This has been the most challenging time in my Christian walk and one of the most beneficial times of faith for me and an impacting experience.
For the young people on the team it has effected them in different ways and has been an extremely positive experience for them all.
It says "Go" so I think we should "Go" I have been going local mission for years now but really think it's important to get out of our culture an immerse ourselves in another culture (young or old)
We all have to get out of our comfort zone and step out. Something happens when we do.
Rediscovering the ministry of Jesus
1/ Have a relationship with God that Jesus had
2/ Be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit
3/ Minister like Jesus did
GO IN PEACE
Luke 4
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f]
Thursday, December 23, 2010
AT THE END OF THE DAY- Summary, wrap up
EXPECTATIONS:
As team leader my own expectations were:
Step out in faith
Challenge myself and our team
Learn more from another culture
Encourage and teach the leaders of Vanuatu
Model ministry to our team then let them minister to others
Be good stewards of what our church & supporters had entrusted us with (Prayer, funds, resources)
See God's wider work in the world
Expose the young people to a culture that not all about them, westernized and materialistic
PENNY DROP:
Realized to be Christian is to basically be like Jesus:
1/ Develop a relationship with God that Jesus had
2/ Be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit (like Jesus was)
3/ Minister like Jesus did, going out, healing the sick out of love and compassion
HEALING:
Some people focus on healing but is there more? After the fall the earth was sick (not how it was meant to be) Jesus came to heal a broken world (Luke 4:18) We need to do the same
IMPACTING STORIES:
1/ After 2 days in the village was exhausted after sports, games, ministry, heat, humidity. I headed back to our wee room for a 30 min power nap. On arrival there were kids at the door and looking in the windows. I just wanted a small break. I think I realized how Jesus felt when he withdrew. I slept and the kids watched me through the windows :-)
2/ Praying and ministering to the Fathers. They wanted us to come back and teach on the Kingdom to a larger group of fathers in Vanuatu
3/ Powerful time of God at Mango Parish (see Mango)
4/ Team stepping up to anything asked of them. Testimonies, teaching, kids stuff, ministry you name it!
As team leader my own expectations were:
Step out in faith
Challenge myself and our team
Learn more from another culture
Encourage and teach the leaders of Vanuatu
Model ministry to our team then let them minister to others
Be good stewards of what our church & supporters had entrusted us with (Prayer, funds, resources)
See God's wider work in the world
Expose the young people to a culture that not all about them, westernized and materialistic
PENNY DROP:
Realized to be Christian is to basically be like Jesus:
1/ Develop a relationship with God that Jesus had
2/ Be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit (like Jesus was)
3/ Minister like Jesus did, going out, healing the sick out of love and compassion
HEALING:
Some people focus on healing but is there more? After the fall the earth was sick (not how it was meant to be) Jesus came to heal a broken world (Luke 4:18) We need to do the same
IMPACTING STORIES:
1/ After 2 days in the village was exhausted after sports, games, ministry, heat, humidity. I headed back to our wee room for a 30 min power nap. On arrival there were kids at the door and looking in the windows. I just wanted a small break. I think I realized how Jesus felt when he withdrew. I slept and the kids watched me through the windows :-)
2/ Praying and ministering to the Fathers. They wanted us to come back and teach on the Kingdom to a larger group of fathers in Vanuatu
3/ Powerful time of God at Mango Parish (see Mango)
4/ Team stepping up to anything asked of them. Testimonies, teaching, kids stuff, ministry you name it!
Dec 17>>> Port Villa Reintro Camp
We flew to Port Villa on Friday and stayed at a backpackers dorm on hideaway Island which is a short 10 minute ride from the airport.
