CMWDT Bay of Plenty :
Encourager 105

( November 2004 )

First things first -

God

RUNNING COMPANION
	We must face each season of life with steadfast determination to finish the race. We know that we can trust God to help us because he has provided a running companion. Jesus Christ is ensuring that we never run alone. He is always one step ahead to show us the way and one step behind to pick us up when we fall. He is also running at our side, encouraging and cheering us on. Start fixing your eyes upon Jesus so that you can live to the fullest and finish well. ( Taken from a devotional ) "Let us lay aside every sin ... and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus" - from Hebrews 12:1 & 2.
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News from earth, June 2004 -

Meetings coming up :
	When : 2nd Sunday of the month at 2.30p.m. What : SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICE. We recommend these services held at Bethlehem Baptist. See below for what happened at the September meeting !
Meetings past :   AUGUST MEETING
	Welcome Bay Community Church was a pleasant venue for our afternoon gathering. We were pleased to welcome some new people. There was a successful trading table and a good missionary offering. Our guest speaker was James Arkwright who told us about the farm accident which left him disabled, and how he became a Christian. Surely God has led him, through great difficulties, to become a professional counsellor, and a tutor at Bethlehem college. James shared a passage from Ephesians. He said life is all about loving God and loving others. Christ is the answer. It is in Christ we find out who we are and what we are living for. Christ has a job for each one of us. We were all challenged, and departed with the thought, "I'd like to hear this man again".
SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICE, September.
	At the September meeting there was the usual fun time of bright singing led by Russell and then Bernadene Erasmus spoke. She told us about her book, "All This and the Moon". She was teaching at a Hawkes Bay secondary school when she was asked to head up an intervention programme for a group of students with disabilities. She knew that it was an opportunity she could not let pass. She said : "Sometimes something comes along and that's it - it's your destiny." The programme ran for two years even though funding ran out before that. Bernadene wanted to write the book for three reasons :- To pay tribute to a group of young adults with Down's Syndrome. To raise money to be ploughed back into similar work. To encourage anyone with a dream not to wait, but go for it.   Her book reveals how much progress the students made, growing from feeling undervalued to having their eyes opened to what they are. They have got heaps to offer. Bernadene's book is available at Christian book shops.
OCTOBER MEETING
	On October 2nd we enjoyed an afternoon at Vincent's place at Te Puke. Entertainment with a message was provided by a number of very colourful puppets who sang to recorded music and carried on an engaging conversation with Joy. Our "Spiritual Advisor" sure gave those puppets some great encouragement. The theme was, "You are special! Everyone is special". This led to a time of sharing in what ways those present were seen to be special. Pauline was hailed as special because of her big smile, in spite of so much pain. Aubrey was seen as special because of his musical ability. Matthew is special because, in spite of autism, he writes awesome poems. Sheila, we were told, is special because she is a wonderful cook. Did you know she made the CFFD Christmas cake last year? After our discussion and Prayer we enjoyed the usual refreshments. The only sad note was Margie was unable to be with us for health reasons. Our deepest sympathy to her in the recent loss of her Dad. (Also to Bob Wright, who has lost both his parents this year). An opportunity was given to contribute towards the cost of producing Margie's book. "Undaunted Faith" is now printed! The book launch was October 16th. Congratulations Margie!!
EVENTS coming MISSIONS FAIR
	CFFD has been invited to have a stand at the Missions Fair to be held at the Church of the Open Door (Papamoa Baptist) on Sunday 14th November. This will be after the morning service, which begins at 10 a.m. It will be an opportunity to make CFFD better known. For further information phone Keith.
"Aspire to Fly" Community Fun Day Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre - 27th November 2004 Entry and all activities are FREE ! $5.00 - for Inspirational Speaker and Touch Compass Dance Company $3.00 - for Touch Compass Workshop. Two Workshops 28th November - 1. 9.45 a.m. - 10.45 a.m. 2. 11.00 a.m. - 12.00 a.m. Bay of Plenty CFFD will have a stand. Two members of the Auckland committee are coming down. The events will be held from 10 a.m. and will finish at 4 p.m. Some Activities : Local Radio Onsite Climbing Wall Flying Fox for Wheelchairs Ulysses Motor Cycles Riding for Disabled Creative Art Education about Disabilities Sculpturing Food and Drink for Sale Dance Groups and much more ! Come along and support CFFD. Should be a great day !
Meeting
	When : December 4th at 11 a.m. Where : John Clarke's, 54 Tamahere Drive near Hamilton. What : Shared lunch, and there will be a speaker. Hamilton and Rotorua Branches have been invited to join us.
BBQ
	When : February 12th at 4 p.m. Where : Kulim Park.
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NOTICES
POT BLESSING DINNERS :
	Over the winter months we decided to have a shared lunch, instead of dinner, as most people did not want to drive at night. Now that daylight saving is here, we will resume having a shared dinner, the next one to be held Oct. 30 at the Heyblom's home in Pillans Point. The last two lunches were held at Mavis Jenkins, and Nora & Percy Jones, where we welcomed some new people and Wally Heyblom gave his testimony, were attended by 14 people and a good time of fellowship was had. Up to the top

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