Internet deprived

31/10/07 (how they write the date here)

Good day! Still no Internet at our flat—we are all starting to feel deprived of contact with all of our family and friends—but no worries mate, we are still working on fixing our Internet problems (If you could pray for a quick fix that would be wonderful). I’ll send pictures when we get our own Internet. We found this great little café that has 1 hour of free Internet for now though—I guess that is what moving to a new city is all about—finding the new little treasures within the city. I really am starting to love Wellington! Every time we find a restaurant, store, cut-through, or church which clicks with me, I truly get excited to think I’ll be living here for a year! The stairs and hills haven’t been near as bad this week, the weather has been the biggest blessing from above (sunny and 70, still windy), and now that we are able to cook my stomach is much happier. My teammates are even starting to feel like familyJ.

As the NZ students begin their summer break this week, we as a staff team have some time to travel, study the culture, prepare Bible studies, and make some Kiwi friends. It is still hard for me to comprehend that my “job” is to help establish a student ministry. My “job” is to walk as Christ would walk so students can see Jesus--yet Jesus’ ministry was often so hidden and within the margins of life. He knew not everyone would understand His ways. I don’t even understand most of His ways. So how do I spend my 9-5 time and how do I not spread my own hierocracy? I guess it really is all up to Him. I’m hoping to connect with a church soon and begin serving there and I can’t wait for some time to read lots of books before school starts back up in February. We also have 2 weeks in Auckland for training coming up and Justin and I will be spending 2 weeks on the South island helping lead a summer project in Nelson (so excited about this!) Lately we’ve been meeting students, learning the city/ culture—(LOVED checking out the national museum it’s known as one of the best in the world), and hearing about the past year of ministry- it’s pitfalls and successes. We took last week as a prayer and fasting week to think about what God wants to do here within Student Life (the name of Campus Crusade for Christ in New Zealand).

Taking in the New Zealand culture has been a bit paradoxical so far—some ways of life here make so much sense to me (they share everything, they exercise and eat healthy, and they are so cheerful), yet other norms are a bit tough for me to comprehend (legal brothels on many streets, lots of drunkenness, and very skeptical students). Known as one of the most liberal places in the world—New Zealand is showing me first hand the effects of postmodernity on politics, sex, and Christianity. Our team has been reading lots of student magazines and newspapers to learn about the universities. One such magazine’s cover was of a student flicking off the camera, it contained an article describing Christians as wolves, and it stated that an average NZ women has 28 sexual partners in her life time. Hard to stomach when I see such beauty and natural glory around me.

Taking in the Christianity of Wellington has also been a growing experience for me. Students here are exposed to so many mixed messages about God-- there are over 100 churches in the city of Wellington—as a believer of Jesus I am confused about how to choose a church—how in the world does a non-believer ever make his/ her choice about an initial belief in Jesus? I can’t deny that there is a Christian presence here- last weekend there were almost 3,000 people who came out to hear an evangelist from California. Yet I also can’t deny that the Gospel is not being embodied in many ways- suicide is common, and depression is rising. I don’t want Jesus to be a quick fix that will eventually fade away in New Zealand- I want Him to capture the lives of students here. How do I exemplify the life-encompassing call of Christ, yet simplify the Gospel so one can choose Him? We pray. And we act in love.

All I’ve got for now. LOVE when I hear back from you on my blogs!! And I am so thankful for each of you—I feel it all the much more when I can’t call or email anytime I want. You are loved and you are missed. Cheers!
--Lacey

Just for laughs.
--The language can be real fun here--we opened a bank account today- the man told us he would bring in extra “chairs” for us- we thought we were getting some extra “cheese.”
--Dishwashing soap does not go in the dishwashers here! Big mess if you do.
--Kara and I almost got kicked off the bus for a misunderstanding of when to ring the bell. Who knew you had to ring a bell?
--Talk about “airing your dirty laundry”—we hang ALL of our clothes on the line here.