Pivot!

Hiking Mangawhai Heads

M. David Sills: "Culture Shock is a bumpy road that every intercultural worker must negotiate.  Seasoned travelers sometimes naively think that they will not really suffer it so much.  However, while the peaks and valleys of the experience may not be as extreme for some as for others, everyone goes through the cycle of adjustment.  The shock often sneaks up on you and catches you when you least expect it."  Miles vs Kilometers, Fahrenheit vs. Celsius, Feet & Inches vs. Meters, Pounds vs. Kilograms, American English vs. Kiwi English/Maori, Pacific Daylight Time vs. New Zealand Standard time (20 Hrs. ahead here)  Yes, September was a month of adjustments.  I know it goes with the territory.  Learning new phrases, new slang, new accents, new names of things in New Zealander English, and asking many questions as to what something means (always humbling).  Back in California, Spanglish was spoken (mix of English/Spanish).  I don't know what you call it here, but a mix of Maori/New Zealander English is spoken.  New Zealand is geographically positioned in both the southern and eastern hemispheres.  So, the seasons are different then North America.  When I arrived here in New Zealand June 20th, I just missed the start of Summer (my favorite season) back in SoCal, and landed here in Winter.  I have never experienced Winter two times in a year...thumbs down!  Boo!  Ha ha!

Mission Field Car of Choice

September 3rd, Ryan and I went car shopping all day.  Although, previously I had gone online to look around, this day we were on a mission!  The motivation...I was hoping and praying to begin prison ministry soon.  If I were to be accepted, I would be going on a weekly basis.  Sometimes up to two times in a week.  I needed a car that was affordable and economical.  Yet at the same time dependable.  The commute would be one, to one and a half hours one way up North.  This would be the farthest I had ever driven for prison ministry previously.  Now, when I was a missionary in Spain, God provided through a kind German woman in my Government Spanish class, a 1995 Volkswagen Golf that was purple!  Some of you may remember from Spain Archives, I affectionately called it the Purple People Eater.  To be honest, Ryan and I had specific cars we were looking for.  However, in the back of my head I thought to myself, "It would be nice to drive a Golf again."  We went home that day with four promising options.  One of them, a 2007 Black Volkswagen Golf that caught my eye!  This import from Japan, seemed to be the best choice for a variety of reasons.  The problem...it was the most expensive and out of my budget.  Through multiple e-mails, and a couple of visits, Ryan and I were able to negotiate, and get the dealer to knock the price down to exactly what I can afford.  On September 12th, I drove Black Beauty off the lot.  Now, another adjustment...driving on the opposite side of the road with the steering wheel on the opposite side of the car!  Pray for the Kiwis (bird or people)! ;)

Anyelina 10 Years Old in the Dominican Republic

On September 13th, I received a e-mail from Pastor Jeff Shelp: "Greetings former Regeneration Family!  Just wanted to pass on some exciting news.  I continued our support of Anyelina through World Vision after the church closed with the left over funds.  I recently received a notice that her community, Adonai, has graduated--meaning they have established enough sustainable health care, educational services, and a solid loving church community for kids and families to continue growing on their own.  We started sponsoring Anyelina when she was 5 years old and she is now 10!  Thank you for all of your devotion and generosity in support of God's ministry in Venice and abroad."  Jeff also included this from World Vision:  "We reached our goal!  Your sponsorship of Anyelina worked!  Anyelina doesn't need to be sponsored anymore because her community is now self-reliant."  This brought back memories, of when Regeneration Church was only 6 months old, and we wanted to corporately support through our prayers and finances a child in need.  I have fond recollections of receiving her letters, drawings, and photos expressing her gratitude to our church family.  We would have various church members read them out loud on a Sunday morning.  Every Christmas and Easter, our Church would all sign a card for her.  This was just yet another confirmation that God used Regeneration Church not only in Venice Beach, but beyond!  It's never in vain, what we do for the Lord.  Be encouraged by 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Ebann showing great sportsmanship after his Victory

On September 21st, I had the privilege of cornering alongside Coach Ryan & aspiring pro MMA fighter Talor Wetere, four of our Amateur MMA Fighters at Shuriken Fight Series 7 in Auckland.  They all performed well and showed a lot of heart.  However, Ebann Malae gained his first victory that night.  He had always come up short losing his previous bouts, but still knew he had what it took, to eventually get his hand raised.  Over the 3 months leading up to the match, I had a small part in helping him develop his grappling/ground game (Catch Wrestling/No Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) & mental training/visualization.  He told me months before the fight..."Eric, I just want to know what it feels like to get a victory.  You have revolutionized my grappling, you have taught me to be more patient."  After the fight, he said..."I have more confidence, I want to eventually fight for the Championship Belt."  However, Coach Ryan had instilled in him something of greater value.  With every loss, Ebann showed class & character.  He represented Jesus, himself, Ryan, and Lion's Den MMA so well.  So, when Ebann finally got his hand raised, it was no different.  After the contest was over, he went to check on his opponent (they went the distance).  The announcer gave him the microphone, and right away he gave glory and honor to Jesus Christ, before he thanked anyone else.  His family had also flown in from Australia & Vanuatu to watch him compete.  I was so happy for him, but more than that proud of him.

Left to Right: Ryan, Ebann, Me, Talor

On Sunday September 29th, we had our first official Calvary Chapel Whangarei Leadership/Vision meeting.  1 Corinthians 12:28 tells us one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is "administrations."  1 Corinthians 14:40: "Let all things be done decently and in order."  One of the ways I am serving Calvary Chapel Whangarei, Lion's Den MMA, & Pastor Ryan...is helping to bring organization and structure to both ministries.  We had a good turn out from those currently serving, and for those who want to get involved.  There was a genuine excitement in the room for the future of our church.  Like any spiritual gift, talent, & ability that comes from God, it needs to go through a few phases.  It needs to be discovered, cultivated, developed, exercised, & finally used for God's glory.  The result, is the Body of Christ is edified (built up) and the lost are reached.  I want to now give a shout out to Steve Flores.  When I was 21 years old, still discovering my gifts and serving as the Youth Pastor at Calvary Chapel Upland, he was on staff as the Church Administrator.  He took the time to really invest in me & help me out.  He was an unsung hero and a "behind the scenes," kind of guy.  Everywhere I have served since then, his training has been put to good use.

Some of the Lion's Den Whanau (Family)

Peter Jackson: "New Zealand is not a small country, but a large village."  The biggest adjustment is leaving everything that was familiar, comfortable, & normal behind.  One of the fighters asked me the weekend of the fights..."Do you miss home?  I mean are you actively missing home?"  The answer was yes and no.  It has been said..."Your first language is your heart language."  In my case, it would specifically be SoCal English.  LOL!!  I believe that is also true, in regards to where one is born and raised.  I will always be right at home in the USA, more specifically SoCal.  I think you should be proud of wherever you are from.  Plus, I left behind a great family, loyal friends, stellar wrestling/jiu-jitsu training partners, awesome coaches, true-hearted Aztec dancers, a loving church community, & magnanimous clients.  However, God has been good and gracious to me here in New Zealand.  From the very beginning, Calvary Chapel Whangarei & Lion's Den MMA have made me feel welcome, at home, and like part of the Whanau (family)!

By His Grace,
Eric