The Lamb of God Chronicle December 2016

Transcription

1 The Lamb of God Chronicle December 2016 The Lamb of God Community PO Box Christchurch 8640 Phone [03] Mobile Website: INDEX TO CONTENTS Reflections Page 1-2 News and Articles Page 2-5 Challenges Page 7 Kairos NZ News Page 8 Web Sites Page 8 Members/Info/Records Page 9 Birthdays/Anniversaries Page 9-10 National Prayer Watch Page REFLECTIONS Stepping Out Of The Giant's Footprints And Looking Up At The Trees Hi - as many of you know from 1 November, I have taken on the role of the Senior Coordinator for the Lamb of God Community. As I have been thinking about the transition from Roger to myself, I have been aware that I am stepping forward from some rather giant footsteps. Roger embodies what it is to be a faithful Christian leader. Responding to God s call to start the community, he continued supporting the development of the community throughout New Zealand and Fiji and assisting the development of the Community in Malaysia. During much of this time, we know that he faced some very difficult personal circumstances. I certainly admire his faith to step out into full-time employment with the community when it was small in number. He has shown a wonderful care and support for all throughout the community. But it hasn t been all Roger, at the very heart of all that has been done is a very supportive, wise, prayerful and faith-filled Veronica - on countless occasions actively serving alongside Roger at work, and at other times supporting his ability to contribute. Certainly, they have been giants within our midst. Indeed I feel dwarfed entering the role but blessed to have many faithful leaders who are also committed to supporting our life as a community. Be assured I will be doing all I can to serve the community working with our team of leaders to continue God s plan for us as a community. November 2016 for many New Zealanders will be remembered for the quakes centred between Waiau and Seddon that rocked most of the nation. They have brought about tragic circumstances to the people and communities in the localities, and it is important we pray for them. Other places have experienced disruption with the quakes and the new

2 2 realities they have presented. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Blenheim, Nelson and Wellington that they may know God s grace through this time. Recently I was reflecting on the story of Zacchaeus as it was read out in the church. Mission has become an important focus for me, as I desire to see more people in New Zealand commit their lives to God. Psalm 84 is one of my favourite scripture passages, and it talks about how lovely God s dwelling place is, and I have in my heart to try and help all people get to heaven. The Zacchaeus story (Luke 19:1-10) was really interesting for me as Jesus was on His way to Jericho and we don t know what had been going on in Zacchaeus s life immediately before Jesus being there. We do know that he was very eager to see Jesus as he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a tree. When Jesus arrived at the spot, he looked up and says to Zacchaeus, Come down, I want to come and stay with you. (Mark C version) Possibly a current day example might be how many of us would refuse someone like Richie McCaw the ability to stay at our house if he wanted to? Whatever prompted Jesus to look up at the tree to Zacchaeus? Somehow he was aware that Zacchaeus was ready to receive Him and make changes in his life. I found it an encouragement for me to try and be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If I can be available for God to use me perhaps, I will speak to someone who was just as eager and ready to meet Jesus as Zacchaeus was. Certainly, this is my daily prayer, that I will have the opportunity to share the gospel and be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Mission is such an important aspect of our call both individually and as a community. I encourage you to seek the Lord on how you can be on a mission, who you can reach to, what daily opportunities you can take advantage of. Responding may involve listening to what is happening in people s lives, bringing Christ s love and comfort through words and prayer. In Christchurch, we have just watched Anton Colella s Mission presentation from the International Coordinators Meeting this year. I hope each of you can view it soon. It is very inspiring and encouraging to hear how he engages in Mission. I pray each of us has great opportunities to share in God s mission, to evangelise. God Bless, Mark Challies NEWS AND ARTICLES DEMOLITION OF THE LAMB OF GOD CENTRE The Lamb of God Centre in Christchurch has been demolished. The Centre was damaged in the 4 September 2010 with the Hall becoming inoperative and following the 22 February 2011 earthquake, the Centre was no longer able to be used.

