The day came for the beginning of the youth camp. I was in charge of the bus so I had a list for names and payment needed for the seats on the bus. Each person got a voucher to prove they paid for the bus. Each voucher was punched to confirm their right to be on the bus.
The bus ride took over 5 hours and it seemed like forever. We finally got to the camp and the bus driver sought to turn around before letting us off. So he took the narrowest road which lead to the wharf and he had to reverse all the way back. In that time of youth and leaders looking if they need to charge off the bus or not the driver hit and knocked down on of the beams on the side of the road for protection. But God protected us and we made it back safely.
The bus driver rushed off the bus and ran into the nearest place to use the bathroom not knowing it was a normal home and he had just trespassed. After an apologetic discussion peace was once again in the arrival on camp.
I was given 13 youth with four assistant leaders. But my assistant leaders had other positions that needed their attention and I was given a tent to sleep in. Which turned out to be good because each night the singing from the boys section or the girls section was heard and I heard most did not get sleep until 4:00am.
We had many activities and games as points were goal of each game. My group were there to have fun but some would disappear, of course when it was time for us to clear dishes or bathrooms.
We had a water-slide, volleyball, a slimy ice hockey, and arts and crafts. We had water skiing, sea-biscuiting (tubing), kayaking, wharf jumping, swimming. I do have over 400 pics but I will show you a few.
We had an amazing speaker Kenny Wade that was real with the kids and they saw that and appreciated it. It was a time where different cultures and nationalities came together as Christians. Many youth confirm the desire to give their life over to following Christ.
It was an exhausting time but it was a good time.
Tuesday 29 January 2013
The First Fruits
I went to tend to the garden as it is a routine of mine now. The garden needs care, water and weeding. I may sometimes speak to the plants...lol. But they do not speak back me...yet!
I went and found many cucumbers and peas ready for the picking. The next day I took most of them out into the community and started greeting people I came across and telling them it was from the Church of the Nazarene and its free. A building that is not there for the people of the community can not really be called a Church. We are God's people. We are missional people. We are called to be sent out and create relationships with the lost and broken. A simple way is free fruits and it was good to see people smile to know it was for them.
God gives many blessings and sometimes it can be seen in the smiles of the people we reach out too.
The rest of the fruits went to the youth camp that was days away from beginning.
I went and found many cucumbers and peas ready for the picking. The next day I took most of them out into the community and started greeting people I came across and telling them it was from the Church of the Nazarene and its free. A building that is not there for the people of the community can not really be called a Church. We are God's people. We are missional people. We are called to be sent out and create relationships with the lost and broken. A simple way is free fruits and it was good to see people smile to know it was for them.
God gives many blessings and sometimes it can be seen in the smiles of the people we reach out too.
The rest of the fruits went to the youth camp that was days away from beginning.
The Car wash
The car wash was an event for the youth to raise money to go the district youth camp in Parua Bay in the Northlands of New Zealand. We had several kids on the sides of the roads with cardboard signs promoting the event. We had a rotation of kids to wash the cars that can in as people who walked by would donate. It was all by donation. We were not looking for a certain amount but willing to do the same job no matter the amount given to us. At the end of the day we had washed over 35 cars and one bicycle. We made enough for three of our kids to go on a bus to the event and pay for gas for two vehicles and to pay for the use of the water.
It was a good day and the kids were happy they came. I had all the youth stay the night before with a game night and sleep so they would not need to rush to get to Church in the morning. Everything went well with God's blessings we made it to the youth camp safely.
It was a good day and the kids were happy they came. I had all the youth stay the night before with a game night and sleep so they would not need to rush to get to Church in the morning. Everything went well with God's blessings we made it to the youth camp safely.
Tuesday 8 January 2013
Treasure Hunt
What a beautiful day to have a Samoan Youth event. The Sun was out and the heat was pouring down through its rays of light. I was invited to help out this Wednesday morning with the Youth. I love walking in the park and it helps me relax a lot. It is something I need with my headaches constantly hurting me.
I parked my car at 8:30am and waited because the event was suppose to start at 9:00am. I waited and figured the event starts at the botanic garden and I was at the entrance so maybe I will walk into people I know.
As I walked I felt lead to a certain way I have never taken before and before I knew it I walked up to a couple from the youth. It was cool to know the park is over 500 acres and I walked and found the people I needed to find. See there was another entrance to the same location with a bigger parking lot, a cafe, a library, a food court, etc...
