Lift Magazine Issue 7

issuE 07: WiNtEr 2012 pLease make a goLd Coin donation

Jesus With skin on Naomi Cowan and Equip

god’s amazing Ways

Property Manager, Bob Hines story

myk haBets

Theologically speaking

sister of merCy Amy Cleary, a nurse at sea

From the

Lift (“Life Integrating Faith Together”) is the quarterly magazine of Windsor Park Baptist Church, PO Box 65385, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0654. Its aim and vision is to reveal members of the church serving God in all their diversity.

Ideas and articles for future issues are welcome. Contact the editor at editor@liftmagazine.org Lift is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

Senior Pastor

Grant Harris Editor

Julie Belding editor@liftmagazine.org Advertising

Bert Holl advertise@liftmagazine.org Design & Production

Lewis Hurst lewis@hcreative.co.nz Writers

Pam Bedwell, Grant Harris, David Knell, Iain Litterick, Helen Rayner, Dani Mackay, Laura Goudie Photographers

Belinda Bradley, Ash Binnie; Dani Mackay ISSN 2230-2646

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’m a couple of months away from my 42nd birthday. As seems to happen around this stage of life, the body doesn’t quite react to change as quickly as it once did and I find myself having to be a little more careful about my diet and exercise regime. To help keep my body toned and up-to-standard (or to try and get it to a standard that I think it should be) I’ve joined up with my local gym. It’s the first time I’ve ever belonged to a gym and it’s taking some time to get used to. I have to prioritise this in my schedule and most significantly I have to work hard at keeping my mind focussed in the realisation that the fruit of my efforts will take time as there is some truth to the old quote that ‘nothing good in life comes easily.’

The same can be said for growing in faith. Unless we prioritise this as a part of our everyday lives it’s so easy to let other things get in the way; the result is that we can easily stop growing and feel distant from God, but it isn’t God who has moved. This year across our SYNC churches we’ve instigated a range of initiatives that provide you with the opportunity to connect with some growth opportunities at a range of levels and in

Belinda Bradley

senior pastor

a variety of contexts. I think we’re doing a good job of encouraging folks to take ownership for their growth, but like that quote, ‘nothing good in life comes easily.’

It’s actually up to you to take responsibility for your growth – we just give you some tools to help you along.

What I love about LIFT magazine is that the people who make up our stories are open to being transparent about their journey of life at all levels – the joys and the sorrows. These are stories of growth and discovery and often they’re stories of perseverance against the odds. They’re stories of ordinary people who allow God to mould and shape their lives. As you practice the exercise of reading and reflecting on these stories, my hope is that you’ll give yourself some time to think about your journey with God and be prepared to let Him lead you through the travels of your life.

By prioritising time with God we can grow in unexpectedly positive ways, both physically, spiritually and emotionally. So be prepared to be enlightened, inspired, challenged and changed. The good fruit that comes after exercising with God is all good!

Many blessings.

Grant

Contents Contents 2 4 6 8 10 12 15 18 20 22 24 26 28

editorial : pastor grant harris easter Camp and e-Camp : photos by ash Binnie & dani mackay snippets : What’s happening at Windsor? naomi Cowan and the equip story : pam Bedwell Being real : david knell talks to Jeremy thomas do it! helen rayner interviews amy Cleary god’s amazing Ways: Bob hines story by iain Litterick dreaming Big : Laura goudie talks to Linda mcadams the most important thing : pam Bedwell chats with edna Wilson theologically speaking : Julie Belding talks to myk habets theosart : exhibition by shirley smith ask grant : q&a with pastor grant harris Winter poem : alison Whybro

Cover photo: amy cleary photographer: Mercy ships

© w J (Bill) harrison's flickr.coM

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youth

Easter Camp

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aster camp and E-camp are two annual Christian youth camps, the former for youth in years 9-13, and the latter for intermediate-aged children.

Easter Camp, run by Baptist Youth Ministries, was held 5-9 April at Mystery Creek, Hamilton. Four thousand campers came this year, of whom about 250 were from Windsor Park.

The “Windsor zone,” including a huge marquee with lights, and a “tent city” were set up by volunteers the week before. Tent city looked like an army with its two rows of identical tents. The camp theme was “A Beautiful Mess”, and speakers talked about finding beauty in some of life’s chaos.

Throughout the weekend activities such as a talent quest, a white party, a water slide, a mud pit, tea parties and seminars were

By Dani Mackay held, and people’s lives were changed as people got to experience God’s power.

E-Camp took place at Finlay Park, Lake Karapiro on 6-9 April, and out of 800 kids who attended, some 80 went from Windsor Park. The theme was “Jungle,” and Windsor campers stood out as everyone wore a camouflage tee-shirt. Again a wide range of activities were available, and many spiritual commitments were made.

E camp photos supplied by dani mackay

E- Camp

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Easter camp photos by ash binnie

Easter Camp

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Getting Connected…

Let the kids come…

It seems like it’s been there for ages and is well integrated into Windsor Park already. Small Fries Christian Childcare Centre continues to gain momentum.

As at writing there are 44 kids enrolled and more are coming every week. Thirty percent of the families enrolled have identified themselves as being part of a local church, meaning that 70 percent of the families are experiencing church culture maybe for the first time. The ways in which Small Fries staff have been able to help families through difficult circumstances using the range of other Windsor Park ministries available is continuing to grow. The vision that Small Fries would make a difference in the life of our wider community is already coming to fruition. We are grateful to God for his leading and look forward to continuing to see him at work in fantastic ways through Small Fries.

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Life groups, small groups, home groups, cell groups, whatever you want to call them groups, are a big part of life at Windsor Park. We realise that for all sorts of reasons Sundays aren’t the ideal environment to create deeper friendships and to “do life together.”

That’s why we emphasise that getting involved in a group that is smaller and more intimate is the ideal way to grow some meaningful friendships and learn from each other what it is to be a follower of Jesus.

Windsor Park has all kinds of groups, whether they be ministry groups that do a range of functions in the life of the church, interest groups such as tramping groups and book clubs, and groups

that meet in houses all over the North Shore during the week. This is going to become a bigger focus over the next year as we want to encourage everyone to be part of something a little smaller that will enhance our community life.

Communicating better…

Over the past few months a bunch of the Windsor Park staff have attended communications seminars run by Project Melting Pot staff, Rob Harley and Richard Nauck. Being effective communicators is always a work in progress and these seminars have proven to be inspiring and challenging. As the world of communication changes, particularly due to the rise of social media and the availability of information online, the Church needs to adjust to the world around us and yet maintain the simplicity and centrality of the Good News by continuing to communicate in ways that people find useful.

