What more seasons… I thought we were past this ?

Funny how we think that because we are ready  It is the right time for something eh?

Sorry for the silence during December and most of January.  December as you can imagine was just busy , but there is reason and method in madness in delaying our news update until late January.  In brief, just a few days ago, we made the decision to postpone the inaugural semester of CCBI until September 2010, as a result of lack of students. It was waiting for this decision to be made by the board of CCBI, that has delayed our update.

As you can imagine, it is an interesting time, after 9 years getting here and 6 months on the ground , pretty much everything is in place, we have a full schedule of classes all live, all taught by Calvary pastors, we have accommodation, we even having hot springs  and horse riding, for goodness sake  !!!… But just two students, both precious and both Kiwi. It is a bit like the old adage , “Here’s the church, Here’s the steeple , look inside , there’s no people ” SMILE!

Many of the personal lessons for me during our time here in New Zealand, have been about the character of God, not so much trusting what God can do, but trusting who God is, in His character. Recently in the midst of these decisions, the disappointment and to some extent the discouragement  that comes with these decisions, it is the words of Hebrews 11:6 that have been resonating in my heart and mind.  Faith is required to please God, in fact  it is impossible  in the absence of the expression of faith to please God, it is the words that follow that have been the subject of my thoughts.

For He that comes to God must believe He is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him” Hebrews 11:6

HE is What ? – this is not something about God’s ability to redeem or deliver , but His Character , who HE IS!
To some extent I can believe that, but my struggle is that God wants to be who He is for ME and isn’t that exactly what the next part of the verse requires me to believe? That God wants to be this One, to me in all aspects of His character , His heart is towards ME .

Well… there should  be some  news in this news update!

Family News

Christmas in summer is different, Christmas day was at the beach in the sun strolling on the sand , watching people get our of the sea because of the passing shark, you  know the usual Christmas stuff .
Really quite difficult to adjust to especially light  of  the whole of Europe being held in the icy grip of winter.  There were many many  things and folks we missed, especially family and friends.

We have now have a regular field trip , this has been to the ER or casualty at the local hospital, Jordan has visited several times, Becky broke her arm few weeks ago, before Christmas , I attended last week with a suspected broken wrist  only a day after Gwyn’s trip for a minor surgery. We appear to be their most devoted fans, with at least one of us attending in each of the 7 months we have been in New Zealand. we are hoping for at least a set of towels or even steak knives!!! We are all recovering well, Becky no longer has a cast on her arm, I am healing up and Gwyn too after surgery is well.

The kids recently served at the Kids camp here at Lakes ranch and had the privilege of seeing 13 kids come to Christ , what a fantastic blessing!!!

Becky and Jordan will both start a new school at the beginning  of February, at Rotorua Lakes High School. Becky in year 9 and Jordan will attend his first school in New Zealand starting in year 12, with the aim of ultimately going on to study Medicine. Please pray for them as they enter yet another transition and both have to wear a uniform!!!!! – Pictures to follow, Becky will be required to study 2 languages, she has chosen Japanese as one of these, – one more step on the road to becoming a renowned  Ninja !!!!

Ministry News

For a man without  a job I have been quite busy,  I have just finished a series of messages down at CC wellington, covering a few of their Sunday services , whilst they await the arrival of their new pastor from the USA, finishing a season of travelling and speaking which has kept me away for  Rotorua  for about 8 Sundays.

Gwyn and I have been leading worship at CC Hamilton on a monthly basis and having great joy in the service, this  continues to be a blessing and we are seeing relationships deepen.

Over the next few weeks, we will resume leading worship on Wednesday night for the fellowship here in Rotorua  and  Gwyn will again get back in to the ladies studies here in Rotorua.

The Foundations leadership class here in Rotorua will meet again in early February  and we would value your prayers for the deepening of  the ministry of the  word of God in the lives of the men involved in this study.

As a result of postponing our first semester until September 2010, I feel the need to use the  freedom to travel and support the Calvary works , sowing into lives  as the Lord provides opportunity, I will be looking at developing a distance learning option for bible study for New Zealanders and also for use in the Pacific  Islands.

Please pray for wisdom as to how to use this time best for the Kingdom of God, to make wise choices and also for the Lord provision of the necessary resources for the demands of additional travel.

We  appreciate and covert your prayers, thank you for joining with us  in this  ministry, we truly desire that God  would be glorified in all these things.

In Him

M &  G

Hi everyone.
Here are some  points for praise and prayer relating to the ministry here and  to our own family.

Family

Prayer

• For Jordan and Becky as they start in year 12 and years 9 here at Rotorua Lakes High School, that they may settle in and blossom in yet another transition, especially for Jordan as he enters the New Zealand school system for the first time, something he is looking forward to with great excitement and anticipation.
• For the Lord to continue to ground us here in New Zealand as we look forward into the new year to what He may have for us
• A friend Kelsey will be joining us here for 6 weeks, please pray that she would be blessed and encouraged by her time here in New Zealand.
• For health and safety -  and no more field trips to the ER

Praise

• For Gwyn’s successful surgery
• For the continuing healing of Becky’s arm and Mark’s wrist
• For God continuing provision for us here in New Zealand
• For the blessing of serving here at CC Rotorua and in worship and with  ladies studies at CC Hamilton.
• For Jordan’s and Becky’s place at Rotorua Lakes High school

Ministry

Prayer

• In light of the postponing of the inaugural semester of CCBI until September, please pray for God’s wisdom,  that He might unfold the work here in New Zealand as He chooses in His time.
• Please pray for encouragement, there  is obviously a degree of disappointment and discouragement in having to postpone the opening semester. 1 cor  15:58
• As we take the next  9 months to prepare the foundation and establish the school, I will need to travel more both within New Zealand  and outside New Zealand, Please pray for Gods wisdom in this season and His financial provision to meet the additional expenses of travelling.
• For Jake and Tecla as they prepare to submit their paperwork for a visa to serve here with the school.
• That the Lord would bring students from within  New Zealand and from wherever He chooses. There is great deal of interest here, but many are reticent to commit to coming to  a new school.
• For wisdom in direction, as we consider developing a distance learning option for those in New Zealand and the Pacific  Islands.
• Pray for continuing development of the leadership studies here in CC Rotorua.
• Pray for the worship team at CC Hamilton and CC Rotorua that we are working with, that we may be able to encourage and equip them to serve the Lord and the body in a way that pleases the Lord.
• There are numerous opportunities presenting themselves to teach throughout New Zealand, Please pray for wisdom to know how to use my time in the best way for the Kingdom.
• As we continue to look into facilitating the distribution of Christian books and materials here in New Zealand, please pray for wisdom to know how to proceed.

Praise

• The salvation of 13 kids who gave their hearts to the Lord at the most recent kids camp here at Lakes Ranch. Becky and Jordan were able to serve at the camp and were blessed by the time of ministry. Please pray for the establishing of these young lives in Christ.
• For God’s guidance  and provsion in relation to CCBI, we have recently been given computers and numerous resources to help establish the school.