kw7HEPOrq3voixpaSJsmYUoDnDDZaDaDDt_nOh35ZD3m201qtZ-xwcLKFTM2p-IuCuslBEaGcgnzwQ_VWWU_xvuU/s1600/jerdawnian.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592713534995240418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtb-q8kxTqeH5BmY2WzpU2phGddZgNshc4hLxGkaCAi4jRXkPBk3kw7HEPOrq3voixpaSJsmYUoDnDDZaDaDDt_nOh35ZD3m201qtZ-xwcLKFTM2p-IuCuslBEaGcgnzwQ_VWWU_xvuU/s400/jerdawnian.jpg" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Looks like these three are not sure which way they're heading :-) </span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fuX9Q2IjkdtALR_kejq9VLl3WtjPFZfXlmE0gU28JgXt5yq09NSjWT4c1JSggyLG0bdnLCLq2zxFbK1Z3A9A30xAImdRPydnfwiWwgvRs3zHhmxO1qRb98U08AUjxhVy0AOpnTkdiB4/s1600/emikatejx.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593495511302756930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fuX9Q2IjkdtALR_kejq9VLl3WtjPFZfXlmE0gU28JgXt5yq09NSjWT4c1JSggyLG0bdnLCLq2zxFbK1Z3A9A30xAImdRPydnfwiWwgvRs3zHhmxO1qRb98U08AUjxhVy0AOpnTkdiB4/s400/emikatejx.jpg" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Ah... Emi, Kate & Jingxiu... peace & love</span> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-80202395647418386172011-03-18T15:22:00.007+13:002011-03-24T14:28:18.637+13:00Kia Kaha - Forever Strong<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgL8PY9_KjIcVvsQ5SjQy39zGUe6njkcwtf28CXV4rR4AiFkg4p_0zLtUPEpMYh-ipkR_PzB2buoC_WSwwwH-pIGiJlwNPLaYNtGee_Acn9d3ltqoj_g0eyUpvOJhApJukF6Lj0tdod-8/s1600/memorial+service.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585247983840308834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgL8PY9_KjIcVvsQ5SjQy39zGUe6njkcwtf28CXV4rR4AiFkg4p_0zLtUPEpMYh-ipkR_PzB2buoC_WSwwwH-pIGiJlwNPLaYNtGee_Acn9d3ltqoj_g0eyUpvOJhApJukF6Lj0tdod-8/s400/memorial+service.jpg" /></a> Today was National Earthquake Memorial Day in New Zealand. God gave them a warm, end-of-summer sunny day. There were two very strong messages given at the memorial service held in Christchurch (CHCH): </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#99ffff;"><strong>"Kia Kaha Christchurch"... be strong Christchurch!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#99ffff;"><strong>"Rise up CHCH!"</strong></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">There were thousands in attendance in Hagley Park in Christchurch. Even Prince William was there on behalf of the House of Windsor. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The city was dealt a blow earlier this week when it was announced that the seven games to be played there in Sept/Oct for the Rugby World Cup, would be moved to other cities. It makes sense in light of the destruction and human needs - as those resources should go into providing homes and infrastructure. But, economically and in terms of city pride - it's a big loss. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">However, those who have remained in Christchurch are amazingly strong. So awesome. If TVNZ publishes the memorial video they showed during the service, I will upload it. The love and care between neighbour, family, students and nations is stunning and inspiring.</div><p><strong></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nj0q3cDicwlMQwq0cDHz1LSlzFC6L92NsofxpLpd83Yn4acDuCY6FtgFh2KVsjRFOLcGJA6JVrMAUZcIWKJtVMzcnv2_1vTuMOibTRiPAhgS3m4Y6NlrYT8sgit1o3EpjwbnyvbPx00/s1600/gallery6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585247980486150210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nj0q3cDicwlMQwq0cDHz1LSlzFC6L92NsofxpLpd83Yn4acDuCY6FtgFh2KVsjRFOLcGJA6JVrMAUZcIWKJtVMzcnv2_1vTuMOibTRiPAhgS3m4Y6NlrYT8sgit1o3EpjwbnyvbPx00/s400/gallery6.jpg" /></a><br />Please continue to pray for Christchurch, for New Zealand and for all who lost loved ones from around the world in this tragedy. 20 countries lost loved ones. And nearly half of the people who were killed in the February earthquake were international students, a large portion from Japan, and China.<br /><br /><span style="color:#99ffff;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR JAPAN!</strong><br /><br /></span></span>By now there is no one not aware of the tragedy that happened one week ago in Japan. The world has been stunned, shocked, and numbed at the images coming ever since the moment the 9.0 hit off the coast near Sendai.<br /><br />I spent many hours and days communicating with as many of our returnees as I could reach. I praise God that the very first correspondence I had was from KEI in Sendai! Kei was my very first Japanese 'daughter' at the Cardiff Chateau. She and her family are fine. But the struggle is with power and water and food. God has kept them together and strengthened them and their church. I have received several updates from her, the latest of which had me praising God for His protection in her life. She said:<br /><span style="color:#99ffff;"><em>Good evening! Today,I could buy meat and vegetable! Many people went to supermarket. It was long line!! You know, 1month ago, I moved to new apartment. It's more close to my work. This earthquake has broken many houses and my old apartment,too. As you know, it is OLD. Wall crumble. Owner's home, too. All windows broke and they lived shelter for 4days. It was so terrible. If still I lived there, I am scare to think about that! I am thankful to God for safe me.<br /></em></span><br />I also heard from Nobu in Yokohama (Tokyo area). He was on the subway when I reached him. Thank God for SKYPE and Facebook and email. I reached Kei through her mobile phone email, so she still had battery left. Nobu was on FB and SKYPE.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi1GewR5fgYYaKZMkVbHrsh1MBKEUXPZy4cgMgYfGJXrtlpHl0zaHtdOMNH2AE7mBZ6ZpzkRsbbIpyuWHGUwl43mhCA36L7C7iTk7YMVxHSuaClyYsLplIlh9k8Lj3U0J5TaXlkDdOc0/s1600/thank+you+for+praying.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585247792595359778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi1GewR5fgYYaKZMkVbHrsh1MBKEUXPZy4cgMgYfGJXrtlpHl0zaHtdOMNH2AE7mBZ6ZpzkRsbbIpyuWHGUwl43mhCA36L7C7iTk7YMVxHSuaClyYsLplIlh9k8Lj3U0J5TaXlkDdOc0/s400/thank+you+for+praying.jpg" /></a> Since then I've had a lot of correspondence from Mai in Tokyo. A couple of days ago, they were experiencing rolling blackouts and no food or toilet paper on shelves, and waiting over an hour to get their ration of fuel. There are so many stories I could tell you - but the most moving one came from Mai:<br /><br />"On the night of earthquake people couldn't go home so many people were lying on the concrete floor. Many homeless people came up and shared their boxes for people to use. That made me think... everyday we just ignore people on the street.. but now WE are on the street..."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17de1wUvRrZx-my-bcYc6XC74Uj4YxoGVxpl_-34Kma0KZa-yKKlUK9_GsBu9i5cp2jZkgxV4NjPc2topzuLb2w_KmT4Xa6_I3ppmqHH3otAaZC5l8TYn1KwTIvVYipLAPWk7KWd0tsk/s1600/japan3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585247788835865186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17de1wUvRrZx-my-bcYc6XC74Uj4YxoGVxpl_-34Kma0KZa-yKKlUK9_GsBu9i5cp2jZkgxV4NjPc2topzuLb2w_KmT4Xa6_I3ppmqHH3otAaZC5l8TYn1KwTIvVYipLAPWk7KWd0tsk/s400/japan3.jpg" /></a> With the fears of a nuclear disaster, many have left the Tokyo area. But those who remain are hopeful things will settle down. The media has made the news of the radiation a big drama, and while certainly there are serious issues... the radiation levels in water in Tokyo are above normal, so pray there will be ample supply of bottled water. The trains are getting running more consistantly, and supplies are slowly making it in. </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc4TGj2STAvwgxSp_j0OvTzNgbHvYVeC6mpi_IB9ztkVAyKjIwDhqSJOIz5puIuYl_TA4KQTbBH4PEzg0vTGEWjkseVLOpJ3_9gEDBOOnOMs-FCohsxmWp1ow9Fo3dfdrtkPGi23_v9c/s1600/lines.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585247783128134210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc4TGj2STAvwgxSp_j0OvTzNgbHvYVeC6mpi_IB9ztkVAyKjIwDhqSJOIz5puIuYl_TA4KQTbBH4PEzg0vTGEWjkseVLOpJ3_9gEDBOOnOMs-FCohsxmWp1ow9Fo3dfdrtkPGi23_v9c/s400/lines.jpg" /></a> These are the scenes in Tokyo and Yokohama from earlier this week.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1taf_bWCtki67xqrDYUdj_2rDrvvmjSNw_jB72adX-4P6bABSjfNI-jrUhelcWlr0jhjmodII1M4KiiBMIRiw5ljn8XPXVFFgXLIFpYCWpusy4-ht8ngMQa6SFLB_dvXB5ZweY_kUhfQ/s1600/Yokohama_empty.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585247779150664018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1taf_bWCtki67xqrDYUdj_2rDrvvmjSNw_jB72adX-4P6bABSjfNI-jrUhelcWlr0jhjmodII1M4KiiBMIRiw5ljn8XPXVFFgXLIFpYCWpusy4-ht8ngMQa6SFLB_dvXB5ZweY_kUhfQ/s400/Yokohama_empty.jpg" /></a> To the north, it's an entirely different story. It's snowing, it's freezing, there are still survivors that haven't been found, and they are frightened. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="color:#99ffff;">"Oh Lord, may You calm the nuclear issues so that rescue and recovery and restoration can move more effectively and efficiently. Lord, we ask that you would divinely direct those looking for survivors to the EXACT locations where they are trapped. We pray that you will keep warm and fed those in shelters, and all those who are without power. Father, we ask you to give ALL of those who survived a sign of your grace and presence, that You will reveal Yourself to them and bring warmth and hope. Lord, bring comfort to those who have lost so much and are so very afraid. Raise up your church in Japan, O Lord to answer this call to be Your voice calling, Your hands healing, Your feet walking, Your hope and Joy, Your love to the hurting and helpless. And may your children around the world be generous to help provide for those needs, and be praying, and Lord, should you raise up a new generation of servant hearts to go and love on and care for the people of Japan, make it so! Amen"<br /><br /></span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2F804OgkWEWjb3JhMNrKUh-bbI-7lcUdYizXVYa3IALD5dqUfYqqybEvwUjSv7dVGxc_qV39z_QX81KsJvak1UlKMA9cweXxJNMzv3c2lbUHhn6qUlJAfSDjLTbkNujdUJx95Ml-soNQ/s1600/japan9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585247776161461106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2F804OgkWEWjb3JhMNrKUh-bbI-7lcUdYizXVYa3IALD5dqUfYqqybEvwUjSv7dVGxc_qV39z_QX81KsJvak1UlKMA9cweXxJNMzv3c2lbUHhn6qUlJAfSDjLTbkNujdUJx95Ml-soNQ/s400/japan9.jpg" /></a> </div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-47259391362160308132011-03-02T23:14:00.013+13:002011-03-03T01:28:55.833+13:00Returning to a Shaken but Strong New Zealand<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Where were you when...</span><span style="font-style: italic;">?</span></span><br />This phrase has once again become so real in my life. First of all, I want to thank all my dear friends in the USA who heard about the devastating earthquake in New Zealand and called my dad's home and left messages for me regarding the tragedy. Your love and concern blesses my heart, and makes me thankful that you are 'connected' to this little nation that God has chosen to make my home.<br /><br />I am also grateful to have heard the news from my Trinity women's Bible study small group sisters. It was something we could share that made a far away land seem somewhat nearer. To be able to pray and touch base through the internet. Thank you girls!<br /><br />So, I thought I'd bring ya'll into the world I returned to. Please pray with me for the entire nation of New Zealand. This rattled the lives of all 4.3 million in NZ, and the 1 million Kiwis out there around the world. And it impacted lives in many nations. Pray especially for Bob Parker (mayor of Chch), that he will have friends who come alongside and care for him. He has been the calm voice, the comforting mayor, the crisis manager, the face of Christchurch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96VYWqwRrK3MUA1zOL2uAc531ahAwAPWqkYN4j2KoHnNSD_vyoLBHzOuT8aWV_47RePfVWK3zd6H25gCzR3bhBUBHb84r8LpG7pk4g8id7a0NJ8ITYlR05JrJiyWybNId_sQIqfvmKlY/s1600/liquifaction.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96VYWqwRrK3MUA1zOL2uAc531ahAwAPWqkYN4j2KoHnNSD_vyoLBHzOuT8aWV_47RePfVWK3zd6H25gCzR3bhBUBHb84r8LpG7pk4g8id7a0NJ8ITYlR05JrJiyWybNId_sQIqfvmKlY/s400/liquifaction.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579439318959913490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Liquefaction!</span></span><br /><br />What a word. I learned it well on September 4th, 2010 - when a 7.1 earthquake literally turned the ground to jelly and made a big mess of Christchurch New Zealand. Yet, miraculously - no one was injured (except maybe tripping over all the fallen furniture or stepping on the glass from broken dishes and bottles). Some buildings were a mess, streets were torn up, and LIQUEFACTION.<br /><br />The wikipedia definition says:<span style=""> Soil liquefaction describes a phenomenon whereby a soil substantially loses strength and stiffness in response to an applied stress, usually earthquake shaking or other rapid loading (force), causing it to behave like a liquid. </span><br /><br />As you see in the <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">above aerial view</span>, THIS is what it does. While the central business district (CBD) of Christchurch (Chch) surfed on top of waves of earth, the earth created its own waves causing far reaching damage that still has not been fully comprehended.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Really Really Saddened...</span></span><br /><br />As I write this, they expect the final death toll to reach up to 240 or so. It's a miracle that the number is so low, but a tragedy that the number is so high. The youngest so far was only 5 months old. The last person rescued was one day after the initial quake. But, the world has sent their best to help search and bring with them a fresh hope of rescue.<br /><br />For me, I am especially saddened by the loss of so many international students who were attending day #2 of their language school in the CTV building... 17 (maybe more) from China; 26 (maybe more) from Japan; 2 from Korea; 10 from the Philippines; 6 from Thailand; one from Taiwan and one from Siberia...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUrCg6PcKwgwLvU72PPdjxLC1N7psk8MLzTF9ep9maGGCy6bHyaGT2nBbVc_vHMLc3FiV3CRIPFgvg78oDG1UoncZ_snBm9qlBRVzqofIl_bOVT-DMjNdwkH6lO43tE9rH4XbspMzLOU/s1600/ctv3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUrCg6PcKwgwLvU72PPdjxLC1N7psk8MLzTF9ep9maGGCy6bHyaGT2nBbVc_vHMLc3FiV3CRIPFgvg78oDG1UoncZ_snBm9qlBRVzqofIl_bOVT-DMjNdwkH6lO43tE9rH4XbspMzLOU/s400/ctv3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579439312979378962" border="0" /></a>Please pray for these families, who have flown in from many nations to await news. And there were many tourists from many nations as well. As the names are released, we will go through the grieving process on a fresh scale of mourning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqnRh06OqfeOC6umpRlYyaICzxs_DFwfPfwk9m6N-CqDg-jYj6CeujBDIq__VcFk-Rn-XfMr2NveUrC3VHSEyjav-0VMR7VVRFRyehvrnyo48t2Jq5Iv8T1YFfBRskXdJtkXh72fNydw/s1600/ctv2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqnRh06OqfeOC6umpRlYyaICzxs_DFwfPfwk9m6N-CqDg-jYj6CeujBDIq__VcFk-Rn-XfMr2NveUrC3VHSEyjav-0VMR7VVRFRyehvrnyo48t2Jq5Iv8T1YFfBRskXdJtkXh72fNydw/s400/ctv2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579439102703812210" border="0" /></a>As I look at this picture of the Japanese search & rescue team outside the CTV building where so many young Japanese lives were lost, it breaks my heart to imagine what they must of thought when they saw the building completely pancaked.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFI18ddj5bOoNaIqHlT3bcfbZNl5oDF0podu5VQxePx7mX4IRAFBLRzjI9UtNOTO360HIa1SER3irRb-Y85WjF6H6xV5TBQt7nyowrlqKqCTig7jOfejNQTRVO9i2PO7RkDIb84LMmBI/s1600/ctv.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFI18ddj5bOoNaIqHlT3bcfbZNl5oDF0podu5VQxePx7mX4IRAFBLRzjI9UtNOTO360HIa1SER3irRb-Y85WjF6H6xV5TBQt7nyowrlqKqCTig7jOfejNQTRVO9i2PO7RkDIb84LMmBI/s400/ctv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579439097070636498" border="0" /></a>Yet people risked their lives. Passers by, firefighters, police, teachers, other students, anyone who was filled with that sense of selflessness in crisis that often mirrors insanity. Common sense says "run away", but the nature of God in man is still woven in our DNA somewhere, and not everyone can ignore it.<br /><br />And, out of the rubble - there were some AWESOME stories of survival and bravery. The one that touched my heart the most was the rescue of seven Japanese students from the 3rd level of the CTV building. This is a photo of Norika in the hospital with her rescuers!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN9-PC2MTogP88KoB9KpVDldSg2Tph4xOtpYw4hpUhM7YU7Myoe3EWwP4Lgug9ZRDsgmG106Y8IN0NBaNi2etOA7SgZuW-ANSb1pSRNDJlWnu2u6N5O722KYjJQDcbDph-ilTdW7x-pQ/s1600/Norika.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN9-PC2MTogP88KoB9KpVDldSg2Tph4xOtpYw4hpUhM7YU7Myoe3EWwP4Lgug9ZRDsgmG106Y8IN0NBaNi2etOA7SgZuW-ANSb1pSRNDJlWnu2u6N5O722KYjJQDcbDph-ilTdW7x-pQ/s400/Norika.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579451077643208898" border="0" /></a>To read more of this beautiful story, go to:<br /><br />http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4720131/Earthquake-survivor-only-wants-to-see-her-rescuers#share<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's Good to be Home!</span></span><br /><br />The hardest part of this, for me, was being across the Pacific. It's not that I can do anything about what happened, and it doesn't matter to the grand scheme of New Zealand whether I am here or not -- but it matters to me. Just like on 9/11 when we didn't want to be alone. We needed one another for comfort and just being silent together was good enough.<br /><br />So, I returned to NZ on Sunday morning, and got back to work! Pretty much right away. And by being home and back to work, I was blessed to be able to participate at Massey University Albany in Auckland in our National 2 minutes of silence at 12.51pm, one week after the Chch quake. Yang Yang (ISMNZ staff & Massey chaplain) helped lead those who gathered as we remember.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5ps-Pck-9awadEITmvB43iqaUhgxQougDGCemMYivqQJ-X52UMz5mzPSErvoKBHESE4a3caWpXRmuHIkGsHnw7opjd9BMVfuZqwR4rD6Zilbeth6nNgkFOfquswf2g2O5mW4Q9x7ev8/s1600/2mins-Silence-008%255B5%255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5ps-Pck-9awadEITmvB43iqaUhgxQougDGCemMYivqQJ-X52UMz5mzPSErvoKBHESE4a3caWpXRmuHIkGsHnw7opjd9BMVfuZqwR4rD6Zilbeth6nNgkFOfquswf2g2O5mW4Q9x7ev8/s400/2mins-Silence-008%255B5%255D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579439098026083954" border="0" /></a>Massey Albany campus 2 minutes of silence gathering<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5JSPA0E_d7CbREnhUMWxHKCfIesj_xRvUwYg7af7UKa3TpQwNTAXEdG-NOyviUIjoWtW1lvCcVe1E6SvR84Qf96rb6pMY2cAclmHerPGlBdefBRB_a-iRhpsmJb4JY_uyIK1Yd_EYFM/s1600/palmy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5JSPA0E_d7CbREnhUMWxHKCfIesj_xRvUwYg7af7UKa3TpQwNTAXEdG-NOyviUIjoWtW1lvCcVe1E6SvR84Qf96rb6pMY2cAclmHerPGlBdefBRB_a-iRhpsmJb4JY_uyIK1Yd_EYFM/s400/palmy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579439088180216466" border="0" /></a>Palmerston North @ All Saints on The Square<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYZHDYpGhsqcO9dQaP6oiZgw8LaaH2TAeV4FEVohn-6OQc5UZqcf_1heA6KziJ07YrRjGQh4Z98kgq_4WWgCwX7FOzvodjueMybep5M1u-ieU9oLvq50icS5b-yqm2q1pDxbHgbGBv88/s1600/dayofremember.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYZHDYpGhsqcO9dQaP6oiZgw8LaaH2TAeV4FEVohn-6OQc5UZqcf_1heA6KziJ07YrRjGQh4Z98kgq_4WWgCwX7FOzvodjueMybep5M1u-ieU9oLvq50icS5b-yqm2q1pDxbHgbGBv88/s400/dayofremember.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579432761280677394" border="0" /></a>In Christchurch<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDU9xzBgZdcWqdkdDJ5AF1NMIOXr1Gu7KVL7XK8jyEFB7vrbDj-z6XiJPeahyphenhyphentnAqKEW6N-ShfuqkBbPg2jWPSWi1l88PAX_ORezn9iMQ61jwIjJusD0ui7RgwYqTlAUnZ5rM627q3RPs/s1600/dayofrem4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDU9xzBgZdcWqdkdDJ5AF1NMIOXr1Gu7KVL7XK8jyEFB7vrbDj-z6XiJPeahyphenhyphentnAqKEW6N-ShfuqkBbPg2jWPSWi1l88PAX_ORezn9iMQ61jwIjJusD0ui7RgwYqTlAUnZ5rM627q3RPs/s400/dayofrem4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579432759414424930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmgS0CfoA1ghb1SjamGr5oYccqexGCYu579MO7ohmiiwAfYeVlj-JvAVQmSX6Q7vAFFUToivgtXii2Huu4HQtVVWP-CLOpx9MsG9aX8JpV4Rqx81k4Ln7tWjzwSLGwH5BLK21BJB0MO8/s1600/dayofrem3.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmgS0CfoA1ghb1SjamGr5oYccqexGCYu579MO7ohmiiwAfYeVlj-JvAVQmSX6Q7vAFFUToivgtXii2Huu4HQtVVWP-CLOpx9MsG9aX8JpV4Rqx81k4Ln7tWjzwSLGwH5BLK21BJB0MO8/s400/dayofrem3.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579432761058884242" border="0" /></a>In Wellington<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">People everywhere, in supermarkets, in banks, along the path... just stopped. It was like a sci-fi movie rally. But it was precious.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some personal stories...<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaY0utbul9EjdeVxBfodYgZa_bhgZKOe9DLBp9kAWHV1KqNJQ82z0GPff9aQPmi6FXz8jP1OdRD79HY4U7SA1gLpTqTV9JD3z1spKIvDIb3RKTmvo-cXeSQq7_ZqLMNb70wzpRTKJeSo/s1600/dayofrem2.jpeg"><br /></a>It's been slow getting information from our ISMNZ staff and families in Christchurch as a whole. There are many reasons for that - no electricity mainly. My boss's wife, Jenny shared with me that her cousin-in-law from Australia was in one of the buildings doing insurance adjusting from the last earthquake. He was crushed and lost his life, yet was able to talk to his wife in Aus (mobile phones are amazing) before it went from bad to worse. And the person with him when he died was able to call her and give her closure.<br /><br />Our wonderful ISMNZ pastoral staff care leader, David and his wife Simone are swimming in liquefaction. The pictures below say it all:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fV1luJDxBaU1fb0irYw81yazGWsidGJwjQr9P6xgl4BAy2LIHDJ7WUy0Sn3dSnATdWaB1-wlpbZrLoYU4QkKIRwqYKDT0Yx0WfxJxCqXX1UmkE8okN5PRQW8qH3DI_Kj1noUJloU_vk/s1600/dschch2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fV1luJDxBaU1fb0irYw81yazGWsidGJwjQr9P6xgl4BAy2LIHDJ7WUy0Sn3dSnATdWaB1-wlpbZrLoYU4QkKIRwqYKDT0Yx0WfxJxCqXX1UmkE8okN5PRQW8qH3DI_Kj1noUJloU_vk/s400/dschch2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579424591040254946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyTX1YYj4sdnIj8guXqhoNRJTAGCRpUHfdlpWA8xhWy1nIbq8WOLeYMqIr2XPGwl1k0JbHRZ5Qwa5BrcoAx8VgdS9Wa1_HI2bRTCvajV-T8YyJnX42gTt661ekCDQ1XKTzzwRo72GoCs/s1600/dschch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyTX1YYj4sdnIj8guXqhoNRJTAGCRpUHfdlpWA8xhWy1nIbq8WOLeYMqIr2XPGwl1k0JbHRZ5Qwa5BrcoAx8VgdS9Wa1_HI2bRTCvajV-T8YyJnX42gTt661ekCDQ1XKTzzwRo72GoCs/s400/dschch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579424587567112642" border="0" /></a><br />The Gingrich's (Mitch, Beth & Sarah) our ISMNZ staff who moved to Christchurch from Ohio in May had just moved to a bigger home near the university campus. That area was not so badly impacted, and their home is fine. The home they relocated from less than 1/2 mile away had roof tile damage. But, praise God they are well and we know God has called them to a special ministry through all this. Pray for them, as they have already begun a Bible study and showing hospitality to students and neighbours through all this.<br /><br />And finally, I want to share with you a graphic, humorous and raw update from some friends of ISMNZ who are from the USA. They have a real heart for international students, and most especially work with the Chinese. This is Deb's update from Day 7:<span style=""><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">It's been one week. In some senses, as one is able to get out and travel around a bit, I am overwhelmed by the destruction. But, I am simultaneously struck by how much everyone wants to help.</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">As for our family - a generator has made a world of difference. Being out of communication has been the hardest part of having no power, phone, water, etc. Powering up the generator allows me to check my email and check FB.<br /></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">We are gradually gaining control over life. It is amazing what life comes down to in some circumstances. A great deal of our day is spent hauling and boiling water. Fortunately we have a gas stove that we can light with a match to keep water boiling.