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Update Letter - July 2007
Greetings Faithful Supporters!
Thank you so
much for your interest in our lives and our ministry. We really do
appreciate all of your prayers, your gifts, your notes and emails of
encouragement. (Thank you to the Perth-Andover WKFM – your card was
very cute and it came right after my birthday so it was extra
special)
BREAKING NEWS!
Drew has just returned from the dentist’s office with a mouthful of
braces. Some suggest it’s a way for him to feel younger or to
experience and sympathize with the struggles of the teens in our
youth group. One teen, who has recently gotten braces himself, was
elated upon hearing the news. “I will no longer bear the shame and
disgrace alone”, he said. Drew says it’s not too bad, a little
strange to eat and drink but it doesn’t really hurt, yet. Aside
from the discomfort and feeling like a minority (being an adult with
braces) this really is an answer to prayer. Drew has had problems
with TMJ (jaw) disorder for the past few years. His jaw is out of
alignment causing it to shift and crack giving him almost constant
headaches, back and neck pain and making it difficult to sleep at
night. What a blessing it was when an excellent dentist in our
congregation (the father of one of the teens in our youth group),
who has thorough knowledge of TMJ, approached us and offered to help
us find a permanent solution to this problem. He has been such a
blessing and has been so very generous to us in order to make this
happen. He did say that he’d try to stretch out the process as long
as possible so that we’d have to stay longer than our 2 years.
MOVING HOUSE – A SUCCESS
It is hard to believe that we have been in NZ for exactly 10
months. We’ve been through the absolutely perfect summer months and
now, even as I write this, we are seeing the worst that winter has
to throw at us. Today is a dark, very windy and rainy day. On days
like this we try, as much a possible, to hide out in one room with a
heater on - which makes us even more thankful for the blessing of
moving into this new house. As the days, and especially the nights,
got colder towards the beginning of June - our old house, which got
no sun and always felt damp and cold, became more and more
uncomfortable. The Waugh family left for their study leave in the
US on June 13th and we began ‘moving house’ (as they say)
right away. The Waugh’s are now getting settled at Asbury
Theological Seminary and, though we miss them, we are so happy to
look after their much warmer, much sunnier home while they are
away. Along with the house came the use of a nice minivan and a
loving pet cat, Lois.
WINTER HOLIDAYS AND PRODUCTIONS
We are now half way through the winter school holiday and things are
a bit slower paced, with people going away on vacation, so that we
can take a breather and try to catch up. I’m finally getting our
office back to order somewhat after the move which came very near
the end of the 2nd school term and the beginning of
school productions. We spent almost a whole week going to, a school
musical; a performing arts school production; an orchestra concert;
and a ballet production. We were very proud of all our talented
teens. Now that all of those things have come to an end, and before
school starts up again next week, we will be having a big All Night
Blast at our new church building (which is still awaiting approval
from the city council to begin renovations). We are encouraging all
of our teens to come and bring their friends and we are hoping it
will be a good time to meet new students and build relationships.
LAKE
TAUPO FAMILY CONVENTION – Leader honoured
The first weekend in June is a holiday weekend in NZ, the Queen’s
Birthday weekend. (In Canada we celebrate that holiday in May and
I’ve heard that in Australia it’s later in June, so who knows when
her real birthday is!?) During that long weekend the WMCNZ holds
its national family convention. Our Global Partners team, here in
NZ, was honoured to be heavily involved in our first experience at
the WMCNZ family convention held at a Christian camp group near the
beautiful Lake Taupo in the heart of NZ’s North Island. Annie
Wright headed up the children’s program; Josh and Becca Bowlin took
the lead in the youth program; and Drew and I lead the worship team
for the main rallies. It was a great weekend of fellowship with our
wider church family and it gave us a chance to get to know people
from other churches and cultures. As a special treat, our national
church family had the opportunity to celebrate with Richard Waugh as
he heard news of receiving the Queens Birthday Honours for community
service through his work with aviation history and the Wesleyan
Church. (See article on our website for more details)
THE NEW REGIME
Just before Richard and Jane Waugh left for the US, ECW / WMCNZ’s
long time church secretary moved away. We are all now learning to
cope with the ‘dearly departed’ and the many roles to be filled in
their absence. Rev Dr Jeff Fussner, Global Partner’s Pacific Area
Director, took on the role of senior pastor at ECW; Hazel Tan, who
was already working in the office has picked up more hours and has
been given a new title of Church administrator to hold down the fort
while Jeff is traveling for GP; I’ve stepped into a part-time
administrative role for WMCNZ; and the National Secretary, Brett
Jones will be assisting with Richard’s National Superintendent
roles.
PRAYER
REQUESTS:
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Our church building plans - We should
hear from the City Council soon as to our building consent.
Pray that all will be approved and we will be able to get things
started.
-
Leadership changes – Pray for all of
us who have taken on new roles and for those who have to adjust
to new leadership and new ways of doing things
-
Convention – Praise God for the
fellowship there and the commitments made to Christ during that
weekend. Pray that they will stand firm and pray for those
planning next years convention
-
SURGE – Praise God that we have such
a strong leadership team and for our 8 students who have joined
our SURGE Servant Leaders (SSL) team. Pray for this Friday’s
all-nighter event and upcoming events, for our leaders and our
SSL team, and for new student who are coming to SURGE.
-
Worship team – Praise God that we
have several people who are interested in learning to play the
drums and bass. Pray for them and for Drew and he teaches them
how.
-
The move – Praise God that we are
feeling warm and healthy in our new house. Pray for the Waugh
family in the US
-
Family addition – Amy’s newest nephew
should be on his way any day now. It’s exciting yet difficult
not to be there.
-
Amy’s Grandfather recently had a
stroke which has affected his memory and mental functions. Pray
for our family back home who have to watch this decline in him
and be there to support him. Pray for us, as we feel very far
away at times like this.
Blessings,
Amy & Drew Donovan
Missionaries in Auckland, NZ
www.addministries.com
www.surge.org.nz
amy@addministries.com |