We had some good times here just debriefing and going through the SOMA debrief questions and engaging with the experiences we had been through. We had some great discussions and debates. Friday we headed into Port Villa town for supplies. This was a classic Asian/pacific island town. Cars and vans everywhere. Honking horns, dirty, rubbish, noise, Heat,love it! We also had some times snorkling and just lying on the beach and talking and laughing. (It did rain a lot and thunder a lot) The Saturday was the perfect last day. Flew out for Auckland then Christchurch on the Sunday morning.
We had some good times here just debriefing and going through the SOMA debrief questions and engaging with the experiences we had been through. We had some great discussions and debates. Friday we headed into Port Villa town for supplies. This was a classic Asian/pacific island town. Cars and vans everywhere. Honking horns, dirty, rubbish, noise, Heat,love it! We also had some times snorkling and just lying on the beach and talking and laughing. (It did rain a lot and thunder a lot) The Saturday was the perfect last day. Flew out for Auckland then Christchurch on the Sunday morning.
Sarakata Parish
Continued working and training and the odd swims at the beach for some down time. Again the program changed around and some things were canceled and moved which was a pain. Later to day we were to be attending a service at Sarakata (where we were staying)from 5pm until 7pm with a time for our testimonies and an encouraging message from me. Well 5pm came and went and again a handful of people sitting around, 5.30pm came and went 6.00pm came and went, 6.30 pm a few more people came and we started singing some great island song for another hour. I think we started at about 7pm. (We were hungry for dinner) the service was great if it was split up over 3 days. It was long and excruciating with some great messages. We cut everything down that we did (actually sung one lovely worship song from Psalm 23) A couple of had the opportunity to pray for others and prayed for a 8 year old boy called Trevor. He had had a rock thrown at him and split his eye open. He had surgery (stitches)and continually wiped it with a disgustingly dirty handkerchief. He was in real pain and discomfort. Nothing appeared to happen and I said to his grand parents we would like to pray after the service for him. Well the service continued on and on. I had never felt so angry as the buy was in such need and the service continued with songs and notices etc etc etc until just before 10pm. team was a bit grumpy and hungry but they all felt real empathy and love for Trevor and prayed for him out of compassion. Well nothing happened that night and he wasn't healed (as far as we know) we really felt like a healing would happen. Both Kim and I had the word fear come to us while praying which we passed on to the grandparents.
Kim gave him a lovely mothers hug and reassured him and we finished just blessing him and continue to pray for him today. Hopefully he will receive some miraculous healing and we will hear about it.
FOOD:
We headed into town at 10.15pm and nothing was open for food. I was sure God would hook us up with something and sure enough we found a small dinner shed opposite the market where we all had some great basic food. God is a good God :-)
Kim gave him a lovely mothers hug and reassured him and we finished just blessing him and continue to pray for him today. Hopefully he will receive some miraculous healing and we will hear about it.
FOOD:
We headed into town at 10.15pm and nothing was open for food. I was sure God would hook us up with something and sure enough we found a small dinner shed opposite the market where we all had some great basic food. God is a good God :-)
Dec 14th>> Mango Village
DEVOTION:
After breakfast we opened with Prayer time and a short devotion by Laura on Loving your enemies and forgiveness. Though a short devotion the discussion was engaging and lasted an hour while we spent time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any forgiveness leaving time for confessing and repentance.
TRAINING:
Our training this morning was the team choosing their specialty subjects to teach on this week.
Who is the Holy Spirit (Alpha, weekend away training)
What does the Holy Spirit do (Alpha, weekend away training)
How to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Alpha, weekend away training)
Rediscovering the ministry of Jesus (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
The Kingdom of God (& darkness) (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Power and Authority (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
The place of Faith (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Prayer ministry, how to (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Ministering forgiveness (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Ministering deliverence (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
We picked one or two of these subjects and would practice these most days by research/reading and preaching them to the group. Some of us had the opportunity to teach or preach in Vanuatu and some didn't because of the sketchy schedule :-)
VILLAGE:
Another warm welcome to the village church toady. Again split into different groups doing songs, crafts, sports etc which we always found a positive and great time to build relationships, trust and learn names. Great to see not only the girls getting nail polish but the boys and men to :-)
That afternoon we did the Holy Spirit workshops (from Alpha weekend away training) Sam then Kim, then Jack. We finished the program at 5.00pm for refreshments and we withdrew for a time of prayer with the team before 6pm ministry night.
