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THE Issue. 166 | March 2020
ENCOURAGER
The magazine of Elevate Christian Disability Trust
Festival One
A fantastic raised platform for
wheelchair folk to view from
See page 15
CHRISTIAN
FELLOWSHIP
FOR DISABLED
In the middle of diffi
A devotional from
Raymond Mok
We say that God is love and He loves us. It seems easier to
say when things are going well, but it can be harder when
times are tough. In some of the darkest times in my life, the
devil tempted me to doubt God’s love. I felt as if I was not
loved but cursed. Have you ever felt that way?
Luke 3:21-4:13 has an answer to that. It shows goodness, dignity and worth in every human being by
Jesus’ baptism and being tested in the wilderness. creating them in His own image. Every human being is
Knowing His own identity, Jesus overcame the devil’s fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:13-
temptations. He knew who He is to God the Father. 14). Every human being is loved by God.
Jesus has an intimate relationship with the Father.
On the other hand, we all have sinned, and the
Jesus knew that He is His Father’s Beloved Son.
image we bear has been tainted. However, Jesus
The devil tried to undermine Jesus’ identity by saying has redeemed us through His blood. God chose us
to Him, “If you are the Son of God…” But Jesus was before the foundation of the world, adopted us as
secure in His identity as the divine Son of God. He His beloved children through Jesus Christ, and blessed
knew He had no need to prove himself. He resisted us in Christ. By His grace, God did all these for us.
the temptations, as He completely relied on His Father (Ephesians 1:3-14)
and obeyed His Father’s word.
How do we bear God’s image, and be God’s children?
Jesus was victorious against the devil because He was How do we hold firmly to our identity in God? What
certain that He is God’s Beloved Son. Jesus withstood can we do in a world that is losing sight of the fact
phenomenal amount of praise and adoration and that every human being bears God’s image?
rejection and abuse throughout his ministry, because
We need a God-centred identity. We need to let God
He knew that nothing can change the fact that He is
tell us who we are through the Holy Spirit, His word
God’s Beloved Son. As human, Jesus needed to hold
and fellowship. We need to spend time with God to
firmly to His identity in God. So do we. We need to
hear Him say “You are my beloved child.” Let us also
remember that we are God’s beloved children.
share the love by affirming the inherent dignity and
How do we see ourselves? But more importantly, how worth of all human beings.
does God see us? Who are we to God?
“If you know you’re God’s beloved, you can deal with
When God had made human beings in His own image, an enormous amount of success and an enormous
He declared all He had made to be very good and amount of failure.” – Henri Nouwen
He blessed them (Genesis 1:27-28). God imparted
2020
CAMPS
Please take note and put in your diaries
Auckland CFFD 3-5 April Carey Park, Henderson, Akd
Christchurch CFFD Day Camp 4 April Reformed Church, Cornwall St, Chch
Emmanuel Family Camp 24-27 April Totara Springs, Matamata
Joy Ministries National Camp 15-17 May Totara Springs, Matamata
Elevate National Camp 23-25 Oct Totara Springs, Matamata
2
iculty lies opportunity
Disability Awareness Sunday - June 21st
This Disability Awareness Sunday we are focusing on being
made in God’s image. All of us bear His image. Each of us has
value and worth because we are made in His likeness.
Resources and advertising material will be available on our
website in May.
WE HAVE A NEED
The Trust meets four times a year and we need a
minutes secretary. The meetings are in Auckland
on a Saturday 9:30–3:30. If you are able to take
minutes, transcribe and send them out on email,
do contact the Centre 09 636 4763
Elevate Ditty
Composed by Jean Griffiths and others
CONGRATULATIONS to
Pauline Stansfield on being awarded a QSM
in the New Year’s Honours
EL E VATE
YES! That’s the place for us
We’re together with God on high PRAY FOR Billy Graham’s son Franklyn
EL E VATE who will be leading a crusade in Christchurch,
Wellington and Auckland in February 2021. We
We have hilarity need a revival!
Food, fun, fellowship
Drawn here like a magnet
EL E VATE
We are accepted here
Despite our differences
If you come here
We’ll embrace you
EL E VATE
Camps are highlights too
They’re special to us all
Your faith will grow
And you will glow
EL E VATE
(last verse)
We could go on and on
Cartoon by
But we have to end this song Cathy Wilcox of the
And we want you to remember Sydney Morning
Herald.
EL E VATE
3
Choice not chance
know they have a purpose and they have something
to offer, no matter their abilities or inabilities. I shared
this with the group.
During the worship and church session, Pastor Suz
shared her personal story. She shared moments of
joy and moments of sadness, anger, rage etc. when
dealing with the prolonged illness of her husband,
managing her kids, her faith journey and then dealing
with the eventual passing of her husband and the
grief that followed. I thought she was very brave to
share her story, and I appreciated how real and honest
it was, not just saying “all was well”, but actually
talking about the hard stuff that came. In her story,
she shared that she knew God could heal her husband
at any moment, but she had come to say she wouldn’t
have grown through the grief and pain as much as
MY PURPOSE she did if she hadn’t gone through it. I always think
on this Bible verse when hard times come in my life:
IN LIFE IS TO ‘Be truly glad. There is wonderful JOY ahead, even
though you must endure many trials for a little while.
