Good, Good Father

As we inch closer to our departure to New Zealand, we are continually amazed at all that God does for us.  It isn’t that we don’t think He is capable of taking care of us nor that we don’t believe that He will surround us with others to assist us, it is just coming to a deeper realization of “…how deep and wide… is the love of Christ.” (Romans 8:39, NKJV)

This past Saturday our support team hosted a Spaghetti Lunch and Learn about us going to New Zealand. It was a great time of fellowship and learning about what we will be doing in New Zealand.   We also opened it up for questions that people had about us, New Zealand and Calvary Chapel Bible Institute (CCBI).  Below are a few of the questions that were asked:

-       Do you need to raise support since you will be on staff at the college?

o   Yes, while we will be listed as staff for CCBI, all staff members are not salaried and raise their own support.

-       Will you be staying on-campus?  If not, how much is housing?

o   Since CCBI rents property from a ranch and the student population is on the rise, there is no on-campus housing available.  We will be renting a house/apartment/flat around the town of Rotorua.  Rent is paid weekly in New Zealand and places go for around $275-350 NZD per week on average depending on if it is furnished or other amenities.

-       What will your “normal” day look like?

o   Usually breakfast is on our own and then devotions start around 8:10am.  The first session of classes starts at around 8:50am, the second session of classes start around 11:00am.  Lunch is around 1:00pm and then the third session of classes starts at around 2:30pm.  Dinner will start after 5:30pm depending on the length of the third class session.  Most of the students will then use the evening for homework and study while the staff is usually available for discipleship or questions.  Tuesday night is a Night for Prayer and Thursday nights consist of worship and teaching at the Koinonia service.

-       Will you need a vehicle?

o   Yes, in-town the public transportation is reputable, but where the school is located, as well as for making runs into town, we will be purchasing a vehicle in New Zealand.  (Side note: they do drive on the left-hand side of the road)

-       When are you leaving?

o   Our passports need to be stamped by April 20 for the current Visa to be valid but we are praying that we will be able to leave before then.  The Lord’s timing is perfect and it is ultimately up to Him.

-       How can we financially support you?

o   We are using Shepherd’s Staff for our support agency and our support page can be found HERE.

Do you have any questions that you would like to ask us – about us, New Zealand, CCBI, or what we will be doing?  Email us or visit us at our table on Wednesday nights this month for Missions Month at Calvary Aurora. 

God Bless,

Andrew and Dawn McBride

March 2016 Prayer Calendar

Hi there,

Some of you were asking how you could be praying for us.  Please see the prayer calendar below and join us in prayer. If you would like a better calendar image, please email us and we will send one to you!  Our email address is mcbrideflock@yahoo.com.

Thanks and God bless,
Dawn and Andrew McBride

Exciting News!

We have some fun and exciting news to share!  We have received our visas!  They arrived quicker than we expected and we are blessed and excited to see the Lord moving on our behalf!  He promises to take care of things, but sometimes, especially when immigration pulled my visa application for medical reasons, I wondered if the door would close.  Nope!

So, as we see the goal of serving the Lord in New Zealand getting closer and closer, the excitement is ramping up. We are tying up loose ends and taking care of business.  We have updated our page with Shepherd's Staff.  Take a look at our page at this link:

Our page at Shepherd's Staff

As we continue to ready ourselves, we are having a spaghetti lunch at Calvary Aurora on March 5.  We are super excited to share more of what God is doing and we are having a silent auction... even more fun!  If you want to attend, please let Cathy know at: 720-320-8613 or cmcdaugale@hotmail.com.  

We can't wait to share with you what is next on this journey!  Our next hurdle is raising sufficient monthly support.  We are 29% of our goal and would like for you to join our team.  Pray about it!  If you would like join our financial support team, please click on this link:

I want to support Andrew and Dawn!

We will keep you updated on how we are doing with support.  The Lord will take care of it, we fully believe it.  Recently I was reading in Exodus 35 and was encouraged by how the people were inspired...

"The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the LORD, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done."  Exodus 35:29

May the Lord be glorified in our lives, in your lives, and in all of our desires to seek Him!

