New Zealand prayer update

At last! I originally wrote this update a week ago, since then it has been waiting in the wings just to finish off.  For one reason or another this week has just been particularly hectic.  I have now had to edit the information below.

Anyway thought it was time to update you on New Zealand Developments. It is just 6 weeks until I go which ain’t long at all. I am looking forward to it but there is also a tinge of apprehension.  It is four weeks, a long way away from home with everything that can happen here.  Apart from a rough idea of itinerary there are still a lot of uncertainties about what lies ahead on the ground.  My flights are booked. And I will be flying Emirates from Glasgow to Auckland via Dubai and Melbourne and returning from Auckland via Dubai.  The price was good and it gives me a little leeway on my Study Leave expenses for internal travel etc.  I depart Glasgow Wed 14^th Sept arriving Auckland on Fri 16^th Sept and I will leave again on Tue 11^th Oct arriving home on Wed 12^th Oct.

The main prayer pointers at the moment are:

Finance

The Emirates flight being a good deal has allowed a bit of leeway in the Finances. The recommendation is to allow NZD 100 per day for daily living expenses and internal travel. For my trip that equates to NZD 3000 which is about £1600 (More if the exchange rate continues to fall!) As of this week, providing all the promised donations come in, I have reached that target - Praise God – anything else will be a bonus. Thanks are particularly due to The Church of Scotland (Study Leave), Lochgoin and Fenwick Covenanters Trust, Fenwick Parish Church as well as a few individuals.

Relationships

I should have a meeting with the Scotland team this next week to introduce myself and explain what Chaplaincy and Engage (NZ) will offer them in New Zealand this is still to be confirmed. Please pray that it will firm up by the beginning of the week.  This will be my only meeting with the squad before they travel to New Zealand, I had hoped for more but I have to work with what the team management will give me.   It helps that I know a good number of the squad from Glasgow. Please pray that I get the presentation right on that day.

Itinerary

This is still very sketchy. I have been promised sight of the day sheets for the Scotland squad which will help me plan more efficiently please pray that these come through.  At the moment it is looking like this:

Fri 16^th Sep          Arrive Auckland

Mon 19^th Sep      Orientation day/Chaplains briefing (Auckland)

Tue 20^th Sep        Travel Wellington

Sun 25^th Sep        Scotland v Argentina

Tue 27^th Sep        Travel Auckland

Sat 1^st Oct           Scotland v England

8^th or 9^th Oct       Quarterfinal (hopefully)

Tue 11^th Oct        Depart Auckland

The rest will undoubtedly fill in!

Accommodation

This is partly in the hands of Engage (NZ) and volunteer families.  This week the chaplains were asked to use their own links where they have them to take the pressure off of the Host Family Programme.  Simply pray that it all comes together that I stay with the right people in the right places.

That’s all for now I’ll attempt a more regular update as the weeks fly in.