Kiwi Life

Monday 13 February 2012

2012-02-16T11:59:00.004+13:00

Setting up pre-launch Sunday

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep. - Psalm 127:1-2

Welcome back to the Monday Report: a brief thought, update, or insight into latest happenings from down under on... Mondays (or in this case Thursday). Shorter update this week with the run up to Byways' first official worship service this Sunday 19th February.

There's a major difference between doing things for the Lord and doing things with the Lord. We'd like to think that we fit the latter camp, that we are building with the Lord, but so often I find the first two verses of Psalm 127 both sobering and encouraging.*

"Unless the Lord," is repeated twice. Unless He builds and He watches, my life is nothing but vain, anxious toil. Such toil includes doing things for the Lord. However, with the Lord, we know that we rest in Him as His beloved. The tension lies in the amount of things I think I need to do and the reality of rest that is mine regardless as God's beloved. God gives His beloved rest in the work, not from the work.

This is a conscious decision. No one defaults into abiding as God's beloved, especially when the "to do list" is long. If left to my own devices, the two ruts my life would fall into is either one of stress or laziness. Take your pick. Yet, Jesus presents me with an alternative. Jesus said, "With Me you can do all things." Bring it on Jesus! But He continues, "...without Me, you can do nothing." Isn't that the truth.

Jesus offers His life in every aspect of our lives. Be it work, play, relationships, or even starting a new church. "Unless the Lord builds," nothing gets off the ground.

So excited to share with you the launch of Byways' new website. A good friend has donated his time to build and host our site along with another wonderful graphic designer friend who has made it look epic. Check it out: www.byways.org.nz

Please pray God would be glorified this Sunday and many to come to know Jesus as Byways opens its doors for the first time by the grace of God!

* These two often go hand in hand when God speaks to a person's heart through His word.

Friday 10 February 2011

2012-02-10T22:10:00.001+13:00

"Spanner in the Works"

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

Ever had one of those job interviews where you thought, "I nailed it!?" I have... but last week wasn't one of those interviews. Welcome back to the Monday Report: a brief thought, update, or insight into latest happenings from down under on... Mondays (or in this case Friday).

There's an expression here, "a spanner in the works," which means something like, things were going great until a large metallic object was lodged into the gears and stopped everything. The photo above was taken following the less than stellar interview after my brakes went out on my car. Thankfully God's always at the wheel and I made it home...without brakes...in the rain. When my friend (a mechanic from Iowa) who happened to be in the area showed up, we pulled off the wheel and to our surprise there was literally a spanner (wrench) in the works. It seems a mechanic's missing spanner (now bent at a 90 degree angle) was accidentally left there to crack a value and drain brake fluid. I had brake work done almost two months ago but that day the brakes decided to go. That means that this little spanner made the nine hour drive from Wellington to Tauranga with us and the kids without an accident.

The past two weeks we have been without phone or internet and Mel's cell phone fell into the toilet. Things have been interesting. Sometimes life throws a preverbal spanner in to the works. Why? I don't always know. I do know that while you may not always get the job, or having working brakes, or access to Facebook (shock and horror) God is in control. It's a process but we are learning to stop expecting God to work in certain ways and simply: expect God. I did find out later that I did not get the job*.

However, that fateful day when my car coasted home after the botched interview, feeling like I had blown an opportunity for much needed income, I found a check waiting in the letter box for $3,000. It's as if you could hear God say, "I'm not concerned about you." In other words, God was saying, "I'm not worried, I always take care of My own... and you're my own." So if God isn't worrying about me, neither should I, and neither should you.

God is concerned with those who don't know Him and His heart for them. The whole reason we've moved around the world is to share with others God's concern for them. God isn't concerned about us. He knows we will always be together. Not so the billions of lost who don't know God through a real relationship with Jesus. Good day or bad day, don't loose heart, "and let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9)

* Awkward moment: Later that week I was in a local cafe with a friend when I noticed the guy who had interviewed me (and didn't offer me the job) was meeting across the table with the guy whom, I presume, did get the job. I just started laughing. It felt like a Seinfield episode.

January Newzletter 2012

2012-01-31T11:38:00.000+13:00

Byways new venue @ The Mount Sports Centre Starting 19 Feb.!

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” - Lamentations 3:21-24

Kia Ora Family& Friends,

We pray you had a great holiday season with family and friends.

It's a new year full of new beginnings for us here as we church plant in Tauranga, New Zealand! So many exciting things have already happened as we begin our fourth week in promised land of the Bay of Plenty. In addition to these monthly newsletters you will also find our new "Monday Report," a weekly blog update on all our adventures. There's just too much happening to wait a full month to update you.

We are making every effort to keep you up to speed as things happen because we covet your prayers and support with every step. As you read, God has just secured a church venue at the Mount Sports Centre in Mount Maunganui, establishing a charitable trust, and watching God add to the church weekly as we have already begun to meet informally. God is simply blowing us away with His provision with every open door. The gospel is already reaching people in this area and we haven't even begun yet... but we have!

Last week was our third Sunday meeting informally for worship as a launch team. By God's grace we've grown each week. God is so faithful to each of us as the team has stepped out in faith and either relocated to Tauranga or are coming on board as locals to reach the lost with the gospel. There have already been opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ in the community and people are open and welcome hearing why we are here.

Family:
It's hard to believe that we have only been here just over four weeks. In some ways it feels like four months with the number of things that have already happened. The family has been on a "working holiday." There's so much to do but only a certain amount things we can do while we wait for God to move us one step at a time. The beach and summer have been a welcomed blessing. The kids have loved being in the surf and sand, meeting new people, and remembering what it was like to be by a warm beach again.

We have also been settling into our new community signing up for schools, buying uniforms, figuring out where to shop and enrolling with a local medical facility. Registering with a doctor proved to be a real blessing after Hope fell on her face in the car park and pierced her lip with her little tooth last week. She was all smiles later that day.

All smiles from Hope

Corban started his new Kindy today and Mel started back to work as a teacher for the first time in five years Wednesday. Hope and Noah start school today (Noah year 2 and Hope morning Kindy). Exciting times. Dave has interviewed for a job is a waiting to hear back this week (please pray).

Corban's first day @ new Kindy

And last but not least, God has provided us a new home. As you can read in the earlier posts are original home (affectionately known as the "Beach Bach") was simply too small for us. A local Christian couple who heard of us and why we are here, offered to rent their newly completed investment home to us last week. So Saturday we moved into a brand new home on a lake. God is so merciful and gracious to us!

Praise and Prayer:
Praise:

Now living in Tauranga. Praise the LORD!
Kids getting into great schools and Kindy's
Mel's new teaching job
New Home
Byways venue @ the Mount Sports Centre
Byways Sunday worship times together - God moving!
Opportunities to share the gospel

Prayer:

100% looking to Jesus
Dave's part time work opportunities Lord willing...
Byways venue
Individual launch team needs for support, work, and housing
More relationships within local community and city
Favour with God and people
More of God's Holy Spirit leading and empowering

I invite you to considering partnering with us finically as we invite Kiwis to follow Jesus through Byways. There's a real sense of being on the cusp of something huge seeing the doors and people God is bringing around Byways. If you have ever considered joining hearts with us now's the time. Facilities, ministry resources, and outreach are all major expenses as we prepare for Byways launch February 19th. As a family we are trusting God to supply all our needs according to His riches and glory. To date we have been blessed by so many of you who have already given and want to say THANK YOU.

Please consider joining hearts with us to reach the lost in New Zealand for the glory of God.
Here's how:
For those in the USA: If you wish to give financially toward church-planting in NZ please visit https://ccsb.webconnex.com/give (Note "Heitman") or make check payable to: Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara (CCSB); note "Heitman" in the memo and mail to 1 N. Calle Cezar Chavez Ste. 21, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 * All donations US tax deductible.

For those in NZ: If you wish to give toward church-planting within NZ please give via National Bank of New Zealand: Heitman Byways 06-0513-0328124-00 (Note: Church Planting) *Tax receipts unfortunately will not be able to be provided until midway through 2012.

Love and Blessings,

The Heitmans

Monday 16 January 2012

2012-01-17T21:00:00.001+13:00

"Blessed are those who believe and haven't seen." - Jesus

Welcome back to the Monday Report: a brief thought, update, or insight into latest happenings from down under on... Mondays.

"Just show me a sign and I'll go." God seldom works that way. I'm not saying He won't, He has in the past (think Moses, Gideon, Mary, etc.), but it seems God would rather have us hear and simply trust Him.

A relationship with us is paramount to God. In God's economy, His word and a relationship with Himself is enough. What if I kept asking my wife for a sign? I mean how do I really know she will be there tomorrow when I wake up? Shallow relationships ask for signs; deep relationships welcome the evidence of signs but don't need them. Relationships built on trust, love, and faithfulness are stronger than any sign.

Sometimes I'm asked, "But how do you know?" The only reason I know anything is because of my relationship with God. Without Him I don't have a clue. Jesus saved me when I was clueless and by His grace He continues to do so with some regularity (see Hebrews 7:25). The only sign I need is the cross; the meeting place between God and humanity made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. So if you were waiting for a sign, the cross has to be it. Get going, we have the invitation to participate in the mission of God that started with a cross 2,000+ years ago...

We've been in Tauranga a week and two days and it feels like a month and two weeks. So much, "Only God" type, stuff is happening. When we last left you, we had just moved into * "the hood." We are actually calling it our beach bach (a bach is a Kiwi term for vacation home) and storage unit (as we are living out of boxes). Two repair guys came to work on the bach, on two separate occasions, and I had the opportunity to talk with them and share the gospel. Funny, both said they weren't into religion but didn't mind people who were, then proceeded to talk about God for about 20-30 min. In the end both said they were glad we were in Tauranga (according to them people here are in need) and both said that they hoped to see us again.

So with the house hunt on and only two places lined up (one fell through) we were left one option. This home is 15 min. on the other side of town from where we are hoping to plant Byways, not a plus, but it's the only open door we had. Through a mutual friend we were connected with a Christian couple who have just finished the house as an investment property. Meeting them at this brand new home last Friday was like walking in prayer being answered with each step. They said they knew why we were here and that God had blessed them with this home and wanted us to live there. They offered to lower the rent and asked if they could pray with us before we left. Call it a sign or confirmation but we move in at the end of the month - the only house on the street (we're starting a welcoming ministry).

Byways continues to meet on Sundays. We have already grown from 7 the first Sunday to 16 this Sunday. The Launch Team also met to pray and plan as we set our sights on the 19 February for the first public Sunday worship. Until then we are looking for venues that will seat 100+. Know of any?

