YWAM New Zealand

Kia Ora Whaanau,

I was in the supermarket earlier today and heard two women complaining about all the coverage the earthquake is getting and how they are so over it all.  “They feel sorry for everyone but the rest of us have lives to lead”.

I can see where they are coming from as the constant coverage can be overwhelming and depressing, however I don’t think we should ever become complacent and desensitized to the loss of human life and the terror and grief that our fellow kiwi’s are feeling down in Otautahi (the Maori name for Christchurch).

There is so much need right now that YWAM NZ in its entirety could travel to Otautahi-Christchurch and find something to do, however, this is not always practical, nor may it be what God is requiring of us at this time.  But there are some of our whaanau that God is directing there that are either there at the moment or on their way down.

I have spoken the Oxford YWAM base this morning and they continue to send people into the city as frequently as they can, to help out where needed.  Usually their service is nothing more than shovelling mud or helping people get water, but it is these simple acts of kindness that help to restore ones’ humanity.

Fifty two students will be descending on our base in Oxford within the next couple of days.  They will be welcomed, orientated and immediately sent out into the communities to serve and to simply love.  Jeremy (the base leader) feels that their role will not only be practical but also to provide prayer, love and support to the broken lives in the community as the reality of what they are experiencing begins to sink in.

My intention here is not to give you a “Christian volunteer” update for the earthquake but rather to rally us to stand with these members of our family as they minister life to our own people.  We cannot distance ourselves from this tragedy and have a few dedicated intercession times because this is our land, and our people that are hurting right now.  Our YWAM family serving in Otautahi-Christchurch are an extension of each of our respective locations and will be representing us and our heart to the people down there.

I heard someone say once that “the Redemptive purpose of Christ is to restore in us what it means to be human”and so much of what needs to be done for the people in Otautahi-Christchurch is just that.  The restoration of their humanity in a context that seems to be void of any value for that and any evidence of hope.

Let’s continue to intercede for this tragedy but also to draw close to our YWAM family and support their efforts in Otautahi.

Shaneane Totorewa
National Director (with husband, Ray)
(to donate or be involved with the earthquake alongside YWAM Oxford, click here)<

Marine Reach in Tauranga, are starting up an exciting new Frontiers Medical Mission School (FMMS).
This 7+ week school will equip you with the basics needed to reduce preventable deaths, as well as providing you with a certificate of comprehensive first aid.
This is the first school of its kind in YWAM New Zealand in the unique way that you do not need to have completed a Discipleship Training School to enroll. It is recommended to almost anyone traveling to poorer nations.

Click here for more information.

Welcome to our amazing new news section!

With the idea from this guy (Ray Totorewa), that we should be informing the world of what YWAM NZ is doing, what we look like and how we do it, we came up with the great idea of running a flash new news section. Here you will be able to keep up to date with what is happening in ‘middle earth’.

Add to that, the amazing technological genius of this guy (Dave Laird), and now we now have a great channel to inform the everyone of what is happening in our unique part of the world.

Continue to check up on this page to follow the life of YWAM New Zealand.