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