The feet of those...

            How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.  Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

-  Romans 10: 14-15 (NKJV)

Howdy folks, first of all thank you to everyone for their support over the last couple of months.  There have been a number of small groups and churches that have heard the passion that God has put upon our hearts for New Zealand.  Thank you to the folks who see us and ask us how we are doing.  We appreciate all of your prayers.

If you are looking to support us financially, now would be a great time to set up your account with Shepherd's Staff!  Many of you have inquired on how to support us financially online.  You can support us by going to the Shepherd's Staff website at www.ssmfi.org and support us by using your bank account or a credit/debit card.  

We have created a document that can help you navigate making an online donation.  There are a few options in supporting us.  You can make a one-time donation or sign up for ongoing monthly donations.  The monthly donations can be set-up to be taken out on the 5^th, 10^th, 15^th, or 20^th of each month.  Take a look at the document attached in the link below and let us know if you have any other questions.

Click Here to Learn How to Donate!!

God continues to work mightily during this time of preparation; may He continually go before us on this journey.

Promise Kept

During the month of December and into January, I have been reminded of the priest Simeon and the promise God made to him.  If we look at Luke 2:25 – 32, we see the promise that was made to Simeon.  In verse 26, the Bible states, “And it has been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would net see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”  What an amazing promise!

I mean, honestly, I don’t imagine that Simeon would have dreamed of such a promise, but he took it and believed it.  He didn’t dismiss it.  He did not forget it.  He allowed the promise to remain in his heart.  What a precious promise to receive, that he would see the Christ before he would die.  If he had shared the promise, I am sure he would have been chided.  “Why would God choose to show you this?”  “Are you sure it is not something you just want so badly, so you think God gave you that promise?”  Simeon was a devout man, which means that he was sold out, all in for God.  When God or the Holy Spirit said something to him, he obeyed.

So when verse 27 talks about him being prompted to go to the temple, it is no surprise that he obeyed.  It is such a blessing when we obey!  His obedience was deeply rewarded and God kept His mighty promise as we can see in verse 28 that he picked up Jesus and blessed God knowing that this child was the fulfillment of the promise God has made to him.

I want to encourage you that when God promises you something, you can trust that He will accomplish it!  He is not a carrot dangling God.  What He says, He will do.  I have an image on my cell phone cover that I simply love!  Ron DiCianni captured the moment that Simeon held the baby Jesus so perfectly.  I almost get emotional when I see it.  Such a powerful moment!

Whatever the Lord has promised, He will accomplish. You can be sure of it!

- He promises to return!  John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

- He promises to forgive our sins.  Ephesians 1:7-8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence…” 

- He promises that you will find Him when you search for Him with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

- He promises to answer fervent prayer.  James 5:16b “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

- He promises that you can be transformed.  Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

God will keep His promises to you!  He is trustworthy!  Will you trust Him?

Blessings,

Dawn McBride

Closing of job and house

We survived moving out of the house and making it in time for closing on Monday. I want to thank the Lord for His provision of help.  We would have not made it otherwise.

Now we have things to sort through for a few tubs of storage at my mom's house and what we plan to take with us... Another sorting exercise. I imagine we will have quite a bit of trash after that process.  It is so emotional letting go of certain things, but I know that what God has called us to will put it all into perspective.  

This morning I was reminded of Matthew 19:29 (“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 NKJV) 
and found comfort in the knowledge that God is mindful of this crazy process we are going through.

So ... How can you pray for us? Pray that we keep our emotions under control (okay.. Me.. Dawn more so).  Pray that the sorting process will be easy and obvious.  Let go and move forward. Letting go doesn't mean I don't care, just that I don't need the items anymore.

I find my emotions are easily triggered for no apparent reason and all I can account this to is all of the major changes we are going through.  I ended my staff position on Friday and the closing of the house was Monday.  Dramatic changes in 4 short days. I will be spending the remainder of my Denver time preparing us for the grand exit to New Zealand.

Merry Christmas dear ones!
Dawn and Andrew McBride