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Global Mission Office
Global Mission Secretary: Rev Andrew Bell
The Global Mission Office, St David's Church Centre, 70 Khyber Pass Rd, Auckland
Phone: 09 306-6445; Fax: 09 306 6440 Mobile: 025 272 3131
globalmission(at)presbyterian.org.nz
Another month has blazed a trail through all our lives. No doubt you can testify to how it has been 'typically crazy' too. I wonder how much time you have had to think about people living elsewhere? One of the challenges that I am really enjoying about this role is hearing and learning about so many different places and situations. It is much like the experience most of us have had of a family member or friend traveling the world and sending back postcards from exotic locations. At such times, we are reminded of how amazing the world really is and that we belong to a vast, colourful humanity. Being connected with people offshore in an intentional way, brings a unique excitement all of its own. Imagine what it could do for your parish if you were in a close relationship with another Church family somewhere else? Sharing the hopes and hurts of others as they share yours, is a living expression of the gospel.
GlobalTrek - "Going where no Presbyterian has gone before"
Please book these dates in your diary - in the south at Living Springs Conference Centre in Christchurch from the 9-11 May 2003. In the north at Vaughan Park, Long Bay, Auckland from the 16-18May 2003. These gatherings are being designed as a means of getting people informed and connected, regionally as Presbyterians and with friends offshore. It will include significant learning as well as participating in the drawing up of an action plan that will ignite mission action from the flax roots. Numbers will be limited and final details will follow early in the new year.
But we really cannot wait until May 2003 to get underway. The Global Mission Office is ready and waiting to enter into discussion and assist individuals as well as Parishes and Presbyteries to strengthen their existing relationships and build new ones. So what opportunities are there? To mention but a few......
In the Pacific
I didn't receive any response last month to the request for help from Ekalesia Kelisiano in Tuvalu. I am highlighting it again as it is all about secondary education being their mission thrust for 2002/3. They are looking for teachers to offer the Cambridge curriculum as well as equipment such as computers, printers, a photocopier, desks and chairs. Surely this is an ideal Parish project?
A letter from Vanuatu I received recently, highlights the outstanding work of the eight Bush Missioners. This is a ministry that we helped to establish and support financially which is in need and deserves even greater support. They work amongst people who the United Nations list as some of the poorest people in the world. These are people who live on scattered islands that are largely ignored by the outside world. By adopting a bush missioner, a Parish would be ensuring that these people receive primary health care as well as pastoral care. The workers are willing, are we willing to support them?
The plight of Africa
The Global Mission Office, in conjunction with the Methodist Church, Mission and Ecumenical Office was able to send $5000 to Christian World Service, on behalf of both Churches in response to their Southern African Famine Appeal. The people of this region, already overwhelmed by the pandemic of Aids are now facing starvation. The drought and famine shows scant regard for national borders and is simply sweeping through the region as under-resourced government agencies become overwhelmed by the need. Botswana President Festus Mogae is quoted as saying that whilst semi-arid countries such as Botswana and Namibia are particularly vulnerable, the hardest hit countries include Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi. If the drought continues into next year, the whole region will be plunged into a humanitarian crisis.
Many South Africans have made New Zealand their home and worship in Presbyterian Churches. They know the region so well and most still have family members living there. Why don't you ask one or two to consider taking on the need of Southern Africa? They can make contact with me or Christian World Service directly for ideas of how to help.
Amazing Asia
Where does Asia begin and end? This most complex and fascinating multiplicity of ancient civilizations whose origins stretch back for centuries, has also stretched to New Zealand. Many of the nations of Asia are represented in our local communities and are usually found in our pews as well.
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world and consists of five major islands and about 30 smaller groups, numbering 17,508 in total. Bali is one of them, thrust into the world news by the horrific bomb blast. Again, in conjunction with the Methodists, the Global Mission Office was able to send a small gift of $2000 to the Gereja Kristen Protesten di Bali. These Christian friends of ours are in the thick of trying to bring comfort to the families who were so devastated by the blasts, particularly those who lost loved ones. Bishop Ketur. S. Ayub wrote:
"The very strong and dreadful explosion, which has killed and injured so many people, has disturbed the peace of Bali and all people in this world. Let us pray so God will give His firmness and strength".
But what else might we be able to do? We often hear that Indonesia has the biggest Muslim population in the world. We don't often hear that it also has a vast Christian community. One report I read stated that Indonesia was also the most populous Christian nation in the world. Many belong to reform Churches like ours, with whom we join as members of the World Alliance of Reform Churches.
There isn't space to tell you in detail about the wonderful challenge before Jagadhri Hospital, North India having recently been appointed by the Indian Government as a training hospital for nurses. Nor can I tell you about the need for text books for the training of Pastors in India. But the information is only a phone call away.
Serving Abroad
The reality is that, given the need, largely in the two thirds world, but also in other places, there are heaps of opportunities for kiwis to serve abroad. From 10 month short term programmes for 20-30 year olds and clergy exchanges, to opportunities for professionals such as educationalists, medical personnel and engineers, the true 'Big OE' is just waiting for you. The opportunities are too many and varied to list here in any detail. However I would gladly discuss them with anyone who is interested in making further inquiries.
Kidz Kit
Great progress has been made in this regard. The programme will hopefully have been tested in five Parishes by February 2003, then tweaked and ready for distribution to Parishes by May 2003.
And from our "theological dilemma" files
The prevailing drought and subsequent chronic water shortage in Southern Africa was only made an agenda item at the local ecumenical clergy meeting when it became known that the Baptists were sprinkling, the Methodists were using a damp cloth and the Presbyterians were handing out IOU's.