"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
The process in 2nd Timothy 2:15 Paul is speaking of requires much focus and energy. He also wrote this jewel in Romans :
... but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Studying Gods word is such a privelage, but it can also be taxing. Study that must be pursued dilligently, in a manner of speaking, has consumed me. Hanging out with Christian folks all day everday is taxing aswell. Often my heart is conflicted with: "come on , don't I know enough now? let me out of here!" Study is an act of worship and I have to remind myself of that. I'm by no means suffering though, I have at times been down but God has been with me every step of the way. The English word "passion" comes from the Greek root "pasio," which means suffering. Paul would argue that suffering (or hardship) might just be Gods great mercy on our life. God is always with us. If I want to start throwing pity parties, that would be missing what is actually occuring; I need to be thankful for increased perserverance. Life is good.
Today I had the incredible oppurtunity to meet the Deputy Chairperson of Parliament Officers (NZ Parliament). This had been set up through a friend of mine I met while living in China, working with Human Rights. Ross Robertson is a Christian man passionate about helping others in the roughest area of Auckland where the population consists of folks from Island decent (Samoa, Tonga, Maouri , Fiji, Polynesia). Ross subsequently after our meeting drove me to meet the leader/founder of CROSSPOWER an inner-city mission outreach. What I discovered was 2 warehouses in various partitions containing: dirt bikes , hip hop dancing studio , boxing , weightlifting , planter box constrution (for people to work at and make extra $$) , a recording studio and various other things. All of it was to keep at-risk youth off the street through Christian community. AMEN! The founder was an AMPED dude that loved the lord and it was such a blessing for me to see. I'm excited again. Learning about God is only second to seeing Gods hand move. Life is such an adventure.
Our collective focus must always be on Christ, in preperation or active ministry: God is the God of all of it. What a joy it was to see what He's doing. I have to remind myself of that. Now is the time to learn how to "correctly handle" Gods word. It is worship just the same as working in a 3rd world country or a rough part of the city is. The Lord is God of all aspects in life, I'm thankful for this season and it's possibilities! Please remind me of this next week when I'm done with all these essays : )
His,
Piper
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
To the hope which is found in Christ Jesus alone.
Soaring heights and desperate lows; excitement for things to come and grief for what has transpired in the world. So much has occurred in the past few weeks. I have watched myself argue from pre-conceived notions not firmly grounded in scripture (simply tradition in me I didn't know existed) just shatter on the ground. Humility and struggle. Like Peter Parker in Spiderman quoted, "with great power comes great responsibility," which I contend that he ripped off from one of Jesus's parables. It's my prayer that what I have learned doesn't fall away from me in my pride but is put into practice,there inlies the burden.
Since the last update I have sought time to pause and reflect on new things I've learned, but then the next day comes with it's new sets of revelation. Jesus message is radical. The Jesus of the Bible is not the Jesus of my culture. Jesus came to redeem all cultures and backgrounds. Eternity has been written on the hearts of every man and without Christ to provide the over-arching narrative to ones life, he will search for stories that shape his existence that simply don't satisfy. Whether it's the Greeks and their mythology or Americans and our Visa cards, man has been on the search for something greater than themselves to explain daily occurrences and surroundings; the search for a Savior.
Being content just living in the Fathers presence has taken away my happiness found in earthly things. I have found myself in this strange state of being able to just watch a sunset or hear a story of how my God has changed someone and just cry out of joy. Visa cards and other quick fixes that promise happiness have lost their neon glow in my heart. Looking back over my life I have seen polarized experiences shape my outlook on the world, I feel that God is balancing my heart out and bringing me to where He wants me to be (especially now) - and thats hopelessly in need of my Father to guide me. When my pre-concieved ideas of what a "christian" is have disintegrated over the last year as defined by church attendance/activity , the world and religious activity lose all luster. What has happened to get me here? Im still baffled actually, it's nothing I did....
