Mission Trip to Far East Russia - 29 December to 9 January

Minus 39 degrees

David at Lenin Park beside an ice sculpture

Christmas Party at the Children's Centre

Students

David lecturing

Children's Ministry Centre - for Street Kids

Report Part 1.

I am now half way through the trip. I have already met so people who really amaze me. They live in such a completely different world to me and live in such incredible hardship.They have suffered in ways I cannot imagine. They are people I have never met before yet despite all that, I feel like I have known them all my life, such is the sense of friendship they have shown and deep commitment to the same things I am committed to.

Weather

Snow is right up to the window sills. It is very cold although the locals are saying that it is warm for this time of the year! Temperature seems to sit at between minus 17 and minus 27 although they tell me it can get to minus 35 degrees Celsius at night.

So far I have visited one of the Children’s Service Centre’s set up by the NZ missionary who invited me here (you can see the photo of the building covered in snow), preached in a local Baptist Church and now I am half way through the SCC – which is the real reason I am here.

SCC

There is an openness and a willingness to learn at this school that I have found quite amazing, despite the difficult language problem that inevitably we struggle with. We ended up with 27 students; mostly these are people who work with deeply troubled children.

Christmas

One of the great things about being here is I have got to celebrate Christmas three times. First at home on 25^th December. Then in Russia on 31 December (the communists tried to do away with Christmas so they celebrate New Year instead in the same way) and then on the 7 December which is when the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas. I am not sure if all these Christmas puddings are very good for me!!

State of Children

· On a sad note, the state of children here is desperate. The delegates of the school are struggling for answers. There are so many stories of children who have been affected by divorce (75 per cent of couples divorce), alcoholism (unofficial figures is that 75 per cent of the adults are alcoholics) and horrific abuse. The stories of abuse by parents and teachers on children are like I have not heard before.

· There are large numbers of children in orphanages, many of whom are not orphans but have been left by their parents and their life is not good.

· There are families who live on the streets.

· Children who have been diagnosed with mental retardation – which in many cases would not be considered to have a handicap in the West but rather they are struggling because they have been deprived of basic needs, and are prejudiced in education and employment.

· Many children in orphanages are abused and forced into crime. Many of the children who have been through the orphanage system do not live that long once they are left to their own devices. Thirty percent of them have committed suicide within a few years.

Well that is why I am here – to support those incredible workers who are trying so hard to make a difference.

Second Half Report

Well all too soon the trip is just about over. The course has finished with the delegates testifying that they had never heard anything like the teaching they have received. And it did seem to be extremely well received.

Thankfully my book: ‘Caring and Sharing’, was translated for them and has been distributed in note form – so they have that resource to go on with.

There was such a precious sense of God’s presence on the last day as God ministered to all the delegates. They shared incredible stories of gratitude for my coming. I passed on to them that without the support of those who helped me get here and who have been praying for me, it would not have been possible.

I will be glad to be home in the warm of Australia again. Temperature dropped to minus 39 degrees on Friday!

Home to a Holiday

Over the next two weeks, Therese, Maurice and I will be having a holiday when we hope to take in a beach or two!! . Jono is continuing to work and prepare for his first year at Uni.

Thanks for your continued support and prayers.

David Goodwin

Christmas Greetings from Therese and David Goodwin and Kidsreach.

Dear Friends,

2010 has been an incredible year at Kidsreach – like no other. I must admit that at the start of the year I was a bit fearful of all our projects, how they would be provided for, etc. As it turned out, it was a year when we had to totally trust in God and God came through.

This year we have been blessed to have ministered in 9 different countries with over 700 leaders attending week long training schools. Many more hundreds attended one day seminars and thousands attended conferences and meetings. But that is not the end of it! As this year finishes and the new year starts, I will be in Siberia training 40 leaders who work with some very needy children.

It is a humbling experience to train and resource leaders in countries that have far far worse conditions than we do in NZ and Australia . Many of these people have become real friends.

For those who have given towards our mission effort, thank you so very much.

We are praying for you as you enjoy Christmas with your family and friends and hope you all get a holiday.

Therese and I will be away from 14-26 January.

We thank you for being a part of the Kidsreach family. We look forward to working with you again in 2011.

God bless you,

David and Therese Goodwin

Director

Ministry Opportunity in NZ

Kidsreach has a need for someone to give about 2 days a month (spread over the month – doesn't have to be in one block) to assist in our growing missions program. It would suit someone with administration and spreadsheet skills and a passion for children and missions. Please email David for more details. David. kidsreach@gmail.com

The Christmas Story

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. - Isaiah 9:6

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria .) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David , because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savoir has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.'

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told."

Luke 2:1-17

Thanks for your Patience the Year

Some of you may not realise how we operate at Kidsreach. We do not have staff in Australia . I work from home and so if we have not always attended to your needs as efficiently as we might have, then I apologise. We do value your friendship and custom.

