New Zealand: The Beginning. Again.

Well, this is the first "newsletter" of sorts that I sent around. It's a description, with more than a few words, of the path upon which I now travel. Read, digest, process, argue if you must, and let it soak in. Please respond to me at the email address on the right sidebar with any concerns or issues.

**************************************************
December 31, 2006
Eagle River, Alaska

Dear Friends, Family, and People whom I really like but have not contacted for a very long time,

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Another year gone and another year beginning! My hope is that this note finds you all well and in the midst of a wonderful holiday season!

What have the recent months and years brought to your life since we last spoke? For some that receive this note it will have been possibly many months or over a year (years?) since our last conversation. My deepest apologies for the time, distance, and lack of communication that has separated us! It is my intention to let you in on a bit of what's going on in my life in the hopes that someday soon you may respond equally with a bit of what is going on in your own life!

The beginning of the New Year will bring with it an embarkation in my own life as I set out to serve with an organization called Youth With A Mission for a period of time in New Zealand. This recent commitment to Youth With A Mission (YWAM) will mark the third occasion of volunteering to do something that I never really figured myself ever participating in - a pattern that is becoming quite the norm.

YWAM is an international, non-centralized Christian organization that stretches to many corners of the globe seeking "to know God and make Him known". There are more than 700 international locations (or "bases" as such locations are referred to) each holding to the Biblically founded principles of YWAM and reaching out to their communities and the world at large in any number of various methods. Perhaps the most recognized ministry of YWAM is the experience offered through the Discipleship Training Schools - a training and discipleship forum focused towards young adults who desire to learn more of God and His work in their lives and in the lives of others in nations of the world.

As you may or may not be aware, I have spent the past two years in various forms of volunteer opportunities and occasions for travel within and outside of the United States. Most recently, I participated in a six month Discipleship Training School with YWAM (www.ywam.org) beginning in January 2006. The initial 3-month period (Lecture phase) of the School was spent in the town of Oxford, on the South Island of New Zealand, attending a training focused on knowing God and understanding His plan in individuals lives and the world at large. The latter 3-month portion (Outreach phase) of the School was devoted to traveling "Around the World in 80 Days", experiencing people, places, and cultures in numerous locations with an effort seeking to make God known, to understand His work in locations of the world, and to aid the longer term vision of finding His place for us in the world.

Birthed out of the recent six month experience with YWAM was a desire in my life to further participate in equipping and engaging others in their seeking of who God is and what He is doing in the world. Thus I am pursuing doing what I may to further "know God and make Him known" as I also seek His specific vision for what my life may hold. Following what I believe is the Lord's leading I will be returning to Oxford, New Zealand, just after the first of the year to begin a new season in my life.

The commitment of returning to YWAM Oxford will likely result in an 18-month period in New Zealand. The exact period of time will depend only on following God's path. Initially, my time will be devoted to aiding the construction of a new cafeteria/lecture/office facility on the existing base in a "project manager" type capacity. I envision this work to be quite similar to my previous work experience, however, I don’t really know where this path leads.

If opportunity allows, following completion of the new building, I hope to participate in one of the three different DTS experiences offered at the YWAM Oxford base as a member of the school staff team, a position of discipleship and leading.

Regardless of the exact focus of my time while serving with YWAM, I will also be participating in a training focused at developing leadership qualities in the base staff and school staff. The Basic Leadership School is a 15-month program that works alongside the specific work of an individual to provide mentoring and leadership development within the areas of responsibility and within the scope of their own life in general.

I reach out to you now in an effort to touch base with each of you, although the limitations of a mass letter are quite apparent when trying to be personable. This season of life is important to me in that I believe it is a way for others to witness what exactly it is that God is doing in the world at large. I would request your prayers and thoughts during this time and welcome emails, phone calls, or just something to say hello. My hope is that I am able to adequately keep up the communication.

My story is part of a much bigger story in this world. I can only tell my stories and the stories of those whom I come into contact with. And, these stories are not just my stories, they belong to you as well. It’s these smaller stories that can paint a picture, a much bigger picture, than just the simple corner of New Zealand where I will soon reside.

In an effort to keep you informed on the happenings with YWAM Oxford and myself, I will continue to use my blog at http://mattsdomain.blogspot.com as a place for various thoughts on life, love, and liberty. In fact, I much desire, as a "missionary", to maintain a bridge between two locations of the world - that which I came from and that to which I now go. The online web journal is one method for which I hope to sustain such communication.