- When I was 19 I just got back from attending a charismatic church and I felt sick to my stomach witnessing what I thought where outright perversions taking place (and maybe some of it was). After, I debated with the woman pastor about how her church was evil etc , and in a way I'm going to paraphrase because I don't understand fully what happened as she didn't really answer my question: "I cast out the spirit of judgement in you! In Christs name!!" .... I proceeded to speak in tongues without control while weeping. I have never in my life gone from anger to weeping. Ever. From that day on whatever theologies I had been taught on how "God simply doesn't do that anymore" got thrown to the wind. Since that time It has never happened to me again but my God is so much bigger than what I have been cognitively taught to perceive. That was not the devil, the devil is not in the business of bringing glory to God.
-Being a conservative republican with a low interest in social justice my comfortable world was shaken as I started to see "Gods economy" of love at work when I worked along side illegal immigrants in the dusty fields of Australia. Working next to mothers that have not seen there children in: 5,7,10 years does something to your outlook and compassion to members of the "global south" as we are taught at home that's the way it is. Social justice in itself is just social justice, in Christ though, all things are found in there fullness. What is my response to the world and it's suffering?... or do I just change the channel to something that doesn't force me to change the lavish way I live that in the end provides no real sense of joy but I will hold on to it with all that I possess out of fear.
-I'm not sure how much suffering I have experienced that I didn't directly cause but the polar opposite of that is the JOY that comes from walking in obedience with Christ. The outward man is dying but the inner man is being renewed daily. Theres a reason we where made like fragile jars of clay- the clay never gets the glory above the potter. Out of our cracks (through bruises, sadness, failure) and over the top of our rims God love that we simply can't contain should flow out of us. Jars of "Enclosed Steal" wouldn't be a effective way for the creators glory to be showcased as the steals strength would be simply manifested through itself without need of a Caretaker to look after it. I'm thankful for how fragile I'm , it forces me to trust in Him - that and baldness. Our temporal struggles are eclipsed by His glory. We must allow him to flow from us. Our lives should be prayer. All of these things have challenged the way I view God in the world. When done incorrectly, theology is just a way of putting God in a box when in reality (if there was a "box") we simply can't contain him to what we are comfortable with. The more I "learn" the less I know- the more I become dependant on Him.
Life here in New Zealand has been amazing. Not because I love it here, but for what has been revealed to me. Christ has come to make all things new, I want that to be the reality in which I live, not the cheap reality and fear the world has to offer. In a world where evil is published and celebrated, movies about murder get played and watched with glee when murder occurs in this world. People are starving to death while we watch movies about people getting murdered. Sorry about the David Downer on you right now- I guess this is what happened when I have weeks of pent up anguish. In this season of Easter I want to shift my focus from things that grieve the Spirit to things that bring/expand Gods kingdom here on earth. This is the prayer of my heart. He died for the world, not just the people/countries I like. He makes all things new and thats how I want to live- free from fear and full of love. May you be blessed as you search for Him, salvation stories are found everywhere in our world from Visa Cards/Binge eating/Heroic movies/Music , but only one true Salvation Story should be focused on and lived in. Share that story with people still living under "mythologies." Proclaim to the WORLD the reality that Christ Jesus has brought from above. Amen.
Your kingdom come , Your will be done Father. Hosanna in the highest.
Since the last update I have sought time to pause and reflect on new things I've learned, but then the next day comes with it's new sets of revelation. Jesus message is radical. The Jesus of the Bible is not the Jesus of my culture. Jesus came to redeem all cultures and backgrounds. Eternity has been written on the hearts of every man and without Christ to provide the over-arching narrative to ones life, he will search for stories that shape his existence that simply don't satisfy. Whether it's the Greeks and their mythology or Americans and our Visa cards, man has been on the search for something greater than themselves to explain daily occurrences and surroundings; the search for a Savior.