We’re always interested in what you think of the ways we communicate and welcome input from you. With such a diverse faith community we’re keen to provide a diverse range of communication methods, so if you’ve got any good ideas that you’d find useful, drop us a line at info@windsorpark.org.nz. Truly, we’d love to hear from you.

snippets Windsor Park Christian Counselling Centre moves…

A continuing part of Windsor Park life is the knocking down of walls and the rebuilding of new ones, literally. Recently the Windsor Park Christian Counselling Centre has moved into its own renovated purposebuilt rooms in the buildings that link Windsor Park Baptist

Church to Equip. It’s exciting to see the counselling centre having its own space they can use full-time. Currently we have six counsellors involved in the centre who help a broad range of people of all ages, from children to adults. The counselling centre provides professional help from accredited counsellors with a range of specialities. There are many great stories of people making progress in life thanks to the help of our counsellors and we’d encourage you to remember the centre if you, or people you know, require some specialist help in the issues they’re facing.

It’s fresh and it’s express…

We’re always looking for creative ways to help folks. Fresh Express is a great new initiative that allows you to make a positive difference within your local community while your family benefits from enjoying fresh market produce. In essence bulk fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) are seasonally bought directly from the market and then repacked in smaller packs. These are then sold weekly to individuals at very affordable prices – either $25 or $35 per box. Individuals benefit through fresh produce direct from the market at reduced costs while the community benefits through the profits going towards funding community youth initiatives within the East Coast Bays / Albany area. Contact the Windsor Park office on a Monday or Tuesday to hear what’s available in the coming week’s boxes and place your order. Boxes are then collected on a Thursday with payments online or in advance through the Windsor Park reception.

She Will Run… With a heart to empower women to be more, live more, enjoy more, love more, and influence more, A new community-oriented initiative called She Will Run recently began at Small Fries Christian Childcare Centre on Wednesday evenings. From the first day to the last, a bunch of women were inspired and motivated to move to new depths in their personal, relational, and spiritual life.

Topics covered included stress management, managing a mother’s guilt, managing criticism, managing conflict and managing time.

Led by some amazing Windsor Park facilitators, this course created plenty of discussion and the participants enjoyed getting to know themselves, and each other, in a more intimate way. Keep your eyes open for the next She Will Run sessions.

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Š Pam Bedwell

ministry

Jesus with Skin On Pam Bedwell talks to Naomi Cowan, CEO of Equip

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f there were a perfect job in this world, one where you loved getting started early and didn’t notice the hours slipping by; then for Naomi Cowan it would be as manager for Equip. She is passionate about the broad scope of the organisation’s activities in our community and beyond.

According to its website, Equip is “a leading mental health organization, an extension of Windsor Park Church, providing an innovative model of care, effective support and education in the greater Auckland region.”

Equip began when the closing down of mental health institutions created a void throughout the country. A group from Murrays Bay Baptist had the foresight to realize this was an opportunity to reach into the community with God’s love. In the early 1990s a trust was set up, a property purchased on Sunset Road, and Te Ara Hou, the precurser to Equip, was born.

Running parallel to the development of Te Ara Hou was the direction God was shaping for Naomi. She grew up in Dunedin where after school she felt drawn to become involved with Youth For Christ.

Beginning as a secretary, Naomi turned her hand to administrative tasks as well as organizing big events. Soon she became “really interested” in the work YFC did with at-risk youth. Feeling God was directing her to this work, she requested and received training. She was then sent to Nelson, where after a couple years she became the first YFC Women’s Director.

Here Naomi worked alongside secondary schools, the Department of Welfare and the police to create weekly programs, rallies and concerts.

New direction Youth For Christ next asked Naomi to move to Timaru to lead a team who wanted to revive the organisation’s work in that area. It was while training in Auckland for this next stage that she met John, and life as a Cowan began. In the early 1990s Naomi and John moved north so John could attend Baptist Theological

College. Whatever church Naomi found herself in she jumped into women’s craftwork and events.

One day, while waiting for the children at the kindergarten gate, Naomi met a “friend for life.” Ever since the children were small, these two best friends would hive off twice a year to rejuvenate the spirit. (The Cowan children, Bernie, Susannah and Guy, are adults now but the tradition continues.)

It was during this period that the parallel lines began to converge. Around 1996 John and Naomi were invited to join Parenting with Confidence (now Parents Inc). Naomi worked there part-time as the children were still in school, and also

“It’s a practical expression of what God can do in people’s lives, and an expression of Christian love – doing things with people instead of for them. I feel honoured to be able to work in an environment like that.” worked part-time as a support worker for Te Ara Hou. To the health training given through Auckland University, she decided to add some social work papers from Massey. As time progressed Naomi found herself doing more management work, so she took on more papers in this field and eventually gained a Diploma in Business Studies. In the late 1990s she became CEO of Equip.

“It’s a practical expression of what God can do in people’s lives,” she says, “and an expression of Christian love – doing things with people instead of for them.

I feel honoured to be able to work in an environment like that.” She pays tribute to Equip’s “extremely effective team” of “fabulous people.”

Equip pays market rent for their premises in the west wing of the Windsor Park complex. A total of 60 staff is connected to these offices with some 300 clients going

through the doors on any given week. Staff numbers are about to increase with the securing of two new contracts: a seven-bed adult respite facility and a day-care dementia program.

Naomi today Naomi’s main role is networking – maintaining current contracts and finding new ones, helping to shape services and ensuring Equip runs effectively and sustainably.

Over her is a supportive board – one which is “keen to see Equip work well and stay linked to the church.”

One outcome is the demystifying of church. By association people feel more at ease to attend church.

“We are one way that Windsor Park is evolving into a cornerstone of the community,” Naomi says.

This sentiment was echoed to Naomi when MP Maggie Barrie came to visit.

When she saw the range of services from gardens to mental health to preschool and more, Maggie said, “You’re kind of covering the whole person aren’t you?”

This is an environment of support and encouragement both for staff and clients.

I like the headings on the website: We Provide, We Believe, We Help, We Need, We Empower. But they are not just tabs.

They echo what Naomi has experienced all through her life – God’s faithfulness.

Although she is not a clock watcher, Naomi believes in maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Family is everything to her, and just because her children are grown doesn’t mean she stops being a Mum. She’s a keen cyclist, having done the Central Otago Rail Trail with John, and loves camping, movie nights and good books. She is also deputy chair of MERC (Sir Peter Blake’s Marine Education and Recreation Centre).

“I’m not that interesting,” she insists, “but I think Equip is interesting. We’re Jesus with skin on. The biggest challenge is keeping the Christian heart in the organization. Not just for Equip but for all that Windsor Park represents. The secret is to try to hear people’s dreams and desires so you know how to help make a difference.” www.equip.net.nz 9

Being Real David Knell talks to Jeremy Thomas

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rite a book. Many aspire to write their life story, but few of us ever get round to it. Jeremy has, but it’s not as you would expect. Raw and honest, this is the Real Book.

