Archive for the ‘News & Updates’ Category
Noah’s been lending his time and talents to helping build out the interior of a nearby outreach center. We mentioned this in another post. Here are some recent photos of progress.
It’s been a busy time with various visitors and house guests! We’ve had back-to-back visitors from March 21-April 23. We did have one week off between Matt and Beth, which was nice so we could catch up on tasks at home and work. It was great spending time with everyone, deepening existing relationships and creating new ones. We appreciated everyone’s efforts to see us!
Our month of visitors ended on a high note when we spent two days with a Colorado couple who we share mutual friends with back home. They have been traveling and working within NZ since August. It was refreshing to talk to another Colorado couple and we look forward to seeing them this summer when we visit the States.
YWAMers who stayed with us one night
USA friend, Matt
Sister, Beth
Auckland friends, Mel & Sean
New Friends, from Colorado, Micah & Megan
I’ve been occasionally writing for the NZ website loveyourneighbour.co.nz —an unpaid gig but I love what they’re doing. They want to report on what various churches are doing around NZ to be present in their communities. I get sent an interview, which I then transcribe and turn into an article. Here are links to what I’ve done so far. Might give you a little insight into things happening here.
(I really want to interview folks here in CHCH and write about what’s happening here in the south, but have only done so once. I’ve been slacking!)
Stars Party Draws Huge Crowds in West Auckland
One Heart, Many Hands (This was something I was involved with also here in CHCH)
Building Community, Building the Kingdom
Here in Christchurch we have a long winding river that slowly makes it way through the city and out to sea: The Avon River. There is a section of it that I (sometimes we) walk along for my workouts near our house. A month ago or so I recall seeing a colorful wooden cross floating in the water. I hadn’t seen it before and wondered how it got there/who had thrown it in, etc. After a few more walks I didn’t see it anymore. Today I saw this article and thought to pass it along! Cross’ Timing Positively Biblical
With the help of an imported American machine, crews have begun work on tearing down the Crown Plaza Hotel, one of the taller buildings in the Christchurch skyline… Read More.
See the video.
MEANWHILE, an awesome initiative called “Gap Filler” is filling in empty lots with creative spaces like gardens, cafes, dance-o-mats, etc!
A recent study in New Zealand found that:
—1 in 3 males have been sexually abused.
—Up to 70 per cent of men in prison for non-sexual offences had experienced sexual abuse in childhood.
—Men who had suffered abuse tended towards violence and anti-social behavior.
—62 per cent of men in psychiatric care had been sexually abused in childhood.
If there’s one thing that defines Christchurch it would be the Cathedral. It is the city’s namesake after all and this past weekend is the last time most of this city’s residents will ever lay eyes on it.
The cathedral suffered extensive and possibly irreparable damages during the 22 February quake last year. Since then it’s remained slumped over in the desolate city centre, a sad reminder of just how powerful and rare this event really was. Each new aftershock has only added insult to injury, with the Christmas aftershocks sealing this once proud icon’s eventual fate.
It was just a few weeks ago that Bishop Victoria Matthews uttered those controversial words, thus making it public: the heart of the city would beat no more. (Watch it here)
So this past Saturday, Kate and I went to say our farewells along with thousands of others from around the city and around the world. It was a somber and ethereal moment standing there with so many others, looking at the icon of the city in such a sad state and realizing that we might never see it again. Ever.
As I looked around the perimeter of “the square” at what used to be the vibrant cultural center of Christchurch and realize that it’s slowly becoming unrecognizable, I started to wonder… What will this city become? What will it be known for? Will the hub of the city ever hold spiritual significance again, or are we entering an age where secularism is the core of our society? Will this place ever be the same again?
No formal plan has been announced about what will become of the plot of earth now occupied by the stones of the Cathedral, only vague rumors here and there. Some claim it will be rebuilt from the ground up in similar or identical fashion… others anticipate some modern monstrosity to go up in it’s place… and still others are convinced that the people of Christchurch can somehow stop the pending demolition. Whatever happens, this moment signals a much larger shift in this city than I think anyone can imagine. Essentially, whatever replaces the Cathedral in the middle of the city will embody the new sentiments and values of today’s Christchurch. And whatever we put there today will remain there for many, many years into the future and will forever mark the 22 of February, 2011 as the day that turned this city on it’s head.
If it were up to you, what would you put in the center of Christchurch?
When we moved here we were introduced to Mel Hillier, an amazing woman who lives and serves in a low-income area of Christchurch. Mel found the Lord a few years ago and did a 180-life change. Now she runs a handful of ministries that she created herself that reach out to the community and at-risk youth. (What’s even more amazing is that she is a single mom of two and doesn’t work. God continues to provide for them.) She has a huge heart, heaps of stamina and endless ideas. She recently won a volunteer award from the mayor of Christchurch. Over the last two years we have connected with her on several occasions for various outreach opportunities. (Silt cleanup, house cleanups, medicine donations, having her speak to the young adults group we help out, etc.)
The latest project is that she is working to get an outreach center ready for use. (She calls it “The Palace” because her main ministry, “School of Hope” aka “The Princess Club” will be held there. It’s all about empowering young girls to know their self worth, learn about the Lord, be treated like princesses, learn new skills, etc.) Mel was given the space near her house so she could run her ministries out of it instead of her home! She was doing everything out of her house. It’s so great she now has more private space for her family at home and a separate space for outreach. Currently the space needs HEAPS of work and reconstruction to get it ready for use.
Recently Noah was asked if he wants to be a part of a new ministry there, teaching young guys about graphic design! He and our friend Michael are going to head up a computer class as soon as the place is up and running. For now they have volunteered to help reconstruct the facilities along with others to get it ready. It is exciting for Noah to think about getting into the lives of local youth and imparting to them something he is passionate about. And at the moment he is enjoying using his construction and building skills and working alongside others to help fix up The Palace. In the near future I might start volunteering with School of Hope. Here are some photos so far…
Shelves Noah built!
Noah came across this great post about the stresses that most missionaries face. We can definitely relate to this. Thought to pass it along for anyone interested, or if you are missionaries yourselves… might be helpful!
Prayers for March
—Kate’s health. She’s been battling with a sinus infection for 6 weeks and has trouble breathing
—Baby’s continued health and development
—Wisdom with a few ministry ideas/directions
—New open doors, networking, people of peace