</span></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">We have our hole dug in the back yard. Your adolescent boys will appreciate this piece of information. We have a big bucket with a garbage can lid that opens for a seat. I even clean it each day.<br /></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">We go every three days to shower. We're switching people each time so we don't wear out our welcome. When we go, we also wash a load of clothes. A washing machine manufacturer has set up some portable laundromats in one of the spots that has a water supply, so we may switch to that soon.</span></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">We have had meals brought in and have been invited out. When we eat at home, it takes about an hour to do dishes. But, of course, I can't let those dishes pile up!<br /></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">Tomorrow we plan on leaving town for the day to take some Chinese students to Hamner Springs which is a spot about 90 minutes away. It is a beautiful area and will be a great reminder of God's beautiful world.</span></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">Just on our little street, there are at least two families who have lost a family member. One - a little 9 month old grandson who had a tv fall on him while he played on the floor.</span></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="">Enjoy the simple things in life - like running water! 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<w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.<br />I Kings 19:11-12</span></p> <p><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Praise the Lord, after the wind, the earthquake and the fire, came the Lord in a gentle whisper! Praise the Lord for His gentle whispers! Speak softly into the hearts of all who are grieving and experiencing loss (family, property, income, a way of life, security) and fill them with Your love and peace and presence. Most of all, draw them to Yourself that they may know that there is hope in the midst of tragedy, and light that can overcome darkness.<br /></span></i></p>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-65076260283213169012011-02-11T15:27:00.013+13:002011-02-11T16:41:51.074+13:00Farwell to a busy 2010 - Welcome 2011!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGxB6PHeqU5UL1xO6I0kVVrYSNQs0IqXfER4JT-oyt0HxbdommlyyFUXbnMki3kM_xTYbtGn5lt7HS9Z4XR2zSHql_DOXnGn6Tjt2h7uWPUoYKItEY7KJ77aLV-As1kRgXju4f_qbR9A/s1600/ec2010.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572257307902870418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGxB6PHeqU5UL1xO6I0kVVrYSNQs0IqXfER4JT-oyt0HxbdommlyyFUXbnMki3kM_xTYbtGn5lt7HS9Z4XR2zSHql_DOXnGn6Tjt2h7uWPUoYKItEY7KJ77aLV-As1kRgXju4f_qbR9A/s400/ec2010.bmp" border="0" /></a> “Happy New Year!”<br /><br />Ever wonder why we say that? What is it that causes us to wish one another a ‘happy’ new year? Sure, there are many other words that may accompany ‘happy’ (prosperous, peaceful, sober…)<br /><br />But, ‘happy’. That’s the most popular, at least in America. I was thinking about that a lot as I sang in the New Year alongside over 200 Japanese international students & migrants, pastors & missionaries, youth, kids and other international and American university students… at the Equippers Conference held in Southern California.<br /><br />The word that filled me that night was more than merely ‘happy’. Happiness depends so much on something outside of us, something that happens to us or around us. I was very much happy and inspired as I sang praise to God in Japanese with so many who have seen God’s marvellous light and are new followers of Jesus.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GWzFNeqJvFIJhzsb-9_fu1q0fhUp7T_52fl3ct1meVAofm97g21bgKUfX33QmQeAhAjocK6qBzRI4KIAxZluOOm3ORFls5n6Ivlo-20Ty5okEBjiRyURJmeboWuerSBbmTyl9AgWbWs/s1600/anewyear.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572257134812655922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GWzFNeqJvFIJhzsb-9_fu1q0fhUp7T_52fl3ct1meVAofm97g21bgKUfX33QmQeAhAjocK6qBzRI4KIAxZluOOm3ORFls5n6Ivlo-20Ty5okEBjiRyURJmeboWuerSBbmTyl9AgWbWs/s320/anewyear.jpg" border="0" /></a>But as we counted down to 2011, the word that would describe the night even more was JOY! Absolute, divine JOY! And that comes from within. It doesn’t depend on circumstances but is a fountain, and the wellspring is God’s eternal love and forgiveness.<br /><br />No matter what the circumstance or the trail or the tragedy, the fact of God’s love and the promise of eternal life can never be taken away. There is joy, as James the brother of Jesus so eloquently wrote, that we can have even as we endure suffering.<br /><br />My prayer in 2011 for all my family and friends and for people from every tongue and tribe and nation, is that this would be the year of JOY. 喜び (yo-ro-ko-bi in Japanese). No matter what circumstances come your way, I pray you would somehow know the joy that comes from knowing the Creator of the universe personally. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”<br /><br />To experience a little of what God did at Equippers 2010, go to:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElY5aYuicDE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElY5aYuicDE</a> It's AWESOME!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7Gem3m8QkIFyoCcyi75AkpPcux5SMQDYLzqJAjXlS04eM2lPzjIRT_vxYkQqy9aON4BtaRfxVTASGLaFCP1Co7tviL5WiEVCwayCLUMIo6JqXlTSEgDMHY5D8_07eMHfKaiiiOQQOZ4/s1600/areturnee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572257132545938002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7Gem3m8QkIFyoCcyi75AkpPcux5SMQDYLzqJAjXlS04eM2lPzjIRT_vxYkQqy9aON4BtaRfxVTASGLaFCP1Co7tviL5WiEVCwayCLUMIo6JqXlTSEgDMHY5D8_07eMHfKaiiiOQQOZ4/s320/areturnee.jpg" border="0" /></a> <u><strong>DECEMBER DAYS IN NEW ZEALAND...</strong><br /><br /></u>As 2010 comes to a close, students are celebrating the end of the academic year and finalising plans on how they will spend their 'summer'... most international students will return home for the holidays, or in the case of our grads... forever. It is such a bittersweet time for me. But, it's what God has called me to. To 'launch' His children according to His plan and purpose in the world.<br /><br />December 10th was an awesome day. I was blessed to partipate in the Pathways College of Bible & Mission graduation for our ministry interns. What a joy to see not only the ISMNZ interns graduate, but all the students who have served with churches and missions organisations throughout New Zealand for the past one to two years. Another generation of equipped, god-centred amazing kids (well, "kids" to me) heading into the next chapter of God's plan for their lives and His kingdom. Wow! To even have played a small part in that is one of the main reasons I smile when I get out of bed in the morning (that and my coffee - heehee).<br /><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMsZe5WNR4SrSxxTIa0qupHZU78BEf0GTJuvWmrazgPGKqVLOfgOXYZsS8Vxqh2y8PFq1uaox645QdIhyphenhyphenrwhgWTzBXOLcOgJQaXA3M-jb7BZBhF1jolEKGjK_Z8EK9bOKzJrqEfLOJRc/s1600/all_grad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572256888710455522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMsZe5WNR4SrSxxTIa0qupHZU78BEf0GTJuvWmrazgPGKqVLOfgOXYZsS8Vxqh2y8PFq1uaox645QdIhyphenhyphenrwhgWTzBXOLcOgJQaXA3M-jb7BZBhF1jolEKGjK_Z8EK9bOKzJrqEfLOJRc/s320/all_grad.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>The 2010 Pathways Graduates!</em> </div><div align="left"><br />This year we enjoyed graduation with our eight ISMNZ interns. Four of them are completely finished and have returned to their home countries (Japan & Vanuatu), although we are praying that Allen can return from Vanuatu to work and minister for another year with the Pacific Island students in New Zealand. Koyo, Masa and Aina have returned to Osaka Japan to join HEAPS of other returnees who love Jesus. All these received their year two Diploma and in Christian Leadership.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B5Fynotcy7ItZ9_HHOF5frm0nXfLGS_uFSBF0dKj4sDPBImPEhl2MXxsRuWasIH-TpBXd901QOxQwg85t0fcl-_FzmIfGZRIrT8YLh6-7z-9bCgh7iHNM9aq070wJSi3YJuuf8hUBWU/s1600/Koyo_grad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572256387420707938" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B5Fynotcy7ItZ9_HHOF5frm0nXfLGS_uFSBF0dKj4sDPBImPEhl2MXxsRuWasIH-TpBXd901QOxQwg85t0fcl-_FzmIfGZRIrT8YLh6-7z-9bCgh7iHNM9aq070wJSi3YJuuf8hUBWU/s200/Koyo_grad.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzoDhWKUP-urMpJi3gxjfJikh3UEFdKcSTMdpbRyFTE9sUJn5NifEQDGfpxKbwG-4Sx8Zs9XVEEtm5dJZKJb0vJKFiZDeCY4J1vQFIQoQwICJM0Zl-fYO_IlAAKQaVTaDMBSDXfAhrZ8/s1600/allen_grad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572256384569519202" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzoDhWKUP-urMpJi3gxjfJikh3UEFdKcSTMdpbRyFTE9sUJn5NifEQDGfpxKbwG-4Sx8Zs9XVEEtm5dJZKJb0vJKFiZDeCY4J1vQFIQoQwICJM0Zl-fYO_IlAAKQaVTaDMBSDXfAhrZ8/s200/allen_grad.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxLyxOdKTnF-3BEZEJ8SdnwDWu2xzjWtm_zv9qDyILgvQW7E0zcp7GTc2Klio6wL_POT-JurVmfKYlaRj4m18GIxanz2ZvS4IPPcvSIdwPj38ySDzgqIksyjuBJeXsUa4SFocKXvvPd8/s1600/masa_grad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572256378926309810" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxLyxOdKTnF-3BEZEJ8SdnwDWu2xzjWtm_zv9qDyILgvQW7E0zcp7GTc2Klio6wL_POT-JurVmfKYlaRj4m18GIxanz2ZvS4IPPcvSIdwPj38ySDzgqIksyjuBJeXsUa4SFocKXvvPd8/s200/masa_grad.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo6lNEpzdD4NQkqscJYAvo9j5-hnAIeNZMFoMY5_p10XCuHInEhj9hZftaK3oI85tAQOO5LtBFExy9RNjijk-L9FFSO3ICf_OK0sapiM7kFi-eUbLVYP05MqmFDqWSASdHdJ4RIWWvCc/s1600/aina_grad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572256380885779810" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo6lNEpzdD4NQkqscJYAvo9j5-hnAIeNZMFoMY5_p10XCuHInEhj9hZftaK3oI85tAQOO5LtBFExy9RNjijk-L9FFSO3ICf_OK0sapiM7kFi-eUbLVYP05MqmFDqWSASdHdJ4RIWWvCc/s200/aina_grad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;">Koyo (with principal Craig), Allen, Masa and Aina!</span></em><br /></span><br />Returning for more service & study in 2011 are Joel (who will remain in NZ after graduation to serve in Wellington amongst international students and migrants), Mayumi & Emma (carrying on in Auckland to serve with J2 Auckland), and Laurel (continuing to help our J2 ministry in Palmerston North this year). They received their year one diploma in Christian Ministry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnB4fp_JqdUCJe-TK4f3ca4jCOxYVcJGW1t3nCMnPVBml6fGfADzu_EFkPkuTdJLp2NSsCdbDYz0z8gTRMHir5wSV2iHML19diTWk7ajsgq3gdIprtvI2jnijC1-BuK7F9akmmbWIk_c/s1600/joel_grad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572255893496649346" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnB4fp_JqdUCJe-TK4f3ca4jCOxYVcJGW1t3nCMnPVBml6fGfADzu_EFkPkuTdJLp2NSsCdbDYz0z8gTRMHir5wSV2iHML19diTWk7ajsgq3gdIprtvI2jnijC1-BuK7F9akmmbWIk_c/s200/joel_grad.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJEcfWa7i3Nzbgi5oUsWiZp-anRa-Rai4PV06NsIUkyPyt6UohQJa5KIzSYsnH_GZnQ0oBj5gC3FKHIQjR-4L1DdBvjV4w78QUsQ-2JVa2UY_m9OtapXpfgc0owyOpdZsLHqtFHJGaQM/s1600/mayumi_grad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572255893209626306" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJEcfWa7i3Nzbgi5oUsWiZp-anRa-Rai4PV06NsIUkyPyt6UohQJa5KIzSYsnH_GZnQ0oBj5gC3FKHIQjR-4L1DdBvjV4w78QUsQ-2JVa2UY_m9OtapXpfgc0owyOpdZsLHqtFHJGaQM/s200/mayumi_grad.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62MH_uxmgvYV_VbM72hL7sbYDmf3ft06hMpGBfEaHP8cF5kSogURbfcd0a3_RZZCskbuDU8VOm5Ejm2JTQE0H5FdXpL19lzzX1rpvksTykBwLs_xzcSielinHQkC8_uIs_Cnhkwk2v-g/s1600/emma_grad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572255888570124786" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62MH_uxmgvYV_VbM72hL7sbYDmf3ft06hMpGBfEaHP8cF5kSogURbfcd0a3_RZZCskbuDU8VOm5Ejm2JTQE0H5FdXpL19lzzX1rpvksTykBwLs_xzcSielinHQkC8_uIs_Cnhkwk2v-g/s200/emma_grad.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTlp8abOPTmaaZXilsdDV54MJS9m0LgYaxfSbRdJweRfJoY1lM2sBfOJtHW9HvHBRH81Wo_6WXbSGXWGJR6lZBGAZhhz3EHnNR649-LslEBE9FrcI1qszzyKgDzBI8T2JKkV57gyoxcU/s1600/laurel_grad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572255887650966178" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTlp8abOPTmaaZXilsdDV54MJS9m0LgYaxfSbRdJweRfJoY1lM2sBfOJtHW9HvHBRH81Wo_6WXbSGXWGJR6lZBGAZhhz3EHnNR649-LslEBE9FrcI1qszzyKgDzBI8T2JKkV57gyoxcU/s200/laurel_grad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><u>ANOTHER DEAR 'SON' GRADUATES FROM MASSEY! YEAH MASA!</u></strong><br /><br />I've known Masa since September 2006 when he came to New Zealand to study English with hopes of getting into university. Masa is our "Rock Star" (though to the J2 'kids' he is Peace Boy). He is a gifted musician and the Lord has really blessed his life and ministry in the years he's been a student in New Zealand. Of course, he's also dear to my heart because he's marrying one of my Cardiff Chateau grads, Nozomi - in July 2011.<br /><br />Masa completed his degree at Massey University in June 2010, and praise the Lord, he stayed on for a semester to do an internship with ISMNZ. He's been a critical blessing to the leadership of J2 Palmerston North for a long time, but especially this year as we went through a big change. Please continue to pray for Masa. He's back in Japan, got a job right away (God is GREAT) and is preparing for the wedding and married life. He is a gifted Bible teacher, and he and Nozomi will be an amazing team for Christ. They already are!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QYOtDfUtBcexfytbdk2tdlzkke-JEDbyhHr26eLoNgdD9buAh86bccQpfXRIwKpVtcYt4X_KZOacV9JNE4Ey_FPlLVZlv98oF2yWdFlMat0GITV3Xss8UYsDTR3I3PKmOu83fcYd1_U/s1600/masagrad2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572255558581306306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QYOtDfUtBcexfytbdk2tdlzkke-JEDbyhHr26eLoNgdD9buAh86bccQpfXRIwKpVtcYt4X_KZOacV9JNE4Ey_FPlLVZlv98oF2yWdFlMat0GITV3Xss8UYsDTR3I3PKmOu83fcYd1_U/s320/masagrad2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Masa and both his MOMS! :D</em><br /><div align="left"><strong><u></u></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlfB5Q6xJkki_FHkJPujPpBoCjPBFI0RnMQqV2-m_8R9nscA6907D076pzRRKHpV50d4cQy6dWyM8XRhUn74EoyiLUZ2FHwsvhb-bBuxC21dkOUf4lFun0gf5lqXlyzuAGBBVAjLNEEo/s1600/masagrad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572255552846389682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlfB5Q6xJkki_FHkJPujPpBoCjPBFI0RnMQqV2-m_8R9nscA6907D076pzRRKHpV50d4cQy6dWyM8XRhUn74EoyiLUZ2FHwsvhb-bBuxC21dkOUf4lFun0gf5lqXlyzuAGBBVAjLNEEo/s320/masagrad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><u>TURNING ?? YEARS-OLD GOES ON FOR !! MONTHS</u></strong><br /></div><div align="left">I guess it's not a secret anymore... I became "go ju sai des" (who reads romanji Japanese?)... the big one, the half-century - in December. But the parties started in early November and will continue through February! As I reflect on where God has brought me to this point, and how amazingly faithful and wonderful He has been to me - I love my life! And as long as He has ordained breath in my lungs and days for me to live, I will serve Him and give Him the praise due His Name. Thank you to ALL who have shown me love over this big day!<br /><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Fyl7RbRYFwkK40qbDB-_ZY20B38OGsOat9FyE_yGW6WHXRSEU_4GhfS3jBOqtjsGbyx66UDkxvmTxUZYSfOhEstxNA-epCIV5Xh4tfoz0PpVU4GIlIj5RHm26KkntxF6OLXQC64JZZg/s1600/motherdaughter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572255189388108194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Fyl7RbRYFwkK40qbDB-_ZY20B38OGsOat9FyE_yGW6WHXRSEU_4GhfS3jBOqtjsGbyx66UDkxvmTxUZYSfOhEstxNA-epCIV5Xh4tfoz0PpVU4GIlIj5RHm26KkntxF6OLXQC64JZZg/s320/motherdaughter.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>One of my special birthday dates! Yvette & Andrew spoiled me!</em> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><strong><u>A LONG OVERDUE "RETURNEE" VISIT TO WESTERN SAMOA</u></strong><br /><br />Have I said, "I love this job?" enough? Because I really do! God has done immeasureably more than I asked or imagined since I follow His path to New Zealand. One of my biggest joys has always been the relationship He gave me with Juliette Enid Westerlund! Since February 2004, she has been a daughter, a best friend, a disciple and sister-soul-mate. Enid was with me on our big adventure to Japan in 2006, and we continue to stay connected even living a few hours apart.<br /></div><div align="left"><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdDlzlDnpOzbBALQxmZau1SaCneuZcJ_u72K_uGfI18iLZuqJVW_TFdbtaDx3LnVRJek1-N_i8tFMcUjl3lZvcWN5VLziQ2VGERZ6LInGa483pKLG7B0SF1kzNK47PPzrz76l2Rr6kvs/s1600/ismsamoa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572254370320687650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdDlzlDnpOzbBALQxmZau1SaCneuZcJ_u72K_uGfI18iLZuqJVW_TFdbtaDx3LnVRJek1-N_i8tFMcUjl3lZvcWN5VLziQ2VGERZ6LInGa483pKLG7B0SF1kzNK47PPzrz76l2Rr6kvs/s320/ismsamoa.jpg" border="0" /></a>In early October I received a text from Enid. It was simple, "how are you? How's Cardiff?". That's all it took. The memories of her on my purple couch, of all the times and trials we went through together, of the laughter. Now she's back in Samoa, working hard and doing great in her career. But, with that text the Lord touched my heart and I realised, I hadn't fulfilled my mission in her life. She's my very first disciple in New Zealand, and a returnee, but I haven't been to her world, visited her family... so, the flight was booked and in late November, I was off for six days in Samoa.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDtCoCmfpM9GikDOJnqK5irHLc1Tjt_5f2MLx2RpCPJFfwaRJgRyUgc2K0STtUOQvnTJA3LlgYl_8FlZhfZifOCVCx3pe2zGUDzpOTgnLIaTKR0-8BYOdHZ32ASQz5DJBr4e8mTUZTmE/s1600/ismsamoachurch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572254367754402834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDtCoCmfpM9GikDOJnqK5irHLc1Tjt_5f2MLx2RpCPJFfwaRJgRyUgc2K0STtUOQvnTJA3LlgYl_8FlZhfZifOCVCx3pe2zGUDzpOTgnLIaTKR0-8BYOdHZ32ASQz5DJBr4e8mTUZTmE/s320/ismsamoachurch.jpg" border="0" /></a>What a blessing it was to worship with her family in their church. Wow! Awesome stuff. Her dad preached an amazing message about how to care for those who are 'infants' in Christ. I was blessed to be invited to share a message in the Sunday evening service. It was a joy and kinda scarey at the same time. One of the women in the church translated for me, and I made it through the message without too many tears!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ddJOaUv15HaM3gDhAVWME3dP7k0tzTLE40CaZKHiWTX4vMgY9IEfNFcducj-I_TsyczuKRTc_KQpUT5UhpXxQqICL2Lge33eF54Xgwet6fcdEL6waNPTji-lfdKCgnI27SQ_5MNoWyQ/s1600/ismersamoa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572254364474028322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ddJOaUv15HaM3gDhAVWME3dP7k0tzTLE40CaZKHiWTX4vMgY9IEfNFcducj-I_TsyczuKRTc_KQpUT5UhpXxQqICL2Lge33eF54Xgwet6fcdEL6waNPTji-lfdKCgnI27SQ_5MNoWyQ/s320/ismersamoa.jpg" border="0" /></a> Whew! After I made it through sharing the Word... on Monday we headed by ferry to Savai'i on a great adventure. It was a great time of encouragement for both of us. And, as usual, God used us as His team. Along the journey we met four international students (2 Germans, 1 Swede and a Mexican gal) who were on holiday after semester. They had studied in Auckland. </div><div> </div><div>What an amazing time. We adopted them and invited them to come along in the Hilux. It was a great time to share our testimony of how Enid and I met, and why we were still close. Enid was a gracious hostess and tour guide, and shared a lot about the Christian heritage in Samoa. It was a 'team' time of showing the love of Jesus to these students... I know "Enido" and I have a lot more adventures to share!</div><div> </div><div><em>Well, that should catch us up a bit. Thanks for reading all the way to this point :D!</em></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-92011383830167457752010-11-12T12:34:00.006+13:002010-11-12T16:09:34.033+13:00CAPE TOWN UPDATE - CHAPTER TWO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWjcoFi0ERFXFEnSZNGC5mv77guSKMA5OJEDtyoSzr0M0ntkliFx3FWXHc-sgvph0Qce2CEEGbDS5K2TjSHV6x_oZLaqyzcgDSct-Csjn0E3FrFSzQUe8JUh0C4885h8IKimITGFkSrI/s1600/reconciling.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538441979167484802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWjcoFi0ERFXFEnSZNGC5mv77guSKMA5OJEDtyoSzr0M0ntkliFx3FWXHc-sgvph0Qce2CEEGbDS5K2TjSHV6x_oZLaqyzcgDSct-Csjn0E3FrFSzQUe8JUh0C4885h8IKimITGFkSrI/s400/reconciling.bmp" /></a>Welcome to the second chapter of my summary of the Lausanne experience. As the days fly by I’ve noticed that much of what I experienced in South Africa wasn’t just an ‘event’, but rather the beginning of a journey. I’m sure the coordinators of the congress would be thrilled to hear it – since that’s why they call it a ‘movement’. Their hope is that our time together in October would get us moving in unity of purpose and vision.<br /><br />Time is also good because it helps you ‘get over’ the low-lights: those things that perhaps weren’t what you’d anticipated or particular activities that seemed like a waste of time. I had specific prayer points as I prepared for the trip, which included:<br /><u><br /></u><strong><u>Prayer For Divine Appointments<br /></u></strong><br /><strong>That I would meet godly Christian leaders who could connect with my disciples in their home nations and be a part of blessing their future in Christ.<br /></strong><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Okay – so I’ll mention just two that will help you praise God with me. As we gathered around ‘the table’ (daily small group), one of the young leaders at my table was Kurt. He is a filmmaker in Los Angeles with a heart for God. (<a href="http://www.missionrise.org/">http://www.missionrise.org/</a></span><span style="color:#000099;">) His organisation, RISE was founded by Kurt and several veteran missionaries to mobilize and inspire the next generation, through the language of film narrative, to find their role in the great commission.<br /><br />Currently, they are in the early stages of a film project called “Los Traficantes” which highlights God’s saving love in the life of Esteban Mendoza, a former Mexican drug lord. It will be filmed in Tijuana. As Kurt shared, I mentioned Claudia and her experience with TV in Guadalajara, that she graduated from our internship programme and her dream was to do just this kind of project. He asked if she was bi-lingual (of course), and then wondered if she’d be willing to go back to Mexico and work with them! Just like that! I immediately e-introduced them and well… Claudia flies to Los Angeles on 16th of November to meet up with the team and head to TJ! WOW! For more info, check out the blog: <a href="http://missionrise.blogspot.com/2010/11/many-from-around-world-join-rise-for.html">http://missionrise.blogspot.com/2010/11/many-from-around-world-join-rise-for.html</a></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">Another great connection was with a sister from Japan. As I sat in the ballroom amongst over 100 big round tables, Midori carried her dinner plate looking for a place to sit. There were lots of empty spaces, but God led her to ask to sit by me. As we began sharing – I found out that she had served the poor in Bangladesh for 11 years, and is now serving in ministry in Japan and is a ministry leader at a church in Yokohama (near Tokyo).<br /><br />So why is this a divine appointment for my grads? Because Daniel and Mai Meyer (Mai lived with me for 3 ½ years) are praying about opportunities to serve the Lord in a developing nation, and Bangladesh is at the top of the list! And, to have contact with a Japanese sister who had done it would be great in terms of advice and orientation and connections! </span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_T57y4g2AbjFgrvRsdbN7ht2LnPoDsUHgwdNz_Fd4mx5uCh2TUnRedkLBXMPPB_dOmZCRW42mcfqjuSOP7zUp38DPCg7J3VOVsuSI3ZM_2IHhhUricz6mWJcRPXP4Nkoob9jyFlUecA/s1600/onevoice.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538441978083516690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_T57y4g2AbjFgrvRsdbN7ht2LnPoDsUHgwdNz_Fd4mx5uCh2TUnRedkLBXMPPB_dOmZCRW42mcfqjuSOP7zUp38DPCg7J3VOVsuSI3ZM_2IHhhUricz6mWJcRPXP4Nkoob9jyFlUecA/s400/onevoice.jpg" /></a><strong>That I would get a sense of what God is doing through international student movement all over the globe so I could communicate it to everyone who will listen.