Jeremy is a tall, muscular South African with Telegu Indian ancestry, an infectious grin and bursting with life. Born in Pietermaritzburg, in Kwa-Zulu Natal, his mother Shyla came from a staunch Hindu family but married a nominal Christian, Dan Israel. Dan turned out to be a rogue of the worst kind, and after many affairs left Shyla divorced. She moved to Johannesburg seeking a better life. In those days South Africa, dominated by apartheid, separated people into Black, White, Coloured and Indian. Being Indian, Shyla and Jeremy were required to live in an Indian area, and settled in Lenz.

Gavin Thomas seemed a nice guy, and so Shyla married again. But after a couple of years Gavin was hitting the bottle and Jeremy as well. Things got worse. Jeremy was playing football with a few boys one evening and lost track of time – it was ten minutes past five. Gavin lashed out with a sjambok, a tapered plastic rod that was used like a whip by South African police.

With many more blows came the more painful words, “You are good for nothing and will amount to nothing, just like your cheating father.”

Jeremy says, “I couldn’t fathom how Gavin could do what he did – belittle Mum, hurt me, moan about everything imaginable, mumble a few words on Sundays, drink grape juice, eat some bread and simply be forgiven, clean slate and all.

The most ironic bit was how self-righteous he was.”

Getting on Determined to prove his stepfather wrong, Jeremy excelled in sports and did well in school, eventually being accepted for a BCom course at WITS University. Due to good grades, he achieved two bursaries.

“One paid for the first year course and book fees, and the other went towards a 10

deposit on my first car which took three students to campus in Braamfontein. Two of them covered the petrol, and the third’s payment I used as the monthly instalment for the car.”

Evidently finance was the right choice for Jeremy. His first job was a pensioner payroll clerk in retirement funds. A big break came when he was offered a broker consultant position.

“If I had to think of other reasons why I succeeded in the corporate world than just hard work,” he says, “it would be that I took on the stuff nobody else wanted.”

Jeremy first met Carmel at school when they were thirteen. But her parents disapproved of the developing relationship and sent her off 600 kilometers to Silverglen, in Natal. Four years later, in 1994, they met again by chance at a church band practice. One thing led to another and they got married in 1995. The couple have three children, Brendon, now aged 16, Kaitlyn 13, and Ethan 7.

“I had this picture of how life could be by thirty, We had ‘significance’ and owned investment properties. We went on to own three businesses, one for each of our children.

We owned commercial property and snazzy cars.”

Jeremy moved on, forever upwards, with palatial houses, cars, and the big salary.

He became a top consultant in South Africa, and formed his own company.

“I had this picture of how life could be by thirty,” he says. “We had ‘significance’ and owned investment properties. We went on to own three businesses, one for each of our children. We owned commercial property and snazzy cars.”

Although they had been involved in church all their life, by November 2007 Carmel and Jeremy felt they were not doing enough for God.

“God was good and I’d found favour on my life,” Jeremy says. “I felt I should do something to feel less guilty about all this prosperity” They found a small church that seemed to tick all the boxes, but after some Bible studies soon realised how far from God they had drifted.

Emigration Meanwhile security in South Africa was an increasing problem. The crunch came when Brendon was not allowed to walk to his fully fenced and secured school 400 meters from their home. The kids had to be driven everywhere as it was not safe to walk. Jeremy loved his family. What was the point in amassing wealth if his children could never walk to school? One

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evening Carmel and Jeremy searched the Internet for the best place to bring up children, with the least corrupt government and a good place to retire. Believe it or not, the answer was New Zealand.

With no friends or family in New Zealand, Carmel and Jeremy came for two weeks, and looked for job opportunities.

The ASB came through with an offer, and assisted in visa applications. Two days before they flew out, there was an attempted car-jacking at Ethan’s farewell party. It was time to go. Jeremy started work at the bank in July 2008. The big plan was to set up in business again with the money from the sale of the SA businesses. But it never came, due to a legal wrangle. Everything turned to custard.

Jeremy set out to write his autobiogra-

phy, I Make a Lousy Someone Else, for the benefit of any future grandchildren. It was the story of a teenage parent, building an empire and losing it all. But it turned into much more than that. In writing the book he was forced to confront himself. He had to deal with his own demons of arrogance, pride, envy, racism and self-sufficiency.

“I find when I’m not honest about what’s really going on beneath the surface, it leads to disconnection,” Jeremy admits.

“I end up playing a ‘Lousy Somebody Else’ and as a consequence, hurt those who love me the most. Nor can I serve God joyfully.”

With all the achievements and “stuff” gone and his former identity stripped away, Jeremy fell into depression. He needed to get real. He prayed, asked ques-

tions, and went to Bible classes. Slowly he realised all the outward appearances were just that – facades.

“We’re so concerned with how we look,” he says, “but God sees us as if we were standing naked in front of a mirror.

I believe we all make a Lousy Somebody Else.”

The Thomas family have been in New Zealand for nearly four years now, and Jeremy is finding many opportunities at work. They love the freedom that is New Zealand, and have found friends through church, sports clubs and work.

“The church helps me,” says Jeremy. “It serves me and my family and reinforces our faith. Our church is relevant in the community, and through it my family and I are able to serve others.”.

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feature

Do it!

Amy Cleary tells Helen Rayner about her work on board the Mercy Ship Tell me a bit about yourself and your connection to Windsor Park I was born in Kawakawa and every couple of years my family would move further south. We lived in Whangarei, then Omaha, and then finally on the North Shore. Prior to serving on Africa Mercy I was a paediatric orthopedic nurse at

Amy Cleary Hobbies: Africa reminded me how much I love to dance. We danced in the streets and on the wards of the hospital, and every church service turned into a party!

Pet hates: Sand in my bed and cigarette butts that haven’t been put out. I have to go and jump on them.

Favourite way to spend a day off: At the beach. I love being in and by the water.

Favourite ice-cream flavour: Orange chocolate chip Favourite quote: “Calm seas never made a good sailor.”

Favourite TV shows: Glee and Private Practice Favourite book: Hunger Games Movie: At the moment, 50/50. I cry every time.

A couple of bucket list items: Nurse on board Africa Mercy: Tick.

See Bon Iver Live: Tick.

I need to think up a few more items now.

An unexpected skill: I’m really good at picking kina out of feet. I’m told I have the perfect nails for it.

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Starship Children’s Hospital. Windsor Park is my home church. So much love, so much support, so many great opportunities… I am stoked to be a part of such a great community.

