CMWDT Bay of Plenty

First things first -

God

Something to think about
	ENDURING LOVE A house in Japan was being renovated. Japanese houses normally have a space between the outside wall and the inside wall. A builder tore open an inside wall and was amazed to see a lizard stuck to the outside wall because a nail had gone through one of its feet. It had been there for 10 years, since the house was built! How could this lizard survive for 10 years in a dark space without moving? The builder stopped his work and observed, wondering what it had been eating Later, he saw another lizard approaching, and in its mouth it was carrying food. For 10 years it had been feeding its stuck mate. That's faithfulness! - Author Unknown Recently, when I visited Pauline I was pleased to hear how her friends from 222 Levers Rd. visit her and Jamie who now both need the extra care which is available at Hodgkins House. Proverbs 18:24b says, "There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." Faithfulness is precious to God. He rewards his faithful followers rather than those who appear to be a success. God himself is very faithful. He is faithful to listen to our prayers, to be with us at all times, to teach us his ways, to discipline us when we go astray, to provide our needs and to comfort us with his peace when our minds are fixed on Him. (Isaiah 26:3). GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS ! Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back!

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News from earth, June 2004

Dates to remember
	12th June at Central Baptist with the talented Homersham family. Hamilton & Rotorua will be invited to join us for this special occasion.
Meetings
Meetings coming up :
	Bethlehem Baptist meeting for people with disabilities -
		- is held on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 2.30p.m.
	DROP-IN
		This has been going well. For details please contact Lyndsay Ph 544 6477.
Meetings past :
	FEBRUARY MEETING
		We met at St. Andrews and after an interesting time of sharing about our lives (particularly helpful to the new-comers) we shared a meal of sausages, chops, salads, breads and cake. We then gathered around to hear Patricia Morrison speak about her visit to Viet Nam. We closed with a song and then Patricia sent us home with a gift of delicious Red Packham Pears!
	APRIL MEETING
		Our hosts for the 17th April were Leslie, Don & Matthew Schwass of Te Puke. Our chairman, Keith, welcomed us and gave the notices and Don led us in singing some great songs. Matthew danced to the music with much enthusiasm! Leslie opened with prayer, then shared Matthew's amazing poem, "Identity". Leslie said she had asked Matthew what subject they should speak on and he typed the word, "Perseverance". As she said, we all struggle to persevere in some areas. Leslie chose a word for every letter of the word PERSEVERE and she spoke on each of those words. P - prayer. This is vital. E - easy. Jesus said his yoke is easy. R - remain. We must endeavour to remain steadfast in our calling. S - squash! We must squash Satan who wants to hinder us. E - excercise. We need to constantly exercise our faith. V - victory. God desires us to walk in victory. E - enjoy. Enjoy God. R - rest. Rest in the Lord. E - experience. Experience God's peace. (It's a shame we can't print the whole message). Leslie concluded by reading the poem, "Don't You Quit". We then had a time of sharing and prayer before Don led us in a quiz. He read out a story with some of the words missing. We had to supply those words from the names of the books of the Bible - e.g., "The people arrived in great Numbers". This was great fun and got us all thinking. On checking whether the word is spelt quiz or QUIZZ I noticed my dictionary says to quiz is to ask questions and to tease! And there was quite a bit of teasing in Don's quiz. Did you know that Nehemiah can mean "near my" ? As it was a beautiful sunny afternoon some of us went out on the deck for afternoon tea. It was altogether an enjoyable occasion. Thanks to Don, Leslie and Matthew.
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CONGRATULATIONS -
	- to those who have had special Birthdays : Matthew 21. Noel 40. Lyndsay 60. Percy 80. Clem Relph (Rotorua) 80. Up to the top
EVENTS
	The photo shows Briccio, Ed and Monica when they came to the Bay of Plenty last year. With them are Beryl, Mavis, Lyndsay and Norah. Not many of us were able to get to Camp last Labour Weekend, but Debbie took some very nice photos. The one below shows some of the campers at Totara Springs, Matamata, 2003. It was at one such camp that one of our Tauranga girls first began to love the Lord. Pray that many more will be blessed at this year's camps. Up to the top

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