Reflection on 10 Day Trip; Back Home in Auckland

I was sitting on a mat on the floor of a lounge, sharing a traditional Tongan meal with my brothers and sisters in Christ in their home, when IT HAPPENED!  As I prayed with two teenage girls, one who wanted to start the journey of really committing herself to Christ and another who wanted to commit to discipling her friend, IT HAPPENED.  IT HAPPENED again around a picnic table over tea with a youth pastor, and again on a beach as I witnessed for the first time a baptism at the beach.  Yet again, IT HAPPENED while I sat on floor mat singing worship songs in Fijian with new friends, and again when my new "Fijian sister" and I sat on a couch just sharing our hearts for young people with each other.  While sitting in a small circle in a church hall, sharing the Word of Life with young people, IT HAPPENED.  Over and over again, IT HAPPENED-->the fresh and beautiful revelation struck me that I am in New Zealand, where God has called me to be!  

There is no way to fully explain the beautiful diversity and outstanding faith that I encountered on my tour of several of our churches in the central region.  I still have many churches to connect with, but it was so incredible to see what God is doing in some of our congregations and build relationships with pastors, youth leaders, and students.  I was able to share my "Jesus story" on different occasions, but more than anything I was able to learn, observe, and connect.  I was so excited to hear SEVERAL testimonies of recent conversion from our students.  God is moving!  Those of you who were praying for Ignite camp in January--your prayers and the prayers of others were definitely heard!  As two teenage boys shared with me, one night at camp, the Lord just pushed them forward to give their lives to Him.  I am so excited to be part of this movement and come alongside our leaders as they pour themselves into these young people!!!  One over-arching theme that I heard from leaders over the past week and a half is that there are not enough leaders to meet the needs!  Please be praying for God to raise up more leaders who will commit themselves to serving young people and the church in general in New Zealand.

Today, I went with seven other young adults to a Young Life training conference.  It was a great day, but I am definitely exhausted after ten days of traveling, and short night's sleep, and a full day of seminars.  It's time for laundry and a bit of rest before hitting the ground running again.  Below are some pictures to try to convey some of my trip.  If you want the full effect, check out the albums on Facebook.

 Maori performance at Whakarewarewa in Rotorua

 With a Maori carving at Whakarewarewa, representing Disciple of course :)

My Tongan friends though it would be fun to dress me up as a Tongan. :)

 With Gisborne Tongan youth group

Another pic with Gisborne Tongan youth

 With Pastor Sione and family

 Beach baptism with Living Waters Church

With some of my new friends from Streams Gathering

 Kathy, my Kiwi friend who took me on this trip, and leaders from Whanganui Wesleyan

With youth from Whanganui Wesleyan

Insights on the Beach for my Land-Locked, Midwestern Friends

So, when I was growing up, a trip to the beach was something that might happen every so many years.  When you are land-locked, going to the beach becomes synonymous with mega-holiday!  I am quickly learning, however, that on an ISLAND, this is not the case at all!  In fact, there are TONS of public beaches within a twenty minute drive of my house!  Going to the beach is not synonymous with holiday here--it's just a normal part of life--like a trip to the park or the store.  So, when you see pictures of the beach on my facebook page, I just want to explain that this doesn't mean I'm here on vacation!  In fact, it means that I am spending time where people are and learning more about Kiwi culture.  This past weekend, I had the joy of spending a day on the beach in a group of seven young adult gals who are all up and coming leaders in the Church in New Zealand.  It was a wonderful time to learn more about culture and engage in some awesome theological discussions.  This trip was more of a one-day holiday than most beach trips because we were visiting friends who had a "bach" (beach house) at Pauanui, which is about 2 and a half hours away.  It also meant that I got some valuable driving experience. :)  However, most beach days will be close to home.  Going to the beach is a cheap way to chill out and build relationships for an evening or a Saturday!  It's also a common youth group excursion. :)

Ministry Update

Good stuff is happening! Please keep praying for God to help me connect and adapt appropriately for the sake of the kingdom!

Here's a brief ministry summary. So far I have...
1. Connected in some way (whether in person or by other forms of communication) with five churches.
2. Met with the National Student Ministries Director and prepared with him a calendar for national youth/youth leader events.
3. Shared with two different youth groups.
4. Started my first mentoring relationship with a new, passionate, and amazing female youth leader.

Upcoming events...
1. Meeting tonight with the Collide student ministries leadership team from Cession Community Church.
2. Leave tomorrow for a ten day tour of connecting with churches/youth groups on the southern part of the North Island.

I'm in Love...

Kia ora from Aotearoa!!! That is, hello from the Land of the Long White Cloud (New Zealand)!!!  We still don't have internet at our house, so my communication has been limited. Pray that the router comes today and hooks up without a problem!