How do you think your friends would describe you?

Kind, caring, gentle, a good listener, easygoing. Well, so I’m told.

When did you become a Christian, and how would you describe your relationship with God? During high school my brother dragged me along to Windsor Park one evening. I loved the people and what it was all about.

When I was fourteen I gave my heart to the Lord. My relationship with God always has plenty of room for improvement but I’ve no doubt he is looking after me.

Recently I’ve learned how endless his love for me is, and that I can trust him with everything.

Why did you go to work on the Africa Mercy?

I first heard about Mercy Ships more than four years ago, but I was still studying and I needed two years’ work experience before I could be accepted. Once I graduated I completed two years at Starship Children’s Hospital and applied as soon as I could. I loved my job at Starship but Mercy Ships was always on my heart.

How long were you there, and what are your future plans?

I’ve just completed nearly three months in Togo, aboard Africa Mercy. I’m currently traveling through North America but more than anything I want to get back to Africa.

Can you tell me a bit about Togo itself – the people, the culture, the landscape?

Togo is between Benin and Ghana in Western Africa. It is the tenth poorest country in the world. The ship was based in the capital, Lome, which is dusty and busy.

The street markets are buzzing and the roads are overrun with cars and Zimmy Johns (little motorbikes). No one wears a

helmet and none of the taxis would ever pass a WOF in New Zealand; there are no working seat belts. When you’re driving, you have the right of way when entering a roundabout, but must give way when leaving, and of course everyone is driving on the wrong side of the road.

Togolese people are friendly and are always willing to show you around. If you invite a friend somewhere you must pay for everything. It’s also rude to walk past a Togolese person without at least greeting them and asking how they are. Togo’s main language is French, and each village has its local language. African men are different from our typical Kiwi blokes. They tend to confess their love for you after a week of being friends. The white girls run a mile.

What was life on board like?

Life on the ship was great. I loved the community. We ate so well that we talked about getting “Mercy hips.” Mealtime was a great way to catch up with everyone.

Sometimes I didn’t feel like sharing a meal with 300 people but there were always places to escape to. Routine never really exists for shift workers but there were set things which helped me remember which day of the week it was. We had church services, community meetings, Zumba classes and Bible studies.

Within my first week I had already established a great network of friends and we could do things together on shore. Getting a break from the ship is important for remaining sane. Every Friday night we’d go out for dinner and a dance.

What were the best and worst things about your job?

The worst thing was feeling helpless, when there was nothing we could do for a patient. It broke my heart at times, but that was also a blessing. We ask God to break our hearts for what breaks his, and that most definitely happened on this trip.

One of the best parts was realising I’d established trust with a patient, especially a child. When your patients trust you, the care you give becomes more holistic and quite special. I also loved seeing my patients healed and ready to return home.

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© mercy ships

Who pays for all the medical treatment done by Mercy Ships?

Everything is funded through sponsorship and donations. Companies from around the world donate materials to stock the hospital. The crew all volunteer their time and skills to allow surgeries and recovery to take place. We all individually seek sponsorship from anywhere we can.

How different was it from your work in NZ? The fact that you have chosen to be there makes a great difference to the atmosphere of the hospital. We all know how great our God is and we all want to be used by him. It’s the most loving and encouraging environment.

Have you had one of those moments when you knew you were in the right place?

I had a few those while on board, most relating to one patient in particular.

Chantal was my first patient on my very first shift. She touched my heart from the beginning. She arrived with flies swarming around her and a terrible stench coming from her right arm. It was infected and was sending her into sepsis.

That was the hardest day of my nursing life. Everything went wrong; her pain was uncontrollable and everything we tried made her sick. My colleague and I were in tears when she cried out to God for help.

Then the next day we found out she was HIV positive. We continued to treat her and she went through several operations but was still in severe pain. It was a long road but then one day we noticed something different about her. She was so joyful, and there was a new life in her eyes. She would sing worship songs, and the whole ward would join in. She was smiling and talking with everyone. We learned that she had prayed and accepted Jesus into her life. Chantal passed away

If you would like to contribute to Amy’s next mission, send your donation to Mercy Ships, account no. 031549-0000141-00. In the reference write your surname, and ‘mg Amy Cleary’ (mission giving Amy Cleary). If you need a tax receipt you will also need to contact graeme. walls@mercyships.org or phone 0800-637-297

soon after I left the ship. Although she was not healed, we know we did more for her than any physical healing could ever do. When she died she had a photo of the two of us beside her bed. She was my African queen. As hard as it was, I know I was meant to share every moment of that journey with her.

Did you ever find yourself overwhelmed by what you saw, and if so, what did you do?

I found myself constantly overwhelmed by the cases we saw and it was hard to hear about first-world problems at home.

It made me appreciate life in general and I felt very fortunate to have had such a great upbringing. I’ve been off the ship for three weeks now and I’m still processing many experiences. I’m keeping a journal, praying and staying in contact with friends from the ship because they understand. It’s getting easier.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to go on the Mercy Ship?

Do it! Go for at least three to five months.

After the first month you are part of the family and after two you don’t want to leave. After three months you start to miss things at home but it is still extremely hard to leave everyone. I loved it so much I’m already planning my next trip back.

What do you miss about New Zealand?

I miss my friends and family the most. I also miss being settled in one spot and having the same church to go to every week. I miss my car and being independent. I miss the beaches and all the green land but I know it will all be there waiting for me when I return.

Final note: When I think about Africa Mercy my chest heats up; it’s heavily on my heart to get back there. I’ve applied for another 2 ½ months later this year, which will mean I can be safely home for a nice hot Christmas with my friends and family whom I miss like crazy! Thank you, Windsor Park, for your ongoing prayers and financial support during my first stint on Africa Mercy.

Bring on round two!

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By iain litterick

Belinda Bradley

god’s amazing Ways : BoB hines story

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indsor Park is a large church, both in its multiple

Belinda Bradley

congregations and its many facilities. The Windsor Park complex is also large and diverse, and needs to be looked after and developed. One of the people responsible for overseeing all of this is Bob Hines, the Property Manager.

For twelve years Bob and Maureen lived onsite as caretakers and custodians.

Throughout the day and into the evenings, Bob opened up and looked after the security, the maintenance, the gardens, and everything in between.

When Windsor Park Church was born out of the old Windsor Park hotel there was much to do, including tearing down the restaurant and bar and upgrading the old motel units. (Did you know the units were used as a half-way house for those being released from prison?)

Over the years Bob has been involved with the upgrade of the auditorium with its multiple projector system (cutting edge stuff), the addition of the café, and most recently the Small Fries childcare centre where the old McDonalds restaurant used to be.

