We want to thank you for all your prayers and support during this transition. We know it has taken some time, and even though we don't always like waiting for Him, we really feel that God is in this and His timing is perfect.
Monday, March 15, 2010
What's the news on New Zealand???
Last night we received an email with an official invitation to join the ministry in Christchurch, NZ at Canterbury University. We are very excited and feel a sense of peace that God is finally moving us in the right direction. So what does this mean? It means that we move on to the next step. The next step is an interview process with the heads of the international department at The Navigators and also counseling. The purpose of this is to make sure that we are ready to go overseas.
We want to thank you for all your prayers and support during this transition. We know it has taken some time, and even though we don't always like waiting for Him, we really feel that God is in this and His timing is perfect.
We want to thank you for all your prayers and support during this transition. We know it has taken some time, and even though we don't always like waiting for Him, we really feel that God is in this and His timing is perfect.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
How Was The Trip?
“So, how was the trip to New Zealand?” You ask…
The flight into Christchurch International Airport was damp and a bit surreal. Especially after a 15 hour flight from LAX and a 4 hour layover in Sydney. I had been anticipating a spectacular view from the airplane coming into Christchurch, but was instead met by a thick blanket of clouds and a soup like drizzle. This was disappointing because I had of course only heard of the amazing beauty of the countryside and had scenes from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy dancing around in my head. Plus, I was already apprehensive about having left Erin and the boys such a great distance behind. Now I was beginning to wonder if the dark, damp clouds were going to be a sign of things to come. After clearing customs I began feeling a little self-conscious about meeting my NZ hosts, because I realized that they had no idea what I looked like and I had no idea what they looked like. The only previous contact that I had were a handful of emails and a single phone conversation. I was wondering how this was going to work and if they would even show up at all. All of my doubts began to dissipate when they did pick me out of the bustling crowd and calmly approached me with a warm smile and a reassuring inquiry, “Bryan!?” “Yes.” I replied feeling reassured and quite relieved. “You must be Lynton. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” I said while shaking his hand. “Yes, and this is my wife Philippa.” He explained. “It is great to meet you both.” I said.
It really is amazing how an influential person or people can change your attitude about things. I experienced this during my trip. I was anticipating being more excited by the beauty of NZ than the people making a difference for God in their city. I was blessed by the interactions that I had with Lynton and his wife and then the student leaders involved in the UCNAVS ministry. I was also introduced to many couples and young families that were making a difference in their community by living and discipling among the lost. This is a very uncommon thing to find among believers in the country. In NZ most people consider the idea of Christianity to be negative. There is a bit of an identity crisis going on in Christchurch. The Church of England established Christchurch in the mid 1800’s through the help of John Robert Godley who had attended Christ Chruch, Oxford. Today most New Zealander’s do not identify with any type of religion. For many that do believe they choose to practice their faith behind closed doors and gravitate to associating with only their Christian friends. There is also a strong “Home Church” movement among the dwindling Christian community in NZ.
If we are invited to join the ministry team in Christchurch we will be working primarily with the Canterbury University students and student leaders. A large part of our roll will be to disciple young men and women. Also, as we live in Christchurch we will be immersed in a secular culture and be called to live as insiders for Christ amongst our neighbors.
Please pray that a decision will be made soon, so that we may begin to officially prepare for this exciting transition.
The flight into Christchurch International Airport was damp and a bit surreal. Especially after a 15 hour flight from LAX and a 4 hour layover in Sydney. I had been anticipating a spectacular view from the airplane coming into Christchurch, but was instead met by a thick blanket of clouds and a soup like drizzle. This was disappointing because I had of course only heard of the amazing beauty of the countryside and had scenes from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy dancing around in my head. Plus, I was already apprehensive about having left Erin and the boys such a great distance behind. Now I was beginning to wonder if the dark, damp clouds were going to be a sign of things to come. After clearing customs I began feeling a little self-conscious about meeting my NZ hosts, because I realized that they had no idea what I looked like and I had no idea what they looked like. The only previous contact that I had were a handful of emails and a single phone conversation. I was wondering how this was going to work and if they would even show up at all. All of my doubts began to dissipate when they did pick me out of the bustling crowd and calmly approached me with a warm smile and a reassuring inquiry, “Bryan!?” “Yes.” I replied feeling reassured and quite relieved. “You must be Lynton. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” I said while shaking his hand. “Yes, and this is my wife Philippa.” He explained. “It is great to meet you both.” I said.
It really is amazing how an influential person or people can change your attitude about things. I experienced this during my trip. I was anticipating being more excited by the beauty of NZ than the people making a difference for God in their city. I was blessed by the interactions that I had with Lynton and his wife and then the student leaders involved in the UCNAVS ministry. I was also introduced to many couples and young families that were making a difference in their community by living and discipling among the lost. This is a very uncommon thing to find among believers in the country. In NZ most people consider the idea of Christianity to be negative. There is a bit of an identity crisis going on in Christchurch. The Church of England established Christchurch in the mid 1800’s through the help of John Robert Godley who had attended Christ Chruch, Oxford. Today most New Zealander’s do not identify with any type of religion. For many that do believe they choose to practice their faith behind closed doors and gravitate to associating with only their Christian friends. There is also a strong “Home Church” movement among the dwindling Christian community in NZ.
If we are invited to join the ministry team in Christchurch we will be working primarily with the Canterbury University students and student leaders. A large part of our roll will be to disciple young men and women. Also, as we live in Christchurch we will be immersed in a secular culture and be called to live as insiders for Christ amongst our neighbors.
Please pray that a decision will be made soon, so that we may begin to officially prepare for this exciting transition.
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