Surge 2009

This is what we have been up to and what we are planning.... check out below for a little more information.

SURGE 2009

April 16-19 (Thurs-Sun)

Whangarei

Surge Event Overview

Who: The Whangarei Community in partnership with Incedo New Zealand (anticipating 50 staff and 100-150 youth from all over the country)

What: Three days of community service projects around Whangarei. We will be working with local organizations and individuals to help complete projects and clean up around the community. We will be doing everything from painting, to clean up, to trail repair, to helping old ladies cross the street and everything in between…

When: Thursday 16^th April- Sunday 19^th April 2009

Where: Out of town volunteers accommodated at local maraes, schools, churches, etc.

Why: To demonstrate, and inspire the increased impact of partnering together to work for the good of others. Also to give young people and example of what it means to help others and show them something else to do with their weekends.

Surge is an annual project run by Incedo New Zealand (www.incedo.org.nz)

“Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words”

- St. Frances Assissi

Happy Easter

We hope you all have a very great and joyous Easter!!

Easter Joy
Jesus came to earth,
To show us how to live,
How to put others first,
How to love and how to give.
Then He set about His work,
That God sent Him to do;
He took our punishment on Himself;
He made us clean and new.
He could have saved Himself,
Calling angels from above,
But He chose to pay our price for sin;
He paid it out of love.
Our Lord died on Good Friday,
But the cross did not destroy
His resurrection on Easter morn
That fills our hearts with joy.
Now we know our earthly death,
Like His, is just a rest.
We'll be forever with Him
In heaven, where life is best.
So we live our lives for Jesus,
Think of Him in all we do.
Thank you Savior; Thank you Lord.
Help us love like you!
By Joanna Fuchs

Photos from Club Nights

Here are some recent photos from Club nights... enjoy! 

The Real Deal

We made the paper for our Surge Event coming up in about 10 days. Check it out...

(Click on the article to zoom in)

March Happenings...

Wow have we been busy. The last 2 weeks we were in the states, compliments of the McBrayer’s – for Haley’s beautiful wedding. We were able to share and celebrate in a most special time as Haley McBrayer and Joel Merritt got married. While back, Preston and I were also able to catch up with our big family, see all our parents, siblings, precious nieces and nephews, and spend time with our brother and sister in laws. We also took a quick trip to Charlotte to see my family, spend time with them, and share in some special time with my Grandparents. We were very excited to be able to see a few friends while we were home and to share in some special news: we’re expecting a baby! October 4th is the date our new addition will hopefully arrive, and we are very excited.
We are now back in Whangarei after many long flights of travel. I think we have finally figured out what day it is, but our poor bodies are still needing more time to adjust. We’re back in full swing at the office working frantically on our SURGE mission trip stuff, On the road - Camp planning, Rock Solid programs, and Expressions planning. The next few weeks ahead will be crazy busy office days, sleepless nights, and time away faithfully serving our Lord.
Our last few months here will fly by faster then we can imagine. We are blessed to be continually challenged and used by God and are looking forward to all that God will do through us in the coming weeks. Please keep our ministry in your prayers. Also, please pray that our funding needs will be met as we are struggling to meet our budget needs each month due to the struggling economy, and supporters who can’t meet their pledges due to having a job loss. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated!

A great & busy Weekend! Now off to the States!

We have had a great but busy weekend.... 

This weekend we were able to hang out with some friends, and catch up for a nice South African dinner; then we all went possum shooting. (little pests are bad for NZ). It was fun, not to many furry creatures out due to all the rain days before.

We enjoyed some time at the beach for some good surfing, and continued packing all weekend. We needed these little fun events to break up our packing because packing is no fun. We also went out for a date on Friday night, which was marvelous. Preston took me to the circus. It was a small deal, but it was really cool. Much different from the Warner Bros and Ringling Brothers. This circus was the "Weber Borthers." It was an event mainly on acrobatics, illusions, and magic; no performing animals. It was situated in little "Cirque du soleil"  kind of tent at a park. It was a lot of fun, they did some dangerous stuff that was amazing - and it made for a great evening out.

Late last night we finally finished packing - we are bringing home a lot of our stuff with is to put in storage; so it wasn't just our "trip bag" and clothes for the wedding. We did Closet clean-outs! We have 4 very heavy bags, and 2 carry-on bags. Hopefully we won't get charged for the weight thing... but time will tell. We are flying out this afternoon and should arrive in Atlanta at Midnight on Monday. I love time Travel. (it's already Monday here).

We are excited to see the family, and very excited for the Celebration of Haley & Joel's wedding! I am sure we will have a blessed time!

We will try and blog some while we are over there, Until then... it's off for the airplanes. ( 1 of 5)

We've been slack

Wow! We have been really slack in updating our blog lately; but a lot has been going on. All our clubs and small groups are back into full swing; we’ve got students in new schools, new students at club, and are in the process of organizing SURGE – which is a work camp for 180 youth. The camp is actually in Whangarei this year, so we are running it, hosting it, interviewing people to find work projects, finding tools/materials, funding, accommodation etc…. Needless to say, the blog got put on the back burner for a while there; sorry!

Currently we are very excited and awaiting Monday to come. We are flying back to the states for a family wedding. (Preston's sister, Haley). We are thrilled we will get to see some family, our nieces and nephews,  and spend time back in America. It will be a short trip as we are only over there a week, but I am sure it will be a blessing - we have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming week! Please keep our flights in your prayers - we have 5 connections to make and will be traveling for about 27 hours. (Whangarei - Auckland - Tahiti - Los Angeles - Denver - Atlanta). We'll update again real soon! Blessings to you all!!