April - May Update

Helloooo from our Northland bubble!

Over the past couple months we've been experiencing some government ordained quiet time, as many others in New Zealand and most of world has as well. It has definitely been a strange mixture of enjoying a chance to breathe and restructure, but also growing restless within our own isolated bubble. At the moment we are enjoying some more freedom with the nationwide shift to Level 3 lockdown and we're looking forward to safely having more and more freedom in time.

In this stage of post-school cancellation and now isolation we have unfortunately had to say goodbye to some our staff as well. My two brothers Ben and Bryan, who were here with us for 3 months, left in mid April. Demetri who was on the leadership team with us and was a huge part of this ministry for last 4 years has left this week too. It has been hard saying goodbye to these people who mean so much to us, especially in an already difficult situation; however, we are so pumped for the things ahead of them and are grateful for the family they have been to us while they were here. We are still 11 staff on base, as well as our two nieces.

Earlier in the lockdown we had two students from Germany who weren't able to leave New Zealand as the doors home closed firm and fast. They remained with us for a month and were the last students to leave base through the German government's incentive to retrieve tourists from around the world. The girls made it onto the last flight home out of the country and in recognition of all these tourists the sky tower was lit in the colours of their flag.

Most recently, we have been putting together the online DTS course and curriculum for those of our students who opted to complete their DTS via the web from their home nations.

It's been a massive learning curve, but so much fun being able to create something that you know will bless and challenge them.

All in all it has been going really well and the students have been doing an incredible job juggling their home life with the last couple weeks of their lecture phase. We did our best to incorporate various kinds of teaching styles with an assortment of activities for reflection and application of what they learn. Our staff have been amazing as they've continued facilitating group calls and discipleship from afar, all the while renovating buildings on base. Here is a wee snapshot of what the online class looks like at a glance...

While we've been surprisingly busy, it has been amazing to reflect amidst some of the quiet chaos and take a hold of His plan for this season. Some highlights have been when we've sat with our staff team multiple times to hash out whats next for us and for Zion. We feel the Lord really is inspiring new things and new ways of bringing His kingdom to our Region and to the nations (when they open up!). Many have said it, but it truly is a time of change, readjusting, and casting fresh vision for the days ahead.

We especially want to say thank you so much for the people who have kindly and generously supported us through this time. We appreciate you so much and pray you are blessed many times over for all that you have done to support us prayerfully and financially.

Nga mihi ki a koutou. Thank you!

Barry and Tesh