Storytelling through pictures

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

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

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

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

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

Hola Chica! Girl power at Camp Chica

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

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

GETTING CONNECTED!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ready for Springtime!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's Definitely Catching

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(right) Mayumi (also a Cardiff Chateau girl)

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

CONTAGIOUS LIVE on stage for the VERY FIRST TIME!

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

God's Favour and a Quite a Thrill

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claudia & Guillermo del Toro (dir. The Hobbit)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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