In this e-newsletter:- Kia ora- Time to gather- A snippet from Andrew- Introducing Jonathan Peacey- Farewell Teng Yang and Jenny- Prayer points- Support ISMNZ

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Kia ora We are excited to launch our third e-newsletter and warmly welcome donors and friends of ISMNZ who faithfully invest theirfinances to support our workers. We cannot function without your support and as we are called to the mission field,we remember our calling to be good stewards of God's provision through your timely gifts.It is our sincere hope and prayer that you will all be encouraged while you read this e-newsletter. Please continue to praywith us as we minister to and serve among international students.Each May, we celebrate with students graduating (yay!) from universities across New Zealand. Bittersweet, joyful reunionsand farewells, catching up with returnees and sending off grads ready to return home as Jesus' disciples.

Change is also happening within ISMNZ as the search for a new National Director will soon begin. We're privileged yet very

sad to host a farewell for our former National Director, Teng Yang and wife, Jenny in early May at The Centre (see article

below).

You may have also noticed recently that the ISMNZ Facebook page now has a 'new look'. We hope this will continue to

serve as a tool to connect with you.

We'd love to hear from you and welcome ideas to improve this e-newsletter! Email us at info@ism.org.nz

Blessings

Yvette Koo Butcher (Communications Manager, ISMNZ)

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: ... a time to weep and a time to laugh, atime to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 4, NIV)

Time to gather After the first session of last year's ISMNZ National Student Conference I was approached by a student I met for the first

time earlier that day. She sat with me as I furiously typed away on a slideshow needed for the next morning.

She said, "I’m interested in learning about baptism". She then told me that over the past few months she had been a part of

one of the campus international student ministries. She was learning about Jesus, about His love and forgiveness. But she

was still struggling with doubts over the existence of God... that was until she experienced the sense of God's presence as

she looked around the room at the conference and witnessed so many different ages and cultures worshipping and learning

from the same God. She could sense the unity in the Spirit.

Her doubt was transformed by belief! Since that time, she has been attending church, got baptised, is being discipled and

growing in her relationship with Jesus. She was not the only student to have an encounter with Christ at the conference.

There were many other stories of coming to faith, or considering faith, healing of brokenness, and experiencing the love of

God.

In just under five weeks students, alumni, ISMNZ workers and families will gather for our 3rd annual Vision 20/20 National

Student Conference. Already the registrations are coming in and our planning teams are in place and working on various

aspects of the conference.

This year we will meet at MiCamp Taupo from the 1st – 4th of July. As a result of our Prayer & Seeking God retreat in April

we were given a clear vision of God's heart for the conference in many ways from Isaiah 52 - 54. We will have much more

interactive and creative learning, amazing times of fun recreation and team building, and deeper time growing in our

relationship with God and friendships with one another.

Many of us were moved by the words in Isaiah 54:2, "Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and

spare no expense! 3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle

the ruined cities. 4 "Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don't be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. (NLT)

Another version reads: 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your

cords, strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess

nations and settle in their desolate cities. 4 "Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not

be humiliated.

Both gave us the sense that this would be a packed house. That we would use every inch of MiCamp and even have to

accommodate for overflow. God's will be done!

Always a highlight for everyone is our "Let the Nations Rejoice" cultural night. Last year we experienced 20 nations

gathered at the conference, and for many it was the first time they had worshipped with people from countries other than

their own and NZ. To see many tongues and tribes and nations united in worship of Jesus is a powerful testimony to those

who do not yet know Jesus. As I shared earlier in this article, God's heart for the nations is powerful when so many are

gathered in one place.

If you would like to be a part of prayer for this conference, please email our prayer coordinator, Ian Lim and he will add you

to our list. For any student, the cost of conferences can be difficult. If you would like to donate any amount to sponsor a

student, you can go to our website for more details.

Praise the Lord!