Bob is quick to point out, however, that he doesn’t do all this alone. There is Bryan Craig, the full time caretaker, a security firm that comes out every night, and of course the faithful volunteers.

So how did Bob get so involved in Windsor? As always there is a tale.

Early Years Bob is a true baby boomer, born out of World War II. His father was an American GI, and Bob was one of seven children.

The family moved constantly until settling in rural Beachhaven – when the North Shore was just being developed.

With all those children to feed and clothe, life was not easy, and Bob remembers the stigma of patches in his trousers, hand knitted school jumpers and the embarrassment of being pointed out in school assembly for not paying the school fees.

This gave him an inferiority complex and lack of confidence that stayed with him into his twenties.

“My family were not church goers and I had no idea who God was,” he says.

“However, a Methodist minister moved into Beachhaven at this time. The Rev Widdup was a man ahead of his time! I’m sure he must have received criticism from some of his congregation, but he invited 16

all the teenagers of the area to use his church hall on Saturday nights for dancing with our own band. This was the start of the rock ‘n roll era which the older people did not like – much like today in some ways. The only condition he imposed was that we attend youth Bible class on a Sunday morning. We were not obliged to attend the main service as well. Eventually we were also drawn into meeting at his home on a Sunday evening for fellowship and some light Bible teaching. I can’t say I came to know God, but the foundation was laid!”

At fifteen Bob left school to help bring more money into the home, but a year later he ran away to sea with the Royal New Zealand Navy.

“I was already mature beyond my years,” he says, “so the transition to a

service way of life was no hardship.”

Because of his dual citizenship he was also called up in the American draft to serve in Vietnam. He wonders how that would have turned out, but since he was already in the New Zealand Navy by this time, his American citizenship was revoked. He still has a close relationship with his American cousins, however, and his family visit often.

His first ship was an old minesweeper from WWII vintage, HMNZS Rotoiti in which they slept in hammocks. His first voyage out of New Zealand was to the Pacific Islands where Bob encountered for the first time a different culture from his own.

His second ship was an almost brand new frigate, HMNZS Otago, with modern accommodation (no hammocks) and

up-to-date weaponry including missiles.

At the age of twenty he sailed out of the Waitemata Harbour on a ten-month voyage, spending three months in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, as they trained for war service in what is now called “The Malayan Emergency.”

Family life He had met Maureen his wife after completing boot camp, and they had married when Bob was only nineteen. Ten more months at sea meant their first child was born while he was overseas. Bob had to wait several months before he could see his wife and new-born son.

Life inevitably brought its ups and downs. A second child died when just four days old. During her third pregnancy Maureen contracted German measles.

The doctors urged them to terminate, but although they were not yet Christians they declined, and their daughter was born profoundly deaf.

In his early twenties Bob left the Navy and trained as an electrician. Sales and management roles followed, including that of general manager and running his own businesses. He also weathered three redundancies.

“It was never easy,” he observed. “I struggled with having to accept lesser positions than the ones I’d been used to.

However God did an amazing work in me during months of sitting at home feeling sorry for myself. Eventually he brought me to a position where I started my own electrical business. This eventually led to my doing some contract work at Murrays Bay Baptist which eventually led to my accepting a full time position at Windsor Park Baptist. God works in amazing ways, doesn’t he?”

Church story The Christian life began for Bob and Maureen in the 1970s when they were pestered by a friend into going to a Pentecostal re-

vival at the Town Hall. Without really fully understanding all that it meant, they went forward and accepted Jesus into their lives.

Over the next decade they wore out two Bibles, attending every meeting they could.

Their Christian walk was interrupted in the 1980s when their pastor fell from grace and the church more or less collapsed.

“We stopped going to church for several years,” says Bob, as we tried to come to grips with the fallibility of even God’s chosen ones!”

Then one day their son David, who had been brought up attending the Town Hall AOG and had become a Christian as a young teen, came to them and said he had felt to go to church again with his girlfriend at the time (now his wife). He had opened up the phone book at random, found Murrays Bay Baptist Church, and felt that was where they should go.

“They were delighted with this church, under the leadership of a Pastor David Marriott,” Bob recalls, “and eventually they persuaded us to attend a service with them. Wonder of wonders, we were back in a church after a seven-year sabbatical and have been with this faith community ever since.”

Bob was blown away, early on, to learn that Jesus was coming back! He determined to learn all he could about this subject called eschatology. He studied, read every book he could find, and attended every seminar. He became convinced this was a key part of our faith, and yet many Christians knew about it only vaguely. Bob started to write articles on the subject. These were picked up by a ministry in Australia and published around the world. One particular study, on Daniel, written during a period of redundancy, had more than 16,000 copies distributed. Other booklets were translated into Chinese.

Bob ran teaching seminars and preached on the topic. As he now reduces his workload, he hopes to return to this subject.

The end of the tale I leave to Bob: “As I enter the last quarter of my life, I reflect on my journey and am content.

Sure, we’ve made bad choices and decisions and have had bad things happen to us. But neither Maureen nor I have ever regretted getting married young, and our marriage has only become stronger over the years as we now approach our 47th anniversary. We’ve lived life together with all the ups and downs, and look what we have now -- a wonderful son and daughter and their spouses whom we’re proud of and who all know the Lord. And six beautiful granddaughters who also know the Lord. We have dear friends who support us and keep us on track, and we live in a fantastic lifestyle village where we can grow old disgracefully!

I have loved being part of the story of Murrays Bay/Windsor Park. It’s given me a sense of fulfilment over the many years I have worked here. God has brought me on a great journey, and I am not finished yet.

I have dreams of many more things I need to do at Windsor, as well as a dream to once again proclaim that Jesus is coming back any day!”

Maranatha!

Dreaming Big Laura Goudie talks to Linda McAdams

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ew to Windsor Park’s staff team is the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Linda McAdams, who started on 12 March. It is Linda who now oversees all aspects of the church’s fnances, including cafewindsor, Small Fries, and managing 18

the offerings. She needs to ensure the church stewards its money wisely so that God can be brought into people’s lives and they can experience his forgiveness, peace and love.

Linda was born and raised a Westie, attending Glen Eden Primary and Kelston Girls High School. By the end of her school years she had two dreams – to become a teacher and an accountant. A door opened up for her to enter Unitech’s teacher’s

staff

couldn’t teach for eighteen weeks. That closed one door, but to her delight another opened – to her second dream of accounting. Contacts were made with people in the business world, business-related job experience opportunities arrived, and recently she completed her studies in business and accounting through the Open Polytech.

New direction

training college on the North Shore, and following her studies she had a variety of full- and part-time teaching jobs, particularly with young children. Amazingly, she still had time for other jobs such as poultry farming, restaurant management, traffic coordinating, lecturing for Weight Watchers, and office administration for a recruitment agency.

