The journey from Bethlehem to church is such a gift from God. Riding along the waterfront, with Mt Maunganui in view and the energy from runners, walkers, bikers, birds, and the morning traffic all around, made for a refreshing start to the day. Truly, this is God’s creation on display.

In New Zealand, Labour Day is a time to recognize the contributions of workers and the importance of fair labour practices reflecting principles found in the Bible. It’s a great reminder of our call to support one another in our work and communities.

Since arriving in Tauranga, I have had the privilege of meeting with a dedicated group of church and community leaders every Thursday morning to pray for the welfare of our city. This group, which has gathered for over 20 years, is committed to interceding for the wellbeing of our community and seeking wisdom for our city leaders. Their faithfulness and resilience inspire me, and I give thanks to God for their unwavering dedication.

School holidays are such a great opportunity for catching up and spending quality time with loved ones.

This week, the Paralympics opened with a message of inclusion and positivity. Around 4,400 athletes are taking part in the events, including 25 Kiwis. The Paralympics is about human resilience and the determination of athletes who overcome various challenges to compete at such a high level. This caused me to reflect on how we make the most of our abilities and blessings, and the importance of using them wisely.

Coming up on Sunday 15 September is our Annual General Meeting. Reports are being prepared by various people and groups to reflect our activities from last year. These reports reveal the provision of God and His goodness to us and are testimonies to show His mercies are new every morning and His steadfast love never fails. 

The Olympics are over, and the New Zealand team came home with a record 20 medals, what an amazing effort! I wonder what the standout for you was. For me, it was the joy on the faces of the competitors whether they gained a medal or not that was so apparent. They were just so thrilled to be there and compete. 

Watching the highs and low of champion athletes in the Olympic games is a learning moment for me. I watch the reactions of the athletes and their supporters, I listen to the commentators analysis and of course observe my own feelings and emotion.