Friday, February 8
By the time I arrive in New Zealand, it’s 2:30 p.m. as Christchurch (the largest city on South Island) is three hours ahead of Brisbane. Thankfully, New Zealand is much cooler this time of year than Australia and a gentle breeze is blowing (free of humidity) as I clear customs. Here to greet me is my host for this leg of the trip, Pastor Andrew Wilson of the Mosaic Christian Community and his youngest daughter, Alice.
Ironically, Andrew tells me that just three hours prior to my arrival, New Zealand’s first ever attempted hijacking occurs in the skies above Christchurch! Apparently, a woman attacked the pilots of the small plane she was on and with some sort of knife, wounded them severely enough that both pilots would later require treatment at a local hospital. Somehow, however, they were able to land the plane (quite heroically) while passengers and crew subdued the woman for the rest of the flight following the attack. Later, I learn from my wife, Linda, that this incident has become international news and is being featured prominently on news channels in the US.
For the past three years, Andrew and his wife, Mandy, have been members of the Cantonese fellowship at Chrsitchurch Chinese Church (CCC). However, some five months ago, CCC Pastor Jack Stuart commissioned Andrew to begin a third congregation at the church (besides the Cantonese fellowship, CCC hosts a bi-lingual fellowship, Mandarin/English), namely, the Mosaic Christian Community. In fact, Andrew tells me that one year ago, the two men began to discuss the possibility of creating an intentionally diverse congregation at CCC and in the process, came across our church’s website in Little Rock. There, they learned who we are and why, as well as of my book (which they ordered and read) and later, of the Mosaix Global Network. In time, the deacons at CCC approved the new venture of faith and in part, I am here to affirm and strengthen the church’s resolve and efforts by speaking on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. to their bi-lingual congregation and later that evening, at Mosaic.
In addition, Andrew has arranged for the first Mosaix Global Network Seminar to be conducted outside the United States on Saturday morning, February 9, at the Bible College of New Zealand (Christchurch campus). He also arranged the Radio Rhema interview last Tuesday and has me scheduled for an interview with the Challenge Weekly, New Zealand's Christian newspaper on Monday morning before I leave. Needless to say, Andrew is a very personable, faithful and passionate individual dedicated in these years to building a healthy multi-ethnic church. He will share with me several times throughout the weekend how timely and encouraging my visit is to him and Mandy, “…what I call," he says, "a signpost from God, letting us know we are not crazy after all, but being led by the Holy Spirit.”
After a brief stop at his home where I meet Mandy and the rest of his family, Andrew takes me to the home of Pastor Jack Stuart and his wife, Becky, where I will stay through the weekend. Married for 21 years, Jack is “Kiwi” (a native new Zealander) and Becky is Chinese. They met and eventually married while serving with YWAM in Hong Kong. Like Andrew and Mandy, they are gracious hosts, individuals who have faithfully served the people of Christchurch Chinese Church for the past nineteen years. later that evening, we head into the city and more specifically, to Crown Plaza for dinner where we enjoy extended time getting acquainted. And as evidence of our connection, Jack and I stay up late each night through the weekend, watching New Zealand's All Blacks Rugby Team, FOX news and discussing ministry.
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