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.