Being content just living in the Fathers presence has taken away my happiness found in earthly things. I have found myself in this strange state of being able to just watch a sunset or hear a story of how my God has changed someone and just cry out of joy. Visa cards and other quick fixes that promise happiness have lost their neon glow in my heart. Looking back over my life I have seen polarized experiences shape my outlook on the world, I feel that God is balancing my heart out and bringing me to where He wants me to be (especially now) - and thats hopelessly in need of my Father to guide me. When my pre-concieved ideas of what a "christian" is have disintegrated over the last year as defined by church attendance/activity , the world and religious activity lose all luster. What has happened to get me here? Im still baffled actually, it's nothing I did....
- When I was 19 I just got back from attending a charismatic church and I felt sick to my stomach witnessing what I thought where outright perversions taking place (and maybe some of it was). After, I debated with the woman pastor about how her church was evil etc , and in a way I'm going to paraphrase because I don't understand fully what happened as she didn't really answer my question: "I cast out the spirit of judgement in you! In Christs name!!" .... I proceeded to speak in tongues without control while weeping. I have never in my life gone from anger to weeping. Ever. From that day on whatever theologies I had been taught on how "God simply doesn't do that anymore" got thrown to the wind. Since that time It has never happened to me again but my God is so much bigger than what I have been cognitively taught to perceive. That was not the devil, the devil is not in the business of bringing glory to God.
-Being a conservative republican with a low interest in social justice my comfortable world was shaken as I started to see "Gods economy" of love at work when I worked along side illegal immigrants in the dusty fields of Australia. Working next to mothers that have not seen there children in: 5,7,10 years does something to your outlook and compassion to members of the "global south" as we are taught at home that's the way it is. Social justice in itself is just social justice, in Christ though, all things are found in there fullness. What is my response to the world and it's suffering?... or do I just change the channel to something that doesn't force me to change the lavish way I live that in the end provides no real sense of joy but I will hold on to it with all that I possess out of fear.
-I'm not sure how much suffering I have experienced that I didn't directly cause but the polar opposite of that is the JOY that comes from walking in obedience with Christ. The outward man is dying but the inner man is being renewed daily. Theres a reason we where made like fragile jars of clay- the clay never gets the glory above the potter. Out of our cracks (through bruises, sadness, failure) and over the top of our rims God love that we simply can't contain should flow out of us. Jars of "Enclosed Steal" wouldn't be a effective way for the creators glory to be showcased as the steals strength would be simply manifested through itself without need of a Caretaker to look after it. I'm thankful for how fragile I'm , it forces me to trust in Him - that and baldness. Our temporal struggles are eclipsed by His glory. We must allow him to flow from us. Our lives should be prayer. All of these things have challenged the way I view God in the world. When done incorrectly, theology is just a way of putting God in a box when in reality (if there was a "box") we simply can't contain him to what we are comfortable with. The more I "learn" the less I know- the more I become dependant on Him.
Life here in New Zealand has been amazing. Not because I love it here, but for what has been revealed to me. Christ has come to make all things new, I want that to be the reality in which I live, not the cheap reality and fear the world has to offer. In a world where evil is published and celebrated, movies about murder get played and watched with glee when murder occurs in this world. People are starving to death while we watch movies about people getting murdered. Sorry about the David Downer on you right now- I guess this is what happened when I have weeks of pent up anguish. In this season of Easter I want to shift my focus from things that grieve the Spirit to things that bring/expand Gods kingdom here on earth. This is the prayer of my heart. He died for the world, not just the people/countries I like. He makes all things new and thats how I want to live- free from fear and full of love. May you be blessed as you search for Him, salvation stories are found everywhere in our world from Visa Cards/Binge eating/Heroic movies/Music , but only one true Salvation Story should be focused on and lived in. Share that story with people still living under "mythologies." Proclaim to the WORLD the reality that Christ Jesus has brought from above. Amen.
Your kingdom come , Your will be done Father. Hosanna in the highest.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
College Boy.
