Tea Masala and Samosas

Two of many great discoveries that I have been introduced to while in New Zealand are Samosas and Tea Masala. Both are Indian, which is most of the food that I have had while eating here.

Samosas is a fried pastry with spicy potato, onion, peas, and sometimes lentils. They are wonderful. They especially go well with a great cup of Tea Masala. I'm not sure of everything that is in Tea Masala...but I do know that pepper is added, which  makes it nice and spicy. It may sound strange, but it's wonderful! The pair make an awesome afternoon snack!

New Zealand is a different mission field that I am used to. Yes, I have running water. Yes, everybody here has a car. Yes, I have a heater to run at night (it's wintertime here). No, I don't see a ton of homeless children on the street. There is one similarity between New Zealand and Colombia, and the slums in Kenya, or the ravaged villages in South Sudan, or the dark ministries in Europe: people need Christ.

It's easy to feel burdened for people when you can physically see their need. Here, their need is purely spiritual. They don't need a jacket, or a plate of food. They just need Christ. I'm definitely not saying those things are wrong, because that's where a major part of my vision is in serving Christ.

I'm just saying that it makes it difficult to minister to people because the only thing you have to give them is the one thing that they don't want.

I had the chance to visit a Buddhist temple the other day, the one pictured here, and witnessed men praying to a god that doesn't exist. Looking for help in a void. I know a lot of you are praying for me daily. It's something that I appreciate so much! Can I challenge you to also start praying daily for people's hearts to be opened to the power of Christ here in New Zealand. Also, pray for me as I preach on Sunday morning.

Cheers Mates, and as you leave, enjoy some of New Zealand that I have been able to enjoy!

Happy Queen's Birthday!

It's Monday, June 4. Today is the Queen's birthday. This means that everything has a 10% price increase. I won't be doing much today! Everything is already so expensive on its own. Would you want to pay $30NZD ($23USD) on a 4-pack of batteries?

It's been a crazy week already. I haven't been able to see a whole lot for a couple of reasons. First, I'm 17 hours ahead, which makes for a nice nap at 4:00 in the afternoon, and a rude awakening at 5:00 in the morning. I'm almost over it, though. Second, there has been quite a bit of work to do as well.

One of the most surprising things I have had to face here in New Zealand is the variety of nationalities. There are the British, South Africans, Filipinos, Maori, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Balkaans, Bavarians, Latinos, lots of people from India,  lots of Kiwis (white New Zealanders), lots of Polynesians, and lots of Brazilians. There aren't just a few people roaming around from each of these countries. There are significant populations from these various countries. It's quite a strange but normal occurrence to begin  speaking with someone from China who has a thick New Zealand accent. I know that technically they speak 'English' here, but it is definitely quite a different language.

Example:

"Sure is choc-a-block, ay?" (Something is overflowed/crowded)

"Good on ya, mate" (Greeting)

"I'll shout" (I'll pay)

"Where's the rubbish?" (Where's the trash can)

"I'm keen, yeah" (Sounds good)

"It's really posh" (It's really nice/rich)

"Ah, choice!" (Very good!)

"Cheers" (Thanks/Goodbye)

"Hiding" (Beating)

And that's just some that i've only begun to understand. There are heeps more I'm confused on!

Pakuranga Underground Night Market

Ice Cream was served in pineapples!

Auckland City view from Mt. Eden

Aside from the confusion and busy-ness of these first few days, I've enjoyed my stay on the Island. It's definitely beautiful. I will post a lot more pictures when I am able to get around and see some more things.

Prayer Needs:

I can't put everything on here, but just pray for the people here, that they will experience a brokenness for Christ.

Talk to you again soon!

28 Hours Later...

It's here.

I leave for my journey to New Zealand tomorrow morning. When I say journey, I mean it. I leave tomorrow from Austin, Texas, on a Sunday. I get to Auckland, New Zealand on a Tuesday. With the time change, that's a total travel time of about 28 hours. Yippee.

No, but seriously...YIPPEE!!!

Just in case you wanted a copy of my itinerary, I thought it would be nice to give you the most detailed information about my travels:

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I can't thank everybody enough for your support through this incredible opportunity. I will definitely update everybody once I am settled in.

Be prepared for lots of pictures!

Commencement

Today, I graduated.

I was excited for about a minute, and then I realized that hidden behind all of the pictures and hugging and happiness was a subliminal goodbye.