<br /></strong><br />This was awesome. I was able to attend three of the four dialogue sessions coordinated by Leiton Chinn, who is the chair of the LCWE International Student Ministries special interest committee. Being among dozens of leaders who minister to international students throughout Europe, Asia (including India), and the Pacific, as well as USA and Canada, was exciting. Right now there are approximately <strong><u><span style="color:#660000;">2.8 MILLION</span></u></strong> international students scattered in schools around the world. Most are being sent from what we classify as “unreached people groups” and “restricted access nations” and 10/40 window nations. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Let me say it again… <strong><span style="color:#006600;">2.8 million future leaders</span></strong> now studying in nations where they can hear freely about the life and teaching of Jesus. <strong><span style="color:#660000;"><u>2.8 MILLION</u></span></strong>. God not only says “go there”, but He has also brought the harvest RIGHT HERE to our doorsteps in the USA, New Zealand, Japan… how many international students have you invited into your life?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9bjoqZZ8NVSAJB3znE3nHpXZjszzdw7cQXmkt0jV_LHQsew3XPHqe7Rn3I0V64H6aGdp2KDkqXI8wfAF43k3VCsHBLpS5hL-obmVY2Bv7lKbG8h4d87qYNX3T-x6GQ4lEVLJd1XlQc0/s1600/joyfulyouth.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 352px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538441968833847378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9bjoqZZ8NVSAJB3znE3nHpXZjszzdw7cQXmkt0jV_LHQsew3XPHqe7Rn3I0V64H6aGdp2KDkqXI8wfAF43k3VCsHBLpS5hL-obmVY2Bv7lKbG8h4d87qYNX3T-x6GQ4lEVLJd1XlQc0/s400/joyfulyouth.jpg" /></a><strong>That the Lord would guide me into discussions that would help me know whether to remain with my sending organisation or become an independent missionary as I continue to work with ISMNZ.<br /></strong><br />Through some great conversations, I believe God brought wise and godly counsel my way during the Lausanne congress. As a result, beginning January 2011 I will no longer be a seconded worker through The Navigators to ISMNZ. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Going forward, I will work for ISMNZ directly, and my faith support will be processed through <a href="http://nccsdataweb.urban.org/orgs/profile/261484641?popup=1">ISM NZ North America</a> for my USA supporters, and forwarded to ISMNZ for my pay and ministry expenses. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>I am excited about the future, and am grateful for all the support and training I received through the Navs. Having become a permanent resident in New Zealand, and knowing this is a long term calling to serve with ISMNZ as a part of their National Leadership, this transition is timely.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq0e5of_Ga7MDpNZlPokpBMoTktf14ot1sEUilvsQEiMNvevfQzyKKlpNE8Y8gJjD6qnYnV6pouIMaspD-1NpTaG6fHXa1xZb6s5L8VYAyTLDs4ILYrww9Vl-baNNZWW7zFIYgXzP0HE/s1600/final.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538441962312447410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq0e5of_Ga7MDpNZlPokpBMoTktf14ot1sEUilvsQEiMNvevfQzyKKlpNE8Y8gJjD6qnYnV6pouIMaspD-1NpTaG6fHXa1xZb6s5L8VYAyTLDs4ILYrww9Vl-baNNZWW7zFIYgXzP0HE/s400/final.jpg" /></a><br /><strong><u>Praying For Confession and Repentance<br /></u></strong><br /><strong>That the word of God listened to, preached, studying and prayed would change my heart and renew my vision for the nations.<br /></strong><br />Besides the awesome daily time in Ephesians, there was one message that still rings in my ears: Confronting Idols by Chris Wright! <a href="http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/11556">http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/11556</a></div><div><br />I’m still quoting it and trying to understand it more deeply as the days pass so I can live with more humility, integrity and simplicity for the sake of Jesus’ glory.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB5hIpvjY2_mkxJ_OrKzHmkgogyK4fKM4EsbMHxaPoPH6MSG0CzsZsUMZ6GCoewOsk6BTsRO6CdYS_yP8gSNmYQwd2SaeTvtiMlKtKyZpvjwDjEOUIJHf27OifwDiZvoinmxdFebhvAg/s1600/Notinkansas.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 347px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538440810948598354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB5hIpvjY2_mkxJ_OrKzHmkgogyK4fKM4EsbMHxaPoPH6MSG0CzsZsUMZ6GCoewOsk6BTsRO6CdYS_yP8gSNmYQwd2SaeTvtiMlKtKyZpvjwDjEOUIJHf27OifwDiZvoinmxdFebhvAg/s400/Notinkansas.bmp" /></a> <strong>That God would be glorified through the unity amongst those participating in Cape Town 2010<br /></strong><br />Another GREAT speaker that caused great conviction in my heart was Patrick Fung (Singapore), who serves as General Director of OMF International (formerly China Inland Mission). Patrick himself became a follower of Jesus Christ as an international student while studying in Australia. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Patrick's message on Partnership: Equilibrium vs. Diversity in Unity really hit home in terms of the mission of all peoples and generations (not the powerful to the powerless). He brought out the truth that the ministry of reconciliation creates partnerships – how people from nations and tribes once at war with one another are now working and serving together in the mission field. And how everyone keeps saying, “In the 21st century the mission belongs to Asia” because the ‘balance of power’ has shifted to Asia. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>He reminded us that is flawed thinking. That the only power is God’s sovereign power and on earth there is no one single power. The gospel goes from everywhere to everywhere, from everyone to everyone, we all have a wonderful story of redemption to share.<br /><a href="http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/11611">http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/11611</a></div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NVo87fjRWqrfzLWSjqMoQppo0wH5MGFF2MLfgV4-7Ldztn3wFYDvu6Rt0hJKbQ7QNJw1BwbiBgz4ZCoiqyKARvQXvXuysC_pZhRV_oXz7PCEGfTfmk5GmI2a2c52wIzaVCwJwx0LToI/s1600/thearts.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538440806423464178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NVo87fjRWqrfzLWSjqMoQppo0wH5MGFF2MLfgV4-7Ldztn3wFYDvu6Rt0hJKbQ7QNJw1BwbiBgz4ZCoiqyKARvQXvXuysC_pZhRV_oXz7PCEGfTfmk5GmI2a2c52wIzaVCwJwx0LToI/s400/thearts.jpg" /></a><strong>That God would humble us and reveal to us where we continue to fail in HIS mission to the nations by using our own strategies and wisdom to ‘win’ one more for the kingdom.<br /></strong><br />There is so much still to reflect upon. I remember looking at a map on the first night which has burned into my retina’s and I can’t shake. It was a map of where God has been growing His church… Asia and the global south! Those nations in South America, Central America, India, Africa, South East Asia, Pacific, etc. were bright. But sadly – the part of the map that was in darkness now was Western Europe and North America and ‘the west’ in general. The ‘enlightened’ ones have built their Babel’s and the growth of the church has been thrown in reverse. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>But, church in America and New Zealand – be encouraged… if our fellow countrymen have replaced the truth of God with a lie and are now worshipping the created instead of the Creator, God has harvest field for you even still. Sorry to sound like a broken record – but God is sending you a harvest of international students and migrants to reach out and demonstrate the truth of God, the love of Christ and the ministry of reconciliation towards!<br /><br />What we must do is repent of fear and pride and argumentative nature (which believe me I understand!) and pray for God to return us to our passion for Christ and sharing the foundational truth of the good news of Jesus Christ. We are to live like strangers and aliens in this world because we are citizens of another kingdom. We are just like the migrant or international student amongst us. This world is not our true home, and we need to let it go and live ‘in’ it the way God has created us to… being good stewards of all He has given us, most importantly – the gospel.<br /><br />Keep it simple (they don’t care about your theologies or Greek or Hebrew – they want to know what it means to YOU to be a follower of Jesus Christ – can you answer that?)… get back to basic discipleship! Here’s what we’ve been using this past six months (My First Steps) and believe me – it’ll change your life and the lives of those you share it with: <a href="http://www.omega-discipleship.com/usa/prod5.htm">http://www.omega-discipleship.com/usa/prod5.htm</a> (for USA folks); or <a href="http://www.omega-discipleship.com/_online/prod5.htm">http://www.omega-discipleship.com/_online/prod5.htm</a> (for New Zealand).<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8OJWigCRhuncYNU2i4oM-8OFeGJtqw9PMDmPL2s8r3mMzfnAuXKSLUYu8ToCFIKcs56lJD4OMvJxdrTPE5Ypbczgq6Dq4QEDBmUF2VDVYE_q-_dKg-0UPilODapBYi2PXes_6tcotaE/s1600/CCC_Leihsm.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 167px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538440802710864962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8OJWigCRhuncYNU2i4oM-8OFeGJtqw9PMDmPL2s8r3mMzfnAuXKSLUYu8ToCFIKcs56lJD4OMvJxdrTPE5Ypbczgq6Dq4QEDBmUF2VDVYE_q-_dKg-0UPilODapBYi2PXes_6tcotaE/s400/CCC_Leihsm.jpg" /></a><strong><u>Praying For Great Fellowship<br /></u></strong><br /><strong>That reunions with Leihlyn (UK Navigators ISM) and Ching Ching (Singapore Navs) would encourage us<br /></strong><br />I don’t know about them, but I was greatly encouraged by these two young women in God’s service. It’s not easy being a single woman in mission, but God gives grace in perfect measure. And it is so good to be able to spur one another on, and also admit that we share much of the same hopes and struggles as we live the life to which we have been called.<br /></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>That Xiaoou and I would enjoy rooming together and encourage one another (we minister in the same town, and even through the same church – but seldom see one another because of the area of the harvest God has us labouring in)<br /></strong><br />What a blessing it was to spend time with Xiaoou. I didn’t see much of her when she returned to NZ after graduating from Wheaton. She was deeply involved in developing the leadership amongst our Chinese student outreach and Mandarin congregation, then went to southeast Asia in preparation for her marriage. She and Jikang returned and have been settling into NZ life as newlyweds. It is exciting to see her at the edge of the ‘next stage’ of life and ministry. She will be a key person in developing our graduate returnee network for those returning to Mandarin speaking nations. It is a more difficult network than Japan due to ‘access’ issues in various countries. But God is working out divine appointments for that in the world wide international student network! Please pray for X&J as they grow in their first year of marriage and capture a vision for what they will do in the coming years for the people of southeast Asia and beyond.</div><div> </div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIdvD-jtnyjLnXdCoQSOWsv7VLxqBVvPzsRwxaj4s8KqifgwQW5CKPt7kvtdAthyjJZ6MrAwJBqUvt7Fbyo_lLNTILs3adyURBh3r-zR9UoKEB42ae0xp3avXD0s66MLXvC5yngByVY8/s1600/worship.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538440800549550786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIdvD-jtnyjLnXdCoQSOWsv7VLxqBVvPzsRwxaj4s8KqifgwQW5CKPt7kvtdAthyjJZ6MrAwJBqUvt7Fbyo_lLNTILs3adyURBh3r-zR9UoKEB42ae0xp3avXD0s66MLXvC5yngByVY8/s400/worship.jpg" /></a><strong>That the network of missions, churches, and missionaries who work with international students around the globe would be strengthened and unified, with One heart and One voice.<br /></strong><br />As I said before, the dialogue sessions were so encouraging. I realised just how unique our situation in New Zealand truly is… the freedom we have and the way that secular educational institutions and the NZ government look to the Christian community as partners in the care of international students is truly by God’s hand.<br /><br />Also, the incredible network in NZ amongst churches, other missions organisations, and migrant support groups is truly an example of unity in the body of Christ.<br /><br />And, the reality that most of our international graduates (approximately 85%) WILL return to their home nations makes NZ a unique mission ‘sending’ opportunity. There is a lot more migration into North America and Europe by international grads. But, that provides great long term investment opportunity for more partnership in the gospel.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsccYImrM7QXqznoJYra0u9arcOYA_QLXOySIbsA3R0iqv_9j34lAcCiOXufNcNm87YBktbO7-4k5XbmCwa4SXVrI6Bi7Bc0qFU9Rm6Y5zwEsbs1Jb5hsde0sgY0D_AvTTcJzzdZNr3dM/s1600/piper.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538440795266308850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsccYImrM7QXqznoJYra0u9arcOYA_QLXOySIbsA3R0iqv_9j34lAcCiOXufNcNm87YBktbO7-4k5XbmCwa4SXVrI6Bi7Bc0qFU9Rm6Y5zwEsbs1Jb5hsde0sgY0D_AvTTcJzzdZNr3dM/s400/piper.jpg" /></a><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Prayer that I could bring back something for everyone to share (Ephesians Bible studies)<br /></strong><br />I can’t say enough about this! If you want a great daily or weekly study in Ephesians…watch the messages from Cape Town.<br /><br />BUT before you do, read the text yourself (or if two or more are gathered, have someone read it out loud and just listen)…break out the book like this:<br />Study 1 – Ephesians 1<br />Study 2 – Ephesians 2<br />Study 3 – Ephesians 3<br />Study 4 – Ephesians 4:1-16<br />Study 5 – Ephesians 4:17 – 6:9<br />Study 6 – Ephesians 6:10-24<br /><br />After you have read the chapter, do a brief (10 minutes) ‘inductive’ study (here is a link to how: <a href="http://www.lausanne.org/es/cape-town-2010/experience-god-through-great-bible-study.html">http://www.lausanne.org/es/cape-town-2010/experience-god-through-great-bible-study.html</a>)</div><div><br />THEN watch the video: go to the link below. Each day – under “Plenary 1” you’ll see a link to each of these Bible Expositions (1: Ajith Fernando; 2: Ruth Padilla Deborst; 3: John Piper; 4:1-16: Vaughn Roberts; 4:17-6:9 Calisto Odede; 6:10-24 Ramez & Rebecca Atallah)<br /><br />This is a great study to do with a home group or Sunday school group! Awesome stuff: <a href="http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010/schedule.html">http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010/schedule.html</a></div><div><br /><strong>That this experience would motivate me to spur YOU on as a follower of Jesus – so that each member of the body (that means YOU) would live in a manner worthy of the calling to which you HAVE been called!<br /></strong><br />See all the above… I hope some of it has inspired you!</div></div></div></div></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-73641509747348941832010-11-02T14:18:00.008+13:002010-11-02T16:13:09.961+13:00REFLECTIONS ON CAPE TOWN 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4h4JeYJa20xA5EMYBfI_qZeTkoK85eB8R6PsGahcIMtkbBu-RIo3CTZzRvwjoKwOMfHbfEpaWzVJ6NUpklbm5CwS8HTiUrGHdNIr4taoEazz7f_HFVPQ3iFtArbnSTnIvN9FvYzZbYuM/s1600/capetown.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 156px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534762583841244370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4h4JeYJa20xA5EMYBfI_qZeTkoK85eB8R6PsGahcIMtkbBu-RIo3CTZzRvwjoKwOMfHbfEpaWzVJ6NUpklbm5CwS8HTiUrGHdNIr4taoEazz7f_HFVPQ3iFtArbnSTnIvN9FvYzZbYuM/s400/capetown.jpg" /></a><strong>"PERFECT FEAR CASTS OUT LOVE!"</strong> I don't even remember who said it, but throughout the Lausanne Congress it kept ringing in my ears. Fear is possibly the biggest chokehold on the spreading of the gospel of Jesus today. Fear of rejection. Fear of terrorism. Fear of people of other faiths. Fear of him who can harm your flesh. Fear of the future. Fear of risk. Fear of poverty. Fear of pain.<br /><br />All of these fears keep the people of God from living out their purpose in life - to love God, to love our neigbours, to love one another, to love our enemies. We hide in our comfort zones, our political arenas, our church buildings, our safe places and forget there is a world that we are to be engaged in through living the gospel, teaching the gospel, and loving the way the gospel demands. And I am not trying to sound condemning in any way - I've preached this message to myself every day since day 2 of the conference.<br /><br /><strong>PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR!</strong> I know where I heard that! I've studied 1 John quite a bit this year. But, I also heard it at the Lausanne meetings. A beautiful little high school girl who, with her family had to flee North Korea. Here is an excerpt of their story:<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;"><em>In China a relative brought her family to church where her parents came to know Jesus Christ. A few months later, however, her pregnant mother died from Leukemia. Her father started to study the Bible with missionaries and eventually the Lord gave him a strong desire to become a missionary to North Korea. But in 2001 he was reported as a Christian, was arrested by the Chinese police, and was returned to North Korea. Forced to leave his daughter behind in China, he spent three years in prison. During this time the girl shared that it only "made my father’s faith stronger” and that he “cried out to God more desperately rather than complain or blame Him.</em></span><br /><br />After three years he was able to return to China where he was briefly reunited with his daughter. Soon after, however, he gathered Bibles having resolved to return to North Korea to share Christ among that hopeless people. He was given the opportunity to go to South Korea, but he turned them down.<br /><br />In 2006 he was discovered by the North Korean government and was arrested. There has since been no word from him. In all probability he has been shot to death publicly for treason.<br /><br />For a full story, see Michael Oh's blog on the Desiring God website:<br /><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/weeping-for-north-korea">http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/weeping-for-north-korea</a><br /><br />This little girl has since become a follower of Jesus while studying in South Korea. She closed with the following words:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em>"I look back over my short life and see God’s hand everywhere. Six years in North Korea, 11 years in China, and a time of being in South Korea. Everything that I experienced and love, I want to give it all to God and use my life for His kingdom. I hope to honor my father and bring glory to my heavenly Father by serving God with my whole heart.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><em><br />I believe God’s heart cries out for the lost people of North Korea. I humbly ask you, my brothers and sisters, to have the same heart of God. Please pray that the same light of God’s grace and mercy that reached my father and my mother and now me will one day come down upon the people of North Korea… my people."</em></span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V8DJHbIol62oxJKAAMsQtrd3_HzetIhcS6XHV1GKNKFX3NRpEZecEyNSAFUcYr58teKkwOilyl4SlM9erYuhDxHM6l87JBeCIfcUHmx659fkAMjxeF3YVgp8V1WqnfypgwDQPjzcngw/s1600/capetown1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534762575888548882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V8DJHbIol62oxJKAAMsQtrd3_HzetIhcS6XHV1GKNKFX3NRpEZecEyNSAFUcYr58teKkwOilyl4SlM9erYuhDxHM6l87JBeCIfcUHmx659fkAMjxeF3YVgp8V1WqnfypgwDQPjzcngw/s400/capetown1.JPG" /></a> <em>Yeah! Janeen (NZ) & Leihlyn (UK) reunite in Cape Town!</em></div><p>So, how do you sum up a life experience that includes:</p><ul><li>23 hours of travel to your destination (Wellington, to Sydney, to Johannesburg, to Cape Town, South Africa)</li><li>6 ½ days of meetings (6 days of which were from 8.30am – 9pm)</li><li>4200 delegates + 1100 volunteers</li><li>1 ½ days touring Cape Town and realising it hasn’t been that long since they became a true democratic nation</li><li>One afternoon touring Robben Island (touring prisons used for centuries, the last of which was during apartheid)</li><li>Focus on the word of God, the gospel of Christ, and the way God is on the move in the world in the 21st century – and how we can participate in HIS plan and agenda (and break some old molds)</li><li>Many divine appointments</li><li>Catching up with a few very dear friends who are around the globe</li><li>Making new friends</li><li>Enjoying a ‘multi-tasking’ roommate</li><li>23 hours returning to New Zealand</li><li>Still getting over jet lag one week later.</li></ul><p>Yep – not an easy task, even for the best thinkers.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3PgboBcfnE7gGwG6fkHl9Ppt3nDNLkuQZI3NmbJz_nQlQcdl4yHttgt2d5IdsMs5ia1WnEqTzGBmTeG50PuhCA8c3ZdTRKwP4GqA3IjthtYSUYX-ZPr2kP1jxlk9940mtw8QXdcEcBI/s1600/capetown1a.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534762577626901554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3PgboBcfnE7gGwG6fkHl9Ppt3nDNLkuQZI3NmbJz_nQlQcdl4yHttgt2d5IdsMs5ia1WnEqTzGBmTeG50PuhCA8c3ZdTRKwP4GqA3IjthtYSUYX-ZPr2kP1jxlk9940mtw8QXdcEcBI/s400/capetown1a.JPG" /></a> <em>On the final night celebrating an amazing time of communion with<br />a former Cardiff Chateau summer guest, Ching Ching with Singapore Navs</em></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKoNvk5wRVA2Nqlnx4uALx6KyQ3ZJon86qRp6c7UFllW4y09jmtZfEukXMXEk8wSehA8zcGz9jIcvuDZggOt85yCjp0pqEzscGa7J0gEfsM7H4EnInSi5s_gvXjVAJAP4NIQ2mZNKjsU/s1600/capetown1b.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 383px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534762574239663362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKoNvk5wRVA2Nqlnx4uALx6KyQ3ZJon86qRp6c7UFllW4y09jmtZfEukXMXEk8wSehA8zcGz9jIcvuDZggOt85yCjp0pqEzscGa7J0gEfsM7H4EnInSi5s_gvXjVAJAP4NIQ2mZNKjsU/s400/capetown1b.JPG" /></a> <em>A-123 Table Group!!! Stephanie, Kurt, Johannes, & me<br />Imagine the effort of setting out tables of 6 for 4200 delegates!</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Di1oBX-fno0iLEZKRJE99-iKnC5AOr6P0bjZALZisvLmReU-oVtp-n16WG0VhOHIshrsM85ZhsjV3I-GTUCWPOm68EVs8-zbDoDKhyM1f2JueW2edyxeR0Z71QMLJJGcTNMFGaBnHvU/s1600/capetown2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 333px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534762111833979378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Di1oBX-fno0iLEZKRJE99-iKnC5AOr6P0bjZALZisvLmReU-oVtp-n16WG0VhOHIshrsM85ZhsjV3I-GTUCWPOm68EVs8-zbDoDKhyM1f2JueW2edyxeR0Z71QMLJJGcTNMFGaBnHvU/s400/capetown2.JPG" /></a> <em>The ISMNZ girls represent (me & Xiaoou)! On our one day off we toured Cape Town<br />on a double decker! Me, Xiaoou, Leihlyn & my boss Terry.</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KIZSckwBkQ__dAOaHcc4zEAn3vHIeQPoyHeqCG3B0BwSJGaDiHm2irUiS_1Y73mvITRhhEKRHULoHZmD6DwWSWSxqdbuFazu9zlVko9al3GKxkYxDWtiL1gZBjtl-0FvTR3RsAjpFaI/s1600/capetown3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534762103681180914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KIZSckwBkQ__dAOaHcc4zEAn3vHIeQPoyHeqCG3B0BwSJGaDiHm2irUiS_1Y73mvITRhhEKRHULoHZmD6DwWSWSxqdbuFazu9zlVko9al3GKxkYxDWtiL1gZBjtl-0FvTR3RsAjpFaI/s400/capetown3.JPG" /></a> <em>What a paradox... this is the view of the SA mainland from hell...<br />Robben Island was used for centuries to hold prisoners<br />and most recently used during apartheid.</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvI2im0iB2c1iLbaBcdMnbnEy_geIDd_katHiHaThCP4lU4IcYFTXYsj9OjTbEicq5iC0gBe-OFzKdecsDpob5QQ6et-xs9wAhuV_Msg5EsYl9vFzMxGStQPqUkMtZFqpJzQEaRsjz_SU/s1600/capetown4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534762102069104418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvI2im0iB2c1iLbaBcdMnbnEy_geIDd_katHiHaThCP4lU4IcYFTXYsj9OjTbEicq5iC0gBe-OFzKdecsDpob5QQ6et-xs9wAhuV_Msg5EsYl9vFzMxGStQPqUkMtZFqpJzQEaRsjz_SU/s400/capetown4.JPG" /></a> <em>This was the daily diet schedule for prisoners. Divided between the Indian/Asian (B)<br />And blacks (C)</em> - so so so wrong!