I haven't been on my laptop in 3 days which might be a personal record. Studies are going great, I'm learning a ton. Last Sunday I taught the junior high at ABC for the first time and it's humbling that God has allowed me to continue in ministry. One of my homework assignments last week was to read Mark in one sitting. I love it. I'm up to my ears in books and as of late I have been up sunrise-sunset reading, studying and learning. Please pray for perserverance for me and that.
Somedays I'm so captivated by books on theology that I feel like I can keep studying forever. The next day I want to move back to Honduras to get my hands dirty. Gods put me here now and I'm learning balance. My "Intro" to New Testament book is longer than the Bible... quite the intro if you ask me. This week I head to a "Mansion" in Scotts Landing for a all church retreat.
His-
Piper
Somedays I'm so captivated by books on theology that I feel like I can keep studying forever. The next day I want to move back to Honduras to get my hands dirty. Gods put me here now and I'm learning balance. My "Intro" to New Testament book is longer than the Bible... quite the intro if you ask me. This week I head to a "Mansion" in Scotts Landing for a all church retreat.
His-
Piper
Sunday, February 28, 2010
......And that's bout' right.
Today I was relaxing abit this morning when I received an email from Tara Holdaway at Laidlaw telling me that my visa-application had just been processed by the school and I could attend classes TODAY and not TOMORROW! After watching a heartbreaking hockey game I went to school, enrolled then made it to my class 20 minutes late. What an incredible ride this has been! At no point has this been conventional. I was praying as the Immigration Office of NZ had not received the paperwork to allow me to come through a post-office mix up. The government is open only Monday-Friday so I figured my agent would get the info Mid-day (Today, Monday) at best then work on the process so I would miss one day of School. Again I have been blown away as I didn't even end up missing a class at school- period. My visa was processed at Laidlaw and I hurried down the hall to join my Theology class in session. University has begun. What a non-stop action ride this has been. At this point I would expect nothing less- If a dove descended from the heavons with my visa papers in its beak I probably wouldn't have missed a beat this morning. Extrodinary has become normal , my faith has increased and I can't wait to see what the future holds.
His
Piper
His
Piper
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
24 Years.
Thanks all for the Birthday wishes. 23 might have been the best year of my life with an explosion of growth. As I look back over the years I see Gods hand everywhere- everything is coming together.
There where times just after Highschool where I very literally could have died. A truck accident where the truck flipped over, all the windows where gone, tires missing and when I came out from briefly blacking out a split second my head was resting up against a tree- as the truck was left in shambles I and a friend walked away nearly untouched. At another time as I was pushing the limits of stupidity on a motorcycle, I lost control around a corner and flew into the opposing lane as a truck swerved to miss me. I knew that life could be over instantly with just these few examples I have shown, yet the Lord spared me with His infinite grace. A dear friend of mine died in a wreck right after high-school and I just assume that that could have very well easily have been me. I believe these encounters and the experience of loss have enabled me to live with a more abundant joy as I have experienced greater mercy.
Just for a second lets remember how hopeless/ignorant and lost we where before God sovereignly intervened in our lives. For me and so many others that is impossible as we are just "good church folk" brought up in Church and saved at a young age. I would ask the crowd I'm apart of then to just ponder the realities of life without Christ for a moment. Devastating. I grew up hearing about Christ and even as young as 3-4 shared passionately about Gods saving grace with neighbors. I always knew that I was saved "From" hell , death and certain destruction but I never comprehended that I was saved "To" Gods incredible plan and continuing story of redemption since the Cross of Christ. At 21 I learned that repentance was a state of the heart , not curbing outward actions to meet a "religious model" of what a "good Christian" is. "Hey I don't swear to much and I attend church on Sunday without fail, I help out with my elderly neighbors and I don't commit any big sins- thats a strong faith right?." That is how I gauged my walk with the Lord for so long , sadly the "saved to" part didn't kick in until I was broken and alone in my dingy Guatemalan apartment when Gods love broke through. I would like to describe myself as a normal kid to that point when something exploded inside of my heart. Being "Saved to" Gods plan of redemption is much more joyous than "hey I swear less now and gave up smoking," the saving nature of the gospel encompasses so much more than changes on the outside but the transformation of the heart only possible through the cross. That is the gospel.