Commencement. If you look up this word in a thesaurus, you may find that one of the synonyms listed is birth, or kick-off. The cool thing about these words is that they mark the end of anticipation. A pregnant woman anticipates the birth of her baby for almost an entire year. A football team anticipates their first kick-off after an entire off-season of practice. I bet if you ask a mother, she wouldn't be satisfied with just being pregnant for months, and then never having a baby. I bet if you ask a team, they wouldn't be satisfied with practicing for months and then never playing a game. That's what graduation is. Up until this point, my life has been an anticipation for this moment. Yes, it is sad to let go and move on. But i've spent the last 22 years preparing for this moment. I don't really know what it is (hope I figure it out soon!), but I know that God is excited and I'm excited to let Him work through me.

My challenge is handed down from a challenge given by David Wilkerson before his death in 2011. To my fellow graduates of BBC, other colleges, and other brothers and sisters in Christ, let us veil ourselves in Christ. Let our identity be in Jesus Christ. Remember that at the point of salvation, at the point of asking Christ to be the leader and savior of our life, we surrendered to LIFE ABANDONMENT. Not our desires, but His desires through us.

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus". (Philippians 3:13-14)

The Bearer of Bad.....Blessings in Disguise?

No one likes to read the fine print. Even when I find myself encouraged and strong-willed enough, with glasses in hand, to read the fine print, I give up after the first few lines of verbose legal jargon. Unfortunately, however, not reading the fine print doesn't make it go away. The principle behind the fine print still applies whether we read it or not.

Today, I read some unwelcoming fine print.

Satan sucks. I would tell you that he knows just how, and in the right moment, to get you down, but I refuse to give him that much credit. He doesn't deserve it. That's why I am trying to see this as a blessing in disguise.

Received a call today letting me know that plans have changed a little. While in New Zealand, I was going to be blessed enough to be able to have my food provided through an established feeding ministry, cutting my expenses down quite a bit. Well, things happened and as of right now, that is no longer a possibility. On top of that, just like everywhere else on Earth, the economy in New Zealand isn't awesome. The people in New Zealand are not wearing outfits made of cash and walking in the street swaying to Abba's Dancing Queen. It's just not happening, although I wish. Prices have skyrocketed to a point that North Korea's missile couldn't even imagine. My point is, this journey is going to cost more than I expected. Because everything is so expensive, and now since I will be having to pay for my own food, I am expecting GOD to do even bigger things!

Ben Walker, a missionary that I will be working under in New Zealand, after sharing this unfortunate news with me, encouraged me with a very discouraging verse, that was actually encouraging. Yeah, wrap your mind around that.

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
                                                             -Proverbs 24:10 

It's not a fun thing to be able to relate to that verse. I am so glad that he shared this verse with me. Why  am I surprised that I am experiencing adversity right now? This is God's specialty! This is where God gets most of His glory! Not when we are able to avoid adversity, but when we are able to endure THROUGH adversity. I am discouraged, to be honest with you. But I am so so so so so excited for this opportunity that God has given me to grow through. That's why this is a blessing in disguise...a chance to REALLY LIVE for God. With that in mind, I have it easy. The real people who this is impacting more than myself, are Ben and Raelene Walker, missionaries to New Zealand, and missionaries all over the world. They live this type of adversity every. single. day.


It's an uncomfortable thing to ask for financial support. But when has professing Christ and submitting to His ministry ever been a comfortable thing? It would be easy and comfortable to just back out of my journey to New Zealand. It would be easy to just give up. But I refuse. I know that God will provide. That's where you come in. Please prayerfully consider making a one-time financial gift to support this mission. Don't think that any amount is too small. My information is on the right side of this blog.

I also highly covet your prayers in this situation, but please be praying for the Walkers as well, and the people all over the world making sacrifices to bring the light of Christ to this Earth!

Waiting Game

I've passed the beginning stages. The honeymoon stage of planning is over, for now. The waiting game begins. It's been about a month since I formally announced my journey to New Zealand.  During that month, I finalized my plane tickets. Designed, ordered, and received my prayer cards. Ordered scan cards (what these actually are will be revealed soon). Wrote letters. Annoyed people on Facebook by posting a link to my blog everyday. Now that I typed that out, it doesn't seem like all that much. But I promise you, it was.

Nobody likes to wait. It's not a fun thing to do. Some people read a good book when they wait. Some play games on their phones. Some fall asleep. But there is always something you can occupy yourself with when you are waiting. Even dentist offices have magazines for you to read. I decided that while in the midst of this waiting game, I will keep you occupied (and myself) by giving you some details about New Zealand.

