Even after being in New Zealand for a month now, I still find myself looking up into the vastness of the black sky at night here filled with the most incredible amount of stars I've ever seen, so amazed that I am really here on the other side of the world! New Zealand is a land so full of incredible natural beauty, and I am reminded more each day how blessed I am to be here preparing for missions!
It's been fun learning to understand all the "Kiwi" terms the locals use, and trying to figure out what they are saying through their thick accents...it's funny that they think we are the ones with the accent and strange words!
During our first five weeks here we have been learning a lot about living in community, intercession, and hearing God's voice. We also had an amazing two weeks of teaching and ministry with a team from Father Heart Ministries in Malaysia, who shared on the Father Heart of God. This teaching had such an impact on all of us and brought healing and freedom in such an incredible way! It's so exciting to see God working in all of our lives here, preparing us to go and share His love with others!
Our school leaders are also making sure that we have plenty of time just to rest in The Father's Love here and enjoy the beauty around us. Every weekend we have opportunities to take day trips to explore and experience more of the beauty of the South Island of NZ. I've taken some great photos and have posted them on my facebook page!
We have been spending time the past two weeks planning and praying about where we are going for our outreach in May. We would like to send two teams into China, and a team to Japan if the doors are open for us to go there in the wake of all the devastion from the earthquake and tsunami. There is a possibility of a team going to Turkey if we are unable to go to Japan.
I would appreciate your prayers for God to guide me where He wants me to go, and for provision for the remainder of the necessary funds in the next few weeks! I still need about $1,500 for outreach fees.
I am trusting that God will provide, and looking forward to an awesome time of outreach next month!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
First week here in New Zealand
Wow, it's hard to believe I've been here in New Zealand for a whole week already!
We've been busy this week settling in and getting oriented to life here at YWAM. God has brought together a wonderful group of people from all over the world for our school. We have students from New Zealand, Germany, Malasia, Holland, Denmark, Africa, and two of us are from the U.S. We have spent this week learning about each other, sharing our testimonies, and getting to know one another and our staff. We are already becoming like family as we live in community together here. We are also enjoying getting to know the younger students that are here doing an Around The World In 80 Days DTS.
After all the students arrived last Sunday, the staff put on a Welcome Party and barbeque for us. The staff shared about the history of the Oxford base and where each of them were from, and where they did their DTS. The base facilities here are really nice with beautiful grounds and views of the mtns. We have some good cooks here too...the food is great and quite healthy!
The scenery is absolutely beautiful in Oxford, and life goes at a much slower pace in this small farming community. The locals live a much simpler life, and It's a little like stepping back in time here at the farmhouse that 11 of us students are staying at. Our hosts, Nigel and Josie are very kind and have made us feel quite at home. I think I could get used to this way of life quite easily....except for the lack of central heating! My "hottie", as they call it, that warms my bed is quickly becoming my best friend on the cold nights here!
After orientation for the first few days, we had our first ministry opportunity to go into New Brighton, an area that was affected by the earthquake near Christchurch, to help out a local church that some of our staff attend with the relief effort, distributing food and water and visiting people who's homes were damaged to offer any help we could. It was quite sobbering to see all the damage and devastation the earthquake has caused to this city! All of the staff for our school and many of the students, including my roomate, are locals from Oxford and Christchurch, so the earthquake has had a great impact on many lives here at YWAM! I'm sure we will have many more opportunities to go serve in the city as the months go on.
I'm looking forward to what God has in store as classes begin this week!
We've been busy this week settling in and getting oriented to life here at YWAM. God has brought together a wonderful group of people from all over the world for our school. We have students from New Zealand, Germany, Malasia, Holland, Denmark, Africa, and two of us are from the U.S. We have spent this week learning about each other, sharing our testimonies, and getting to know one another and our staff. We are already becoming like family as we live in community together here. We are also enjoying getting to know the younger students that are here doing an Around The World In 80 Days DTS.
After all the students arrived last Sunday, the staff put on a Welcome Party and barbeque for us. The staff shared about the history of the Oxford base and where each of them were from, and where they did their DTS. The base facilities here are really nice with beautiful grounds and views of the mtns. We have some good cooks here too...the food is great and quite healthy!
The scenery is absolutely beautiful in Oxford, and life goes at a much slower pace in this small farming community. The locals live a much simpler life, and It's a little like stepping back in time here at the farmhouse that 11 of us students are staying at. Our hosts, Nigel and Josie are very kind and have made us feel quite at home. I think I could get used to this way of life quite easily....except for the lack of central heating! My "hottie", as they call it, that warms my bed is quickly becoming my best friend on the cold nights here!
After orientation for the first few days, we had our first ministry opportunity to go into New Brighton, an area that was affected by the earthquake near Christchurch, to help out a local church that some of our staff attend with the relief effort, distributing food and water and visiting people who's homes were damaged to offer any help we could. It was quite sobbering to see all the damage and devastation the earthquake has caused to this city! All of the staff for our school and many of the students, including my roomate, are locals from Oxford and Christchurch, so the earthquake has had a great impact on many lives here at YWAM! I'm sure we will have many more opportunities to go serve in the city as the months go on.
