He leads me with an unseen hand -
By faith he leads the way.
His grace is all-sufficient
For my journey day by day.

I need but start the day with him
In fellowship and prayer,
Then as I travel down life's road,
I'll always find him there.

- Shirley W. Langley

Up to the top

DECEMBER MEETING

On Saturday 9th December, 30 folk sat down to a two-course meal arranged by the committee. Red and white candy-sticks at each place setting added a festive touch and caused some amusement. Not everyone was interested in eating theirs. One man was seen using his as a hook to try and lift pieces of cutlery while he waited for his meal!

When we had all eaten a good dinner, we moved to the lounge, where we were welcomed and Ken Miller spoke about the work in the Philippines, awarding with gifts those who could correctly answer his questions. "In what city is Hebron Home?"; "What is the name of the worker we support?"; "Name those who visited us in 2000." Ken urged us to take a more personal interest in the workers, writing or emailing them and perhaps sponsoring a child. We were all challenged as he spoke of the hardships he had seen on his mission.

Christmas carol singing was next on the programme and it was good to see some of the younger folk heartily enjoying their favourite ones. This was followed by a quiz for which Sara had provided a basket of prizes. Some folk had a "buddy" to help them with their questions. The first clue to most questions was quite hard, so everyone had to think.

Sara made a farewell presentation to both Cees and Sheila, who were standing down from the committee. There was even a little gift for "Mr Jones", Sheila's guide dog who often attended committee meetings, being very patient when the meetings were long and never once giving away any secrets!

After time of prayer for the Philippines we concluded by singing "Oh, Come let us adore Him."

Up to the top

AN INTERESTING AFTERNOON

Our delightful young speaker, Tammy, who was introduced to us at the December meeting, is a missionary to Romania and is intending to go back in April. Romania is smaller than N.Z. but has a population of 23 million. Tammy lives in Sibiu which has a population of 175,000. Most live in high-rise apartment buildings. Sibiu is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Many Romanians are very poor and bathrooms are scarce. Tammy (fully clothed!) gave us a demonstration of how to have a bath in a bowl of water. You are EXPECTEO to splash water all over the floor!

Tammy, who is from St. Peter's church, wants to start a home for handicapped young people whose parents don't want them. In Romania she met a boy with Cerebral Palsy who is in danger of being put into an institution where he would not be adequately cared for. There would be no education for him, no outings, and many of his basic needs would not be met. "Everyone deserves to be cared for", she said. Some of these places have one carer for 20 needy people. Some get bathed only once a month.

Tammy will fly to Austria then take a 16-hour bus trip to Romania. Once there she will use bus transport, which she has found to be quite good, or she will walk. She said she feels safer in Sibiu than she does in Tauranga. She agreed with a young lady who suggested we are safe when in God's care, in the centre of his will.

After Tammy had shown us some pictures of Romania and some of the people she met there, Lyndsay presented her with a donation and we prayed for her and those she has been called to help.

The meeting concluded with afternoon tea and we stepped outside to find that the sun was shining again.

Up to the top

Briccio, Ed and Monica visited Tauranga in 2000.

( Click the picture for a bigger version. )

Up to the top

JOY MINISTRIES in Whakatane

The programme, like other Joy Ministry meetings, includes enthusiastic singing, a story, craft, prayer, etc. The group love to take part in prayer.

Birthdays are celebrated and special events shared.

Joy Ministries N.Z. works with people who are intellectually challenged. It is under the auspices of Christian Ministries With Disabled Trust. Joy Ministry Camps are very popular.

The purpose of Joy Ministries is to give an opportunity for people with an intellectual disability to come together for fellowship and friendship, and to express their spirituality in a Christian setting where Jesus Christ is acknowledged as the Son of God.

The first Joy Ministry (N.Z.) was held in March 1995. For more information see "On The Knife Edge Of Faith" by Hugh Willis.

Up to the top

QUOTES

• Obeying God is not so much a duty as a privilege. Is it not an honour when a king asks you to do something?

• Don't be proud about being a trouble to people. Christ was willing to be ministered to. Be grateful. And be sure God will repay every deed, every expression of love.

• Jesus said, "By myself I can do nothing .... I seek not to please myself but him who sent me."
  - John 5:30

Up to the top

PLEASE NOTE :

Send to : Norah Jones, 3/492 Otumoetai Road, Tauranga, 3110.

Up to the top