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In 2010, during the Oceania conference, Dr. John suggested a new prayer topic for Australia and New Zealand to double our ministry and pioneer new campuses by 2015. Whenever we gathered, we prayed sincerely with these prayer topics. I served the Matthew's gospel messages on Sunday. Through Matthew Bible study, we learned that God is using us like bruised weeds for the pioneering ministry in New Zealand. Two families and five children served the worship service. After the worship service, we went out to the campus and prayed together.         

Sometimes it was not easy to serve the work of God. I almost gave up my mission because of my second daughter’s autism and my limitations and weaknesses to serve the ministry. By the grace of God, however, my spirit was restored through personal prayer and God’s word based on Isaiah 6:13 through which I found God’s will to remain in New Zealand. I deeply repented of my pride and made a decision of faith to live by faith in God depending only on him. I thank God for Stephen J’s family who co-work with us sincerely. Stephen has supported his family and has a 2-year working visa. If he scores a 6.5 on the general IELTS, he will be able to receive a green card. 

In December 2010, a total of 9 from our chapter attended the 2010 Oceania Conference and Missionary Conference. I delivered Lecture I with the title, “Then neither do I condemn you,” based on John 8:1-11. This message testified to the grace of Jesus who did not condemn, but forgave. During the missionary conference, through the Bible study based on 1 Samuel 7:2-7 and Dr. John’s message, we learned that we need to repent of hedonism, materialism, and relativism and renew our God and mission-centered lifestyle. Steven A. spoke on Philippians 2:1-30 with the title, “Imitate Christ’s humility,” and it taught us about humble co-working with the mind of Jesus. Through this conference, we were encouraged by God’s words and through fellowship with one another. We were also challenged by the growing leaders and second generations in Australia and it led me to serve the New Zealand ministry by faith. 

David and Maria from Kwangju III, South Korea visited us after the conference, and David led group Bible studies based on Nehemiah 8 and Acts 2. Through the Bible studies, we learned that our strength comes when we delight in our God and that we also need to serve the work of God by the Holy Spirit, not by our own strength. He also delivered a Sunday message based on Matthew 24. After the worship service, we had good fellowship and especially prayed for my daughter Joy. 

Prayer topics:

1. Double the ministry and pioneer new campuses by 2015 

2. Raise ancestors of faith like Abraham and Sarah and 12 disciples

3. Have a mission-centered life, a pioneering spirit, and mountain-moving faith in prayer

Thank you!

Reported by M. Nehemiah