Once again, we want to express our gratitude for those who support this ministry. May the Lord pour out His richest blessings upon your lives. Originally, we were planning on staying in New Zealand until July of this year. However, our Visa allows us to stay until January of next year. Please pray with us that the finances will continue so that we can stay until our visa expires.
The Lord has opened more doors for us to witness to our neighbors. We have been able to give Bibles to three of them; Aria, ( the one we mentioned in our last post), Josie, and Andre. Andre also took a study on the Book of John.
One day we were talking to our neighbor Andre who comes from a Buddhist background. We shared with him how the God who created this massive universe and who created us, loves us. He loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die for our sins. As Reitha was flipping through the Bible we were going to give him, her eyes fell on Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” She told him his soul is worth everything. She told him don’t think you have to be perfect before getting saved, that is not how it works. Shawn told him there were men in the Bible who were not perfect, but they repented of their sins.
Another one of our neighbors by the name of Josie saw the shade cloth we had put on our deck, she wanted to know who had installed it for us. Reitha told her Shawn had put it up. She was wanting to hire someone to put one up for her. We feel like the Lord opened this door for us to share Christ with her. One day it came to Reitha’s mind to give her some flowers and tell her of God’s love for her. Her response was, “He loves me?” Shawn told her yes, He does. Later, Reitha asked her if she had thought about what we had talked to her about and she said yes. We pray that she will truly come to realize how much God does truly love her.
A few weeks ago, Reitha was outside and noticed an Indian man standing outside of his house. Reiawna came and told her that the man wanted to talk to her. He was talking about his wife, but Reitha couldn’t understand him very well, because English is his second language. He wanted her to come into his house where his wife was. As we talked to her, we found out that she has been having pain in her stomach and in her back. The doctors cannot find out exactly the reason for this. Reitha asked her if we could pray for her. She told her we believe in Jesus and because of His death on the cross we can be saved. Also, because of the stripes that were placed on Him, we can be healed. After we prayed for her, her husband wanted Shawn to pray for him as well. We believe God has opened this door for us to share Christ with this Hindu family. Please pray with us that the Lord will give us wisdom in reaching them.
We have now started a church service once a month at our home. We pray that our neighbors will come as well as those who come to the Bible study. Please help us pray that the Lord will draw heart to this service.
Street Outreach
One night while passing out tracts in downtown Auckland, Reitha had an opportunity to talk to two young men. She asked them if they died tonight, where they would spend eternity. One of the young men said, what is the chance of me dying being young. She explained that people die at all ages, and we will spend eternity in either Heaven or Hell. One of them said I am from a different religion, I am Muslim… We don’t believe that Jesus died on the cross. Reitha said, but He did! She quoted Romans 6:23 and explained to them when you have a job you receive wages from that job. When we sin the wages or what we get paid for our sin is death (Hell). She continued, “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” They both listened very well to what she had to say. Before leaving them, she gave them a card for our radio station and explained that on the back side of it is a link to a Bible app where they can download the Bible in over 1,600 languages. She invited them to church. We hope to see them again.
On another evening a young man by the name of Eugene sat down on a bench close to where we were passing out tracts. Reitha started talking to him and found out that he had only been in NZ for three days. He is from Malaysia, but his ancestors are from China. His family is Buddhist, but he has now become Catholic. He said he used to be rebellious and did not believe in God. Reitha had a good conversation with him talking to him about the Lord. While they were talking, she found out that he lives close to where we live in Mount Wellington. He came to Church with us for an Easter program and has also come to our house a few times. Please help us pray that he will see his need of genuine salvation, and also please pray that he will find a job. If he does not find a job he will have to leave the country. God truly does order all of our steps!
The week before Easter we went to Auckland University to give out tracts, praise the Lord around 400 tracts were given out.
Bible Distribution
Some friends who belong to the Gideon’s, asked us to help with distributing New Testaments at Auckland University’s downtown campus. Many people would not take one, however in two days over 3,000 were handed out. Praise the lord for His help!
Children’s Bible Class
In February’s Bible class we talked about Adam and Eve and the fall. We are thankful that a boy raised his hand for salvation and that a new family came. We are trusting that others who have been invited will come as well.
In March the kids from Bible class acted out the story of the death and resurrection of Christ.
Bible Study
For our Bible study this month we did a Valentine’s dinner. It is common in the culture here for people to live together, without getting married. The government has normalized and encouraged this by the policies that they have enacted. We took this opportunity at the dinner to emphasize the importance of marriage and talk about how much God loves us.
We had a good Bible study in March as we looked at the Lord’s Prayer and how our prayers should not be repetitious but should come from our heart. Afterwards, we prayed for the families that were there. One of the ladies thanked Reitha for praying for them. She said, ” I am thankful God brought us together. We had strayed away from God but are slowly coming back.” It’s encouraging to hear responses like this.
Youth Night
The youth are really excited about coming to youth night. They would like to have it every week, but this would be very difficult with everything that is on our schedule now. We were happy that in February, Eugene, the young man we talked about earlier came to youth night. In March, Darius, one of our neighbor boys came.
Food Bank
Ethiopian Church
The Ethiopian church had a 3 day conference and asked us to help with the classes for the children. We were able to help with the classes on Friday and Sunday evening. Friday night we acted out the Easter story. When Reitha asked the children and young people to raise their hands if they would like to ask Jesus to come into their hearts, several of them did. They repeated the sinners’ prayer with her. We are thankful their hearts were drawn to the Lord!
Visiting Friends In The Hospital
Rosemeem, a Mu*lim lady we know, asked us to pray for her. She is facing a very difficult family situation. Reitha went to visit her and was able to talk to her about the Lord. She told Reitha she was the only one who had come to visit her. We are staying in touch with her and hoping that Christs’ love through us will draw her to salvation. We have invited her to church. She has planned on coming a couple of times but has not been able to. We know Satan is always trying to hinder what God is trying to do.
In addition to the family issue, her son, who is paralyzed, had to have surgery to place a steel rod in his spine to help straighten it.
Please help us pray for Rayyan and his family that we will see them come to know the Lord.
God bless you for your continued faithfulness in the work of the Lord.
Thanks, we cannot do it without the Lord’s help.
I am so thrilled at everything you are doing in New Zealand. Thank you so much. Prayers for God to abundantly bless this work!
Thank you for your encouragement and your prayers.
Great update! So thankful for how the Lord is blessing your ministry, and trust many souls will come to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour through your efforts!
Thank you, that is our prayer also.