Just a reminder that clicking on a picture in my prayer letter will take you to a website. For example: If you click on the WAY2GO picture it will take you to Annette Osborne's website where there is a slide show of the WAY2GO events. Or if you click on the little house next to the Home heading it will take you to our website with updated pictures of what we have been doing a s a family. If you would like to print this news letter then just click on the printer in the lefthand column. Thank you for your prayers and support.
People
This was a wonderful reminder of how children, most times, have a completely different focus to what adults have. As I sat down to write this and reflected on the past month or so, I realised that my focus has been very much on programmes, events and stuff - WAY2GO, camps, computer problems at home, and more. As I thought about all of these I began thinking of the large number of people who have helped in so many ways through this period. I will not be able to mention all of them but I would like to highlight just a few by name.
“People Still Make It Happen” was the theme of our Summer Thanksgiving BBQ and Chris made it happen. He transformed the venue into a campsite with kayaks and tents and a “wall” of photos depicting some of the summer activities. He had spent many hours in preparation and what was created was awesome. It was in this environment that camp team leaders shared what God had done in the lives of people through the summer activities.
Bible in Schools
As I we gathered for our first Glendowie Bible in Schools team meeting I was introduced to a number of new people. Wendy, the team coordinator, had been hard at work recruiting new leaders including her neighbours. I wondered why her neighbour greeted me so warmly and then he mentioned that a few days earlier he had been in a training session I had run on story telling. And what a wonderful job Wendy does as she also has to make plans for when people like myself are away and my class still needs to be taught.
 Amy is in her last year at school and she gave a whole Saturday to work in the kitchen at our WAY2GO training event. Ellen and Margaret, “old hands” in the kitchen, and AMY made sure that everyone had enough to eat and drink. Peter, was our site and day coordinator and knowing he was there making sure everything ran smoothly was great.
Colin, is the children’s pastor at Elim, where the event was held. Friday and Saturday are his days off and yet he was there on Friday to help us set up and was there all day Saturday helping too.
Staff and numerous volunteers, who ran workshops, did an excellent job, judging from the comments we have received back. And in the prayer room some of older volunteers were available to pray with people.
Rachel and James, our Auckland interns, just did what ever was needed to welcome people and to make sure that equipment (rolled up lightning bolts for example) was in the correct place.
Young people stayed behind at the end to help pack down.
The comment about the day that most encouraged me was, “There was a sense of God’s presence throughout the day.“
DVD
The SUPAkidz clubs team is in the process of producing a DVD to promote this ministry to churches. When I heard they were short of a significant amount of money to complete the project I said I would take the need to the cell group I am part of. We prayed about it, and have committed to continue praying for the production, distribution and the effect this could have on the growth of school groups. Well a few people, who wish to remain anonymous, have contributed the amount needed. What a blessing and answer to prayer.
Chelsea, a very young leader, who comes to camp in a support role, was the topic of a school speech delivered by a girl who has been on our camps as camper. She spoke on leadership and talked about how Chelsea modelled leadership. She won the speech competition.
 Home
This past week we have had six children in our house as the boys cousins are staying with us. The boys love it as they just play and play and play. There has been a continual game of capture the flag happening on our concrete driveway. Lots of grazed knees but lots of fun.
James and Chris have participated in the Weetbix Tryathlon, Thomas took part in a Wheelathon at his kindy and we all went camping at Pakiri beach but had to leave early because of a tsunami warning.
Touch rugby is over and tackle rugby has begun. Cricket is over. Gill has done an amazing job of managing James’ touch side, scoring for Chris’ cricket side and juggling teaching and being a mum while I have been away cleaning for a week and at various events. Thank you Gill!!!
The week of cleaning at the Flower Show was hard work with one night going from 7 pm until 5am. It was made a little easier on the last night when Gill and her cousin Di said they would come and help me. I said no but they wanted to and it was much appreciated as they helped to pick up hundreds of tooth picks saving me 3 hours of crawling around picking them up myself. Di said, “I came to Christchurch to see my cousin so whether we are out having coffee or picking up tooth picks I don’t mind, I can still talk with Gill.” Although she is very glad it was only one night.
Linda and Glenda, both family members, also helped by taking care of the boys while we were away in Christchurch.
Butterflies (Thomas -
4 years old)
Mum bought some swan plants so that we could watch caterpillars change into Monarch butterflies. I have checked the plants everyday. Some days I had to search for them as they move to very strange places. There is only one left to change but I don’t think it will hatch.
I am also learning my alphabet as I will be going to school soon, but I would much rather be playing.
Soldier (Chris - 7
years old)
I got to play on a Play Station for over two hours as dad had to take me to the StarShip hospital as I had asthma. I am better now.
I am so glad my dad is my Bible in schools teacher. Last week he dressed up as Roman soldier to tell us the story of Jesus coming into Jerusalem. It was way cool!!!
Swimming (James -
10 years old)
I went on my first school camp. It was lots of fun - late nights, kayaking, snorkelling, sailing and rock wall climbing. Mum came out to camp to see what we did and took some photos which Dad has put on our website.
Dad came along and watched me at my swimming sports. I managed to come second in one of my races and third in another. I love swimming.
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Time Travel SUPAkidz camp. The Bible theme is the life of Joseph. Pray that children at camp will discover that God has a plan and we are part of that plan.
Break
open your words, let the light shine out Psalm 119:130 