As I listened to a sermon this week about predestination the speaker brought up something that I couldn't shake. The idea that God knew me before I was born, knew all the sins I have committed and have yet to get around to- and that He still loves me , that means something incredible. That means He loves me NOW! Not the future version of David Piper (... the one post Bible College blah blah blah etc) , He loves us NOW. I also tried wrapping my head around the idea that "maybe I wasn't saved at 2 , but instead 21?" but all I can do I is rest in Gods sovereignty as that is neither here nor there now. He who began a good work in me will see it through until the day it is complete. He loved me at 15 when I was sneaking out of my parents house, He loved me at 23 when I was bringing food to a homeless shelter. There are plenty of other parallels but God loving me then is more grace than I would even allow myself as who Iam now hates who I have been. He loves you NOW. Wow. Not the future you... you NOW. That is so humbling and destroys any potential pride as its only by His grace that we are still here. Joy comes only through obedience as a product of a truly repentant heart; a heart that knows death is deserved but has been given life. I can't imagine life any other way now. Let us be encouraged in our faith!
Ephesians 2:8
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, lest any man should boast."
It's when we fail to forget the grace that was shown us that we begin to simply curb our outward actions, forgetting that we have been spared (when we deserved death) to bring Him glory and seek His plan.
I love Psalm 119. For 174 verses the Psalter sings of Gods praises of justice and mercy. He speaks of loving Gods statues as he wakes at midnight to ponder Gods righteous law. At verse 175-176 though he concludes with a different tone:
Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
Thank you God for not destroying me , even as I turn away. That verse gets me amped as it reflects a truly repentant, humble heart. Don't wait until its your Birthday to thank God for sparing you and that He will use us if we are humble and willing - do so now! Joy awaits! Amen.
Thank you God for these 24 years.
Your Servant,
David
----------------------------------
Life Update!
1. Accepted to Laidlaw Bible College
2. Had to stop volunteering and start making money, God provided a job with the federal government where I made big $$$ for two months.
3. Paid for 1 semester of school.
4. Didn't have the money to even fly to NZ one week before departure date / money donated out of nowhere allowed me to purchase my ticket 6 days before I left, at this point I had $30 to my name.
5. Sold my car two days before departure to a man that had been "interested" for a month that kept calling me but never had the money (frustration!)
6. At DCC's going away party for me I was touched beyond words as $1700+ was donated.
7. I arrived in Fiji to find out my plan of doing an apostolic mission trip with Sean Saffold was off as he couldn't make it... "what now God?"
8. Second day in Fiji , a Kiwi couple meets me and decides that I'm not an "axe murderer" and lets me know they have a room available and are looking for a roomate. "Magically" all of our "vacations" in Fiji ended at the same time and when I arrived Sunday afternoon to NZ It was a matter of hours before their flight came in and I was on my way to my new home.
9. A few days later I approached the church directly across the street with questions about small groups etc and how I could get plugged in via email as the front office was closed. I was very much suprised to get an email back from the pastor instead of secretary. This started the one month journey of prayfully considering a job as JH/HS Youth lead at Avondale Baptist Church. After interview after interview and a background check I'm now apart of the ministry team. I was told they had been praying nearly a year for someone to fill the spot.