Dave has also applied for two different jobs. One is at the Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (next door to where Mel teaches and the kids go to school). Please pray for an interview next week.

* Correction: our neighbor said we live in "the hood," not "the ghetto." She also said that our neighbor across the fence wears a bracelet ("house arrest if you know what I mean," she said) and the other neighbors raise pig dogs for fighting (and pig hunting I presume). Pray for our neighbor, she has definitely not altogether there but is lonely and really likes talking to us. She even asked if we've found a venue for the church yet. I told her not yet but that when we do we'll come back and invite her along. She said that was the nicest thing anyone could have said to her.

Monday 9 January 2012

2012-01-09T22:07:00.000+13:00

Ever had one of those days?

Welcome back to the Monday Report: a brief thought, update, or insight into latest happenings from down under on... Mondays.

By God's grace we are in Tauranga! After an amazingly smooth move from Wellington we have landed in the area we have been praying so much for. Ever notice it's not the jump but the landing that can be rough? The photo above is of the Rena container ship breaking up Saturday after it had ran aground on a submerged reef just outside of Tauranaga three months ago. Saturday was a very stormy day with heavy rain. Saturday was also the day we moved into our home, which we've discovered is way too small for us and according to our neighbor is in the "gehtto" and used to be a pot growing house. So within the first 48 hours of landing we have already given our three week notice and hunting for other housing. Lesson: never pick out a house without your wife seeing it first.

So as we live amongst our boxes, keep an eye on kids, and try to stay dry during another wonderful NZ summer we remember the words of G.K. Chesterton who once said, "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." I suppose we're on an adventure all things considered. Living on mission with God always is.

God has called us to NZ, He put Tauranga on our hearts, He loves these people more than we ever will and He has a proven record of faithfulness every time we trust Him. We trust God with our lives because He is so trustworthy!

Our verse for this move has been John 1:16 "And from His fulness we have all received, grace upon grace." Amidst all the bumpiness of landing, seven of us (+ kids) gathered Sunday morning for Byways' first unofficial Sunday as a church. Think Acts 1-2 unplugged, as all of us sat on the floor of the Bernards' unfurnished home praying, singing and reading God's word (Acts 1-2) together. It is so special to be apart of launching a new work of God. "Grace upon grace!"

Prayer:

Faith, Hope and Love for our immediate and Byways family
A new home ASAP - looking at two this week
Protection in the ghetto
Wisdom with finances
Job for Dave

For more on the Rena ship disaster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN93t5EwcCc&feature=related

Monday 2 January 2012

2012-01-03T09:50:00.001+13:00

Guilty

Welcome to the first Monday Report: a brief thought, update, or insight into latest happenings from down under on... Mondays.

Not being a big resolution person I have only one for 2012: to fight procrastination. Specifically, I'm making myself budget and blog at the beginning of each week (both major personal procrastination points).

Procrastination is really ironic. The reason I indulge the urge to procrastinate is to feel good now. Enter irony in the form of guilt. Giving into feeling good now just tricked me into feeling guilty for not doing what I should have done right then and there. Just remember what's put off today won't be anymore appealing later. Tomorrow seldom brings magical motivation or a 'feeling like it.' Let's stand against bringing yesterday's leftovers into our tomorrows. Jesus said, "Today’s trouble is enough for today, so don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries" (Matthew 6:34 NLT). Why compound tomorrow's worries by procrastinating today?

Blog done. As for budgets, boring but necessary none-the-less. Neither blogs nor budgets are too motivating. God is motivating. Seeing God at work and responding to Him is nothing to procrastinate about.

So here's to doing what we like least first, being faithful in the small things, and believing that 24 hours is plenty of time to do God's will today.

Pray for us:

Last few days in Wellington getting work done in the office & packing the house
Moving Saturday! Smooth logistics, strength for parents and peace for the kids
Transition to Tauranga
Extra job for Dave
Holy Spirit leading
God to provide all our needs

December Newz

2011-12-24T23:11:00.002+13:00

Merry Christmas from New Zealand

Kia Ora & Merry Christmas Family & Friends,

“And they will call him Immanuel, which means “God with us” – Matthew 1:23b

It’s Christmas Eve here in NZ. If you’re ever having a bad day in the USA just remember it’s always tomorrow in New Zealand and tomorrow it’s Christmas! Here it is a summery Christmas full of fun, sun, friends and food. This morning our family had a blast serving at the Salvation Army preparing meals for the local community, then joined friends for a Christmas ham lunch, watched the kids splash in the pool, topped off with match of lawn cricket. We are beginning to savor summer Christmases.

When you think about Jesus, Immanuel, is there anything better than knowing the God of the whole universe is with you? For one, you’re never alone and two, you never have to say goodbye. God is always with you. He always has been, is and always will be. We’ve been doing a fair bit of “goodbying” this past month. It’s bittersweet but with every goodbye, we’re reminded there are coming new hellos.

We move two weeks from today (7 Jan. 2012). We’ve been saying goodbye to Wellington and all our friends and look forward to embarking on the great adventure of taking part in God building His church in Tauranga.

The praise points are endless. We’ve been trying to keep a list of the many doors God has opened over the past month including a home, a free moving truck (someone knew a Tauranga furniture company who delivered to Wellington, twice weekly returning empty, and has now offered to haul our stuff in their empty truck), finances, kids getting into a great school and Melissa getting a job at the same school (teacher’s aide @ Bethlehem College). Every step God directs, confirming His will. Honestly, it’s freaky (in a good way). We talk with God all the time about every detail and see Him answer all those details and even those we’ve missed.

The greatest provisions are the people God has called to go with us. To date there are eight others, and their families, moving with us from Wellington to Tauranga. Plus there’s many more who already live there. The prayer tour last month was amazing. We spent the morning praying around the city, ate lunch together and then shared what we sensed God doing, what a church might look like, and what we were most passionate about. I saw real people, with real need, for connecting with a real God who loves them. God has stirred many hearts with the same vision to reach this city. In short, we are already beginning to become a real church.

Tauranga Prayer Tour

Following the prayer tour was the CC New Zealand Envision conference. Brian and Cheryl Broderson, Bill Welsh and Scott Cunningham flew over from CA and shared pretty much the exact same stuff we were praying for in Tauranga the day before. In a word: confirmation.

NZ Pastors @ CC Envision Conference

Two weeks ago was our sending service from The Street. What a blessing these beautiful people have been to us as a family. We are adopted, loved, blessed and now sent with this amazing community to reach more Kiwi’s with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our last three years have been, “exceedingly and abundantly more than we could have ever hoped or imagined” (Ephesians 3:20).

The Latest Run Down

· December has meant wrapping up numerous writing projects for The Street before Dave leaves (praise God, all completed). As well as packing (started), looking for a new home (God blessed us with a home! Google Earth: 36a Farm St. Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, NZ), and enjoying Christmas holidays!

· Big move date to Tauranga 7 January 2012!

· January means settling in, finding our way around, and getting kids sorted (prayer points)

· Melissa starts teaching at end of the month. Dave has begun connecting with Tauranga Boys College for a relief teaching role, as well as looking at other part-time jobs to pay the bills.

· Kids start school second week of February.

· Pre-Launch prayer and planning meetings every Monday night in January and February building up to first public worship service launch 9 February!

Street Christmas Service

Family

Please pray for us as the family transplants to our new home. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve been blessed to say goodbye to so many Wellington friends. If it were easy they probably wouldn’t be true friends. Bittersweet.

It’s just hitting us that tomorrow is Christmas. We desire to trust God more and worry less. Our aim is to enjoy Jesus in the New Year and keep it as simple as possible (and try to keep the kids away from the copious amounts of sugar they have been consuming lately. Wild children).

Praise and Prayer

Praise

· So much excitement surrounding Byways church-plant

· God providing our daily needs in amazing ways

· Spirit moving in NZ

· Super Blessed Prayer Tour and Envision Conference

· Replacement found for my role @ The Street (TBA)

Prayer

· Melissa’s teaching role @ Bethlehem College

· Both boys accepted to Bethlehem College Primary as well

· God provided a great home, right where we want to reach people!

· WISDOM for finances and outside work for Dave

· WISDOM on how to lead and launch Byways

· GRACE to keep our eyes on JESUS!

· Unity for Church Plant Launch Team

· The BIG MOVE 7 January!

· Connecting with new community right away (praying for the first people to come to know JESUS!)

· Missing family in the USA this time of year.

Thank you for taking the time to read and for all your support and prayers. We wish you a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS from New Zealand and pray Immanuel, God with us, will always be with you too in 2012.

Love,

The Heitmans

The Mount Christmas Trees

Support...

USA: If you wish to give financially toward church-planting in NZ please visit https://ccsb.webconnex.com/give (Note "Heitman") or make check payable to: Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara (CCSB); note "Heitman" in the memo and mail to 1 N. Calle Cezar Chavez Ste. 21, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 * All donations US tax deductible.

NZ: If you wish to give toward church-planting within NZ please give via The Street City Church. Bank details: E Street Assoc Inc 06 0501 003 0996 00 (Note: Church Planting)

*Tax receipts provided

Byways "Pray for the Bay" Prayer Tour

2011-11-22T13:45:00.001+13:00

Prayer Tour 26 November 2011

Hi Prayer Friends,

This Saturday (26/11) lace up your walking shoes, bring a water bottle and come ready to pray around Tauranga. The prayer tour will be an awesome time to be together strategically praying onsite for God to move in Tauranga and for the new Byways church coming 2012.

Pray for the Bay Prayer Tour Info:

9:00am Meet @ Mount Surf Club at base of the Mount
Bring you walking shoes, water bottle, hat, sunnies, sun block, snacks, and whatever else you need to pray until lunch time @ 12 noon.
Parking I think is free on Saturday but have a few coins just in case.
Bring $ for lunch in the city.
Day ends approximately 12:30 after lunch
1-2pm An additional time of praying and sharing to follow. This an open invite to all those who are ‘onboard’ and see themselves being apart of Byways launching in 2012. Meet @ Christian Surfers house: (email for address)
Pray for good weather :)

See attached map with times and location details. Feel free to print and bring with you. I will have copies with me to pass out on the day.

Please feel free to pass along this invite anyone who is interested to join us for any part of the day. Please RSVP by simply replying to this email so we can expect you.

For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers – 1 Peter 3:12

Blessings,

Dave Heitman

November Newz

2011-11-21T15:24:00.000+13:00

Kia Ora Family & Friends,

“Go out into the highways and byways, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).