As everyone started showing up it seems many of the youth came to be a part of the Youth 'treasure hunt', the main event of searching through the park for nine areas. We played several games and broke up in groups and started our adventure.
When we finally found everything we returned back and relaxed from the sun or at least I did as my the sun loves my skin. We ate together and discussed several topics and cleaned after ourselves and called it a day from 9:00am to 1:30pm. I enjoyed spending time with the youth and they were happy to see me as well.
I parked my car at 8:30am and waited because the event was suppose to start at 9:00am. I waited and figured the event starts at the botanic garden and I was at the entrance so maybe I will walk into people I know.
As I walked I felt lead to a certain way I have never taken before and before I knew it I walked up to a couple from the youth. It was cool to know the park is over 500 acres and I walked and found the people I needed to find. See there was another entrance to the same location with a bigger parking lot, a cafe, a library, a food court, etc...
As everyone started showing up it seems many of the youth came to be a part of the Youth 'treasure hunt', the main event of searching through the park for nine areas. We played several games and broke up in groups and started our adventure.
When we finally found everything we returned back and relaxed from the sun or at least I did as my the sun loves my skin. We ate together and discussed several topics and cleaned after ourselves and called it a day from 9:00am to 1:30pm. I enjoyed spending time with the youth and they were happy to see me as well.
Monday 7 January 2013
The Plan for the New Year in January
This month is filled with activities. As January is a down time for the country many youths have nothing to do. The Youth camp is coming up this month from 21th to the 24th. As the church does not have the budget to help our youth a fund raiser is in order.
This Wednesday is a Samoan Treasure hunt in the botanical garden which I have been invited to assist. I love a good walk and seeing the beauty of the plants there so of course I said...YES.
This Friday night the youth are coming together once more for a night of fun and games and actual sleep. For the morning we will do a car wash to help in paying for the leaders fees and the transportation up to the camp. From 8:00am to 2:00pm, hopefully it is not a rainy day...lol. If the donations given help meet each of those requirements then the leftover will be used for an outing to the beach.
Next Saturday my youth and I will be going down to Hamilton to help in the work and witness project to help a fellow church in need of a good fence to bring safety to children events there.
The week after that is the Youth camp. Where I know is it 2 minutes, walking distance, from the beach. I hope everything comes together.
This Wednesday is a Samoan Treasure hunt in the botanical garden which I have been invited to assist. I love a good walk and seeing the beauty of the plants there so of course I said...YES.
This Friday night the youth are coming together once more for a night of fun and games and actual sleep. For the morning we will do a car wash to help in paying for the leaders fees and the transportation up to the camp. From 8:00am to 2:00pm, hopefully it is not a rainy day...lol. If the donations given help meet each of those requirements then the leftover will be used for an outing to the beach.
Next Saturday my youth and I will be going down to Hamilton to help in the work and witness project to help a fellow church in need of a good fence to bring safety to children events there.
The week after that is the Youth camp. Where I know is it 2 minutes, walking distance, from the beach. I hope everything comes together.
A Happy New Year of 2013 in New Zealand
On New Year's Eve I was invited to two places. The first was my mentor's place to celebrate the new year with him and his family and the second was with the Samoans at church from 10:00pm to 12:00am. Being I have not had time in a family unit lifestyle it was good to invest my time with my mentor.
It was good to see familiar faces arrive and speak about many topics. It showed to me how small the world is when one of the men who came had traveled through my home state...Pennsylvania in the United States. He had a short time in America and wanted to see the sights. He visited Hershey the Chocolate factory went to see the White house and many other locations on the East coast.
It was good to see my mentor's grandchildren once more and spend time with them. As the night drew closer and the clock turned first in New Zealand before the rest of the world. We celebrated the New Year together as fireworks shot into the sky.
I found it interesting to note that only three days of the year are fireworks allowed to be purchased. The most fireworks I saw since being here was for Guy Fawkes Day. When he failed to blow up Britain's Parliament in 1606 called the Gunpowder plot.
But it was a good event to celebrate with friends.
It was good to see familiar faces arrive and speak about many topics. It showed to me how small the world is when one of the men who came had traveled through my home state...Pennsylvania in the United States. He had a short time in America and wanted to see the sights. He visited Hershey the Chocolate factory went to see the White house and many other locations on the East coast.
It was good to see my mentor's grandchildren once more and spend time with them. As the night drew closer and the clock turned first in New Zealand before the rest of the world. We celebrated the New Year together as fireworks shot into the sky.
