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.
Monday, 7 January 2013
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.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Family Fun Day aka Sunday School Outreach
Family fun day, the outreach the day after the first youth movie marathon. The posters were passed out and it invited the community to come out. It was a outreach to the community but at the same time the Samoan youth stayed and helped and I was very happy to see that. We worked together as the body of Christ.
The event had a bouncy house, which I had to be the mature adult and watch over, popcorn, face painting, cotton candy (candy floss) and sausages. The teen leaders created games for all the kids and I was glad to see them standing up and reaching out. As I was watching over the bouncy house because I signed my name to the person who delivered it. I felt it was my responsibility to watch over it. A few kids got rough and one mother went after them. The tough part was not watching the kids going in but the young teens wanting in.
A rough guesstimation the Church outreach brought in over 100 people from the community. It was good to see so many people from Takanini. After a certain time everyone was brought in and we all watched the play the youth put on. They worked on it Friday night. The theme of the story Noah's ark. The children whom got their faces painted were the animals in the play (it was all the kids). It was a funny to watch and see the kids getting into the story. Some kids it was their first time in Church.
The outreach was successful. It helped people in the community know about the Takanini Church of the Nazarene. A Church that is changing to help the community, to be a missional Church.
The event had a bouncy house, which I had to be the mature adult and watch over, popcorn, face painting, cotton candy (candy floss) and sausages. The teen leaders created games for all the kids and I was glad to see them standing up and reaching out. As I was watching over the bouncy house because I signed my name to the person who delivered it. I felt it was my responsibility to watch over it. A few kids got rough and one mother went after them. The tough part was not watching the kids going in but the young teens wanting in.
A rough guesstimation the Church outreach brought in over 100 people from the community. It was good to see so many people from Takanini. After a certain time everyone was brought in and we all watched the play the youth put on. They worked on it Friday night. The theme of the story Noah's ark. The children whom got their faces painted were the animals in the play (it was all the kids). It was a funny to watch and see the kids getting into the story. Some kids it was their first time in Church.
The outreach was successful. It helped people in the community know about the Takanini Church of the Nazarene. A Church that is changing to help the community, to be a missional Church.
Youth Movie Marathon
Movies for me are connecting instruments to a family unit, what I mean by that is that in my own family we used it in that way. We would work on different parts of the farm. Good work. Hard work. When it was time to stop dinner was ready. A nice hearty meal and we would all surround the television set in the living room and watch a movie. I would pick a movie that would be proper to watch with my parents. Something that would draw their attention to the aspects they enjoy in a movie. We would not speak to much but sometimes we would discuss the movie. That aspect of my own life, be it not the best way to bond in a family unit, was a way I used too. Movies meant family time with me.
I opened up the first Youth movie marathon for Takanini. The laptop supplied by someone, the projector supplied by someone else, the movies supplied by one of the youth, and speakers supplied by another youth. The event was bringing both congregations of Takanini together. The youth were excited and wanted to spend time with each other. After each movie would be a game to keep the youth awake all night and into the morning to do a youth outreach.
As Friday 6:30pm came around I got everyone together and started telling them how glad I was to see them and the plan for the night into the next morning. I started with a icebreaker and had one of our Church leaders put a play together with the youth for the coming Sunday, another outreach.
However, the speakers were missing in action. The first movie with little sound found boredom as some went out for food at the save value store across the street. I had to keep a watchful eye on the youth with the help from two amazing ladies from the Church to help me.
Through each game I recognized who were the natural leaders from the group and it was good to see them encourage everyone else. As each game brought out people's personalities I could also see the tiredness in people's eyes. The chairs were converted into beds and slumber claimed several until it was time to wake up once more for the light of the Sun revealed a new day. Some had no sleep including myself...lol. We taught them a devotion, which some did not know what that was. I sent out three groups of teens into the community to put posters of the Church's events in all the mailboxes. They walked like zombies and in groups, it was funny to see.
When everyone got back I done them we are done. Everyone can head home but not a single person stood up. I asked them why is no one moving? I was quickly replied to with the answer that they want to spend more time together have more games and learn more. It was a moment of praise to God in my eyes. We did quizzing on Bible characters and I realized the teens did not know their Bible characters...lol.
It was a great time and the second movie marathon is this Friday night.
I opened up the first Youth movie marathon for Takanini. The laptop supplied by someone, the projector supplied by someone else, the movies supplied by one of the youth, and speakers supplied by another youth. The event was bringing both congregations of Takanini together. The youth were excited and wanted to spend time with each other. After each movie would be a game to keep the youth awake all night and into the morning to do a youth outreach.
As Friday 6:30pm came around I got everyone together and started telling them how glad I was to see them and the plan for the night into the next morning. I started with a icebreaker and had one of our Church leaders put a play together with the youth for the coming Sunday, another outreach.
However, the speakers were missing in action. The first movie with little sound found boredom as some went out for food at the save value store across the street. I had to keep a watchful eye on the youth with the help from two amazing ladies from the Church to help me.
Through each game I recognized who were the natural leaders from the group and it was good to see them encourage everyone else. As each game brought out people's personalities I could also see the tiredness in people's eyes. The chairs were converted into beds and slumber claimed several until it was time to wake up once more for the light of the Sun revealed a new day. Some had no sleep including myself...lol. We taught them a devotion, which some did not know what that was. I sent out three groups of teens into the community to put posters of the Church's events in all the mailboxes. They walked like zombies and in groups, it was funny to see.
When everyone got back I done them we are done. Everyone can head home but not a single person stood up. I asked them why is no one moving? I was quickly replied to with the answer that they want to spend more time together have more games and learn more. It was a moment of praise to God in my eyes. We did quizzing on Bible characters and I realized the teens did not know their Bible characters...lol.
It was a great time and the second movie marathon is this Friday night.
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