Church Planting

After much praying and fasting we are excited to share the new church has found the name Byways. In Luke 14, Jesus tells the story of a great banquet. Many were invited to the party but excuses were made and the attendees were few. The master became angry and sent his servants out onto the streets to invite the fringe of society: the poor, the maimed, lame and blind. After doing so and room remaining, the master said, “Go out into the highways and byways, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).

Byways best captures God’s ‘invitational heart’ to see everyone reached for Jesus Christ. The gospel invitation must go into every area of society, inviting people to accept God’s free gift of grace. Everything is ready and it is our joy to “compellingly” invite everyone to Jesus’ table. May God’s house be filled through the life-giving invitation of Jesus Christ.

Byways is a Calvary Chapel affiliated church with a strong lifelong connection to The Street City Church. We are working in a collaborative effort with both CCNZ and The Street to reach Tauranga, the fastest growing area of NZ, for Jesus Christ.

CCBI Student with Ranch Horses

Calvary Chapel Bible Institute

Last week I taught eleven times and both Corban and I fell asleep reading bedtime stories together come Friday night. The majority of those messages were given at CCBI Speaker’s Week. What a joy to spend a week with 20 + students and staff and see the next generation walking by faith. CCBI is rapidly outgrowing its facilities as one of the only growing residential Bible colleges in the country. The opportunity for CCBI to bless NZ is huge. It is because of this that I have happily accepted the invitation to teach and serve on the board of directors for CCBI in the coming year. Looking forward to God raising up the next generation of followers of Jesus to reach the South Pacific region with the gospel.

Prayer and Support

Byways as a new church plant aims to support its own staff and ministry within a reasonable time frame. Please consider these key needs during the first three years:

· Location and venue costs

· Purchasing equipment: media, sound, chairs, screen, projectors, etc.

· Kids & Youth ministry needs

· Communications: web, printing, etc.

· Personal living support is also needed and will be supplemented with outside part-time employment.

We trust the Lord for $50,000 NZD or more per year for three years according to His riches and glory. To date we have commitment of 25% for this amount. The remainder will be supplemented by outside work, which both Dave and Melissa are actively pursing, with the aim to meet the needs of a young family and starting a church.

Churches and individuals in NZ and USA have expressed a commitment to us and want to understand how they can assist in a church-plant. Currently we are establishing a NZ Charitable Trust and opening a bank account with the necessary accountability structures in place. Individuals at The Street City Church and NZ Calvary Chapels can give through their respective churches. All US donations are currently handled by, and accountable to Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara and are US tax deductable. All monies are accountable to the Byways board of advisors.

If God has placed NZ and us on your heart we’d love to talk with you.

Baptizing Anton @ night service last week

The Latest Run Down

· Our move date to Tauranga is 7-8 January 2012!

· Saturday (26 Nov.) is the Pray for the Bay Prayer Tour. A dozen of us traveling from Wellington will meet with a dozen or more from Tauranga to pray strategically onsite for God to move hearts, bless churches, pull down enemy strongholds, and open doors for Byways. This will be the first opportunity for all of us to meet and pray and share together regarding starting a new church. Join us in prayer!

· There are close to 25-30 people now either moving or already in Tauranga who are onboard with launching Byways – WOW?!

· Sunday (27 Nov.) Dave is teaching at The Orchard church in Te Puke (just south of Tauranga). Igor the pastor is a friend and the P.S.A. Kiwi fruit virus has recently hard hit this area. Te Puke is the kiwi fruit capital of the world and over half the church is now affected by the disaster. Please pray as financially things are not looking good, but the opportunity for God to change lives is high.

· Envision Conference (27-30 Nov.) in Rotorua brings the likes of Brian and Cheryl Broderson (CC Costa Mesa) and Bill Welsh (CC Refuge Huntington Beach) to inspire and share God’s word with us here in NZ. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity for our launch team to be together following the prayer tour to seek God’s vision for NZ with these guys. Perfect timing.

· December means wrapping up studies and writing Genesis and Romans materials for The Street before Dave leaves. As well as packing, looking for a new home, Christmas holidays and summer!

Hope the Spring Garden Gnome for Halos & Heroes Outreach

Family

In the midst of all that’s going on God keeps us sane and loving Jesus and one another. The boys are enjoying school and playing soccer on Saturdays in the Little Dribblers league and Hope talks (increasingly making more sense) and dances through each day. The kids are so excited to move to “the beach” again and Tauranga for them is quickly becoming this mythical place where all your dreams come true. So far we’ll have a trampoline, swimming pool, a cat, and now a horse (yes perhaps to the first, no to the rest).

Please pray for us as we transplant as a family to our new home. It will not be easy saying goodbye to all our Wellington friends.

Praise and Prayer

Praise

· Gathering momentum and excitement for church-plant

· God providing our daily needs

· Spirit moving in NZ

Prayer

· Melissa has a job interview this week as a half time teaching aide @ Bethlehem College (the school all three kids are hoping to attend).

· Faith, hope and LOVE

· WISDOM

· Church planting team coming together

· Prayer Tour and Envision Conference

· Leaving our community of friends here in Wellington & making new friends and community in Tauranga

· Replacement for myself @ The Street

· A new home, schools, community, etc.

Thank you for taking the time to read and for all your support and prayers. We are so very thankful this Thanksgiving for each and every one of you!

Love,

The Heitmans

Support...

NZ: If you wish to give toward church-planting within NZ please give via The Street City Church. Bank details: E Street Assoc Inc 06 0501 003 0996 00 (Note: Church Planting)

*Tax receipts provided

October Newz

2011-10-18T14:31:00.001+13:00

"God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began." 2 Timothy 1:9

How radical is this verse? God continually surprises me. Just when you start to look at Him through the lens of religion (rule keeping, moral living, etc.) He surprises me with a verse like this. God's call on our lives has nothing to do with our works but rests solely in His missional grace which He purposed to give us in Christ Jesus before... time began?!

God's watch began before time itself. His purpose for our lives was set in motion before our conception. The sum total of my life's meaning was gifted to me in Christ. Christ Jesus is the center figure, the corner stone upon which my life aligns and rests upon. RADICAL.

And in the rest of the news:

NZ's beloved All Blacks have made the final of the Rugby World Cup. As the host nation, six weeks of party, thousands of international visitors, and 48 matches of the the 20 best rugby teams all comes down to next Sunday night (23 Oct.) when the All Blacks take on France. GO AB's!

Calvary Chapel Bible Institue sent a team to serve with us this week in Wellington. These students were legends serving in heaps of different ways including constructing sets and props for this year's Halos and Heros event (Halloween alternative party on the 31 Oct.), street witnessing, cleaning the church, running the kids programs on Sunday, and participating in the Vivian st. BBQ.

CCBI Crew on the BBQ

The BBQ is an outreach of The Street that serves up 100 + sausages each Friday night across from the brothels on Vivian St. in central Wellington. I joined the team getting to know many interesting people including everyone from foreign tourists, to university students taking a study break, to prostitutes and homeless. The BBQ has been running 8+ years rain or shine. Many have heard the gospel and responded by accepting Jesus Christ into their lives including one prostitute who after receiving a Bible came back the next week to ask for another so that the rest of the ladies could have a Bible to read in the brothel. Bibles in brothels = AWESOMENESS! By the grace of God this woman escaped prostitution through a relationship with Jesus.

Church Planting Update:
God is drawing people to join us in moving to Tauranga from Wellington and beyond to reach more Kiwis with the gospel. Please pray for the dozens of people who the Lord is bringing to the team. Pray for each of our families, work opportunities, moving, and boldness to follow Jesus and share the good news.

Wrecked Ship Rena

God is focusing the vision each Monday night during our pre-launch prayer meetings. Answers to prayer are already happening. Connections with job possibilities, developing relationships with churches in the area, and understanding the people's needs are all becoming clearer. One of the greatest needs is all over the news here. A misguided shipping container ran aground on a reef just off shore of Tauranga last week and is spilling 350+ tons of oil, blackening beaches and killing wildlife. This photo shows some of the ship's containers falling overboard and washing ashore as the crippled vessel rocks around in the stormy seas.

Cleaning the Blackened Beaches in Tauranga

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “ Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool." - Isaiah 1:18

The Heitman family is enjoying the sunny and wet days of Spring. We were blessed to host the CCBI students this past week and were surprised by a visit from an old friend, Steve Leader, who Dave used to work with as an RD at PLNU. Steve is on R&R leave from the US Army fighting in Afghanistan and wanted to visit NZ to get as far away from that place as possible. What a contrast NZ must be for him. He said he was just happy to see green again and be with a "normal family" once more. I'm not sure we're 'normal' but we were blessed to have him with us.

School is currently on break for two weeks over the Spring holidays. School schedules were altered this year to accommodate the Rugby World Cup. That's how serious the sport is here. The kids are happy and super active. The boys are both involved with swimming and soccer every week. Hope is a little dancing queen and mum and dad just try to keep up. Welcome to the next 15+ years of our lives.

A Farm Girl Called Hope

We are all excited and nervous to move. We are praying about future housing and part time work possibilities. The long term goal is for Dave to be in full time ministry supported by the church but first the church has to begin. Please join us in praying and supporting this exciting opportunity to reach more of the lost sheep of NZ with the good news of their shepherd Jesus Christ (John 10). Financial support raising is ongoing and we are so thankful for those of you that have given over the years.

Praise and Prayer

Praise

· Church planting team coming together

· God providing our daily needs

· Opportunities to lives transformed and people set free by the gospel of grace!

Prayer

· God's perfect timing

· Part time work in addition to support raised to date

· Leaving our community of friends here in Wellington & making new friends in Tauranga

· Replacement for my role @ The Street

· A new home, schools, community, etc.

Thank you for all your love and support. Many blessings from NZ!

The Heitmans

Giving
USA: If you wish to give financially toward church-planting in NZ please visit https://ccsb.webconnex.com/give (Note "Heitman") or make check payable to: Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara (CCSB); note "Heitman" in the memo and mail to 1 N. Calle Cezar Chavez Ste. 21, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 * All donations US tax deductible.

NZ: If you wish to give toward church-planting within NZ please give via The Street City Church. Bank details: E Street Assoc Inc 06 0501 003 0996 00 (Note: Church Planting)

*Tax receipts provided

2011-09-20T16:13:00.001+12:00

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" - Matthew 6:28-30

When people ask how the church planting is going my reply is often, "I don't know entirely but it's sure great for my prayer life." Real need leads to real prayer. When you're the one needing to trust the prayer becomes earnest. After all this is your life, your family, and your resources being risked. However when we pray, God begins to shift our thinking. This is not my life, my family, and my resources; they're God's. Everything I have I have because of God and gladly give back to Him; my fear and doubt included. Through prayer we make our problems and worries God's problem. And since nothing is a problem for God and He's not sweating how this is going to happen, I worry less. Conclusion: Pray more, worry less.

