Pouto: Where the road ends. .. Miles from where we began

Pouto.  An unassuming little place at the end of the road, literally. It is on the northwestern coast New Zealand, with million-dollar views and completely isolated from everyone and everything. 

Saturday afternoon we set out to enjoy a bit of Maori culture on the marae of our fellow Nazarene brother Moses, who fellowships at the Dargaville Church of the Nazarene.  Moses' family marae is in Pouto.

For those of you who have read this blog before, you might remember that a marae is a sacred meeting area/complex for the Maori people, where community meetings and ceremonies occur and where Maori cultural celebrations take place.  Each town or village has a marae to service the local iwi (Maori tribe) in that area.  When on a marae, there is strict protocol that must be observed by both the local people and any visitors present.  Moses and his family organized for the LoveWorks team and a few of us more permanent kiwis to come and spend an afternoon on the marae, experience a powhiri (formal welcome ceremony) and enjoy some delicious kai (food) made hangi style (in a big pit in the ground.).

It was lovely, but did not come without some extra effort in just getting our army of people to Pouto in the first place. (More photos of the actual marae to come.  I need to snatch some pics from the team members.)

Pouto is about an hour from Dargaville, which itself is already bit out in the boonies, nearly an hour from Whangarei. The only way to get there is to endure some pretty windy, gravel roads, pray it doesn't rain too much, and ensure that you've filled up with petrol (gas) before you leave town.  As one of the drivers and a newbie to the area, I often questioned if we had gone too far and should turn back.  We hadn't seen a single soul for far too long, or so I thought.  But no; it's true.  Pouto is literally where the road ends, right on the edge of the sea.

Our caravan of vehicles started the journey only to find that 30 minutes into the drive, one of our vans decided to bite the dust, both literally and figuratively! :-)  It was completely stuffed  and we had to find a way to get all those passengers to the marae, which was still a long way down the road.  So what do you do when you have no other options?  You throw all the driving laws out the window and cram as many people into the remaining vehicles as you can.  Who needs a seatbelt when you can just ride in the boot (trunk). . .or on someone's lap.  Lol!

We finally made it to Pouto, and though we lost quite a chunk of time, we still enjoyed a shortened powhiri and filled our bellies with yummy hangi... before squeezing everybody back into the cars and heading all the way back to town.  A bit of an adventure, but so worth it!

This "little" Saturday afternoon excursion got me thinking.  When we finally arrived at Pouto we were miles from where we began.  There were times I sincerely wondered if we were lost, even though friends had told me just to continue driving until I couldn't drive anymore. Apparently they were most certainly telling the truth.

My last 8.5 months here in New Zealand are a bit like that  road to Pouto.  When I look back to the first week I arrived here, I see that I am miles from where I began.  Thanks be to God! Boy, have the Lord and I been on quite the adventure!  In times of stress or difficulty when the road didn't seem so clear, I just kept hearing the voice of my Father saying, "Just keep going.  You're still on the right path. You'll get there eventually...but you're there yet. Persevere."  I still believe that my ministry and faith journey here in New Zealand has only just begun and that the road I am on is a long one.  But, just as I eventually trusted the driving directions of those who pointed me down the road to Pouto, I will trust the the guidance of my heavenly Father and keep going in faith that he will eventually complete the good work he has started.  And one day I'll get there and receive my reward.  Then I will and smile as I look over my shoulder and see that
. . . I am miles from where I began.


This last photo has nothing to do with the Pouto marae. This was actually taken last Tuesday after painting the sanctuary, but I thought you might enjoy seeing the Point Loma team all together.  Also pictured are our good friend Scottie and Renata Slykerman (from Rock Solid) and their kids.

Mother's Day in Whangarei

Happy Mother's Day from Whangarei, New Zealand!

 Our LoveWorks team was busy today as they assisted with worship at both the Dargaville Church of the Nazarene and here at New Hope in Whangarei. Some shared testimonies and preached. Others taught Sunday School or sang specials songs, but all offered their gifts to God and to the people of New Zealand and we are thankful. Tonight the team reunited to host our weekly Kids Club.

 We had a blast!  Enjoy the pics below!

The LoveWorks Team

 We are delighted to have the LoveWorks team from Point Loma Nazarene University here with us in Whangarei! After a a long flight and early morning arrival down in Auckland, they have hit the ground running and are heavily involved in life and ministry here at New Hope Church.

They've been involved in Bible in Schools, Rock Solid youth outreach, blessing the elderly and enjoying a bit of the Kiwi countryside.  Today we made the trek up Mt. Manaia in the cool fall sunshine and were rewarded with spectacular views from the top.  Tomorrow the team will be helping us worship at both New Hope Church and Dargaville Church of the Nazarene.