- Janeen Mills (Acting National Director, ISMNZ)

(www.firstcovers.com)

A snippet from Andrew It was my pleasure to meet many of you at the farewell we held for Teng Yang and Jenny in Palmerston North, about whichmore is said in this e-newsletter. At that farewell I acknowledged the great team and legacy he has given to ISMNZ, forwhich we are very grateful. At the upcoming Mon 6 June meeting, the Board will begin the process of recruiting a newNational Director. Please pray for us in the decisions we shall need to make in coming months. In the meantime, we arevery pleased that Janeen Mills has agreed to continue as Acting National Director until mid-November. Please continue tosupport and encourage her. - Dr Andrew Butcher (Chair, ISMNZ)

"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint;lead me to the rock that is higher than I." - Psalm 61:4 (NIV)

Introducing Jonathan Peacey Kia ora tātou

As part of the 'meet the ISMNZ Board members' series, I was asked to introduce myself in this edition of the ISMNZ e-newsletter.

Earlier this week I was thrilled to learn that a couple we are helping grow as followers of Jesus Christ, and who recentlyreturned to their home country, are continuing to grow in their faith, tell others about Jesus, strengthen their marriage, andenjoy parenting their young child (who now wants her school friends to know Jesus). My joy at this news stems from eventsin my life over three decades ago, when I became a follower of Jesus in my first year of university. I was privileged to havementors throughout my university years (and later) who taught me how to grow in my faith and how to help others grow asfollowers of Jesus.

The model of 'people helping people grow as followers of Jesus' is effective and something I think every believer shouldexperience. I have tried to follow this model since coming to faith in Jesus, whether in New Zealand or the Solomon Islands,whether mentoring our children, or students, or engaged couples, and whether in part time Christian work or in full timesecular work. It is also why I am pleased to serve on the ISMNZ Board and to mentor students in the Wellington ISMNZministry. The ISMNZ Mission, "Helping international students in New Zealand become life-long followers of Jesus Christ,equipping and enabling them to reach their communities and nations for Him" reflects the importance ISMNZ puts onpeople helping people.

Some other information about me: I am a citizen of three countries and one kingdom (the latter being the most important!).Fernah and I have been married 30 years and we have three adult children - all married - and a two-year-old grandson. Wefellowship at The Street City Church where we lead the pre-marriage mentoring ministry. I am a fishery manager currentlyworking for an international environmental NGO. Previously I have worked in various roles for the New Zealandgovernment, the seafood industry, a London-based seafood ecolabelling organisation and as a consultant. A highlight wasthe 2.5 years I worked as an advisor with the Solomon Islands Government, mentoring senior fisheries staff and leadingpolicy changes to increase employment and other benefits from tuna fisheries. I enjoy outdoor activities – including scuba

diving (with Fernah), hiking and skiing (with all the family), and mountain biking with friends – the last of these being mymain way of keeping fit.

Noho ora mai rā

- Jonathan Peacey (Board member, ISMNZ)

Teng Yang and Jenny Tan at their farewell in Palmerston North.

Farewell Teng Yang and JennyOn Saturday 7 May, The Centre at Massey University was a hub of activity. It was a cool, autumn morning and preparationsbegan quietly in the kitchen from 11am, an hour before the 12noon start. Well, as quietly as we could manage!

True to form, the guests of honour Teng Yang and Jenny not only arrived at their farewell early but at least 45 minutes early(you guessed it) just to help! Thankfully others started arriving and they chatted with Teng Yang and Jenny.

At 12noon, the two long tables were filling up quickly with food. Two additional tables were added as more people came tothis shared lunch: ISMNZ workers, volunteers, international students, former interns, church friends, etc. Some drove downfrom Hamilton, some flew from Auckland and others came up from Wellington including Teng Yang and Jenny's son, YY.

Board member, Tasa Havea said the grace before we tucked in. Soon after, Janeen welcomed everyone into the heart ofThe Centre. Then, Palmerston North city leader, Paul Stock played a short clip called 'Herding cats', portraying the NationalDirector's role, working with ISMNZ workers spread across New Zealand. After a good laugh, a special photo slideshowwas played to thank Teng Yang and Jenny for their five years with ISMNZ.