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_v0xA5x1acDknLYr_7L9hLcfG8q6IgAUnWh51qM1WYqw2d3Q1tYmYPcRPf3CT8PSUKyKdv13vwku_z387z-N0MseOtGebz3SeW1E79bR9hMbxjc9WW7PXK1_WVr6pdjh2M99_nku-kg/s1600/capetown5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534762096842836418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_v0xA5x1acDknLYr_7L9hLcfG8q6IgAUnWh51qM1WYqw2d3Q1tYmYPcRPf3CT8PSUKyKdv13vwku_z387z-N0MseOtGebz3SeW1E79bR9hMbxjc9WW7PXK1_WVr6pdjh2M99_nku-kg/s400/capetown5.JPG" /></a> <em>Our prison guide was a former prisoner for seven years. Now the island is home<br />to those who work there where former prisoners & prison guards live side-by-side.<br />Talk about a message of reconciliation and forgiveness!<br />Not easy - but PERFECT LOVE casts out fear.</em><br /></p><p align="left">So - what did I learn? Way more than you have time to read. But here's a summary:</p><ol><li><div align="left">Realising as we studied Ephesians, that long before Nelson Mandela lived, it was the Apostle Paul who wrote the first manifesto against apartheid from prison – a letter to the first century church that rings loud and clear today.</div></li><li><div align="left">To live in a manner worthy of the calling to which you were called!</div></li><li><div align="left">Every single person in the body of Christ needs to recognise (and respond) that they are individually called to a life of full time mission (in the home, the marketplace, the neighbourhoods, the campuses... every day life). If even one member of the body is not serving according to the grace God has given them and the calling to which they have been called, and working in unity with the body of Christ, the impact of Christ’s saving work is not glorified. We are not living and breathing on this planet as redeemed, adopted children of God for our own sakes. All areas of our lives must be lived for the sake of the gospel and the sake of His glory.</div></li><li><div align="left">That it is not rocket science. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to save… not our opinions nor our own words! LEARN to share the gospel clearly and by the power of the Holy Spirit.</div></li><li><div align="left">That even though we have our denominational, cultural, and organisational differences – they are not an excuse for division. In a global 21st century, we must work together – partner together – as the whole church bringing the whole gospel to the whole world!</div></li><li><div align="left">There is a drought of Biblical literacy in the world-wide body of Christ… we need to get back to the ‘great commission’ which again – is not rocket science – disciple all ethnos, baptising them and teaching them what the Word of God (Jesus is the Word and the whole Bible is the word of God) says and how to live it as we live it ourselves.</div></li></ol><p align="left"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pvI469n1P352xcI_N5bIcIhA5codP7xGkG8VnWt5D609gPf-Cu-2l2h01J3u5c2cXxwlVta-tuoB2oNw3z9IcP_gG3Pzoec2_Bow7rd1IOd8ArAlCW_s8OBZJnYl005sniEHSmh3MKw/s1600/capetown6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534762092068687362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pvI469n1P352xcI_N5bIcIhA5codP7xGkG8VnWt5D609gPf-Cu-2l2h01J3u5c2cXxwlVta-tuoB2oNw3z9IcP_gG3Pzoec2_Bow7rd1IOd8ArAlCW_s8OBZJnYl005sniEHSmh3MKw/s400/capetown6.JPG" /></a><strong>LESSONS FROM PRISON!<br /></strong>Our trip to Robben Island has fueled my passion to continue to disciple people from every nation that God brings into my life through the ministry to international students and the 'scattered' peoples (migrants) in the world. Injustice is a consequence of SIN! It's not rocket science. Man tries in their own wisdom to raise up systems of justice - but punishment avails and injustice comes from the very justice we try to hold to. Mankind is easily corrupted. Our hearts are deceitful. <p align="left">But, "if anyone is in Christ they are a NEW creation: the old has gone and the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and <em>gave us</em> the <em>ministry of reconciliation: </em>that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting peoples' sins against them. And He has COMMITTED TO US THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION." (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)</p><p align="left">This is the challenge God laid on my plate while I was in Cape Town. Is my message to every ethno-linguistic (and religious or atheistic or humanistic) people group one of sharing the gospel of reconciliation? Is that what motivates me? Drives me to live on?</p><p align="left">So, to my friends who do not yet know Jesus... He is THE way, THE truth and THE life... </p><p align="left">"We (those who follow Christ) are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us... we implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who knew NO sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). </p><p align="left">Reconciliation begins with forgiveness! And forgiveness is received through faith. And faith is God's gift, and faith comes by hearing the word of God! "God demonstrated His love to us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)<br /></p><strong></strong>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-51763180635369390352010-09-07T21:01:00.007+12:002010-09-07T23:02:30.569+12:00August showers bring September... quakes?<strong><u>Sunday Night Delight -- conTagious Students!<br /></u></strong>What a blessing it has been journeying through “My First Steps” – a 20 week discipleship study we are doing at Grace City Church. There are 42 people in our fellowship going through the study in various small groups and our student group.<br /><br />I have been LOVING my small group (within the larger group of students). Zarette & Giselle & Kerrianne are three high school girls who have grown up in the ‘church’. Kerrianne’s mum came to NZ as a child-migrant from China and was a part of the Chinese migrant outreach ministry that eventually became Grace City Church. So, Kerrianne is a true Kiwi. In the same way, Zarette and Giselle are now officially PK’s (their dad Kellis is our pastor). They moved permanently to NZ (from Fiji) in 2003 so the girls really are very Kiwi in many ways.<br /><br />Since we’ve been going through the study, God has really helped them take a look at whether or not they are truly born again. What has resulted is truly amazing. They are enjoying the study (they do their homework and the Scripture memory each week), and really beginning to see a change in their lives and attitudes, and most especially in their relationships with others. They are excited at the changes in our church family, excited to come to church and student group, and most especially seeing our church family becoming on fire for God. I’m enjoying being with them and seeing the light in their eyes grow brighter and brighter each week.<br /><br />Please pray over the next few weeks as we take on the subjects of baptism, and the Holy Spirit. Pray that they would receive the word with power, and that many in our fellowship who haven’t been baptised would make decisions to do so. But with that comes the need for protection… because we face an enemy that doesn’t like on fire followers of Jesus. Pray that Zarette, Giselle and Kerrianne would all grow strong in their faith and impact their high school campus for Jesus!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsBnG_TL1US9JPZ0QiHz6Xx4N3AOsyFLXYSrF5KjgLh0dbO3_3jTNCgRib34KH8Mb0hey-0egMb5i_GuDn7tabgXFTzPk9dgcdFsPAb6s4VEU1Q7Hd_rgaKt4nfqaYE7gpOiqsFsE2Hc/s1600/contagious.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514116974150372210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsBnG_TL1US9JPZ0QiHz6Xx4N3AOsyFLXYSrF5KjgLh0dbO3_3jTNCgRib34KH8Mb0hey-0egMb5i_GuDn7tabgXFTzPk9dgcdFsPAb6s4VEU1Q7Hd_rgaKt4nfqaYE7gpOiqsFsE2Hc/s400/contagious.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Contagious joy!<br /></span><br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghusFF0sA0l8GWBSyJJFYDTyahqhudvEGV5VZB1aKiXlfAYmLWv3IgUc-PtmLt_yr3NoMIKUN1dEyLjt7p5L1NNuNBZpHU7wPYqC0QusCvH2TN2j4szyCy3Wljy1S4y0yVHhECA9d_iRM/s1600/annjer.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514116968222632306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghusFF0sA0l8GWBSyJJFYDTyahqhudvEGV5VZB1aKiXlfAYmLWv3IgUc-PtmLt_yr3NoMIKUN1dEyLjt7p5L1NNuNBZpHU7wPYqC0QusCvH2TN2j4szyCy3Wljy1S4y0yVHhECA9d_iRM/s400/annjer.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Ann & Jerome... representing Asia & Pacific :-)</em><br /></span><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAdejLQs91guheYjwsViDhMFW58iAYgdzjOIBB9zM4JQj0dhDxdFxPKD0Qn0bNeDk-_81Kaee5ev3KmkYHLJm2UOaEeRI5D06S2vk189Nh3yBsDIUJ53WUqKX3FoeYY1BY4dj6qP8c44/s1600/coolgang.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514116961196109842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAdejLQs91guheYjwsViDhMFW58iAYgdzjOIBB9zM4JQj0dhDxdFxPKD0Qn0bNeDk-_81Kaee5ev3KmkYHLJm2UOaEeRI5D06S2vk189Nh3yBsDIUJ53WUqKX3FoeYY1BY4dj6qP8c44/s400/coolgang.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><u></u></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Awesome bunch! The four on the left are fully conTagious...<br />Giselle, Jerome, Vinnie and Zarette</em></span></div><div align="left"><strong><u></u></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><u>ISMNZ Ministry Internship<br /></u></strong>Can I just say again how much I LOVE being a part of our ISMNZ Ministry Internship programme? Of course I can! I LOVE it. First of all, Pathways Bible College is a GREAT partner. They love our interns as much as we do, and together we get to impact the lives of these young future servants of Christ. What a privilege!<br /><br />This semester I am leading three courses: Making Disciples, A Vision for the World, and Focus on the Future. I teach in Palmerston North, but for the first two lessons of Making Disciples I also travelled to Auckland to teach the girls there. Also, Masa has stayed on (he finished his degree at Massey in June) to do a one semester certificate in ministry internship with us. He is a key leader in J2 Palmy and we are so happy to be able to provide some training and preparation for him before he returns to Japan at the end of the year.<br /><br />The best part of it is seeing them take hold of how they can impact the world around them and begin to prepare for their next stage in life. For some it means returning to their home countries to find work, for others they will remain in NZ to try and get a job in their area of qualification, and yet for others they will do further training based on what they desire to do next. In every case… the foundations being laid for their spiritual life are awesome. They are seeing God at work in their life, and experiencing His answers to prayer as they study and do ministry and relate with others. It’s not always easy and they face many trials and tests, but WOW is their faith deepening!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">It has also been a real pleasure 'supervising' Laurel McDonald. Laurel is a Kiwi from Palmy (who speaks Japanese and served teaching English in Japan for three years). She's already a great ESOL teacher, and now she is growing heaps in her walk as a disciple and making disciples and gaining lots of ministry experience. Whenever we have our mentoring sessions, I learn so much from what she is learning. Keep praying for Laurel, as I know God has more amazing ministry in store for her future. I am so grateful to have her as part of the J2 Palmy leadership team.<br /><br />All I can say is THANK YOU for making it possible for them to get this training. As you support me through encouragement, prayer and financially – I can serve them without distraction. They are learning heaps from what I’m experiencing as a faith-funded missionary as I testify of the goodness of God I receive because of YOU!<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPPoB2Ctea0fYp8tVURfHN3WnpVaNH6MT476iM2aPtYto5D90ABl8sko2KRv3LKoShKm_rgQMt47qYVf1aGPoxsR_AbnTjRJiUr8jzm2WbHOboDycTrAP9GsbwP8Z1iSGAe5sqToZIxI/s1600/interns.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514116396138307586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPPoB2Ctea0fYp8tVURfHN3WnpVaNH6MT476iM2aPtYto5D90ABl8sko2KRv3LKoShKm_rgQMt47qYVf1aGPoxsR_AbnTjRJiUr8jzm2WbHOboDycTrAP9GsbwP8Z1iSGAe5sqToZIxI/s400/interns.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><em><span style="font-size:85%;">important time away from block course...</span> </em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDlyBTOD0nXI4tLnv6rlLs1Ew-67kazabcCgvzD51pqNsrWs-_rz7TT2_km3nQ945jh3HSWXzDOiyzYNCjEx7RXKKGIfefCVePyOtE2rxplwP4pMWzqLJfOlNFYMYIzZzNeHv0ajIRJE/s1600/interns2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514116390220382962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDlyBTOD0nXI4tLnv6rlLs1Ew-67kazabcCgvzD51pqNsrWs-_rz7TT2_km3nQ945jh3HSWXzDOiyzYNCjEx7RXKKGIfefCVePyOtE2rxplwP4pMWzqLJfOlNFYMYIzZzNeHv0ajIRJE/s400/interns2.bmp" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Allen & Masa at the marae visit during Bible College block course</em><br /></span><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICeG7KPt2sbldc7xQkw8f9sPlwNtFkN-HSxu5U-TR4GyuYW-IWVBSFCKzyzHf6NXNnwSmMHJn-TOIgx1MeHu8ihWw2gfYJoofK4mimsqs5tZh2C2RU6xpaBQwT2rGQbsap6RKdD9SSK4/s1600/interns3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514116383531641698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICeG7KPt2sbldc7xQkw8f9sPlwNtFkN-HSxu5U-TR4GyuYW-IWVBSFCKzyzHf6NXNnwSmMHJn-TOIgx1MeHu8ihWw2gfYJoofK4mimsqs5tZh2C2RU6xpaBQwT2rGQbsap6RKdD9SSK4/s400/interns3.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><u></u></strong></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Allen, Koyo, Joel, Emma,Aina, Mayumi, Laurel... </span></em></div><div align="left"><strong><u></u></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><u> J2 Palmy Ministry<br /></u></strong>We continue to work on building our J2 ministry here in Palmerston North. August was a great month to really focus on the future, and allow old things to pass away and new things to come. As a result, Laurel has started to lead English studies using the Book of Hope with some of the Japanese women. Masa has launched a men’s Bible study/dinner time every Friday night. God continues to help us build good friendships with the Japanese students here in Palmy.<br /><br />Please pray for us as a leadership – Masa, Laurel, Brendon, Maki, Taka, Natsuko, Yosuke and myself as we plan ahead for the upcoming camp: What is Love? Pray many will join us and be blessed as we share the three loves of the Bible (and even the forth as mentioned by CS Lewis).<br /><br />Speaking of J2… Mai-chan (back in Tokyo) arranged a holiday for her younger sister (Fumino, 19) and a friend (Masumi, 19) to visit us in New Zealand! What a blessing. It was like having a bit of my Mai back again… the girls arrived in Palmy on 28 August and stayed with us ‘til the 3rd Sept, then fly up to Auckland to spend time with our J2 family up there. I am so grateful to God for the lifelong relationship that began when Mai was only 19 herself. I am thankful to God that her parents trust me with their daughters, and generously covered the costs for me to be the tour guide. We had a marvellous time, soaring on flying foxes, spinning on rapids jets, taking long hikes around the place and soaking in boiling hot springs. An added blessing was having them attend church with us (they were both keen), and all the joy and laughter they brought to Cardiff Street and J2. Please pray that as they have returned to Tokyo, they would be keen to join Mai and Daniel for the J-tree fellowship and come to know Jesus.<br /></div><div align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vQWR8_z-Q5CFM5HkrH0qFBA2TT2l1du6wjQpKBTjJ1IyUmGbFtEBKmFsJSPfi76dcukZG-aJrW9sP2GiYQDuHHpyQmA1AwWfI8WcY9aWdI-Bg1UYHmMaVWXUQ_z7nSo2OKpskUgTgMs/s1600/fumimasu2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514116371821569506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vQWR8_z-Q5CFM5HkrH0qFBA2TT2l1du6wjQpKBTjJ1IyUmGbFtEBKmFsJSPfi76dcukZG-aJrW9sP2GiYQDuHHpyQmA1AwWfI8WcY9aWdI-Bg1UYHmMaVWXUQ_z7nSo2OKpskUgTgMs/s400/fumimasu2.JPG" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Masumi & Fumino @ Massey Uni... walking in the steps of Mai-chan!</span></em></div><em></em><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbn8aU19NRiHIlLxITTEiE8PuWIYA6eJH64FvcBVlLSCgPuK8p19QRFggyooXE2GKbf5U3sMjuFKbRa9EPkK2iykTGE1SEFdparx9tlBH4YEzvy_D3RBtCQOl-JMfjLznBejazlSnwt0/s1600/fumimasurapid.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514116364330992482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbn8aU19NRiHIlLxITTEiE8PuWIYA6eJH64FvcBVlLSCgPuK8p19QRFggyooXE2GKbf5U3sMjuFKbRa9EPkK2iykTGE1SEFdparx9tlBH4YEzvy_D3RBtCQOl-JMfjLznBejazlSnwt0/s400/fumimasurapid.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">why is the water so green? Is it from all the people getting sick after too many 360 spins<br />or just from the rough jet ride over rapids? heehee<br /></span></em></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIwU3Nm1d3Wv46AihdKrBsrXItAu6D_B8RJ-IzGyOQ_NhPUppR1-wNDINZnaKH4zMRt76mWIyRXUKLnrir9dLeyrSSpo1o6Y5hbjwvN8luiS4ZvFqjd67rAyF6TsLNG4gbHB8ccxCuEg/s1600/miyukifare1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514115833843245874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIwU3Nm1d3Wv46AihdKrBsrXItAu6D_B8RJ-IzGyOQ_NhPUppR1-wNDINZnaKH4zMRt76mWIyRXUKLnrir9dLeyrSSpo1o6Y5hbjwvN8luiS4ZvFqjd67rAyF6TsLNG4gbHB8ccxCuEg/s400/miyukifare1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>a reluctant farewell party for Miyuki-chan</em><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvlTdLQcR1sPni0biGOmrJIypU8yvhoDHT-iNyjP3XR5P6xeVB1NeMmvWnFRmdm9-uLnbw3IHQ8WKo8B68G9KuZWCGnpsUadqV4LphL4tvIjOgySv0KDpc7K7zBXDOu2Jkwmzzn7AIl8/s1600/miyukifare10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514115830507534210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvlTdLQcR1sPni0biGOmrJIypU8yvhoDHT-iNyjP3XR5P6xeVB1NeMmvWnFRmdm9-uLnbw3IHQ8WKo8B68G9KuZWCGnpsUadqV4LphL4tvIjOgySv0KDpc7K7zBXDOu2Jkwmzzn7AIl8/s400/miyukifare10.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Miyuki giving her farewell speech... she's back in Tokyo now.</span></em></div><div><em></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyWCABbijew24bAWyWwftjUN2ssbAAL1CePfmgWo7fCSU487aTOfVJD_-mh8ZmMYrjAkEpDFnXXQX97GlgaEbZWos-5Yzz4wVKIPXD4F109f2tjVuTuzkYP4s5Jvgj0VJFgnpz83M4Ls/s1600/takabrend.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514115820645784194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyWCABbijew24bAWyWwftjUN2ssbAAL1CePfmgWo7fCSU487aTOfVJD_-mh8ZmMYrjAkEpDFnXXQX97GlgaEbZWos-5Yzz4wVKIPXD4F109f2tjVuTuzkYP4s5Jvgj0VJFgnpz83M4Ls/s400/takabrend.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Taka & Brendon (J2 leaders)<br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq5RlQY7FvhDQUT4c_Ty6X75F3276A71K-EtPEQEb7bmQI9RIef0KZgPo57yIiFEiX48RJU-1jF0_D6tI5AWds6-0vGRo_rB48pg124n6FbUJneiw0WDaQ2_2pQ7c23WM8AwGMndu_l8/s1600/makinatsu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514115815251668162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq5RlQY7FvhDQUT4c_Ty6X75F3276A71K-EtPEQEb7bmQI9RIef0KZgPo57yIiFEiX48RJU-1jF0_D6tI5AWds6-0vGRo_rB48pg124n6FbUJneiw0WDaQ2_2pQ7c23WM8AwGMndu_l8/s400/makinatsu.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Maki &Natsuko (J2 Leaders & mrs. of above)<br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk02WtL1FB4fvucMq1DOaWZKReuTsOjylZTuRCYMuU-DTLH4WYdjw9f_o2nRPRNSAu2EeXlB9rWVSmF1P04LOqsDxXhW2gWZBTGxQ72eKtSRFF3DsRacp1Vml0MDa0Y8xN7Kp7qRMHUA/s1600/masanobu.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514113585921427218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk02WtL1FB4fvucMq1DOaWZKReuTsOjylZTuRCYMuU-DTLH4WYdjw9f_o2nRPRNSAu2EeXlB9rWVSmF1P04LOqsDxXhW2gWZBTGxQ72eKtSRFF3DsRacp1Vml0MDa0Y8xN7Kp7qRMHUA/s400/masanobu.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><em><span style="font-size:85%;">M-bai brothers... Nobu-chan (met thru Boys High student who brought him<br />to Grace City... he's doing discipleship, J2... and getting 100% on<br />Scripture memory -- in English! YEAH... he loves Jesus now!)</span><br /></em><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsji9rmN2hjc2yCQNRHCKEG2uqUk0u_uz07Hql_IMStBHKRS9lyNAK8DgCTKCTU2C6v4f4GIN_7DkqGE4jYGEZBJbigp36v2MHOn9XYPCnxhjJVwsf9s7J5M_JI8f2ukD7vcyCkfurBEs/s1600/masanoyo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514113575691233634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsji9rmN2hjc2yCQNRHCKEG2uqUk0u_uz07Hql_IMStBHKRS9lyNAK8DgCTKCTU2C6v4f4GIN_7DkqGE4jYGEZBJbigp36v2MHOn9XYPCnxhjJVwsf9s7J5M_JI8f2ukD7vcyCkfurBEs/s400/masanoyo.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><em><span style="font-size:85%;">tenpin anyone? Jingxiu, Masa, Nonoka, Masumi, and Yosuke!<br /></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiFQTSLdu42oZp543FhYnHDUnFWOmsNTL51KeJX9YrzWBha3voMhGatLQh0blVp4UOz2SuYBKab_NqclEvZttIxzEg41ROd3FhmmH7P9in3vceJjnaJXuWMRjrvg86DvqkP0uvIYdug4/s1600/maechan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514113570427214146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiFQTSLdu42oZp543FhYnHDUnFWOmsNTL51KeJX9YrzWBha3voMhGatLQh0blVp4UOz2SuYBKab_NqclEvZttIxzEg41ROd3FhmmH7P9in3vceJjnaJXuWMRjrvg86DvqkP0uvIYdug4/s400/maechan.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">a budding photographer... cute as May-chan!</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em> </div><div align="left"><strong><u>ISMNZ National Leadership Team</u></strong><br />August was an especially exciting month for me as one of those in leadership with ISMNZ. We had a very special Board meeting which led to us having great hope that we are closer than ever to finding our new National Director. My boss (Terry) has already gone beyond two terms, and is coming to the end of the time of extension he agreed to. So, in 2011 we will face a lot of change. As a result, whether we have our new National Director in place or not – we will move forward through the transition as a “team” of leaders.<br /><br />As of September 2010, we have two regional leaders. Mitch Gingrich & wife Beth came from USA and are serving the southern region. They are based in Christchurch (and the earthquake did no damage to their home). Mario Garcia & Saling are originally from the Philippines and are leading the northern region from Hamilton (covering Auckland as well). We are still praying for a central region leader. In addition to this, we have Paul Stock (staff development and internship), David Broughton (pastoral care of staff), John Wallis (national operations manager), Terry (who will continue as a part of leadership), and myself (national support and administration and whatever rolls down hill).<br /><br />Even more exciting has been the answers to prayer for more labourers to work with us in this harvest. Again I say THANK YOU for praying with me on this. In 2010 we’ve had one couple go from part time to full time ministry, another go from volunteer to part time and now serve as a city leader in Hamilton, the Moore’s in Wellington have settled in and joined the team, Colin and May Zhao (from China) joined staff-in-training in Auckland earlier this year, Yang Yang Wu (also from China) is also staff-in-training in Auckland with us. And right now there is another fellow American in the process of applying (she’s already serving alongside Yang Yang in ministry in Auckland). It seems our hope to build teams is becoming a reality!<br /><br />I am enjoying working on newsletters, publications and communications. But still feel stuck in the mud as I try to get our DVD project settled. This is my one and only final priority for this year – in fact – THIS MONTH I want it in the hands of our producer. Please pray for me that I will have focussed time to organise it.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTG-KIjSX-AnyLNy45pFCyyDH5ct-SlwC8cHx7PCEmnzxryT4wVCxl2ISbSUCOg4UC1OAsweiEA_QulAnYK8NSa1MODAY-OLnspPbMxzkv0HYgUW9xr8yGS_X6PS7mcsjVrdvuKDRl3E/s1600/masseycentre.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514113565270100498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTG-KIjSX-AnyLNy45pFCyyDH5ct-SlwC8cHx7PCEmnzxryT4wVCxl2ISbSUCOg4UC1OAsweiEA_QulAnYK8NSa1MODAY-OLnspPbMxzkv0HYgUW9xr8yGS_X6PS7mcsjVrdvuKDRl3E/s400/masseycentre.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><u></u></strong></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">just had to include this photo of The Centre...<br />it's the Christian hub at Massey University where I get to teach our internship classes!