Boy, I knew it had been a while since I posted on our blog, but one year (almost)...just a week short. So, that would be fifty-one weeks since my last post. That's shocking!
So, on that note, I feel that I should give a short summary of the last year. I know--it's not a New Year's letter where you might typically read such a summary. Here goes (if you're brave enough and interested enough to read on):
In late April, 2013, we said 'good-bye' to Donald and Gwen Stevenson, as Donald took a senior pastor's role in Rotorua (three hours from us). That left a big hole at Riverbend and you might guess who stepped in to fulfill alot of the shepherding that was necessary. That kept Greg very, very busy for the next several months. In addition, he was teaching on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and was the elder overseeing the youth group--which met on Friday nights. Monday nights was elder's meetings.
In the meantime, Traci planned small gatherings for the TSBC wives. We were blessed with several couples this year, so it was a perfect time to meet for fellowship. We were also blessed to have Sean & Kiri Young live in the self contained apartment on the ground floor of our house.
Sean was on the police force in his hometown and took a year leave of absence in order to study at Shepherds. It was a real joy to have them around and to be able to share meals several times a month. Sean has now completed his studies and is using his training to teach in his local church. They also had baby Caleb while they were with us.
In August/September we kept busy compiling residency paperwork, gathering documents completing medicals, etc. and submitted our residency application in November (after Traci's trip to USA). Speaking of Traci's trip to the USA in late October, she enjoyed a wonderful visit with Greg's mom and a few close friends.
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It was also a privilege to speak at Mindset for Missions, a group of dear ladies who meet to hear from and support missionaries of Grace Community Church. What a blessing to be a part of this group and to share of our ministry in New Zealand. This group of ladies has sent anniversary cards, birthday cards, Christmas cards, care packages...you get the idea. They do a superior job of taking care of missionaries. I conveyed to them how much it means to know that they are back home praying for us.
Not long after Traci's return from US, the TSBC school year was winding down, which also means that Micah's school year was winding down. Once school was out, we took a short holiday to the north of New Zealand, enjoying a couple of days in the Bay of Islands. Since the busyness of Christmas was upon us we didn't stay long.
We enjoyed a lovely Christmas with a group of dear friends. Then, it was Greg's birthday and then New Years Day. January was busy as Micah helped with cricket camps, hosted by Riverbend Bible Church. That took the whole month of January. Greg and Traci also helped out in the kitchen for the cricket camps. In the midst of cricket camp was lots of time with school mates and summer activities. Also, in early January, Micah attended a birthday party of a mate where they played laser tag. Micah got bumped in the mouth, with quite a severe blow, causing a front tooth to die. After numerous trips to the dentist, he now has a dead front tooth.
We also learned that our residency application was due to take 9-12 months! Since our visas were due to expire on Valentine's Day, we had to quickly get paperwork together to apply for another visa which would carry us through until the residency was approved, Lord willing. Well, as of the writing of this post, neither application has been approved, but we have been granted 'interim' visas...which allows us to stay while the applications are being considered. Please join us in praying for a favorable outcome.
Micah started Year Ten at the end of January. My, where are the years going! We are now nearing the end of term one. We've also had the privilege of hosting Jacob Murray, an intern for Global Connection in Mission, an organization which allows post high school grads to take a year between high school and university. They come to our area to work in the apple packhouses, thus earning money for their expenses. They spend three months (roughly) in Thailand doing various types of missions work. Jacob did the program two years ago and now he is a leader in the group. He is taking coursework at a Bible college, so he studies during the day and spends time with the young people on some evenings. It's been a joy to host him and we've been blessed to see this young man's enthusiasm for young people and for seeing them grow in their relationship with Christ.
Now, if you look closely, you may see Micah has a cast on his right arm...bet you can't guess what he's done to break a bone...his first broken bone in 14 years! One Sunday afternoon, he and Jacob went out for a bike ride. Let's just say, it is necessary to pay attention when you're riding a bike. Not a week later, Jacob was mowing our front lawn...a job that's typically Micah's but with said cast on, he was not able to. Our front lawn has two levels and it's quite steep (at least with a lawnmower) to climb from the lower level to the upper level. Jacob slipped and fell, getting his right big toe caught in the mower blade. Good thing Traci knows the way to the Urgent Care! (Greg was away in Rotorua teaching a TSBC block course--a course that meets Friday night and all day Saturday).
