Monthly Archives: September 2011

NZCMS Mission Partner Robyn Appleby has returned to New Zealand after concluding her time serving in Tanzania as part of Msalato Theological College in Dodoma. Robyn is an experienced English language teacher, has qualifications in applied linguistics, cross cultural communication and TESOL. She left Palmerston North for Tanzania in April 2006 where, after studying Swahili, she began teaching English at the Dodoma Language Institute alongside NZCMS Mission Partner Kate Mato.

The Dodoma Language Institute (DLI) is the English Department of Msalato Theological College. The DLI was started by the late Jane Morrison (NZCMS Mission Partner) to help students with their English so they could embark on courses available at Msalato Theological College.

Robyn has also had a significant role in mentoring and providing pastoral care for students, helping them prepare for the different situations they may face as they embark on pastoral ministry in villages.

Robyn has concluded her time in Tanzania with a glad heart: “It’s been wonderful to be part of these young men and women’s journey of faith and share their desire to learn the Bible so that they can serve in building and strengthening the Church in Tanzania.” Please pray for Robyn as she considers where God will lead her next.

Robyn is currently based in the Waikato and Taranaki Diocese where she will spend the next few weeks speaking at different churches about her ministry in Tanzania.

• Sunday 2nd of October: Robyn is speaking St Mark’s Te Aroha service at 9.30am.
• Wednesday 5th October: Robyn is speaking at the St Luke’s Te Kuiti midweek service at 11.30am.
• Thursday 6th October: Robyn will be sharing at a NZCMS soup and rolls meeting at St David’s West Hamilton at 5.30pm.
• Sunday 9th October: Robyn is speaking at St Mark’s Nawton 9.30am and 5.30pm services.

Robyn will also be sharing among churches in the Waiapu and Wellington Dioceses later this year.

NZCMS is pleased to announce the arrival of William David Alexander Elliott. Congratulations to Zane and Karen Elliott, who welcomed William into the world at 7.14am on the 12th of September after a 30 hour labour (well done Karen!). Wills weighed in at 7lbs 12oz and both he and Karen are now at home and doing well. Zane is a member of the NZCMS Council, and both Zane and Karen were members of the NZCMS Kiwi-Kenya Outreach team who visited Kenya during 2007. Please pray for Zane and Karen as they adjust to life with a new baby.

For months this developing story has been brewing away, the world has watched in dismay as the effects of many years of drought have taken a devastating toll on communities in the Horn of Africa. We want to encourage you to pray for this region, and give what you can where possible.

Please pray for our partners who are seeing the effects of the long drought and consequent famine first hand. Pray particularly for partners working in Tanzania: Jo Rogers, Marion McChesney, Kate & Iri Mato and Alistair & Vicki Hookings.

Please pray for the many believers in different villages in the Horn of Africa who are suffering, pray that they would hold fast to their faith and that they would continue to keep trusting as they persevere during this trial. Pray for God’s provision of daily bread.

Please pray for the unbelievers who are suffering during this famine. Pray that their spiritual hunger would be satisfied by the Lord and that many would turn to God for salvation and mercy during this hard time.

Please pray for the majority world (places like NZ) and those who are in a position to help in this situation. Pray for money to be given, and for aid to be safely and wisely distributed to those who need it most. Pray for leaders in these countries and communities, that they would be merciful and not corrupt, pray they would be convicted to care for those who they are responsible for.

What in the world is happening with NZCMS?

Join the energetic NZCMS National Director Steve Maina and team (including some been-there-done-that types) for our short-sharp 4-till-8 early evening NZCMS Live!

What:

• Hear! (updates)
• Dine! (culturally diverse food)
• Be inspired! (and do a bit of inspiring yourself)

Where & when:
Saturday 29th October, St George’s Epsom, 19 Ranfurly Road, Auckland.

Cost: $15 (includes evening meal)
To register please contact Chris Grantham chris@nzcms.org.nz or phone 021 424 747.

