Craig Rayner

Greetings from Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand. I am still in the land of the Long White Cloud (Aotearoa.) The time since I last sat down to write a letter to you has disappeared so quickly. The average day here does not seem that hectic when you write it down on a piece of paper. Our day usually starts at 6:30, with a self service breakfast from 7:00 – 7:30. From 7:30 to 8:30 is a block of time to reflect with the MD, sharpen up on the sword, etc. 8:30 to 9:30 is spent differently each day. Monday is a time of giving it up for the MD, Tuesday is a time of bringing needs to the MD within the student group. Wednesday is a bit of a mixed bag; Thursday is a session called the 66 books and Friday is the entire base seeking the MD for the world. 9:30 – 12:30 is lecture time. 12:30 - 2:00 is lunch and cleanup. 2:30 - 5:30 is a time for work, keeping the site cleaned, and general maintenance. 5:30 – 7:30 is dinner and free time, with 7:30 – 9:30 a different meeting each night. The only fixed night is a base community dinner and meeting on Wednesday night.

In the second week we were greeted onto the base in traditional Maori fashion, with a Powhiri. This is a challenge from the host tribe to test out the visitors intensions. For those of you who have seen a Maori haka, thinking along those lines will be a great help. I did not get too many photos of this even as being a recipient of the ceremony stopped me from being able to take photos. It is considered bad form by the locals.

Lectures have been very good, with teaching on a number of different aspects by Matt Dawson, Bernie Ogilvy, Mandy Hudson, Ross Tooley and as I write this letter, Michael Simkin. We also have special guest at the morning or evening meeting. One of the most memorable has been Suzi Childers, the founder of a group called ‘A Voice for the Voiceless.’ http://www.photogenx.net/publish_voice.htm She is a photographer who is using her talent to give a voice for the women of the world who have no voice. She has developed a number of resources which are available from the website linked above.

One Tuesday morning was spent bringing the people and land of New Zealand before the MD. Being YWAM, this type of activity is done with flair and panache. It involved identifying the needs on the MD heart, and on a chalked map of New Zealand we wrote the concerns raised, including references when received. Once all were written we all stood well back and using water filled balloons cleaned up the issues. Photos on the web site in the “On the Base” section.

Mangere is a little out of the way when it comes to Auckland, and the only days we have free are Saturday and Sunday, when the poor public transport system reverts to practically nothing. I have made the trip into Auckland city a couple of times, organising a lunch at the top of Sky City, and enjoying an afternoon ride on the ferry to Devonport, on the northern side of Waitemata (eastern) Harbour. A have a few more pictures on the “Around Auckland” section of the photos. We have also been travelling out a night a little and I have had the opportunity to captures some night skylines as well.

The DTS has been a good time for me, humbling as we seek to present ourselves before the MD, and cleansing as we claim his forgiveness. I now have a sense of purpose for being here besides having to do a DTS as an entry requirement for YWAM: simply to be in the presence of the MD, enjoying his blessing and grace.

You may have noticed that since leaving Hong Kong, the topic of weather has been a rare thing in my newsletters. It may make a reappearance in the newsletters here in Auckland, as they have a specially, four seasons in one day, or spring one day, winter the next. Well, the temperature has been a steady 12-14C each day, and barring the occasional 3.5 minute rainstorms nice and sunny. In fact, it can be nice and sunny during the 3.5 minute rainstorm. Oh well.

I hope the MD is keeping you protected and focused on the main game. All the best. Craig.