EPIC Nazarene Youth Camp

The Nazarene youth camp was exactly what it says in the title... EPIC!! The camp consisted of about 70 youth and 30 volunteers of all different cultures. Some of the cultures represented came from the Pacific Islands, Australia, Asia, UK, and America. Our speaker was Kenny Wade, an American who currently lives in Australia and works at Nazarene Theological College. He delivered powerful messages throughout the week that challenged the youth to think about living a life that makes God famous so they could receive the Eternal Prize in Christ (EPIC). 
Even though the camp only consisted of 2 half days and 2 full days, a lot of fun activities were able to be squeezed in during this short time period. Some of these included water skiing, tubing, swimming, kayaking, water fight, wharf jumping, giant water slide, and a photo scavenger hunt. Many of the youth are city kids who came up from Auckland and they don't get to experience being in the ocean too often. Many of them had first time experiences at this camp as well. Jenna had the privilege of water skiing in the ocean for her very time along with teaching youth how to as well. 

The highlight of the camp for us was the very last day when Kenny delivered his last message and communion was offered. One young man stood up and confessed that he didn't know God before coming to camp and he thought camp was just going to be a bunch of fun activities without the mention of God. However, that day he decided to give his life to following Jesus! Many others chose to dedicate or re-dedicate their lives to Christ. Jenna was approached by 2 girls asking for prayer. She prayed with them and then listened as they each prayed for Jesus to come into their hearts and take control of their lives. Praise the Lord! Jesse also prayed with the youth and was able to better explain the meaning of communion to them. 
When we returned home from camp we were thrilled to read some of the post on Facebook from the campers. The young man who stood up and gave his testimony was excited to share with the Facebook world his new found hope in Christ. Another one of the girls posted that her and some friends committed to reading at least one chapter of the bible a day and then they were going to share with each other what they had read. It is so exciting to see them on fire for Christ and we pray that this excitement will continue and they will share it with everyone they meet! 

Camping, Caving, Creation, and Koreans

There is a witty saying when a person compares something that is intense to camping because camping is "in tents".  We could however say that camping was not only in tents but also intense this past week at Rock Solid Breakaway Camp.  The week was filled with challenges, adventures, relationships, and good food.  The first day/night of camp was extremely windy. The tents (especially ours) were semi-collapsing due to the wind and the noise of the wind from inside the tent was incredible.  Needless to say, most of those attending and working at the camp got very little sleep.  However, God gave us strength to make it through the long days ahead even though we never really got caught up on our sleep.  Each day we had new adventures that we encountered. On Tuesday, Jesse went hiking with a group through the "bush" (woods) and up a hill and Jenna went with another group and had her first experience at Kayaking and Sea biscuiting (tubing) in the ocean. On Wednesday the whole group took a day trip out to Pataua North and South.  It was here that the campers and leaders were able to swim in the ocean, dive off a bridge, kayak, and climb another mountain. On Wednesday evening, we all enjoyed a time under the stars at the beach that was right next to the camp. Each team got to make their own "volcano" out of sand, sticks, and fire. It was awesome to see everyone working together in order to get their volcano to "erupt." 
On Thursday, the camp took everyone down into the earth as we went caving.  This was an amazing experience as neither of us had ever been caving.  The caving included spotting an eel, wading through waist deep water, climbing up rocks within the cave, looking up and seeing hundreds of glowworms on the cave's ceiling, and working with those campers who were scared or didn't believe they could continue. The caves were definitely a favorite aspect of the camp for the both of us. On Thursday evening the theme was "Islander night." The camp brought in giant inflatables for everyone to jump and play on and a snow cone machine. Everyone dressed up in islander wear and we enjoyed the sounds of island themed music. On Friday, we went for yet another hike.  Jenna braved the tall Mount Manaia for the second time in our time in NZ while Jesse took the more scenic and much more flat walk around Smuggler's cove.  
Throughout the week, we had the opportunity to build many relationships with youth of many different cultures. Jesse had the privilege to get to know Stella and Melody (Their English names).  These girls have left their families in South Korea for six weeks in an effort to better learn English and to serve Christ. Although they were young in age, they were brave as they were making this journey to New Zealand.  Melody shared with Jesse that her dream is to learn to speak English well enough that she can travel the world volunteering and helping others.  She has a huge heart for God and others.  It was so obvious to all that she came into contact with.  We are praying that God will continue to nurture this call to missions that she has and that she will allow for God to use her in big ways. 
Many of the children who attended this camp are in need of prayer. They need prayer that God will continue to work in their lives and that they would allow God to mold them into to who he created them to be. They need prayer that they will be able to be missionaries into their worlds (whether that is in NZ, Korea, or just their homes).  The "theme" of the week was creation and creativity. There was much shared about how creative God is and even though he has created huge stars he still loves us, even though we would be microscopic in size compared to those stars.  We pray that these teens that heard this message will at least always remember how important and loved they are by their creator.