3 In the twenty years up to the earthquakes, the Christchurch branch had made lamingtons to raise funds to pay for the centre. For most of these years, lamingtons were made eight times a year involving most of the branch. A typical Lamington day (Friday) involved a setup and box-making team, the make team arriving between 3.30pm and 6 pm and finishing between 10 pm and 3 am (dependent on the number of lamingtons being made) with a clean-up and distribution team coming on the following Saturday morning. The largest make was 2,500 dozen lamingtons, and approximately 96,000 dozen lamingtons were made over this time. A new building will rise next year, and if plans push through, the new Lamb of God Centre will be operational by the end of next year. Below are some photos of activities of the community in 2008 at the Centre. On the left is Bruce Yocum giving a talk, and on the right is a Summer Oasis 2008 night rally. 3 The leaders of the community met at the Centre in February 2011 and had a photo shoot in front of the Centre. A few weeks after the meeting, the big earthquake hit the Christchurch branch and further damaged the Centre, making it unsafe to enter into and inoperative. EARTHQUAKES HIT NEW ZEALAND - AGAIN A strong 7.8 earthquake hit the Upper South Island and the Lower North Island of New Zealand just after midnight of Monday 14 November. The earthquake appeared to last for a span of a couple of minutes, but during the event, it seemed to be a very long time.

4 4 Aftershocks are still coming even up to now. School and work stopped buildings needed to be checked for safety reasons; train and other transport services were disrupted, too. The busy Wellington City has become a ghost town on that Monday. Some buildings in the city have been identified as unsafe and are due for either repair or demolition. Although the earthquakes are very unnerving to many, it was a blessing that it occurred when people are at home and not at work otherwise, the earthquake could have caused panic and chaos, and also a greater number of accidents, injuries, and casualties. Kaikoura, a tourist town in the South Island known for whale watching, became isolated because of Road in Kaikoura after the Quake Damage in Wellington City damages to roads and landslides. The seabed has gone up a few metres in some areas in the town, and many homes suffered damages. Reports indicate that two people died as a result of the earthquake. The members of the community are all fine the brothers and sisters from Blenheim, Nelson, Christchurch and Wellington are all safe. There are no reported injuries or damages to community homes. Some buildings in Wellington have been declared unsafe, and some of the members of the branch are working at a different location or at home for the time being. NEWS FROM THE AUCKLAND BRANCH Christian camaraderie and fellowship marked the last Lord s Day Meal for The evening was a tribute to the sixteen brothers and sisters who earlier in the month, took their Underway Commitment. They spent the last two years preparing themselves for this commitment. Welcome aboard to each and every one of you. Together, we toil as labourers in His vineyard. Juanita Ashfield one of those special sixteen shares her testimony. She shares: October 2, 2016, was a momentous day a day when a journey that began in 2013 led to a commitment that will soon cement our place in the Lamb of God Community. On this day, Anora, Simone, Wendell, Glynis, Tony and myself from the Initiation Group took the Underway Commitment in front of all our wonderful brothers and sisters in the Community. Speaking on behalf of my family, I can say that these past two years have been quite a journey for us. Joining the Lamb of God was the best decision we could ever have made. During the past two years, the Initiation Group has gathered every alternate Friday for our

5 5 meetings under the able leadership of John and Dora supported by Neville and Karyn. Praying and worshipping alongside the members of the Initiation Group made me aware of the responsibility we, as adults and parents, have in fully equipping our children with the power of prayer. How apt the verse from Matthew 18:20 is For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. The teachings and talks at these meetings helped not only to strengthen but also educate. How wonderful to know the beginnings of this great Community we belong to. Also, a valuable aspect for me has been the opportunity to learn from the discussions within the Group. These conversations gave me (and I am sure the others) many useful ideas and approaches which I have incorporated in my daily living. As a result, my prayer life has improved tremendously, which has flowed into my day-to-day approach to life. I am thankful for the openness and warmth showed to my family and me from the time we joined Community. It has been exciting to see our boys blossom and engage with the vision that the Lord has for us all and I am eager to see the Lord s plan unfold in the coming year. AUCKLAND WOMEN S RETREAT - PHOTOS

