A month of two halves
March has been and gone. From starting in the densely populated South Auckland with fans on at night to keep us cool, to the rural Highland Home in Pōhangina valley where jerseys and heater have started to make an appearance it has been a month of contrast. One similarity has stood out across the month however, and that is the amazing provision and fellowship we have had with those we have met along the way.
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| Our travel path over the last month |
The first half of March was spent working for the Lui Ponifasio, pastor of Life church in Manuwera, South Auckland. Even before we had met pastor Lui we were hearing stories of ministries he is involved in, and it was clear that he was a very busy pastor, held in high esteem by other pastors in Auckland and the community which he serves. His house had plenty of jobs that needed to be done; Re-building a verandah roof, repairing an entrance way deck, building a library and adding a laundry space, and of course, painting! We were grateful that in the two and a half weeks we were there that so much was done for Lui. There were a good number of other volunteers who showed up for this job and it made for good banter and a fun working environment for all involved, with wonderful Samoan hospitality provided by Lui and his wife, Ane.
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| Chris working on what will be the library |
On pastor Lui’s job we had a parking issue again: there was no room for our caravans to park on site. We were fortunate enough to have another church, (New Life Manakau), just around the corner from the job offer to host us in their car park. We were astounded by the generosity of the church, who had never heard of MMM before, but loved what we were doing and loved pastor Lui and wanted to help as they could. They provided us space to park, power, water and even gave us the key to the church so we could use the bathrooms and play spaces for the kids. Living in a carpark in South Auckland was a far cry from the rural feel of our stay in Dairy flat in North Auckland. The car park was beside the train tracks and also under the flight path for many of the planes coming into Auckland airport- it took a few nights to get used to the noise but we were just so grateful to have a place to stay and especially one so close to the job (No more 1hour+ commutes to work for Chris!)
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the 2 weeks in South Auckland was the connections and fellowship we got to enjoy. New Life Manakau had a wonderful presence in the community that we were invited and able to join in with- from volleyball in the evenings, to a special mens event the boys went to, helping with their soup kitchen on Friday to church on Sunday- it was clear that God and church wasn’t just a Sunday thing but something that shaped the whole week. We also found similar fellowship at pastor Lui’s church, Life Church Manuwera. We were so warmly welcomed there and we were flooded with kindness and hospitality by their members. We were also grateful to get to catch up with old friends from Dunedin- Geoff and Jaia Vucetich, who are studying at covenant theology school.
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| It was great to catch up with Geoff and Jaia in Manuwera |
The time flew by and next thing we were packing up getting ready for the long trip south to Pōhangina valley, near Palmerston North. We broke up the trip, getting to enjoy a couple of nights in Rotorua. While in Rotorua we got to go biking in the redwoods (Thea’s first time on a mountain biking track on her own bike), swimming at the hot pools, disc golf and mini golf with Giant Flemish bunnies (The kid’s favourite!). It was a great to have some time to relax a bit after a busy finish to the jobs in Auckland.
Arriving to Highland Homes was a far cry from the hustle and bustle of South Auckland. The air was cooler and the sounds of trains, planes and cars were replaced with birdsong and the rustling of the wind in the leaves.
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| The sun setting over Pōhangina valley |
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| Chris at one of the bridges in Pōhangina valley ripped apart by cyclone Gabrielle |
Highland Home Christian Camp is a small facility in Pōhangina valley (40min north of Palmerston North) that runs camps and also has the ability to host church, school or other groups in a beautiful location. The main lodge was well over due for a paint and that was the primary job for the two and a half weeks we were there. It became apparent quite quickly what a big job it was going to be- the cladding was rough sawn with vertical grooves meaning a roller wouldn’t be sufficient to do the job but a paint brush would be needed in each groove as well. On top of this, due to various circumstances half of our volunteers for the job were unable to make it last minute leaving less people to help complete the job. Chris was so glad that he had decided to bring our paint sprayer with us as it made the job possible to nearly complete in the time frame- apart from some very high areas that would need different scaffolding to get to.
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| The youngest MMM volunteer getting stuck in |
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| Way up on scaffold with the team getting the chimney done! (What a view from here) |
Our time at Highland Home has been very restful, except for a nasty tummy bug we got just before out first weekend. Prior to leaving late last year for our adventure in the caravan I had thought ‘what would the worst thing be to happen in the caravan’ and a tummy bug made it to the top of the list. Despite my fears we were actually quite fortunate to be in Highland Home when it happened as we had easily accessible facilities and were even able to stay in a unit while were recovering. One of our hosts, Emma, was also an answer to prayer as she had managed to avoid the bug and helped look after our energetic youngest two kids while Chris and I were barely able to get out of bed. Despite the worst of it being over within 24 hours it has been a slow recovery with energy levels taking a week to improve to a better level and still not being 100% nearly 2 weeks on.
Even though our health hasn’t been 100% we have still thoroughly enjoyed our time here. The Fosters, who manage the campsite, have been amazing hosts and our kids have really enjoyed having other children to play with. We all did really make great friendships there. We have also managed to explore a little of the surrounding area with walks, trips into Palmerston North (including a much anticipated visit to one of Hudson’s old school friends and a visit to the local disc golf course).
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| Social basketball with the Foster and other volunteers at the indoor court at Highland Home |
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| Face painting from a Bunnings event |
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| Playground equipment in Palmerston North |
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| Hudson with his old school friend |
Although we are sad to leave what has been a refreshing and joyful place we are also looking forward to Easter weekend as we have the opportunity to visit friends in Napier- something that has been on the bucket list to do while in the North Island. The next job after our break in Napier is Poroporo! (Titoki Christian Healing Centre)
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| The view from the top of the lookout walk at Highland Home looking up Pōhangina valley |
Thank you so much to everyone who is journeying with us, supporting us with words of encouragement, prayer and financially.
Praise points
- For the many people who have been so welcoming and encouraging to us over the last month
- For the unity seen within and between the churches we were able to visit in South Auckland
- For the rest, refreshment and fellowship that we have found at Highland Home
- We seem to be making an impact on these people who are in ministry, they are encouraged and strengthened by the gift of our free labour, and by the spiritual encouragement we bring and share with them.
Prayer points
- Chris’ bursa has become inflamed again, please pray for it to heal so he can work without pain
- For joy and friendship to overflow as the hammers fly at the next maintenance job we are at; Titoki Christian Healing Centre. Plenty of lovely volunteers have already signed up!
- That our ‘labour will not be in vain’ as we improve the buildings used in Christian Mission around New Zealand!
For more information about MMMNZ (Mobile Mission Maintenence) - see their website at mmm.org.nz
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