There is so much more that could be written about camp but we hope that this gives you a glimpse into what camp was like.  We would appreciate your prayers as we have our Nazarene youth camp coming up next week.  We have been put in charge of the camp and are excited for what God has in store for the time.  Thanks again for all your support and prayers. We are half way through our time in NZ and God has amazed us with what He is doing.  

Camp Preparation

During these past couple of weeks we have had some time to relax and visit the beach. Starting in the middle of December when kids get out of school most people leave and go on "holiday". They go visit family, head to the beach, or take a family vacation. This means we have not been in our normal routine, because we have not had Rock Solid, Kids Club, Food Bank, or Wednesday night bible study. However, we have been busy preparing for something else... Youth Camp! 
Before coming to New Zealand, we both felt that God had laid camp on our hearts. We have both had experience with camps in the past and at the time did not know how God was using those experiences to equip us for what was to come. A couple of months ago we were informed that the current Nazarene District Youth leaders in New Zealand would be stepping down from the position. Once we heard this we felt the Holy Spirit tugging on our hearts to organize this year's district youth camp. Soo... we have stepped up to the challenge! 

This year's camp is called EPIC (Eternal Prize in Christ) and will be held at Paura Bay's HOLY Ground Camp. We have met with the leaders of this camp and formed a strong partnership with them. They have informed us of government funding that will allow us to host a FREE camp for all 11 to 17 year olds. PRAISE THE LORD! We know that many times camp fees can get expensive and hold youth back from attending. But this year God has broken down that barrier. We also thought that transportation for 50 to 60 youth and leaders from Auckland up to the Northland (about a 2 hour trip) would be an issue, but once again God has provided for that as well! There will be a 47 passenger bus bringing youth and leaders up from Auckland. 
In order to make this camp possible and receive funding we were told we had to have at least 65 campers. The registration deadline was on January 2nd and we only had 3 people registered. Our humanness was beginning to doubt if this camp was really meant to be. However, yesterday we received a call from the district superintendent and were informed that he had been speaking to all of the local churches and totaled up 72 campers and leaders coming!! Thank you, Lord. 
God has been so faithful! Will you please continue to pray for this camp that will be held January 21st through 24th. Pray that all of those who attend will be impacted for Jesus and that it will be the most life-changing week of their lives. We know God has gone before us and has great things planned for this camp and we will continue to seek his guidance and direction. We will also continue to keep you updated. 

Also... next week we will be attending Breakaway Summer Camp. This camp is for Rock Solid- the outreach for 11-14 year olds that we have been volunteering with. This is a 6 day camp and we will be sleeping under the stars in a tent on the beach. Please also be in prayer for this camp. We both remember attending camps as kids and teenagers and know how impacting they can be on the lives of young ones.

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

Wow... What a memorable year this has been! In May Jenna graduated with a bachelors degree from Olivet College, in June we got married, in July Jesse was ordained as an elder in the church of the Nazarene, and in September we moved to New Zealand. Some people would say we are crazy (and they have) for all that we have accomplished this year, but we know that it was all done in God's timing. It is awesome to look back over the year and see how He was with us through it all. We have each endured trials and been taught different lessons throughout the year, but through them we can both testify to an increase in our faith. We are excited to see what 2013 is going to bring! And we will "press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us" (Philippians 3:14) 
 

May God richly bless you in 2013!

Christmas Video

Enjoy our Christmas Video! We hope everyone had a merry Christmas and has a happy New Year!