Unfortunately it all came to a halt when she injured her Achilles tendon and

Before coming to Windsor, Linda had worked for the New Zealand Breakers as their financial officer for six and a half years. It was there that she met her husband Mark, a seasoned ticket holder for the Breakers. Linda says it was hard to leave that job as the players were like family to her.

Linda had grown up in a sports-minded family and still loves the scene. But after seeing the CFO position advertised in the Windsor Park bulletin and hearing Grant preach on taking up challenges, she felt God might be leading her in a new direction. Obeying these promptings has worked out well. She loves being a part of the Windsor team, a welcoming community where everyone is passionate about their job and God. Challenges there are, of course. Windsor is a busy place with many different events and courses that she is expected to know all about. To think that just twelve weeks ago she only really knew about the Alpha course and the books sold in the café! She is persevering through the information overload with her positive attitude of doing the best she can with what she’s got.

Furthermore, Linda’s logical thinking, her love for numbers and her talent for organisation make her a good Financial Officer.

Life-changing experience One year ago Linda would have never imagined herself in her current position, first because of the sheer size of the challenge, but secondly because it was only about a

“Dream big and be the best you can be, so you can make a difference in the lives of others.”

year ago that she came to know the Lord and started attending Windsor. How did that happen?

Not long ago she fought a battle against melanoma, undergoing two major surgeries. It was a huge mountain to be climbed.

But in this difficult time she found herself in a reflective space. Surrounded by supportive Christians such as her family and those from her Breakers’ team, she was drawn to the message of the Gospel and gave her life to Christ.

You may have seen Linda around at Windsor, since she and her husband have been attending for a year now. Her outlook on life following that health setback is inspiring. She say it’s made life simpler in a way, and moved her to count her blessings. She is thankful for every day, for each bird that sings, for each beautiful sunset. Laughter and fun are ever present too. In her office she keeps a brightlycoloured clock, given to her by a German homestay, which “oinks” loudly on the hour as a toy pig jumps in and out.

Outside of work she likes to relax by spending time with family and friends, walking along the beach, and enjoying a bit of retail therapy. Linda has four children, two of whom still live at home: Mark (16) and Bex (24). The others, Megan (21) and Laura (20) currently live in Perth.

If money were no object she wouldn’t hesitate to bring these two daughters home for a visit.

Linda leaves us with an encouraging thought about our aspirations – whether they be in accounting, teaching or any other category: “Dream big and be the best you can be,” she says, “so you can make a difference in the lives of others.”

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The Most Important Thing Pam Bedwell talks to Edna Wilson

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feature

A

Emigration After university Bob had gone into the fishing industry. In 1967 he left Edna and the children for a short time to come to New Zealand to introduce seine fishing.

Shortly after this, Vancouver’s fishing industry hit the doldrums, so Bob moved his family as far east as you can go in Canada – to a job on Prince Edward Island. Edna and Bob thought this might be a good opportunity to leave the affluence of the city, including the bad influence of drugs in schools, for a simpler life. But they were met with the new dilemma of small-town, poverty-induced alcoholism.

“Summer lasted six weeks,” Edna says.

“A lot of the rest of the time the ground was covered in snow. We lived on the Gulf of St. Lawrence where there were icebergs and freezing winds. The washing would freeze before I got it on the line and I had to stand with one foot in the basket so the wind wouldn’t blow it away. It’s a beautiful island but has severe weather – Vancouver was so mild.”

photos: Pam Bedwell

n energetic Edna Wilson meets me in the lobby of Knightsbridge.

She’s a skookum lass and greets me cheerily. We are fellow Canadians having a good yarn. We both lived a good portion of our lives on the West Coast so in our lingo skookum (a Chinook word) has the positive connotation of good and strong.

Edna was born in Canada in 1928 to an Irish mother and Jewish father. Her father, a major in the Canadian army, served in the Boer War followed closely by World War I. A year after Edna’s birth the family returned to England. They stayed there thirteen years, when two years into the second World War her father was invalided out of the army back to Canada. Although Edna’s grandfather lived his Jewishness, her father had never really embraced it. It was not until later that the family realized how lucky they were to live where they did – “escaping the fires of Europe.” Generations of history contribute to moulding who we are. We tend to forget about the people who have gone on before us, and the “what ifs.” But that’s not the case with Edna Wilson. For a very big “what if” would have meant she would not be with us today.

In Vancouver in the early 1950s Edna found herself working as a secretary/ bookkeeper in a fish factory. Here salmon was canned and herring was reduced to meal and oil, and the all-pervasive odour reached well beyond the factory walls. She was working for the father of Bob, the man she wed in 1952. They were married for 40 wonderful years and have three children.

end of myself. I couldn’t stop weeping with all that was happening. The catalyst came when a child in difficulty said to me no, I didn’t need to spend more time with my family, I needed Jesus. This really opened my eyes. I turned to the Lord with my whole heart.”

Edna had grown up being sent to an Anglican Church for the morning and evening services plus Sunday school in the afternoon. Back in Vancouver, the young Wilson family attended church on a regular basis. But in the 1950s and 60s it was for many only a social gathering.

“I knew God was there but I liked doing things my way,” Edna says. “I was holding back. When I came to the Lord I knew such wonderful peace!”

Shortly after this God blessed Edna with what I call “the domino effect.”

Bob became a Christian also, then two of their children, followed by her mother (who lived with them) and Bob’s parents in Canada.

Another move

“We lived on the Gulf of St. Lawrence where there were icebergs and freezing winds. The washing would freeze before I got it on the line and I had to stand with one foot in the basket so the wind wouldn’t blow it away.”

Bob was offered a job in Tauranga in 1970. Because he had such fond memories of his last visit to New Zealand, they decided to accept it. For their children, Rob 17, Kelly 13 and Sheila 10, the move couldn’t have been harder. There was nothing in 1970s Tauranga, and the first year of adjustment was quite “chaotic” for all. Adjusting to a new school system, a new culture and in some cases a new vocabulary was hard, in some ways especially for Edna who as mom and wife had the role of holding everything together.

“That first year was a nightmare,” Edna says. “I was completely stressed out, had trouble sleeping, and totally came to the

Bob was headhunted in 1973 by Jaybel Nichimo in Auckland, so once again the family packed up. This time they moved to Browns Bay and got involved in Murrays Bay Baptist Church where Graham Brogden was the minister. They never looked back.

Edna is a demonstrative person who is free with hugs. She was devastated when Bob died in 1992, and felt her life had lost its purpose. But God met her and helped ease the hurt.

“It’s twenty years since Bob died,” she says, “and I can honestly say God has wonderfully filled my life.”