PRAISE

God's faithfulness to provide
Two US churches and one Kiwi church are backing us (+ many individuals)
God's amazing grace each day
the gift of prayer
More and more people wanting to be involved

PRAY

for more of a spiritual hunger in New Zealand
pray against a lot of cults working university campuses as of late
pray for marriages
pray for more salvations and baptisms coming up this weekend
for the Lord to direct our steps in church planting
for wisdom in decisions and relationships moving forward
housing and job needs to live and support our family in 3 months time
Pray for the Bay weekly prayer meetings starting next week @ The Street 7pm
church planting team

Thank you for praying. Praise God. Amen.

August Newz

2011-09-09T16:25:00.001+12:00

Kia Ora Family & Friends,

"It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all your works” - Psalm 73:28

It is good to draw near and put our trust in the Lord God so that we too might declare all His amazing works here in NZ. Our hope for church planting is to do just that: declare the good news about Jesus. The best thing we have ever done is placing our trust in God. He has never bankrupted us, crashed on us, been stolen from us, or left us. We struggle to think of anything else that comes close or is saner than trusting God and declaring all His works?

Speaking of sanity or rather insanity, the Rugby World Cup kicks off today in NZ. For the next six weeks 20 teams will compete in 48 matches across the country. Thousands of people are here from around the globe to witness the third largest sporting event in the world, but everyone here is talking about the beloved All Blacks. The All Blacks are the NZ national team and are followed religiously. They kick off tonight against Tonga and depending on how they fare in this tournament there will be national rejoicing or morning. Rugby in one word is brutal. Added to that the All Blacks do a Haka (Maori war chant) to challenge their opponents before the head cracking begins. Check it out:

Ministry

Ministry continues to grow as The Street City Church blesses the capitol city of Wellington. Melissa and 300 + ladies had an amazing women’s conference called Sacred. Besides the great time of teaching and worship, hundreds of women were set loose on the city to share the gospel, clean up schools, worship in the lobby of the hospital, minister to prostitutes, and so much more. Women were sharing the gospel and seeing Jesus literally save people off the streets! Now that’s a women’s conference.

Church Planting: Too much to report but here’s some highlights: We had over 25 people turn out to pray last month before a visit to Tauranga, resulting in an amazing time of answered prayer. There are many excited to join God’s vision of reaching more people for Jesus. Those we met are hungry to simply know God and be taught His word. Currently, there are multiple groups of people meeting from house to house in Tauranga that are praying for the new church and us.

In addition to these individuals, we are developing relationships with local pastors and Christian organizations (like Christian Surfers) based in Tauranga. These groups are excited and supportive as we endeavor to reach more of the lost with the gospel.

We are meeting regularly to pray, developing a launch team (peeps from Wellington & Tauranga), and gathering support. Our biggest need is prayer. Please commit to pray for us – we need it! By the grace of God churches and individuals have started giving financially, which totally blows us away. This means Dave gets to minister while only have to work part time outside of ministry to support ourselves. We trust the Lord to lead and glorify Himself in the area of provision. If you’d like to be apart see the giving information below.

Snow Day!

Family

Our time in Tauranga included visiting perspective schools, meeting with a real estate agent and having fun together as a family. There is an excellent Christian school in the area that Noah, Corban and Hope will be attending Lord willing. What a day that will be when all three catch the bus together to go to school.

We are talking and praying a lot together as a family as we prepare to move for the fourth time in less than three years living in NZ. We recognize as the kids get older they are much more aware of things. Saying goodbye to friends will be hard for us all. That said we are all excited to see what God has prepared!

Last month it snowed and the kids got the day off of school… in August!

Praise and Prayer

Praise

· Gathering momentum and excitement for church-plant

· God providing our daily needs

· Spirit moving in NZ

Prayer

· Trusting God and faithfulness to follow Him

· Church planting team coming together

· Part time work in addition to support we have at this point

· Leaving our community of friends here in Wellington & making new friends in Tauranga

· Replacement for myself @ The Street

· A new home, schools, community, etc.

Thank you for taking the time to read and for all your support and prayers!

Love,

The Heitmans

Support...

NZ: If you wish to give toward church-planting within NZ please give via The Street City Church. Bank details: E Street Assoc Inc 06 0501 003 0996 00 (Note: Church Planting)

*Tax receipts provided

2011-08-05T22:10:00.002+12:00

Hope learning the fine art of coffee. Havana, Wellington

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

Prayer works. Talking to God about one another is the greatest gift you can give a person. Thanks for praying.

PRAISE

God's faithfulness to provide
amazing visit to Tauranga to begin church-planting
God's amazing grace each day

PRAY

for more of a spiritual hunger in New Zealand
for the Lord to direct our steps
against discouragement - 2 Tim.1:7
trust all our needs will be met according to God's riches and glory
God continue to open doors, unify us in calling to the vision He has for us in NZ
church planting team

Praise God. Amen.

Good coffee: www.havana.co.nz

Church Planting

2011-08-03T14:33:00.006+12:00

Building Sandcastles

BIG NEWZ

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21

Kia Ora family and friends from wintery New Zealand and the Heitman family. It’s been busy last few months with an amazing time spent in the US (see blog update) and now back ‘home’ in NZ preparing for big things. As some of you may have heard we are praying, planning and preparing to church plant in 2012. Here’s the vision!

Background

What began as a mission trip to the South Pacific when Dave was 15 years old has now become almost three years of amazing ministry in New Zealand — with more to come. God led us as a young family to leave sunny California for green New Zealand to assist as a teaching pastor at The Street City Church in Wellington. Never have we been so stretched and so blessed at the same time, nor so clearly sensed the next step in fulfilling God’s vision to plant a church in 2012.

It’s the love of God that compels us to further share the good news of Jesus Christ in NZ by God’s grace and for His glory (Hebrews 11:6).

Current Status

We are actively serving at The Street (a “Kiwi” church with a Calvary Chapel type of approach to ministry) and praying for God’s direction regarding a church-plant in Tauranga, NZ. God has further confirmed this call through issuing us NZ permanent residency. Truly a great and effective door is open, one that only God could open (1 Corinthians 16:8-9 & Revelation 3:8).

Mount Maunganui and Taunranga, New Zealand

Vision Why church-plant?
We pray for more Kiwis to clearly understand, meet, and have the opportunity to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior (John 10:14-16). We believe that church-planting is a gospel initiative and the best means of reaching new communities with the mission of helping people become total followers of Jesus Christ through simply teaching the Bible simply (Matthew 28:18-20).

Why church-plant now?

“The day is spent, night is coming” (John 9:4). We are passionate about seeing more Kiwi names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:26-27). God is not done with post-Christian cultures like NZ and wants to spread what is happening in Wellington to other areas of NZ. Church-planting is the need of the hour (John 4:35)!

Why Tauranga?

Simple answer: God is calling us. There are many reasons for going to Tauranga (regional website: www.bayofplentynz.com). Firstly, it is the fastest growing area of the country with major plans for development to meet a rapidly expanding community. The population in 2001 was 130,000 and predicted to increase to 286,000 by 2051 (Figures by Smart Growth, a plan for managing growth in the Western Bay of Plenty www.smartgrowthbop.org.nz).

Every week:
135 people arrive from other places
30 new houses are built
60 more vehicles go on the road, and
51 new jobs are created

The population increase is particularly large by NZ standards and includes a growing number of young families, a senior population of 80+ that is expecting a 7-fold increase in the next ten years and a higher than average number of residents who identify themselves as Maori (or indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand Aotearoa en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Māori_people).Our desire is to reach people. While there are churches in the area, a growing need exists for Bible-teaching churches to reach these rapidly expanding communities.

In addition, there is opportunity to partner with the newly founded (and rapidly growing) Calvary Chapel Bible Institute (located 45 minutes away www.ccbi.ac.nz) who has invited us to join their teaching and disciple-making efforts, which is very exciting.

Calvary Chapel Bible Institute @ Lakes Ranch Rotorua, New Zealand

God is calling us here. Our family feels a special connection with Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty area. It is one of those places that have a sense of ‘ripeness’ and ‘fit’ for who we are and what God is calling us to do (John 4:35; Psalm 37:4).

What does the church-plant look like?

Our vision is to plant a Christ-centered, Bible-based, Spirit-filled, gospel-focused, discipleship-orientated community of believers who ‘gather on Sunday to be scattered the other six days of the week.’ Our goal is to reach the entire rapidly growing Bay of Plenty population. We commit to the longevity required to foster the stability and security necessary for this to happen. Our intention is not to plant and turn over within a few years, Lord willing, as we believe successful churches change people to be more like Jesus Christ, which takes time (Acts 2:42).

Who is sending? What’s the relationship? And what’s the name?
Our desire is to be a Calvary Chapel affiliated church with a strong lifelong connection to The Street City Church. We are working in a collaborative effort with both CCNZ and The Street to reach the fastest growing area of NZ for Jesus Christ. We are praying over the name right now, asking God for that which best captures our ‘missional heart’ to see this growing population reached for Jesus Christ (stay turned)!

How are you going to church-plant?

Not alone. Firstly, we go with the Holy Spirit guiding us as part of a team (Ephesians 4:11-13). The rest of this team is a significant area of prayer as we have people in Tauranga asking for a church, and people from the US, CCBI, and The Street praying about joining us.

Yes, but HOW are you going to do this?

There are a number of scenarios and ways we are planning and praying over. I don’t know how God will eventually choose to work but I believe He will make each step clear. For now there are three main stages we are praying for: Leaving Well, Preparing Well and Starting Well. As a family we intend to relocate at the start of 2012. There are a number of options for starting up, each of which requires prayer and depends on who God brings and how things unfold.

How will this be funded?

Ultimately, a church should support its own staff and work. This is the end goal in a reasonable time frame. Churches and individuals in NZ and the USA have expressed a commitment to us and want to understand how they can assist in a church-plant. Because of our residency status Dave will be able to work other part-time jobs to provide for the family. All US donations are currently handled by, and accountable to Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara and are US tax deductable (support info below). If God has placed NZ and us on your heart we’d love to talk and have you partner with us in the gospel.

