Teacher's Aide
I have been employed as a Teacher's Aide at Otumoetai College. This is a high school here in Tauranga and has just over 2,000 students. We've already finished our first term and are already into the second term of the year. I work with Year Elevens also known as Sophomores in America, and am loving it. I assist students with their work in English, Science, Math, Life Prep, and get to play Battle Ship once in a while. I run into the majority of the youth from our church as they are students at this school. The Staff Room is huge and at 11:00am we have Morning Tea (Brunch), where there is hot black tea and coffee brewed. A few days a week they serve biscuits (cookies) or chocolate. I also get to learn about Maori (Natives to New Zealand) culture at Lunch through a few of the staff members. Please pray that the school is able to keep my position as funding can be an issue.
Women's Ministry
The Otumoetai Church of Christ has a vibrant Women's Ministry. Every year there is lots of dedication, prayer, planning, volunteering, decorating, and networking to put on exciting events for women of all ages. Most events are geared for youth girls up to the elderly women as well any friends that are invited to come along. I was fortunate to be invited to be on the Core Planning Team along with four other Christian women. We get together and plan out the year's events, dates, leaders, and also spend time in prayer for this ministry. We try to focus on pulling in different women from the congregation to help coordinate events like game nights, devotionals, and tea parties. An upcoming event is called, "Once Upon An Apron." We are decorating the building with aprons, kitchen supplies and have asked the ladies that attend to wear an apron the has a special meaning to them. We will have a devotional and give out prizes. I'm in charge of the favors and creating the invitations.
Tuesdays
Shay, Tanya, and Ashlyn are a few of the oldest girls in the youth group. They've been doing a Bible study with our preacher for several months but that has recently been passed on to me. Every Tuesday at 4pm we meet at the Coffee Club to get a hot drink and study the topic Surrender. Please keep this in your prayers as these girls love diving into God's word, and I am excited to lead them. I want it to be most beneficial for their spiritual lives!
This is Shay and Tanya.America
I love surprises. I love giving surprises. On April 4th, I arrived in San Francisco and caught BART to El Cerrito where my sister, Dannielle, secretly picked me up and drove us to my parent's house. I covered my head with my jacket to block the rain as I ran up to the front door. I was drowned by faces of shock, joy, and love. The hugs and tears drenched me as I embraced my family. Then I made a plate of Mexican food, sat down, and enjoyed all the children God has blessed our family with. I spent every day with my family, thanks to Dad for coming up with some good ideas and for planning hang times. We ate out a lot, went bowling, watched movies, laughed, snuggled, and played cards. I had a great visit, but it's always hard to say goodbye to those faces.
Goodbye Sunshine
Summer is over. The days are chilly but the trees are gorgeous as well as the blue estuary that I wake up to every day. Winter is approaching, and I'd rather fly to the Gold Coast in Australia where the water is warm and 70 degrees is a Winter Low. I am looking forward to wearing my scarves!!
Thailand
Another great opportunity has been set before me. Steve Raine’s wife, Gill, has become a part of a Thai ministry called Rahab. Rahab focuses on helping Thai women get out of prostitution and into better life styles. In Thailand, the oldest girl in a family is responsible to take care of the entire family: parents, siblings, husband, etc. These women are only educated until they are twelve years old, which offers them limited skills and few opportunities to earn a suitable income. Hence, they turn to bars and brothels in order to send money home. If God allows me to be a part of this ministry, I would go to bars and brothels to talk to the women about God as well as offer them an opportunity to learn how to make and sell their own jewelry or work in a beauty salon as an alternative job. Gill Raine has felt the sin as she has bravely walked through these red light districts knowing our mighty God is shining light through her. I passionately crave to have the same experience, but I mainly desire for these women to abandon a degrading lifestyle and to take their first step into God’s pure love.
In September, there will be a group of five flying to Bangkok for ten days to help with Rahab and then on to Chaing Mai to serve in an orphanage for a few days. We will stay with members of the churches of Christ in each city. The cost for the trip is $2000 US. I would appreciate your consideration of how you might partner with me in this effort both financially and spiritually. Checks can be addressed to Veronica Rayfield and mailed to my mother, LaWanda, at 716 Windward Drive, Rodeo, CA 94572. Write THAILAND in the Memo. Please inform me of your interest in this mission trip by Friday, May 14th via email: veronica.rayfield@gmail.com
This is Gill in Bangkok.
Thank You
Thank you for your interest in my life. I am so thankful for the internet that keeps me connected with so many loved ones. Please leave a comment or send me an email! I'd love to hear how you are doing :) God Bless!
