It's hard to imagine I still have any blog readers, after another protracted absence for a little while. However, in the vain hope that someone, somewhere is still reading, and in the recognition that
blogging is a healthy discipline for me to maintain, here's a few thoughts/reflections on recent happenings.
The past few months have been some of the busiest since we arrived in NZ. In 2007, when we first started seriously thinking about moving to NZ and what God may have in store for us, the Rugby World Cup in 2011 seemed a long way away. The distant has become present and the dreams a reality.
I'm often asked by friends overseas "What big events does TSCF have for the Rugby World Cup?". The reality is TSCF doesn't really do "big" events in the way the questioners are used to. It's not that we're against them, but more that by and large, the situation here doesn't require or suit them. There are some "big" events that happen in the NZ Christian scene, but mostly things are done at the grass-roots level in smaller communities and numbers. NZ is a country where relationships are important, and things don't have to be big to be good. We've embraced that in our outreach and our mission strategy. Indeed, some of the most exciting things in TSCF have been the smaller things that others would see as "off the radar".
Still, having the Rugby World Cup in our backyard brings opportunities for the gospel that simply cannot be missed. TSCF has ensured that we use it to see more students reached with the Good News of Jesus. Our energies have been channelled in 3 main directions:
1 - GODZONE
The initiative we have been working towards for some months has finally come to fruition. TSCF has produced a rugby-themed edition of Luke's Gospel, interspersed with 10 international rugby players' testimonies. It is this that has taken most of my time for the last couple of months, and my biggest reason for not blogging in that time! Suffice to say, it merits it's own blogpost, so, watch this space in the next few days for a specific post on Godzone.
2 - RWC EVENTS IN EVERY GROUP
As part of our commitment to evangelism and connecting with the culture, we have encouraged and challenged every TSCF group to try at least one initiative related to the Rugby World Cup. Some have been bigger events and some, much smaller, with just a few friends gathered together. But, we are encouraged by the willingness of our students to connect with the events around them & to see them as gospel opportunities.
It's been great to hear of some of the "Kiwi" groups partnering with the International groups to help explain rugby to overseas visitors. Similarly, it's been brilliant to see students whose interest in rugby is only passing, seize the opportunity and expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.
3 - AN EVENING WITH DEACON MANU
In God's timing, He has brought us into contact with Deacon Manu, the current Fiji Captain. Deacon was born & raised in NZ. His father is Maori and his mother Fijian. Having played in the Super Rugby competition in NZ, he moved to South Wales and has been playing for the Llanelli Scarlets in the Magners League & Heineken Cup. It is whilst in Wales, through the witness of elderly neighbours, that he has grown in relationship with Jesus.
Deacon has said that he sees part of the reason that he is in the RWC squad is so God can use him to be a witness during the tournament. Out of that conviction, he has given of himself on a number of occasions to join us at events in NZ and Fiji and speak of his life in rugby and life in Jesus.
The night before the pre-tournament match against the All Blacks, he shared in Dunedin of how he came to know Jesus. A day before leaving Fiji for NZ and the RWC, Deacon was the cause of a commotion similar to when the Beatles arrived in the USA, as he attended the Pacific Students for Christ (PSFC, the IFES movement in Fiji) annual conference. Again, he spoke humbly and faithfully of his love for Jesus. This past week, just 2 nights before playing the current World Champions, South Africa, Deacon joined a similar event in Wellington, where he also memorably provided a tuition of how to wheel a scrum (complete with real life front-row of a scrum formed by 6 student volunteers!). Later this week, we trust he will be speaking at another event in Auckland.
These events have been significant opportunities for students to hear of someone who loves Jesus more than rugby, and to connect with how to use sport as your mission. Deacon is a great example of both of these and we have been thankful to God for his willingness and enthusiasm to partner with us.
While all this has been going on, Jen has done a stellar job looking after the boys and the home. Sam is increasingly becoming more chatty and more mischievous. He knows when he sees a silver fern that it is the All Blacks and tells us it is "rugby". He's also knows that he 'plays' football on a Saturday & the key thing is to "kick kick". We're anticipating after the weekend's performances that his Ireland shirt will be worn much more than any England clothing he has!
Meanwhile, Josh is a much more placid child. He rarely grumbles and just likes to sit back and watch what is happening. Thankfully, he seems to enjoy the presence of his older brother, even when that involves cuddling (read smothering), kissing (read slobbering) and playing (read bouncing balls against your younger brother). We're loving having two very different children and the fun/challenges they bring.
We had a lovely time with Jen's parents a few weeks back when they came to visit us. It was brilliant to see Sam run down the airbridge at Wellington airport shouting "Nana, Nana, Papa, Papa" on their arrival into NZ. We're thankful for these times we have with family, and are aware of the sacrifices that are made for God's Kingdom by those who are "left behind".
The busyness of my work should return to 'normal' in the coming days & I hope to be able to blog a little more about some of the ministry, as well as the rugby taking place in NZ in the coming weeks. Watch this space, but don't hold your breath!