Well, there's a summary of the last year...and a summary it is! We are blessed to be involved in a wonderful ministry and we are truly grateful to be here. We thank you for your interest in our ministry and would love to hear from you! To God be the glory, great things HE hath done!
Oh, one more thing...we are beginning to make plans for a trip to the USA in July...to attend GCC's missionary conference. We'd love to catch up with as many as possible, so please get in touch if we would be able to see you. As the Kiwi's say, "Cheers!"
So, on that note, I feel that I should give a short summary of the last year. I know--it's not a New Year's letter where you might typically read such a summary. Here goes (if you're brave enough and interested enough to read on):
In late April, 2013, we said 'good-bye' to Donald and Gwen Stevenson, as Donald took a senior pastor's role in Rotorua (three hours from us). That left a big hole at Riverbend and you might guess who stepped in to fulfill alot of the shepherding that was necessary. That kept Greg very, very busy for the next several months. In addition, he was teaching on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and was the elder overseeing the youth group--which met on Friday nights. Monday nights was elder's meetings.
In the meantime, Traci planned small gatherings for the TSBC wives. We were blessed with several couples this year, so it was a perfect time to meet for fellowship. We were also blessed to have Sean & Kiri Young live in the self contained apartment on the ground floor of our house.
In August/September we kept busy compiling residency paperwork, gathering documents completing medicals, etc. and submitted our residency application in November (after Traci's trip to USA). Speaking of Traci's trip to the USA in late October, she enjoyed a wonderful visit with Greg's mom and a few close friends.
Greg's mom with two of her sisters and brother-in-law.
Jeff & Emily (Greg's brother and lovely wife)
Precious friends: Glen & Nancy Henderson and Laurie Boehmer
Not long after Traci's return from US, the TSBC school year was winding down, which also means that Micah's school year was winding down. Once school was out, we took a short holiday to the north of New Zealand, enjoying a couple of days in the Bay of Islands. Since the busyness of Christmas was upon us we didn't stay long.
We enjoyed a lovely Christmas with a group of dear friends. Then, it was Greg's birthday and then New Years Day. January was busy as Micah helped with cricket camps, hosted by Riverbend Bible Church. That took the whole month of January. Greg and Traci also helped out in the kitchen for the cricket camps. In the midst of cricket camp was lots of time with school mates and summer activities. Also, in early January, Micah attended a birthday party of a mate where they played laser tag. Micah got bumped in the mouth, with quite a severe blow, causing a front tooth to die. After numerous trips to the dentist, he now has a dead front tooth.
We also learned that our residency application was due to take 9-12 months! Since our visas were due to expire on Valentine's Day, we had to quickly get paperwork together to apply for another visa which would carry us through until the residency was approved, Lord willing. Well, as of the writing of this post, neither application has been approved, but we have been granted 'interim' visas...which allows us to stay while the applications are being considered. Please join us in praying for a favorable outcome.
Micah started Year Ten at the end of January. My, where are the years going! We are now nearing the end of term one. We've also had the privilege of hosting Jacob Murray, an intern for Global Connection in Mission, an organization which allows post high school grads to take a year between high school and university. They come to our area to work in the apple packhouses, thus earning money for their expenses. They spend three months (roughly) in Thailand doing various types of missions work. Jacob did the program two years ago and now he is a leader in the group. He is taking coursework at a Bible college, so he studies during the day and spends time with the young people on some evenings. It's been a joy to host him and we've been blessed to see this young man's enthusiasm for young people and for seeing them grow in their relationship with Christ.
Well, there's a summary of the last year...and a summary it is! We are blessed to be involved in a wonderful ministry and we are truly grateful to be here. We thank you for your interest in our ministry and would love to hear from you! To God be the glory, great things HE hath done!
Oh, one more thing...we are beginning to make plans for a trip to the USA in July...to attend GCC's missionary conference. We'd love to catch up with as many as possible, so please get in touch if we would be able to see you. As the Kiwi's say, "Cheers!"
