Preaching the good news and healing the sick
in New Zealand, Nepal and the world
March 2009 News
Great Barrier Island, NZ
Gazing across the bay from our house the golden sunset had turned the sea into a mirror of yellows. That morning for the first time we realised the diving ‘ducks’ were actually little blue penguins, fishing. For the first few days we hadn’t seen them at all, hidden by the spume. We had rented a cottage on Great Barrier Island, five hours lumpy ride northwest of Auckland in a tub that was long past its ferry-by date. We had wanted remote, and it was. The blurb said it was great except in a westerly wind; access was by rowing boat or if rough, a half-hour walk around a rocky shore at low tide. We arrived in the teeth of a howling westerly… and waited for low tide.
Later, when the wind died we watched dolphins playing, and I rekindled my rowing and fishing skills, which proved adequate to yield dinners of snapper and blue cod. The rest of our week’s holiday was spent exploring the rugged island, long since plundered of its once majestic kauri – one of the most spectacular trees on earth.
Returning home, our summer was a gala of guests and gardening, both wonderful when the weather is good. The Lord deliberately planted us between Auckland airport and the rest of New Zealand, so that all visitors must travel past our door. The company of fine friends is one of life’s great pleasures.
Ministry has changed for 2009
I lost my job at the College! Actually with the recent merger of colleges, staff reshuffling made sense for us all. I am still teaching there but not beholden to staff meetings – the best of both worlds, because it has released me time to write, and at last I am getting fingers to keyboard (which lacks the ring of ‘pen to paper’, but is considerably more legible). I am about half way through my book on Authority, and learning more each day, which is exciting! My goal is to have it at least in draft form by the end of the year. Bron is busy in her sewing room. Currently an old (well, 1930s – nothing is really old in NZ) arm-chair is exploded over all surfaces, and the sound of hammering pervades the house.
Our latest School of Healing was held last month in Rotorua, famous for its boiling mud. Whiffs of sulphur reminded us that the church was not far from the thermal valley! The locals are immured. Many were healed during the weekend, including a previously very lame man running for the first time since a car accident seven years ago. Then a few days later we received an email from one pair who went out on the Saturday afternoon to pray for the sick. This couple went to a local nursing home to pray for a 95-year-old man who had suffered a stroke last year, and ‘lost a lot of his thought processes etc when it happened’. They ‘just believed God for the max (total restoration)’, and then heard from his wife the next day that he was ‘lucid, bright and sane (he wasn't before) and can communicate according to what is going on. She said he's "with it!" He's eating everything put in front of him. Before he was refusing everything - just pushing it away. All glory to God. Isn't that awesome?’ God is good! Come on, everyone, let us do this and expect results, just as this couple did!
Healing Team
For some months the Lord had been speaking to me about mentoring others, but I didn’t know where to begin. But at the end of last year we began a JFM Healing Team. The purpose of this is to encourage those who are keen to grow in the ministry of healing the sick. We meet together usually in our own home about every two months, and team members are invited to attend Schools of Healing, or any other JFM events where I am speaking, which often given hands-on opportunities. If you would like to be part of the team, please email us.
Let us meet in Kathmandu!
Last time I mentioned my plans to go to Nepal. I will travel there next month, April 13 – 26, for a reconnaissance trip. Since I last wrote, God has given me some great contacts, and I really look forward to meeting many there and getting a feel for potential future ministry. I would value your prayers, but greater still, would really value your involvement. Together we can do so much more than individually. I would love to take a team there next year – do pray about possibly being part of it! You could travel from UK or other countries just as well as NZ, and we’d all meet in Kathmandu! I will of course have much more to report when I return.
One final thought as I close – God doesn’t have recessions, depressions or downturns. God is never bankrupt. He is always at the peak of his power. His promises do not change with the economic situation. He tells us ‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’ (Matthew 6:33). At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish builders. The rain WILL come, the wind WILL blow, but those who put his words into practice will find that their house will not be shaken. God is our Father, our provider. He won’t fail. Let us determine by faith that we will NOT be depressed by the current situation, but rather excited to see how he will deliver us!
We love you, and thank you for your support and prayers.
John & Bron
