We’ve been in Silverstream, New
Zealand, for a week now. Our first few days were spent planning, then
we were able to begin putting our plans into action. We delivered
flyers to the houses of several families with children who had
attended LifeSwitch church or Camp Survivor. Then the following day,
we loaded up a trailer with supplies and began visiting the homes to
see how we could serve them.
One of the first places we went asked
us to wash the outside of their house. This was a new experience for
our team. I’m sure they do this in the States, but I’ve personally
never done it. We used hoses and long-handled brushes to clean off
dirt and cobwebs from the side of the house. We were all getting
soaking wet, but we somehow managed to make it look better. The best
part though was the relationship we built with the family. At first
the mom was inside with the kids, and they didn’t interact much. Soon
the father came home and began talking with us. The kids also came
out, and we began to play with them. When we finished the house, they
invited us in for a cup of tea and some amazing muffins. We stayed
and talked for another 20 minutes or so. Although the conversation
wasn’t anything spiritual, we did earn their trust and they sounded
like they will come to the movie night we are having.
In the afternoon, we had another
meaningful time with a different family. We cleaned their house and
windows as well as cleaned out a pile of rubbish (trash) in their
backyard. Their kids wanted to help, so we involved them in the
process. The neighbor happened to be outside and asked if we could do
something for her, so we did. We washed her car, cleaned her windows
and mowed her lawn. When all this was done, we played more with the
kids and invited them all to the BBQ we are having this Tuesday.
Probably the best experience so far was
on Thursday when we went to clean windows for a family. The father,
Lance, was outside working. Brenden began talking with him and found
out he made a trail through the bush that went up the hill behind his
house. When we were finished working, he offered us cold water and
talked for awhile. He told us to check out the trail. At first we
were just going to go on our own, but then Lance decided to join us,
along with his son Cameron. It was a tough hike, basically mud stairs
straight up hill, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say we all about fell
or did fall at least once. But when we got to the top, he took us to
this open field where you could look out over the harbor. It was
spectacular and definitely worth the climb! The best part was Lance
and Cameron going with us.
So, God is working. We are showing love
in practical ways and slowly building relationships to hopefully
bring these people to church and ideally, in God’s perfect timing, a
saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Brenden has been so good to
teach us that it’s small steps and little things that make a
difference. Please be praying for these families and the others we
will minister to this week that God will work in their lives.
Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14
