January 1 - in Wanaka for the month. The first day we stopped by the local tennis center to check it out. In short order, the Lord orchestrated Charley’s participation in the Wanaka annual sectional tennis tournament. Play was to begin the next day so off to Queenstown to find some tennis shoes! (Fortunately at the last minute, we stuck one of Charley’s tennis rackets in our bag.) Charley and his partner Steve Mays won their division and it was a great opportunity to be introduced to the community of Wanaka and Christchurch. We mention Christchurch because of the 85 tournament entrants, about 35 were from Christchurch.
Over our first two weeks here we have learned Wanaka is heavily populated by Christchurch people. Some moved from Christchurch post-earthquakes but many have also maintained second homes in Wanaka. It has been great fun being introduced to many of them. We definitely see God’s hand moving in our circumstances.
Through our Kaikoura friend, Amy Wicks, we also met John and Louise Masters here in Wanaka. John is an evangelist who sets up a barbeque every Saturday night from 10-midnight on the lake front of Wanaka. We have joined this amazing special ministry for the last three Saturday nights and plan to continue to do so even though it is way past our bedtime!! Many of those whom we share the love of God (through this free sausage ministry) are not only locals but young tourists from around the world, especially Israelis who are taking a year off to travel after serving in the military in Israel. Wanaka and New Zealand is on the bucket list for many. As John says, “The world comes to Wanaka.”
John and Louise introduced us to a wonderful ministry here in Wanaka called Zula Lodge, managed by Chris and Uta Nel, which is under the covering of the national ministry Celebrate Messiah. Zula provides 3 free nights of lodging to all Israelis traveling the country. The lodge maintains full occupancy of about 30 guests. Every Friday night, they celebrate Shabbat which we have been invited to be a part of while here in Wanaka. Two of the young Israelis from Zula, Avishag and Stav, invited Rebecca to join them on a little rock climbing experience. Rebecca was amazing - climbing to the top twice without falling! Over lunch, we had the opportunity to share with one another our lives. We suspect that they may be joining us in NC later this year! God is good! What are the chances to go to the remotest part of the earth from Jerusalem to minister to Israelis. God’s got this!
We enjoyed our first Sunday worshipping with New Life Church and Pastors Wayne and Judy Ward. We met many members of the congregation from Christchurch who had either moved to or had second homes in Wanaka. Yesterday, we enjoyed a two hour coffee with the Ward’s and learned about them and what they felt God was doing in this special magnet town of worldwide visitors.
We also enjoyed a long coffee with Pastor Ian Hyslop and his wife Jacinta, from the Wanaka Presbyterian Community Church learning so much of their heart which is very paralleled to our calling. This past Sunday we enjoyed church and then lunch afterward in their home and met members of their family and friends. We are now sitting in their church office working on this communication.
We all are anxious to see the Kingdom of Heaven expanded through this special “crossroad” of the world called Wanaka. Please pray for God’s continued favor and anointing as we share the love of Jesus in the remotest part of the earth.