She is pleased Bob got to see six of their seven grandchildren. During those married years her involvement with the Baptist Missionary Fellowship continued. She has been the secretary now for 40 years.

“We are a dedicated, prayerful lot,” says Edna. “BMF is part of my service at the moment. It’s an outreach – praying for the missionaries and the lost.”

Edna’s other passions are reading, walking, cooking, friends and family. Also anything affiliated with the church and especially her relationship with the Lord.

Edna leaves me with a final word.

“Love is the most important thing. Without it we’re nothing. It’s not always easy to show it but that is really what Christianity is all about.”

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theologically speaking

By Julie Belding

M

yk was born in Palmerston North, the son of a Dutchman who immigrated to New Zealand in the 1960s, and of a mother from Feilding. He attended secondary school in Palmerston North, and says he had a “somewhat Christian” upbringing.

“Mum and dad were moral middleNZ and then mum was converted by a neighbour who was a frustrated missionary when I was five or so, and Mum was about 25. Dad became a Christian when I was sixteen (1986) so he took a while to come around. It was rough for mum at home at times, to be the only strong Christian and raise us up in the Lord as best she could, but she did very well I think. My older sister Angela and I went to Sunday School from age five or so, but with dad not being a Christian we didn’t have family devotions or Bible reading and so on.”

Myk made a Christian commitment at Sunday school, at around seven.

“I had a good sense of respect for authority instilled into me and so when my Sunday School teacher said that Jesus was God and he wanted me to love him and live for him I took that as ‘Gospel’ and became a Christian,” he says. “Since then it was been fides quarens intellectum (faith seeking understanding). As a cardcarrying evangelical I do believe you need a conscious belief (at some stage) in Jesus to be saved.”

The world of work For a working class family like the Habets, education was about getting a trade, and so young Myk was encouraged into wood 22

work and metalwork. Problem was, he was “useless at practical subjects,” he says.

On the other hand he excelled at history, English and journalism, and grudgingly did economics and biology.

He went through to the seventh form, but left school a month before the final bursary exams as he didn’t know what he would do at university if he went. He now regrets this, for he thinks if he’d been encouraged to do a BA in history and English it would have opened up other doors for him earlier.

At any rate he left school and worked at a Whitcoulls store for six months, a job which left him “brain dead” as he puts it. He moved on to Whitcoulls Office Products where he was employed as the inwards-outwards goods officer, with two staff members and his own office. That was better but not something he wanted to do forever. So he began studying towards

a business diploma, still with no idea of what he really wanted to do and with no burning passion to be a business tycoon.

When he got his eyes tested he was offered a job as a dispensing optician. He enjoyed this for six years, but again, as he says, it was not a job he wanted to do long term. He was still looking for his Godgiven vocation.

He had been involved in his local church as much as he could while doing a full time job, including being a part-time youth pastor twice. (“Never again!” he says.) But having discerned that his spiritual gifts were in leadership, teaching and faith, he had a call to theological training.

“To teach theology I knew I needed a doctorate and to get that I needed a masters and to get that I needed an undergraduate degree. So I looked at my options and enrolled at what was then the Bible College of NZ and went there full time in 1995.”

feature What attracted him to theology?

“I think we are each created with passions, skills, and a personality and temperament. And then when we become Christians we are given spiritual gifts.

These naturally lead us into certain areas.

Mine was teaching, research, and publishing, and that in the area of theology. Since reading my first theology book at about eighteen, I was in love with the intellectual coherence of our faith and how theology brings together all truth, founded on Scripture, to matters of life. So I don’t feel I chose theology really. It was more a case of it choosing me.”

He completed a Bachelor of Ministries and then a Master of Theology at BCNZ (now called Laidlaw College). By this time he was teaching at the college, writing distance courses for it, and working at his local church in leadership and teaching roles. He went on to do a PhD in theology through the University of Otago, and a graduate diploma in tertiary teaching from AUT.

Meeting Odele Odele Stuart, a trained physiotherapist, had belonged to Windsor Park Baptist since the days when it was Murrays Bay Baptist. She had a heart for the poor and was expecting to be living and working with the Leprosy Mission in Ethiopia for a long time. But the role fell through due to the political situation in Ethiopia, so Odele embarked on a one-year graduate diploma at the Bible College of New Zealand. She happened to be in one of Myk’s evening classes. Six months later Odele moved on campus full-time and he taught her again, this time a course on biblical exegesis.

They got to know each other by playing on the same volleyball team. After college they became good friends, then went out,

“I think we are each created with passions, skills, a personality temperament, and then, when we become a Christian, we are given spiritual gifts.

These naturally lead us into certain areas.” and finally it became serious.

“We felt a bit like kids really,” says Myk, “as given the situation, I had to get my Principal’s permission, along with my supervisor’s and my pastor’s, and Odele had to talk to her pastor, Brian Winslade.

Thankfully, they were all very supportive of our relationship. So bridal college worked for us!”

They were married on the beach at Kawau Island on January 10, 2004. Their daughter Sydney was born some two years later, and Liam arrived in October 2008.

“They both have more energy than the sun and love people and playing,” observes Myk. “They are also my little theological projects as Odele and I try to bring them up to know and love the Lord.”

Since 2005 Myk has been teaching at Carey Baptist College, first as lecturer in theology, then as Director of the RJ Thompson Centre for Theological Studies, and now as those plus Director of Research, and Head of Carey Graduate School, part of the senior management team of the college. Six years later he has published seven books and numerous journal articles and has many more on the way.

Continued on page 26

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photos By dani Mackay

Theosart

S

hirley Smith, whose painting were exhibited in the Theosart gallery in April, was born in Hastings in 1950 and started learning to paint when she was at school. She took out her first competition at age ten. Shirley took up art classes as an adult, and at age thirty began painting in oils. She recently moved towards more abstract paintings, occasionally using mixed media. Her paintings depict her experiences in life and express the natural world God made for us.

Through this exhibition in the Theosart Gallery, Shirley supported the Mercy Ships ministry. Thirty percent of all sales went to support the fistula surgeries needed by women who become incontinent through childbirth injuries, especially in Africa.

These women are shunned by society, and this surgery enables most to return to normal lives within their communities.

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Q&A

ask grant!

With senior pastor grant harris GOt a QuEstiON FOr GraNt? Write in (grant.harris@windsorpark.org.nz) and get your question answered in the next issue of Lift.

Q: There seems to be lots going on at Windsor Park and sometimes I feel a little lost. How do I get in touch with someone to ask some questions?