Yes, I think I'm in love. This has to be what it feels like, but I'm in love with a people, a place, and a culture (actually, multiple cultures) rather than a guy.  My flatmate and I watched a chick flick the other night to chill out before going to bed. Afterward, in the reality post-movie let down, I remembered where I am and realized that my actual reality is better than the movie's false one!!! I'm in love!!!!! Every time I'm around teenagers here, my heart breaks and spirit soars at the same time. Can't explain it. I'm praying daily for an outpouring of the Spirit that will bring heaps and heaps of these youth to the hope of Jesus Christ.

Life here is beautiful. Can't wait to share pictures. Next week I leave for a ten day trip seeing different parts of the North Island and connecting with churches. I will take lots of pics too.

My little house (above) is seriously perfect and the landscape is beautiful. My flatmate, Jessica, is great. I definitely see God's hand in putting us together.  She is doing sports ministry in a school and a church.

I've got some amazing time with Joanne, Carmel, Sara, and Steph as well, my instant circle of friends. For those who don't know, Jo became an immediate best mate when I was here before. She's a called and gifted youth pastor who seriously shares my heart. Its been so good to go for a stroll and a coffee with her and just get quality hang out and talk time again as well as to see her in ministry action this week. Carmel is a young adult believer whom I just met in person.  She has a passion and gift for evangelism and is just a lovely gal.  She recently started working in youth ministry at her church as well.  She took me driving for the first time on Monday night!  Sara is an American who graduated from IWU and has been here for five years as a teacher.  We watched the Superbowl together. :)  Steph is an American missionary youth pastor at one of our churches and is the gal I came with the first time to NZ. All that to say, relationship building is alive and well, so I don't feel isolated.

I've played ping pong, dodge ball, and croquet already with teenagers. I've also walked through the botanical gardens in Manurewa as well as part of Totara Park. I'm keeping active and eating healthier than ever before--already lost almost 8 pounds!!  I spoke on Wednesday night for Papakura youth group.  Nothing like sharing my heart for Jesus with teenagers to get me stoked!!!  I also had a phenomenal meeting with Pastor Atu, the National Youth Ministries Director whom I will be working very closely with here in New Zealand.  We truly share a heart and vision, and I'm honored to learn from and serve with him.

I'm constantly observing and learning culture. Its draining actually, because nothing is mindless, but I'm loving the challenge and mental thrill. FYI, I've found my Hebrew vowels are very helpful in learning to pronounce Maori words.

In His Love,
Amba

Arriving and Settling In

I arrived safely in Auckland yesterday (Wed., Feb. 1st) morning! When I looked out the plane window and saw the Sky Tower and the rest of the Auckland skyline, my eyes filled with tears. After this long journey, God got me here!!! All my luggage arrived as well, and my journey went flawlessly smoothly! Thank you all so much for the prayers. 

Three kiwi church leaders and one American missionary were at the airport to greet me yesterday, and I have been surrounded and supported since then as I work my way through jet lag.  I had been traveling for over thirty hours and literally skipped over January 31st thanks to the International Date Line.  Also, I left an Indiana winter and entered the middle of a New Zealand summer!  My body is a little confused, but I'm feeling much better than yesterday.  Yesterday was busy--I arrived in Auckland at 9:50 in the morning.  One of my "best mates," Jo, and my flatmate, Jes, and I spent most of the day together.  I got a mobile phone, exchanged the currency I brought with me, and bought some essentials.  I LOVE our house--it's such an amazing blessing from God!  I also visited the National Resource Center where I will do my office work each week. Yesterday evening, we had "tea" (dinner) with some other kiwi members of the churches here and then headed out to youth group at Papakura!  It was so good to be back at Papakura and even reconnect with two of the youth I met when I was here in 2009.  I had a blast, watching/learning rugby touch, playing ping pong and dodgeball, and just interacting with the students.  Also, some of the students shared testimonies from their experience at Ignite camp this summer.  After youth group, I did a little unpacking and then crashed while attempting to journal about my day.  When I looked at the journal entry this morning, it was nonsensical.  :)

Today, Peter (a Kiwi church leader) and Jes went with me to set up a NZ bank account.  Also, Jes and I went shopping again for some more things we needed for the house and groceries.  This evening, Steph, another American missionary, is joining us for dinner.  Tomorrow I hope to actually get unpacked and settled into the house.  This weekend I will be attending a couple of our local churches and getting to know people better since it is a holiday weekend (everyone is off on Monday).  Then on Tuesday, I will have my first official meeting with some national church leaders and start getting into the swing of normal ministry life.

I will try to post some pictures soon (once I can take some)!