ENCOURAGE
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is
being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though
your faith is far more precious than mere gold.
AND SPEAK When I spoke in one of the workshops, I shared some
of my purpose, and how God has been moving in my
LIFE TO PEOPLE life. I shared how my purpose is to encourage and
to SPEAK LIFE to people. I shared how everyone is a
part of the Body of Christ, and no matter our ability
Kim Clark writes: or inability, we are all called. I talked about how God
Iheaded down to Totara Springs in Matamata called Moses to lead his people, and that Moses was
for the 2019 Elevate National Camp. It was my very ill-qualified, but nevertheless God empowered
first time at this particular camp, and it will be a camp him to fulfil his purpose. When God gave me His
I won’t forget. When we arrived we had an evening calling for my life, I didn’t want to do it straight away.
session of music worship, and we were introduced He called me to speak and I said, “Nah, I’ll do my own
to the main speakers; the main speakers being long- thing.” This past year He’s been saying, “speak”, and
time-camp-attendee Pastor Geoff and the awesome He’s given me small opportunities to speak, and when
Pastor Suz. Being honest, when I went down to camp I I finally said “yes” with those small opportunities He’s
didn’t expect much spiritually. I was thinking “OK, just kept giving me more. This is really exciting for me
another camp, that will be what it will be”. Of course, because it’s like all those fears and thoughts of not
it’s often when we don’t expect it, that God shows being good enough or not being the right person to
up… and He did! speak have gone. If I’m doing what God wants me
to do, why should I fear? . For me, all the messages
The theme of camp was “Ignite”. One of the spoken at camp were so relevant. It was like God
discussion questions that was asked was “What do was reminding me how far I’d come. I’ve gone from
we think igniting is or what do we like to see being feeling inadequate and worthless and feeling like I
ignited?” For me, I love seeing people ignited in their had nothing to offer at the beginning of the year, to
God-given calling. I love people living out that calling, now feeling that with having God on my side I can do
and encouraging them in that. I love it when people anything.
4
determines destiny
A Sunday of
Service
Each year at Mount Wellington Community We had a good number of people come along and
Church we do a ‘Sunday of Service’ where we help with tasks ranging in size and scale from weeding
go out into our local community and serve a to tree-cutting. Everyone was able to be involved,
school or another community organisation by including children from the church. The school was
doing practical work like gardening, cleaning, thrilled with the difference we made in a morning’s
or removing rubbish from the property. We work.
do this as a church community, in place of
We see this kind of ministry as a great way to share
one of our morning services.
God’s love with our community, and to worship God
In November 2019 we headed out to Mount Richmond by using our strengths and abilities for the good of
Special School in Otahuhu to help tidy up their others.
grounds. This school is a little further away than we
Has your church ever thought of that?
would normally travel, but we wanted to thank them
for kindly giving us use of one of their wheelchair
hoist vans to allow Annette Hocking to join us for our
church camp earlier in the year, last year.
Everyone got involved,
Mike Potter got out of his chair so he even the kids.
could join in with the gardening.
5
Never get so busy making a livi
It seemed doubtful he would ever now realise
the passion he had to start a camp for those in
wheelchairs, but within a few years he had started
running a camp of his own.
In the subsequent 34 years that initial wheelchair camp
has grown amazingly, so much so that today over 1000
physically challenged kids and adults from the USA and
Africa attend the annual camp. But not only that– he
now has camps for groups such as:
“Honouring our heroes” camps for those who have
served in the military
Retreat camps for horse enthusiasts
NOTHING Family camps to bring together all disabilities
COULD STOP Overnight adventure camps
Wheelchair sports camps
THIS MAN Autism family camps
REALISING Grandparents and grandchildren camps
Married couples retreats
HIS PASSION Di and Jacqui met Bob at Joni’s International Congress
I n 1986 Bob Bardwell suffered a devastating
accident when he was struck in the back by a
large bucket while working on a large caterpillar
in 1990 and stayed at his ranch. He also came to
New Zealand two years later and “The Encourager”
then published an article with the heading which
machine. His back was broken, and he fell to the so sums up his life attitude, “Pain is inevitable, but
ground unconscious, paralysed from the waist down. misery is optional”.
The Lord’s goodness GOD’S
in the Philippines PERFECT PLAN
Can You...
Thanks be to God for His great things, but Tess
love and goodness to us and we can see BELIEVE Jesus Christ died for you on
for continually providing for all God’s hand. the cross and rose again? (1Cor.15:3&4)
Mary
our needs. One of God’s timeless The Lord saved Rose
her life. Today, 3 ADMIT you are a sinner? (Rom.3:23)
promises is in Hebrews 13:5: ”…God
weeks later, she is
has said, “Never will I leave you; AGREE to turn from sin to God?
never will I forsake you.” We all as able to go home.
(Acts 20:21)
Christians, can relate to this verse. Thank God for making a way for
We really thank God for the Mary Rose (little person). She was ACKNOWLEDGE God’s free gift
answered prayer for our teacher struggling to access her classroom of Salvation? (Eph.2:8&9)
Tess here in Hebron. Tess is deaf and on the 2nd floor at school. She has
If you can, then say this simple prayer
teaches in our deaf school. now found a place where she can
aloud: “Lord Jesus, I receive You
attend on the ground floor Praise
On Feb 3rd, she suffered a stroke. as my Lord and personal Saviour.
