Transitions

[Moving Day]

Once again I've been enormously horrible at updating this blog. I honestly don't know how some people blog as much as they do. Perhaps they've built it into their daily ritual somewhere! :) Anyhow, I attribute my lack of posts to the perpetual transition I feel like I'm in. Upon returning from the States until now there's been a lot of change happening! The picture above is the crew of guys and students who aided Jill and I on our moving day in early September. We love our new place that's both bigger and closer to the city centre. Just this week we finally unpacked some still packed items and acquired some furniture for the kids' rooms. Crazy! It feels more and more like home with each new day.

More than just physical changes, we have also been in a process of changing over our staff team. The 2007 STINT Team (Matt, Alex, Chris, and Jennifer) have completed there time in New Zealand and are returning to America. In light of that we've welcomed a new STINT Team for 2008 (Justin, Lacey, Kara, and Susanne).

[L-R: Justin, me, Lacey, Susanne, Kara. Copper Mt, CO]

It's been a bittersweet time for me as our first team of pioneers leaves these shores to go on to other things. We've done a lot and learned a lot together this past year in regards to planting and cultivating a new spiritual movement in this nation's capital city. It was so rewarding for me to see them interacting with the new team, oozing excitement and casting vision for the direction God's been leading us in here in Wellington! I know that this year of overseas mission work will forever impact their lives and view of ministry.

The Victoria University campus is also winding up and transitioning to the summer break. At our last Student Life Event (Crusade NZ) for the year, I was just praising God and encouraged to see that He has taken us in one year from 2 students to 56 students involved in our movement. Half of those are either young or new believers. Even more encouraging was to see students lead the event and cast vision to their peers about seeing the Holy Spirit at work on their campus, building a spiritual movement.

Finally, in the midst of all these happenings, I've been to three different conferences/training times in New Zealand and Australia. Needless to say, it's left me a little tired and just needing some to rest and reflect. Even now, I'm turning my attention to leading a Summer Beach Project on the South Island. Still, I'm hoping that there will be some time between now and then to get that needed R&R.