Why this trip?
In late 2014 Kris visited the USA & met families/church leaders in similar ministry. We prayed since early 2015 about going as a family. It seemed impossible, but we asked God to guide/provide if it was His will. The Lord gave confirmations in Scripture, and with such things as an invite for Kris to speak at the NCFIC conference in North Carolina, “out the blue” provision to help pay 50% of the airfares, Kris obtaining a US visa despite multiple obstacles, and our home selling at exactly the right time.
Vision/purpose of this trip:
To interact with, and observe families/church leaders in ministry, for the purpose of developing and strengthening ourselves and the ministries God has called us to in NZ. See www.redemptionchurch.org.nz, www.psalmtwelveone.org.nz, www.engageconference.org.nz). We aim to achieve this by:
- Living alongside & meeting many families, church leaders, and ministry workers who are far ahead of us both in ministry activity and experience.
- Gleaning as much practical wisdom, insight, encouragement, training, and counsel as we can, through observation, conversation, and interaction.
- To be encouraged and challenged in our relationship with God, through mentoring, sitting under Bible teaching, attending the NCFIC conference, and whatever else happens when you take 7 children to another country for 3 months!
Updates: You can either check this blog from time to time – or you can sign up on the front page to receive regular email updates. We will be away from Christchurch from 14 Sept to 14 Dec 2015.
Prayer Requests: We very much appreciate your prayers.
Here are some key prayer requests for our time away:
+++Safety & good health
+++Wisdom with decisions on who to see/what to do
+++God’s leading with new relationships/connections
+++Kris when he teaches at NCFIC Conference (29-31 Oct)
+++Maximum opportunity to learn & grow spiritually
+++That we would be a blessing to others as a family
+++For us to glean and share all we can that will be a blessing to others back here in NZ
+++Continued financial provision
+++Special family time together
+++For God to be glorified in this trip
Click Here to download a 1-page prayer request sheet
Provision: We have been blessed with support from our ministry partners and local church, to help with airfares, and other trip-related costs. We have also funded a significant portion of this trip ourselves, and used funds from the sale of our home (as moving to a slightly cheaper housing area). We have not taken any paid holiday time in 2015, allowing us to use part of this trip as family vacation time. If you would like to support any part of this trip financially, this can be done through Redemption Church, and a donations tax receipt can be provided. Please email us if you wish to do this, and thankyou so much to those who currently support us.
With our love,
Kris, Becky, Sarah, Holly, Abby, Gabriel, Charlotte, Emelia & Naomi