God for that! Amen”
We may not always understand all
6
https://online.fliphtml5.com/ylfur/dtmd/
ing that you forget to make a life https://online.fliphtml5.com/ylfur/dtmd
NOW NOTICE First Annual Chris Norton Foundation camp participants
THE RIPPLE EFECT
See how the disability ministries continue to develop
I n 2014 Chris Norton came
to one of these camps. Chris
had suffered a spinal cord
wanted to just do it. After one call to Bob Bardwell,
his enthusiasm for the idea convinced him to make
this new camp a reality. He wanted it to mimic what
injury in 2010 while playing Bob had been doing so successfully for years but with
football and was given a 3% an emphasis on the whole family and to make it free
chance of ever regaining for families through his foundation.
movement below his neck,
but he has since continued He was able to find 25 wheelchair users and their
to defy the odds. He was blown away by all the “I families who were so excited to come to camp, and
can do” there. He participated in many fun games 75 participated in the first annual camp. He included
and activities, learned from others about how they all sorts of activities such as the tractor pull, softball,
live active lives despite their disabilities, and he tried laser tag, archery, horseback riding and zip-lining.
things he had thought he would never be able to do, It was amazing to see the joy from not only the
like zip-lining and kayaking. He was so fired up that it individuals in a chair, but from parents and siblings
enabled him to take on life with a new vigour. too. Friendship and bonds were formed at camp
that have continued well after it ended. People
Seeing what it did for him and for everyone else found it difficult to say goodbye to each other at the
at camp, he knew that more people needed to end of camp, but everyone is excited there will be
experience this new freedom. It planted a seed in his another one this year! It was evident that everyone’s
heart to sponsor his own week of camp, and for the perspective shifted, focusing less on their disabilities,
next several years the idea would not escape him. but instead seeing their capabilities.
Finally, he got to thinking and talking about it, and
7
Love comforts like
That is what is happening to Asgedech, a loving
and selfless grandmother in Ethiopia, who
cannot afford to protect her own eyesight.
Before Trachoma, Asgedech’s life was already
very hard. Her husband died long ago. She only
has a tiny income from selling vegetables, no
adult children to help her… and now a truly
dangerous infection has entered her home.
Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious
blindness and some of the highest Trachoma
rates in the world are in Ethiopia.
Asgedech and her five grandchildren, aged six to
twelve, all have Trachoma. It is highly infectious.
Entire villages have it, especially where families
live closely together. With no power, no running
water and no hygiene facilities in Asgedech’s
home, her precious grandchildren are not able to
keep their faces clean.
The children just have to look at their beloved
A GRANDMOTHER, Grandi to see what could happen to their own
eyes. With every blink, their sharp lashes will
GOING BLIND, scrape across their defenceless eyes.
Please do not let Trachoma destroy these
CARING FOR HER children’s eyes. By sending your donation to help
reach remote families with the antibiotics and
GRANDCHILDREN eye ointment that will save their sight, the value
of your gift will be multiplied x8, thanks to Pfizer
IN ETHIOPIA
who has agreed to provide its own Zithromax
antibiotics and Tetracycline eye ointment, free of
charge.
Asgedech is being blinded in the most Your gifts are vital in helping to make sure those
painful way, while trying to raise five pills and ointment can reach the people who
grandchildren...who are all suffering need them, even the most remote villagers like
from the same condition, Trachoma. Asgedech and her grandchildren. Your generosity
will help save children from years of agony.
As many grandparents in New Zealand know,
Have you ever scratched your eye? An eyelash
raising grandchildren on your own is very hard,
can do that. It is hard and sharp. Every time
but what a testimony of love it is.
Asgedech blinks, her eyelashes cut tiny tracks
Now imagine trying to raise your grandchildren across her delicate cornea. It hurts … how
when you have Trachoma. Every time you blink it hurts! Each of these cuts forms a tiny scar.
it hurts… really badly… like a knife on your Invisible on their own, they grow to form a misty
eyeball… as you are slowly and painfully blinded curtain, blocking the light into Asgedech’s eyes.
by your own ingrown eyelashes!
8
e sunshine after rain
Asgedech’s grandchildren’s eyes are not yet
affected, but they must keep receiving
their annual antibiotics. Without your
generosity, field workers have no
funding to get to the towns and villages
where Trachoma infections are rife.
“My vision has decreased a lot during
the past months,” she told our field
worker Gizachew, sounding quite
desperate.
“I can´t see as before. Especially at night.
I fear blindness. I wouldn’t be able to take
care of my grandchildren anymore!” she
cries, in fear of losing her sight completely
and her beloved grandchildren.
Trachoma is so frightening and so painful for
Asgedech, she has started having her eyelashes
pulled out, using a grotesque pair of tweezers
called a werento. It is agony to do this, and it
only solves things for a few weeks, because her
lashes grow back and start slashing at her eyes
again.
No wonder Asgedech is so worried. “The children
have already started to get the same disease
I have. They could experience the same pain I
have. It would be terrible if they lost their sight.”
