Men, Maraes & Mad Cars

In the last month, loads has happened in terms of family, transisitions into Kiwi life, but particularly in ministry. I've blogged about family & some of the transitions, but have been decidedly quiet in reporting about the ministry. So....here goes!

It seems a long time ago now, but back in mid-April, the Victoria University CU went away for the weekend and joined with the ICF on the Sunday at a Marae. Rather than going into endless details about the Marae, let me give a shameless plug for Jen's blog, where she gave details of what a Marae is & some of the Maori cultural experiences we enjoyed.

With the CU, we looked at outreach & how we can best share the Gospel message with our friends. It was a good weekend and was a good opportunity to get to know students better. It was also great to hear from missionaries serving in Thailand with friends out there and to be challenged that our message is a global one & not just a Western one.

The happy campers

On the Sunday, we joined with ICF at the Marae. One of my responsibilities as Outreach Coordinator is to consider how we can share the Gospel in a multi-cultural society. The Maori heritage of New Zealand provides some unique opportunities to share the Gospel with international students in ways that reflect upon the history of these islands, but share the Biblical story as well. We would love to increase these cultural cross-overs and see the Gospel explained with cultural relevance to Kiwis and visitors alike.

The Marae Massif - CU & ICF students

Then, this weekend I spent with some of the lads from the Christian Fellowship at Massey Uni, Palmerston North. I felt drained and in terms of giving out felt I was drawing on an empty tank, but God in His goodness used the time we spent with the lads. At the end of the weekend, as we reflected together on all that God had been speaking to us about, it seemed that the challenge to get into God's Word more was one of the stand-out lessons. Together, we learned Psalm 119:9 and as I taught the lads, I realised again for myself that I need to get into God's Word too.

We had great times together - some of the things we did were hilarious and very different experiences from student ministry in the UK. Along with the more sedate clay-pigeon shooting & waka racing (canoes), we also had a mad-car race and played flame-football. The mad car was a small Suzuki, which we raced around a short circuit. It sounds simple, but the steering wheel had been adjusted, so when you turned it left, the car went right & vice versa. After my first go on it, I felt traumatised. In some ways, it reminded me of cross-cultural ministry, where you do something expecting one result & get the complete opposite! The flame football game was played at night - basically, a whole load of rags held together in a wire frame & soaked with meths and set alight. I decided my age had got the better of me & just watched from the side.

Thank you for your prayers for the ministry amongst students here. There is never a dull day! I love being involved in the lives of students & seeing God at work amongst them. Please pray that God would raise up men & women to be all out for Him. I have recently got hold of a book I first read as a teenager, which influenced me significantly back then & now resonates with all that we're experiencing. It's 'Sacrifice' and was written by the chap whose trip to NZ led to TSCF being formed. I'm re-reading it & being freshly challenged by it. At the end of the book, Guinness writes:

"Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap, and be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ's sake - flinging them away for love of Him? Where are those who will live dangerously and be reckless in His service? Where his lovers - those who love Him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort, or very life?

Where are the men who say "no" to self; who take up Christ's cross to bear it after Him; who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or missionfield; who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and to die on it?

Where are the men of vision today? Where are the men of enduring vision? Where are the men who have seen the King in His beauty, by whom from henceforth all else is counted but refuse that they may win Christ? Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the pioneers for God who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire? Where are the men of glory in God-sent loneliness, difficulties, persecutions, misunderstandings, disciplines, sacrifice, death?

Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?

Where are the men of prayer? Where are the men who, like the psalmist of old, count God's Word of more importance to them than their daily food? Where are the men who, like Moses, commune with God face to face as a man speaks with his friend, and unmistakeably bear with them the fragrance of the meeting through the day?

Where are God's men in this day of God's power?"
(Howard Guinness, Sacrifice, p71-72)

With God's help, we long that He would raise up men and women to be His people in this day of God's power.

The Power of Music, Creation & the Gospel.

Yesterday, I was flying from Christchurch (on South Island) to Wellington (on North Island). It was a lovely, clear, crisp day - perfect conditions for flying. Much has happened in the past few weeks & I was drained physically & emotionally, so quite unusually for me, I put away all reading material & just took my I-Pod on board. (Incidentally, it was great to just board the plane & go through no security checks at all - NZ is a wonderfully uncomplicated country!)

As we took off, the snow-capped Southern Alps were in the distance and as soon as I was allowed, I turned the I-Pod on to listen to some music. One of the songs on my playlist is the NZ National Anthem. I've put it on the I-Pod to remind me of our new home & the challenges we face as we seek to share the Gospel in a different context.