Communication strategy and Timetable

May – June - Travel to the US

July - Tauranga Preliminary Prayer tour – just returned – it was awesome!

August - Networking and formulation of team

September – October - Tauranga – Strategic onsite praying and planning tour

November - Commissioning of the Heitman family (The Street)

December - Christmas and Summer Holidays

January - Move to Tauranga

February - Children start school

Thank you for taking the time to read and join us in prayer. We believe that provision follows vision and we hope you have caught a sense of the vision God’s given us for NZ. We look forward to keeping you updated via our blog Kiwi Life

Please feel free to email, call, etc if you have any questions and/or would like to join us.

Blessings,

The Heitman Family

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

CONNECTION INFORMATION

U.S. Forwarding Address

6528 Monitor Rd.

EL Dorado, CA 95623

NZ Address

85 Awarua St.
Ngaio, Wellington 6035
New Zealand

Email: mailto:nzheitman@live.com

Support...

USA: If you wish to give toward church-planting in NZ by giving financially please visit https://ccsb.webconnex.com/give (Note "Heitman") or make check payable to: Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara (CCSB); note "Heitman" in the memo and mail to 1 N. Calle Cezar Chavez Ste. 21, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 * All donations US tax deductible.

NZ: If you wish to give toward church-planting and you're here in NZ please give via The Street City Church. Bank details: E Street Assoc Inc 06 0501 003 0996 00 (Note: Church Planting)
*Tax receipt provided

USA

2011-07-21T10:14:00.000+12:00

Folsom Zoo Train

Family, sunshine and burritos, these are a few of my favorite things. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the States, partaking in all of these and things and many more. The joy and encouragement of being with family and friends is such an incredible blessing, one we savor more now than ever being so far away. While we don't have time to share everything here are a few highlights from our recent sojourn 'home':

Northern California:
We've come to expect a lot more from summer in California. This visit we were treated to snow in the mountains and tornados in the valley. We don't mind 'bad' weather as much as we once did and instead enjoyed time with Dave's family, grandpa's new playground, visiting and sharing about all God is doing in NZ at some amazing churches, shopping and eating too much, and otherwise relaxing as much as possible.

Pastor's Conference and Idaho:
Dave flew to San Diego spending the weekend catching up with old friends, surfing and si, eating mas burritos. He then spent the week at the CC Pastor's conference in Murrieta, CA and was refreshed, challenged, and confirmed in the call to continue preaching the gospel in NZ. Great to see some of the blokes from NZ and Aussie there too.
The family gathered back together, this time in Idaho, for our grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. FUN TIMES!

Grandparent's 60th Wedding Anniversary Boise, ID

Colorado:

After a fun filled four day weekend in Boise we flew down to Denver, CO to spend a week with Melissa's family. If Denver was anywhere near the ocean I would move there next week. Denver is such a cool city, heaps to do, beautiful mountains, and wonderful family. We probably relaxed here the most reading books, watching the kids play at the park and even getting out for hike and a quick visit to the US Air Force Academy (Mel is looking into options for the kids).

US Air Force Academy Chapel, Springs, CO

We spent a few days in California before returning 'home' to cold, clean and green NZ. We rejoice in the opportunity God gifted us to be with our families. We love and miss them so much!

May Newz

2011-05-18T19:42:00.000+12:00

Tramping behind our new home between rain storms

Kia Ora Family & Friends,

We are California dreaming on a New Zealand winter's day... and tomorrow dreams come true.

Here’s all the latest newz…

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:1-2

Ministry

April showers bring May flowers if you’re in the northern hemisphere, down under showers just turn into down pours this time of year. Thunder, lightening, flooding and even the odd tornado, and that’s just what has been going on with the weather. Since we moved house over Easter weekend we too have been experiencing a lot of activity- all good activity. We are adjusting to a new home, Dave’s been teaching heaps and as the church expands to a third Sunday service, a midweek Bible study in the book of Daniel has been launched, and renovations begin on the new Life Centre building.

What’s been most exciting is seeing God’s word change people’s lives. The midweek study is actually a form of community that we call ‘Mosaic.’ Here is how it works, people arrive to ‘nibbles and coffee’ for a bit before joining table groups meeting around, you guessed it, a table. Men and Women’s Table groups enjoy a 30-minute teaching time followed by a 30-minute facilitated table discussion around the teaching and individual study that people have completed on the chapter the week before. The evening then concludes in prayer. It’s simple, works and is awesome for building community and growing together in God’s word. The first night we had 84 people turn up and it’s growing.

There’s so much more we can say. The Sunday teaching series is rocking through 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Nick and Dave are teaching a Leadership Generation course for 18 young leaders covering the biblical foundations for ministry at 6:30am every Thursday. Dave loves it so much he’s teaching the day we fly out.

Yes, tomorrow we board a plane for the USA. We will be in the States 19 May – 24 June. We are excited to see family and friends again after a year of being away. We look forward to catching up with many of you and taking time to relax and be refreshed by God. We’ll be visiting various churches, celebrating birthdays; a couple of anniversaries (our 9^th, parents 36^th and grandparents 60^th), and Dave will be attending the Calvary Chapel Pastor’s conference in June.

The Little Red House in the Bush

Family

Boys (and one particular girl we know) needed a backyard… and now they have one. Denali our dog loves it too. We are really enjoying our new home, the extra space, closer distance to the city, and best of all a backyard (even if its muddy). Dave enjoys biking into work, which takes him less than 20 minutes and has managed to keep all his teeth. With the cost of filling up your car in NZ at over $100, biking is a good option.

Our family feels so blessed to be serving the Lord and doing life together with some amazing people in NZ.

Praise and Prayer

Praise

· God giving us a bigger home!

· Love for God’s word in NZ

· People God is saving on a weekly basis & the discipleship happening

· Relatively good health this year

· USA!

Prayer

· Traveling mercies with the kiddos

· Refreshing – seeking God while we’re on break

· Contentment in Jesus and loving God and each other

· Continued Health for all the family

· Financial wisdom for present, travel to USA, and future

Thank you for taking the time to read and for all your support and prayers.

Love,

The Heitmans

Easter NZ Newz

2011-04-18T08:55:00.001+12:00

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
– Jesus (John11: 25-26)

Here’s all the latest newz…

Ministry

What a perfect question to ask this Easter. Jesus asks this question of his friend Martha who had just lost her brother Lazarus, whom of course you know was risen from the dead by Jesus. I believe Jesus still asks the question of you and I. Do we believe there is life in Jesus?

During the run up to Easter there has been many opportunities to ask questions like this. We are continually surprised to meet people who have never even heard of Jesus, or if they know the name, have no idea what he has done or how much God loves them. Mel shared the Easter story with her class at Churton Park School last week before the school holidays. Dave and others from church have been going out each Sunday before the evening service to share the good news and invite people to church. Dave likes hanging out with the grommets at the skate park near the church. It’s been a blessing to see many new faces at The Street!

Sonrise Service Notice

This Easter The Street is leading the Sonrise Service atop Mt. Victoria with over 30 churches from around Wellington. Dave will be teaching at the Easter services at church with the focus being on this verse from John. Pray God will meet many people with the life giving power of the gospel!

We are making room for growth at The Street (check it out). In a few weeks there is a midweek study/corporate Life Group starting called Mosaic that will include a men’s and women’s study of the book of Daniel. Dave has been pulling together the study materials and putting them into booklet form for people to go deeper into God’s word. In June a third Sunday morning service will be added at 11 am. There is currently the blessed issue of crowding experienced at the present morning service in the main sanctuary and in the children and youth ministry spaces. Finally, the new building next to the church was purchased late last year is covered in scaffolding while major repairs are underway. This new facility will be a Life Centre for the city that will incorporate all the midweek activities of the church plus youth, seniors, and other spaces for ministry to happen throughout the week.

Family

Kiddos at the Soccer Match

There is a lot going on in the Heitman House, including moving house this week. We’ve been blessed with a larger home with a yard, for less rent! Plus it’s closer to the city so Dave can continue to bike to work. The biggest thing about housing for us is the heating (many will remember the drama with our first home affectionately now known as “The Chilly Bin”). The new home has a wood burning stove and a heat pump and receives great sunlight during the day. Praise the Lord!

We are also looking forward to a return trip to the States next month - so looking forward to seeing family, friends, sunshine, and eating Mexican food. While this trip is primarily for rest and relaxing with family we look forward to seeing many of you, sharing what God is doing in NZ, and Dave attending the Calvary pastor’s conference in June. We will be in the States for a little over a month total.

Skater girl has a birthday this week!

What makes this Easter especially special for us this year is Hope’s turning 2 on the 24^th. She is definitely coming into her own and loves to dance, talk, and ‘wrestle fight’ with her two big brothers. The kids are currently on school holidays for Easter with term two beginning in May so it’s the perfect time to move.

We’ll blog after we move into our new home and include photos, new address, etc.

Praise and Prayer

Praise

· God hooking us up with a new, bigger, and more affordable home to live.

· The churches of Wellington coming together to celebrate Easter

· Many new faces and a growing church

· Relatively good health this year

· USA in about a month!

Prayer

· Sharing the good news and asking the question Jesus asked this Easter

· Moving house

· Contentment in Jesus and loving God and each other during this busy time

· Continued Health for all the family

· Financial wisdom for present, travel to USA, and future

Thank you for taking the time to read and for all your support and prayers. May God bless each of you and have a terrific Easter!

Love,

The Heitmans

Triple Shot

2011-04-07T15:49:00.001+12:00

Triple Shot is a weekly accountability group named after the amount of espresso needed to stay awake during the inaugural 6 am t-shot that began meeting 10 years ago. Over the years it's been a blessing to share life and coffee with some great guys. We've watched each other graduate, get married, have kids, and one of us even went off to, and thankfully returned from, war. T-shot has spread with multiple groups of guys (and girls) meeting all over the world including the US, New Zealand, and the UK.

Here's the verse and questions (plus a photo of a New Zealand 'Flat White') that keep us going for God.

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11

1. Have you spent daily time in Scripture and in prayer?

2. Have you had any flirtatious or lustful attitudes, tempting thoughts, or exposed yourself to any explicit materials that would not glorify God?