The children too are worried now. Her first
granddaughter, Kidist, says “If Grandi goes blind,
nobody would take care of us. I don’t know what
to do. We love her so much and we want to stay
with her.”
Asgedech can no longer see well enough to
work in the garden or take their produce to the
This article was taken from the CBM (Christian
market. All they have to eat is what has already Blind Mission) newsletter, and they are the ones
been harvested. Trachoma has brought pain, to send a donation to rather than to Elevate if
blindness and is now making their deep poverty you feel to help meet this great need.
even worse.
Send to:
This little family is desperate, but you can do so cbm New Zealand
much to help. Asgedech’s sight loss cannot be PO Box 303477,
reversed, but you can stop it getting any worse… North Harbour,
and you can protect the eyesight and the future Auckland 0751
of young ones like her grandchildren.
9
I never lose, I eith
Connect-ability
It is with great joy and excitement that Another strong theme came from Meredith and was
Pete and Carla Townsend write this report supported by many others, “Connect-ability gives us
people with disabilities, the opportunity to get up on
about their awesome and amazing
stage and express ourselves in front of the Church, to
Connect-ability group. be involved in Church, e.g., our Disability Awareness
Service.”
What is Connect-ability? There is a real desire within the group to serve in the
Connect-ability is a connect group for people with wider church family. Many of our group are involved
disabilities – people from [Tauranga] Central Baptist in taking the offering each week. RJ is learning how
and from outside the Church. We meet on the fourth to run the sound system during our Connect-ability
Sunday of each month in the church hall. We begin service, and RJ and Frances are actively involved in our
with a shared lunch, and often we will have an main service with running the data.
activity, sometimes making something, or otherwise
we just sit and connect with one another. Pastor Brian has been quoted as saying, “Pete thinks
he is in charge, but it is actually Katie!” This leads
After lunch, we head into the church and have our me to my last point, brilliantly quoted by Meredith,
own church service. We begin with some praise and “Connect-ability gives us the confidence to share our
worship and an eye opening prayer. We then lead testimonies – the ability to be confident.”
into a message, reading from scripture and group
discussion. We pray for one another, have more praise
and worship, and finish with a discussion of future
Highlights:
plans. 1. Being involved in the main Church service on
Disability Awareness Sunday in June. Alyssa and
My initial goals for Connect-ability were to facilitate Meredith opening the service in prayer, and John
connection within the group, and to teach everyone (with Brian’s support) reading the Benediction
more about God, but what I have come to realise is at the end of the service. The whole group were
that Connect-ability is less about the group learning so excited to be involved, and after the service I
about God and more about the group showing us saw the group engaged in many conversations as
God’s love! I don’t run Connect-ability; I just show up people came and spoke to them – it was amazing!
and watch what happens!
2. Recently we had a number of our group
At our last get together I asked the group what participate in a sports competition between 16
Connect-ability is all about – what they would like churches from around Tauranga. Our team played
their wider church family to know. Everyone was Netball, we played four games and we were
in agreement – FOOD is very important! Alyssa placed no worse than second in each of these
commented that she “loves to eat her chocolate games! RJ was our shooter and boy did he do us
eclairs.” Katie said, “our purpose is to worship God proud, getting a lot of goals. The team did so well
and Jesus and enjoy being with people”. This was playing against some very competitive teams, but
supported by Shirley who said, Connect-ability makes as always God’s love was the winner on the day.
her “happy and everyone is so friendly”. Evelyn Our team won the Sportsmanship Award, and 16
said that “Connect-ability is like a family”. She loves other churches now know that we don’t just have
making friends in the group. This was also supported old people at Central Baptist.
by Charlie who is happy because he is getting to know
people.
10her win or learn
“ Hopefully churches
can be encouraged to
“
follow their example
If reading this report has ignited something inside
you and you feel like you are missing out, you are
welcome to join us – we have just two criteria:
1. Bring good food!
2. Be willing to connect
We have a lot of fun, and we would love to share
what we are doing with more people in the
community over the next twelve months. We now
have a very good foundation for a community
ministry, so please pray for Connect-ability, and
specifically that we have more opportunities to
connect with others outside Central Baptist!
Hush – God is at work!
For reading and meditation – Psalm 139:1-24
“If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.” (v8)
...the Spirit of the living God is everywhere. This was woman. ‘When our baby was born we experienced
brought home to me once while on a flight. Two a deep sadness to begin with, and both struggled,
women in the row immediately behind me were becoming somewhat depressed. After a while though,
talking, and I couldn’t help overhearing what they things changed, and the love that we received from
were talking about. As the conversation continued it our baby to us was also the means of bringing us to
became more and more interesting. Christ.’
One asked the other if she had any children. At this I began to understand God in a new way as I listened
point a photograph was produced, and the mother in to that conversation. It’s always exciting when He
replied, ‘Here are my children; this one here has surprises us in our reading and study of the Scriptures.
life-limiting disabilities.’ ‘That’s amazing.’ remarked Sometimes, however, we can only bow with a
the other woman. ‘One of my children has severe thankful, worshipful heart when we see Him reaching
disabilities too.’ As you can imagine, at this point out to us in unexpected ways, in times of desperate
these women discovered an instant connection. Then need.
