New beginnings…. This has been a recurring theme that has been impressed upon our hearts over the past year. It was a new beginning when we welcomed a different team into Wellington. It was a new beginning as we celebrated the birth of our second son, Hudson David Felix. There were new beginnings as we started a fresh campus year, saw disciples take personal steps of faith as never before, and witnessed students decide to really follow Christ for the first time in their life. On a larger scale we have also seen new beginnings in both the United States and New Zealand as these two countries are experiencing a change in leadership. We’d be the first to admit that these beginnings are not necessarily easy, but we’ve also found that they do provide us with new opportunities to find joy, experience growth, and trust the Lord even more.
One specific story of a new beginning that we wanted to share with you is about a first-year student called Josh. Entering his studies at Victoria University, Josh knew it would be a year full of new experiences and new challenges. But Josh has one more particular challenge that set him apart from other first-year university students… he is bound to a wheelchair because of a disability he’s had since birth. During a club’s day event, Josh stopped by our Student Life table to fill out a ‘Tune In’ survey. When one of our staff followed up with him later, he expressed that he really didn’t want to be involved in any way with our group or even want hear the gospel message we wanted to share about.
Little did Josh expect that he would meet and become friends with Johnny and Ruth who lived on the same floor at his hostel (dorm). Johnny, Ruth, and even a few others who all lived with there with Josh were first-year students who had already gotten involved with Student Life. They had a desire to impact their university friends for Christ and so they invited Josh into our community. Despite his previous resistance, Josh was willing to give this “Christian Group” a second chance. As he found friendship, acceptance, encouragement, and people willing to go on a difficult spiritual journey with him, Josh made a decision to follow Christ.
For Josh, this year has been a new beginning. He still has many questions about what it means to live for God, but he has been committed to attending church and being around the Student Life community. He is also trying to study his Bible more and listen to input from other believers.
We want to give many more students like Josh the opportunity to hear about the amazing love of Jesus Christ so that they too can make a new beginning. As 2008 draws to a close, we remain thankful for your partnership in this ministry of reconciliation. Your prayers and gifts are making it possible for many students in Wellington and from around the world to hear the Gospel. Join with us in asking the Lord that 2009 will be a year of fruitful harvest and that many will find a new beginning… a new life through knowing Jesus Christ!
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6 NLT)
Warmest Regards, Josh & Jill
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