Mission to PNG 7-16 November 2010, New Ireland Province

A church like no other

Everyone came to the meetings

Conference Meetings

Conference Delegates New Ireland 2010

Regional Children’s Ministry Conference and School of Children’s Counselling

Pastor David Goodwin Reporting

From the time of the opening meeting it is hard to describe the atmosphere of joy and expectation that there was in this place.

This was my first trip to New Ireland, a beautiful Island to the northeast of mainland Papua New Guinea. . The location is at a Uniting Church Bible College, right on the beach. In the main hall where the meetings will be held, there is no floor, only beach sand. The 150 attending will camp in tents and buildings around the campus. The only place to wash for the 9 days will be the sea water at the beach. It is extremely hot and humid here - about as hot and uncomfortable as I have ever experienced but it does not matter as you feel the atmosphere of praise, worship and expectations. There is beautiful singing (The Island people of PNG really know how to sing and harmonize). The people here have been praying for this for a long time. All the pastors and ministers of Kavieng are present to join in the opening ceremony. This is truly a multi-denominational occasion. God has The children are also here – from all the churches, welcoming us in with a magnificent joyful welcome with timbrels, singing and dance. You might even see a frog or crab or gecko making their way across the stage area.

I spoke at 16 sessions during the conference. The evenings were full on ministry times with teaching during the day. On Sunday There was a combined church service with hundreds of children all come to be prayed for. In the middle of my message I noticed how intently the children were listening. I thought this is the Spirit of God but then some started to laugh and to point at my head. A gecko had climbed up my back and onto my head and stayed there until I brushed him off.

Every child was prayed for. It was wonderful to see the children touched by God.

The School of Counseling was the second event with all the delegates staying on to learn basic principles in helping children. For many of them even learning how to listen to a child and connect with them, it was a very new experience.

Praise God for an awesome 10 days. But I was glad to get back on an air conditioned plane!

My next trip to PNG is in April 2011. This time it will be in the cool highlands.

Kidsreach Mission Appeal to Siberia

Dear Kidsreach Supporter

Greetings

I have accepted an invitation to go to Siberia by a NZ missionary who serves as the Director of the Children's Rights Organisation. Here is is part of the invitaiton:

The need here is urgent, as many churches and our own organisation work with children from very disfunctional families and from orphanages where there is a great deal of child abuse officially ignored, most of the time. In consequence many of the children we deal with are seriously damaged and need special understanding and ministry but we are very ill-equipped to provide this. We need much teaching and knowledge about how to build relationships with such children and how to see them set free from the inner hurts and the consequences of abuse over many years.

There is very little available in the way of healing ministry for adults here and none at all for children, so your ministry will be foundational for most of the people coming. In addition, whereas in western societies there is a basic knowledge od things psychological and access to counselling information, that is totally lacking here and people do not know where to turn for help when they become Christians and realize that there are problems. As an indication of this, I would mention that the Russian government is only now setting up a new profession - social workers. There have never been such people in this society before! Not that that would be the answer to the many problems that exist - but at least it would be something!

In short, I would urge you to come as we have discussed, and we will trust the Lord to make it possible for as many people as possible to take part in the training programme. I also trust that you will be able to find personal sponsorship to cover your costs of travelling to and from Russia .

Date of Visit: 28 December – 8 January
Budget: Airfare cost: $3000.00
Accommodation and resources $500
Total appeal $3500

Any money raised over this amount will be used to purchase resources.

May God bless you

David Goodwin

How to Donate

New Zealand
Online or Branch deposit
Account name Kidsreach
Bank Westpac
BSB 031531
Account 0035418 02

Post
Kidsreach
POB 305
Waikanae


Australia
Online or Branch deposit
Account name Kidsreach
Bank ANZ
BSB 012874
Account 109319242

Post
Kidsreach
POB 265
North Richmond NSW 2754

For online donations, please put:'Siberia' and your surname for your reference and email us to let us know you have done this david.kidsreach@gmail.com

For postal donations and online, please include your name and address for receipting.

Germany and Finland October 2010

David arrived in Germany on Tuesday after leaving Therese at Singapore who flew back to Sydney while he completes the next part of the trip, Finland and Germany.
The main task in Germany is to take part in a consultation for a new curriculum that is being written for teens in China. The impact of this will be immense so it is worth the time. It turned out to be a great time of sharing and helping them take it to the next stage.

Friday morning (15/10/10) David arrived in Finland to snow! This wasn’t expected, even by the locals so it was stop at the next shop to buy a warm jacket and a couple of jumpers.

In Finland David is taking a 5 day School of Children’s Counseling (80 delegates) after which he is taking part in various discussions with children’s ministry leaders, and doing a weekend seminar and ministry in Lahti.

In the photo you can see the delegates with some snow in the background. The location is a Bible College facility. Beautiful surrounds with a lake in the background. Couldn’t be more beautiful!

A Christian television station is talking about doing a 1.5-3 hour program with me on Friday!! Thanks for your prayers.

More Photos Indonesia

Indonesia Photos