I heard one of the women say to the other: ‘I was very Father, sensitise me to the fact that Your Spirit is
self-centred and lived only thinking of myself and my present to bring glory to Your name in and through
enjoyment, until my child arrived. But she brought everything. I do not always know why things happen,
such love into the life of my husband and me that but I do know that You work through all things for
through it we glimpsed the love of God. We both good, and I am thankful. Amen.
became Christians because of her.’ ‘A similar thing
Taken from ‘Every Day with Jesus’, Nov 2019 (Torch UK)
happened to my husband and me,’ said the other
11DISABILITY
AWARENESS
Anyone can find the dirt in some
SUNDAY Proverb
resentment of my disability. Even so, after a year of College,
in 1977 I was invited by CWM to take up a job on the staff
of a Christian training centre and kindergarten in Kerala,
South India. With guilt and shame weighing heavily on my
conscience, I went with a heavy feeling of loneliness and
insecurity.
When He found me
There I was in India, as a 25 year old. I was challenged to the
core by daily life in the village I lived in, surrounded by such
a different culture and a different language - Malayalam.
I was appointed by the Church of South India to be the
Thirty six years as a
Supervisor of the Christian Child Care programme for the
state of Kerala, teaching English, craft, and the Principles
of Pre-School Programmes, in the Creche Nurses’ Training
nun and loving Jesus Centre (with translation to begin with). No other foreigners
were involved in this work in that language area. I worked
closely with my Indian colleague, a highly educated young
Sister Diadema Morrison from the lady my own age, who was the Principal of the Creche
Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary writes: Nurses Training Centre. What a thrilling experience for a
young New Zealander! Everything went well for a while. I
My Life - before God thrived in the challenge, loved the Indian people, the hot
I had a very good Christian family upbringing – mother, climate, the spicy food, the overcrowded buses and the
father, and one younger brother. My father was a sight of coconut palms, paddy fields and elephants. I loved
Presbyterian minister. Church and Sunday School were wearing a sari and learning the language, difficult as it
normal life, as far as I was concerned. Having a physical was. I loved the little local village church, accessible only by
disability from birth, dislocation of hip and knee, and polio walking up a hill on a stony pathway bordered by mango
muscle wastage, I was hospitalized a lot in early childhood. trees, banana palms, and luxuriant tropical undergrowth.
Inevitably, I suffered emotional damage; separation anxiety, Again, my physical disability was pushed into the
and a deep-rooted fear of the powerful control others had background and I was determined to be normal, no matter
over my life. the cost of pain, discomfort and very unsuitable footwear.
However, those countless orthopaedic operations in But spiritually I was poverty-stricken. It wasn’t long before
childhood resulted in satisfactory mobility – with discomfort I came to the end of my own resources. I felt defeated. So,
- but gave me the determination to live as normal a life as for the first time in my life I seriously searched for God. I
possible. I grew up trying to please people, because I had recognized my shallow faith; years of indifference, not much
not experienced the normal growth of healthy boundaries depth of understanding, the impression of God as kindly,
in my life. As a young person I believed in God, but felt no sympathetic, loving - but oh, so distant, and very much
personal relationship to Him, apart from a warm “fuzzy” removed from my thoughts and emotions in everyday life.
feeling now and then in Sunday School, church, and youth As my search became increasingly serious, I read my Bible
group. as never before, and a number of helpful Christian books
I could find in the nearest Christian book shop. My Indian
I trained as a Kindergarten teacher. Quite amazing to colleague felt sorry for me. She encouraged me not to
be accepted and actually manage to do such a physically give up until I found Jesus personally. One day she handed
strenuous job! Later, in 1974, I went to England on a me one of M. Basilea Schlink’s books about personal love
working holiday with two friends and worked as a Nanny, for Jesus. Soon I was reading in earnest and finding really
and then in a Nursery School. That was again hard physical helpful chapters! I loved what I was reading. A personal,
work, but lots of fun! I pushed through pain, for the joy loving, and amazingly relational God and Saviour was
and success of holding down normal jobs. During that time coming into focus for me. I wanted to respond to His love
I attended church as it was a routine in my life. One Sunday and forgiveness with all my heart - just as the author of
I heard a missionary speak about the need for Christian these books so obviously had! Her genuine joy and love for
Kindergarten teachers on the mission field. I liked the sound Jesus shone through every page! That was the beginning of
of her job description, so I applied to the “Council for World my journey towards knowing Jesus personally.
Mission” (CWM) in London and was accepted. Again, very
amazing that my physical disability was not seen to be a
My calling to the Convent
hindrance! At the invitation of CWM, I went to Selly Oak
Colleges in Birmingham, to do a missionary training course. I went home to New Zealand in 1981 after four years
Sadly, I chose to mix with the wrong crowd there, and in India and soon got a Kindergarten teaching job in
wasted the months in expressing my pent-up rebellion and Invercargill. Again, there was no question mark over
12one. Be the one to find the gold.
bs 11 v 7
my physical disability; I had just had four
years working solidly in India, after all! My
colleague invited me to attend her church on
my first Sunday, so I did. To my surprise, the
congregation were talking about two special
Guest Speakers that were there recently,
from the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary in
Australia, the Christian community of Sisters,
founded by M. Basilea Schlink, with branches
worldwide. I didn’t meet the Sisters, but
something “sparked” strongly and deeply in
my heart. That spark was fanned into flame
in the months that followed. I sensed God
speaking to me about a new direction for
my life. His will, not my will! His challenge –
would I take the risk, and trust and follow?
