A place in Auckland where mixed cultures come together to buy and socialize. It is a place of fresh fruits, some I have never seen before, and items from different cultures. You can find necklaces, dresses, shoes, jangles (flip-flops), music, carpet, sunglasses, green stone carvers, American sportswear, flowers, and much more. As well as the different cultural foods as you listen to gospel, Samoan music, and sometimes even country music being spoken. You will walk across individuals who have a guitar or a speaker and hear their talent. You may even see dancers. As each Saturday morning the market opens from 6:00am to 12:00pm people come and go and you never see everything the same each time.
I have taken the time to sit down and observe the people as pacific islanders, Chinese, German, Americans, and other people groups walk through the market.
It is amazing what I see and hear and I am glad God has given me the chance to be here.
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Harvest is Ripe but the workers are few
The community garden has had its ups and its downs as the past two months were the driest Auckland, New Zealand has seen in a long time. People's garden's were dying and as I had trouble watering the garden because of no outside source nor fire hose could be used. Yes, I used a fire hose to water a garden...lol. I tried carrying water from inside the Church to the garden but after 2 hours of doing it I became tired and the garden seemed to thirst for more.
I have pulled fruits from the garden and walked through the community creating relationships and talking with people. I would start by saying, 'hello, I am pastor of the Church of the Nazarene (pointing where the Church is) and we have a community garden and I was wondering if you would some fruit for free?'
Not everyone rushes at you after hearing the words fruit and free but several people I talked to as Wednesday I gave out carrots.
I worked on the garden as the carrots were grown to close together and struggled to survive as they twisted and turned around each other. But it was interesting to see the different designs creation can do to live.
I hope my time here does not end with garden being left by its self but continued to be the example of an outreach to the community to fight obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is an outreach to create relationships and bring families into the Church. I see a Church is not a building nor the bricks or the wood but the people. A Church that does not fight against the social injustices around them or does not help the needs of the people is not really the 'Body of Christ'.
In sharing the food from the garden I have worked hard at I have seen certain foods disappear as I hope it went to a family that truly needed it. It is an outreach to help those who are in need. I am not asking them to come to the Church but build a relationship with me as we walk together in life.
I have pulled fruits from the garden and walked through the community creating relationships and talking with people. I would start by saying, 'hello, I am pastor of the Church of the Nazarene (pointing where the Church is) and we have a community garden and I was wondering if you would some fruit for free?'
Not everyone rushes at you after hearing the words fruit and free but several people I talked to as Wednesday I gave out carrots.
I worked on the garden as the carrots were grown to close together and struggled to survive as they twisted and turned around each other. But it was interesting to see the different designs creation can do to live.
I hope my time here does not end with garden being left by its self but continued to be the example of an outreach to the community to fight obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is an outreach to create relationships and bring families into the Church. I see a Church is not a building nor the bricks or the wood but the people. A Church that does not fight against the social injustices around them or does not help the needs of the people is not really the 'Body of Christ'.
In sharing the food from the garden I have worked hard at I have seen certain foods disappear as I hope it went to a family that truly needed it. It is an outreach to help those who are in need. I am not asking them to come to the Church but build a relationship with me as we walk together in life.
Make me a Priest
In ministry and classes a person can be overwhelmed, it is interesting that person can not be just whelmed, and as my classes increased my writing has decreased. I have been preaching in the Samoan congregation and the English congregation. I have been asked to teach Sunday school lessons and I have been doing that for several weeks as well in the Samoan service.
Lat week I spoke with my group of 12-15 year olds about the temptations of Jesus as he was tempted on three levels such as: physical, intellectual, and spiritual. The three levels we are all tempted in our lives by the evil in the world. Jesus had the chance to avoid the cross. He could have worshiped the evil and claimed domain over the earth. Scripture tells us Jesus had the command to call a legion of angels to his side at any moment. A legion consisted of over 35,000 angels. He could have shown the world that he is the messiah and avoid the insults, torture, torment, and the cross.
In the lesson plan the focus was to know scripture as the evil in the world can even quote it to their misuse of it. In a game of I called 'dress the royal priest' I found the excitement and how the youth thought outside the box.
I watched and took pictures and timed them to see how they did in comparison with each group.
Its funny of the years I have spent in ministry I have often been confused with being a monk or a catholic priest for my own singleness. I remember a conversation in 2003 where I sat in a car with a woman named Missy as she asked me why I chose to be monk. After laughing as I do, a trained deep laugh similar to a villain from a Saturday morning cartoon, I answered her in saying I am not a monk.
I see the disciplines in our life as a Christian, as a Pastor makes the world believe us to be singled out as people who refuse to be apart of the world. I chose to walk in the world and stand beside the broken, the hurt, the lost and show them I am a real person willing to live among them. I am not typical 80's Christian who thought separation and fences were a good idea. In doing holistic ministry a person needs to be there for others on all levels of their life and you can not be able to do that with a fence between you.
In saying this I taught my class the about the royal priest, Jesus Christ. It was a good time to see them understand what I was talking about and see the connection.
Lat week I spoke with my group of 12-15 year olds about the temptations of Jesus as he was tempted on three levels such as: physical, intellectual, and spiritual. The three levels we are all tempted in our lives by the evil in the world. Jesus had the chance to avoid the cross. He could have worshiped the evil and claimed domain over the earth. Scripture tells us Jesus had the command to call a legion of angels to his side at any moment. A legion consisted of over 35,000 angels. He could have shown the world that he is the messiah and avoid the insults, torture, torment, and the cross.
In the lesson plan the focus was to know scripture as the evil in the world can even quote it to their misuse of it. In a game of I called 'dress the royal priest' I found the excitement and how the youth thought outside the box.
I watched and took pictures and timed them to see how they did in comparison with each group.
Its funny of the years I have spent in ministry I have often been confused with being a monk or a catholic priest for my own singleness. I remember a conversation in 2003 where I sat in a car with a woman named Missy as she asked me why I chose to be monk. After laughing as I do, a trained deep laugh similar to a villain from a Saturday morning cartoon, I answered her in saying I am not a monk.
I see the disciplines in our life as a Christian, as a Pastor makes the world believe us to be singled out as people who refuse to be apart of the world. I chose to walk in the world and stand beside the broken, the hurt, the lost and show them I am a real person willing to live among them. I am not typical 80's Christian who thought separation and fences were a good idea. In doing holistic ministry a person needs to be there for others on all levels of their life and you can not be able to do that with a fence between you.
In saying this I taught my class the about the royal priest, Jesus Christ. It was a good time to see them understand what I was talking about and see the connection.
Sunday, 17 February 2013
One step forward and two steps back 2
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)