News & Events
Latest News
CHCH OFFICE SAFE
Monday 6 September 2010
The NZCMS Christchurch office has managed to escape damage from Saturday morning's 7.1 magnitude earthquake.
All staff members are safe and uninjured and are reporting only minimal damage to their homes.
NZCMS will be tidying up the office over the next few days as staff and Christchurch residents continue to reel from the recent events. We ask for patience as we get back up to speed with everyday tasks.
Thank you for your prayers and concern, we appreciate them so, so much.
PAKISTAN UPDATE
Tuesday 31 August 2010
*All text is used with permission from the faith2share network Fears are growing in Pakistan of a major health risk as more and more vulnerable people resort to drinking unsafe water. Whilst new areas in the south are flooded, villagers returning to their homes in the north find nothing left and no safe water supply. Ifrahim Mathew of the Evangelical Alliance Pakistan says: “The floods in Pakistan are far worse than any of us first imagined. Meeting the immense needs of the survivors is an uphill struggle. The families we are caring for came to us with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. They have really lost everything. One tent village with 150 families is still waiting for help. We need more donations to help meet their needs. We have been able to help a little already thanks to the kindness of supporters but much more remains to be done.” Please contact the NZCMS office if you’d like more information about recommended ways of giving: NZ freephone: 0508 4NZCMS (0508 469267).
ON THEIR TRAIL
Tuesday 31 August 2010
NZCMS National Director Steve Maina has returned from his trip to Melanesia full of enthusiasm for partnerships in the Pacific. Keep an eye out here for more info about where he went and who he met up with. Steve, along with NZCMS staffers Chris Grantham and Sophia Sinclair, will be in Auckland this week to attend The Call (1st- 4th September), a challenging and engaging conference for mission-minded kiwis who want to discover more. Sophia will also be representing NZCMS at the TSCF Catalyst Conference ‘Christ in the Workplace’ (3rd-5th September). Catalyst is TSCF’s ministry to graduates in the workplace, postgraduate students and academics. This conference is a chance for graduates to create and deepen professional, intellectual and spiritual relationships. Upcoming speaking engagements: 5th Sept: Steve speaking at St Aidan’s Remuera am services Steve speaking at Spreydon Baptist Christchurch 12th Sept: Steve speaking at Church of the Saviour Blockhouse Bay
Irresistible...? Yes Lights..? Well, I tried
Tuesday 31 August 2010
In May NZCMS brought you an update from Josephine, who was about to embark on time with her family. As Christians we always try to be the 'light of the world', but it is frustrating when loved ones seem to find that light resistible and refuse to put their faith in God. Josephine updates us on her challenge to be an ‘irresistible light’: “Thank you all for your prayers for my time in Canada with my mother. I was there for her 80th birthday celebrations and the wedding of my niece. Stephen joined us for a time after his trip to the USA. “I was praying that the time would be significant – spiritually and also relationally. It was excellent relationally, better than anticipated. But spiritually, I don’t know. Please continue to pray for all my family. “My mother was definitely touched by my love and service (I think it was ‘irresistible’!). The last two years have been very difficult for her as circumstances have made her feel very lonely and vulnerable. She needed a lot of personal encouragement, and help with many, many practical items. I intervened to help solve issues, and to make her life easier. When I left I noticed she was more positive and upbeat, which was a real improvement! “We had been planning Mom’s 80th birthday celebrations since the beginning of this year! Some highlights were a mother-daughter time at a spa, a special birthday dinner and a family weekend with everyone together for the first time. My mother broke down in tears several times during the weekend, being “overwhelmed by all the love and attention”. I had secretly begun preparing a special Memory Album in January - assembling contributions from friends and family all around the world; she was amazed, and looked it over repeatedly during my stay! “At the end of my visit, we went out for dinner at her favourite restaurant. There was live music and she put in a request for : “You are so wonderful… to me”. With tears in her eyes, she told me: “I can’t say what I feel and what you mean to me…” I think it’s the only dedication I’ve ever received. “Thank you for your prayers. It was a really important time in my mother’s life especially, and for our family in general. “Love and thanks, Josephine”