Homesick (Posted by Jenna)

As the holidays are approaching it is stirring up more feelings of homesickness within me. As many of you know, I have never been away from home for more than 2 weeks. I have always had my parents, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins right there beside me for every birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas… and every holiday. This year is a little different. However, even though we are separated by distance, they feel closer to my heart than ever before.

The other night I laid in bed praying for my family and for myself dealing with this homesickness when the lyrics from MercyMe’s song “Homesick” came to mind. The lyrics say:

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times

And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you

But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry

Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways

The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know

But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same

Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes

And in Christ, there is no end

So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have

To see you again

To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

As these lyrics played in my head, I thought about how no matter where on this Earth we go, God is always there. We never have to say goodbye or give one last hug. “In Christ, there are no goodbyes. And in Christ, there is no end.” Although distance can separate us from friends and family and cause us to feel homesick, nothing can separate us from Jesus! I also thought about how this earth is not our home. “For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come“ (Hebrews 13:14). Therefore, we should be homesick for Jesus! He is preparing a place in Heaven for us and we should strive to be closer to him each and every day. He tells us “draw near to me and I will draw near to you.” All he is asking is for a loving relationship with each and every one of us. All we have to do is accept! I am so blessed to have spent all of those holidays with my family. But, I am even more blessed to know that even if we never saw my loved ones again here on this Earth, we will get to rejoice in Heaven with each other and with Jesus for eternity!

Learning, Serving, & Growing!

It is hard to believe it has been 2 months since we arrived in New Zealand! As we have developed more of a routine and become more acquainted with the culture time seems to be flying by. During this past month we have built many more relationships and have had the opportunity to get involved with more ministries. As we are heading into summer and approaching Christmas, we are learning that this is a busy time of the year in New Zealand.

You are probably wondering what a typical week is like for us here. Well here is the quick version… on Sunday mornings we have our church service  at New Hope Church of the Nazarene where we (yes WE Jesse AND Jenna!) lead worship and then take the children for children’s church. On Sunday evenings we have Kid’s Club. We usually have between 10-20 kids who come and we play games, have a bible lesson, do crafts, and eat a healthy snack. On Mondays evenings we have prayer meeting at our church where we come together with others from the congregation to pray for our country, our families, our ministries, and anything else on our hearts. On Tuesdays we will be volunteering our mornings at the Salvation Army Food Bank. We also have Rock Solid Club in Whangarei (our home town) on Tuesday evenings. At Rock Solid Club 11 to 14-year-olds come and we play lots of crazy games, hang out, and usually do some kind of devotion or lesson that relates to their lives. On Wednesdays we also be spend our mornings at the food bank and in the evening we have a bible study at our church. On Thursdays we help with Bible in Schools at one of the local primary schools and then go to Dargaville for another Rock Solid Club. On Fridays mornings we also volunteer at the Food bank. On Saturdays, we usually wake up early and go to the market and then hang out with people or catch up on homework. In between all of these activities we also make time for grocery shopping, housework, homework, and just spending time with people. Although it sounds like a lot, it is amazing to see how God provides the energy and endurance for us each and every day and how he has directed us to specific places and people.  When we called the Salvation Army to ask if they need any extra help they were so thrilled that we called. They said they have been praying for extra help, because things are starting to speed up with Christmas approaching and they are currently shorthanded. It’s amazing how God’s timing is so perfect!

Along with getting involved in ministry, the 365M program encourages us to be cross-cultural learners. We have been reading about the history of New Zealand and we recently took a trip with the other 365M students to very historic sights. On our adventure, we visited Waitangi where the famous Treaty of Waitangi was signed. This is the treaty that allowed NZ to be governed by British rule while the Maori people were allowed their independence and were able to keep their land and all their treasures. We have learned how the early missionaries played a huge role during that significant time period. We visited several other places during the trip but one of the most memorable was Marsden’s cross. We took a long walk down a large hill to find the ocean front and an old cross that marks the spot of the first sermon ever to be preached in NZ. It was an awesome experience to witness the land that was first inhabited by early missionaries and is now nothing more than a cross sitting alone. It was neat to stand there in the presence of God and hear nothing but the wind and crashing waves and think about how God used those missionaries to first bring Christianity into New Zealand and now he is using us for the same purpose. It just goes to show how God has a much larger picture than we can ever imagine!

P.S. We apologize for the lack of posts!