New Zealand is a very small country, separated in two main islands: North Island, South Island. It is about the size of Colorado, or Great Britain, or Japan. It's population is only about 4.5 million people, making it gloriously uncrowded.







The capital city of New Zealand is Wellington, located on the southernmost tip of the North Island. Although Wellington is the capital, it only has a population of about 400,000 people.

The largest city, where I am going, is Auckland, and is located on the northern peninsula of the North Island. Auckland has a population of approximately 1.5 million people.



Auckland is a very diverse city, with significant populations of New Zealand Europeans, Pacific Islanders, Asians, Maori (indigenous people), Middle Easterners, Latin Americans, and Africans. Although the official language is English, many other minority languages are present, with Maori being the largest minority.

What people find most fascinating about New Zealand is its diverse landscapes.












There are also a lot of volcanoes.

New Zealand is also home to a unique species of glowing cave worms.






I hope that this helps you visual what a beautiful country New Zealand really is. Although it is beautiful on the outside, New Zealand is a very dark country. Over 40% of the population claim no religious belief whatsoever. Less than 10% of the people attend any church at all, let alone a Bible-believing church.

I leave for New Zealand beginning in Austin. However, the journey to New Zealand does not begin at Austin International Airport. The journey to New Zealand does not begin on my departure from Los Angeles. The journey to New Zealand begins now. Part of the journey means praying for the people that live in the beautiful country depicted above. I mentioned in my first post that it is a strange thing burdening for a people you don't know. But it is exciting! I can't wait to actually meet the people I have been praying for! I ask that you join me by praying that the hearts of the people in New Zealand will be prepared.

For those of you who personally know me, you know I have a strong connection with Nehemiah. Nehemiah was living far away from Israel, and he was a cupbearer to a king in Persia, so Nehemiah was a very rich man. He was basically royalty. One day, he finds out that Jerusalem is physically in bad shape, and that the people's hearts have been hardened towards God. At this point, Nehemiah is brought to a point of anguish at the state of the people. He begins to weep for the people. He mourns, prays, fasts. Nehemiah then leaves all of his riches and travels to Jerusalem to restore the city and its people. This is why I am going to New Zealand. Sure, the landscape and scenery is a great perk and I am sure I will thoroughly enjoy the view. BUT, the reason I am going to New Zealand is because I feel a burden for the people there. Even the hint of hope that a person will come to know Jesus Christ in New Zealand is more beautiful than any mountain or plain. A new believer's smile and joy will shine brighter than the beach. THAT is the reason why I travel to New Zealand.

The Beginning of an End

I'm so glad that you have taken the time to be with me on this incredible journey that I am preparing for!

Soon, before I know it, I will be looking for dragon fireworks in Hobbiton. Looking for room at the Inn of the Prancing Pony. Or perhaps, even crossing the stream into Rivendell. Yes, I am soon to be on New Zealand soil. It can't come quick enough!

How did I score a trip to New Zealand? Well, I had just returned from a life-altering trip to Bogota, Colombia (South America, not to be confused with the less-interesting setting of Columbia, Missouri). With the things that I saw and experienced in this city of 10 million, I took every opportunity that faced me to share the anguish that God had burdened me with while I was there. It just so happened to be, that one person that I shared my thoughts with was a missionary to New Zealand. Ben Walker. After sharing my heart with him, he shared his heart about New Zealand and its need for Christ. After our talk, he subtly joked that I should consider coming to New Zealand. "Yeah, that would be awesome!"--I said sarcastically while never thinking twice about it. Thinking I would probably never even see or hear from Mr. Walker again, I suddenly found myself bumping into him on a somewhat consistent basis...the subtle invites becoming less humorous and more convincing. After considerable prayer, I knew that I had to go. 

It's a strange feeling: burdening for a people that you have never met before. Yearning to see God work in a setting that you aren't even remotely familiar with. That may be why this is one of the most exciting, and terrifying adventures I have yet to brave.

I don't know what comes after. In the mix are bits and pieces of possibilities: South Korea, Colombia, Israel, Chicago. Teaching, serving, studying. Is it naive that I am trying not to worry about what comes after, and just let God take control? Maybe, but doesn't Christ call us to be naive in some ways? To humble ourselves and not rely on our own understanding? Here's to raising a glass (you can raise a glass of water too) to letting go and letting Christ drive.

It will be a while before I write again. This is just my introduction. You will hear from me again, before I leave for a 13 hour flight to Middle Earth (that's New Zealand, for you non-LOTR fans), on a second story of a plane, I might add. 

Check Back Soon!

Patrick Doty