Team of the Year 2010

Tomorrow sees the start of Orientation week at Victoria University, Wellington.  It’s the start of the year and another new chapter of ministry amongst students here in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

The new year brings a new team to work together here in Wellington.  So, let me introduce them & ask you to pray for us as we lead the students in reaching other students for Christ at Victoria University & Massey University.

So, starting in the bottom left, is Gina Wong.  Gina is a Staff Worker and much of the day to day involvement with the students is spear-headed by her – I’m thankful for her faithfulness daily to the students.  Please pray as she trains the leaders in Bible-study methods and leadership, particularly in the coming weeks.

On Gina’s right is Peta-Maria Harris, more commonly known as PM.  PM has just finished her studies in teaching, and we are delighted she has joined the team as part of the MINTY programme.  She will be spending her time specifically with the International Christian Fellowship, but also as part of the ‘Rongopai’ initiative, which is a missional community living together right next to campus seeking to reach out to those on their doorstep.  I will be particularly trying to encourage her to think through how she can develop her evangelistic gifts, as well as engaging with her Maori heritage.  We are excited about the opportunities the two together can bring.

To my left, is Phil Luey.  Phil has decided to spend a second year doing MINTY.  I’m thankful to God for Phil, and particularly for the growth in him over the past year.  Phil will be working this year with the Christian Union and I’m keen to see him continue the good work he has been doing with the lads in the group.

Which just leaves me…

My work in Wellington is just one part of the work.  For 2 days a week, my work is specifically focussed on Wellington, whilst the remaining 3 working days are given to the wider evangelistic work around the country.  I’d value your prayers as I lead the team, am involved in supervising Gina & Phil, and encouraging PM, as well as some more intentional time of discipling two guys, Peng and Josh over the coming year.  I’m also trying to help the students and groups in Wellington to make the most of the opportunities for the gospel that are there on campus.  We’re giving this some serious thought, particularly in regards to how we help them break out of the “Christian bubble”, but more on that another time.

So, we’d value your prayers.  Of course, the team is just one part of the work – really, the students are the ones involved in the day to day, nitty gritty work of living out and sharing the gospel with those around them.  So, do please pray for us all!

Ben’s 10 of Summer 2010

So, the summer holidays are over for me.  The work has started in earnest, but not before one last chance to reflect on what has been a busy, but good summer – not always restful, but pretty much always enjoyable.  We’ve had some good friends over, good time with family & good days spent with friends here.  In no particular order, here are my summer ten highlights.

News of James & Jen’s engagement.  James is a colleague of mine as part of the Wellington TSCF team, but is currently studying at Regent College, Vancouver.  He plans to come back in the middle of our winter, but is also bringing with him his fiancee Jen.  They got engaged over the hols & we’re thrilled for them, and look forward to the contribution they will make to TSCF & the gospel here in NZ when they return.

The first of our friends to visit was Yvette.  Originally from Australia, she’s renounced that & become a Pom.   Good on ya, Yvette.  We only had a weekend with her, but were thrilled to show her the delights of the Wellington region.  The Pohutakawa trees were out in force, and we had a good, but brief weekend.

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Christmas Eve was a great time for us, where we were able to enjoy our first “hot” Christmas.  It wasn’t a scorcher, but enough for us to head to Scorching Bay, Wellington to enjoy a quick dip & some time on the beach.  Here’s a snap of the wee fella, enjoying the sun from the delights of his “deckchair”.

 

TSCF’s Annual Staff & Families’ Conference was a great time of celebrating & enjoying family, friendship and fellowship.  Although the weather wasn’t the greatest, we still enjoyed time together near Nelson, in the North of the South Island.  Although we’re scattered around the country, it’s great to work together for God with these folks.We were thankful to Elliot for taking some cracking photos of Sam.  Since we think people are more interested in pics of him than us (discerning folks that you are), here are one or two of the photos.

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It was great to have one of Jen’s University friends, Carrie with us for a few days before the Staff & Families’ conference.  She was very patient with us, as we combined packing & getting ready for family visiting, along with showing her the sights and making sure she had a good time.  Our day together in the Wairarapa was fantastic & made up for the awful weather Carrie endured when we left her in Nelson.

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Bible reading is something that has been encouraged in my life from an early age.  For that, I am very grateful.  It’s not always been easy.  This year, I am attempting to read the Bible through in the year – we’ll see if it works.  However, the real joy has come from reading the Bible itself, not the system or scheme I’m using.  I have loved how fresh, relevant and applicable the Bible has been in my daily readings.  They have been such a joy.

 

It seems a long time ago now, but our time in Australia at the AFES National Training Event brought some good times.  It was great hearing John Dickson speak & his faithfulness to the gospel, along with historical detail and interesting clarity.  But, it was a real joy to renew acquaintance with two friends who lead the student work in Papua New Guinea, Tom Lepatu & Yando Nimbo (see below).  They were great fun to be around and an encouragement to be faithful in our work for God.

We were concerned how our first Southern Hemisphere Christmas would be.  Though we missed family & friends, it was good to spend Christmas day with ‘family & friends’, the Pollocks.  We had a great BBQ & a memorable first Christmas together.  We’re grateful for the friendship and welcome.  

 

Talking of hard, we know how hard it is to get to NZ & the sacrifices made by those who travel to get here.  We appreciate every one.  However, it was particularly good to have mum, Jonathan & Uncle John over from the UK for just under 2 weeks, courtesy of an amazing Singapore Airlines deal.  We had some great times, great journeys, great meals & great fun.  For those who are on Facebook, the pictures are over there to be enjoyed.  I particularly enjoyed receiving an email from mum saying “I think I’ve fallen in love with New Zealand.”   It makes me proud to live here & be a Yorkshire Kiwi.

 

On those travels with the family, we went to Lake Tekapo for the first time.  Wow!  It has now become one of my favourite places in NZ & the reminder inside the Church of the Good Shepherd is that with all its natural, God-given beauty, we still long that people would see the cross first and come to know the Christ of the cross.  Which brings me back to my work…which is all about preaching Christ and Him crucified to all those we meet here in beautiful NZ.  It’s been great having time off, but great to be back and back to the work God has called us here to do.

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