10. Immigration contacted me about my lack of funds required to obtain a student visa- the NZ Gov posed one final option to me after me writing a heartfelt letter explaining circumstances: "Get a NZ citizen to sponsor you" . I found a family through church that was more than willing to help me in this process, they agreed to the NZ Govs stipulations of being financially responsible to me if everything fell through. My visa is now a reality! Its currently in the mail and I start school tomorrow (Firday). I can't start going to classes until I physically have the passport back from the mail so PRAY that I get it before Mondays lectures start when they will not allow me to attend without it. God has blown open every obstacle to this point and I'm not going to start worrying now. My faith has blown up! I mean seriously, I meet random people in Fiji that brought me to a church that would help pave the way for me to go to school and had been looking for a youth leader for a year? God is toooo good to me. All of these dreams where realized because God didn't allow Sean and mines plan to work out, there is no way I would have got my visa without the permenant address I provided in NZ and the family I met to back me. Gods plans are far superior to mine!
-----------
The Future Plans!
1. Attend Laidlaw for one semester. Ministry at Avondale Baptist will allow me to essentially eat and sleep , but not actually get ahead financially to pay for next semester.
2. At sememster end I will apply and obtain (they are easy to get I hear) a one year working visa and live and work in NZ.
3. I will work for one semester then start school up again in Feb of 2011 if bags of money don't fall from the sky
4.Simultaneously at 6 months I will apply for my permenant residency which will be a challenge to get, but if I do (you apply at 6 month mark then you have to wait another 6 months until they get to your claim- thats how it works) get my residency ... school fees will go down substantially.
God has blessed me this far , and to worry about the future would be sinful after His display of power getting me here. Im now living in Auckland and attending Laidlaw Bible College- sweet.
Im sorry if your still here reading this, I should have just written a book on this post : )
There where times just after Highschool where I very literally could have died. A truck accident where the truck flipped over, all the windows where gone, tires missing and when I came out from briefly blacking out a split second my head was resting up against a tree- as the truck was left in shambles I and a friend walked away nearly untouched. At another time as I was pushing the limits of stupidity on a motorcycle, I lost control around a corner and flew into the opposing lane as a truck swerved to miss me. I knew that life could be over instantly with just these few examples I have shown, yet the Lord spared me with His infinite grace. A dear friend of mine died in a wreck right after high-school and I just assume that that could have very well easily have been me. I believe these encounters and the experience of loss have enabled me to live with a more abundant joy as I have experienced greater mercy.
Just for a second lets remember how hopeless/ignorant and lost we where before God sovereignly intervened in our lives. For me and so many others that is impossible as we are just "good church folk" brought up in Church and saved at a young age. I would ask the crowd I'm apart of then to just ponder the realities of life without Christ for a moment. Devastating. I grew up hearing about Christ and even as young as 3-4 shared passionately about Gods saving grace with neighbors. I always knew that I was saved "From" hell , death and certain destruction but I never comprehended that I was saved "To" Gods incredible plan and continuing story of redemption since the Cross of Christ. At 21 I learned that repentance was a state of the heart , not curbing outward actions to meet a "religious model" of what a "good Christian" is. "Hey I don't swear to much and I attend church on Sunday without fail, I help out with my elderly neighbors and I don't commit any big sins- thats a strong faith right?." That is how I gauged my walk with the Lord for so long , sadly the "saved to" part didn't kick in until I was broken and alone in my dingy Guatemalan apartment when Gods love broke through. I would like to describe myself as a normal kid to that point when something exploded inside of my heart. Being "Saved to" Gods plan of redemption is much more joyous than "hey I swear less now and gave up smoking," the saving nature of the gospel encompasses so much more than changes on the outside but the transformation of the heart only possible through the cross. That is the gospel.
