Like the rushing waters released from the Waitaki Dam, the Christmas season swiftly came and went, peaking on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Suddenly, the calm anticipation of the New Year brings relaxation, allowing enjoyment of both sun and rain, and, as time would allow, perhaps a slow BBQ. 🙂
I’m happy to share a festive collection of photos and stories from our Christmas season! Join in the joy and relive these special moments that will surely warm your heart!
You are invited to organise THE ORDER OF THINGS posted on our hallway wall, preferably, way before Christmas 2026. 🙂 Thank you!
Preaching at the Cornerstone Bible Community Church, Glenavy
The Cornerstone Bible Community Church in Glenavy invited me to be their guest speaker on their 3rd Founding Anniversary and Thanksgiving celebration on 20th December at the Glenavy Community Hall.
Mission Possible: Thanking God for Answered Prayers
On December 30th at 6:30 PM, we held a three-in-one (Christmas, New Year, and Thanksgiving) service at Vicky and Andres’s home on Haymans Road, Waimate. This gathering also served as a farewell for Abe and Jeanilyn, who were heading to Balcultha for work.
The gathering was an expression of our heartfelt gratitude to God for all the favourable developments concerning Abe and Jeanilyn’s work visa status. A thankful time for Vicky and Andres, who graciously provided them with temporary shelter while they waited.
Finally, we express our gratitude and hallelujah for all the answers God has provided to our prayers. To God be the glory!
UPDATES: Abe and Jeanilyn finally moved to Balclutha on 6th January. So far, everything is going well for both of them. Jeanilyn successfully transferred her home support work in Balclutha and has been working with clients for a few days. Abe has resumed dairy farm work and is undergoing training on new farm tasks. They have explored a few churches in Balclutha and Gore. They plan to attend Gore Baptist Church, which is 50 minutes away from their work farm.
A strong Year-Ender: Celebrating Marie
The year 2025 ended with the church celebrating the life of our beloved, Marie Van Zyl, on 31 December.
We will forever remember Marie for her conversion story, her commitment to deepening her knowledge of her Saviour, Jesus Christ, and her testimony of repentance and discipleship through baptism.
She has demonstrated that one is never too old to follow and learn about Jesus.
Her enthusiasm for sharing the Gospel has inspired and encouraged us all. She pioneered bringing Jeanette and Jill from Sandringham House to the Sunday service.
Like the ardent and loyal disciple that she was, she fought a good fight and finished her earthly race on 27th March. She belongs to the ages.
Encouragement for the year ahead
As we face the year ahead, we continue the work God has commissioned us to do, bearing in our hearts and minds the works of grace and wonder He has done in the past years.
Like Elisha’s discovery when he took the mantle from Elijah in 2 Kings 2:13-14, let us take on the mantle of mission and work diligently while we have the chance.
13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
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