Well greetings everyone, its been a while since I have written on this blog. Life has been pretty busy over the last few months. I went to Sydney in march, attended the Shine training day and also the Children in Prayer Consultation for Australia. It was an AWESOME time away. We caught up with friends who we met in India last year which was an added bonus.
Currently I am having a day off.. in Christchurch. I have been on the road for the last 3 weeks, and have another week to go on this part of the journey. I left Tauranga on the 17th April with my awesome friend Dayna. We made our way to Wellington.
I spent afew days doing work in the office - funding applications for shine and doing admin etc. On the 22nd April I flew to Christchurch for the night, then got up earlyish and flew to Queenstown on the 24th. The lower South Island Aglow Retreat was held over the weekend, it was an awesome time. My parents came to do the cooking which was really great. Its always a blessing to be able to spend time with family, and serve God together. The speaker at the Retreat was Gloria Donovan, she was just great. She encouraged us to press into God for the promises he has given us, and not give up in the seasons of hardship and trial. It was a timely message.
After the retreat we spent afew days enjoying the amazing creation of Queenstown.. and also meeting up with some amazing locals. Jacqui - who is travelling with me, ( gospel singer from USA)... and I got to spend time with the kids from the Christian School. We had heaps of left over food from the camp so gave that to the school as well - it again was a timely gift as some families were in need of food. GODS TIMING IS PERFECT... and HIS PROVISION AMAZING.
On Thursday the 30th Jacqui and I flew to Christchurch. We have been meeting amazing people, and have had the opportunity to lead worship, speak, and reach out to the community. Yesterday we were at a cafe outreach in Aranui, it was awesome to meet people from the area, and see them receive practical, emotional and spiritual help. I really feel like God is doing some awesome networking at the moment.. which is awesome, He is opening doors, and bringing the Kingdom of God together. I was reading some scriptures this morning about helping the poor, and was reminded again that this is very much part of what we are called by God to do. I am praying that more radical lovers of God would be raised up to do what Isaiah 61 says- " Preach Good news to the poor, bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lords favor, and the day of vengeance of our God.... you can read more in your bibles... its awesome.
There are more Shine groups starting up which is so cool, one in Taupo, and two in Tauranga, God is really placing on peoples hearts the importance of reaching this generation, and not expecting them to come to our meetings, but going to them. Shine groups are definitely an awesome way to bring life, encouragement, purpose, value and hope to the young woman of this nation.
I hope that you are encouraged from reading this, and that you are spurred on today to be a light for Christ, and a witness to the world that Jesus is ALIVE.
Blessings, and love... keeping Shinning for JESUS
katie
