School of Mission 2016 - New Zealand

The bonding week consisted of a lot of games, a picnic day and a music jamming session. On the picnic the participants got to explore a bit of Wellington and surrounding scenic areas as we spent time at Rivendell in Kaitoke Regional Park followed by sport at Avalon Park and spent some time enjoying the view from the Mt Victoria lookout.

A Testimony of one of the Participants of the School:

My highlight was the picnic with everyone in the community. I felt that through this bonding week, I was able to settle in comfortably. I didn’t feel like a stranger as everyone were very friendly and generous. It also helped me to get to know each of them as a personal level through their life stories. It made me feel like home and I am now prepared for the upcoming week of teaching. I know that I am in a safe and secure place where I can seek God earnestly with all my heart. – Louisa Cyprinus

The Jamming session during the week of bonding was a way to let loose, to sing and give thanks to God with one’s whole being. We saw the participants enjoyed praising God with their voices and musical instruments, some even trying their hands on certain musical instruments for the first time.

The participants of the school of mission got a taste of the school in the bonding week. It was a time of getting to know each other and was the beginning of forming new friendships. Each had an opportunity to share their different life stories and also their individual call to the mission school.

The week also consisted of a lot of games, a picnic day and a music jamming session.

The games were a time for the participants to discover their inner child as some of the games involved their artistic skill in drawing and acting on the spot and some others involved water where they had to think on their feet.

Excitement was in the air as the participants of the School of Mission (SOM) arrived in Wellington to embark on a 20-week journey to see what God has in store for them. Hailing from nine different nations, with varying cultures and languages they have some to make St. Gerard’s their homes for the next 5 months. Each of them having left their families, friends, careers, homes for something far greater than what this world could offer i.e. to be rooted and built up in Christ’s love for them. The theme for this year’s School of Mission being, “I Have Called You by Name”; (Col 2:7).

Cardinal John Dew, the archbishop of Wellington welcomed the participants at the Opening Mass on World Mission Sunday 2016 addressing the participants with words of wisdom, encouragement and comfort. He reassured the participants saying that though things may not be comfortable at the start with having to adapt to new surroundings, at the end, this place would feel like home because of the hospitality they would receive here. He prayed that at the end of the School of Mission their hearts will be touched with the love of God and will have grown up as a people on mission.

The day continued with the Sunday congregation moving to the lawn of St Gerard’s Monastery on a beautiful sunny day for fellowship over finger food. It was as if Wellington put on its best weather to welcome our SOM participants. The celebrations continued in the evening with a formal agape meal as the staff prepared a sumptuous meal for the participants as we endeavor to live as one ICPE NZ Mission Community.

We look forward to what God will unfold in the lives of these participants in the months to come. Do keep us in your prayers too.

Rehearsal for SOM 2016 opening mass!

https://youtu.be/KmodMBFWoKM

Miriam Lee - SOM 2012 “Thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.” (1 Tim 6:19)

https://youtu.be/uktBkCDbPLA

Lucienne Hensel - SOM 1990

Give five months to God and see what He can do with your life!!!

https://youtu.be/Uv7U5bmjlX8

Jo Holswich - SOM 2009 “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5: 14b