The following year, I came to Australia to
a retreat weekend held by the Sisters and
sensed the Lord calling me to spend a longer
time as a volunteer at their headquarters in Germany. until lunch time in our designated ministry areas. Mine is
There, in 1983, I was one of about fifteen young women administration, outreach and music. Sometimes there are
from many different nations, helping voluntarily in the speaking engagements in local areas, or groups of visitors
community’s daily life wherever we were needed - the coming here for a day visit. I may be appointed to go and
garden, housework, kitchen, laundry – wherever. Physically speak to a group along with another Sister. I may be asked
it was challenging, but again, I so longed to fully take part to help take care of a visiting group, as part of a team.
in this life where I experienced such joy, humour, dedication, In my office, I attend to correspondence and assist our
trust in God, unity, selflessness and love for Jesus. I knew Sister-in-Charge with general administration of our life
with all my heart that I wanted this life. together. Other Sisters work in the kitchen and housework,
garden and maintenance, accounts, laundry and sewing
God’s calling was confirmed over the next years – and this room. We are used to multi-tasking, especially if Sisters are
is now my 36th year! It has been an amazing journey away. There are many humorous situations when things
into relational love for Jesus, such as I could never have go wrong, resulting in the most peculiar outcomes! Living
imagined! It has been a deeply challenging pathway of transparently, with accountability, forgiveness, repentance,
following Jesus uncompromisingly, trusting God even in the reconciliation and then going forward together in unity is
times when I don’t understand Him, and learning from the a necessity – along with lots of love, and lots of laughter!
Holy Spirit how to “take up my cross” in daily life. Taking We have a short prayer and worship time together at
up my cross included learning how to embrace my physical 3p.m. each day – Sisters, guests, volunteers. I prepare the
disability and not ignore it or resent it, but to find real chapel or notify everyone if we will be outside in our Prayer
blessing in it. What a valuable lesson! (Are you wondering if Garden. This part of the day is a special treasure in our life
there can really be blessing in a disability? See “The Hidden together, and helps us to keep focussed on the Lord, even
Treasure in Suffering” - M. Basilea Schlink) on the busiest days. Our evening meal is a time for sharing
important news, and thank points, and ends with a short
So what is life in the Convent like? time of praying together. Our guests and volunteers eat
Physically, it was soon clear that my Sisterhood life would separately in the evenings, so that our Sister-family-life can
be best spent in Australia, where our buildings do not have remain intact. Some evenings we have a programme either
stairs. It was a heavy “cross” at first, not to be in the large, just as Sisters, or with our guests and volunteers, and friends
happy Sisterhood family of more than a hundred Sisters in from the wider area. By our lives, we want to honour God
our “Mother House” in Germany. Here, we are ten Sisters and give Him the glory in each new day.
from America, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, In these Sisterhood years I have had three major orthopaedic
Australia and New Zealand. Our life together is just as full operations to fuse joints in both feet (bilateral lambridnudi
of joy, humour, dedication, trust in God, unity, selflessness arthrodesis - I learned that off by heart!), and a TKR (total
and love for Jesus, as I ever experienced in my beginnings knee replacement); all three were necessary because of the
as a volunteer! God’s ways are certainly the best! Being excessive physical activity in my youth. God is so merciful and
an intentional Christian Community, every day begins forgiving, and the operations were successful. I am pain-
with personal prayer time and breakfast alone. We meet free the majority of the time, and I have finally learned the
together most mornings at 8.30. Worship, prayer times, importance of leading a healthy, balanced life spiritually
Bible study, sharing together – these times together are and physically. I am so grateful for every step of this long
varied and set a good foundation for the day. We work pathway which began for me back then, more than 40 years
ago, in South India! To Him be the glory!
13CHRISTIAN
FELLOWSHIP
As water reflects the face, s
FOR DISABLED Proverb
THE DEBT
THAT I OWE
TO MY
PARENTS
T housands have watched clips of Sarah
Kovac driving, playing the piano,
applying makeup and even cracking eggs.
Simple, everyday tasks, right? Not without
the use of arms or hands. Sarah was born with
I see that, because in my experience it was really
arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a genetic disorder
helpful for my parents to back off and let me find my
in which leg or arm joints are essentially stuck in place
own way.
and muscles don’t develop. For Sarah, those locked
joints - and the muscles within those joints - run from When you’re a parent of a child with special needs,
the base of her neck to her fingertips. you have the internet and doctors and therapists who
all have different opinions — and all these things are
Beginning at an early age, Sarah learned to rely
needed — but it’s hard to step back and say, “God, I
on her legs and feet to handle the duties of four
trust that You’re going to show me what to do. I trust
functioning limbs. Today, those duties include raising a
that [my children] will find their fullest potential in
6-year-old and a 2-year-old. Sarah shares the lessons
You.”
she’s learned in her 2013 book, In Capable Arms:
Living a Life Embraced by Grace. Words often have an impact on a child’s self-esteem.