3. Have you been completely above reproach in your financial dealings?

4. Have you spent quality relationship time with family & friends?

5. Have you done your 100% best in your job, school, etc.?

6. Have you told any half-truths or outright lies, putting yourself in a better light to those around you?

7. Have you shared the Gospel with an unbeliever recently?

8. Have you taken care of your body through daily physical exercise and proper eating and sleeping habits?

9. Have you allowed any person or circumstance to rob you of your joy?

10. Have there been any thoughts or verses that have touched you this week?

11. Have you lied to us on any of your answers today?

March Newzletter 2011

2011-03-09T09:54:00.000+13:00

The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble.  But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. – Joel 3:16
The cross stands over the Christchurch Cathedral rubble

Here’s all the latest newz…
Ministry
What a crazy few weeks it has been here in NZ. God is faithfully walking with us through the highs and lows of the earthquake aftermath that struck Christchurch late last month killing 165+ people (with some still missing). We sent a brief email immediately following the quake with updates continuing to be posted to our blog.

If you are unfamiliar with NZ we are located on the opposite side of the infamous “Pacific Ring of Fire” from California. The country straddles two major tectonic plates (Pacific and Australian Plates) and is riddled with volcanoes on the north island (think Oregon) and a massive mountain range on the south island (think Sierra Nevadas). NZ has a small population of 4.6 million. Everyone (including us) knows someone who died and/or lost his or her home or business in the tragedy.

The nation is in state of shock after a second quake hit Christchurch, forever changing NZ’s second largest city. There is a real sense of “I can’t believe this happened to us.” Everyone immediately wanted to help. Wellington took in over 1,000 refugees. The churches sent large trucks of supplies and began supporting The Red Cross and Salvation Army efforts. Thirty churches in Wellington met at The Street for a night of prayer with hundreds crying out to God. Church services the next week were given to worship, prayer and a time of people sharing scriptures and encouraging one another in the Lord. Last Tuesday a week after the quake at 12:51 pm the nation observed a two-minute silence for those lost in the quake. I was one of 5,000 people who joined a service on the steps of Parliament.
Quake Memorial at Parliament

This Sunday we continued our teaching series through the book of Joshua. Ironically, the week of the quake we were at the Walls of Jericho, which we decided to pass on. However, I picked it back up beginning with Joshua meeting the Lord in Joshua 5 and continuing through Jericho and Ai in a message titled Walking with God through the Highs and Lows. Joshua asks the Lord, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” A question many here have been asking. Is God for us or against us? Listen here.

Some church leaders have said, ‘this is not an act of God. This is an act of nature doing what nature does.” I get that, but it makes it sound as if God is so distant. He’s not. God is moving through the good and bad, acting through the believers during times of crisis. People’s nerves are raw. Shock is now moving into anger as part of the grieving cycle. Pray politics, blaming, and anger would not distract from all the good, the communities of NZ coming together, and God’s grace at work in the lives of those in need with so many lives lost and a city destroyed.
Family
Soccer family
Two words: God’s Gracious. It is a bit surreal being here, taking it all in as someone from the outside now inside. Similar feelings of 9/11, minus the anger, arose as we walked alongside people grappling with what had just hit them. The kids have been doing fundraisers at school, youth group, etc. We have put together a quake survival kit for the house (The NZ quake kit list includes tea. We thought that was funny. Can’t miss teatime), storing extra water and food, and finally securing the bookcases to the walls. This past week we had two 4.5+ earthquakes rumble through Wellington. They say it is unrelated to the quake in Christchurch but apparently Wellington is the most earthquake prone area of NZ and is long over due for “The Big One.”

The seasons are changing and autumn is now here. Melissa is teaching the Bible at Noah’s public school through a programme called Christian Religious Education (CRE). Such an amazing opportunity – one she never had teaching in California. Corban fell and hit his face on a chair running around church last Sunday, which landed he and dad in the emergency room for a few hours until they glued the cut on his cheek closed. He was happy to have his ice block (aka popsicle) afterwards.  Hope is happy as a clam, Noah loves school, and Dave is feeling better after a week of being sick. Family is family wherever you are in the world.
Corban's trip to the hospital
Praise and Prayer
Praise
·      God’s provision and protection during the earthquakes
·      The churches of NZ coming together to be “The Church”
·      Mel’s CRE opportunities at Churton Park School
·      The Street – God continues to grow the church and people’s hunger for His word. We are moving to a third service in May!
·      Students back to university and ministry happening – camps, etc.

Prayer
·      Leadership for those rebuilding Christchurch
·      The churches of Christchurch. Over 30 lost their buildings.
·      God’s vision and direction for the future
·      Health for all the family
·      Balance family, ministry, school, etc.

Thank you for taking the time to read and all your support and prayers. May God bless each of you!

Love,
The Heitmans

Christchurch Earthquake Update 2

2011-03-08T11:54:00.000+13:00

A view of Christchurch one minute after quake

Here's an update from Jason pastor of Calvary Chapel Christchurch:

Hi All,

Thanks so much for your support and prayers over this time. I apologise for taking a while to put this second update together - things have been moving fast, and have been changing very quickly too.

ANSWERS TO PRAYER/PRAISE REPORTS

- Bibles - a shipment of bibles has been arranged to be sent to us from the US. Financial aid has been given from various sources from within NZ and the US to help us with bulk printing of gospel tracts, and in preparation for future outreach - we thank God for His provision!
- The lady in our fellowship with chest pains is no longer experiencing pain, and was released from hospital after the doctors couldn't find the cause of the pain - we thank God for His healing hand.
- A number of people have had great opportunities with neighbors & friends to share with them about their hope in Christ.
- There has been a real sense of the Lord carrying us through this time - we thank God for answering the prayers of His children.
OUR FELLOWSHIP

Life in Christchurch has changed and at this stage, we don't yet know what the new "normal" is going to be. The only thing that remains the same is Jesus, and it's Him we are clinging to, and encouraging others to do the same.

Most people now have their electricity restored, but a number are still without running water. Those of us who do have running water are still required to boil it before use, as it has not been cleared as "safe to drink" yet.

Our ministry has been primarily to those within the fellowship - knowing that the saints need to be built up, encouraged, and thinking right about this time, if we are going to reach our city for Christ.

University students in our fellowship are leaving/have left Christchurch to study else where. We have had a single mum and her family relocate permanently in a town at the bottom of the South Island. Business owners in our fellowship are loosing money every day that they don't have their doors open, and are now considering closing down their businesses and relocating to other cities. Many who attend our Sunday meetings who live outside of Christchurch have let us know that they will be fellowshipping locally, rather than coming into Christchurch.

We still don't have access to our church office, although I was able to go in for a few minutes on Friday to collect a few items. Our church office building has been "green stickered" (cleared by building inspectors), but buildings surrounding ours have been "red stickered" (deemed to be unsafe and need to be demolished - a number have been demolished already). For the mean time, I have set up our home as a temporary church office.

On the first Sunday after the earthquake, we were able to meet at our usual place (school hall), and the encouragement from the Word was from Esther 4:14 - that "God has us right where He wants us for such a time as this". This has been confirmed in the hearts of a core group within our fellowship, and there is a real willingness to make themselves available to reach out to whoever God puts in their paths on a day to day basis.

On this past Friday, we were informed that we couldn't use our school hall until further notice, which didn't give us much notice to find another venue for the wedding we had scheduled for Saturday, and also a venue for our Sunday meeting - thankfully, the Lord opened doors for both.

Kris brought encouragement from the Word yesterday from Psalm 73:26 - "My flesh and my heart may fail; But God..." - where we can turn when our emotions and feelings fluctuate, and when things feel like they are getting on top of us.

OUTREACH

Outreach from our fellowship continues to be on an individual, local level, within people's surrounding neighborhoods. A number of people are involved in helping within civil defense, social agencies, and as medics. We are resourcing our fellowship with Bibles, tracts & encouragement for outreach within their own local areas.

We have been meeting with other Christchurch pastors, and hoping to work towards some combined group outreach in due course.

We have 6,000 gospel tracts being printed at the moment which are specific to the recent earthquakes.

We are also resourcing other Christian welfare agencies and churches who are involved in outreach with Bibles and tracts.

MISSIONS TEAMS

A number of people have expressed an interest in coming to Christchurch on missions trips to help out, and I'm sure this would be a huge blessing to those in our city at this time.

At this time, we (as a fellowship) don't have the capacity to organise, plan or host groups to Christchurch - our people resources and time are very slim within our fellowship at present. If groups were happy to arrange and plan their own trips over, we could certainly recommend possible accommodation options (Christians camps etc) and welfare agencies to get in contact with (World Vision, Red Cross etc).

PRAYER REQUESTS

- Sensitivity to the Lord's leading and prompting when ministering to others.
- Comfort, wisdom & strength for people in our fellowship, as we adjust to the new normal in our city.
- Provision & wisdom for those in our fellowship who are struggling in business.
- For practical needs - a place to meet on Sunday mornings; church office; repairs to people's homes.
- That we would all individually respond to these events in the way that the Lord wants us to.
- That many would place their hope and trust in Jesus.

Again, thanks so much for your support at this time. God is good - we thank Him for allowing us to be in this place at this time, and pray that His plans & purposes would be accomplished in our city.

God Bless,
Jason

Christchurch Earthquake Update

2011-02-23T12:10:00.002+13:00

It has been a very dark day here in New Zealand as you may be hearing in the news. A major earthquake (6.1) struck the South Island city of Christchurch just before 1pm yesterday afternoon. While less magnitude than earthquake that struck last September this one was closer to the city, shallower in depth and in the middle of a normal work day. There were no fatalities in September's quake when most people were still in bed at 4:30am. However, Prime Minister John Key confirmed last night on the news that there have been 65 deaths with that total expected to rise in the coming days.

We are hearing from friends and family of friends that those we know are alive and safe but most have significant loss to home and property. Two staff members still have family they have yet to hear from at this time. People are gathering in shelters, the airport has just reopened, power is down to most areas, water, sewer, etc. are all compromised. People are still trapped in collapsed buildings and rescue workers are searching around the clock and getting reinforcements from NZ military and rescue teams flying in from around the world.

Pastors Kris Baines and Jason Winslade (Calvary Chapel, Christchurch) and their families are safe and they have had contact with most of the church who are safe. The scene has been described by Kris (& the news) as 'utter chaos.' We are about 300 kms north of the epicenter here in Wellington and felt nothing.

We had a text from Kris' wife Becky this morning asking to pray for Kris. Kris works for the ambulance in Christchurch and is doing rescue work in the Central Business District, as that is where most of the damage is in the old buildings. There have been at least 11 significant after-shocks, with the possibility of another major quake, and Kris is right in the middle of the unstable rumble, debris and destruction.

