Yank Observations

Our experiences of Kiwiland.

We've had a week of early morning breaky (breakfast), take away (carry out), rashers of bacon and eggs and being wonderfully indulged by our host Howard, and his friend Andrew!

I'm always fascinated by how differently humanity lives on the same planet.  Tho we've hit the end of autumn, the days have been biting cold and rainy (except for the one day we had off--Yay!).  I'm amazed at Kiwi constitution.  I'm wearing 5 layers + gloves + hat and scarf.  Locals are wearing shorts and flip flops!   Maybe not h

aving heated bathrooms and keeping doors and windows open no matter the days temp has something to do with that!!   I'm a wimp!

The Maori language is fascinating.  Here are some city names:  Omarama, Te Anau, Manapouri, Ohai, and Waitahuna.  Their Haka is a dance I'm fascinated by.  Check one out on YouTube.  

A 5 hour drive from Aukland to Christchurch was our "almost day."   We almost saw the small blue penguins, but they were out to sea for another hour.   We almost saw the giant round boulders stranded on the beach, but the tide was in and they were covered by mint green sea water.   We almost saw the sun all day, but mostly it rained.   No matter what, every morning, afternoon and evening always brings with it coffee and tea breaks!    

Rotorua is a unique city of steam clouds, gueysers and boiling mud pools.  It is famous for unique thermal heat, sometime suddenly popping up in Kiwi back yards during tea time.  It took a  while to get used to the pungent, pervasive sulpher aroma throughout town.

We were surprised by the blessing of reconnecting with friends from Norway, Robbie & Erik Grangaard who emigrated to her homeland three years ago to minister to the Maori native peoples.   Robbie is an artist in the kitchen! 

This week we are in Queenstown (ski country) for 5 days of R&R staying in a B&B overlooking a huge Lake Wakatipu.  Yesterday we saw a full double rainbow. . .so bright in all it's colors it was breathtaking!  Today forecasts snow!

Dave is managing keeping left as we drive about marveling at the mountains surrounding us here.  The tops are frosted in snow which may descend to lake level before we depart Friday morning.  It has been a major challenge to access WiFi, but this tourist spot has given us this chance to catch up with you!

Here are a few more shots from our NZ journey.  Hopefully, we'll have another chat with you before we head home Tuesday!

Love and blessings to all of you!

Dave and Pam

Larnoch Castle

Christchurch OUTFLOW discussion

View of Dunedin from the mountain

Hearing the Voice of the Shepherd

How to summarize a week in amazing New Zealand!

Let me focus first on the spiritual dynamic we've entered into here.  

As we've OUTFLOWed in 6 cities, I see believers eager to find ways to bring Jesus to people who would rather not be bothered with "religion."  Not much different in the USA really. 

This has been a time of encouraging one another to persevere! 

New Zealanders are a uniquely secure people.  No world enemies threaten them.  A social government works hard to legislate safety  -- ie. a big news item is a father being taken to court because someone saw him "swat" his son in public.  This father faces possibility of 2 years in prison.  Sports are hot (heard of rugby's All Blacks?).  Standard of living is comfortable.  NZ doesn't even have any animals that are poisonous or dangerous.  Only possums and birds and sea life. 

Here we've seen Christians already making significant impact through practical relational ventures -- a ministry of foot washing and clipping toe nails for elderly who cannot bend over to tend to their feet -- buying a pub [Christian music videos play in the pool room] to raise funds for children's literacy ministry in a small village -- weekly commitment to visit folks in a nursing home who have become dear friends.

In my prayer time I've sensed the Lord saying New Zealand has a special place in something God is up to around the world.  My admonition is to encourage them to persevere in doing good, and to focus on discipling people in learning how to hear the voice of the Lord.  The picture I have is of the Lord's sheep in pastures who wander away from the rod and staff of their Shepherd and find themselves easy picking for deception and destruction.   I sense this is a word for the church everywhere.

The Lord is seeking to prepare us for something "big" coming. . .and His people must be listening and living close to Jesus Christ for guidance, safety and empowerment.  The need to overcome evil and to be a safe place of refreshment for world wearied people will be essential for the church in our life time.    Take a look at Isaiah 32.   This is what the Lord has put on my heart in preparing to come to this beautiful land of Kiwis.

Our last conference is this Saturday in Aukland.  We appreciate your prayers for the Lord to accomplish His purpose again.   We head back to the USA on Tuesday!

Your prayers are felt.  Our host, Howard, commented on how relatively hassle free this tour has been and credits that to prayer.   

Thank you all.

Keep them coming!

Love from Dave and Pam

Tuesday am in downtown Queenstown. 

Kiwis and Castles

Greetings from Larnach Castle in Dunedin!

I am sitting in a remodeled horse stable on a blustery cold evening high above the twinkling universtiy city of Dunedin [done ee den] in the south east coast of New Zealand. The temps are suddenly very cold here with snow and sleet warnings. (View from our room balcony)

This amazing Scottsman-built castle in 1847 has a history of sad stories (Mr. Larnach's suicide, his daughters death from typhoid, its use as a mental hospital, and years of disrepair) has a current happy ending for folks like me who relish the experience of echos of history in large framed portraits, Victorian style gardens and stories of the past. Yes, it's a bit spooky too!