Can you remember examples of words or descriptions
Parents of a child with disabilities might wonder how
your parents used that stuck with you over the years?
they, too, can raise their child to have confidence and
courage. Sarah here speaks of the debt she owes to I came home from school one day after somebody told
her parents: When I was in kindergarten, I broke my me I was handicapped. This was during the 1980s, and
arm four times. My arms don’t bend, they just break. that was the word used back then. I’d heard the word
My parents had the strength to watch me go through before, but I don’t think I’d ever been labelled that
that over and over and still say, “You can learn to ride way. So I said something about it to my dad, and he
a bike. We’ll take off your training wheels.” I would said, “You’re not handicapped. You have a handicap,
come across things that I couldn’t do or didn’t want and there’s a difference.”
to because it was too scary for me, but they let me I learned that I am Sarah first and foremost , and I
discover those things instead of determining them also happen to have a disability. I don’t have to let
for me. myself be defined by these things. There’s no escaping
Many parents have a hard time with this, it, but it doesn’t mean it’s who I am.
understandably, because they feel their child won’t I also remember my mother telling me that a good
develop to his or her full potential. So they intervene. artist can work their mistakes into the bigger picture.
They say to the child, “Maybe you should do it this I’m not saying that God makes mistakes God is
way, or do this with your mouth, or use your other the artist and can work anything for good. It’s a
hand,” and that sort of thing. I cringe a little bit when comforting thought.
14o one’s life reflects the heart.
b 27 v 18
FUN AT
FESTIVAL ONE! Michael Stoneham was a great buddy at Festival One.
He kindly followed me everywhere I decided to go. The
By Manu Teofila
weekend sped past, boogying to great music, buying cold
I had sooo much fun at Festival drinks at the market and hanging out with friends were
One with friends and music. I had the main things we did. It was super-hot every day, but that
friends to dance and sing with, as didn’t stop me from rolling from one place to another, I
well as to chill and have some good heard music that I liked the sound of. I spotted some friends
yarns. Went to bands that I didn’t and spent time with them.
plan to see or hadn’t known about, In the ride back home, I told Michael that I felt refreshed
which got me dancing. Thanks and satisfied. Spending quality time with Michael and
to Kylee Black who had been everyone else filled my love tank. The preachers and
instrumental in setting up the Soul Lounge, this provided a speakers filled my mind with encouragement. I love singing
space with things to make Festival One accessible for people praises to Jesus outdoors, and doing it with others really
with impairments. For example, they had 3 hospital beds satisfied my soul. Without a doubt, going to Festival One
available so folk could rest! was a great blessing from God!
Attention - all those who have Did you know that we can email you when the latest
changed their email addresses
PLEASE tell us your new ones
Encourager magazine is up on our website? To sign up,
scan this QR code, phone us or update your contact
details on our website.
Address Ministries under Elevate
Magazine Editor and Ministries Director Emmanuel Ministry
Hugh and Di Willis Contact Centre 09 636 4763
87 Deep Creek Rd, Waiake,
Auckland City 0630,
Torch
New Zealand Auckland - Leyna Coleman leyna@actrix.co.nz 09 832 0130
Joy Ministries
Branches and Contacts Communication Liason for Joy Ministries Branches:
Jan Bridgeman - Email: bridgeman@xtra.co.nz Phone: 027 641 2653
CFFD National Auckland Central, West & East –
Communication Liason for CFFD Branches: Jan Bridgeman bridgeman@xtra.co.nz 027 641 2653
Jean Griffiths - Email: jngriffo7@gmail.com Phone: 09 555 1947
Hamilton - Jeni Hawker jenihawker@gmail.com 020 401 47198
Northland - Jacqui Gardner jacquigardner@outlook.co.nz 09 438 4952
Whakatane - Wanda Hughes bwtroop@gmail.com 07 312 3330
Auckland - Viv Riddell cffdauckland@elevatecdt.org.nz 0212940320
Hawkes Bay -
Coromandel-Hauraki* - Brad & Karen Spurgeon spurgeonnz@gmail.com 06 876 1106
Shona Taylor shonawillie@xtra.co.nz 07 868 8782 Taupo - Jenny Brown jennymbrown4@gmail.com 07 378 4068
Waikato - Heather Major heatherjmajor@gmail.com 07 855 0681 Masterton - Brenda Morgan bpbeacgan996@gmail.com 06 377 3125
Bay of Plenty - Deborah Dorofaeff* debra.dorofaeff@gmail.com 021 054 7630 Blenheim - David Clode clode11@slingshot.co.nz 03 578 0598
Hawkes Bay - Joan Parker ej.parker@xtra.co.nz 06 877 8026
Other ministries around the country
Taranaki - Richard West flourishwest@gmail.com 06 753 9466
Manawatu - Lyn Spencer lynette.spencer@inspire.net.nz 06 357 0045 Able to Worship - Warkworth Methodist Church
Jenny Trotter k.jtrotter@gmail.com 09 422 7358
Wellington - John Hawkins cffd-wgtn@actrix.co.nz 04 569 9096
Christchurch - Dave Palmer davepalmer@xtra.co.nz 027 216 5743 Kumbayah - St David’s Presbyterian Church - Palmerston North
Ann Bennett 06 355 2818
Dunedin -
Patsy Appleby-Morrison patsylys@gmail.com 03 482 2505 Bible Friends - Wanganui
Louise Rostron rostrons@xtra.co.nz 06 344 5955
Philippines CFFD
Janet Meehan pcffd.nz@elevatecdt.org.nz 027 2644 172 THRIVE - Greerton Bible Church, Tauranga
Ruth Beale pcffd.nzsponsorship@elevatecdt.org.nz 027 492 7178 Ron Raikes thrive@gbc.org.nz 021 032 9660
If you would like to help with our costs you could send a donation to: ELEVATE P.O Box 13-322, Onehunga, Auckland 1643 or
direct deposit ANZ 01-0142-0029706-00
Name:.............................................................................................................