</span></em></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><u>The Road to Cape Town…</u></strong><br />It’s hard to believe but my adventure to participate in the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization is only 40 days away. EEK. There’s so much ‘homework’ to do in the meantime. But, I’m not complaining. Recently, some of the delegates that will be attending from New Zealand got together in Auckland. With 4000+ scheduled to attend the congress, we figured it would be good to get to know one another a little bit so we can waive from across the convention centre at one another.<br /><br />In an interview I was asked, “what do you want to take away from your time in South Africa?” There are so many things I could say – but really – let’s be practical. What can little ol’ me do in the scope of impacting the world with the love of Jesus? Ah ha! The answer was clear… if the mission I live and breathe is to help international students become lifelong followers of Jesus to reach people for Him in their home countries… then I need to meet Christians from their countries who are leading the way.<br /><br />That way, as I prepare them to return home or go to another country, I can link them to mentors and help them make connections into their communities. So, to enable our returnees to care for their communities, I need to find out what is happening in various countries and what groups are meeting needs and build those networks. YEAH! I am excited. Pray that I will make divine appointments.</div><div> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHcmFCwQMPAWo35GERUB11ek3DP2pB6quSRhpvKcCssZ9g5_u9HahD9WdVvwWV0c3XeMQ5WPFbR70vF65F5sVQ9HNKVGP6UXhTNp2WFDpELUvL0_kU0QV-nFWb_1HTFSd0NXPIDYeCao/s1600/Lausannegroup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514113559392265474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHcmFCwQMPAWo35GERUB11ek3DP2pB6quSRhpvKcCssZ9g5_u9HahD9WdVvwWV0c3XeMQ5WPFbR70vF65F5sVQ9HNKVGP6UXhTNp2WFDpELUvL0_kU0QV-nFWb_1HTFSd0NXPIDYeCao/s400/Lausannegroup.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>some of the NZ delegates going to Cape Town... </em> </span><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-20275318258678335772010-07-20T21:19:00.010+12:002010-07-20T22:42:55.411+12:00A Season of Trials<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">There are so many things I thank God for... every day! There are so many people I pray for, and give thanks to God for... everyday! If you are reading this - you are one of those people. When God called me into this mission field of international students in New Zealand, I never imagined I would be able to do this for so long. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">This work is a blessing, but the most humbling and deepfelt blessing out of all of this is that I have such an awesome group of people who have partnered with me. YOU are serving me - with your gifts of love, faith, encouragement, teaching, mercy, giving, intercession... THANK YOU! This is OUR ministry, and YOU are reaching the nations with the love of Christ. YOU are investing eternally in the kingdom. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">I saw an awesome message by Louie Giglio (Passport, DVD - get it!). The one thing that really stood out to me was this: "To the degree that you embrace the mission HERE, is the degree that you'll enjoy HEAVEN!" </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">You see, heaven will be filled with brothers and sisters from EVERY (which in the Greek means EVERY ethno-linguistic people group - not geopolitcal nation) tongue and tribe and nation! Are you ready for that? Well, whether you realise it or not, because you are on my team at International Student Ministries of New Zealand, you are reaching heaps of those people groups listed in the EVERY. So let me tell you... you are going to really enjoy eternity! Because you do play a major role in this ministry! </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><p></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYakLHL_xfZu6-CqAQoJt0Y-BJgXkv7-K1XYBrLANe7ZdeKw52t8i7Wylld_cencEXl5s6-UYUZViEHMe7PVSfUcEwrLG4IkGWC4LM-T5qm3HqN0J4p16_bJec0NImgU0AQNSyBjJ21M/s1600/palmynight.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495918645293512706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYakLHL_xfZu6-CqAQoJt0Y-BJgXkv7-K1XYBrLANe7ZdeKw52t8i7Wylld_cencEXl5s6-UYUZViEHMe7PVSfUcEwrLG4IkGWC4LM-T5qm3HqN0J4p16_bJec0NImgU0AQNSyBjJ21M/s400/palmynight.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">So, I thought I'd give you a little picture of "our" town square. Our (yours and mine) ministry hub is Palmerston North, New Zealand. It's a wonderful little place and if you are interested, here's a link to our city council:<br /></span><a href="http://www.palmerstonnorth.com/Default.aspx"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">http://www.palmerstonnorth.com/Default.aspx</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">, and also we are a sister city: </span><a href="http://www.missoulacultural.org/sistercities/palmerston_north.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">http://www.missoulacultural.org/sistercities/palmerston_north.htm</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"> to Missoula, MT. </span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RR9kjYq5SvAaJwNFXBYEX5fKlfVsob_U_paDmDOzvf9BB-vb8rtJLp6zN6ecRJ_5x32780zpf5VBKBPBfUJNuEGnlleW4oV6iZdQv8Hd1rPRnwnogTK6r1ViSt0NU4g2xz6uvPV-73U/s1600/cardiff.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495918635061707810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RR9kjYq5SvAaJwNFXBYEX5fKlfVsob_U_paDmDOzvf9BB-vb8rtJLp6zN6ecRJ_5x32780zpf5VBKBPBfUJNuEGnlleW4oV6iZdQv8Hd1rPRnwnogTK6r1ViSt0NU4g2xz6uvPV-73U/s400/cardiff.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"> I so often refer to the "Cardiff Chateau". If Palmerston North is the hub (national office) of the ministry we do with ISMNZ, the Chateau is the heart. Thank you so much for helping me offer this home to so many international students. Seriously - if I didn't have your support, there would be no home to minister in. I'd have to say that the majority of money I spend in New Zealand is on food for hospitality, wireless internet for my girls to do their studies and communicate with their families back home, and of course HEATING cuz as one of the new students from Estonia said, "living in the house in New Zealand is like living in a tent!"</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><br /><br />Speaking of Estonia... pray for my new friend Merilin that she will continue to enjoy her New Zealand semester abroad, and that her studies will go well. I invited her to join Miyuki (new J2 girl) and I to watch the All Blacks game in our home. Merilin had never watched rugby, nor seen the All Blacks Haka! </span></p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">I </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">am facing a trial of sorts because of the house. I need your prayers as I seek advice and recruit helpers to do some seriously needed maintenance. I have no driveway - so our three cars have begun to sink in the bog of the wetlands (the mud that has replaced the parking area). We also have a family of mice who are smarter than traps and poison. AND the plumbing - well... in NZ to hire a plumber and replace hardware the cheapest price is $200 for the visit.But, I will not lose heart... because this home is the heart of reaching the nations from my doorstep.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:0;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Pastor Kellis has been preaching from Nehemiah! And God spoke to me so much through just the first two chapters. I continue to pray, and seek Him for the right plan. This home is for HIS glory, and I know it will continue to be a blessing, and He will bring the extreme home makeover team that He has chosen!! </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rHr-T9CFN9WYqWRlTISgiLpGFtBTxXvvDlLbYTN-lriIpfa1YVgp6DV5jUPIoqA_xNIwejI1K-UqZV57oIC1E87V9Wz8v4b9XeUsvV2_Flr7_3U0gQu2VlOjyRsC3O_7ZlgDhJLOJfo/s1600/mfs1.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495917609110210546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 357px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rHr-T9CFN9WYqWRlTISgiLpGFtBTxXvvDlLbYTN-lriIpfa1YVgp6DV5jUPIoqA_xNIwejI1K-UqZV57oIC1E87V9Wz8v4b9XeUsvV2_Flr7_3U0gQu2VlOjyRsC3O_7ZlgDhJLOJfo/s400/mfs1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://www.omega-discipleship.com/_online/index.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.omega-discipleship.com/_online/index.htm">http://www.omega-discipleship.com/_online/index.htm</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></a></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">The title of this blog is "a season of trials" and it has been! Recently I helped our church launch a major 20-week disciplemaking series. And the powers and principalities came out in full force. I ha</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">ve never felt so oppressed or depressed since coming to New Zealand. The attack was so thick it was as though everything was shrouded in fog. On top of it, my age & stage in female life is beginning to experience the 'change' - so let's just say... eegads! Meltdown!</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">But, praise God for my praying family and friends in the states, in Japan, and in New Zealand! I thank God for you all! The Lord has renewed my strength, and His light has burned away the fog of spiritual war. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietwl_s0xptHjIe37SGPUPX1oXub2jDEeI5taILVgep4uOtyHA7_R-iER6Lv8sLaTUzdQzcaP4ZJAIWb4HHZMnryAq-faLgM-R_GHKecTk6chSxYhNusJ92AvfRZ8KyUJZuyB50evr2qs/s1600/intl+food+night2.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495917603909130002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietwl_s0xptHjIe37SGPUPX1oXub2jDEeI5taILVgep4uOtyHA7_R-iER6Lv8sLaTUzdQzcaP4ZJAIWb4HHZMnryAq-faLgM-R_GHKecTk6chSxYhNusJ92AvfRZ8KyUJZuyB50evr2qs/s400/intl+food+night2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"> Lots of busyness on the ministry front. Semester two has begun at Massey University in Palmy. Over 200 new international students arrived the first week of July. Dozens of them are from a major University in China! We've already made some wonderful connections with them, most recently at International Food Night (some of the OCF students shown above) hosted at the chaplaincy by the Overseas Christian Fellowship & Massey Uni Christian Fellowship group. AND, one of the new students from China accepted an invitation to our church and even came to the discipleship class. Pray for "S". He told me he believes there is a God, and has been wondering if there is a way to know Him. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4hP9ay10c1ZzEBVFdOL3PjWBIEvHIoK4HXwgWQGFDbx3l_drLQ-F8wXxIrhQxr1Izxvzoa447TnhJ-tDbQXhOS1PJQxlQeisHDcxmMRXry6dxjZG4LW6lwaomN9zsfDl_z8aZnmcFbQ/s1600/littleitaly2.bmp"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495917596886874210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4hP9ay10c1ZzEBVFdOL3PjWBIEvHIoK4HXwgWQGFDbx3l_drLQ-F8wXxIrhQxr1Izxvzoa447TnhJ-tDbQXhOS1PJQxlQeisHDcxmMRXry6dxjZG4LW6lwaomN9zsfDl_z8aZnmcFbQ/s400/littleitaly2.bmp" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"> Speaking of the Cardiff Chateau... we've had two awesome J2 ladies nights recently. God has brought us so many Japanese girls who are keen to build friendships. Laurel (ISMNZ ministry intern) has begun doing one-to-one Bible studies with two of the girls, and we continue to reach out to them at J2 events.<br /><br />I am enjoying getting to know so many of the girls and establishing those relationships. Pray for our girls ministry, that God would open their hearts as they sense His love through us. Pray specifically for more opportunities to help them improve their English skills through Bible study, as well as exploring Christianity in their first language.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wGjF_q5vOu9y1f2NsW5P-STgeHORxebU0jcdiaVcIt7hgkiRE_sY51Oh4e5pfW7Mq_o78HJO2OUmJxL-7BlmOIEv4yHZKjFZIIOy4o_haGNcRMviL3zDDnTB1aCZdNCaKycsosXLqS8/s1600/littleitaly.bmp"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495917588777515730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wGjF_q5vOu9y1f2NsW5P-STgeHORxebU0jcdiaVcIt7hgkiRE_sY51Oh4e5pfW7Mq_o78HJO2OUmJxL-7BlmOIEv4yHZKjFZIIOy4o_haGNcRMviL3zDDnTB1aCZdNCaKycsosXLqS8/s400/littleitaly.bmp" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Above is part of the spread for "Little Italy" Ladies Night @ Cardiff. One of the girls I am getting to know, Manaka, asked me, "how much will it cost?" -- It was such a blessing to be able to say, "nothing - you are our guest". Thank you again for your partnership in this ministry. And pray for Manaka. I had lunch with her on Saturday, and because it is mid-winter's Christmastime here in New Zealand, I gave her a copy of Ruth Bell Grahams beautiful book, "One Wintery Night". Pray that Manaka will enjoy the story and that God will give her understanding. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Below is an image from "Mexicali Fresh" Ladies Night @ Cardiff. Pray for Miyuki, Miyako, Haruna and Mari (left to center). Pray for God to open their hearts and cause His word to be planted in their hearts! Pray too for Hannah, Laurel, and Maki (and me taking the photo) - our J2 leaders. Hannah and Laurel both lived in Japan and can speak Japanese, and Maki is married to a Kiwi she met in Japan (Brendon who is also on leadership and a campus chaplain). Pray for their growing relationships with the girls. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495929660104512162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILYp8CKGKbLRQExrfR10QN5fwNdNo6gjxqERcAD1A66XFidKorM89moSihoPLLC8Ygomhhk9DdDxvy1fSH4mrnDUjy0FQcj1bSTKddZK8Zt7I68U5FaN4AojnQA5MWJK3onmaG_f-7kg/s400/Mexicali+Fresh+Girlz+Night.jpg" border="0" /></span></div></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></span>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-2789012303722698012010-05-24T22:07:00.010+12:002010-05-24T23:33:46.448+12:00April Showers bring Feijoas & they are still here in May!It's autumn in New Zealand... the leaves are turning, the wind is picking up - rain is forecast for the next week (with threats of flooding on both islands). But, my feijoa trees are STILL dropping fruit! Dozens and dozens of these little beauties are offering themselves as sacrifices for the many who would feast on them during their short season.<br /><br />One month ago the first of the crops came in... and yes, I put about one dozen in a suitcase, flew to the USA, and cleared right through customs without ever having to give up my stash! Lest anyone think I broke the law - I claimed "fresh fruit" on my customs documentation. The nice man who cleared me didn't even blink.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMZdEMnpR7NYOA0egypNQCdBvueAUNExRUF5ynMtx-RFBsKxdbN7-yEHotJBFh-PPUBlqer79zmF-m_XZEzXOJLYzK0m_QnQrMeZMJ720Q7eO0hx4dy286QS9RBDVdDNixHZgWLj0_pY/s1600/feijoa.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474779399710294306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMZdEMnpR7NYOA0egypNQCdBvueAUNExRUF5ynMtx-RFBsKxdbN7-yEHotJBFh-PPUBlqer79zmF-m_XZEzXOJLYzK0m_QnQrMeZMJ720Q7eO0hx4dy286QS9RBDVdDNixHZgWLj0_pY/s400/feijoa.bmp" border="0" /></a> So, what is a feijoa you ask? Some call it: (Feijoa sellowiana), also known as Pineapple Guava or Guavasteen, is an evergreen shrub or small tree, 1–7 metres (3.3–23 ft) in height, originating from the highlands of southern Brazil and parts of Colombia, Uruguay and northern Argentina. But HEAPS of them are found in NEW ZEALAND!<br /><br /><strong><u>The latest news from Feijoa-land!</u></strong><br />It's been a wonderful April & May. Praise reports include:<br /><br />J2 Palmerston North is beginning to grow. God allowed the new leadership time to grow together in His Word and begin to learn how to serve together as a team. And a couple of weeks ago He began bringing new students to fellowship with us. We're still in the "framing" stages, building on the foundations laid in years past, but the ministry will take a new shape without losing the vision of J2 mission. <strong>Please pray for the leadership here</strong> in Palmerston North, that we will continue to be led by the Spirit and faithful to reach out to these students with sincere love and friendship, and that we will have great opportunity to share the gospel of Christ with them.<br /><br />I am also thrilled to be moving forward on the ISMNZ DVD project. God brought us a professional who works for the local Christian TV station to help with expertise and production. Please pray for inspired storytelling, so that we can share with EVERYONE we can (via DVD and You-Tube) this awesome ministry of reaching the nations from our doorstep, as well as communicate how everyone with a heart for blessing these students can be involved. <strong>Pray I will be able to </strong>gather good material from staff and volunteers and students around New Zealand and also from returnees who are back in their home countries carrying on for Christ.<br /><br />Another praise... the GINGRICH's are here. They are a couple from Ohio who, with their daughter Sarah, came to serve ISMNZ through the Nav's on a short term mission in 2005. As a result of their experience, they began to sense a leading from God that perhaps He was calling them into full time ministry with us in NZ. Mitch sold his law practice, Sarah graduated high school and came ahead of them in February (to study at Cantebury Uni), and Mitch & Beth have arrived in Christchurch to eventually serve as our Southern Region leaders. <strong>Please pray for them as they settle,</strong> that God would bless their home (already found one to rent across the street from campus!), their shipping and moving in, and the ministry that He has for them.<br /><br />My home church, Grace City Church, has commissioned Pastor Kellis Byrne (Fiji) as our shepherd for the "English-speaking" international congregation. Whewhew! We've journeyed in the desert 3 1/2 years preparing for the Lord to provide two men to lead us into the promised 'land' (Palmy and the Nations)... first He brought Pastor Richard Tien (Singapore) in 2007 to take up the call of pastoring our Mandarin speaking congregation, as well as providing shepherding to the entire church. And now, Kellis has heard the call to leave the professional secular world and become our pastor. Praise God! "You've worked for men for 31 years, now it's time to work for Me". <strong>Please pray for Kellis and Dawn (and their girls, Brittany, Zarette and Giselle)... </strong>that God would protect and bless their family, and bring many encouragers and intercessors to support them.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijazBxPJEIl9LrgtHDTrovhVBLlDbmXOzoCUfv8EBmc6ESc9IOK_1HYabJNPnGdxwIs8m3MYGDGQDabOTeHlmSpAXfvYA8a3Tq64rXttarUN6DTWP4pi7h2OQ7bcjFDOZSRVZNUdML56k/s1600/kellisdawn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474779394420336178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 391px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijazBxPJEIl9LrgtHDTrovhVBLlDbmXOzoCUfv8EBmc6ESc9IOK_1HYabJNPnGdxwIs8m3MYGDGQDabOTeHlmSpAXfvYA8a3Tq64rXttarUN6DTWP4pi7h2OQ7bcjFDOZSRVZNUdML56k/s400/kellisdawn.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>Kellis and Dawn Byrne @ the commissioning in April!</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2mVkKv8Tgm3ujD3vnOq3rKIJW4xwOht1Xn0ZJ3NUeL-rcWwLMc5r_WdPlqLJ_kyUZtMHU5me_d33LP3DEAs9gYYwdBUfrWVCpIpMJt3t9yqCk6OhwK8G-wMEtLr8HFInqNPEhkzyyC4/s1600/commission.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474779393258543026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2mVkKv8Tgm3ujD3vnOq3rKIJW4xwOht1Xn0ZJ3NUeL-rcWwLMc5r_WdPlqLJ_kyUZtMHU5me_d33LP3DEAs9gYYwdBUfrWVCpIpMJt3t9yqCk6OhwK8G-wMEtLr8HFInqNPEhkzyyC4/s400/commission.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>The smiles on our faces (or are we laughing) demonstrate our joy!<br /></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58C7apr8mk1nvK77YXn5KDYIqa4C8Z3eUeVgwamPLtGKncZE8qSbZ_LEp3x2q-GugAjh-94xjAF2FziV9oLi66-Mg3Ttvsc4HwH_fP3nqw9NohYmc8Q5whtXokzjFmxhbtIk1XFgt_v4/s1600/crazybunch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474779058443481778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58C7apr8mk1nvK77YXn5KDYIqa4C8Z3eUeVgwamPLtGKncZE8qSbZ_LEp3x2q-GugAjh-94xjAF2FziV9oLi66-Mg3Ttvsc4HwH_fP3nqw9NohYmc8Q5whtXokzjFmxhbtIk1XFgt_v4/s400/crazybunch.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Kellis and his girls! Zarette, Giselle, Dawn and Brittany</em><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda0m5X_WIO7P_j77EpwhJx3aw3nCr6OHuA6gGGLhYdfQ-Y6pg62C4UCTJAa5vwuzlqGKrQASetnAK3gnMkRwDbnM9N7tPG3b-R-oqd8VveQwpfJS9Robh51g7-utXWdBqKeoFxo3xVzo/s1600/fijising.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474779050624805698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda0m5X_WIO7P_j77EpwhJx3aw3nCr6OHuA6gGGLhYdfQ-Y6pg62C4UCTJAa5vwuzlqGKrQASetnAK3gnMkRwDbnM9N7tPG3b-R-oqd8VveQwpfJS9Robh51g7-utXWdBqKeoFxo3xVzo/s400/fijising.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Will all the Fijian's please stand alongside Kellis and Dawn!<br />We enjoyed amazing worship with a Fijian choir... </em><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><strong><em><u>There and Back Again: Across the SEA in Southern California</u></em></strong><br />In late April I was blessed (by my brother) to be able to zip over to Southern California to be a part of my nephew's wonderful day! Sean Mills married his beautiful best friend and high school sweetie, Lisa! God really blessed the day - perfect weather (maybe even a little too warm, eh?), great friends and family, all of it. I am so thankful that I got to be there. <strong>Please pray for Sean & Lisa, </strong>that their first months will be filled with blessing and unity, and that they would be able to move into their new home (when all the Mills' men from three generations are finished with all the contruction projects they have planned for it) with joy!</div><div align="left"><br /> </div></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b1cRodpdV-mwItZbbGa9SPv3yVizUw5I-Ml2pG4qgEe9yj_u51Ptzyh2CQY-uPXlsfnbSATbq41JENfFEi9IdQWMqC2TiyjZiVna7kbvmM1gQWBFrfVSzp7ba38LeAe6FSNcrw2TzW8/s1600/millswed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474778185466251522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4b1cRodpdV-mwItZbbGa9SPv3yVizUw5I-Ml2pG4qgEe9yj_u51Ptzyh2CQY-uPXlsfnbSATbq41JENfFEi9IdQWMqC2TiyjZiVna7kbvmM1gQWBFrfVSzp7ba38LeAe6FSNcrw2TzW8/s320/millswed.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> <em>My brother, Bruce with Lisa & Sean</em><br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJyABNpalOnClZfjU0so4KPTy_gxZP2ovk0QyjFBStJRvmeCyAuuAt9x7HUYRghNuWsEEVZtrcG6eSTls9wHN4GWHz463voMGfI260LL5cPJuNpZr8onWjnNmoZGABgDm2sUGsxmQi4I/s1600/bestman.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474778046109106498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 231px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJyABNpalOnClZfjU0so4KPTy_gxZP2ovk0QyjFBStJRvmeCyAuuAt9x7HUYRghNuWsEEVZtrcG6eSTls9wHN4GWHz463voMGfI260LL5cPJuNpZr8onWjnNmoZGABgDm2sUGsxmQi4I/s320/bestman.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>What a good looking group! Lisa, Sean and his best man and brother TJ!<br />The speech RAAWKED!</em><br /></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScDG0zwS-yIPcRy-vppJ-GZsdxNdUVUGy05Vr5PXCyQzKxKyFqMSmpDCE8aTPFZLqvfeWvYunnQQ3v7uAXogoSnWP4fIsGtcChWOqqHIOtxJ_czsSTuXwhIiB74sAEUP_cZEC514XcVk/s1600/meno.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474777339873489170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScDG0zwS-yIPcRy-vppJ-GZsdxNdUVUGy05Vr5PXCyQzKxKyFqMSmpDCE8aTPFZLqvfeWvYunnQQ3v7uAXogoSnWP4fIsGtcChWOqqHIOtxJ_czsSTuXwhIiB74sAEUP_cZEC514XcVk/s400/meno.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Guess who my date was for the wedding? NOZOMI!<br /></em>Awesome as! No-chan joined me for the wedding & I kept her up WAY too late<br />talking too much (who, me? talk to much? heehee) </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Please pray for Nozomi's visit home</strong> for the summer on her break from<br />Westminister. Pray for blessed reunions, rest of mind, and joyful worship.