Some of you have already asked about the financial side of things. It is true that my time with YWAM will is completely volunteer, and, as you may very well imagine, I am relying upon what God may provide through any of His various ways to make ends meet. Please feel no obligation to give financially (this is NOT the reason I write to you now!); however, if you do feel led to give I have included information at the end of this note that will provide a number of US tax-deductible methods.

I do look forward to communicating with any of you, though please note that my response time can be artificially slow at times; I don't intend to be tardy but it may happen. Please do let me know how you and your families are!!! I think often of those Mercy Ship friends as the Africa Mercy is now closer than ever to sailing to Africa.

Prayer Requests (Team & Personal):

• There are many new, but familiar faces, currently or soon-to-be residing at YWAM Oxford serving in any number of capacities. It's an exciting time as God builds personal foundations at this place in New Zealand. Pray that the focus will remain on the Lord and His purposes for the Base and the individuals serving there.
• Students for the Backpackers DTS (http://www.ywambackpackers.org/) will be leaving any day to begin their 2-3 month Outreach phase. Prayers for safety and health, and for mind-blowing God experiences to take place in locations around the world and in the greater reaches of New Zealand.
• Students for the January Around the World in 80 Days DTS (http://www.ywamaw80.org/) will be traveling to and arriving in New Zealand in mid-January. Prayers for smooth travels and prepared hearts are appreciated.
• The building program at YWAM Oxford is in the early stages with many steps and days yet to live. Prayer for vision and understanding the Lord's plan for the new additions are key.
• This is a personal step of faith in many aspects. I am confident as to the Lord's leading, however, that doesn't mean it will be easy to follow. I wish to continue growing in many aspects, and I pray that this experience would continue to stretch me. Prayers against apathy, reclusiveness, discouragement, and financial concerns would be much appreciated.

Thank you for your prayers and support in these initial steps! This, as the initial ministry update email, is a work in progress. Please stay tuned for additional updates that are a bit more ministerial focused.

Life - it's a work in progress, you know?

It's a crazy adventure this life we live. I hope that your adventures continue as well!

Much love and blessings,

Matt Wood

Prayer Requests

Current Prayer Requests! Thanks so much for your support and encouragement!

***

Prayer Requests (Team & Personal):

• There are many new, but familiar faces, currently or soon-to-be residing at YWAM Oxford serving in any number of capacities. It's an exciting time as God builds personal foundations at this place in New Zealand. Pray that the focus will remain on the Lord and His purposes for the Base and the individuals serving there.
• Students for the Backpackers DTS (http://www.ywambackpackers.org/) will be leaving any day to begin their 2-3 month Outreach phase. Prayers for safety and health, and for mind-blowing God experiences to take place in locations around the world and in the greater reaches of New Zealand.
• Students for the January Around the World in 80 Days DTS (http://www.ywamaw80.org/) will be traveling to and arriving in New Zealand in mid-January. Prayers for smooth travels and prepared hearts are appreciated.
• The building program at YWAM Oxford is in the early stages with many steps and days yet to live. Prayer for vision and understanding the Lord's plan for the new additions are key.
• This is a personal step of faith in many aspects. I am confident as to the Lord's leading, however, that doesn't mean it will be easy to follow. I wish to continue growing in many aspects, and I pray that this experience would continue to stretch me. Prayers against apathy, reclusiveness, discouragement, and financial concerns would be much appreciated.

To Support With $...

I don't expect anyone to give money! However, I have made the option available to those who feel led to give. I do truly appreciate your generosity and am humbled by your donation. THANK YOU!

The budget I constructed in December 2006 is pasted below. Hopefully it makes cents.

There are two US tax-exempt methods and other "international" methods.


Preferred US Method:
Please send a check to:
YWAM
Accounting Department
PO Box 3000
Garden Valley, TX 75771-3000

The check should be made payable to YWAM, however, PLEASE DO NOT WRITE MY NAME ON THE CHECK. Include a separate piece of paper indicating the check is intended for Matthew A Wood of Eagle River, Alaska. The helpful folks at this address can also receive funds using automatic withdrawal from a bank account or with a credit card - please inquire of them if you should so wish (ph: 903.882.5591).



Secondary US Method (Anchorage, Alaska area):
Please send check to:
Skyline Family Fellowship
18239 N Eagle River Loop Rd
Eagle River, Alaska 99577

The check should be made payable to Skyline Family Fellowship. Please do write my name on the memo line of the check.



