Our beautiful old home here in Maine is still requiring more renovations than we could possibly achieve before we need to sell. We are trusting that our efforts so far will be rewarded. I will post some pictures here when it's time to sell. We've have worked almost solidly on it since we moved in in 2005. It was a very big undertaking but has been slowly transforming... just like our lives I imagine; much slower and more costly than we would like :)We hope to sell it this spring and will be staying in Maine until the Fall. Our plan is to move back to Auckland city in September and spend 3 months experiencing the New Zealand Vineyard and getting to know the people there before moving to Tauranga at the beginning of 2011 to begin the process of planting.
It is daunting indeed when I think about what is to be done and the thought often creeps into my mind... "What have we to offer that is not already being done there now?" We have nothing spectacular to bring, we are no better than those toiling for the Kingdom already in that city, Lord what do you want us to bring? What do You have for us to do? The Lord is so patient with us and reminds me that no matter how many churches there are in a city there will never be enough. No one church can reach the lost of any city, He has gifted us and invested in us a calling that is unique, just as each one of us are unique. Our calling is to pour our hearts into the people of Tauranga, to serve the people, to reach out to those that have not yet met their Lord and show them His love for them. We do want to be a church that has a significant impact on this city, to be a part of the redemptive history of the Bay of Plenty and will join with the many other faithful pastors of Tauranga and put our hand to the plow with theirs. There is much work to be done and more hands are needed, we can never say "enough".
So, we prepare to get out of the boat yet again, leave what has now become familiar and embark on this new season of planning and strategizing with lots and lots of praying...
Enjoy these pics I've found of the Tauranga area...