</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><div align="left"><br /><br /></span><strong><u>Still conTagious!</u></strong><br />Even though I've been travelling a lot, my heart has not been far from our Grace City Church student group. In mid-April, the youth initiated an "after Easter" outreach for students in the city. They had it on a Saturday night... smoke machine, lazers, lots of yummy food, and great celebration in song and dance. But, I think more 'old folks' were there that night jumping around than students. They invited Stephen McIvor (ISMNZ ministry intern grad from a few years back - married to my dear daughter from Inner Mongolia, Christina) to share a gospel message. It was fabulous.<br /><br /></div><div align="left">Still, sometimes great expectations (expecting many more to join us) lead to collosal let downs (God has a way of humbling us). So, I suggested they do it again the next night since we still had the 'equipment'. That night God brought many students and some from our Chinese ministry leadership. The Lord gave me a message to share with them about "Living as a Citizen of Heaven: God doesn't allow for dual-citizenship"... if we belong to Christ we are resident aliens on this planet and need to learn to follow the King of kings and His righteousness.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"><strong>Please pray</strong> for 'conTagious' as we head into June LEADING the church in mission's month! That's a long story, but they have done amazing work finding special needs to introduce to our church... locally and in some of the students' home countries and in Haiti. They chose them and introduced them in our Sunday night meeting. Now we will expand it to the church. Also, we will be starting "My First Steps"... a discipleship series from Omega Discipleship. Actually - this is a church-wide 20 week series we'll ALL begin in various small groups the first week of July. <strong>Pray for MANY to commit to this walk. </strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong> </div><div align="left"></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3eoohb9j4XIitFhyphenhyphenRFR3E6Fjr5YOGm24cU76BSi7EwbTrHEJI2bMcCsJaWcKovIEDI372SFlMjyHNbbzMZNetBB8qDI_1gHR3IMNdYLHOuaqZXYH3a4PnAO0Pncw5RoKg48Ys9oSp7I/s1600/contagious.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474777321743444226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3eoohb9j4XIitFhyphenhyphenRFR3E6Fjr5YOGm24cU76BSi7EwbTrHEJI2bMcCsJaWcKovIEDI372SFlMjyHNbbzMZNetBB8qDI_1gHR3IMNdYLHOuaqZXYH3a4PnAO0Pncw5RoKg48Ys9oSp7I/s400/contagious.bmp" border="0" /></a><em>Whewhew! Look at the pretty lights.</em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIHRILEeEBF0Xg-hzZFmO-ogcD4Bi2T0XLMNUApRpsaKqHIdc-kMmSSshtsRb2Cv5xpZBUQbbeNpvcCp2zP2bsN1BS6MpBgnqu7R_9wQNKafhhWbz0o0hV4IUFd8GpD5XYv51Y17luSM/s1600/funtimes.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474777316481275922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIHRILEeEBF0Xg-hzZFmO-ogcD4Bi2T0XLMNUApRpsaKqHIdc-kMmSSshtsRb2Cv5xpZBUQbbeNpvcCp2zP2bsN1BS6MpBgnqu7R_9wQNKafhhWbz0o0hV4IUFd8GpD5XYv51Y17luSM/s400/funtimes.bmp" border="0" /></a> <em>Don't quit your day jobs guys... ballet is not for you! (Kenny, Masa and Ma)</em></div><div><em></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-7Ttc1VApwja56D32AmMCDAFCcKNC-jLYvAYwfpQ5RH0seH2hZbqeDLbyMtV1pAytBtzISM9HGC0c5sRBobxegaG0JOmonKCGZo4Y6nd8mrOooYnCPf4_8rPN6QvarpLFiBWYeDeYa4/s1600/crazyconta.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474777309806714402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-7Ttc1VApwja56D32AmMCDAFCcKNC-jLYvAYwfpQ5RH0seH2hZbqeDLbyMtV1pAytBtzISM9HGC0c5sRBobxegaG0JOmonKCGZo4Y6nd8mrOooYnCPf4_8rPN6QvarpLFiBWYeDeYa4/s400/crazyconta.bmp" border="0" /></a><em>We are from HIS kingdom!</em> </div></div></div></div></div></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-55009227420664719442010-04-20T22:59:00.004+12:002010-04-20T23:07:08.173+12:00Japan in Japan and New Zealand<div align="center">J2 Combined (Auckland/Palmy) Camp Crowd! Good times!</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I3BEKbWbOwiy0xN98K_u2wjjje8B_i719vMlXNvalDog5TwiTA4cHd1NIByd6LLohO5NldcKlIXkvdKWfNNhA5T_q6bZtav-Gd201gaMiJq0LzIUaJG5TXqE419WImTlZyX20Gqrsfg/s1600/j2camp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462173108839135442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 357px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I3BEKbWbOwiy0xN98K_u2wjjje8B_i719vMlXNvalDog5TwiTA4cHd1NIByd6LLohO5NldcKlIXkvdKWfNNhA5T_q6bZtav-Gd201gaMiJq0LzIUaJG5TXqE419WImTlZyX20Gqrsfg/s400/j2camp.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">All Nations Returnees Conference - Kids presentation<br />(I am sitting 1/3 of the way back... so this crowd is x3)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXHLn8xurpIl2HntmTBtvXqqF7S-qudMTj6bbwJN_5jGVltUoqGK9k_DaNNK5mKXRoNsS4W4Qnv02iOdUtmGDuW5as-DIPIoUGUyfzHg-wRR2hI02qiUgyZ3nRP49pVWaOxlosjP21UY/s1600/anrccrowd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462173104537998770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXHLn8xurpIl2HntmTBtvXqqF7S-qudMTj6bbwJN_5jGVltUoqGK9k_DaNNK5mKXRoNsS4W4Qnv02iOdUtmGDuW5as-DIPIoUGUyfzHg-wRR2hI02qiUgyZ3nRP49pVWaOxlosjP21UY/s400/anrccrowd.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mai-chan (J2 grad) meets Ayako-chan (future J2 member for Auckland)<br />together at All Nations Returnees Conference. Pray for Ayako as she<br />awaits word on being accepted for Bible College in NZ.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnjdmazsa479vrXmKBmSItIxmrB97B9EHJJUCzWfBVuaEw7leG_dCe8Z4rtaW31RUJnTZBrQLpSNy8cCJwyC3SM4zJOQWD-JQ5OZBFkplbXpbYxjx2jhYhcjoi2kAI-S6EdnW-kZwC6M/s1600/Ayakomai.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462173091296736498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 252px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnjdmazsa479vrXmKBmSItIxmrB97B9EHJJUCzWfBVuaEw7leG_dCe8Z4rtaW31RUJnTZBrQLpSNy8cCJwyC3SM4zJOQWD-JQ5OZBFkplbXpbYxjx2jhYhcjoi2kAI-S6EdnW-kZwC6M/s400/Ayakomai.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />OHHHHH SAAAAA KAAAAA<br />These are also generations, who weren't all in J2 at the same time</div><div>but back in Japan are gathering often for Bible study and fellowship</div><div>and to spur one another on in love and good deeds.<br />The gal on the right is a NEW friend of J2 that we met briefly<br />in Auckland but who has become a wonderful part of the Osaka family.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCuA2oV49hOascioG1029Ryck3wkof1MB5fmcGIz7oyBDAS3-QFk5_4hFxXSS3oxAyYME1e9Li2XduvX6HKq2JS1hYVDNLY8g-gSy_hNYGjgslnMtbL4LdWNlKNvlOxY8MBKx597zVwc/s1600/osakareturnee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462173084879394418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCuA2oV49hOascioG1029Ryck3wkof1MB5fmcGIz7oyBDAS3-QFk5_4hFxXSS3oxAyYME1e9Li2XduvX6HKq2JS1hYVDNLY8g-gSy_hNYGjgslnMtbL4LdWNlKNvlOxY8MBKx597zVwc/s400/osakareturnee.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-88757458535447704272010-04-20T22:39:00.003+12:002010-04-21T15:36:41.534+12:00TIME TO CATCH UP AGAIN... BEFORE I TRAVEL THOUSANDS MORE MILES AGAIN!<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">What day is it? What city am I in? What country am I in?<br /><br />That’s pretty much what it’s been like since my return to New Zealand in early February. Beginning my time back in the country with a J2 retreat was DIVINE providence. It was like my Sabbath rest in Christ to prepare me for the “week” of weeks ahead.<br /><br />Do you realise that while God rested on the seventh day after He created everything, the FIRST day He gave to man was a day of Sabbath rest. We are so used to thinking of Sunday as a recuperation day, that we fail to realise that God in His wisdom knew we needed to first abide in Him before we faced our next six days of labour. Pretty cool, eh?<br /><br />If you have Facebook and see any of my posts, you’ll know that I’ve been travelling quite a bit. In New Zealand as well is to Japan and back. There are so many stories I could tell, but I’m not sure where to begin. It seems this year my focus has a lot to do with our Japanese ministry, including the five J2 ministry interns, my household, J2 in Palmerston North, returnees in Japan… I love how God is in control of the harvest field He asks us to labour in.<br /><br />God has also been doing amazing things amongst the other international students in New Zealand, and as I’ve travelled the country and met with various interns and staff and been able to hang out with some of their ministries, one thing stands out – God is still changing hearts and lives and adding to our numbers daily those who are being saved.<br /><br />Recently at a student Easter camp which included the Palmerston North OCF (Overseas Christian Fellowship) students and the “Odd Fellows” (Chinese university student ministry), eight students gave their lives to Christ! It was truly an Acts event… the main speaker was Dr. Palatasa Havea (Tonga). He’s on the ISMNZ board with me, and has been such a blessing to the Pasifik Islanders throughout NZ and many students in Palmy. Two of the students are from Malaysia, and six of students saved are from mainland China… and even though the messages were pretty deep and in English – they UNDERSTOOD the heart of God’s message to them and received His salvation! It was AWESOME!<br /><br />I am so filled with praise for what God is doing here in NZ and in Japan, it’s ridiculous. Truly wild. Thanks to the Navigator students at Cal State Long Beach, I was able to travel to Japan to attend the “All Nations Returnees Conference” in March (</span><a href="http://www.allnations.jp/an10/index.php?lang=en"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">http://www.allnations.jp/an10/index.php?lang=en</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">)<br /><br />There were many highlights for me. The best part of course was having me dear Mai-chan there for most of it. It was exciting to see God give her the desire of her heart by connecting her with young women in her area who are meeting weekly for a women’s Bible study. Two of the gals live one train station away from her station! Another highlight was worship with hundreds of Japanese Christians, most of whom are still in their 20’s. Vibrant growing believers who believe with all their heart that their homeland is their mission field! WOW! And yet another highlight was being able to lead the New Zealand returnees reunion (about 30) in a short devotion, then have small group discussion. My group was awesome, and full of vision about the future of the gospel reaching their generation in Japan. I could go on and on, but if you click on the link I gave above you can get some idea.<br /><br />My time outside of the conference with returnees was just as wonderful. Staying with Mai was like old times here at Cardiff. She has been blessed with an awesome job and she and Daniel are growing as husband & wife, ministry partners and friends. They head to Thailand and Bangladesh in May to experience mission amongst the poor and hurting in those areas.<br />Osaka was great as well, spending time with my Sakai Eiko church family, staying with Nozomi’s mum and dad, as well as reconnecting with Shoko and Kayako Morimoto for a few nights. Then, meeting up with the Osaka returnees… generations of them.<br /><br />People often ask me why I’m still doing this and what keeps me going despite the decrease in funding, and all I can say is THE FRUIT. Seeing these awesome fresh international followers of Jesus continue to grow and continuing in their faith. Knowing that God ordained that I get to have a tiny role in that for the short time they are in New Zealand… it is a privilege and these beautiful kids from around the world are my heartbeat. I can’t THANK GOD and THANK YOU enough for your prayers and encouragement and support in allowing me to be here.<br /><br />This post is getting WAY too long… so I’ll sign off with this final praise report… In addition to our wonderful pastor, Richard Tien (from Singapore), God has affirmed in KELLIS BYRNE’s heart that he’s the man to shepherd our English speaking congregation. Since late 2006 we’ve all believed Kellis was ‘the one’. But, God had to take our people through the desert to teach us and discipline us and make us strong in Him, and now Kellis had heard from God’s own Spirit that he is to be our pastor. WOWIE! A Singaporean and a Fijian! GREAT STUFF!</span>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-83781635814659314622010-02-22T17:51:00.009+13:002010-02-23T01:26:27.053+13:00This is how we know what love is... (1 John 3:16)I like to read action stories before I sleep at night. My recent indulgences have been Randy Alcorn and Joel Rosenberg series... both which have intrigue, action, mystery and a lot about how now impacts eternity and what awaits between now and then. I've read their books three times in two years.<br /><br />But, most recently I put the books down and for 40 minutes each night have watched 'Jericho' - a TV series that aired in 2007 and after cancellation, came back for six more episodes to make a bunch of 'nutty' fans happy.<br /><br />I realised there is a pattern to my viewing and reading... that on the surface seems rediculously violent and focussed on doom and tragedy. But that's not the case.<br /><br />In all these stories I am moved and amazed at the unity of those who love their neighbours. Even in the midst of absolute disaster, of pain and suffering, of fear and doubt - those who rise above the circumstance to lay down their lives and put aside 'self' for the sake of not just those they love, but strangers, neighbours, and in some cases even enemies... the hope that arises is stunning.<br /><br />From 10-14 of February, I was blessed to be the logistics and transportation coordinator for the J2 Palmerston North crew summer's end retreat. For those five days, we focussed on the entire book of 1st John. Not an easy read, even for the most seasoned of Christians.<br /><br />1John 3:16 says this: "This is how we know what love is - Jesus laid down His life for us. So, we also ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters". This same Jesus taught us to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, to do good to those who hate us. He reminded us that of most importance is that we love God and love our neighbour as we love ourself. And how do I love myself? Well, I'm fed, clothed, sheltered and do what I can to stay healthy and fit.<br /><br />I don't know if I'm ready to face the trial of calamity yet. I don't know if I've taken to heart our Lord's commands as deeply and in action as I possibly can. But, as I read the headlines, and read between the lines and compare things to the word of God - I know I need to prepare to love others in a miraculous and major way. Because as we face enemies, as we face disaster, as we face unemployment and economic collapse... we are going to be tested.<br /><br />Will we be found wanting, or will we be found loving?International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-1123497111034817972009-10-27T17:38:00.007+13:002009-10-27T20:47:01.823+13:00There 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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFPvRPXiSow5gtpi5fATtE2zqql62HPI_PBny84Gs9SNFZn8bdTec319nE4CLGeL-cW5PkXtrtqCplDcgJAauqJylrkNqRyubQ8eGbGFtRQfD7h6W0wkATaRjaFZSJGW_8XVeE_KncOU/s1600-h/Baptism+Day.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397147793204849506" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFPvRPXiSow5gtpi5fATtE2zqql62HPI_PBny84Gs9SNFZn8bdTec319nE4CLGeL-cW5PkXtrtqCplDcgJAauqJylrkNqRyubQ8eGbGFtRQfD7h6W0wkATaRjaFZSJGW_8XVeE_KncOU/s400/Baptism+Day.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><strong>LABOUR WEEKEND (23-26 OCTOBER) in Rotorua! Peeeyuuu! Sulfuric Thermal capital of NZ!</strong><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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".<br /><br />One song we especially sang from our toes and out our mouths was Anthem of the Highest Praise.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkItkWaBrSJKVxtBmb38u4zklw2E9Gu4owTN4ZtGoepdleYH1b0FWTEMoycN0oa3bXPsxCWhCK6ErLzoiPBdu7qxZCBBOwU5seFYK3UzTzjVG8OcE4lzm_8e6OwUtU7ecvc0V-ZHkpzA/s1600-h/highest+praise.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397147787005641970" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkItkWaBrSJKVxtBmb38u4zklw2E9Gu4owTN4ZtGoepdleYH1b0FWTEMoycN0oa3bXPsxCWhCK6ErLzoiPBdu7qxZCBBOwU5seFYK3UzTzjVG8OcE4lzm_8e6OwUtU7ecvc0V-ZHkpzA/s400/highest+praise.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em>There is a louder shout come,<br />there is a sweeter song to hear,<br />all the nations with one voice,<br />all the peoples with one fear.<br />Bowing down before Your throne,<br />every tongue and tribe will be,<br />All the nations with one voice,<br />all the peoples with one King.<br /></em><em><br />And what a song we'll sing upon that day...<br />O what a song we'll sing and<br />O what a tune we'll bear.<br />You deserve an anthem of<br />the highest praise.</em><br /><em>O what a joy will rise and<br />O what a sound we'll make,<br />You deserve an anthem of the highest praise!</em></p>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.<br /><br />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:<br /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#660000;">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)</span></strong><br /></em><br />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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!")..<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQk64Bvvz0PWBkV_1FICAGKOdbxAM5fR4W_pnKqcLZdkrK4glmvAiroKXkrrwTKArBLpwJ-pDmNhD8qv3GQdzs0v-A16EBGZWbFiWK6iP_jLllxncfQt5z76P7i3DAHV4KXowqmqykW0/s1600-h/Weightfree.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397147518998553394" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQk64Bvvz0PWBkV_1FICAGKOdbxAM5fR4W_pnKqcLZdkrK4glmvAiroKXkrrwTKArBLpwJ-pDmNhD8qv3GQdzs0v-A16EBGZWbFiWK6iP_jLllxncfQt5z76P7i3DAHV4KXowqmqykW0/s400/Weightfree.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>my retreat time... </em><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXnZmvQ1_luxL-E5N3op9l_KtSbekE0nb1SVAqr603oJhbyaqBjO5IHYHeD5mRTGmlpdUC9987sQTAWklVhr_HkUWB8VZCCYgAv2LM2d17BVXQ3d5gMGWRrm9EKaIp-ggcMmlJ93fiGc/s1600-h/OkereFalls.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397147499485166178" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXnZmvQ1_luxL-E5N3op9l_KtSbekE0nb1SVAqr603oJhbyaqBjO5IHYHeD5mRTGmlpdUC9987sQTAWklVhr_HkUWB8VZCCYgAv2LM2d17BVXQ3d5gMGWRrm9EKaIp-ggcMmlJ93fiGc/s400/OkereFalls.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Enjoying some sunshine with Jingxiu</em> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p1spPD3Jv8yW3156jVDk4-Y4e8P7SQCo1zl8ACL6yYO2etECx5WI3xLRhEwPNeGR84Y9p2TIgejJkVj4RxWDLJ9O18-Z2WMJOfPcsfokjkrxPsiJM-s6qw7kEmkqz15WKXZHUW-I2vY/s1600-h/claudiaoffering.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397147524371437810" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p1spPD3Jv8yW3156jVDk4-Y4e8P7SQCo1zl8ACL6yYO2etECx5WI3xLRhEwPNeGR84Y9p2TIgejJkVj4RxWDLJ9O18-Z2WMJOfPcsfokjkrxPsiJM-s6qw7kEmkqz15WKXZHUW-I2vY/s400/claudiaoffering.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Claudia offering up McDonald's 'chips' to the sea rats</em></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu4WAJbAIVXrj8t5Wu-DV-s_HHGKWUSsJ94fmiCO_PWrcIvWbfj4HVBdOSmGD3xs41XLYMbHkmP2mlV3uWpU2Mcuz-Edu7JhttNCyt5YcCigz4K1b_hvLQGXJF3TmMVGPIehxA8UhpLU/s1600-h/snortingkoyo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397147512271276914" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu4WAJbAIVXrj8t5Wu-DV-s_HHGKWUSsJ94fmiCO_PWrcIvWbfj4HVBdOSmGD3xs41XLYMbHkmP2mlV3uWpU2Mcuz-Edu7JhttNCyt5YcCigz4K1b_hvLQGXJF3TmMVGPIehxA8UhpLU/s400/snortingkoyo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Japanese schools don't teach students how to drink from a bottle!</em></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztvRYc3RJUG-y-hmOSZI6b6HGKirdsuke33Bk1FBccF-N94qlxMc1vD7DK_xwZIoY8bpdp-WcJJwu8yAC8fuRwDrlFiTn2NTfoqGsk4iH-13AcqS-N6DLJ3lQegaosJpDSRWxuC5mgGw/s1600-h/lakebreak.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397147504106103602" style="WIDTH: 387px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztvRYc3RJUG-y-hmOSZI6b6HGKirdsuke33Bk1FBccF-N94qlxMc1vD7DK_xwZIoY8bpdp-WcJJwu8yAC8fuRwDrlFiTn2NTfoqGsk4iH-13AcqS-N6DLJ3lQegaosJpDSRWxuC5mgGw/s400/lakebreak.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>A lovely sushi lunch at Lake Rotorua</em></p><p align="left">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!</p><p align="left">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.</p><p align="left">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! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PilfgFt-S4&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PilfgFt-S4&feature=related</a> </p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKIgkKNz1M8AlSLQQjryqAYlgLyQkvburMyb9whiQJVIhy1jYMlO9fbMx-jN_1z_2XWbxs6x-2nRXzDf4jEWqJI953cSTRh3wbKy-M6jigiYdKjHZrQSE9HlTXbS8zN7nK0lMBCvpNkM/s1600-h/ismconference.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397146794840246802" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKIgkKNz1M8AlSLQQjryqAYlgLyQkvburMyb9whiQJVIhy1jYMlO9fbMx-jN_1z_2XWbxs6x-2nRXzDf4jEWqJI953cSTRh3wbKy-M6jigiYdKjHZrQSE9HlTXbS8zN7nK0lMBCvpNkM/s400/ismconference.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Not going back! Moving ahead!</em></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6PHjVq4ZDBz_Ti51x3PbmINuhz-IuYrK5Mk8KHka1plnr3jF-4gRXAU77PeXuNvYfE17g4YChF-7oMO-L-WhIy6HDB73ksT1WMmeb_vdAfkmn_0-EFNnqH-wgvgfdjwHXd0V78YHAdw/s1600-h/kingdomcelebrate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397146794229416850" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 207px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6PHjVq4ZDBz_Ti51x3PbmINuhz-IuYrK5Mk8KHka1plnr3jF-4gRXAU77PeXuNvYfE17g4YChF-7oMO-L-WhIy6HDB73ksT1WMmeb_vdAfkmn_0-EFNnqH-wgvgfdjwHXd0V78YHAdw/s400/kingdomcelebrate.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Still standing as the evening came to a conclusion...<br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-iSvt3rXzW7XaNcfm39O2SYwGq7aFNFuOrtJnyUYJx3ZVeCRpIQWl7nsPVa511rH9KJGVfHJ2KTz88YYG_y5eNUq14SVjIt93njyza-5Xpy5qXyAnzQpLls1HZOIB_0FWGiORYmCnQQ/s1600-h/kingdomoftonga.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397146782240172338" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-iSvt3rXzW7XaNcfm39O2SYwGq7aFNFuOrtJnyUYJx3ZVeCRpIQWl7nsPVa511rH9KJGVfHJ2KTz88YYG_y5eNUq14SVjIt93njyza-5Xpy5qXyAnzQpLls1HZOIB_0FWGiORYmCnQQ/s400/kingdomoftonga.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>A Tongan choir is also a heavenly sound!</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHGo0Lvz8sOmlEEb-DtJiFs8WTliO-kSPqyPdsHclUVJqQHD6sOX_Z7F_3HWZfQhpBDxW_Pixfa6a6eFmhU-t0Ve2c3uL3j6CxogtsjnSZod6a0Q-inrWZe5cMzEwQccjztbHaPuhY54/s1600-h/malaysiapower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397146777846718898" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHGo0Lvz8sOmlEEb-DtJiFs8WTliO-kSPqyPdsHclUVJqQHD6sOX_Z7F_3HWZfQhpBDxW_Pixfa6a6eFmhU-t0Ve2c3uL3j6CxogtsjnSZod6a0Q-inrWZe5cMzEwQccjztbHaPuhY54/s400/malaysiapower.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Sing a long with our Malaysians! (plus a couple of Kiwi's)</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCenq3Z70wXcJOiCtE9sVHsd8g4RvDqePxkcFNc4QLoBnEvGQwOM5muC22tTZ5CfQnyjVc5NP3TIgGRbV_xYZQ6daMKSAg7Pzyyaye7DF5wxf0XdauwnrGxCQJCXIH9oIh1rb0kytSIE/s1600-h/honouring.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397146788887662498" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCenq3Z70wXcJOiCtE9sVHsd8g4RvDqePxkcFNc4QLoBnEvGQwOM5muC22tTZ5CfQnyjVc5NP3TIgGRbV_xYZQ6daMKSAg7Pzyyaye7DF5wxf0XdauwnrGxCQJCXIH9oIh1rb0kytSIE/s400/honouring.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>We also took the opportunity to honour Terry & Jenny McGrath<br /></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Now we see a part of this<br />One day we shall see in full<br />All the nations with one voice<br />All the people with one love<br />No one else will share Your praise<br />And nothing else can take Your place<br />All the nations with one voice<br />All the people with one Lord<br /><br /></em><em><strong><span style="color:#003300;"><u>Even now upon the earth<br />There's a glimpse of all to come<br />Many people with one voice<br />Harmony of many tongues</u><br /></span></strong><br />We will all confess Your name<br />You will be our only praise<br />All the nations with one voice<br />All the people with one God</em> </div><div align="center"> </div><div></div><div>Finally, below is a little video of a worship song and dance taught by our J2 team!