A Prayerful, Priveleged Partipant

YEAH! Minami is back in New Zealand!

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.

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.

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.
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.

What's so odd about ODD FELLOWS?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Crazy Games!!!

It's all fun and games, until somebody loses and eye
which wouldn't matter cuz we were all blindfolded...

GRACE CITY CHURCH... 2011

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!

Christian has quite a burden on his back

SPEAKING OF CONTAGIOUS!
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.

Josh, Vinnie and Alex... peace that passes understanding.

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!

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.

Wow... Zarette & Kenny have that peace too!

Looks like these three are not sure which way they're heading :-)

Ah... Emi, Kate & Jingxiu... peace & love

Kia Kaha - Forever Strong

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):

"Kia Kaha Christchurch"... be strong Christchurch!

"Rise up CHCH!"

There were thousands in attendance in Hagley Park in Christchurch. Even Prince William was there on behalf of the House of Windsor.

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.

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.

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.

PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR JAPAN!

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.

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:
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.

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.

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:

"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..."

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.

These are the scenes in Tokyo and Yokohama from earlier this week.

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.

"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"

Returning to a Shaken but Strong New Zealand

Where were you when...?
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.

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!

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.

Liquefaction!

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.

The wikipedia definition says: 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.

As you see in the above aerial view, 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.

Really Really Saddened...

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.

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...

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.

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.
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.

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!

To read more of this beautiful story, go to:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4720131/Earthquake-survivor-only-wants-to-see-her-rescuers#share

It's Good to be Home!

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.

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.

Massey Albany campus 2 minutes of silence gathering

Palmerston North @ All Saints on The Square

In Christchurch

In Wellington

People everywhere, in supermarkets, in banks, along the path... just stopped. It was like a sci-fi movie rally. But it was precious.

Some personal stories...

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.

Our wonderful ISMNZ pastoral staff care leader, David and his wife Simone are swimming in liquefaction. The pictures below say it all:


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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Enjoy the simple things in life - like running water! Thanks all - as Gary England says, we'll try to keep you informed.

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.
I Kings 19:11-12

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.

Farwell to a busy 2010 - Welcome 2011!

“Happy New Year!”

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…)

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.

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.
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.

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.

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.”

To experience a little of what God did at Equippers 2010, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElY5aYuicDE It's AWESOME!
DECEMBER DAYS IN NEW ZEALAND...

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.

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).

The 2010 Pathways Graduates!

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.

Koyo (with principal Craig), Allen, Masa and Aina!

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.



ANOTHER DEAR 'SON' GRADUATES FROM MASSEY! YEAH MASA!

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.

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!

Masa and both his MOMS! :D

TURNING ?? YEARS-OLD GOES ON FOR !! MONTHS

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!

One of my special birthday dates! Yvette & Andrew spoiled me!

A LONG OVERDUE "RETURNEE" VISIT TO WESTERN SAMOA

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

Well, that should catch us up a bit. Thanks for reading all the way to this point :D!