chicken dinner

Happy Monday morning everyone! Well it's technically still Sunday in the States... but it's back to school for us here. I'm feeling excited going into this week- but still a bit intimidated by all the new students. I'd love for you to join in praying with me this week...

Monday: That God would transform the lives of students-- no matter where they're at in the journey.
Tuesday: That our team would have a genuine love for the students.
Wednesday: For God's power in our ministry to meet and reach new students. This day we will be trying to meet and talk with thousands of students.
Thursday: For me to not be scared or overwhelmed, but to be encouraged by who God is.
Friday: That we would have faith to love the unlovable, to trust God with all things.

It still awes me to think about all of you praying for the people here and how powerful your prayers are. So thank you heaps for your love. I'm totally due for a new blog post, I'm sorry if I've kept you waiting. But I'll try to update you on some of the happenings here.

the ministry: Oh man have I learned lots already and oh man how much more I have to learn! The past 2 weeks I have been immersed in the planning/ preparing/ praying stages of ministry and some days have been harder than others. I totally love and appreciate these aspects of my "job" but if any of you have been a part of such planning-- it can be paralysing. Are we doing this the best way possible? Are we following God by doing this? Are we just saying this or are we doing this? Do we understand the message we are sending? Day after day I have been talking with my teammates, reading books, and asking God to lead us-- but I have realised even more through this that God is gonna have to do His thing here or none of this will work. This is indeed why I have asked you to join with me in prayer. Two things have stood out to me this last week on campus:

• 1. Uni students are bombarded with clubs, businesses, classes, and causes that their lives should be about. While on campus for the 1st day back I was approached by the bank 4 times to sign up for their deal!!!! How can I show someone who God is w/o acting like the consumer-hungry bank?
• 2. Seeing all of the 1st year students arrive and head to the clubs and parties in droves has reminded me that I'm gonna have to get off my butt to reach these students. They are at the party, not church. I've been thinking about how movements start on the outskirts anyways... how can I place myself there and not fear the darkness in these places?

mosaic: Again- I feel like I have learned more from my experiences with Mosaic than I could have imagined-- or even knew that I needed to learn. When I began the church search here in Welli I thought it would be lovely- I would find a place that suits me and all would be grand. When we found the Mosaic community I fell in love. In the past month I think I had to take a step back and realise it was only lust-- it was me going after a church just like we go after relationships- with ourselves in mind. Don't get me wrong- Mosaic is a place to truly love, and I am beginning to, but this takes time, patience, perseverance, and lots of relationship building. The times and things I'm learning through Mosaic push me further like no other church experience has. It was good for me to take a step back- from myself.

Welli: I love this city. That is basically all I need to say. I love Wellington. Ahhhh amazing! The times that make me fall more in love with this place are my jogs along the waterfront-- I could do this everyday if I had time! And of course all the cafes. Please come visit... you'll love it too!

K-- all for now. Oh and yes I embarrassed myself again this week-- this time with my teammates. I thought I would make a lovely chicken dinner. I breaded it with all these lovely spices and bread crumbs, put it in the oven to bake.... and then Sarah asked me if I meant to make breaded pork chops. Of course-- who doesn't know chicken from pork???? :)

Love and miss all of you!!!! Please pray with me this week-- Lacey