The Southern Alps

As I listened the words of the anthem struck me - it's sung in Maori first & then in English.

"God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet,

Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land.

Guard Pacific's triple star, From the shafts of strife and war,

Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand."

It's a simple and catchy tune, and whilst flying, I was looking below at the beauty of God's creation thinking about the words. Whilst in no way wishing to denigrade the NZ National Anthem (I'm English - there's plenty to knock about our anthem!), I started thinking about the last 2 lines and my desires for NZ. I started to think of the possibilities of the Gospel shaping and changing a nation. I pondered what it would be like if students across these islands heard the Gospel, responded and brought others to Christ. I realised that whilst I love NZ, it's not her praises that I want to be heard afar, but rather God's praises.

The next song on my I-Pod was a song called "More than Wonderful" - it sings of how Jesus is more wonderful than my mind can conceive, than my heart can believe & how He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams. It's a song that was played lots by my parents in my childhood, and yesterday, at 30,000 feet, I realised how true it is. Jesus has done so much for me - He is God incarnate. He's the One who formed the beautiful sky, the gorgeous mountains and scenery, the One who put that creative instinct within us that can make music & cause us to enjoy it, He's the One who created emotions, and most of all, He's the One who came from heaven to seek and to save that which was lost - to rescue and save sinners.

In those moments on the short flight, I realised the power of music to impact us, the power of God's creation to show us who He is, but more importantly, I realised again the power of the Gospel and longed for it to change lives here in NZ that would have an impact throughout the world.

Please pray for us as we seek to invest in student's lives for eternity. This weekend, I am speaking with Massey University (Palmerston North) Christian Fellowship's lad's weekend. I'm speaking from 2 Timothy 1 & 2, and would love to see lives changed by God's Word. Only by Him and through Him can a nation be changed.

Who is TSCF? - #3 Henry Poon

Apologies that I've been so poor at blogging lately - I will try to update a bit more frequently in the next few weeks. There's lots to catch up on, but first, meet Henry!Name: Henry Poon

University: Victoria University, Wellington ( & Swarthmore College, Philadelphia, PA, USA)
Course: Maths & Economics (Exchange student from USA)

Year: Junior (US System), which to the rest of us means 3rd year.
Home Town: Miami, FL, USA
Interests: Adventuring, Captainball, Travelling

Which TSCF group are you involved with?: ICF & Christian Union & the small groups for both
Why are you involved?: I think it is important for people to know about Jesus.

Quirky Sights

As we've visited different parts of NZ, we've seen some unusual & intriguing sights and signs that make this country so intriguing. Here's one or two of them to keep you amused.

Finally home

A simple post-script to my post about Barb.

Barb was cared for by many wonderful people in various places. One place that we looked at a few times, but due to location never became her permanent home was the Lodge Trust in Rutland. Fred & Anne Hutton, the founders, are family friends and I commend to you their work. If you feel able, do support them as they provide individual support for adults with learning disabilities in Christian homes & working environments.

Happy Memories - Barbara Hill

It's been a hard few days & my apologies that I've been poor at blogging of late. Much has happened over the past few weeks & I will report on some of those things at some point, but for now I want to post about my Aunt Barbara (my mum's younger sister) who went to be with Jesus on Friday night (UK time).

In many ways, Barb (as she was affectionately known) was a sister to me. She had Down's Syndrome and for most of her life, was cared for admirably by my Grandma Hill. Life wasn't straightforward for Barb - particularly in recent years, health issues restricted her in many ways, however, it was a very simple life with simple pleasures.

I have many happy memories of Barb. It's not often that when someone dies, the only memories you have of them are happy ones - usually, there are some more difficult memories, but with Barb, she brought much happiness to our lives.

The fondest memories revolve round times of giving - Barb loved gifts & the excitement of Christmas was always great with her. It was enjoyable each year to buy her the latest Disney film or CD, to buy Barbie dolls (which she loved) or toys which you wouldn't normally be able to buy for your Aunt.

Sadly, over recent years her health has deteriorated and last week, she was rushed into hospital with hours to live. Typically, Barb clung on and allowed chance for family to say goodbye. For me that was done a few months ago, when we left for New Zealand. My last memory of her was visiting her in her care home, holding her hand and singing with her "Jesus Loves Me This I Know" - it's such a simple song, but I am convinced that in her own simple way, Jesus was her friend. After singing it, in her very affectionate manner, she pulled our faces close together and smiled. As I sit on the other side of the world, it is a real joy to know that she is now face to face with Jesus and that her body that in so many ways has groaned has been liberated (Romans 8:18-27).

