Post Exploratory Post (It just sounds funny)

First off, we would like to say thank you to all of you who have been covering us in prayer.  We truly appreciate your kindness and care that you have shown us.  We serve a mighty God and He delights in our talks with Him.  We have felt your prayers and consider ourselves blessed.

We have been back now for about a week and a half.  We are back in our daily routines as it were, but yet not really.  Both of us miss New Zealand.  Parts of us just wanted to stay.  We all know it can be easy to romanticize a trip or an experience, I have done that before and this is different.  I don’t think in visions of grandeur or places to visit, I pray for the places we have been and the people that we met.  The needs of the saints and the hearts of the lost.

I am sure that both Dawn and I will be sharing more in-depth information in due time through this blog as well as talking to you in person, but for now this post will be more about generalities.  Since we have been back God has shown me more through His word, through prayer, and through others in such a short time.  God has blown me away with how much He loves us and how much He knows about me.  I know that last statement seem kind-of “duh” but it amazes me how much we tend to forget the passions and gifts that God has given us.  We allow the world to dictate our lives a little at a time.  I think back to the Keith Green lyric, “Oh Lord, please light the fire that once burned bright and clear. Replace the lamp of my first love that burns with holy fear”.  We cry out to Him not only because we know that we have not been good stewards but because our hearts are raw and thirsty for His love.  We see things in a new light but really in a way, it is a new, old light.

For now, continue to pray for God’s continued confirmation and guidance.  We do not want to try to make things happen.  Pray for patience as we wait upon The Lord and His timing.  Pray that we may focus in on His calling and not forget the ministries that we are involved in at Calvary Chapel Aurora.

I would also encourage you to pray for the churches and ministries in New Zealand.  There are some listed at the bottom of this blog with links to their websites.  Visit the websites, see what God is doing in New Zealand, and send them a note of encouragement.

Until the next entry, may God fill you with grace, peace, and joy; more than you can think or imagine.

Andrew

Leaving... For now

Well, here we are at Auckland International Airport and I am truly conflicted. I look forward to seeing what's been going on at home and catching up, but already miss New Zealand. So many wonderful people here that we met and already love.

God is so good! We've had a wonderful time and learned loads. Now comes the time to process everything and seek His will and timing for everything. Looking forward to a nap on the flight and then Andrew and I will debrief. Goodness me, there are pages and pages for him to read in my journal.  :0).  I hope we don't disturb those around us as we finally get to share what we feel God has shown each of us.

Love to all my Kiwi friends! God knows when we shall meet again! Praying for you all!
Hugs,
Dawn

CCBI

We have arrived at CCBI and look forward to seeing what God shows us here. We have spent the weekend with the students and some leadership and have learned much. We will join some of the classes this week and serve as requested. They would like us to see what life is like here at CCBI.

We visited Shoreline Church today and got to meet some really neat people. Dave Heitman and his crew are doing a fantastic job of reaching out to the community and sharing the love of Christ.

I must admit it has been really challenging not sharing my thoughts and observations with Andrew. We each are keeping separate journals which is a fantastic idea, but very hard not to share with my best friend the things that God is showing me.  Once we board the flight back home on Saturday we will each share our journals, thoughts, ideas and chatter nonstop. It will be great to catch up with him again. I didn't take into consideration how hard this part would be in that we can't share much with each other right now. Why? You ask. The purpose of keeping separate journals is so that we do not cloud the judgment of the other person. We want God to make it clear to both of us where He wants us to be.

I am learning so much about the Kiwi culture and one of the biggest things than runs deep and affects all aspects of life and ministry is relationships. Nothing moves forward without it. Trust is formulated and strengthened in relationship which really is a beautiful thing! Sandy at Shoreline was sharing a bit of his desire for the men's group- to become a band of brothers or a brotherhood, such camaraderie is admirable and yet a need here in order for ministry to be as impactful as desired.

Well, I am pooped.  I look forward to sharing more later!
Much love to you,
Dawn 

Wonderful Wellington

I would like to start off by thanking you all for your prayers.  We have been so blessed so far on this journey and we know that you all have had a part with your prayers.

Wow, where to start.  Well, we are still in Wellington today and will be traveling tomorrow.  Yesterday was a day of shock and encouragement.  It was shocking in that we wanted to get a good look at what things cost in New Zealand.  We got a good look at prices on household items.  Beds, kitchen ware, and etcetera.  We know that New Zealand is an island and were expecting things to run about double the price as back home.  That was true for somethings, but other items could be 3x, 4x, or even 5x's as much as back home.
As the day continued, God was able to settle us.  We know that He owns a thousand cattle on the hilltops and He can do anything that he wants.  Money and stuff are small potatoes for our God.  He provides for all our needs and we shouldn't worry about them (Matthew 6: 25-34).  Look around at His creation, see how He cares for everything.
In the evening we were able to have a great dinner and time of fellowship with Pastor David Pham of Calvary Chapel Wellington, his family, and a young man from the congregation who attended the bible institute here in New Zealand.  It was a good time of learning about each other, how the church has grown, and the fruit that is growing here in Wellington.

Please continue to pray for us on this journey.  Pray for Calvary Chapel Wellington and where The Lord is leading them in their community.  (CC Wellington just sent out their 2nd missionary Ma'ara, keep her in your prayers as well).  Pray that we would not take a step without the Lord's guidance.

Andrew

Prayer Requests - thank you for praying with us!