I'm looking forward to what God has in store as classes begin this week!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Arrived safely in Oxford, New Zealand!
Greetings from Oxford, New Zealand!
I have arrived safely here in Oxford! Had a long, yet great flight overseas and had no problems with connecting flights into Christchurch, and arrived on schedule.
It is absolutely beautiful here in New Zealand, beyond what I ever imagined! The views from the air were breathtaking!! Oxford is a small farming community in the countryside, with rolling hills and beautiful mountain views. I am getting settled into my room at a lovely host home just down the road from the YWAM Base. There will be eleven of us from the school housed there. I have very nice accommodations and will have a roommate, a local from Christchurch, that will be arriving tonight. I have met some wonderful people that have already made me feel at home on my first evening and day here! One thing that will take some getting used to is the lack of central heating in the homes here ( I was warned, but not quite prepared!). It can get pretty chilly here at night, and I was very relieved to find my bed had been warmed up for me with a hot water bottle by my hosts!
Many more students will be arriving today, and our CDTS school starts tomorrow.
I am having some difficulty getting a wireless connection on my laptop, they say possibly due to the earthquake, so for now I will be using the computers available at the base until this problem is corrected.
I will keep you all updated and send photos as soon as I am able.
I am anticipating that God has some amazing things in store for all of us, and am so excited to be here and begin this journey with Him!!
Blessings to all,
Cindy
I have arrived safely here in Oxford! Had a long, yet great flight overseas and had no problems with connecting flights into Christchurch, and arrived on schedule.
It is absolutely beautiful here in New Zealand, beyond what I ever imagined! The views from the air were breathtaking!! Oxford is a small farming community in the countryside, with rolling hills and beautiful mountain views. I am getting settled into my room at a lovely host home just down the road from the YWAM Base. There will be eleven of us from the school housed there. I have very nice accommodations and will have a roommate, a local from Christchurch, that will be arriving tonight. I have met some wonderful people that have already made me feel at home on my first evening and day here! One thing that will take some getting used to is the lack of central heating in the homes here ( I was warned, but not quite prepared!). It can get pretty chilly here at night, and I was very relieved to find my bed had been warmed up for me with a hot water bottle by my hosts!
Many more students will be arriving today, and our CDTS school starts tomorrow.
I am having some difficulty getting a wireless connection on my laptop, they say possibly due to the earthquake, so for now I will be using the computers available at the base until this problem is corrected.
I will keep you all updated and send photos as soon as I am able.
I am anticipating that God has some amazing things in store for all of us, and am so excited to be here and begin this journey with Him!!
Blessings to all,
Cindy
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Arrived safely in Sydney, Australia!
Arrived safely in Sydney this morning! Had a great flight overseas and met new friends during the 15hr flight. Am at the airport waiting to board my connecting flight to Aucklund, NZ and then on to Christchurch. What an amazing view as we descended into Sydney! I know this is going to be an awesome adventure as I anticipate all that awaits in New Zealand!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Leaving today!
Bags are packed and I am ready to catch my flight for New Zealand today! After hearing the news about the earthquake that hit Christchurch there was some question as to whether or not my flight would be delayed, but we have the "GO" from the YWAM base in Oxford to leave as scheduled...so I am on my way!!
My next post......from NEW ZEALAND!!
My next post......from NEW ZEALAND!!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
"Blessing People"
Today I enjoyed my last Sunday service at Chase Oaks Church here in Plano TX, before leaving for New Zealand. Heard an awesome message by guest speaker, Reggie McNeal about our call to be "People of Blessing".
What appropriate words to hear as I prepare to leave my home, family, and country on this mission journey!
My prayer is that God will use me as an instrument of His love, and make me a blessing to the world....
Genesis 12:1-2
" Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing."
What appropriate words to hear as I prepare to leave my home, family, and country on this mission journey!
My prayer is that God will use me as an instrument of His love, and make me a blessing to the world....
Genesis 12:1-2
" Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing."
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Counting Down
Greetings everyone,
I am counting down the days with only one week left until I leave for New Zealand!
I enjoyed a wonderful send-off party last weekend with some very dear friends and family, who shared many words of encouragement and prayers for me. I had a chance to spend time with daughter, Shannon and my grandson, Braydon a couple of weeks ago, and look forward to a visit with daughter, Rachel and son, Josh this weekend before I leave on the 23rd.
This week is busy with final preparations and packing. Hoping I can meet the challenge of packing everything I need for 5 months into one suitcase and a backpack! (not and easy task for those who know me best!)
I have been so blessed by all the responses of encouragement, prayer, and support from everyone! Since my last update, I have received many generous donations, including a sleeping bag and travel supplies.
I still have need of approximately $2,500 to cover the balance of outreach fees, which are due a few weeks after I arrive in NZ. If anyone would still like the opportunity to help and donate, please let me know, and please make checks payable to YWAM with note: for Cindy Gross.
My prayer requests are- for this week of final preparation and packing to go smoothly, for peace, safe travel, and for God to prepare my heart for the journey before me!
Thanks and Blessings,
Cindy
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