6 6 September 2016 National Mission Appeal 2016 For Our International and National Mission Work Throughout the Sword of the Spirit, the international community of communities to which we belong, individual members of the communities is encouraged to contribute to an Annual Appeal to assist with the high costs of Mission and Community Building work. The Lamb of God has decided to maintain the National Mission Appeal [formerly known as Winter Appeal] as our means to encourage members and friends to be generous in supporting our ability to continue and expand mission work in the Pacific and here in New Zealand. We enjoy a land of plenty, despite what some are calling times of recession. We do have adequate infrastructure, access to clean water, little pollution, and homes full of many modern conveniences. Many people worldwide with whom the Sword of the Spirit works struggle for the very basics. But they love the Lord, and they are his people as much as are we. As well as throughout New Zealand, the Lamb of God works particularly in the Fiji Islands, Australia and in parts of Asia and our work is growing. You can talk with any of our young people who have participated in our Mission Teams. Mission work does impact and change lives in both ways. We now work with many groups in Fiji, and we have established a new community in Nadi. The Fijian economy is under stress, and even breakfast cereals we are familiar with can cost as much as F$14-16 a box in a Nadi Supermarket. Most of the people with whom we work in Fiji would earn less than F$4.00 an hour. The environment is challenging. Will you please consider a donation to our work? Enclosed is a prepaid reply envelope. Cheques should be made payable to the Lamb of God. You can also donate online: BNZ Chch Branch, Account Name: Lamb of God; Number If you donate online, please inform Tom Caballes, our National Senior Administrator, by phone or [ ; josethomascaballes@gmail.com], regarding the amount and date so he can trace it, and receipts will be given accordingly at the end of the tax year. The Lamb of God is a Registered Charitable Trust and receipts will be issued to those indicating their name and address in the panel below. With sincere appreciation, Your name: Mark Challies Incoming Senior Coordinator Lamb of God National Council Address: Amount gifted:

7 CHALLENGES IN LIVING TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY Resource for House Group Discussion by Tom Caballes Looking Through God s Eyes December For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. [Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV] We live and toil in our own little world based on our personal experiences, what people say to us and what we read, learn, see, hear and feel. Many of us know how limited our views and experiences are in life, yet we are easy to make hasty judgments about people and things. How many times have we been wrong in the past, yet we act as if we know it all. But what if we view things through God s eyes? After all, He knows everything, and He ultimately will be our judge. God s perspective is more reliable, more realistic and better in every way than ours. Have you ever thought of seeing things through God s eyes? So How Do You Start Looking at Life Through the Eyes of God? 1. Do not be quick to judge people, especially their motives. Only God can see the hearts and motives of people, not us. You have to give people the benefit of the doubt. So avoid judging people. 2. Look at situations with a long-term perspective, not a short one. When you encounter trials and difficulties, you know that God is working in you to become more like Him. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [James 1:2-4 ESV] Thinking long-term is a mark of maturity, and being short-sighted is being childish. 3. Look at life as a traveller, a sojourner. You are never meant to be for this world alone. Everything is just temporary a passing phase and not permanent. Your true home is in heaven. See Philippians 3: As a traveller or sojourner in life, you are not supposed to carry heavy baggage. You need to travel light. When you carry too many things, they tend to slow you down and distract you from your focus. So do not carry unnecessary burdens in your life. You don t have to poke your nose in everyone else s world. 5. Be realistic about life. Expect difficulties and challenges to come your way. Relationships will disappoint at times. God never promised you a bed of roses. Life will never be always fair at least on this side of eternity. Expect the unexpected, even if you had been following the Lord for a long time. 6. What should your focus in life? It is love, then, that you should strive for. [1 Corinthians 14:1A GNB] God commanded you to love Him with everything you have and also love others. When you face hard situations, one of the things you should ask yourself is: what is the loving thing to do? Are you willing to do the loving thing even if it is difficult and it cuts across the grain of selfishness and the flesh? 7. What is life? Life is a just a means to go to heaven. Make sure you live a life of integrity, ongoing conversion and repentance, forgiveness and most of all, love. Life is short. As you endure what life throws at you, know that God is there waiting for you at the end and you have eternity ahead of you! OTHER SCRIPTURE PASSAGES: 1. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. [2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV] 2. let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith [Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV] 3. Other references: Romans 8:28; Romans 8: 31-39; James 4:11; and James 5:9. FOR REFLECTION OR SHARING: How easy am I to judge others? How easy am I to forgive others? Do I harbour resentments in life? How do I grow in looking at things through the eyes of God?

8 SUMMIT KAIROS NEW ZEALAND YOUTH NEWS 8 Kairos New Zealand Schedule of Events for 2016/2017 January 8 to Summer Oasis 2017 [Households starts on the 5 th January] April 28 to BLAST 2017 in Wellington July 9 to Winter Oasis 2017 in Auckland [for high schoolers] WEBSITES WORTH NOTING KAIROS South Pacific Web Site check it out at You can network and chat with other young people by going to this website: We designated every Friday night at 10 pm as a time to meet other young people. Go and visit the International Kairos Media website: We updated our Lamb of God website We also have two new domain names which point to the same website: and Try them! The Sword of the Spirit website is This website is where we can know more what is happening in our communities around the globe. The Lamb of God is a community of the Sword of the Spirit. Sign up [free] for Youth Culture Newsletter The most recent edition of the Youth Culture Newsletter is now available online. Please visit the website below: This link is a recommended Sword of the Spirit publication for youth and parents. Living Bulwark Sword of the Spirit Highly Recommended! This Sword of the Spirit on-line publication has received more than 43,000 visits (an average of 135 visits each day) in its first year. All back issues for the past 12 months are available at To view the current issue of the online magazine, go to SENDING NEWS FOR CHRONICLE PUBLICATION Branches are encouraged to news, photos, happenings and snippets to Tom Caballes at office.lambofgodnz@gmail.com. We close on the 20 th of the previous month.