Day 1 (8/28-30) Traveling mercies, no lost luggage, safety

Day 2 (8/31) Openness with those we meet at Calvary Wellington

Day 3 (9/1) Get to know the Wellington area community, CCBI classes start today

Day 4 (9/2) Hearing what God wants to share with us and effectively reaching out to those who He puts on our hearts

Day 5 (9/3) Traveling mercies as we bus it to Te Puke (8.5 hour bus ride)

Day 6 (9/4) Refreshment as we spend time with new friends

Day 7 (9/5) Our first day at CCBI goes smoothly

Day 8 (9/6) Assist CCBI staff as needed

Day 9 (9/7) Obedient to what God puts on our hearts

Day 10 (9/8) Effective in serving the CCBI community

Day 11 (9/9) God continues to reveal what He wants us to know and do

Day 12 (9/10) That the students at CCBI would continue to realize all that God has for them 

Day 13 (9/11) Traveling mercies as we bus it to Whangarei (8 hour bus trip)

Day 14 (9/12) Excellent share times with the Montgomery family

Day 15 (9/13) Traveling mercies as we bus it to Auckland International Airport (5 hour bus ride), and fly home (15 hours roughly of fly time)

Day 16 (9/14) Re-entry, jet lag, recuperation, and confirmation of our next step 

Take a step of faith

     I love how Jesus called regular Joes to follow Him, to do the work He requested of them.  I was reading Matthew 14 and Jesus is reaching out to the masses.  When He hears about John being murdered, Jesus takes some time alone.  The crowds seek Him out and He has compassion on them.  Jesus ministered to their needs and but then it was getting late in the day.  It was probably close to dinner time and the disciples were encouraging Jesus to send the people away so that they could get some dinner.  “But Jesus said to them, ‘They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat.’” (Matthew 14:16)  

     I can’t begin to imagine the astonishment the disciples thought and felt.  How in the world are we going to do this miracle that He says we are to do?  Simple obedience is what they needed to show.  They gave Jesus what they had and He blessed it and it was enough.  In fact, they had 12 baskets full of food left over, enough for each disciple to have one.  There is nothing too difficult for God if we will just give Him what He asks for.

     Jesus sends His disciples to cross to sea while He sends the people away.  After everyone is on their way, Jesus seeks some alone time to pray.  I see twice now that Jesus pulls aside to pray and have quiet time with the Father.  If it is that important to Jesus, why don’t we make it more of a priority to spend time with Him?  I find myself refreshed and with a proper perspective when I have spent time with God, reading His Word, and even singing a song or two to Him.  There is just something about being in the presence of the very God that spoke stars into existence.  I am reminded of a quote that said something to the effect that when we are in God’s presence we either become nothing or we become a dirty little speck of a thing.  We want the former more than the latter.  It is in His presence that everything gets turned right side up and God is the center.  In His presence we focus on Him and those things that seemed so big become eclipsed by Him!

     Well, the disciples are hard at work crossing the sea to get to the other side where Jesus told them to go but a tempest arose while they were out there.  Their crossing was getting more and more difficult.  As the wind howled and the water crested the sides of the boat, here comes Jesus walking on the water.  The shock of seeing something like this would have had my heart racing to say the least.  Yet, in the midst of this crazy storm, Peter, in bold faith, asks that if it was truly Jesus, that He would bid him to come walk with Him on the water.  

     Looking at the storm all around, I am not sure I would have had the boldness to do what Peter did.  Jesus told him, come on out and Peter stepped out of the boat.  What faith that must have taken, yet with his eyes fixed on Jesus, this was something that became possible.  Peter was out there on the water!  The Bible says that while he was walking toward Jesus that his attention was diverted and he saw the storm and then began to sank.  First.. KUDOS Peter for stepping out.  Even though the boat was getting swamping, there was a sure footing inside the boat.  Second, what must that have been like to do the impossible.  There has never been another person that has walked on top of the water.

     Andrew and I are taking a crazy step of faith outside of our boat.  Our boat is our comfort zone, our network, our family, the familiar, our community.  We are stepping out of our boat and walking the walk of faith that God has placed on our hearts.  We are taking great strides to obey.  In less than a week we will be on our way to New Zealand seeing which location God has called us to go and serve.  What is your boat?  What is God asking you to do?  Will you have crazy faith and step out of your comfort zone to be obedient to what He is asking you to do?  Who knows what will be come of it, but God has put something on your heart.  Leap.  Jump.  Splash in obedience!

Be encouraged ~ Dawn

Opportunity awaits you...today

This week I have been looking at The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 and verse 11 stood out to me, “Give us this day our daily bread” (NKJV).  It is a simple line for a simpler way of life; praying for the things of today.  I thought to myself of how many times I have not prayed about today.  How many times have I thrown today away because I have it all planned out so I cannot possibly fit any changes.  How many times have I been more interested in the future that I have missed the opportunities for God to work in me today.

Now, it isn’t that God doesn’t want to hear us ask about tomorrow or next week, nor does God dislike planning, it just shouldn’t supplant our vision for the present.  I know I have been guilty of looking to events happening next week or on the upcoming weekend.  Not only have looked towards them, I have worried about them.  So now, I have borrowed worry/trouble from tomorrow.  Which incidentally Jesus warns us about in the last verse of Matthew 6, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (NKJV)

Now that I am aware of praying for today I am good, right?  More like, better.  We also have our ability to act.  Just like we have the ability to choose right and wrong, we have the ability to choose to act or not.  Have you ever had something or someone slip into your vision and you look at them.  Maybe it is a mom trying to open a door and push stroller through, or piece of trash on the ground.  Do you just watch or do you do something about it?  I know I have watched a lot in my life and God has been working on me to do more. 

I think one of the reasons why we don’t do anything is that we tend to think that the action needs to be grandiose.  Is it a burning building?  Is there dire need at church?  But if we tell people that following Jesus is different because it is about a relationship and yet avoid people or are not available for them, how then are we striving to be more Christ like?

I believe John commented on this behavior best in First John 3:18, “Dear children, let us not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”  (NLT)

Blessings,

Andrew