USA Schedule.
Kia ora koutou! We take to the skies in just a few days so we're busy packing bags and tying up loose ends around here. We're planning for the weather to actually feel like Spring when we arrive, but to be honest, it's not looking good according to the snow-filled photos we're seeing on social media. I'm sure the kids would appreciate seeing snow though. Between family gatherings, church visits, worship leading, and church plant fundraising, our furlough schedule is full of events this time around. Have a look below to see what we'll be up to. We'd love to see your lovely faces if you're in the area! Reply to this email if you'd like to catch up over a coffee!
April 22
North Terrace Church of Christ (Zanesville, OH)
April 29
Northview Christian Church (Danville, IN)
May 6
Greenwood Christian Church (Greenwood, IN)
May 13
Mother's Day
May 20
MeadowView Church of Christ (Frazeysburg, OH)
June 3
Church Plant Fundraising
June 10
Bedford Acres Christian Church (Paris, KY)
June 17
Father's Day
July 8
Worthington Christian Church (Columbus, OH)
July 8-13
VBS: Worthington Christian Church (Columbus, OH)
July 17
Return to New Zealand
More details →
Looking Back.
As we journey full-speed-ahead toward our next church plant in Auckland, another chapter in the story has concluded. On Easter Sunday Nate led worship one final time as an official worship leader with Shore Community Church. After showing the above video, pastor Reuben Munn also interviewed our whole family on stage about what's next for us and then prayed for us together with the church. It was an honour to have the chance to talk to the church about our plans for visiting our amazing support base in the USA as well as our return to Auckland to plant the next church with Shore's own Hamish and Molly Taylor. While we will be nearby and have plans to collaborate with Shore throughout the next chapter, our main focus will be on the church plant rather than on Shore CC upon our return to New Zealand in July.
Family Update.
T E N Y E A R S O L D ??!! We recently threw an early 10th birthday party for Lane. She doesn't actually turn 10 until June when we're in the USA, but since it's such a big milestone and she'll be away from her friends on her actual birthday, we thought we'd let her have an early birthday party before our departure. An avid tree-climber, she decided to invite some of her closest friends to a wall-climbing facility in Auckland for her party. Many of her friends have emigrated to Auckland from Asian or European countries so she's currently learning bits of Mandarin and Korean in order to keep up :-).
Lane's (early) 10th birthday party with her NZ friends.
Prayer Requests.
Elaine Hutchison (Nate's mum)
Please pray for Elaine as she has been diagnosed stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma. The doctors are happy with the progression and results of the treatment she's receiving as part of a clinical trial. Recent test results show that she is near remission but some evidence of cancer remains in two areas of her body. Pray for full remission and that her blood count will rebound soon.
Tami Meaige (Whitney's mum)
Tami has recently completed her treatment for stage 1 breast cancer. She is getting stronger and is expected to recover fully, praise God!
Safe Travel
We're off to the USA on Thursday this week! Pray that we'll manage the transition as a family well and that the planes, trains, and automobiles we'll travelling on will arrive to their destinations safely.
Potential Church Plant Venue
Please pray for favour with the developing community centre management. We have been advised that they've taken note of our interest but we will need to wait until later in the year to formally apply to lease the auditorium.
Fundraising
Please pray for our teammates, Hamish and Molly Taylor as they raise their salary and as we join them in raising additional church plant funds. We've got a big journey ahead of us! If you'd like to join Hamish in Molly in their journey, you can catch up with them here.
Praise: Church Plant Progress
We've secured a solid partnership with Shore Community Church. Continue to pray that God will stir the hearts of the individuals he's chosen to be heavily involved in our NW Auckland church plant. Please pray that we follow God's leading in this, and that He will provide the workers and opportunities we need for the spiritual harvest.
Financial Partnership
Please pray for our financial partnerships to remain strong, that God will provide for what we need, and that we will be good stewards of what He provides. If you'd like to help, you can donate here.
Our Family
Pray for good health and positive friendships. The transition to our new house wasn't easy. Please pray for peace and a sense of belonging in our new home.