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnxkfFbPOXMuonsHDEpG_je4fyjRZ2hTNQi0RuH5hqNBdbzLyihQ7dbBolBu1CQ8ktetC8tMBm80uJqaPvlQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-87288679632119332632009-10-13T11:38:00.015+13:002010-02-23T01:44:40.711+13:00The Following Took Place Between Aug19 - Oct12<span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>HAVING A GREAT TIME LIVING THE MANDATE!</strong><br />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.<br /><br />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 <em>"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).</em><br /><br />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... <em>"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).</em><br /><br />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, <em>"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).</em><br /><br />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 <em>"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).</em><br /><br /></span><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j4aed6LRJOi7MQAIpCuoXM12GN2lKIc3fszUtymlF8PPAmqN2lF9cZqkT0hSHBgsiyqGkmk17HsnEUa_Je9_BMqyVNEIM6zbg7ik9opd5ZRkwK6RD6uY2NLxHBI4XYhqKAl0UEp3mCU/s1600-h/girlzbiblestudy.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391934058949254354" style="WIDTH: 358px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j4aed6LRJOi7MQAIpCuoXM12GN2lKIc3fszUtymlF8PPAmqN2lF9cZqkT0hSHBgsiyqGkmk17HsnEUa_Je9_BMqyVNEIM6zbg7ik9opd5ZRkwK6RD6uY2NLxHBI4XYhqKAl0UEp3mCU/s400/girlzbiblestudy.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /><em>The Cardiff girls having tea before their Friday Night Girls bible study, Nonoka & Mana</em></span></p><span style="color:#ffffff;">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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>GRACE CITY CHURCH CONTAGIOUS STUDENTS</strong><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br /><strong>ISMNZ MINISTRY INTERNS' MINISTRY RETREAT &</strong><br /><strong>Planning for upcoming ISMNZ National Conference</strong><br /><br />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.<br /><br /></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVVnAAQ4lu9ySPzExc4rSHmQYH36QEc-CKImvUfXJvizsnCQKpZgSgZjtUYIXrrrVfVU7kxfc5W3efA8rSufZdSxR3YPaGxNY4s8TWs-fiHDoT_pCaryvMjW_9AdrpdOYzlbgqYpZoWQ/s1600-h/internsmud.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391916371727940754" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVVnAAQ4lu9ySPzExc4rSHmQYH36QEc-CKImvUfXJvizsnCQKpZgSgZjtUYIXrrrVfVU7kxfc5W3efA8rSufZdSxR3YPaGxNY4s8TWs-fiHDoT_pCaryvMjW_9AdrpdOYzlbgqYpZoWQ/s400/internsmud.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">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.<br /><br />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 <em>"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).</em><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9VmuyTTyKX5OLQd2-IweWmSz12hQUWB3hSYATcGJhO5RHtkb7cbG8q66BPC8jSxnlTiRcYisjlts2Qxe8TOoTCNizMInyydNpDPUm1f27WR6jMDMKT7f3zUy0omVRK6CWPnsvC44fKE/s1600-h/rotorua1.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391908382932983762" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9VmuyTTyKX5OLQd2-IweWmSz12hQUWB3hSYATcGJhO5RHtkb7cbG8q66BPC8jSxnlTiRcYisjlts2Qxe8TOoTCNizMInyydNpDPUm1f27WR6jMDMKT7f3zUy0omVRK6CWPnsvC44fKE/s400/rotorua1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">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"... </span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><em>"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!"<br /></em><br /><strong>COMBINED 'FATHER'S DAY' SERVICE AT GCC...</strong><br />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).<br /><br />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!<br /><br /></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-DR9maDsz3PyWbIx8v6OvGmT4-WO4l_1-5zKnXdwXAJJ7QTgqdVvrp3UU0ILGPAonJbSAlwzaFIJUU41rbe4DHDSvuObzXE-Lu3VhuKzR-7JBn1nCEAOOUDTRFDhtBA_uaMukPH-2oo/s1600-h/fathersday.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391908362056861426" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-DR9maDsz3PyWbIx8v6OvGmT4-WO4l_1-5zKnXdwXAJJ7QTgqdVvrp3UU0ILGPAonJbSAlwzaFIJUU41rbe4DHDSvuObzXE-Lu3VhuKzR-7JBn1nCEAOOUDTRFDhtBA_uaMukPH-2oo/s400/fathersday.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><em>The prodigal son story... KungFu Panda style!</em> </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>FINALLY! AFTER SIX YEARS IT'S OPEN!</strong><br /><u><strong>THE WAIORA </strong>(Living Water) <strong>CENTRE</strong></u><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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."<br /><br />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".<br /><br />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.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNTfZUtTER-b0KLVc2qo3kCqPKuMsXJiZ7TbO1J8SSduZzoGCx-hVoq-u0sghYjEIDPYMeMrX0pcujL0JeXO3pgbkK_jXRRlywLqxOYcCpmVGHGUNNE5ILDIVNWbcBCDsfdt3NfmNgRM/s1600-h/centredaniels.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391904146514850866" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNTfZUtTER-b0KLVc2qo3kCqPKuMsXJiZ7TbO1J8SSduZzoGCx-hVoq-u0sghYjEIDPYMeMrX0pcujL0JeXO3pgbkK_jXRRlywLqxOYcCpmVGHGUNNE5ILDIVNWbcBCDsfdt3NfmNgRM/s400/centredaniels.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><em>The 'two Daniels'. Next year's OCF & MUCF ministry presidents, carrying the painting done by students from the old chaplaincy to the new centre.</em><br /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbMp7yJCiljTWes2wDzyzvGvWTgSw4jEMWSsMFq8F63VaXbv8Q-9I2JkYD_bThDN_oYNuv6NmbqMT9w2L9p9L05pdjicOePZV-bwF8-_5JH6tHCT02dtYCNdVfT1ZROkoQV36hWEwaHM/s1600-h/Centreopen.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391904136990221170" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbMp7yJCiljTWes2wDzyzvGvWTgSw4jEMWSsMFq8F63VaXbv8Q-9I2JkYD_bThDN_oYNuv6NmbqMT9w2L9p9L05pdjicOePZV-bwF8-_5JH6tHCT02dtYCNdVfT1ZROkoQV36hWEwaHM/s400/Centreopen.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><em>The 'grand' opening blessing day! Overwhelming JOY</em><br /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9do74jOrELStKJL1Srim0iKGCfpipFHeItAYgVIjxvH2jmVgO_i7STJAtxiZ1_B5h4m10fhceMnhcrBZUxLSsj71acUgcm5i84N2pySnknTqvcXnypv56MSMeTVw5GZbq-Kw3YWpdvz4/s1600-h/centreroom.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391904131838923586" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 368px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9do74jOrELStKJL1Srim0iKGCfpipFHeItAYgVIjxvH2jmVgO_i7STJAtxiZ1_B5h4m10fhceMnhcrBZUxLSsj71acUgcm5i84N2pySnknTqvcXnypv56MSMeTVw5GZbq-Kw3YWpdvz4/s400/centreroom.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><em>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.</em><br /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43KQaDuXOaNwY7ExXw7obyAN_07DjATSChPowh2rSw9tmnZyw0-eaFuNTZV4gj2SeaFs3pMNIrXTUJJ1NgtX5AXclg0I8SVWWid_96Qu-JfSzzTcznFX4GJCm4gQwgeuRI-Q4srD78F0/s1600-h/centre1room.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391904122619953218" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43KQaDuXOaNwY7ExXw7obyAN_07DjATSChPowh2rSw9tmnZyw0-eaFuNTZV4gj2SeaFs3pMNIrXTUJJ1NgtX5AXclg0I8SVWWid_96Qu-JfSzzTcznFX4GJCm4gQwgeuRI-Q4srD78F0/s400/centre1room.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ffffff;">"You mean we can fit the entire fellowship in ONE room?"</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></em></div><strong><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">J2 CAMP AT FOXTON BEACH... </span></strong><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">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".<br /><br /></span><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ahujc8Ngl_Lm9tH_rsHwQ-uZNhyjjwn91J9kiCtSiQZejnVsy8AiKGyHX59fSPDkD6mGjxiGhyphenhyphenIKoFUMIgk8OIz8jN0vV1h2Uw7KeU5LIlMtRe2s97jkgf8Wd1GPaJlDGZjGBmJDFfg/s1600-h/j2baptism3.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391898151257795282" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ahujc8Ngl_Lm9tH_rsHwQ-uZNhyjjwn91J9kiCtSiQZejnVsy8AiKGyHX59fSPDkD6mGjxiGhyphenhyphenIKoFUMIgk8OIz8jN0vV1h2Uw7KeU5LIlMtRe2s97jkgf8Wd1GPaJlDGZjGBmJDFfg/s400/j2baptism3.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><span style="color:#ffffff;">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."<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsMnkChOTgWh2GNY6H0IRa2ihMP_s1LHsarP-VyzaJO9GzWdAojmecEhppUBRWFjmZF9BdRt5NJ74Ed-V4c8uVix0_54zjOd-lJnPzI23CLsIu4qVAeiTD_2zMUYkn-ZW5dbX8eFMPz0/s1600-h/j2baptism.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391898148434980018" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 321px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsMnkChOTgWh2GNY6H0IRa2ihMP_s1LHsarP-VyzaJO9GzWdAojmecEhppUBRWFjmZF9BdRt5NJ74Ed-V4c8uVix0_54zjOd-lJnPzI23CLsIu4qVAeiTD_2zMUYkn-ZW5dbX8eFMPz0/s400/j2baptism.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">... 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!<br /><br /></span><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0S6rDWlBOmowv2RdhvDRNyt9e700oyb25xux-IKfwGMOlHvFhJ0kqpBmaivPzEMziimw6TEsrAB2PUfYjNnYbM8mNAp6QDOUUhQFJxZol87cAr1AL3lOLrPZ64p79VGR0SGZkSVxrMY/s1600-h/j2baptism1.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391898139367808962" style="WIDTH: 328px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0S6rDWlBOmowv2RdhvDRNyt9e700oyb25xux-IKfwGMOlHvFhJ0kqpBmaivPzEMziimw6TEsrAB2PUfYjNnYbM8mNAp6QDOUUhQFJxZol87cAr1AL3lOLrPZ64p79VGR0SGZkSVxrMY/s400/j2baptism1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><span style="color:#ffffff;">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!<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>TIME AND TIME AGAIN: QUIZ NIGHT 2009<br /></strong>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.<br /></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQIdgEHIgFij_gN5UjJPjQO8pXA6UmQT3lIhJNzimpKJ7Bhxg1tsK2HXmKRiGksasn87_LcPgyNDscJdGEighIHM9K7dIPobCGA3vZmiR3uQUEeu-oZrBYOfTY84dQe6e5-QEzXZybhs/s1600-h/gamenightview1.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391849590142184754" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQIdgEHIgFij_gN5UjJPjQO8pXA6UmQT3lIhJNzimpKJ7Bhxg1tsK2HXmKRiGksasn87_LcPgyNDscJdGEighIHM9K7dIPobCGA3vZmiR3uQUEeu-oZrBYOfTY84dQe6e5-QEzXZybhs/s400/gamenightview1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /><em>Wait... is this a church? What's with the disco ball?</em> </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></div><span style="color:#ffffff;">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.<br /></span><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4L1TYwU81jeIwUbKZ2enysEhWieBFKaGshYs_8TWzxipvvVKXmSXo2HHKnby7EnM5zXh99p9Ywo-zdmE1pG_Izp64hMsoyZMffQgaBU4LqL7gXl4Mn2OcN0KpRwJYmR9_P0AbkG8FuA/s1600-h/gamenightpraise.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391849599247673266" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4L1TYwU81jeIwUbKZ2enysEhWieBFKaGshYs_8TWzxipvvVKXmSXo2HHKnby7EnM5zXh99p9Ywo-zdmE1pG_Izp64hMsoyZMffQgaBU4LqL7gXl4Mn2OcN0KpRwJYmR9_P0AbkG8FuA/s400/gamenightpraise.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><em>Who's the dude with the 'fro? And is that Slash on guitar?<br /></em><em>80's RAAWK!</em></span></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxxfUjx2yV1jpF-BKjz2f2ZqqhRBRzB0S8DeDGVPumDdAfHKyiS8CQBERRtzek2ctYVp5k2AY7hvHnVRX-yt4EKPh2l43Xt5UZmlpGQGVUILkVcZq81iqQZcRuXPeNS7d563AwIApLYY/s1600-h/nathan.JPG"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391849607682842690" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 174px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxxfUjx2yV1jpF-BKjz2f2ZqqhRBRzB0S8DeDGVPumDdAfHKyiS8CQBERRtzek2ctYVp5k2AY7hvHnVRX-yt4EKPh2l43Xt5UZmlpGQGVUILkVcZq81iqQZcRuXPeNS7d563AwIApLYY/s400/nathan.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><em>Okay...hmmm... looks more like 1490's than 1990's.</em><br /></span></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM65lq05SqQVJQlLitWobzb9lnBtqfijOAJE0hKN1ITS7DjjzwJP7Q7sCYEOhB9GClrg9qBmvnSa5jkR_hzA0gyOm3l0n0C-CfmKanpZEX1LQ1N5A0EOGaHj8Lum4-j70YpPGJO-SWorA/s1600-h/gamenightocf.jpg"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391849581059189602" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM65lq05SqQVJQlLitWobzb9lnBtqfijOAJE0hKN1ITS7DjjzwJP7Q7sCYEOhB9GClrg9qBmvnSa5jkR_hzA0gyOm3l0n0C-CfmKanpZEX1LQ1N5A0EOGaHj8Lum4-j70YpPGJO-SWorA/s400/gamenightocf.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /><em>Massey Overseas Christian Fellowship's team at quiz night!</em></span></p>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-1119796615953033212009-10-12T17:31:00.008+13:002009-10-13T17:40:21.720+13:00OVERWHELMED!<p>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.<br /><br />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!”<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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:</p><ul><li>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. </li><li>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. </li><li>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. </li><li>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. </li><li>I am overwhelmed by things to do and losing track of the days and weeks and months as a result. </li><li>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. </li><li>I am overwhelmed at all of the labourers God is raising up to work in His harvest field amongst international students in New Zealand. </li><li>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. </li></ul><p><em>OVERWHELMED –verb (used with object)<br />1. to overcome completely in mind or feeling: overwhelmed by happiness.<br />2. to overpower or overcome, esp. with superior forces; destroy; crush: Roman troops were overwhelmed by barbarians.<br />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.<br />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.<br />5. to overthrow. </em></p>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-65454725594002742472009-08-18T11:17:00.007+12:002009-08-18T12:48:00.544+12:00Storytelling through pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN428F7kYLOSxHN_W1sEabW7BApMMKP5J0jmQ2FEVwPEQtlP9LAkz00rHGbu4xgiKJ0owVKy4rp9NgDkiNKr9G_Gl9gtRIJ_GBwjBLyC9zqkG7trSAR4itp28TR0QdoqZaoZpYlx-5LNU/s1600-h/contagious.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371086707354652498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN428F7kYLOSxHN_W1sEabW7BApMMKP5J0jmQ2FEVwPEQtlP9LAkz00rHGbu4xgiKJ0owVKy4rp9NgDkiNKr9G_Gl9gtRIJ_GBwjBLyC9zqkG7trSAR4itp28TR0QdoqZaoZpYlx-5LNU/s320/contagious.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"><em>Some of our Contagious fellowship as we sent one of students off<br />to China where he will study pre-med. </em></div><br />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.<br /><br />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!<span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#663366;"> </span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs7NqUI6bebuAI-0VL8JnW0E756AF2wCMRp9cHlIGtsxH7-u1rkfDA-SuNWOJFbMqkJbc_sNi71AbSDfHizAygEa13SEiwMNSHWM9YB9oqdCP8XVN4wQo5nqrnOm83FeKUO7Y6V2fF_4/s1600-h/twister.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371086695141080450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs7NqUI6bebuAI-0VL8JnW0E756AF2wCMRp9cHlIGtsxH7-u1rkfDA-SuNWOJFbMqkJbc_sNi71AbSDfHizAygEa13SEiwMNSHWM9YB9oqdCP8XVN4wQo5nqrnOm83FeKUO7Y6V2fF_4/s320/twister.jpg" /></a> <em>Some of the Contagious guys... nations 'twisted' together in Christ (Singapore, NZ, Brunei, Malaysia)</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2kcUIPqQM_mYIaF_Uf5M-t7BKOX4ypAhRPJa_5zF0HaplRC1ZVOguUeWSNQVji0sYC_OCffuNRQ9mBrgk6QP_lkOppp2O9dFYHYTSOyAR8oB0hRYQpX9I879DEJqlTjAYQDCOGVz7lk/s1600-h/mesue2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371086690854356050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2kcUIPqQM_mYIaF_Uf5M-t7BKOX4ypAhRPJa_5zF0HaplRC1ZVOguUeWSNQVji0sYC_OCffuNRQ9mBrgk6QP_lkOppp2O9dFYHYTSOyAR8oB0hRYQpX9I879DEJqlTjAYQDCOGVz7lk/s320/mesue2.jpg" /></a> <em>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.</em><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsjY7LWqVDJJoRJ_6N0hqwtly1NrT06D-WkKMzzooWB0UuHq_IwSHVpxN0dP15BU4-TlqE0bYlQFOGbeeI1Ht1Q2QBoIGax921FycJoyXQ6fHp30luZ4us9L3H25Z3hmiceW0E4LHWOg/s1600-h/holachica.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371086680776202850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsjY7LWqVDJJoRJ_6N0hqwtly1NrT06D-WkKMzzooWB0UuHq_IwSHVpxN0dP15BU4-TlqE0bYlQFOGbeeI1Ht1Q2QBoIGax921FycJoyXQ6fHp30luZ4us9L3H25Z3hmiceW0E4LHWOg/s320/holachica.jpg" /></a> <em>Hola Chica! Girl power at Camp Chica</em></div><br /><div align="left">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. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">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).<br /><br /></div><div align="left"><u>GETTING CONNECTED!</u></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5shOqdNRWtBq5ZZzxZXhFF4A_VGVHWh_DPTCqlGNWX0TSdrUk8GvUDYMUeB3wMJLz9tBcf1TyXRqZmTPOjtdrUlGT62hsU2mQfdsc17s9dSV47EvGEleRiG_8H_-tp_GAVR2xUbfaOc/s1600-h/connect4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371086338714602818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5shOqdNRWtBq5ZZzxZXhFF4A_VGVHWh_DPTCqlGNWX0TSdrUk8GvUDYMUeB3wMJLz9tBcf1TyXRqZmTPOjtdrUlGT62hsU2mQfdsc17s9dSV47EvGEleRiG_8H_-tp_GAVR2xUbfaOc/s320/connect4.jpg" /></a>(l-r) <em>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)<br /></em></div><em></em></div><div align="center"><br /><div align="left"><em></em>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. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">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!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2ppEoCJfjkRecF-1zImhlCBV6fgfFD_nSu8gyd_TYwrfmB2-GihpF8WDljxwW9IoV7uWFIHy6vuk_qLbTL0Nm1OFtFVtpzRb7ZR7MWzVWbVCRpaATbRyG9c6a7waXT6R-UPPnbmUFhc/s1600-h/connect3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371086335210472322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2ppEoCJfjkRecF-1zImhlCBV6fgfFD_nSu8gyd_TYwrfmB2-GihpF8WDljxwW9IoV7uWFIHy6vuk_qLbTL0Nm1OFtFVtpzRb7ZR7MWzVWbVCRpaATbRyG9c6a7waXT6R-UPPnbmUFhc/s320/connect3.jpg" /></a> <em>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!</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmePA9K9SBag7BgLoIhNpqDpGy6bakjW5ygGL0F-ks5TK1tmwEMgVFg-zTaZIAJRbb3I7FDId4Wqr8WSgJJ1qagdEQNJYiLWCRmuLR0lr7JxCOs8PPW8ZCNNNdp-NXXkj_g-vXcM9kso/s1600-h/connect2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371086325547129106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmePA9K9SBag7BgLoIhNpqDpGy6bakjW5ygGL0F-ks5TK1tmwEMgVFg-zTaZIAJRbb3I7FDId4Wqr8WSgJJ1qagdEQNJYiLWCRmuLR0lr7JxCOs8PPW8ZCNNNdp-NXXkj_g-vXcM9kso/s320/connect2.jpg" /></a> <em>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).</em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UzspVUH31uOmrsJxI1hbDDCIKahOtekp7RDuD6g0N5wUcxYBwCWnhvZ1V9uUHDf4W0sRGsMy7jvTTYupt4DV6ZlZ9NLWcqFWpA8im6lA7Iqb-I1pAOjDCefIbCTnkdf8JU9DGd1HL_E/s1600-h/connect1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371086322814823506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UzspVUH31uOmrsJxI1hbDDCIKahOtekp7RDuD6g0N5wUcxYBwCWnhvZ1V9uUHDf4W0sRGsMy7jvTTYupt4DV6ZlZ9NLWcqFWpA8im6lA7Iqb-I1pAOjDCefIbCTnkdf8JU9DGd1HL_E/s320/connect1.jpg" /></a> <em>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. </em></div><br /></div></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-69976717561614124702009-08-13T15:46:00.011+12:002009-08-18T11:17:12.942+12:00Ready for Springtime!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfJj2Z56kl57U9LeYyMgngcdZ4Q09H1DuqOJs0PwH04yR5JQVYkHFRWCOOkTrW5wFvqjYt4GVBXB1A3XPhCbw8OLquJIHUTVK54_2oel9uiCYc6q6WpedjhkNhMBRARbrRH32UtIF6Zw/s1600-h/aruapahu.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369304324485770178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfJj2Z56kl57U9LeYyMgngcdZ4Q09H1DuqOJs0PwH04yR5JQVYkHFRWCOOkTrW5wFvqjYt4GVBXB1A3XPhCbw8OLquJIHUTVK54_2oel9uiCYc6q6WpedjhkNhMBRARbrRH32UtIF6Zw/s400/aruapahu.JPG" /></a> <em>Heavenly views... flying above Mt. Ruapehu! Spring will soon arrive.</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">"So, what do you do?" asks the interested person.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">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. </div><div align="left">"I help international students studying in New Zealand become life-long followers of Jesus!" I now exclaim cheerfully.</div><div align="left">The reaction from those who ask... now THEY are like a deer in the headlights, and I am the one behind the wheel (heehee). </div><div align="left">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. </div><div align="left">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!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">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.</div><div align="left">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).</div><div align="left">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.</div><div align="left">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!</div><div align="left">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!</div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0T8zBGcR8Rk7TC1S52FcUj-3hC8v6fj8nvXfmEPMiBtR237VvGEvzoAjKXHySRug2QY82DCeyquST1g1CK6eFGBrXRuwE3UP2mU-4730ghiYH7AgtQcBGLaX0xDBeiIvWSNQU_lLQeEI/s1600-h/4thmanaonion.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369304311468863154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0T8zBGcR8Rk7TC1S52FcUj-3hC8v6fj8nvXfmEPMiBtR237VvGEvzoAjKXHySRug2QY82DCeyquST1g1CK6eFGBrXRuwE3UP2mU-4730ghiYH7AgtQcBGLaX0xDBeiIvWSNQU_lLQeEI/s400/4thmanaonion.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center"><em>Japanese are so inventive, eh? Mana comes up with one way to fight onion tears.</em></p><div align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTIuToPwKATQBAn1-t7SMvd5jydE5GO22QOcprIqTfvhJk-POit7YBZrSY7dT_5mjmbkzO7nOsMIvOXJAZu88qIRITlYwsOe2XWBgbF8IeuPFm0UjFxGY1F3aehVafH_S0t8QHRqFfDM/s1600-h/4thkiwistyle.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369304297366480274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTIuToPwKATQBAn1-t7SMvd5jydE5GO22QOcprIqTfvhJk-POit7YBZrSY7dT_5mjmbkzO7nOsMIvOXJAZu88qIRITlYwsOe2XWBgbF8IeuPFm0UjFxGY1F3aehVafH_S0t8QHRqFfDM/s400/4thkiwistyle.JPG" /></a><em>Kiwi's helping me celebrate the 4th of July!<br />The USA's independence from 'the crown' (that NZ is still a part of)<br /></em><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369304294285527122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72Azx1HY7XBJWbV71KwiyML-sOhlRckt9kSnMNSHdQDXXKW0QJIjW6mp6j1iLmRYsqcgwUVIMfu_biTehAICgmlm3K9Sx-r6d84S3QB6I_a5e8SsL6Nk6JVBvZ1SxCEeIa0wkJipINjc/s400/4thjuly.JPG" /> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><em>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.</em> </div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-81684062940437035772009-06-19T11:44:00.006+12:002009-06-20T11:46:59.954+12:00It's Definitely Catching<p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">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. </span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2apRQTEZvOGdnhSeXNAeWh80g1QrgmCX6jDUEeU_CouHsGu2STgSqj-4lkX8-_GVe7FR3MiS7oOr31SRlRPjHP6BSYkphEGN1fLNy0ANStsjwD61SnY8VpKJL29EcvZoaNjerUu6HbWM/s1600-h/kennydirect.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348827891187347090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2apRQTEZvOGdnhSeXNAeWh80g1QrgmCX6jDUEeU_CouHsGu2STgSqj-4lkX8-_GVe7FR3MiS7oOr31SRlRPjHP6BSYkphEGN1fLNy0ANStsjwD61SnY8VpKJL29EcvZoaNjerUu6HbWM/s320/kennydirect.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Kenny (right) directing Act 2, scene 2 of "the Prodigal son returns"</span></em></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">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.</span></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20eV9e8cWQ8RAcu4VlBdYSq4NbpxICB00iYG58s-xSGkB_fropuC9zrLDC9BFuSmsYbKg-SwMvswTGuE4hAk_ktn3ic7uJ9Xzg0IhE9WsvKf7NQOyKe2he4qgAi1xtGQSidzx9JHH-J8/s1600-h/feedline.