We Got Snow!

Ol' Man Winter has struck the Hawke's Bay! The weather forecaster predicted we'd get snow (as most of the country did), and he was right! Micah was determined that the roads would not be passable this morning and he'd enjoy a three-day weekend. But, alas, that wasn't the case. We did wake up to snow this morning, though. And, while I did take some photos of our back yard, they were all blurry. It was just a dusting anyway. This photo was taken from our living room and is a nearby hill. Thank the Lord for a wood-burning stove and a shed full (well, it's not full anymore) of wood!

Holiday Happenings

So here's a snapshot of a few ladies from Traci's small group. They gathered for a potluck lunch during the school holiday. Several were not able to make it, but they had a lovely time.

Also a couple of snapshots of Micah and his mates, who have come for a two-night sleepover. They built a small fire in the backyard and just minutes before dinner came requesting marshmallows. They are having a great time. Last night we played a couple of games out under the bright stars with our gumboots on and our flashlights in hand. In fact, as I write, they are down at the river doing who knows what! They took a backpack full of snacks, ginger beer and matches. Hmm, wonder what they'll get up to.

Holiday in Hamilton

Micah is one week in to a two week school holiday. Early in the week, we went to Hamilton, about one hour south of Auckland, where Greg had three sessions at Equip Bible Conference (topic of sanctification), hosted by River City Bible Church. River City is a new church plant, pastored by TMS alum Bryan Martin. Wednesday we were able to meet up with Matthew & Tammy Anderson, Greg's long time mate from university. They minister in Auckand, with Campus Crusade. Thursday, we drove home, via Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Later this week, Traci's small group from the ladies Bible study will come for a potluck lunch and Micah is planning on an overnight outing with his mates (as in sleeping in a tent). Mind you, it is winter and the weather report is for an Antarctic blast to whip through the country this week.

Good Byes, Good News and Great Joy!

Would you look at that! It's only been six days since our last post! Greg had a wonderful time of ministry in Christchurch, with about 85 in attendance at the biblical counseling training which was conducted. Only the Lord knows the fruit which will come of that, but we trust He was glorified as the Word was proclaimed to be the answer to all of man's problems and church leaders were trained in how to help people cope with the stress and aftermath of the earthquake

Soon, we'll say good-bye to Reuben & Verity! We will be so sad to see them go, but so excited for what lies ahead for them. Reuben is starting pastoral training at The Master's Seminary this fall, along with his dad and three other Kiwi families (one from Riverbend). As I've mentioned in previous posts, it has been a true joy to get to know Reuben & Verity. We've talked ministry, seminary, life in So Cal, where to live, where not to live, freeways, shopping, professors, seminary wives, etc. etc. While it brings back such wonderful memories for us, we are glad to be where we are and not where they are (in terms of just starting training). They have a long, but thrilling ride ahead of them. They'll even get to live with our dear friend, Stephanie, for the first term. They also know Stephanie from her visit to New Zealand. Thanks, Steph!

In other joyous news, our residency application was accepted for consideration! This doesn't mean we've been granted residency...simply that our application was accepted and that the government will assign an officer to our case. So, really this is just the first hurdle, but we made it over!

And, finally, today Traci was given a New Zealand driver's license! Yippee! We went to apply for our driver's licenses back in October, but were unable to get them, because we needed to know the exact date that we began driving. And, since we both started driving soon after we turned sixteen, neither of us knew that date. So, we had to wait long enough that the computer system used would accept the date on our current driver's license (instead of rejecting us, since we haven't been driving long enough--according to the system if that date was used). So, Traci went to get hers early this week, but failed the eye exam!! For whatever reason, she was only able to read two of the three columns of letters in the eye machine. Ugh! (Notice the stamp on the temporary license: 'corrective lenses must be worn while driving') So, of course AA (the Kiwi version of AAA) would not grant the license without an official eye exam. Fortunately, she found an optometrist in town who conduct a driver's license exam (as opposed to the full exam). So, $15 and 15 minutes instead of $150-odd. Hot diggity! (Don't worry, Greg will get his soon.)

Well, that's all for now. Tune in next time for more news!

To Fly or Not to Fly?

Yes, I know it's been way too long since our last post. Maybe one of you could volunteer to be our blog writer, hey?

Impact has come and gone. It was a fantastic conference, Stepping Into Eternity, and indeed we did, albeit via our human speakers. It's safe to say, we are looking forward to heaven even more than ever! Greg taught a seminar session entitled, Doing Missions Right.

For more info and photos, visit Nigel's blog: http://2tim42preachtheword.blogspot.com/

This weekend, Greg and Russell are in Christchurch conducting biblical counseling training. The aftershocks continue in Christchurch, including several today. People are becoming more and more desperate in their search for answers from city and government officials. Many don't know if they can rebuild at all. They are living with whoever and wherever they can. Survival is difficult, to say the least. It is winter now and there are still people living in tents in their yard because their home is uninhabitable. Many homeowners are stuck with homes they cannot sell and cannot live in. Much of the land is not even stable enough to rebuild. Any businesses still open are struggling due to so many people leaving the area. It is a desperate situation. Russell and Greg were asked to train church leaders in biblical counseling, as they are struggling to know how to help this dire need. We're praying this training will be instrumental in many lives as the church leaders begin to implement what they have learned.

Well, getting to Christchurch was a challenge all it's own! Because of the ash cloud from the Chilean volcano, many flights to the South Island have been cancelled. Knowing this, we checked the Air New Zealand website first thing yesterday morning. All morning flights were cancelled, afternoon flights yet to be determined. After lunch, we popped into a bank to make a deposit and found there was an Air New Zealand desk there. How convenient! Perfect! No, it wasn't, because the woman was misinformed, as she told us that Greg's flight had been cancelled. Immediately, we spread the word and began to make plans for Greg and Russell to drive to Christchurch, complete with a booking for the ferry, accommodation plans, etc. Greg had to drive Traci home, so she could hop in the other car and drive back to town in time to get Micah from school. Half way home, we decided we'd better abort that plan and return to town (after getting calls from Russell and Ian that the flight was not cancelled). It was now less than an hour from departure. We dashed back to town, picked up Greg's things from his office, then sped to the airport. Upon check-in, the announcement was made, "Flight delayed". Either which way, breathing resumed at last!

Later than night, we heard that there were six meter swells through Cook Strait. Greg was certainly glad to not be on that ferry.

Royal Buzz

The country is a-buzz with the royal wedding. Everyday there is a story on the news about the upcoming Royal Wedding. We've heard how the pottery manufacturers mucked up the royal pottery by misprinting something and about how the New Zealand Post misprinted the commemorative postage. Then there was Prince William's visit to New Zealand a few weeks ago. He visited Christchurch (of course the site of a catastrophic earthquake in February and numerous devastating aftershocks) and Greymouth (where the 19 miners were lost). And, the story today was that New Zealand was contributing $10,000 to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal as Will & Kate's wedding gift. Oh, and yesterday, Prime Minister John Key was interviewed about his upcoming lunch with the Queen when he goes to the Royal Wedding. Is anyone as excited about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Just wondering.