As I listened to a sermon this week about predestination the speaker brought up something that I couldn't shake. The idea that God knew me before I was born, knew all the sins I have committed and have yet to get around to- and that He still loves me , that means something incredible. That means He loves me NOW! Not the future version of David Piper (... the one post Bible College blah blah blah etc) , He loves us NOW. I also tried wrapping my head around the idea that "maybe I wasn't saved at 2 , but instead 21?" but all I can do I is rest in Gods sovereignty as that is neither here nor there now. He who began a good work in me will see it through until the day it is complete. He loved me at 15 when I was sneaking out of my parents house, He loved me at 23 when I was bringing food to a homeless shelter. There are plenty of other parallels but God loving me then is more grace than I would even allow myself as who Iam now hates who I have been. He loves you NOW. Wow. Not the future you... you NOW. That is so humbling and destroys any potential pride as its only by His grace that we are still here. Joy comes only through obedience as a product of a truly repentant heart; a heart that knows death is deserved but has been given life. I can't imagine life any other way now. Let us be encouraged in our faith!
Ephesians 2:8
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, lest any man should boast."
It's when we fail to forget the grace that was shown us that we begin to simply curb our outward actions, forgetting that we have been spared (when we deserved death) to bring Him glory and seek His plan.
I love Psalm 119. For 174 verses the Psalter sings of Gods praises of justice and mercy. He speaks of loving Gods statues as he wakes at midnight to ponder Gods righteous law. At verse 175-176 though he concludes with a different tone:
Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
Thank you God for not destroying me , even as I turn away. That verse gets me amped as it reflects a truly repentant, humble heart. Don't wait until its your Birthday to thank God for sparing you and that He will use us if we are humble and willing - do so now! Joy awaits! Amen.
Thank you God for these 24 years.
Your Servant,
David
----------------------------------
Life Update!
1. Accepted to Laidlaw Bible College
2. Had to stop volunteering and start making money, God provided a job with the federal government where I made big $$$ for two months.
3. Paid for 1 semester of school.
4. Didn't have the money to even fly to NZ one week before departure date / money donated out of nowhere allowed me to purchase my ticket 6 days before I left, at this point I had $30 to my name.
5. Sold my car two days before departure to a man that had been "interested" for a month that kept calling me but never had the money (frustration!)
6. At DCC's going away party for me I was touched beyond words as $1700+ was donated.
7. I arrived in Fiji to find out my plan of doing an apostolic mission trip with Sean Saffold was off as he couldn't make it... "what now God?"
8. Second day in Fiji , a Kiwi couple meets me and decides that I'm not an "axe murderer" and lets me know they have a room available and are looking for a roomate. "Magically" all of our "vacations" in Fiji ended at the same time and when I arrived Sunday afternoon to NZ It was a matter of hours before their flight came in and I was on my way to my new home.
9. A few days later I approached the church directly across the street with questions about small groups etc and how I could get plugged in via email as the front office was closed. I was very much suprised to get an email back from the pastor instead of secretary. This started the one month journey of prayfully considering a job as JH/HS Youth lead at Avondale Baptist Church. After interview after interview and a background check I'm now apart of the ministry team. I was told they had been praying nearly a year for someone to fill the spot.
10. Immigration contacted me about my lack of funds required to obtain a student visa- the NZ Gov posed one final option to me after me writing a heartfelt letter explaining circumstances: "Get a NZ citizen to sponsor you" . I found a family through church that was more than willing to help me in this process, they agreed to the NZ Govs stipulations of being financially responsible to me if everything fell through. My visa is now a reality! Its currently in the mail and I start school tomorrow (Firday). I can't start going to classes until I physically have the passport back from the mail so PRAY that I get it before Mondays lectures start when they will not allow me to attend without it. God has blown open every obstacle to this point and I'm not going to start worrying now. My faith has blown up! I mean seriously, I meet random people in Fiji that brought me to a church that would help pave the way for me to go to school and had been looking for a youth leader for a year? God is toooo good to me. All of these dreams where realized because God didn't allow Sean and mines plan to work out, there is no way I would have got my visa without the permenant address I provided in NZ and the family I met to back me. Gods plans are far superior to mine!
-----------
The Future Plans!
1. Attend Laidlaw for one semester. Ministry at Avondale Baptist will allow me to essentially eat and sleep , but not actually get ahead financially to pay for next semester.