Yes, there have been many tears the past few days, but amidst the sadness, there is a real gladness for Barb & treasured memories of one who brought much joy. We'll miss you Barb.

Barbara Hill (1958 - 2008)

"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the Name of the Lord be praised."

(Job 1:21)

Who is TSCF? - #2 Peng

Name: James Wong Kein Peng (aka Peng)

University: Victoria University, Wellington

Course: Architecture

Year: 3rd

Home Town: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Interests: Guitar, Architecture, Visualization (he tells me the "Z" (Zed, not Zee) in there is important, even though Brits would spell it with an "S"), Cooking, Having good conversations

Which TSCF group are you involved with?: ICF

Why are you involved?: I love the community. I love the TSCF conferences and teaching which centres on the Word.

The Highs & Lows of Life

Apologies for the lack of posts recently - I had hoped to post earlier today, but various circumstances prevented that.

Over the past few weeks, we have experienced real highs & lows of life - enjoyment of time with students & colleagues, the joys & frustrations of trying to find a house, celebrating Emma & Ollie's baby - Seth, but also more recently as we've had several family members battle with ill health. I'll post more when I can (& when I get chance), but for now, we would appreciate your prayers for our extended family (or as they call it here, our whanau).

(A real motley crew...and there's even more now!)

Who is TSCF? - #1 Phil Luey

I'm typing this in a bit of a mad dash, having arrived home late last night from the CU & ICF camps and before heading away with the new TSCF staff for a few days. It's Monday morning & there's lots to be done before going away in a few minutes! As promised, I'd said I would profile who TSCF is - it's made up of students, staff, graduates, supporters all over NZ (& the world). To give an idea of the people we're working with, I'm going to profile different people over the coming months. First up, is one of the students, Phil. I'll post later in the week with news from the camps, but for now, meet Phil.

Phil & some other guy who had a bit too short a haircut!

Name: Phillip Luey. (known as Phil)
University: Victoria University, Wellington
Course: Science & Technology
Year: 4th
Home town: Lower Hutt, (just outside Wellington), New Zealand
Interests: Rugby League (good on you, Phil!), Rugby Union, Cricket, Badminton, Squash & Basketball, Videogames, hanging out with friends & family
Which TSCF group are you involved with? International Christian Fellowship (ICF), Vic Uni, Wellington
Why are you involved in TSCF? I was asked to come along by a friend & got involved.
(If you're one of my students & you want to be profiled, send me an email & I'll see what I can do!)

Lectures with my Students

I'm sure some of you may be wondering, what do you do with all your day? How does the average day look when working for TSCF? I'm not sure there is such a thing as a typical day for myself or really anyone in TSCF, but today I've been doing something which one of our staff Christina, had done up in Auckland & it has been recommended to all staff throughout the country. It is a fairly obvious form of cultural acclimatisation, but was extremely worthwhile...so, what was it?

Today, I went and spent some time in a lecture with my students. I'd asked a member of the Victoria University International Christian Fellowship (ICF) if I could go to some lectures with him & spend some time with him. So, I've just returned back from the Vic Uni Law School, where I attended a lecture in 'Conflicts in Law'. I'm sure that a little more time to reflect will allow more developed thoughts, but here are a few observations from my time back at Uni:

* Time has moved on...I can't remember any laptops in lectures when I was a student. Data projectors were in their early stages of use & OHPs were the order of the day. Things have changed significantly in each of those areas, though there were still 3 OHPs in the lecture theatre! (Lecturers still are appallingly bad at using technology though!)

* Lectures themselves have changed very little. Though it was a different course to that which I studied, the level of student participation was minimal & forced. Interaction was poor and throughout the lecture, students yawning, drinking, and eating sweets were regular occurences.

* I saw that lecturers themselves can have a significant influence on students. The lecturer was from Germany & on several occasions seemed to want to champion the glories of Deutschland, rather than teaching the subject. I realised again the potential of Christian lecturers teaching in our Universities.

Universities are our mission field, but they are also our training ground. We long to see disciples made amongst the students here in NZ. As TSCF's logo states, we are "a bridge over which students meet Christ" - we want that to be both Christian & non-Christian students.

A frequent question I have been asked (& have seen needs to be answered!) is "Who, or what is TSCF?" - in the coming months, I will try & answer that question by profiling in posts who TSCF is - students, staff & grads. Hopefully, you'll get a flavour of who we are & what we are about. You'll have to wait to see how that pans out!