At 6.00pm there were about 3 people and 10 children in the church so in Vanuatu you just wait and smile and sing songs together. At 6.30pm about the same amount of people. At 7.00pm still no one. I was frustrated at this stage and had also talked to some at the village about a Muslim from Ghana that had visited their church 2 weeks prior to our visit (Never in the history of the village had they had a visit like this) A couple were confused about the trinity etc and a couple of us were able to share the gospel with them and give them scriptures about the unity of father, Son and Holy Spirit (also posted them info today on Muslim faith). SO it was no real surprise of spiritual opposition in this place. I then remembered all our prayer warriors at home and proclaimed some authority over the situation. we worshiped God and then the people came and came. We preached on the Ministry of Jesus, the Kingdom of God and then the Holy Spirit. An amazing time where the presence of God really feel in that place. The whole team were there to pray and minister. Prayer for the filling of the Holy Spirit, repentance, gifts and healing. Lady with Cancer, Shoulder was healed, chest pain healed, boils, sight, back pain and it went on. Some were healed, some seem to say they were healed but we we not sure, some were not healed. Three of us visited a man that could barely walk, we prayed for him and felt to wash his feet. He appeared to have some sort of partial healing and was walk around happy and smiling thanking us. One man was prayed for for chest pain and restricted breathing. I asked if he smoked (he did) so i told him to give up and we prayed anyway. Another younger man asked for he gift of dancing! Whats the theology of that? we prayed anyway. All in all a very exciting night to see God really moving and our young people stepping out in faith. when you step out God blesses your actions is what I have noticed over the years. Also it was great the locals were praying for others after us teaching them how to and encouraging them to give it a go.
After we blessed all he children we went out side for refreshments and dinner and of course the formal goodbyes and speeches. we presented the village with gifts and they presented us all with lovely gifts.
HAPPY MOMENT:
This in fact was one of the most joyful moments for me. Most of the girls on the team were horrified about the colorful island "Mother Hubbard" dresses that were worn. Yes they do resemble tents (colorful ones). So at this moment all our girls were presented with the dresses (all handmade in the village) It was actually a very humbling moment but also joyful to the boys as hey were worn then and there. :-) A great day and a wonderful village and people.
After breakfast we opened with Prayer time and a short devotion by Laura on Loving your enemies and forgiveness. Though a short devotion the discussion was engaging and lasted an hour while we spent time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any forgiveness leaving time for confessing and repentance.
TRAINING:
Our training this morning was the team choosing their specialty subjects to teach on this week.
Who is the Holy Spirit (Alpha, weekend away training)
What does the Holy Spirit do (Alpha, weekend away training)
How to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Alpha, weekend away training)
Rediscovering the ministry of Jesus (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
The Kingdom of God (& darkness) (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Power and Authority (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
The place of Faith (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Prayer ministry, how to (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Ministering forgiveness (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
Ministering deliverence (Developing a Healing ministry, John Coles)
We picked one or two of these subjects and would practice these most days by research/reading and preaching them to the group. Some of us had the opportunity to teach or preach in Vanuatu and some didn't because of the sketchy schedule :-)
VILLAGE:
Another warm welcome to the village church toady. Again split into different groups doing songs, crafts, sports etc which we always found a positive and great time to build relationships, trust and learn names. Great to see not only the girls getting nail polish but the boys and men to :-)
That afternoon we did the Holy Spirit workshops (from Alpha weekend away training) Sam then Kim, then Jack. We finished the program at 5.00pm for refreshments and we withdrew for a time of prayer with the team before 6pm ministry night.