I found it interesting to note that only three days of the year are fireworks allowed to be purchased. The most fireworks I saw since being here was for Guy Fawkes Day. When he failed to blow up Britain's Parliament in 1606 called the Gunpowder plot.
But it was a good event to celebrate with friends.
Maraetai Wharf- A Beach Day-
During the course of the Holidays I was invited to go to the beach. I thought it would be good to go and see the beauty of another part of New Zealand.
As the invite was from my mentor, I was accompanied by a fellow student and we had an amazing time spending the day with our mentor's family.
As the invite was from my mentor, I was accompanied by a fellow student and we had an amazing time spending the day with our mentor's family.
Christmas a celebration for Christ
Where pictures are moment in time, an instant of capturing that precious existence, they also speak many words.
Christmas Eve I was invited to a Samoan home where I spent some time and walked in the Totara Heights park. It was a time of rest and relaxation. As the night drew closer I went to Takanini church for the Samoan Christmas Eve event.
As my presence has been consistent in almost every service on Sunday I have been welcomed as a member. I am glad to see such a family as I am still learning the language.
As I said a picture is like a 1000 words so instead of me telling you about it. It is better for you to see it for yourself.
Christmas Eve I was invited to a Samoan home where I spent some time and walked in the Totara Heights park. It was a time of rest and relaxation. As the night drew closer I went to Takanini church for the Samoan Christmas Eve event.
As my presence has been consistent in almost every service on Sunday I have been welcomed as a member. I am glad to see such a family as I am still learning the language.
As I said a picture is like a 1000 words so instead of me telling you about it. It is better for you to see it for yourself.
One step forward two steps back
It has been a while since I last wrote. I have been busy with the holiday season and finally have time to discuss the steps taken and others that have been missed.
In New Zealand it is important to point out Christmas is a time when the country stops. Stores will close and jobs will stop some times till January 11th. Therefore people get ready for this time by having parties and going on vacations or just spending time with their family.
The last event I had planned was the Carol's by candlelight which would lead into the showing the Nativity movie. It was an outreach to the community with the concept of singing outside the church to draw people in. The posters I had my youth give out at the last weekend of November showed all the planned events for the Takanini Church.
One the day of the event the helpers never came. I arrived to set up early at 5:00pm for the event started at 6:00pm to 10:00pm. As the night comes around 8:30pm the idea was to have Takanini congregation singing out into the community and asking people to join us. As I arrived early and spent time with several people walking past each told me of a party they were going too.
6:45pm I had a church member show to help me. The audio speakers for the movie were going to be provided by another member which decided not to come. As 7:30pm rolled around no other member of the church showed but my mentor and his wife.
One step forward two steps back. Revealing that events come to a stop when the nation draws closer to Christmas and no support means no outreach.
However, in the time spent in all the events that have taken place it was still a good ratio. Disappointing, but still in ministry we continue and we reach out to the broken and lost. It was time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The birth of our savior to a broken and sinful world. Even if there were but one person that one person will still celebrate his Lord's birth into the world.
As you read this please take with you that not all events go well. However, when there are two or more speaking of God His presence is with them.
In New Zealand it is important to point out Christmas is a time when the country stops. Stores will close and jobs will stop some times till January 11th. Therefore people get ready for this time by having parties and going on vacations or just spending time with their family.
The last event I had planned was the Carol's by candlelight which would lead into the showing the Nativity movie. It was an outreach to the community with the concept of singing outside the church to draw people in. The posters I had my youth give out at the last weekend of November showed all the planned events for the Takanini Church.
One the day of the event the helpers never came. I arrived to set up early at 5:00pm for the event started at 6:00pm to 10:00pm. As the night comes around 8:30pm the idea was to have Takanini congregation singing out into the community and asking people to join us. As I arrived early and spent time with several people walking past each told me of a party they were going too.
6:45pm I had a church member show to help me. The audio speakers for the movie were going to be provided by another member which decided not to come. As 7:30pm rolled around no other member of the church showed but my mentor and his wife.
One step forward two steps back. Revealing that events come to a stop when the nation draws closer to Christmas and no support means no outreach.
However, in the time spent in all the events that have taken place it was still a good ratio. Disappointing, but still in ministry we continue and we reach out to the broken and lost. It was time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The birth of our savior to a broken and sinful world. Even if there were but one person that one person will still celebrate his Lord's birth into the world.
As you read this please take with you that not all events go well. However, when there are two or more speaking of God His presence is with them.
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