We are now in response mode helping those we know in need with accommodation, pastoral support for families, university students, and others here in Wellington that have been affected. In the mean time donations are going towards the Red Cross Christchurch Relief Trust that remains active since the last quake. We will then be supporting the local churches that we have relationships with once we assess the needs. As things develop we maybe sending small teams down to help once we know the needs.

Please continue to pray that today would be a day of miracles and that loss of life would be kept to a minimum. We were scheduled to have a city wide church prayer night next Monday night with over 30 churches from around Wellington. The focus will obviously be for the nation now and those in Christchurch. We encourage everyone here to be sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those who are hurting at this time. Please pray the message of the gospel of Hope would be received.

"Joy comes in the morning" - Psalm 30:5

To stay tuned to local NZ news please visit: www.stuff.co.nz

February Newz

2011-02-18T21:58:00.000+13:00

"Many, O Lord God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare" - Psalm 40:5

Kia Ora Family and Friends,

God is doing some amazing things in our lives (see verse above). Firstly, this week NZ Immigration issued PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISAS to us. Thank you Jesus! This means we can travel to and from NZ while retaining our NZ residency indefinitely. The door is wide open to serve God without worry of losing NZ residency while traveling overseas (USA, mission trips, etc). We are humbled and blessed. Over the past three years and piles of paperwork God made this awesome opportunity possible for us.

Secondly, God is faithful to answer our prayers. Thursday is now our special day to pray for God’s calling and vision of future church planting in NZ. Funny because Friday seems, as it were, answer day. Attitudes change, situations, relationships, physical needs are all being met with blessing when we pray. Prayer: what a radical thought.

God is giving us a great love for Him, for where we are at (NZ), and those who we are with (Kiwis). There is much we don’t know, but God is faithful. There is a strong sense of calling to a particular area and as we begin to pray, talk and explore the possibilities of seeing God reveal His vision for a new work. We are excited and open to all God has going forward.

Details are limited at this point but we ask you to join us in prayer for the following:

God’s Vision – In no way do we want to limit God by our own thoughts and vision. He has a much bigger plan for NZ and the whole world. We are sensing we are just a part of something much bigger than what we see.

Faithfulness – We want to be faithful to play our part in God’s vision.
Unity & Love– For our immediate and extended family and our new Kiwi family and friends we have here.

Calling – We have a new and growing excitement in our marriage and family for the future. Please pray for love, grace, and clarity in our marriage, family and ministry relationships. This is KEY!

Provision – Whether coming or going God will provide. Praying for partners to join us in this venture of faith. We can’t do this alone.

Last but not least here’s a quick update on the family:

Hope: Wow, the girl walks, talks, sings and has a full smile of teeth. Hope is a dancing machine and loves going to Mainly Music kids program at church with other kids and parents from the surrounding community each week.

Corban: Corbs really enjoyed camping over the summer but is happy being back at Grace Kindergarten with his friends, playing cars, painting, running around and enjoying being outside on the playground.
Noah: We’re realizing that Noah is now a kid. Baby days are gone and this little man is in year one at Churton Park School. He prays for his friends each night and enjoys reading, sports, and Tuesday and Thursday razor scooter days at school.

Dave & Mel: The beginning of the year always takes a bit to get back into the swing of things, but Mel’s a pro. Most weeks are spent running kids around, Mainly Music, Thursday Mosaic (women’s mid week Bible study) and still finds time to run. We have been loving our passes to the Wellington zoo “Best little zoo in the world” and hanging out with friends, BBQ, beach, walks around the bay and enjoying a nice February summer!

Your support and prayers are such a blessing to us. Knowing you’re with us in spirit, supporting us here is a tremendous encouragement. We look forward to sharing more next month.

Love and Blessings,
The Heitman Crew

praise & prayer

2011-02-01T20:13:00.003+13:00

"God nothing does, nor suffers to be done, but what thou wouldest thyself do, couldest thou see the end of all He does as well as He."

or in modern terms...
"God answers all my prayers the same way I would answer them if I had His wisdom, power and love." - William MacDonald

I'm often reminded while praying that all God has ever wanted was my heart. He will take us to some pretty far places in life to reveal this truth but none so extreme as He Himself went when He gave His heart to us. There is an immense weight that lifts off my shoulders when I realise I can actually leave my cares with God through prayer. And in return He gives me more to praise Him for. How's that for a great exchange?

PRAISE

a call to serve Him (may not always know the details of what this means, but that's ok)
Corban feeling better
great time with kids over the summer holiday
Dave got new US passport (returned in less than week!)
sweet time in God's word last Sunday (Listen here:)
grace

PRAY

Applied for 'permanent' NZ residency
Noah & Corban going back to school this week
Mel's health with ongoing thyroid tests
God continue to open doors, unify us in calling to the vision He has for us in NZ

Praise God. Amen.

praise & prayer

2011-01-20T15:12:00.001+13:00

"Dont pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." Corrie Ten Boom

Thursday's are a prayer and fast (lunch) day for me. Love hanging out with God and bringing it all to Him. I enjoy praying outside. Especially at the beach (see photo from today). Thursdays are my new favourite days. Here's some current praise and prayers. Please join us.

PRAISE

a Spirit of confidence and joy looking to an unknown future
amazing weather, sun, warmth, and being outside
flights to US booked
randomly sharing the gospel with Ishu a recent migrant from India who never heard of a 'pastor' before and wanted to know what I did. pray he comes to church this week.
simplicity

PRAY

God's provision to pay all the bills and a car that keeps needing repairs
Corban to feel better. sick last few days
Teaching this Sunday - Exodus 20
Dave's US passport to be renewed and returned so we can apply for 'permanent' NZ residency
God continue to open doors, unify us in calling to the vision He has for us in NZ

Praise God. Amen.

January Newzletter 2011

2011-01-17T20:44:00.001+13:00

Kia Ora & Happy New Year:

A new year full of new things is already upon us as we celebrate our two-year NZ anniversary of loving God and loving Kiwis this week. So much has happened in two short years. God’s faithfulness to lead and take care of us is something we confess to being surprised by and give Him all the praise for. Our prayer this year is a faith as BIG as our God for even more!

Things we are looking forward to in 2011:

1. BLOG I confess a love/hate relationship with newsletters. I love sharing, praying and being encouraged by everyone. I also try to make it interesting and fun but often take too much time and avoid writing them. Solution: Blog. There’s heaps on this year so rather than a bunch of newsletters we’ll continue a monthly email while directing you to our Blog. Feeling relief already.

2. Continuing at The Street City Church
The past two years we have been apart of making significant changes to the focus, leadership and spiritual growth of the Street. Much prayer and planning has led up to 2011 and we’re stoked to continue serving at the Street here in Wellington and seeing these changes take effect.

3. Life Groups
The Street has gone from a big church to a focused church channeling the voluminous amount of energy generated from competing ministries and directing it toward life groups. There are over 30 life groups and leaders who are being equipped to ‘do the work of the ministry’ (Ephesians 4). The goal is to help people become total followers of Jesus Christ, not to simply be a big church.

4. Discipleship
Mentoring, whatever you call it, as Christians we are called to pour our lives into one another and make disciples (Matthew 28). Looking back on the short time we’ve been here the most rewarding and significant impact for us has been the new believers and leaders we’ve been blessed to take on and walk together with through God’s Word, life and ministry. Looking forward to more!

5. Rugby World Cup This year NZ will literally host the world for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (the rugby playing world that is). This is such a massive deal here that they have changed the public school calendar to fit. It is also a tremendous outreach opportunity.

6. Harvest Crusade Auckland 25-26 June It all began for us with Greg and Harvest Team in Wellington back in ’07. Pray for this weekend event, the local churches, the Harvest team, and many to meet Jesus Christ!

7. The Family The kids are growing up fast! After Christmas, our holiday was spent beach camping in the beautiful Coromandel peninsula (see photo). A week of camping was full on with three grommets but fun, warm, and not to be repeated according to mom. Noah will begin year one of school in February, loves to chat, and rides his bike all over the place. Corban continues kindy this year, continues to be super active, loved camping and has such a cool husky voice. Hope is walking, talking (a bit), sings and dances and is generally the cutest thing ever. As parents we love hearing our kids pray and laughing with them as we all play together.

8. USA
One of the highlights of 2010 was being able to visit family in the States. God is graciously providing another opportunity for us to return this May 19- June 24 to visit family, friends, and rest before the next adventure of faith.

9. Church Planting
This year we are seeking God for the vision He has for NZ. Having seen a little bit through Kiwi eyes and feeling ‘called’ we press into prayer for what God might have next for NZ and for us.

Please join us in prayer over this exciting year to come. When we think too much about where we will be next year at this time we praise God, but can become anxious at the same time. We know God will lead, guide, and provide for our family. God has never let us down. Our prayer is that you won’t forget us… especially when you pray– it’s lonely sometimes on the mission field; we miss our family and friends, sunshine, and good California burritos from time to time. We also don’t want to forget about you. When we think and pray for you it doesn’t feel like you’re so far away. Please let us know what’s going on in your lives and how we can pray for you too.

Thanks for reading. Blogs won’t be this long- promise. Thank you for your continued prayer and support.

Blessings,

The Heitmans

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands for us, Yes, establish the work of our hands.” ~ Psalm 90:17

November Newzletter 2010

2010-11-25T14:13:00.002+13:00

Kia Ora Family & Friends,

We are believing God! God is closer and more real to us as we have experienced His joy in the midst of some difficult times. As we shared last month being bombarded with health issues, anxiety, and spiritual warfare like never before we’re totally dependent upon God. We will be the first to testify God is faithful and that despite us God continues to be faithful. This Thanksgiving we have so much to be thankful for. God has healed us. God has taken our anxiety and replaced it with His peace. Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8). This has been one of ‘our’ verses:

“You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and called from its farthest regions, I have chosen you and have not cast you away; fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” – Isaiah 41:9,10

We are slowly learning God’s promised peace goes beyond our limited understanding. In short we are trusting God more while He continues doing exciting things. Finished teaching Ephesians (on spiritual warfare) and the book of Acts this week. More people saved and being baptized. Had a great conference with friends Bill Welch from CC Refuge Huntington Beach and hanging with CC Bible College students just back from a short term mission to Tonga. Successful Light Party (Halloween Alternative) at Street with 300+ kids & their parents from community filling the church. God’s is on the move in NZ!

We are so thankful in fact we are celebrating Thanksgiving three times with our different Kiwi and American friends. Kiwis love Thanksgiving and it is so fun sharing with those who have never experienced it before (even if turkeys here are $100!).

Many thanks to you who love, support, & continue to pray for us - Blessings!

