Marilyn and I were with the City congregation on Sunday and then I joined with the City music team on Wednesday night for a sharing time. It is exciting to see the growth in attendance in the congregation over the past year and the way the team have accepted the staff changes we needed to make recently. Tim and Karen are doing an awesome job leading the team and congregation. On Wednesday as I looked out the upstairs window, I was again impressed how blessed we are to own a facility like this in the heart of our largest city.

We have amazing people. A member from the East gave me a cheque for $50,000.00 to go towards helping secure the house next door to our South property which has come onto the market. The house is small but it has a large section which would be great to secure for future development. It would be good to buy it so no one else develops on it. With the financial commitments we have building the college we are unable to finance it ourselves.

It is a big weekend coming up in NZ. The All Blacks are up against the team who beat them last two World Cups, France; and the Warriors are chasing a finals spot when they face Melbourne in the NRL. The nation will be happy or sad. Don’t let the results or Daylight Saving stop you from getting to church on Sunday!

I have just been down to the Junior college site to catch progress. All the concrete pads have been poured for the administration and one of the main classroom blocks, and framing is underway. Amazing progress for the middle of winter; with yesterday being the coldest day on record in Auckland at 8.2◦c and snow falling in some parts of the city. South Islanders say we Aucklanders need to harden up.

Marilyn and I have been in the City and then last week in the North for the Sunday morning. City was tough with my having to share that we were reducing our staff levels. This is never easy to do but the congregation and staff have been great, with understanding of the reasons and maturity in their response. It was great to have lunch with Hugh and Noelene Stringleman in the North, who were key members of our team in the East before they moved. We are looking forward to being back in the East this Sunday.

Tomorrow it is an early morning start with a Father’s Breakfast hosted by Parents Inc and opened and addressed by our Mayor Len Brown. Then on Saturday I have the unusual task of blessing the Meadowlands Multisport Centre. I have never prayed a blessing on a sports centre before, but the Scriptures tell us that we can pray that we may enjoy good health. Exercise will certainly support this prayer. Unfortunately my biggest effort in exercise this week has been sitting in the Xerox Corporate Box watching the Warriors win on Saturday night!