Updating and Holidays!

So, there wasn't much detail in my last post as to how things have been going. The past few weeks have been brilliant - busy but really encouraging.
This is pretty much the only picture I took at new staff training a couple of weeks ago - was learning too much to be taking pictures! It truly was such a helpful time to study and learn together. Am excited about putting all that I learned, particularly with regards to vision funding, into practice. It really is such a privilege to be serving on a team as gifted and Christ-centred as those I work alongside. I am so thankful for these times of challenge and encouragement with people taking time out to invest in us.

A little bit more on camp as well. It really was an amazing time. Having spoken with quite a few of the students about what they were learning and how they are growing it seemed that the theme of salt and light in Paul's last talk has had a really profound impact. OCF are planning a series now based on how to apply some of this teaching. It was also amazing to see all the gifting on display on the Saturday night - songs and dramas galore! The impact that camp made was amazing and it has really encouraged people into their bibles. I am praying that they continue to be rooted in God's word, that it is not just an excitement that exists for the duration of camp but that we see real transformation on our campuses as a result!

It was a busy week or and so I then got the opportunity to have a few days off. Claire has been in NZ for the past year or so and is heading back hom soon so I joined her down in Napier and we made our way up the East Coast of NZ. It is pretty much the most sparsely populated part of the country, certainly of the North Island. I made for a restful holiday on the beach in nice weather - just what I needed! It was also another reminder of the beautiful country we live in...


One last thing - I don't know if it was in the news back in the UK but while we were down in Wellington six students and a teacher from Elim Christian College in Auckland lost their lives on an school outdoor adventure trip. They got caught in the swell of the river as the weather turned. It is a tragedy that has really rocked the whole of Auckland, and the nation.
What has been obvious throughout the media reports has been the profound witness of the families and friends of the victims.
Many families around my church were affected by the events, some with children who were on the trip. One guy got up on Sunday and told the story of the young homestay they have staying with them. He is from Taiwan and was best friends with one of the guys who lost his life in the river. This guy, however, was saved. Through the witness of the survivors around him he has since come to faith. What an amazing joy to come out of such tragedy.