At 6.00pm there were about 3 people and 10 children in the church so in Vanuatu you just wait and smile and sing songs together. At 6.30pm about the same amount of people. At 7.00pm still no one. I was frustrated at this stage and had also talked to some at the village about a Muslim from Ghana that had visited their church 2 weeks prior to our visit (Never in the history of the village had they had a visit like this) A couple were confused about the trinity etc and a couple of us were able to share the gospel with them and give them scriptures about the unity of father, Son and Holy Spirit (also posted them info today on Muslim faith). SO it was no real surprise of spiritual opposition in this place. I then remembered all our prayer warriors at home and proclaimed some authority over the situation. we worshiped God and then the people came and came. We preached on the Ministry of Jesus, the Kingdom of God and then the Holy Spirit. An amazing time where the presence of God really feel in that place. The whole team were there to pray and minister. Prayer for the filling of the Holy Spirit, repentance, gifts and healing. Lady with Cancer, Shoulder was healed, chest pain healed, boils, sight, back pain and it went on. Some were healed, some seem to say they were healed but we we not sure, some were not healed. Three of us visited a man that could barely walk, we prayed for him and felt to wash his feet. He appeared to have some sort of partial healing and was walk around happy and smiling thanking us. One man was prayed for for chest pain and restricted breathing. I asked if he smoked (he did) so i told him to give up and we prayed anyway. Another younger man asked for he gift of dancing! Whats the theology of that? we prayed anyway. All in all a very exciting night to see God really moving and our young people stepping out in faith. when you step out God blesses your actions is what I have noticed over the years. Also it was great the locals were praying for others after us teaching them how to and encouraging them to give it a go.
After we blessed all he children we went out side for refreshments and dinner and of course the formal goodbyes and speeches. we presented the village with gifts and they presented us all with lovely gifts.
HAPPY MOMENT:
This in fact was one of the most joyful moments for me. Most of the girls on the team were horrified about the colorful island "Mother Hubbard" dresses that were worn. Yes they do resemble tents (colorful ones). So at this moment all our girls were presented with the dresses (all handmade in the village) It was actually a very humbling moment but also joyful to the boys as hey were worn then and there. :-) A great day and a wonderful village and people.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Dec 13th Million Dollar Point & Mango Village
I really wanted to see Million dollar point and this was the morning so after devotions, breakfast, prayers we were off early. Million dollar point is actually a military dump. The title is supposed to reflect the cost (when it was dumped in the 40’s) of what was dumped here; the US Military at the end of WW2 basically built a ramp, loaded up their ambulances, forklifts, steamrollers, bulldozers, jeeps, tractors and trucks with everything they had – down to unopened crates of coca cola, put bricks onto the accelerators and drove them into the sea where it rests under about 35 meters of water in a deep channel right near the shore. We headed off in the Toyota Ute. This was always an exciting and fun time together. Most girls believed we reached speeds of 160klm per hour which was a nice in house joke for the lads. Well on arrival the beach was spectacular. Just what the team had pictured the Vanuatu mission trip to be. However on the beach there was a lot of glass everywhere which was sad. We all snorkeled and this was astounding. Sad that the US would actually dump so much hardware into such a beautiful place but also fascinating to see what was under the water. Also the fish everywhere. For some it was a first snorkeling in a pacific island so that was exciting. Headed back for lunch as we were heading to Mango Village that afternoon.