To officiate the afternoon, Board member, Jonathan Peacey gave a blessing in Māori. Next, Chairman, Andrew Butchergave a speech as follows:

"Good afternoon. My name is Andrew Butcher. It is my pleasure to serve as Chairman of ISMNZ, and on behalf of theBoard to thank you for coming.

Can I acknowledge my fellow Board members that are here today, in Jonathan Peacey and Tasa Havea and note theapologies of Janine Rasmussen, who is attending a family funeral, and Jim Chew, who is in Singapore. I also wish to recordthe apologies of John Oliver, my predecessor, who is traveling to Christchurch today so cannot be here.

Can I also thank Janeen Mills and her team for all their work in bringing this afternoon together?

ISMNZ has a rich and proud history. Many of you in this room were present at its creation. Its longevity, its ongoing success,its financial health, its continuing work with students here and around Asia and the Pacific is testament to your faith, yourcourage and your vision some 16 years ago. We are in your debt and we thank you.

You would be the first to acknowledge that it is also by God's grace and favour that ISMNZ is what it is today. The blessingof God on this work is to be celebrated.

We are here today to say farewell to Teng Yang and Jenny. And we say farewell sooner than we wanted to, sooner thanwe'd hoped. When it became clear that Teng Yang and Jenny were not able to stay in New Zealand we were, each of oneus, shocked, saddened, bereft, dismayed. How can this be? We asked one another, and we asked God. The timing, to us,seems maybe out of place. But as I've been reminded by Jim Chew, the timing is in God's hands. We are genuinely sorry tosee Teng Yang and Jenny go, but we look forward with eager anticipation to what God has in store for them next.

For me, one of the great passages of Scripture comes from the book of Lamentations, a book about loss and grief andsadness and dismay. And in the middle of this woe we find this:

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to anend. Great is your faithfulness. I say to myself: "The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him."

As we as a ministry look forward we take hope in this statement: God is faithful. He will provide.

In June, the Board will meet together to begin the process of recruiting our next National Director. We will spend timepraying, discussing and discerning what kind of person we need for the next chapter in this ministry. Pray for us. Pray withus. We will, in coming months, ask for your input, for you to share what the Lord has laid on your heart.

The Board has asked Janeen Mills to serve as Acting National Director until mid November to allow time for a full andrigorous recruitment process to take place. We has complete trust and confidence in Janeen and we are delighted that sheagreed, with some persuasion, to accept our invitation to step up to these extra responsibilities. Please encourage Janeen,and pray for her.

Recruitment can take time but it can also take us by surprise. Because while there will be skills and experiences that we willbe looking for in our next National Director, there will be something actually more important than all of those things, and thatis a sense of calling.

We pray earnestly that someone will be called by God to serve as our next National Director and that we as the Board willhear that call too. So that together we might, as the disciples did, say on our decision "it is right to the Holy Spirit and to

us."

God called Teng Yang five years ago "for such a time as this". As I and my colleagues on the Board have spoken to most ofthe staff over the past few weeks, we have been struck by many things: the outstanding team that the individuals who makeup the ISMNZ staff are part of; their sense of loss and sadness as their boss, sure, but also their brother, friend and pastor,moves on; their genuine fondness for Teng Yang and Jenny.

Teng Yang, these reflections and responses are testament to you as a leader. Because two successes of a good leader area good team and a good legacy. You have both. You have built up a wonderful group of staff and you have gifted yoursuccessor a great team, which I hope will continue to grow from strength to strength. You have a fine legacy in the ministryto your team and to students. Your humble, quiet nature. Your wisdom. Your pastoral heart. Your great teaching. These areall gifts to this ministry and to this country which we will treasure.

