RPD 22 February 2005 God Defend New Zealand

God Defend New Zealand

This has nothing to do with the cricket (but man it was close!).
On Saturday night I was in the Auckland Domain for Symphony Under the Stars, an event that has been run for quite few years now. It finishes with an amazing fireworks, laser light and canon display to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Then before the crowd dispersed we sang our National Anthem. I have always loved our National Anthem, but on Saturday I sang it in a different light. In it we ask God to defend our free land, to keep us from strife and war, to defend New Zealand. I've experienced a number of different countries in different continents. The lands of New Zealand and Australia are extremely extremely blessed lands, far beyond what we can imagine. My prayer was two-fold on Saturday night. God, please may our countries not lose the faith in You that has made them strong; and may we not be self-centred. God, send many people to the countries where there are many people and not many Christians.
I was talking with someone about the fact that Kyiv has a lot of missionaries compared to the outlying areas. But Kyiv has 5 million people - more than the entire population of NZ. Yet there are 1000s and 1000s of Christian workers in NZ, Oh God please even it out a bit.
This is not meant to be a please feel guilty message, but just the honest rambling thoughts of my heart.

I spent most of last week relaxing on beautiful Waiheke Island. Why should I be allowed to do that? I don't know, but man it was nice. The weather was great and God's creation amazing.

Then yesterday I was reminded of how intense ministering to people can be. I went to church with Mum and Dad and my little puppet Jeff came out for a bit of a celebrity spot. Then after church I met Ricky. Ricky had wandered in off the streets. He asked me for a couple of dollars for a pie, so we ended up taking him to lunch and in fact he spent the entire day with us. Ricky is 21. He doesn't have a home or a job. He has been in prison as a teenager. In prison he read the Bible. Throughout the day Ricky kept wandering off and getting himself higher and higher until he kept asking me my name because he couldn't remember. I'll probably never see Ricky again. I hope he goes back to Mum and Dad's church, but I know that it will be a big effort of love on their behalf to help Ricky. Yet God calls us to love. That is all it is about; God showed us such great love, we are to be His love to those around us.

Sorry this has been mostly preaching. I'll let you know what has been happening in Rzhyshchiv next week. Just please pray for me doing talks at a camp this coming weekend.

Praise
For the beautiful country of NZ
God's love

Pray
for Ricky
talks at camp this week

Love Jono
Keep Looking Up

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