9 9 IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT OUR RECORDS Membership Records and Data: Branch leaders are responsible for keeping updated records and then ing all new attendee additions, deletions, address, phone changes, births, deaths, transfers, etc. to: Tom Caballes BIRTHDAY INFORMATION [Day and month, but year is optional.] Branch leaders are asked to keep updated records and all new attendee additions to: Tom Caballes GETTING CHRONICLE & OTHER NEWS BY [1] If you are receiving The Chronicle as an electronic edition, we just need to hear if and when you change your address. Notify [2] If you are receiving this by hard copy but you have an address, please send your address to [3] The Chronicle has a national and international mailing schedule. If you want to add an address we can send the Chronicle to, please notify office.lambofgodnz@gmail.com. Wedding Anniversaries - Happy Anniversary! NAMES DATE BRANCH Wendell & Glynis Fernandes 01/12 Auckland Tony & Juanita Ashfield 03/12 Auckland Darren & Julie Humphries 04/12 Christchurch Neville & Karyn Coutinho 06/12 Auckland Mike & Carol Cullimore 10/12 Blenheim Ron & Jacqui Blackwell 11/12 Central Allan & Pam D'Souza 14/12 Auckland Bill & Jenny McElhinney 19/12 Blenheim Jun & Angie Briguera 20/12 Central Bruce & Cherylyn Donald 22/12 Auckland Paul & Shauna James 23/12 Central Peter & Jacinta Dalgado 26/12 Auckland Chris & Shalini Saldanha 27/12 Auckland Cosmos & Marisa Misquita 28/12 Auckland Kevin & Mary McCormick 29/12 Auckland Alfred & Iris Saldanha 30/12 Auckland

10 10 Birthdays for This Month - Happy Birthday! NAMES BIRTHDAY BRANCH Samantha Amaral 01/12 Auckland Russell Mendonca 02/12 Auckland Joel De Zoysa 02/12 Auckland Chris Fredericks 03/12 Blenheim Althea Misquita 04/12 Auckland John Tham 04/12 Auckland Alfred Saldanha 04/12 Auckland Ron Blackwell 05/12 Central Desmond Vessaokar 07/12 Auckland Jonathan McKenzie 07/12 Christchurch Danielle Lim-Kwan 09/12 Auckland Rachael Martis 09/12 Auckland Luke Goodseeker 09/12 Christchurch Andrew Black 10/12 Christchurch Father John Rea 10/12 Christchurch Nicola O'Malley 11/12 Central Juanita Ashfield 12/12 Auckland Aly Fernandes 12/12 Central Sharon Powick 13/12 Nelson Daniel Vessaokar 14/12 Auckland Alwin D'Souza 15/12 Auckland Karen Geelen 15/12 Central Niul Kay 15/12 Christchurch Jaime Sequeira 16/12 Christchurch Pogia Afamasaga 19/12 Central Jeremiah Afamasaga 19/12 Central Amanda Saldanha 20/12 Auckland Carol Fernandez 20/12 Auckland Tom Caballes 21/12 Central David Aberhart 22/12 Blenheim Cheryll Lobo 23/12 Auckland Melissa D'Souza 24/12 Auckland Peter Stoddard 26/12 Auckland Anitelea Afamasaga 26/12 Central Dennis Hollingsworth 28/12 Auckland Veronica Foley 29/12 Christchurch Nathan Murray 29/12 Christchurch Chriselle Fernandez 30/12 Auckland PRAYERWATCH SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARISE Fight the good fight. Reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The Lord will carry out his purpose, Jeremiah 51: 12 NIV

