Time for another update! Time has been flying by, with a little over a week left in New Zealand! It has been such a great time for everyone, with their fair share of struggles and hurts, pushing through, but we have seen God moving in this city!
Our time has mainly been spent working with various churches around the city, either helping them with local outreach into the community, or with speaking at churches, youth groups, Sunday school, young adults and whatever else in between!
The outreach has been tough, people here have generally been pretty closed off to anything to do with God and Church, there have been some really interesting times among this where we have been able to just talk to people, and show them who we are, and what we are here for and seen their walls come tumbling down. The most interesting for me was a Jehova's Witness whose door I knocked on! Quite ironic, but after and hour and a bit later, we left shaking hands and genuinely thankful for the discussion we had. It was great to talk to him about matters of faith, conviction, purpose and mission. He raised some great points, and so did I, and he had to rethink a lot of where he stood. I left encouraged that there are people out there who read the bible and take it for what it is worth!
We have met a lot of incredible people, Kiwi's are truly spectacular, hospitable, and missions minded people. It seems like everywhere we go we are invited out to dinner, lunch and whatever else is going on. We are immediately included as part o0f the gang or family. We have been able to encourage so many people that a life of living out your faith is possible, and even hugely fun and adventurous! There are quite a number of people encouraged to look for opportunities to serve overseas now, and to not let themselves become boxed in by what life in NZ has to look like, work, family, home, rugby etc.
There is a hope for this city, as the title states. God is raising up many men and women of faith, of conviction and a passion to help those in need. Its been so encouraging to us to see them fight for their faith, and to really work it out with fear and trembling. Pray for them as they continue here long after we are gone.
We leave here next Thursday, and will be very sad, but excited knowing that Fiji is going to be heaps warmer!
If you are wondering what to pray for then here is a handy list;
That people would be receptive to us.
God would move in power when we minister
We could encourage the believers and inspire them to greater levels of discipleship.
For refreshment, as we are getting tired.
Team unity
Thank you all for your prayers and support! It has been huge and we would not have been able to do what we have done without them!
Peace to you!
Daniel