Our 28 hour journey to reach NZ (locals say N-Zed) was a bit much, but our very warm welcome from our hosts, Howard and Lynette Webb, brought immediate refreshment. This is a family whose Christmas card was a reenactment of Indiana Jones! Needless to say, their goofy sense of humor matches Dave's! God thinks of everything!

A local Christian paper, The Challenger!, held an article about Kiwi's believing in God but not having much interest in religion. Sound familiar? So how does the Church here reveal Christ in ways that inspire a transformed life through relationship with the One true God?

Our first OUTFLOW conference in Christchurch all day Saturday was a delight. We found the Kiwi response was quite warm and eager, tho we had been warned to expect a high level of reserve. How eager they are to touch people in their communities with the truth and grace of Christ. Some travelled long distances over mountains to be there. May the Lord bless their resolve with more fruit than they can imagine!

We have quite a windy bit of sleet blowing up here. . .Dave has a national radio show interview this morning and a workshop this evening in Dunedin. We're looking forward to seeking what the Lord has in mind today.

Pray that the Christians in this univeristy town hear the Lord's leading in how to best touch people with who He is will grow in a new New Zealand!

Sending our blessings back at you!
DAVE AND PAM

Packing for Down Under 5/5/09

Winter to Spring to. . . Winter again!

The challenge of packing.
Yep. . . in Cincinnati we've finally escaped hot chocolate mornings.
My gardens are exploding into a riot of daisy reds, lilac bush purples and phlox pinks.
Peonie scarlets and poppy oranges are promised in swelling buds along our porch walkway. We won't be here to ooh and aah over them this year!

We're traveling backwards into an early winter rerun! New Zealand is just beginning to chill out. . .mornings are in the 30's and 40's. . . so we're extending our sweater fashions for an added month!

Packing. Once we work through essential toiletries, socks and what kind of coat to pack, I find myself pondering again what attitude of the heart and mind of Christ we need to take with us. I'm a bit clueless in this moment.

As I've prayed about it, I sense the Lord has me along in this journey for something specific that's not yet crystalized. As an introvert, I can easily sit back, cheer Dave on and coach him from "behind the curtain." Past experience and inner nudging tells me to be prepared to step out. I like to know the script in advance...but I've learned my Abba likes to coax me out into faith. Once I'm standing in His spotlight I can see what surprises God calls out of me. It's always been amazing -- at least that's what I'm telling my flip flopping stomach!

Are you up for this adventure of finding out God's agenda around--under--and through OUTFLOW down under? Please do come with us.
Let's see what He has in store together!
Lead the way, Lord!

Pam (& Dave)


Travel Itinerary (for those, like my Mom, who want to know):
Depart Cincinnati 9am tomorrow -- through Denver -- to San Francisco (5 hour layover/dinner with Toys [dear friends]) -- 9pm departure from USA -- 5:15am arrival in Aukland on Friday 5/8.
Saturday morning we kick off our tour with an all day conference in Christchurch.

EMI DOWN UNDER: New Zealand OUTFLOW Tour

Land of Lord of the Rings.
Outrageous beauty. . .courage. . .loyalty. . .big hairy feet?
What images do you conjure when you think of New Zealand?

Other than being riveted to every new LOR set of DVD's and relishing the experience of men and women of good character overcoming evil (plus amazing scenery, acting and costuming), Dave and I haven't had much exposure to New Zealand.

As a little girl who's family name is ZEA (zay), I imagined this distant land could well be the land of our origin -- and therefore, perhaps I was a long lost princess and descendant of a famous island king!
Princess Pamela has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

Well, Dave and I are granted this amazing opportunity to support a giant dream. . .to bring the inspiration of Equipping Ministries International's OUTFLOW: Outward focused living in a self-focused world to a 7 city tour in a nation where only 1% of the population attend church.

Our host, Howard Webb, Director of Love Your Neighbour, is spearheading a network of churches with a passion to adopt and befriend every community in their nation -- to be agents of transformation through application of prayer, care and share. Now that's something I get excited about!!

Would you join us in praying for God to accomplish His purposes?
Below you will find our calendar of conferences and regional seminars.
We invite you to join us as we update you on what we experience in challenges and praises.

We aren't able to pack you up in our luggage, as some have requested (unreasonable weight limits these days, eh?), but we can take you along on the journey with us!

More to come
Dave & Pam Ping
Executive Director & Global Training Manager
for Equipping Ministries International
Cincinnati, Ohio USA







May 9 - Christchurch Conference
May 11 - Dunedin Seminar [Graham, this one's for you!]
May 12 - Hamilton Seminar
May 13 - Tauranga Seminar
May 15 - Palmerston North Seminar
May 16 - Wellington Conference
May 23 - Aukland Conference