The day after the fishing trip was the workshop for the community garden. I had prepared for it as the a few days before I made a good account with a local owner and he gave us as many pallets as we wanted. Dave Avery from Diabetes Projects Trust and Gardens4health was my guest speaker for the event. He came and helped me days before transport the pallets by renting a van. It was a blessing to find a way to move all the pallets we needed over but it was up to Dave and I to load and unload them.
On the day of the actual event I got to the Church early like usual for me. I start to prepare as I would have breaking the youth up into groups. One group to break down the pallets, another group digging around the community garden, another group working on creating compost bins, and another group working on creating a worm bed. I had everything ready to go and now it was time for me to have patience...
As 10:00am came the start of the event no one showed. I stood next to Dave as we were breaking down some pallets to use as examples as his wife helped take the nails out of the stripes taken from them. One new member of the Church came walking around the corner as he lives locally and was geared to help in anyway. A man I recently met who came to my youth night, he recently came to New Zealand to learn flight training to take the skill back to his country in Papa New Guinea. The four of us continued the work ahead as we waited, however, neither congregation came and the day found its only workers to be the ones already on the Church grounds.
Embarrassment and frustration set in as I worked knowing I can not do the work of many but I will do as much as I can. Born and raised on a beef farm I learned hard work and it has been ingrained in my being and soon enough I will be back out there at the garden digging and hammering because the job is not done. This is but a moment to look at and remind me that ministry can be tough but noting easy is worthy doing. We must continue to stand and reach out to those broken and lost even if I am the only one standing. I know where I stand is firm ground because of my faith in my Lord.
The harvest is ready but the workers are few.
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Fishing in New Zealand
I woke up Friday morning half asleep as I knew I needed to drive soon to begin my day of going fishing. I took my jeans, my black hat, my long sleeve red shirt, and sunblock. I was out the door and saw how early it was as the sun did not even want to be up at this hour. Now years ago I worked a factory job where 4:00am was common time to start my work as we worked 12 hour days. After having the time to sleep when I want it is different to wake up earlier then excepted. This fishing trip would be the first time in my life I would be fishing from a boat. The first time fishing for snapper. The first time fishing with the Pastor from Takanini and his family. The first time to fish in the ocean. The first time to fish in New Zealand. Many first times were being broken that day. As I was still half asleep I still remembered how to drive where I needed to be. I always wonder about the unconscious state of some people as stories have proven that if someone drives to the same location many times their unconsciousness could do the same as well while they sleep. This was not the case for me as I was only half asleep, the other half was wide awake.
I drive where I needed to be and change vehicles and go from driver to passenger. Soon enough we reach the docks and I tried taking pictures but the flash would break the reality of light in the dark. I wanted to reject reality of light only reaching several feet ahead of me. If my eyes can see so should my $120 camera. However, the fact was reality could not be changed as often as it is in my own mind. Once more I found myself greeting people I have never met before and helping the packages and rods onto the rented boat. I was curious never being on a boat to go fishing would I be seasick?
As hours went by I realized I was not vomiting and therefore my stomach would be the media portrayal of seasickness. I would not be the person feeding the fish personally. It was interesting to fish in the ocean and taste the salt water as it would splash against the boat and race into the sky. I caught seven snappers but only two were keepers. The Skipper and his mate helped me with fixing my line and taking the fish off and because of that I felt I was on vacation. Of all the thousands of time I have gone fishing back home in the States here I am being helped.
As the sun was not clearly out and the clouds surrounded us for most of the day I decided not to apply the sunblock I brought with me. But at the end of the day I realized the wrong decision that was as my face, ears, and neck were bright red.
When getting back the family lined up all the fish and separated them to each family. The rest were smoked and deep fried. I had fins and one fish head where I was shown to suck out the fish brains. Not a usual sentence I would be typing, to say I was taught to suck fish brains. From my own taste buds the taste was similar to pudding called tapioca. Here are some photos so you can join me in the adventure I had:
I drive where I needed to be and change vehicles and go from driver to passenger. Soon enough we reach the docks and I tried taking pictures but the flash would break the reality of light in the dark. I wanted to reject reality of light only reaching several feet ahead of me. If my eyes can see so should my $120 camera. However, the fact was reality could not be changed as often as it is in my own mind. Once more I found myself greeting people I have never met before and helping the packages and rods onto the rented boat. I was curious never being on a boat to go fishing would I be seasick?
As hours went by I realized I was not vomiting and therefore my stomach would be the media portrayal of seasickness. I would not be the person feeding the fish personally. It was interesting to fish in the ocean and taste the salt water as it would splash against the boat and race into the sky. I caught seven snappers but only two were keepers. The Skipper and his mate helped me with fixing my line and taking the fish off and because of that I felt I was on vacation. Of all the thousands of time I have gone fishing back home in the States here I am being helped.
As the sun was not clearly out and the clouds surrounded us for most of the day I decided not to apply the sunblock I brought with me. But at the end of the day I realized the wrong decision that was as my face, ears, and neck were bright red.
When getting back the family lined up all the fish and separated them to each family. The rest were smoked and deep fried. I had fins and one fish head where I was shown to suck out the fish brains. Not a usual sentence I would be typing, to say I was taught to suck fish brains. From my own taste buds the taste was similar to pudding called tapioca. Here are some photos so you can join me in the adventure I had:
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
District Youth Camp of 2013
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.
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.
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.
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