A missionary from Faith2Share member agency, Indian Evangelical Mission (IEM), has been injured in the earthquake which struck northern India and Nepal on Sunday night. Mr Premkumar, who serves with IEM in Khumba, Arunchi Pradesh (central north India) reports that he, his brother and mother, were all injured when buildings collapsed. The magnitude 6.8 earthquake which was centred on Gangtok, Sikkim, in India brought widespread destruction with deaths already being reported in India, Nepal and China. The heavy rain in the area, landslides, and the difficult mountain terrain are all making rescue efforts difficult and it is likely that the eventual death toll will be much higher. Several other Faith2Share member agencies, as well as IEM, have workers in this area.

We’re still on the hunt for more teachers at Canon Andrea Mwaka School in Tanzania. Does one of these positions sound like you? Get in touch with the NZCMS office for more information.

• Science teacher (NZ years 7 to 11) immediate start
• Maths teacher (NZ years 7 to 11) April 2012 start
• History/geography teacher (NZ years 7 to 11) April 2012 start
• Primary teachers (NZ years 1-4, 6-7) August 2012 start
• Deputy Principal (Primary trained with teacher and management experience) part teaching part management role. Immediate start (long term contract i.e. Three year commitment)

The NZCMS office was full up on Saturday morning for the first Mission Wonder(ing) event of the year. There was a great vibe as the group got to know each better and discover more about God’s mission and NZCMS. Staff members are very grateful for everyone who prayed, supported, promoted and volunteered at this event.

Don’t forget that NZCMS will be running a Mission Wonder(ing) event in Auckland on the 29th of October (held at St George’s Epsom, 19 Ranfurly Road). Register now! We’ll answer the who, what, when, where and why questions of mission and explore what NZCMS Mission Partners really do when they go overseas. Cost is $15 (includes lunch).

Get in touch with Chris Grantham to register now: Chris@nzcms.org.nz

No, we didn’t just make a spelling mistake, ‘Glocal’ describes the NZCMS approach to missional living. We think globally – recognising that the kingdom is a worldwide project, and we act locally – recognising that Christians need to be reaching out to their immediate community, wherever that may be!

Our publications often feature stories about outreach from far away places, so we’re asking you to send in your stories about what you and your church have been doing in your local context. Maybe you’ve been running a course that helps people explore what Christianity is really about, maybe you’ve been helping people out after the recent earthquake in Canterbury, maybe you’ve been getting to know foreign exchange students at your university, or maybe your ministry has a special focus on helping those in need. We want to hear your stories! At NZCMS we believe that mission begins in your backyard, and we want to encourage people to get involved wherever they can.

If you know of a great ministry, outreach or training programme in your community we want to hear about it: Contact Sophia (03) 377 2222 or sophia@nzcms.org.nz

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR OUR CHCH EVENT!

Keen to explore what overseas mission is really all about? Maybe you’ve been thinking about what to do next and are interested in heading overseas someday? Or maybe you just want to eat some yummy brunch and connect with a bunch of mission enthusiasts…?

Register now for our Mission Wonder(ing) event in Christchurch, coming up on Saturday the 17th of September (78 Peterborough Street, 9am-1pm). We’ll answer the who, what, when, where and why questions of mission and explore what NZCMS Mission Partners really do when they go overseas.

Get in touch with Sophia Sinclair to register now: sophia@nzcms.org.nz or (03) 377 2222. Not in Christchurch but keen to know more? We’ll be running similar events in other centers, more details to come.

An international mission news story courtesy of the faith2share network.

“In recognition of the growing prominence of African Christians within the world church the Anglican Communion is to appoint a Communications Officer to be based in Nairobi, Kenya, to help Anglicans throughout Africa share more easily with the world their stories of mission and ministry. Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of Sudan said, “We very much support the idea of a Communications Officer who will assist in establishing a system that will allow for faster and more effective information-sharing within East Africa and the rest of the Anglican Communion.” The Primate of Burundi The Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi added that “The Church in a little known country like Burundi has a story to tell and communication acts as a window through which people’s lives – their faith, their struggles, their joys and sorrows, their achievements – are shared with the worldwide Church in order that we learn to empathise, to pray, to give, and to worship together”.