It is hard to believe we have been in New Zealand for one year. As we look back over this past year, we stand amazed at how God has moved for us time and time again. From the beginning we saw God’s hand at work. New Zealand Immigration allowed us into the country even when one of our entry papers was not correct. God also used the people of Emmanuel Evangelical Church (the Ethiopian church we work with) to sponsor us for a 2 year visa. Just recently God miraculously provided for us when we had a shortage in our funding. Over the past year God has opened many ministry opportunities for us. Also, over 10,000 tracts, Bibles, letters, and other pieces of Christian literature have been given out. Praise the Lord for all He has done! Also, thank you for your prayers and financial support! Without your help this ministry would not be possible!
RADIO MINISTRY
We now have a website for the radio station. You can listen from the radio page here on the blog or you can go to graceradionz.com Also, you can access other resources we have available there.
One of our neighbors, Roy, recently had a heart procedure done. Something went wrong, and he is now paralyzed from the waist down. When we visited him in the hospital, he shared with us that he was a believer but had strayed from the Lord and does not have that blessed assurance that everything is okay between Him and God. We shared with him that the Word promises, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He said he believes what happened to him and us starting the radio station in his area was of God. He also said he appreciated that the sermons do not water down the Word of God. When we prayed for him he said he felt a warmth go throughout his body. Praise the Lord for touching him! His wife has recently messaged Reitha thanking us for visiting him. She said he looks forward to the visits. Please pray for Roy that God would heal him and continue to work in his life. Thank you to all those who have allowed us to use their preaching and singing material for the radio station. We pray many souls will be won to Christ through this ministry.
We passed out flyers for the radio station and placed them in mailboxes in our area, (it is legal to do that here). We ordered cards for the radio station as well. We have seen that people are more likely to take a tract when you have the card with it.
STREET OUTREACH
While we were passing out tracts, one night we met a man by the name of Tim. He was raised in a Christian home but says now he is agnostic. We talked to him for over an hour, reasoning with him about the Truth of the Scriptures. Please pray the Holy Spirit would draw this man back to the Lord. As we are out passing tracts it is sometimes discouraging, because so many people refuse to take a tract or simply ignore you. However, there are encouraging moments as well! One night as we were in downtown Auckland, we were talking to a man by the name of Pete. He said I pray and ask God to give me power to be better. I explained to him that the first prayer we need to pray is a prayer of repentance. He said I am going to do that when I get home. A friend that was with me told him you can do it right now. He said is it that easy? I told him yes, it is! Praise the Lord, we were able to lead him in a prayer of repentance right there on the street!
We are not allowed to go into the schools and pass out Bibles, but we can stand on the public sidewalks and offer the school children a New Testament as they leave school. We thank God for the opportunity to share His Word!
Adult Bible Study
Once a month we have the parents from the children’s Bible class over for a meal and Bible Study. We are thankful a new family has started attending. Currently, we are going through the Sermon on the Mount. Some have mentioned how difficult it is to live by these principles. We told them we cannot do this in ourselves, it takes the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. The Lord has come by in a special way and touched hearts during these times. Reiawna has started doing a Bible story for the kids during the Adult Bible Study. We are thankful that our girls enjoy taking part in the ministry.
Children’s Bible Class
Gabby, a 6 year old girl, who attends the Bible class has a friend who is from a Buddhist family. One day they were at the library and saw a drawing of a figure with horns on it in a magazine. She told her friend, “That is the king of demons, Satan. I’m glad we have Jesus to protect us.” Her friend asked who Jesus was. We pray the Lord uses this little girl to win her friend to Jesus. We purchased a children’s picture Bible for her and Reitha told her she could tell her friend the stories and about Jesus. Her Mother gave us an encouraging note saying, “May the Lord God continue to bless you and your family. You have been a blessing to the people around you. We thank you for doing the Bible study and sharing the great love of God to us.” After the last class one of the fathers thanked us for the Spirit filled Bible class. He said we had a wonderful time. We praise the Lord for moving in these precious lives!
Nursing Home Ministry
Hope Center Food Bank
Hey Bro Shawn and family,
I’m excited to hear and see some of the work that y’all are accomplishing. I’m thankful that you have a burden for New Zealand. I hope everything goes well for your family and that God richly works for your ministry!!! My prayers are with y’all
Thank you, we appreciate your prayers