AWA Christmas 2013

You may download a printable version of this letter here.

Christmas blessings to you from

Prayer	Quarter of the way to Wellington
Home	Fins	Brace	Glasses

So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, "A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel," which means "God is with us." Matthew 1:22-23(CEV)
stable (146K)

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12(NIV)
shepherds (178K)

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests." Luke 2:14 (NIV)
angels (317K)

The star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star. Matthew 2:9-10 (CEV)

When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshipped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him. Matthew 2:11(CEV)

The pictures above are taken from a Scripture Union resource
"Ultimate Visual Aids" available for purchase here

Prayer

Prayer Thanks

Please join with me in giving thanks to God for his provision in so many ways this year.

Please Pray For

The SUPAKidz camps taking place in Wellington and Auckland in January.
Wellington - 12 to 16 January (10 to 12 - leader's training)
Auckland - 19 to 23 January (17 to 19 - leader's training)
- We still need some more leaders for both camps.
- Pray for the Team Leaders as they prepare for and run the respective camps.

kingsandqueens (109K)

Prayer Date

Friday 21 February 2014
Thanksgiving BBQ for the summer camps at Greyfriars Presbyterian Church, 6 to 9:30 pm

Quarter of the way to Wellington

   The pictures above are some of the pictures I used to tell the Christmas story at a school on the Awhitu Peninsula which is the equivalent of a quarter of the distance to Wellington. The drive, there an back, was well worth it with stunning views along the way, but to have the opportunity to tell the Christmas story to 70 children in a school where there is no Bible in Schools was an incredible privilege.
    I then told the story again to two toddlers and their mum at the Starship Hospital Children's Church that night. In light of the increased opposition to Bible in Schools this year, I focused purely on the Bible narrative of the Christmas story. Santa was not mentioned once.
    I have also deliberately not put any other pictures in this letter as I want the focus to be on God and his goodness this year. I have so much to be thankful for. Awesome colleagues and volunteers to work with, many people around the world who pray for me, my family and particularly the work I do, and those who give financially. My financial support is currently in a good state for which I am very thankful.
    I am also very thankful for the time of rest and refreshment I was able to have this year. But I am most thankful for the work that God has done in children's lives through the many ministry opportunities I have had this year.

Home

The busyness at home has continued as the boys sporting energy just does not stop. Cricket, baseball, BMX, cricket, squash, underwater hockey, cricket. I have travelled to Hamilton, Taupo, Whangarei and Paeroa for BMX with the boys. We have just finished taking part in our church Christmas Drive Thru. Check out some of our pictures here and the church pictures here

Fins

I think I have spent more time with fins on than shoes in the last two months and I have loved every minute of it. I was very glad to be chosen for the under eighteen Auckland Underwater hockey B side that went to nationals in Wellington. We didn't get a medal but it was awesome!
James 14
(According to my dad I'm now officially a teenager.)

Brace

I had to wear a plastic brace for two weeks as I fell off my scooter and fractured a knuckle. I didn't actually wear it for two weeks as it was very irritating. I was really glad to be able to do BMX again once it had healed.
Chris 11

Glasses

I had to sit for two hours while having various lights shone into my eyes and peering through lenses and being asked, “Better or worse?” They were checking my eyes as I thought I couldn't see properly any more. Well at the end of the two hours they told my Dad my eyes were fine. I was gutted, but three weeks on, my eyes are all good again.
Thomas 8