Finally, I would like to thank the unsung heroes here - Jenny, Yi Lin and YY. You have gifted to us your husband and yourfather, you have given him tremendous support, you have seen more than any of us the days where things have gone well,and the days where things have been more challenging. Leadership is sometimes a lonely business and Teng Yang isblessed, as we all are, by your love and support for him. Thank you deeply for the sacrifices you have made and we prayGod's richest blessing on each one of you.

God's speed on you all."

Both Teng Yang and Jenny then spoke together, presenting a slideshow of their pilgrimage and God-led journey as a familyto New Zealand. The final slide shows their prayer needs (pictured above, right).

After a group photo, everyone was encouraged to pray together in their groups of tables and to write on cards, folded paperfor Teng Yang and Jenny. The floor was then open for those who wish to share and offer words of encouragement from theirhearts. One of the graduates, Yvonne Sng, currently working full time and studying part time at Pathways College inTauranga shared:

"I remember the first time I saw Uncle Teng Yang in the flesh. It was here at The Centre and I asked my brother "What areyou up to now?" He said, "I'm having a meeting with the Director of ISM." "Where is he?" "There." Prior to that, their familywas just some beautiful people sitting on some grass in a photo attached in an email. The grass looked very green there.

Today, we want to honour you and also your family, for answering God's call and faithfully taking the step of obedience toserve the mission here in New Zealand. A mission that isn't bound by the two islands sitting on the Pacific ring of fire,surrounded by only water, some penguins and a few dolphins, tucked here at the ends of the Earth. A mission that doesn'tstart and end here but goes beyond our time as students in New Zealand. A mission that sees to equip us to be lifelongfollowers of Jesus Christ wherever we are and in whatever we do, while we were still students carrying Jesus' good newsaround our friends on campus or when we become young working adults in the real world. Some of us have moved on fromuni and moved home or to a completely different place. Some of us are still students in our respective fields. It has neveroccurred to us that you (and Aunty Jenny) would be the one to leave first. What are we gonna do without you?!

Words cannot do justice, but we want to express our gratitude and show our appreciation to you guys for investing andpouring into our lives over the past five years. You guys were almost anything and everything to a lot of us. Teachers, asyou patiently attended to our questions and quiet doubts about God and life, guiding us as you see fit. Parents, as youopened your home to us for fellowshipping and celebrated our birthdays. We were never short of a good feed and cake.You shared your lives with us. You pray with us and encourage us. You encourage us to pray even! Friends, as I showed upone night to borrow a tiny screwdriver. The list goes on, but most important of all, you were to us witnesses (of JesusChrist). I don't know if I can speak for the rest of the gang, but at least for me, I can say this: You've shown me that one can

never be too old to have fun, and never too young to be serious about your faith.

I'll end this with a prayer that Paul said for the Ephesians, not only for this occasion but for every day: "For this reason, eversince I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you,remembering you in my prayers, I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you theSpirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better."

To the praise and glory of God. Amen."

No event is complete without a cake so it was befitting to have a Minions cake for Teng Yang and Jenny at this familygathering. Big thanks go to Janeen and those who stayed behind, cleaning and tidying up The Centre.

For those who wish to keep in touch with Teng Yang and Jenny, you are most welcome to send them an email (or find themon Facebook).

Soli deo gloria,

- Yvette Koo Butcher (Communications Manager, ISMNZ)

Prayer points:1. ISMNZ National Student Conference 1-4 July 2016, MiCamp, Taupo: All participants will

come away refreshed, challenged and inspired to follow and serve Christ.2. Janeen Mills, Acting National Director: Continue to pray for protection, wisdom and favour.3. Our Board as they pray, prepare and start the process to search for a new ISMNZ National

Director on Mon 6 June 2016.

Note: To receive our monthly ISMNZ prayer calendar (pdf), drop us an email to office@ism.org.nz

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Thank you for your prayer partnership and support.

Copyright © 2016 International Student Ministries of New Zealand, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:ISMNZ

PO Box 6082, AwapuniPalmerston North 4445

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