It is a blast having fellow Americans here, and ones with so much life and energy!

Whisper of Peace

A brilliant rainbow appeared on my way to church this morning.  It was a much-needed whisper of peace. Thank you, Jesus.  :)

Our Kids Need Us!

Here is an interesting, yet disheartening fact:
"The OECD (Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development) estimates that within a generation, the primary responsibility of raising children will have passed from biological parents to the professional."

As a pastor, teacher, and youth worker within a western cultural context I have seen this to be true.  Scary, eh? If parents aren't raising their children, then what are they doing? Most of them are working long hours just to pay the bills and put food on the table. Others spend their days in jail for drug/alcohol abuse and crimes of other kinds. Some are at a loss as to how to raise their kids and thus leave it up the "professionals" or other seemingly well-suited family members. Others are back at university pursuing a new career, in hopes that this new education will allow them to more adequately provide for the family. 

Regardless of the reasons, noble or not, our children are spending less time with their biological parents and more with alternate care-givers: babysitters, after-school programs, extra-curricular activities, church programs. . . . and the harsh characters that the cold streets have to offer. This is why I believe in children's ministry. Our children need us!

Many of us have constructed for ourselves a pace of life that is faster and more "productive" than ever before, yet simultaneously less fulfilling and less satisfying.  As a result, our youngest and most vulnerable are suffering from the lie that money is god, that life consists of what you can create with your own two hands, and that you shouldn't have to wait to get what you want. The pace of life has stolen parents away from their children, out of necessity, and families are being re-defined as we speak. 

Thankfully this shallow way of living does not exceed the capacity for God's grace and help. He is not restricted by our expectations, and sometimes does not give us what we want. . .but rather what is best. God is altogether not like us; different and holy. Fortunately his wisdom far exceeds ours and he knows better than to subject Himself  to our limited timetable. This is good news.
 
So, as you look into the faces of the precious ones in these photos, remember this. . .. God loves kids and the only way our kids will see this is through us!

From the top of the bottom of the world!

Yes, you read that correctly. I have now stepped foot on Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.  On Monday, April 16  four van loads of Kiwi youngins (and some not-quite-so-youngins) hit the road for Rock Solid “On the Road Camp” 2012!   

Our goal: to give young people a chance to meet Jesus through his spectacular creation and the love of his followers.   Our 5-day trip took us through the entire Northland region: from Whangarei to Dargaville, Rawene,  Waipua Forest, Opononi, Kaitia, Cape Reinga, Manganui, Paihia and a million hidden beaches and towns in between! Each day was met with new challenges and the unparalleled beauty of the rugged New Zealand coastland.    

 

Our site-seeing excursion included a visit to the massive Tane Mahuta, “Lord of the Forest” in the Waipua Forest, famous as the largest existing Kauri tree in New Zealand.

On boogie- boards we whizzed down steep sand dunes headed straight into the sea.  Interestingly enough, a few friendly stingrays awaited us in the water below, so we kindly waited for them to depart before beginning the craziness. 

  

Never in my life have I seen so much wild marine life!  See the seal? To our  surprise and delight, he was sunning himself on the rocks, allowing us to walk right to him and say a quick hello.
 See the dolphins?  On our excursion through the bay of Islands and Hole in the Rock near Paihia, we entered the playground of the dolphins and were graced with quite a show!  This is now the second time I have seen dolphins in the wild!  When they weren’t splashing wildly and flipping about, it seemed they were determined to race alongside our boat. . .until the NZ Navy Vessel came by offering a better ride than our boat could offer and they were out of sight again.

I could go on and on about the stunning scenery, sheer cliffs, midnight blue water, and emerald green mountains, but I think you get my drift. 

The only thing more beautiful than the landscape  and wildlife surrounding us is the love of God the Father who crafted all of this for our benefit. And what’s more. . . the beauty that I see is only a dim reflection of the future to come when God restores all things and puts things to right.  On that day what has been invisible will become plain sight and those who have trusted Christ will see him as He is and rejoice!

O

Easter Family Carnival!

Easter is a wake-up call, literally!

We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the reality of Christ's resurrection than with a family Easter carnival!  It was a time to invite our neighbours to come awake to the reality of God's love and victory over all that keeps us from genuine fellowship with Him.                                                                                                     In typical Kiwi fashion, we hosted a sausage sizzle and had face painting, crafts, and games for the neighbouring families to enjoy!  Throughout the evening I had a chance to chat with parents and families and to share God's love and salvation through some clever science experiments and the Resurrection Eggs!   We praise the Lord for 17 kids + a handful of parents and volunteers that participated, and for the opportunity to rub shoulders with more folks in Whangarei!  Enjoy some pics!