MANGO VILLAGE-
Another fantastic formal welcome into the village. Welcomed by father Mathias and the vice chairman of the church council (he had a t-shirt with the words "BEER DELIVERY GUY" I liked that however he never delivered) with lei's around our necks and singing, all the formal speeches, responses and of course "refreshments" That afternoon we did our standard games and crafts and stuff with the young ones which was great to get to know names and also learning and teaching songs with some of the others. We left early evening to do the kids church in Sarakata to find it was canceled because of a big funeral. Another great day :-)
MANGO VILLAGE-
Another fantastic formal welcome into the village. Welcomed by father Mathias and the vice chairman of the church council (he had a t-shirt with the words "BEER DELIVERY GUY" I liked that however he never delivered) with lei's around our necks and singing, all the formal speeches, responses and of course "refreshments" That afternoon we did our standard games and crafts and stuff with the young ones which was great to get to know names and also learning and teaching songs with some of the others. We left early evening to do the kids church in Sarakata to find it was canceled because of a big funeral. Another great day :-)
Dec 12>>>
Sunday December the 12th on...
Another terrible sleep because of the violence and yelling etc..
Today we were supposed to be in Shapi Village but our host had changed the schedule but not told the other village. I talked to them and they had a welcome party arranged etc but we were to be in Sarakata. So today we were supposed to be in 2 places at once. We started in Sarakata and sent the girls to Shapi at 10am. They were welcomed and did children program. Apparently a bit awkward as they were expecting some teaching. The boys were to go there when we finished.
This was an interesting time. After church and after refreshments Sam K, Sam H, Jack and Kim were to do the teaching. We had quite a few of the Fathers (Vicars) in on the teaching. I did the ministry of Jesus and Sam Hicky preached a cracker on the Kingdom of God. We had a time of worship and then I preached on the Holy Spirit. The head honcho Father didn't look that impressed through out the messages so i thought he was a bit off it. Anyway in the response time the father came up to me and wanted prayer to be filled with the Holy Spirit and healing. This was an amazing time. Everyone was prayer for. There were many healings and we trained others to pray for each other. The Spirit was moving in the place and the Ne Van lady's sang while we were ministering. The father said it would be good to teach this ministry to all the fathers in Vanuatu but that would be next time. Was great to pray and minister to the church leaders that were there. Kim prayed for the lady's. Everyone was encouraged. After that we prayed for all the children and prayed a blessing on them. Really thankful that God moved and Jesus was glorified through the healings. The girls arrived back as we were taking so long and were dissapointed they missed the ministry time.
The whole ministry, preaching, teaching is encouraging but intense and draining. Later that afternoon we all headed for beachfront and relaxed in the sea with a frizbee :-) Again such an intensely hot and humid day. Constantly sweating.
Another terrible sleep because of the violence and yelling etc..
Today we were supposed to be in Shapi Village but our host had changed the schedule but not told the other village. I talked to them and they had a welcome party arranged etc but we were to be in Sarakata. So today we were supposed to be in 2 places at once. We started in Sarakata and sent the girls to Shapi at 10am. They were welcomed and did children program. Apparently a bit awkward as they were expecting some teaching. The boys were to go there when we finished.
This was an interesting time. After church and after refreshments Sam K, Sam H, Jack and Kim were to do the teaching. We had quite a few of the Fathers (Vicars) in on the teaching. I did the ministry of Jesus and Sam Hicky preached a cracker on the Kingdom of God. We had a time of worship and then I preached on the Holy Spirit. The head honcho Father didn't look that impressed through out the messages so i thought he was a bit off it. Anyway in the response time the father came up to me and wanted prayer to be filled with the Holy Spirit and healing. This was an amazing time. Everyone was prayer for. There were many healings and we trained others to pray for each other. The Spirit was moving in the place and the Ne Van lady's sang while we were ministering. The father said it would be good to teach this ministry to all the fathers in Vanuatu but that would be next time. Was great to pray and minister to the church leaders that were there. Kim prayed for the lady's. Everyone was encouraged. After that we prayed for all the children and prayed a blessing on them. Really thankful that God moved and Jesus was glorified through the healings. The girls arrived back as we were taking so long and were dissapointed they missed the ministry time.
The whole ministry, preaching, teaching is encouraging but intense and draining. Later that afternoon we all headed for beachfront and relaxed in the sea with a frizbee :-) Again such an intensely hot and humid day. Constantly sweating.
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