Our
annual Women in Mission Day on the 7th November 2015 was held at
Riverbend Bible Church, Havelock North
As a Committee we were thrilled once again that all things came
together on the day, the Lord certainly had a hand in providing some wonderful
speakers and encouragement to everyone who attended.
We would like to acknowledge also the retirement from the Committee of Hazel Bell (after 25 years) and Audrey Hockley (after 20 years) Hazel was absent this year, but Audrey was able to attend and enjoy the day without thinking about any of the preparations J
We would like to acknowledge also the retirement from the Committee of Hazel Bell (after 25 years) and Audrey Hockley (after 20 years) Hazel was absent this year, but Audrey was able to attend and enjoy the day without thinking about any of the preparations J
We heard from Jordan Verrent, Veronica’s Place, Waipawa,
CHB and how she loves serving there, helping, encouraging and
befriending the young mothers with babies who have nowhere else to go. She also loves the babies and her days are
never the same, filled with many different jobs.
Jo Borlase has been involved for many years in different
missions, both here and overseas and is currently working through the process
(and paperwork) to return to Manila in the Philippines on a fulltime
basis. She shared how her previous
training with International Teams and her university study in development, made
her well suited to the new ministry in Manila.
She would value prayers for the Interview process, support to be raised
and is hoping to head to Manila in April or July 2016.
Marilyn Dingle Noah’s Ark Children’s Home, Uganda, has returned
home with her husband Warwick, after 5 years involvement as the Boys’ Family
Home Parents - a challenging and rewarding job.
We heard many stories of the abandoned children and how the Ark is a
safe haven, helping with health issues, schooling, food, a bed and a Christian
environment, teaching them the need for a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ.
We also acknowledge Bev Winters & husband Colin,
from Riverbend who are now volunteering full time at Noah’s Ark, Uganda.
Margaret spent many years
with her husband and family in a country where they shared the Gospel of Jesus
Christ through storytelling. It was
very difficult to break through and language was very hard to learn but the
Lord provided many opportunities and the right people to come alongside them to
translate the stories as and when required.
Maria Wharrie, Havelock North had recently returned from a 5
week short term mission trip to Samfya Bible school and a visit to Manado,
Indonesia to encourage some missionaries from Riverbend Bible Church. Maria
spoke of the great encouragement from 3 women in particular on her trip
· Diana, school teacher working so Wathabu can be the principal of
the school.
· Heather and her 11 children care for the farm while her husband Steven is
evangelising and caring for churches he has planted.
· Florence (has 3 children with her) a Bible school student this year,
left 4 of her children to be away for the year.
We acknowledge Anni & husband Simon work as fulltime missionaries –
Maria & Roger were able to visit & encourage.
Allison Raymond Zambia Africa shared of her mission with husband and
they are currently training and equipping local people to take over the work at
the schools when they retire
Annemarie Iles ( Austria)
& her family have returned to NZ after 20 years as missionaries working in
Eastern Europe
Her challenge was that it was “not about our inadequacies as women, but
it’s about God’s sufficiency – giving our little and God multiplying it. We just need to have willing hearts, be
available and pray – GOD will equip you.
We know God by stepping out in faith and seeing God use us as He wants!
Her husband still regularly returns to Eastern Europe to assist and encourage
believers there.
Val McCullough Pahiatua & husband Grant live and own a
lodge where they counsel people with addictions. They live at Oak Tree Lodge, an old motel,
and people come and stay and work through Freedom in Christ counselling
material.
Val reminded us of James 4 vs 7 and God’s promise ALWAYS I am here,
ALWAYS I am strong, ALWAYS I AM ENOUGH!
Stephanie Smith, Christchurch heading to PNG with New Tribes Missions as a school teacher. Stephanie is
going on her first mission and has certainly seen God’s hand in her life,
preparing the way for her in many circumstances to come to this point where she
leaves in January to teach 11 kids, grades 1-12 for the AUS/USA based
missionaries in Wewak.
Please pray that she will develop relationships with the children, and meet others her own age.
Please pray that she will develop relationships with the children, and meet others her own age.