We take seriously our mission statement of “transforming communities one life at a time,” so every question is important to us. We have a variety of ways you can contact us – use the online form on our website, email us, Facebook us, pop a question in the mailbox in the foyer, use the tear-off slip on the newsletter, or use the good old telephone method. We’re more than happy to meet with people oneon-one, but it pays to ring first as it can be hit-and-miss depending on our schedules.

The best thing we recommend is to ring Robyn at the office and tell her what you’d like to know. She’s the best “point person” around and can direct you to the appropriate person.

theoLogiCaLLy speaking

Continued from page 23

He enjoys his job because he likes leading students over a semester into a deeper grasp of the faith and seeing them integrate that learning into their own worship and discipleship. He also likes publishing research for the enrichment and critique of the wider church and academic community.

“It isn’t research until it’s published,” he says, “and it is published in order to engage in the dialogue of the church which gathers around God’s written Word.”

Like most teachers Myk feels humbled by the privilege of communicating truths to others and leading them into deeper knowledge.

“This responsibility is even weightier when what you are teaching are the great truths of the Christian faith. It’s also a daunting prospect to publish research for the critique of your peers.”

The Habets family are not exempt from life’s challenges.

“Home life can get hectic, administra26

Q: I see you sometimes advertise events from other churches. How do you know what they’re about?

Q: The Recycle Appeal is something I’ve seen mentioned a few times. What is the idea behind that?

We know we can’t cover all bases at Windsor Park and that other churches are doing some cool things. An example of this is that we’ve recently become aware of some excellent training opportunities that St Pauls in the city run, so we’ve been promoting that and I know a number of Windsor Park people are going along – excellent! We do our homework to make sure that we promote things we believe in that you might find beneficial. I wish churches would work in more together, and the fulfilment of my wish starts with me, so yeah, we’re trying to plug in where we can with the bigger picture. SYNC is a big part of this. Whatever is good for the Kingdom of God is good for me.

Each year people generously give approx. $1.6 million to Windsor Park. Under current tax legislation one third of that amount is available be refunded to the givers as a tax rebate (approx. $400,000).

To help meet the annual budget that the members approve each year we ask people to think about donating their tax rebate back to Windsor Park. After all, its money they’ve already given. This year we’re hoping to raise $70,000 – 18 percent of the 33 percent eligible to be refunded. This should be easily manageable and enable Windsor Park to continue to undertake the array of ministries that we have in order to connect people with Jesus. If you’d like more information about how to do this, please contact us. And a big “thumbs up” to all who support Windsor Park financially – we can’t do what we do without you, and we are grateful.

tion can get ridiculous, money can get tight, and colds and flu descend – and that can get you down. So what keeps me going? I’m a positive person at the best of times.

I say I’m a realist, Odele says I’m an optimist. Life is for the living and God is in control so why not keep going?”

the end of January 2013 where Myk will be a visiting scholar, completing research on several major book projects, auditing some seminars, and presenting at some international conferences.

I asked Myk if anything ever made him angry.

“Sin!” he said, “Our fallenness and inhumanity. And less seriously, objects which don’t do what they’re meant to do (my type A, ENTJ, Enneagram 1, perfectionist personality type frustration).

And getting home with takeaways to find they’ve mucked the order up. ” If he weren’t a theology teacher, what other career might he have happily followed?

No idea, he says. Never given it a second thought.

“But as I am practically useless,” he adds with tongue firmly in cheek, “perhaps a marketer or lawyer.”

traVEL Myk and his family go on sabbatical next month. They will first travel to India for two months were he will lecture and supervise students at SAIACS (South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies), perhaps India’s premier evangelical Bible training centre.

Odele may do some volunteer work as a physio with the local House of Hope and work with leprosy patients, having been associated with the Leprosy Mission for over a decade. Then they go to Princeton Theological Seminary in NJ, USA, until

Social Groups for the young at heart

Equip brings it together!

Epson Social Group (ESG)

Epsom Social Group (ESG) was established in December 2011 after a need was identified for a group catering for older adults that did not close during school holidays. Groups such as Communicare and Stroke Club generally closes during school holidays as many venues are used for school holiday programmes. Many people who make use of these groups end up feeling isolated during these times – especially during the festive season as many older people no longer enjoy the social and family supports they once enjoyed.

The aim of ESG is to provide a forum for older adults who are receiving mental health support services to meet weekly (all year) to catch up for a chat and social interaction. They enjoy games such as Bingo, 500, Scrabble etc with Bingo being the preferred game and insisted on at each meeting!

Initially members were unsure and even hesitant to voice their opinions and preferences. In March 2012 ESG printed their first monthly newsletter which members utilize as a means of sharing information and opinions. As a result a monthly schedule has been put together whereby members volunteer to bring plates of snacks as well as assist with refreshments and facilitation of Bingo. Another exciting initiative has been the establishment of a knitting circle – the purpose being to knit pet blankets to be donated to the SPCA. In a short time ESG has become increasingly popular with attendance growing each month. ESG would not have been possible without the kindness and generosity shown by Angela Naidu (owner of Epsom South Rest Home) through sponsored facilities, staff, tea and coffee. ESG also received game donations, stationery, wool and lollies from community members making it possible to offer more to the group. Equip brought all of this together by making staff, vehicles and equipment available!

Orewa Coffee Group

The Orewa Coffee Group caters for community members over 65 in the Rodney district. It is a chance to meet others, and socialize in a caring and friendly environment. They offer a warm environment where attendees relax, have a chat over a cuppa, read a magazine, or play 500. About once a month they invite a visiting speaker to share with the group. The group is facilitated by Janet and Karen and meets every week at the Community House (212-214 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa.)

Loneliness can be a serious health issue for older people, and research indicates that social interaction with others influences general health and well being. The group caters for people over 65 who currently are, or have been a client of the WDHB Mental Health Older Adult Team. For further details or clarification about this group contact Karen Young, on 094772422 or karen.young@equip.net.nz.

Equip supports over 300 people each week in Auckland and Waitemata District Health Board areas. We employ 60 staff and will be recruiting approximately 15 more soon for two new contracts we have successfully bid for.

Equip is an extension of Windsor Park Baptist Church

phone +64 477 0338

550 East Coast Road, Mairangi Bay

www.equip.net.nz

Winter Is winter the absence of hope?

Never my friends!

For spring emerges from even the longest of winters.

Tho’ the season’s coldness brings harshness and pain No angst is wasted on a Father who collects our tears.

You, His precious branches, are beautifully broken To prepare for a new season!

The deadness of winter nurtured back to life stronger!

The warmth of his trust wraps ‘round the weary soul For wisdom and might are His (Daniel 2:20) He changes the time and the seasons (Daniel 2:21) And when winter’s end finally comes, rejoice!

For as the darkest days get brighter, new understanding is revealed.

© porschelinn flickr.com

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– Alison Whybro