Because of all the changes in the office with staff there hasn't been a weekly Bible study/prayer time with everyone for a few months. However, Pastor Rob encouraged us to begin meeting again, so this past Tuesday morning I led the devotion. It's a great way to start the week off with Vicki, Ken, Pastor, and myself in the Word. Then Ken and I ran to get a new Starbucks coffee (and we got one for Vicki) - the Christmas season kinds have come out! Yum! (although I do miss the Thanksgiving pumpkin pie spice - they don't have that one in New Zealand).
Tuesday evening a PhD student came from Massey to teach the adult education study about Maori pre-contact religion. It was fascinating to learn about the Maori creation account and how their religion ties in to their everyday lives. Ken and I really hit it off with the presenter and he asked if we would like to go get a beer sometime next weekend and talk some more! He was very impressed with the church and it's members, opening their doors to a non-Christian to learn more about their religion. So it not only was a great way for the people of St. Luke's to learn more about a common religion in New Zealand, but it also was a great witness to the presenter on Christian love and willingness to learn about others instead of just condemning others.
Wednesday Ken taught his last BCNZ course and now is officially done as a "professor." It was a great two semesters, but Ken will enjoy having his mondays free again instead of always having to prep for class. Wednesday evening we had music practice - the team is pretty much just a mini-youth team now. It's been neat to watch and hear them grow over the past year - I believe Jude Nelson is going to step in to lead the team next year. That will be good for the youth that are involved in this team that desire to learn to play music together as a team to continue in that endeavor.
Friday was Guy Fawkes which went really well! 30 people attended the event (including youth and families) and the evening was clear and crisp, great for the bonfire and fireworks! Saturday was another beautiful sunny day, so Ken and I went to the A&P show in Feilding - sooo much fun! (as can be attested to by the pictures below). We had Trinity music practice that afternoon and some musicians from St. Luke's came over to help out which will be really great as we transition out, hopefully some other musicians will transition in to continue having "live" music there once a month. I know our new pastor coming in January plays guitar, so maybe he would like to help out for that service too! That night Ken hung out with Johnny and Morgan, two other youth workers in the city he met through the youth workers network meetings. They had a great time playing video games and being guys!
Ken with some of the youth who didn't want to play soccer:
Ken with the other youth who did want to play soccer!
Guy Fawkes bonfire before:
After:
Fireworks!
And sparklers!
A&P Show Animals
A&P Shows:
Yes, that is a small dog on the back of a small horse!
A&P Food!
Sunday was a busy day with church in the morning and evening (for Trinity). In between these services though we went for a 1.5 hour long walk at the river with Jen and Sam (they brought Anna for the walk too, which Pepper loved). It was good to catch up with them, enjoy the sunshine, and watch the dogs play in the river.
Today we're just busy cleaning house, trimming bushes, and just chillin' on our day off.
No comments:
Post a Comment