I wish to give for the magazine: $................................................ Address:........................................................................................................
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15kindness isat Elevate
very Nation
very much al Camp.
appreciated. I really Thank
God for all of those unforgettable moments with you.
Much love, Leslie dela Ganar
Leslie de la Ganar was
Dear Friends,
methrilled
to see and with her learning experience
It was indeed a wonderful time for
spending time to all of you though and time meeting up with members of
I miss ed to see other
som e reas ons. Hav ing a very
PCFFD friends for
precious time with you was real ly awe
et g
CFFD
tha
some. Ibranches
e Jo y Msing
wasco
inistries
sommittee who have supported
So
muc nic
h e to
for me
bein bles to me
theeros Philippines Ministry and helped to
happy! Tha nk you so na l Ca mp .
I had to od
a very goFD at. Elevater Na tio, gen
love ity and
e Drop in Centre. and PCF as well You
onor to speak in th ere. ated . I real ly Thank
p with our friends th kindness is very very muc h app reci
rgettable mom pay entsfor withthe you.visit. She writes
God for all of those unfoAdded to my joy that for the first time to have a home
Much love, Lesl ie dela Gan ar
made birthday cake from Auntie Di. What a labor of love!
With CFFD folk in Ashurst at Ruth and Paul Beale’s home
What a beautiful gift from God—once in a life time to celebrate my birthday with these wonderful people—Autie
Di, Uncle Hugh, Matt, Rebecca and Bob.
CFFD Asshurst with Leslie in the house of Ruth and Paul!
Before we started the Fellowship we had a lovely diner. Ruth
and I cooked Filipino dishes such as chicken adobo, pancit and
Filipino spaghetti style. Others brought different yummy foods.
ul!
use of Ruth and Pa Ruth Added to my joy that for the
e in the howith
CFFD AsA sh
special
urst wilunch
th Leslifellowship ha dJohn,
a lov Anne,
ely diner.
we
d the Fellowship chicken adobo, panc
we starte
BeforeHugh, dd
it an to first
my joytime
thatto
forhave a homemade
the first time to have a hom
Hawke’s Bay CFFD
e with the Rosemary, hePeter
s suchand
as Sandra Adde
. day cake from Auntie Di. What a labor o
very goodSo
bonice
ndingto
timmeet Joy Ministries co oked Filipino dis ent yu mm y
made foo ds
birth
and I differ birthday cake!
le. Others brought
committee attoElevate
I’m so glad National
meet in person Camp
these lovely couple Filipino spaghetti sty Hugh and Auntie with these wonderful people—A
CFFD.
Alastair and Patsy from Dunedin Lunch Fellowship with these
from GodJohn,—on
amazing
ce in
people
a life time to celebrate my birthday
at Uncle
gift
What a beautifulDi’s house—Uncle Auntie Anne, Uncle Hugh, Auntie Rosemary,
Rebe
Uncle ,Peter cca and Bob.
Di, Uncle Hugh, Matt and Auntie Sandra
Sponsorship needed
for Leslie de la Ganar
in the Philippines of
$60 a month.
Contact Ruth Beale,
with you Wellington CFFD.
details on page 15
So nice meeting up with the Wellington CFFD group
n these lovely couple zing people at Uncle Hugh a
I’m so glad to meet in perso FD.. Lunch Fellowship with these ama , Uncle Hugh, Auntie Ro
WellDune
youfrom dinCF
ington CFFD John, Auntie Anne
y to air
ppAlast withPatsy
beand Di’s hous e—U ncle
I was so ha Uncle Peter and Auntie Sandra
WHAT IS ELEVATE CHRISTIAN DISABILITY TRUST ALL ABOUT?
We are an interdenominational parachurch organisation. “We
We run meetings and camps throughout NZ.
We have four groups:
welcome
your
• CFFD (Christian Fellowship for Disabled) mainly for folk with physical disabilities.
• Joy Ministries mainly for those with intellectual disabilities. enquiry”
• Emmanuel for families with children with disabilities.
• Torch for those who are blind or visually impaired.
We have a Centre in Auckland which is our main office, and where we also run a Drop In Centre
three days a week. We welcome people with disabilities, volunteers and family members.
NATIONAL SUPPORT OFFICE
173 Mt Smart Road, Onehunga, Auckland • PO Box 13-322, Onehunga, Auckland, 1643
Ph: +64 9 636 4763 • Email: info@elevatecdt.org.nz • Website: www.elevatecdt.org.nzYou can also read