11 SOLDIERS OF CHRIST PERSEVERANCE - ENDURANCE 11 Last month I looked at commitment so if we are committed to the task or our call to follow God s ways, then we need to have perseverance [or endurance] which is the fourth attribute of a good soldier. In the dictionary Perseverance is continued steady belief or efforts, withstanding discouragement or difficulty, persistence in remaining in a state of grace until death. Endurance is the capacity, state, or an instance of enduring; something endured, hardship, strain, or privation. Perseverance is when the going gets tough, the tough or determined get going. God knows we are tempted to give up or leave it for someone else to do. Apathy may tempt us to think it won t matter if I don t do it this time. God knows our weakness, so he continually encourages us to persevere to the end as we read in scripture. James 1: 12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. Ephesians 6: 18 Keep alert, with all perseverance Endurance is keeping at it in the face of opposition, trial, difficulty, hardship, suffering. Important in the Christian life to stay with it when it hurts, you don t feel like continuing, you re tired, you desire a change. God is unchanging, so we to need to be unchanging in our attitude to our heavenly Father and enduring in our commitment and persevering in serving him totally in all we do. Matthew 10: 22 He who endures to the end will be saved. Soldiers of Christ, Arise, and put your armour on! If you have any comments or questions concerning the Prayerwatch, then please send them to me or give them to one of your branch leaders to send to me. God bless and watch over you all. Alan McKenzie - National Coordinator Prayerwatch LAMB OF GOD PRAYERWATCH - PRAYER INTENTIONS SPIRITUAL WARFARE Against strongholds of Apathy, Witchcraft, Confusion and other named spirits. INTERCESSORY PRAYER COMMUNITIES Protect and bless the life and mission of THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, Patmos & Cornerstone Lamb of God [Fiji], Families for Christ [Melbourne], Vanuatu Group, Light of Christ [Nelson], The Covenanted Community For Christ, [Penang & Taiping], FAMILY Auckland: Yvonne D'Souza, Central: Jun & Angie Briguera, Henri & Cutie Zalamea, Joel & Tiza Sison, Robert & Ethel Caballes, Tom & Mhel Caballes, Peter & Stephanie O Connell, Blenheim: Mark & Mary Jackson, Mike & Cheryl Garrett, Christchurch: Roger & Veronica Foley, Robert & Karin Van Doorn, Darren & Julie Humphries, Tai & De Stirling, Niul & Coila Kay, Lyn Keane, Pauline Marsden, John & Monica Haughey, Annette Sargisson, Chris & Maureen Lyons, Ian & Pārbati Hamilton, Southern: John & Janet MacManus, Mike & Judy Prendeville,

12 OTHER NEEDS Auckland: Clifton & Anora D'Costa, 12 HEALING CANCER Central: Ron Blackwell, Blenheim: Carol Cullimore, David Aberhart, Christchurch: Mary Anngow, Robin Corbett, Trevor Wall, Marie Fredericks, Southern: Christine May, HEALING HEART Auckland: Collin Sequeira, Central: Paul Oliver, Blenheim: Chris Fredericks, Philip Middlemiss, Christchurch: Dorelle Ham, Undine Cavanagh, Niul Kay, Andre a Forster, HEALING Auckland: Winona D'Costa, Mira D'Souza, Peter D'Souza, Fr John Rea, Maria dos Anjos D'Souza, Thomas Hong, Vimath Sequeira, Alwin D Souza, Joan Lobo, Alfred Saldanha, Shalini Saldanha, Allan D Souza, Simone D'Mello, Central: Stephanie O Connell, Jacob Muollo, Henri Zalamea, Aly Fernandes, Jojo and Ellamae Jalandoni, Cutie Zalamea, Blenheim: Peter Greig, Josiah Grieg, Grace Weston, Mike Garrett, Anita Fredericks, Judith Rodgers, Barbara Ryan, Jamie Rodgers, Micah Rodgers, Chris Fredericks, Christchurch: Lisa Borkus, Karin Van Doorn, Chris Aston Grieve, Veronica Foley, Siobhan Forster, Bernie Black, John Murray, Chris Lyons, Monica Haughey, Bronwyn Harborne, Pauline Marsden, Ian Hamilton, David Black, Coila Kay, Southern: Fr Merv McGettigan, Daniel MacManus, Steven & Judy Homes & Family, Rhoda Woodfield, Alan McKenzie, Judy Prendeville, Richard May, Others: Julianne Masilomani, BEREAVEMENT Auckland: Priscilla Martis & family, Fiji: Masilomani Family & Patmos Community, COVERING PRAYER National Council, Kairos Ministries, Branch Life, Lamb of God Centre, Branch Visits, Clustering in Auckland, Ministry of Fr John Rea, Employment of Members, Light of Christ Special Ministry, Wellington branch [sickness among extended family], Ashburton Group, Christchurch, I have made you a Watchman Ezekiel 33: 7