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348827883950202434" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20eV9e8cWQ8RAcu4VlBdYSq4NbpxICB00iYG58s-xSGkB_fropuC9zrLDC9BFuSmsYbKg-SwMvswTGuE4hAk_ktn3ic7uJ9Xzg0IhE9WsvKf7NQOyKe2he4qgAi1xtGQSidzx9JHH-J8/s320/feedline.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Nothing like a good feed to attract students in the midst of exams!</span></em></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">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!</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjso0Plt6EVvEhgNJBJMhBjwYTk36lMZBalmVGQSP29p_ZuV1j3Zz6NJqRnjEzl86BEO5OWucoJI0ukU7ZNc6GVbK6tDOQMLK6E1wuJ3ULK0SPjK_V5AIU4a4BHz_AjPOLhInzmlSNSDac/s1600-h/squarepeg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348828197047474690" style="WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjso0Plt6EVvEhgNJBJMhBjwYTk36lMZBalmVGQSP29p_ZuV1j3Zz6NJqRnjEzl86BEO5OWucoJI0ukU7ZNc6GVbK6tDOQMLK6E1wuJ3ULK0SPjK_V5AIU4a4BHz_AjPOLhInzmlSNSDac/s320/squarepeg.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18z9vDmI4bYykJGa5QnnezQCw3HsFXY8rtwcRNXy36iaa_9iUnu5xfKQTfJuQO_atrpqd-p-IXn4HFIcCrz7B3tU7A0GGzKWf2SvCLvn0zkSPc5-kBgLfXBf2qXgLXrsyQz-TK8S3fOY/s1600-h/pigsty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348827897300294450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18z9vDmI4bYykJGa5QnnezQCw3HsFXY8rtwcRNXy36iaa_9iUnu5xfKQTfJuQO_atrpqd-p-IXn4HFIcCrz7B3tU7A0GGzKWf2SvCLvn0zkSPc5-kBgLfXBf2qXgLXrsyQz-TK8S3fOY/s320/pigsty.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">(left) Marcus & Ian: our engineering specialists (not);</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Act 2, scene 2 from the "prodigal son"... two pigs & a man in a pigsty!</span></em><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />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.</span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9L_YaBeNXCjKIZ3qg_I1qHRqePTgF3EwZa_tj2qmVG9FX4BXFA213eH2aPaLaJ88QyNLnbPUYvAONhYNSDLrP4695YRWZ-o0-1qd47jQk6E5zWPTfBy5vZbQJnndF3FbOC6rMokOZqQ/s1600-h/pigstrough.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348827890135339698" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9L_YaBeNXCjKIZ3qg_I1qHRqePTgF3EwZa_tj2qmVG9FX4BXFA213eH2aPaLaJ88QyNLnbPUYvAONhYNSDLrP4695YRWZ-o0-1qd47jQk6E5zWPTfBy5vZbQJnndF3FbOC6rMokOZqQ/s320/pigstrough.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPEE2UkVYZw4XEFSlZ_UFWZRmCJ4r3ZuGoOf_uTqzWv_y9uzF5szTH-i6cFTxuVLWxbamxMtkUia6l6HTCxQSXDqso0E3jEagaiPVZZdlph2WvbMaRAFljPuMiW3p52qNgqOr3MNAiD8/s1600-h/mayumi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348827894594902786" style="WIDTH: 188px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPEE2UkVYZw4XEFSlZ_UFWZRmCJ4r3ZuGoOf_uTqzWv_y9uzF5szTH-i6cFTxuVLWxbamxMtkUia6l6HTCxQSXDqso0E3jEagaiPVZZdlph2WvbMaRAFljPuMiW3p52qNgqOr3MNAiD8/s320/mayumi.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">J2 crew (l-r) Koyo, Mana (my flatmate), Nonoka & Mayumi;</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">(right) Mayumi (also a Cardiff Chateau girl)</span></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />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!</span><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3mh03TvTkGPNiH1pXF-U6OP1Jx0tcHvqH0a7tWocZaamkIeUQVE8uj3DzyCCfh0DGn0PCdR1ybKI158hiTRu4V3-zVBwiMbEiVTz87gd4j4qf-ZvsiQupx8slqQHLNcHmqf_fPeQ44k/s1600-h/raawkband.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348828191512842850" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3mh03TvTkGPNiH1pXF-U6OP1Jx0tcHvqH0a7tWocZaamkIeUQVE8uj3DzyCCfh0DGn0PCdR1ybKI158hiTRu4V3-zVBwiMbEiVTz87gd4j4qf-ZvsiQupx8slqQHLNcHmqf_fPeQ44k/s320/raawkband.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#009900;"><strong>CONTAGIOUS LIVE on stage for the VERY FIRST TIME!</strong></span></em></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">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!</span></p>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-21137835098014081122009-06-19T10:26:00.004+12:002009-06-19T11:08:14.010+12:00God's Favour and a Quite a Thrill<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">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!<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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'.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />It was during this course that Claudia began to receive affirmation of what God has wired her to do.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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:<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/2510831/Fan-asks-the-man-for-a-job-any-job"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/2510831/Fan-asks-the-man-for-a-job-any-job</span></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift36Xz8fA-o7z1DNgaIBdC9YD9NuzzOK-cWHRAbUgfVL32awsBNuRlN2nVsLKg9QPYccsphOdmMlHb2lpm7wDuSbUDVvXijoepFLgf3UfgOQpdzYnAZGukCXWtTalmlIWmNy8xYLLvMI/s1600-h/Claudia.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348805671881180322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 344px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift36Xz8fA-o7z1DNgaIBdC9YD9NuzzOK-cWHRAbUgfVL32awsBNuRlN2nVsLKg9QPYccsphOdmMlHb2lpm7wDuSbUDVvXijoepFLgf3UfgOQpdzYnAZGukCXWtTalmlIWmNy8xYLLvMI/s400/Claudia.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Claudia & Guillermo del Toro (dir. The Hobbit)</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em> </div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></span></em> </div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Fan asks 'the man' for a job, any job</span><br /></strong>By NATHAN BEAUMONT - The Dominion Post<br />Last updated 05:00 18/06/2009<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Hundreds of people queued to see the Oscar winner at the Weta Cave in Miramar last night, some coming from Auckland and Nelson.<br /><br />Claudia Juarez, who hails from the film-maker's home town of Guadalajara, had been waiting for months to meet "the man".<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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.<br /><br />"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.<br /><br />"I love working in the industry and I thought if you don't ask, you don't know, so we'll see what happens."<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><br />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.<br /><br />"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.</span></em></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-38133173384776867502009-05-20T14:15:00.016+12:002009-05-20T15:52:25.782+12:00Anyone Seen Star Trek yet?<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>ISMNZ Ministry Interns</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">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:</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDj3WckzbIZHwQQNtwijYtqtP8QXjDgRkmwLKFkNYY6eKJOjf7aYkPSqaJR7tviSPMeVoG5n6D2OAjf5HlOH5tU7w2G7Yf25XuCD8_MnSCEkhQEMJnI52PEx1Iwk4LA26egL1ZLJpiC0/s1600-h/intern+photo09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337726736798254338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDj3WckzbIZHwQQNtwijYtqtP8QXjDgRkmwLKFkNYY6eKJOjf7aYkPSqaJR7tviSPMeVoG5n6D2OAjf5HlOH5tU7w2G7Yf25XuCD8_MnSCEkhQEMJnI52PEx1Iwk4LA26egL1ZLJpiC0/s400/intern+photo09.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">back row: Alan (Vanuatu), Victoria (Scotland), and Vani (Tonga)<br />front row: Claudia (Mexico), Yuki (Japan) and Koyo (Japan)<br />**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</span></em> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">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.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Grace City Church - CONTAGIOUS under the influence of RC Sproul!</span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">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". </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337732279710039042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCv9IwIm8vMiVjZQ6h2pQz7XTi9c9VpudOz8gHylm5WtlPC4ezD1HtMCoqR7UZH_FHuifuMdEBrzDMyFhrq8t0qY8PTVKxGgTS5a4GD81qNDv-j64-rDmLuL8Bgc3-0-5vYMb-meg7-M/s400/acontagious.jpg" border="0" /><em><span style="font-size:78%;">A little ice breaker gets everyone going... from fragments to a group!</span></em><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">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. </span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337726163364050226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuU3m6riS_a59qXLl2q6WDJNvPtx7mZoLWT0oK7v3muF84R7pNGGclv0vPtzPhTvP8lxwaGy4dTkTUYYg6ThcsUKpmztPte3Q291d_kl-xQRoqF8V5h19PtfJe5khcpP3CmW8EVHTtBE/s320/acontag.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">Our worship team has grown from 0, to 1, to 3 in just three weeks... who knows what it will be this week...<br /></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqgHIJiWpZwKwY8YfCwamE-_Jo0cXKJBusB_mDItiEnRS6ZzrqVJFd5KbEHr00N6TNdnrFs7HcjppLRksLimzUAAi7JEMdGsrAUYfj7F6fU3vBHyB2zZk7mTDJbIjn96Pq_e-S6KQh5c/s1600-h/acontag2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337726159474454530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 252px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqgHIJiWpZwKwY8YfCwamE-_Jo0cXKJBusB_mDItiEnRS6ZzrqVJFd5KbEHr00N6TNdnrFs7HcjppLRksLimzUAAi7JEMdGsrAUYfj7F6fU3vBHyB2zZk7mTDJbIjn96Pq_e-S6KQh5c/s320/acontag2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:78%;">Fiji meets Kiwi meets Singapore... JR Tolkien (Giselle) & CS Lewis (Josh) find each other<br />during ice breaker</span></em></div><p><span style="font-family:arial;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">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!</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">ISMNZ Impacting AsiaNZ relations:</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">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.</span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337726168569503922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_A9kaG0lJV6mgKxDtyIFk43CADj1IipMV2-Uh3h5XrMl_0BNnuWWFHLIHPO57PHkMhheCZ2TNRxKnIxlR_b65dc0Bu06jIyBwZaV9Ggnd2akGvTyv1KWtFjrnlc9azkq93KtWOFrfAk/s320/aresearch.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">Hwang Lin (in white jacket) instructing our team of interns and volunteers<br />how do arrange interviews with graduates during the recent Massey University Graduation day.</span></em></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000099;"><em>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…</em></span></p>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4272987850958793757.post-87918584992104291712009-05-04T12:32:00.012+12:002009-05-04T15:39:16.489+12:00Introducing: my (Mrs) Mai Meyer (my, my, my)<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSKHP-3vmxAbENkfnMyZPMZEYPVnX6skv089mM5lv6Q3ZahcyzaDwNz50yZ0TkP-TpIt40J4lPaZ4zP3EUTv0DyiPRWKo0EeKNFEVpaJhu0_T2yq9wlg2NflHOoiPOYomhkusPSvPRpo/s1600-h/maidad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331802237860360562" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSKHP-3vmxAbENkfnMyZPMZEYPVnX6skv089mM5lv6Q3ZahcyzaDwNz50yZ0TkP-TpIt40J4lPaZ4zP3EUTv0DyiPRWKo0EeKNFEVpaJhu0_T2yq9wlg2NflHOoiPOYomhkusPSvPRpo/s320/maidad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Mai and her dad entering the chapel...</span></em></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGRFEOTg8CLOgRlr5V4BcKupaL8UrZ-5x7ZEt9s_pesmCnEr8qQckIYeaUYxZzqVM0DZIrNiWuW4-2pwg3rJekNBgfD7DW59oBqxTVwiTqi9JlXvfIKKK8Xrm4QCyqwuDkfOopb0rijI/s1600-h/atcorner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331802231269036866" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGRFEOTg8CLOgRlr5V4BcKupaL8UrZ-5x7ZEt9s_pesmCnEr8qQckIYeaUYxZzqVM0DZIrNiWuW4-2pwg3rJekNBgfD7DW59oBqxTVwiTqi9JlXvfIKKK8Xrm4QCyqwuDkfOopb0rijI/s320/atcorner.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Enid & I on a beautiful wedding day...</span></em></p>It couldn't have been a more perfect day in Tokyo... after two days of rain the sun took control. Friends and family of Daniel Meyer and Mai Asamizu flowed through Shibuya station from all over Japan (and Samoa and New Zealand and the USA) and journeyed through busy streets down the 5th Avenue of Tokyo to celebrate <strong>a special wedding. Mai and Daniel were married on 26 April 2009</strong>! They met in 2004 in New Zealand when Daniel was here serving us thru the Nav's for a couple of years. After he finished his mission he returned to Tokyo in 2006 to begin his career in Japan - and began his long-distance courtship with Mai (skype-ship) during her final two years of study in New Zealand.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFifS9XeTxPx7CT20f_e4eqFnOhBWzjFUNdk9wMCx0d3X5Zm2sQwV9Xzr5JIvPUiLZ57MJRXRPoNgtyfd_YvHeJwjyKt0Y2iP5NMQoj83nk1FJo5pJuGBYkP-M-ED8hf60GktnIeP4LPQ/s1600-h/alonetime.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331802226120491954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFifS9XeTxPx7CT20f_e4eqFnOhBWzjFUNdk9wMCx0d3X5Zm2sQwV9Xzr5JIvPUiLZ57MJRXRPoNgtyfd_YvHeJwjyKt0Y2iP5NMQoj83nk1FJo5pJuGBYkP-M-ED8hf60GktnIeP4LPQ/s320/alonetime.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br />Enid, Mai & I the Friday before the wedding... </span></em></p><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>It was a whirlwind trip for me, but a joy. <strong>Thank you to those who supported me and helped me make it happen</strong>. God really blessed me to be able to afford the airfare, and accomodation & food & transport in Japan were covered too. It was a true fish & loaves testimony. I arrived on Thursday evening into Tokyo, had a fun evening with Mai's family (mom, dad, grammas, grampa and sisters) and Enid. Friday Enid and I had a great day with Mai, and then met up with Nozomi and stayed at Japan Bible College where her brother-in-law is studying. Had dinner with the students then onto Yoshimi and Nozomu's place for more fellowship. Saturday was super rainy and after a bit of a long train ride Enid and I ended up in Shinjuku station (the busiest train station in the WORLD! it's a fact)... we've gotten to know it quite well now. It was a neat time hanging out with Enid. She's doing well in Samoa and is still debating the next stage of her life - master's degree in Auckland and a short term mission serving in Japan. <strong>Pray that God will give Enid wisdom</strong> and that she will continue to yield to His guidance. </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnInaqL-EDtyryhEgOMTT69muQYJBvCtKkpMxowFYOAVOGoagNA6iSU9cIWt2FS3F8d0zcQ41VJTDfrk5hRP6EtXsdJU7MDWaxWqzR_HQBpFOZQGXZbHTAXRe5lqFvlrB6Y76x0KDAzQo/s1600-h/arrival.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331800092594745346" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnInaqL-EDtyryhEgOMTT69muQYJBvCtKkpMxowFYOAVOGoagNA6iSU9cIWt2FS3F8d0zcQ41VJTDfrk5hRP6EtXsdJU7MDWaxWqzR_HQBpFOZQGXZbHTAXRe5lqFvlrB6Y76x0KDAzQo/s320/arrival.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2VEOaplRYSzrStLp_wl6Np2sUg1EdRKEvAQ4-v_UtaIDPdfXKmNEQZBAzS_FXJE1cTHDhQHfjxwwgHmWbMXSQecgons7jYTocfCiBSbVp90_k96w0URz4LddPqWG8PIYXRZCcmchj-w/s1600-h/arrivals.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331800093877288082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2VEOaplRYSzrStLp_wl6Np2sUg1EdRKEvAQ4-v_UtaIDPdfXKmNEQZBAzS_FXJE1cTHDhQHfjxwwgHmWbMXSQecgons7jYTocfCiBSbVp90_k96w0URz4LddPqWG8PIYXRZCcmchj-w/s320/arrivals.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Meeting at the station (Nodoka, Rino, and Nozomi)</span></em></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5etWCboRp1sgS280vUFZ33Nlgfh_mwNk8ET3RxJyejSa2zGqay48x_MEnO8YD2DA0zvVraDgyAXQW86v5GscnDEe_GifuEuGqS-3xVz1P6TeMPP40rAKmBlQV6CsJnQMBWTDJkn1KOs/s1600-h/happycouple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331800095513142898" style="WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5etWCboRp1sgS280vUFZ33Nlgfh_mwNk8ET3RxJyejSa2zGqay48x_MEnO8YD2DA0zvVraDgyAXQW86v5GscnDEe_GifuEuGqS-3xVz1P6TeMPP40rAKmBlQV6CsJnQMBWTDJkn1KOs/s320/happycouple.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkkwPXYLulDAsBTNC6mKX8qHmZg2iQvBmcnVqftb9IHsMhp6gCfEJ6jakL6emXhayCX-4XrjF_YOjdESlCXOiWBezj16bTSl13sT1j-w_m3nqkAV64OdvEKjlFacMySuChx9OtKThT1c/s1600-h/maifamily.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331800085992401074" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkkwPXYLulDAsBTNC6mKX8qHmZg2iQvBmcnVqftb9IHsMhp6gCfEJ6jakL6emXhayCX-4XrjF_YOjdESlCXOiWBezj16bTSl13sT1j-w_m3nqkAV64OdvEKjlFacMySuChx9OtKThT1c/s320/maifamily.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The beautiful cake made by Mana; me with Mai's gramma, mum & dad</span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5DEVDOviwdwxMThavcWWIGJWM-AenRFZ2oCivwhiFkKkk4gf_MlEtJ29FDOdTndPZGb6SxDvG7ElOB2FOin-7RkSoUly7NaMf-eLoq9Rl_myTy5O9bViTpBwsXEBcLo-ID3Q_qY_H6k/s1600-h/manamakiryohei.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331804453873302610" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5DEVDOviwdwxMThavcWWIGJWM-AenRFZ2oCivwhiFkKkk4gf_MlEtJ29FDOdTndPZGb6SxDvG7ElOB2FOin-7RkSoUly7NaMf-eLoq9Rl_myTy5O9bViTpBwsXEBcLo-ID3Q_qY_H6k/s320/manamakiryohei.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAetNa1H2ZeLpwyDfnZrWm_5mKiv7DV4XXTbLXJEuoYirN9e8p79_gTKzA89kJOm9XiCUU_9UbR7o3gj4HpMD29gORhXOAQjddqZI6RAfb2kqjvYD-lmqbaUh-mXlWepBTHlQZaTJFhI/s1600-h/cardiff1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331800082371906082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAetNa1H2ZeLpwyDfnZrWm_5mKiv7DV4XXTbLXJEuoYirN9e8p79_gTKzA89kJOm9XiCUU_9UbR7o3gj4HpMD29gORhXOAQjddqZI6RAfb2kqjvYD-lmqbaUh-mXlWepBTHlQZaTJFhI/s320/cardiff1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><em>Mana, Maki-chan & Ryohei Cardiff Street spirit - Kaori on the right... </em></span><br /><br /></div><p align="justify">So, finally the wedding day arrived and several of us congregated at exit A5 of Omote-sando subway station... graduates Nodoka, Nozomi, Rino, and Yousuke, along with Taka (now lives in NZ), Rahel (stayed at Cardiff when in NZ), Yvonne (Kiwi friend who attends same church in Palmy as J2 members)... and walked together to the venue (posh place)... and met up with Mana, Ryohei (with Maki-chan), Natsuko (with Mei-chan), Risa, Kaori, Yoshie, Mariko, Hirohito, Bobby, Yukiko, and I know I'm forgetting names because I'm in that stage of life.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISyqVXKD2GBqf66USENZJNKr0p9TRw2sMm0rKiA_t9vPfbFSL6a4kCMEZq8SX0yjYaKcG2pyESVYAh8uANpTwXGIA1uVVro_uQgFf78Gnv2Nq05-18fcaptnC9ordoA3nYik32whUsG0/s1600-h/takaryohei.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331797890583612818" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISyqVXKD2GBqf66USENZJNKr0p9TRw2sMm0rKiA_t9vPfbFSL6a4kCMEZq8SX0yjYaKcG2pyESVYAh8uANpTwXGIA1uVVro_uQgFf78Gnv2Nq05-18fcaptnC9ordoA3nYik32whUsG0/s320/takaryohei.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTtCXtr3HaJ6gj4mQQdzfMnCqR8E54m5MhsPse5JgYgDjX-BDTrFQLsRNMcw3VLD_kLpGy0yV0W_-gZdIaKVLUUBG6POKm0c70a_0CtBSh-zfZjj-4k1NAbebfEI4rRRbeIbnND4CCNM/s1600-h/cardiff2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331797891884196770" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTtCXtr3HaJ6gj4mQQdzfMnCqR8E54m5MhsPse5JgYgDjX-BDTrFQLsRNMcw3VLD_kLpGy0yV0W_-gZdIaKVLUUBG6POKm0c70a_0CtBSh-zfZjj-4k1NAbebfEI4rRRbeIbnND4CCNM/s320/cardiff2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Taka (left) surprised Daniel by flying in from NZ... (rt) Cardiff girls with Mei-chan.</span></em><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqasRjb0bp_vIF4SfWQKX-vUL7mvtY-s1HzQ7i46JjgyU8Pp9O7t3VAG_13e7YMpD-KzqJ_V3cklrlfR-MRRWeESey8KkjCckOKlAP9SCNFPGrklvjlG1ReP7O4pAsfIY9N9uHmOXly4E/s1600-h/marikorisa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331797894281271954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqasRjb0bp_vIF4SfWQKX-vUL7mvtY-s1HzQ7i46JjgyU8Pp9O7t3VAG_13e7YMpD-KzqJ_V3cklrlfR-MRRWeESey8KkjCckOKlAP9SCNFPGrklvjlG1ReP7O4pAsfIY9N9uHmOXly4E/s320/marikorisa.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh489DwW3czOyHKsOwoV40m7_8dsdo8h_MvBwKxkCPF2sFPQMrskzeSGUdYtpy8xYUIrbTEZ12D5l6wI6JJu7gicnCZlm2XDyvrOJMrSynDt9rFo4cGdD2lQuaKahr-wCtrhGn3Ina9lbk/s1600-h/menodo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331804459505639826" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh489DwW3czOyHKsOwoV40m7_8dsdo8h_MvBwKxkCPF2sFPQMrskzeSGUdYtpy8xYUIrbTEZ12D5l6wI6JJu7gicnCZlm2XDyvrOJMrSynDt9rFo4cGdD2lQuaKahr-wCtrhGn3Ina9lbk/s320/menodo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(left) Risa and Mariko (rt) ... with Nodoka</span></em></p><p align="left">After a tearful reading by one of Mai's elementary school friends of 1 Corinthians 13, Daniel's dad (Wayne Meyer, Japan Navigators) did the marriage service. I was beyond humbled to be asked to pray for the couple after the vows, along with a friend of Daniel's. The reception was a great time to talk with lots of folks. Mai's family buzzed about the room without ceasing and made sure everyone felt welcomed and loved. Pray for them - they are an amazing family. We concluded the day with an afterparty reunion in a private club a few blocks away. </p><div>After the party we migrated back to Shinjuku station to be on our way. What a vibrant place! Still thousands of folks rushing around at 10.30pm on a SUNDAY night. Electrifying! Of course, all the while the top news stories in Japan included the Pig Flu epidimic and the indescretion of a famous J-pop icon from the band SMAP (who was caught drunkenly in the streets naked).<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331796828265355154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkaRZkwjHYFwG22TDi8ak3J1g2X_RhaAxgiLdA8Xj8D-7R2ViFY-wBHe0WL7ye35RtWkIO-TOaWszOWh9CvogZrTveLT7UPY_gqzqaqxKaWQJnheDsd1ZkVni6UFpOaHGW1O0WiXdaGc/s320/shibuyacentral.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331796830102640626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD29WjsFgUgAlK7i_rAh-Nq_aIP1IIrGQrIyOxOIDm-WkIk4iRnmTeUPwPPaVpZctgZT0FmM8DEyEgFQnXCffvda6qR2M9DhNrakWc-81b-Mx5LlnbnQ-MwdV1wMTj-S-212EuNvhuDQ/s320/rinoenidno.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331796828059389506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJUZ-BrSoEo9caDvlkrAMfof_2YQiq_kfbTuokaAN82vhV0hCiKeNIpbmh4z9krgBcga1lS860Z3C8wFTU6-bZCY0GZFfZ2ZttANlzCxXNQFuEVjU3uv-dCikjF9RiqN6tbHSiUqzZqg/s320/shibuya.jpg" border="0" /> <div>I am still as passionate about these Japanese returnees as ever. <strong>Please pray</strong> <strong>for the returnees</strong> as they face the struggles that come with remaining strong in their faith and integrated into the Christian community there. It was a blessing especially to have some sharing time with Kaori, one of the Cardiff street alums. Her work is demanding and her time is so limited - she is weary. <strong>Pray that God will give Kaori</strong> a female co-worker to meet with to have devotion and prayer with. She teaches in a Christian school, but the work is still rediculously demanding and draining. And <strong>pray for Daniel and Mai</strong> as they begin their new life as one! <strong>Pray that Mai</strong> would find a warm group of women to study the Bible with and some girls to disciple, so she can continue shining in her gifts and calling, and be encouraged in the Spirit.<br /></div><div>In our final day, after a morning farewell call from Mai (at the airport heading to their honeymoon) - Nozomi, Enid and I met up with my dear friend Shelley (who I went to uni with & now lives in Tokyo) at Shinjuku station. After seeing Nozomi off to her Osaka train, we did a little shopping before heading to the airport. I thank God for His blessing to allow me this trip.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331796826030438818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44t7BXfusvKUOjgP3LVJj56Zfu3h5o4A7wwLlizv_MwJcJXVhCQsjezvsVzCeC-StaybekyUoSS4uNGk4GxEXlDQf3kwkGWdMEezVqGtSv5RIePkqUmiU93vbdDOm88J8d15fDNnKffs/s320/noenidme.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331796821901495026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbWUcVmUgLNe8zlS42gqbAMQBFpullk7JCuDgFbe0HAQaC4d9FFfOgrO0MrtiwXYgUBSIZpf95eHuQ8IMDmfBU9WTABtvIGh8-844Wa7roWHdGAW8I9EEA9f79mfCHhdyrQbnZGA7zw0/s320/fnalday.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>International Student Ministries of NZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17770032909993785929noreply@blogger.com1