Love and Thanksgiving - The Heitman whanau

Christchurch Earthquake

2010-10-28T15:11:00.002+13:00

Picture in local newspaper last week after the 5.0 aftershock with the caption:

Chirstchurch Aftershock CROSS TO BEAR: Workers inspecting the south gable of the Christ Church Cathedral were on a crane when the quake struck, and clung to the cross for support throughout.

This Blog Update written by pastor Kris Bains of Calvary Chapel Christchurch

Hi All,
Once again, thanks so much for all your support and prayers, it really means alot. Here's a bit of an update on how things are going. There have been a few reasonable aftershocks that have really unsettled many people here - probably more so when people start to think "maybe it's all over". We are praying that each reminder in the form of an aftershock, softens hearts more and more to the gospel.
Because of the finances and resources you have provided, we have been able to get the Gospel, Bibles, and practical/helpful resources into the hands of people here in Christchurch in ways that prior to Sept 4 2010, wouldn't have been possible. As you know, the main thrust of our outreach efforts has been to put together "hope packs" which include various items such as bottled water, torches, batteries and also Bibles. Bible comics/colouring books, and adult and kids gospel tracts. Have we seen dozens of people saved? No - but that is not our job - our job is to get the gospel into people's hands, and let God do the rest. Who knows when someone may read and heed the material they have been given? We pray it would be soon.
TESTIMONIES & FEEDBACK

A young indian girl who came knocking on a door for a sales visit was given a hope pack. She hugged the person who gave it to her, and brought her husband round later on to introduce him. Last we heard they were getting together with the family who gave them the pack, and considering visiting church also this Sunday.

One lady has been praying for her muslim neighbours for over a year, and trying to share the gospel. They have always refused to take any materials. The other day they were offered hope packs, and gladly received them. The father said he would read through all of the material before passing to his children (which means he will read the gospel several times!).

The same lady gave hope packs to her other neighbours, who were overwhelmed and so thankful

One famliy in our church has been given an opening to hand out hope packs in the local school, in one of the worst hit areas. Each child will be getting a hope pack (and the gospel). Over 80% of the children in this school have lost their homes.

We delivered hope packs to 2 streets in Christchurch last week. 90% of residents were very thankful, and gratefully recieved the packs (and the gospel!). 2 days later, a big aftershock was felt most strongly in that area - we are praying some would have turned to God through the materials given

A family in our church owns a cake shop. For weeks they have had tracts and hope packs available on a table inside the store. They have had dozens of conversations with people about the Lord, and many hope packs have been gratefully received.

These are just some of the stories, as we want you to know that your support and prayer is making a difference. We are about to get several thousand tracts professionally printed and these will be handed out and made available over the coming weeks and months.

PRAYER POINTS

- PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE READ/OBTAINED THE GOSPEL VIA THE HOPE PACKS AND TRACTS - PRAY THAT GOD WOULD SOFTEN THEIR HEARTS TO SALVATION
- PLEASE PRAY FOR WISDOM IN MAKING THE MOST OF THIS OPPORTUNITY WHILE IT LASTS
- PLEASE PRAY FOR CONTINUED PROVISION FOR AS MANY HOPE PACKS AS THE LORD WANTS US TO PUT TOGETHER/GIVE AWAY

Thanks again to all of you,
In His love,
Kris

Sept./Oct. Newzletter 2010

2010-10-15T14:30:00.001+13:00

Kia Ora Family & Friends,

At 4:30am on the 4^th of September a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand while most slept in their beds. Many of you heard the news and began contacting us to see if we were ok. Christchurch is 304 km (189 mi) away from Wellington, located on the south island. We were fine but the true miracle was everyone else in Christchurch was too. An earthquake the size of the devastating Haiti quake struck the third largest city in NZ with no fatalities to report. Amazing. NZ is earthquake prone with the entire country resting on a giant fault line but it is also a first world country with a much smaller population in comparison to Haiti. People here were pretty rattled, experiencing over 700 aftershocks within a month. Churches began to mobilize and some amazing stories began to come out. Many homes were damaged and people were forced to evacuate to emergency shelters. At one of these shelters Calvary Chapel Christchurch hosted a worship service and gave testimonies of hope but were told by city council not to preach the gospel. Funny, I’m not sure how you do that without sharing the gospel. It was a great success with many blessed. Churches are now following up through the relationships within their own communities handing out Bibles and offering help to their neighbors to rebuild.

God certainly spared NZ , giving the nation a real wake up call. We never know when the earthquakes of life will happen to us. Earthquake forecasting has yet to be mastered but God knows. Like the railroad tracks in this photo, life can be straight ahead of you and then the world begins to shift underneath your train. That is a little how we have felt this past month. September hasn’t been a straight track for the Heitman train but God has been so faithful.

Last month we asked for prayer for Mel who had just came down with swine flu. Well her flu ended with a bad reaction to some antibiotics she was prescribed and a midnight run to the hospital. That was one of three visits to the hospital that month, Noah had stomach issues, and later Corban for his ears. Hope, not to be left out, had her baby immunization shots and was sick. With the entire family sick Dave took a couple of weeks off to be at home, miraculously staying healthy bar a 24 stomach bug. God is faithful, we survived, and are all healthy at report time.

Earthquakes happen, sickness happens, and it all seemed to happen to us at once. Mel faced feelings of anxiety following her sickness, which the Lord is bringing her and all of us through. Interestingly, this seemed to hit the night we began praying for our next season of ministry. You see our two year time frame ends this year at The Street where we are currently serving. We’re so blessed by the amazing relationships here but we also sense God may be moving us on from Wellington. The Street has invited Dave to stay on as a pastor past this time, which we plan to do, while we seek the Lord together for either longer term ministry in NZ or beyond?? We honestly don’t know. As a young family we desire to be somewhere for a while, raise our kids and be unified in our call to serve the Lord together. Please lift us up in prayer as we seek God’s wisdom and perfect plan going forward (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

It is times like these that we rely totally on the Lord Jesus. He is all we have and all we need. So we trust in the great I Am. For now there is plenty to do, people to serve, and the gospel to share. God made a way for us to be in NZ when there was no way and He’ll continue to give us HOPE. God is doing an amazing deepening work in our marriage and stretching our faith beyond anything we have experienced. Hard, the spiritual battle is on, but we rest in the finished work of the cross. Victory in Jesus Christ, VICTORY! Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We need them and we pray for you too!

Love - The Heitman Whanau

August Newzletter 2010

2010-08-23T16:48:00.002+12:00

Kia Ora Friends and Family,

God is always moving, always at work weaving the events of life together for his glory. Every once and a while (often when you need it the most) God will share a little insight into what he sees. Last week a student completing his degree in finance met up with me because he wanted to be baptised. I love what God is currently doing at The Street, people are meeting Jesus each week and getting baptised each month. As I usually do, I asked Scott to share his story of how he got to the point of baptism. To sum up what Alister Begg once said, “God will withhold enough to keep us humble and reveal enough to keep us going.” No joke this is what Scott shared: He asked if I had heard of Greg Laurie and something called Harvest because that’s where he met Jesus in 2007. He then said he spent a semester studying in San Diego, CA and went to a church called The Rock with Pastor Miles and really got stoked on being a Christian. When he came home to Wellington and started uni again he couldn’t find a church but met a guy named Steve from Student Life (Campus Crusade) who invited him to The Street where he heard the book of Acts being taught and knew he needed to commit to living for Jesus and be baptised. If you know our story, then you know the parallels, we came with Harvest on our first trip to NZ were God called us, having been a pastor in San Diego and known Miles and The Rock made me smile, and Steve is one of the guys I’ve been mentoring since I’ve got here. So here’s Scott, baptised, serving God, finishing his degree and feels called to help those in third world countries through micro finance. God’s good, all the time, even when we see or not.

Keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus, Love - The Heitman whanau

USA Newzletter 2010

2010-08-23T16:44:00.002+12:00

Kia Ora Family & Friends,

We are all tanned up and back from our whirlwind summer tour of the USA. So many fun memories, blessed times and nonstop go, go, go. The last two months included quality family time, birthdays, anniversaries, catching up with good friends, Dave teaching at Reality Stockton (stoked) and attending the CC Pastor’s conference (blessing), a quick side trip to Indiana to officiate our friends’ wedding from NZ (random fun), our beloved San Diego, surf, beach and every amusement park in So Cal including Disneyland “the craziest place on earth.” Our time was also bittersweet with the tragic death of Melissa’s cousin Nathan. It was precious time of sharing sadness and hope with those of us left behind who loved him. We are glad to slow down and get back to our lives & the ministry here – America was turbo!

Home is becoming more of a foreign concept whilst looking forward to heaven. Jesus said he goes to prepare a place for us, that, “Where I am there you might be also” (John 14:1-3). Simply put we hate goodbyes. In heaven there won’t be anymore goodbyes, no more sea to fly across, and no more, “see you next time.” There won’t be time. For everyone who loves Jesus Christ and looks forward to his glorious appearing will be present in God’s presence. So to remind ourselves why we’re here, separated for a time, we share God’s love with Kiwis, that if possible, heaven might be an even more full place. With that said we love watching God move down under and look forward to another season of blessing (Ephesians 3:20).

Many thanks to all those who blessed us while we were in the USA. We were overwhelmed by all your love & support. Thank you for praying. God is moving !

Keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus, love - The Heitman whanau

Coming to America

2010-05-15T07:34:00.000+12:00

Kia Ora Family and Friends,

"I know that You (God) can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear but now my eye sees You" (Job 42:2;5).

It is amazing to see God making Himself known here in New Zealand and around the world. God actually wants us to know Him, to really see Him for who He is, not for what we think He is or for what we want Him to be but for who He actually is. Why I hope God never brags about me like dear Job I do pray I might see the awesomeness of God more and more. Check out the post below for the latest.

After a year and half we’re back for our first ‘visit’ to the States next week. Home is becoming more of a foreign concept but we are so looking forward to spending time with family and friends, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, sunshine, eating Mexican food, and catching up with many of you.

Before the 14 hour flight with three small children Dave is off for a Calvary pastor’s conference for a couple of days on the South Island. He has also been giving the opportunity to share at Reality Stockton and few Calvary’s in addition to sneaking into the CC Senior Pastor’s conference in June. Other than these few days our plan is simply to rest and enjoy.

We thank God for all that He has shown us and pray for the next season of ministry in NZ. Please pray for safe and sane travel, peace and patience, and God’s leading for the future.

Thank you for all your prayer and support.

Love, blessings & look forward to seeing you soon!

Dave & Mel