International Method(s):
A form of electronic monetary transfer may be made through www.ywamoxford.org or paper forms may be accepted at the postal address below:
YWAM Oxford
PO Box 47
Oxford, North Canterbury 7443
New Zealand

***

Matt's YWAM Staff Budget
Estimated Timeframe:		January 2007 - June 2008
Estimated Duration:		18						Months
Items								One-Time or Annual Costs	Monthly Cost
	BASE BUDGET
1	Travel
		One trip TO NZ (Jan 07)						$1,200.00	$66.67
		One trip FROM NZ (Jul 08)						$1,500.00	$83.33
2	Accommodation/Food								$200.00
		$70 NZD per week ~ $ 50 USD
3	Personal Care								$20.00
4	Health Insurance							$800.00	$44.44
5	Basic Leadership Books							$100.00	$5.56
6	Activity Expenses							$230.00	$12.78
		participation in weekend activities
7	NZ Driver's License							$55.00	$3.06
8	Miscellaneous								$40.00
	Friday night activities, school shirts
Total BASE BUDGET MONTHLY Costs:									$475.83
OPTION #1: YWAM Conference								$400.00	$22.22
		April 2007 - Airfare to Australia
OPTION #2: 1 Roundtrip Visit to US								$3,000.00	$166.67
		During 18 Month Period
OPTION #3: DTS Staff ('08)								$2,200.00	$122.22
Total OPTIONS & BASE MONTHLY Costs:									$912.78

Preacher Man

So, today I had the opportunity to speak at church. I hadn't done this before (a sermon that is) and so the experience was an eye opener. But it was good, really good. If you like, feel free to give the speaking a listen.

There are two services at Skyline Family Fellowship - same message for both, or so I thought. It's pretty amazing the differences between the services. Not that the two services were different messages, just how some things were not said in one, but they were in the other.

The digital recording of the second service can be easily accessed by clicking on the link below or cutting and pasting the address into your internet browser:
http://skylinefamily.com/~projbooth/Sermon%20Files/dec%2024%202006.mp3
You can also find this online by accessing www.skylinefamily.com and finding the link on the left-hand sidebar for Sermon Archives. You'll find a recording at the bottom with my name next to it. Enjoy.

I would recommend right-clicking on the link above and "Save Link As" - this will save the audio file to your computer and will probably allow for a better listening experience. The audio is a bit raw and it may be advisable for you to listen to it though software such as iTunes which will tone down the harsh quality of the mp3.

Maybe someday I will figure out how to post the manuscript. It's just striking how the words that come and the plans that were laid can be completely different. By God's Grace.

Departation

It's snowing outside now. A light, yet constant snow that, over time, builds into inches of fresh powder on the earthen layers outside the window.

Darn, it would be nice to break the snowmachines loose from their summer trappings. The whine of a two-stroke engine plowing through fresh snow is music to the ears. Maybe next week.

The focus of the current weeks, aside from the obvious Christmas celebration, is the preparations required for departing the Great State of Alaska to a small country known as New Zealand on the south side of the pond.

Once again I am to return there, to a place in Oxford. It's where I believe the next 15 months or more of life will be held, and not without reason or growth, quite more than that I anticipate.

So, to this end, there will be a more certain and detailed announcement of the upcoming departure. In addition this blog site will morph into something that I don't quite have grasp of, only to say that the vision is to be a more inviting place and witness as to what God is doing in my life, through my stories and the stories of those around me.

The impartation of such stories are to be a catalyst for you to "go get your own stories!"

Ah, December.

And so the travels continue.

This time it is down to the Lower 48 ('aka' America) to revel in the company of relatives and long-lost friends. It is with great pleasure that my Isuzu Trooper was found in good working order after months of loneliness while I was out and about - the Trooper has become a friend of sorts, escaping with me to the Pacific Northwest areas and providing the independent means necessary to travel this corner of the world and to visit said relatives and friends. On that note, does anyone what to buy a Trooper?

This is but a short chapter in life. A two week period in the States to catch up with family, visit friends, share a cup of coffee and talk about life and where this crazy thing is headed. It's also time to prepare for the next chapter. The chapter in which I travel to New Zealand and serve as a "missionary".

The road is narrow and the path dimly lit, and yet I trod on questioning the path through the fog ahead and continuing to wonder "what if?" Why? Why do we do the things we do in a way that may not make sense? Is our thinking out of whack or is the path mistaken for another?