2. At sememster end I will apply and obtain (they are easy to get I hear) a one year working visa and live and work in NZ.
3. I will work for one semester then start school up again in Feb of 2011 if bags of money don't fall from the sky
4.Simultaneously at 6 months I will apply for my permenant residency which will be a challenge to get, but if I do (you apply at 6 month mark then you have to wait another 6 months until they get to your claim- thats how it works) get my residency ... school fees will go down substantially.
God has blessed me this far , and to worry about the future would be sinful after His display of power getting me here. Im now living in Auckland and attending Laidlaw Bible College- sweet.
Im sorry if your still here reading this, I should have just written a book on this post : )
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wow.
Thats about all I can say right now. I was working for a family of ABC Church pulling weeds today and on my lunch break I biked home and checked my email. The same family I was working for emailed me and (The Quirkes) have agreed to sponsor me through my study here , allowing me to get a student visa! As I received that email, I checked the snail mail and the forms from the NZ Gov arrived in the mail. I promptly took the forms back to the house just completely excited for how this has all worked out. They where not at home at the time but I've never been so happy to pull weeds. Never a dull moment here down under.
PRAY....
For the visa to come quickly! Lectures start soon and I can't until the visa comes in. Pray that the government is speedy (a miracle in itself)
For God to reveal Himself to me as I develop a model for the Junior High and High School program I'm taking over. I want to point the students to Christ using what I've learned over the last 2 years. I want these Kiwi students to see Him in a real way.
It's amazing to see where God has taken me. Wild. None of these things where in my plans for coming here. When Sean was unable to come and I was here a month early it was for my benefit. I've always wanted that "weekend alone with God" and that became a month. This is the most I've ever gotten into the word and studied. The whole thing is amazing. WOW says it all.
-His
Piper
PRAY....
For the visa to come quickly! Lectures start soon and I can't until the visa comes in. Pray that the government is speedy (a miracle in itself)
For God to reveal Himself to me as I develop a model for the Junior High and High School program I'm taking over. I want to point the students to Christ using what I've learned over the last 2 years. I want these Kiwi students to see Him in a real way.
It's amazing to see where God has taken me. Wild. None of these things where in my plans for coming here. When Sean was unable to come and I was here a month early it was for my benefit. I've always wanted that "weekend alone with God" and that became a month. This is the most I've ever gotten into the word and studied. The whole thing is amazing. WOW says it all.
-His
Piper
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Call.... (from the Government)
VISA UPDATE
Today Laura Cannon from Immigration New Zealand called my house and spoke to me. This is the first update I have had in the last 11 days. She was impressed with the letter I sent and my honesty about the situation and she said she was honored that I had considered NZ the place to study. She shared with me that they couldn't approve me as of yet with my lack of funds (6000$ NZD for 6 months , I have under half) but if I could find a NZ citizen to sponsor me, not monetarily but just as an insurance policy for the government that my visa would be granted. It's like a co-signer for a loan. PRAY FOR A SPONSOR! I will share this with the Pastor on Wednesday and will ask my roomates what they think. Laura is mailing the forms today and they will be here in 2 days or so. She said on its return they would process it ASAP so that studies this semester will be possible. Praise God, its all in His timing.
Today Laura Cannon from Immigration New Zealand called my house and spoke to me. This is the first update I have had in the last 11 days. She was impressed with the letter I sent and my honesty about the situation and she said she was honored that I had considered NZ the place to study. She shared with me that they couldn't approve me as of yet with my lack of funds (6000$ NZD for 6 months , I have under half) but if I could find a NZ citizen to sponsor me, not monetarily but just as an insurance policy for the government that my visa would be granted. It's like a co-signer for a loan. PRAY FOR A SPONSOR! I will share this with the Pastor on Wednesday and will ask my roomates what they think. Laura is mailing the forms today and they will be here in 2 days or so. She said on its return they would process it ASAP so that studies this semester will be possible. Praise God, its all in His timing.
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