THAILAND!!!!

August 2010

Dear brothers and sisters,

Kia Ora! (That is the New Zealand word for Hello!) I am going on my tenth month of living here in Tauranga. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far. I am working at Otumoetai College, a high school, where I’m working twenty hours a week as a teacher’s aide. I am also working at a backpackers (hostel) as a receptionist. I will begin my studies at Waikato University in February 2011 to complete a three year Social Science degree. Even if I’m only in New Zealand for a season of my life, God has planted great joy inside of my heart during this time that I’m away from my Christian family and loved ones in America.

Another great opportunity has been set before me. Gill Raine, a member of the church at Otumoetai, 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 four flying to Bangkok for twelve days to help with Rahab and then on to Chaing Mai to serve in an orphanage and to visit a leprosy colony. We will stay with members of the churches of Christ in each city. The cost for the trip is $2000 US. I still need $1860. 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. Please write THAILAND in the memo section. Your donation can be mailed to my mother, LaWanda Rayfield, at 716 Windward Drive, Rodeo, CA 94572. Please inform me of your interest in this mission trip as soon as possible via email: veronica.rayfield@gmail.com. Please send any donations as soon as possible.

My career goals include humanitarian and/or development aid work in third world countries. You are supporting women in Thailand, but you are also helping to develop my desire to serve those less fortunate than myself. I appreciate you joining me on my spiritual journey. Thank you for your interest in my life. I love the Lord unconditionally, and I am in awe of the precise ways He has used you to encourage me! Praise Him for provision and growth! I look forward to hearing from you!!



THIS IS GILL IN BANGKOK

Your sister,
Veronica Rayfield

People, People, People EVERYWHERE

People cover this earth so well. Whether they are in New Zealand or America, I just can't get enough of them. My life has been full of so many people. Every day I am constantly surrounded by people of all ages, races, gender, and personalities. Since my last blog was four months ago, I have a few updates.

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!

Summer. Summer. Summer!!!

So it's nearing the end of January and I've had a full two months of summer here in New Zealand!! Since my last update, I've been in Tauranga with friends celebrating the holidays and enjoying New Zealand summer culture.

During December I attended Rebecca and Nick La Spina's wedding, went camping with the Nelson and Pratt families in Hahei, and I celebrated New Years with close friends.





Some January highlights: I went to my first and hopefully, last cricket match, went to the horse races, went on a catamaran to celebrate Brooke and Kelly's fifth wedding anniversary where I kayaked and saw dolphins and the rare Sunfish. I helped the Nelsons move houses and have enjoyed many barbecues and fellowship.





I've been so blessed to be a part of the Otumoetai congregation here in Tauranga. I was an intern with this church from 2006 to 2007, and I am so pleased to be worshipping with them again.

I've been enjoying myself and having lots of fun. However, I am still waiting for my working holiday visa to arrive. It's taking double the amount of time I suspected, so I'm just waiting until it arrives. I've been missing everyone back home a lot, so please keep in touch!! LOVE YOU ALL!

Southland

I have been in the South Island for 16 days now. I miss my job at Starbucks!! I love that place and people so much. This was on my last day.



Thanks to google maps, here is a picture of where New Zealand is and also a map of New Zealand.



I am currently near Invercargill, which is at the bottom of the South Island. On Monday, I'll be taking a road trip to Milford Sound, Te Anau, Wanaka, and Queenstown. In another 17 days, I'll be in Tauranga, which is on the North Island on the east coast. On Christmas Day I get to go camping in Hahei which is two hours north of Tauranga in the Coromandel.



This is the DuBose's home where I'm living right now.



I'm enjoying the farm life where I've been able to feed baby lambs. The DuBose family has two pet lambs named Sophie and Michael Jackson. Their home is surrounded by beautiful gardens that allow us to put together gorgeous flower arrangements every few days.
Here was my first attempt:

I was able to spend time in Invercargill hanging out with my best friend Alyssa and her new husband, Daniel. Along with some of her family and friends from the States, we ate some yummy pizza and watched New Moon last Saturday :)

Safe Arrival

I landed last Tuesday morning in Auckland, New Zealand after a long thirteen hour flight from San Francisco. It was outrageously painful to say my final goodbyes to my family. I just did NOT want to let my mom go at the airport. Her hugs are like a healing medicine to my soul. I thank God for my safe arrival and for my safe travels down to the South Island. I flew from Auckland to Queenstown then had to drive to Invercargill and then onto Mataura. Mataura is a small, sheeptown that is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The rolling, green hills and beautiful blue sky just melt my heart. I've come to Mataura to attend my best friend, Alyssa's wedding. She met a New Zealander, also called a Kiwi, and they are settling down here.

This week I got to see:

The Caitlins


McClean Falls


Alyssa and Daniel Johnstone's Wedding


Today, I went to church and we had a picnic then played some card games and fellowship!

My first week has been so great!

The Game Plan

I am moving to Tauranga, New Zealand on Sunday, November 8, 2009. I will fly straight to the South Island to a town called Mataura where I'll be living with a mixed New Zealand and American family. Chris and Abby DuBose and their two kids will be putting me up for a month. I may be working on a sheep farm.

We're all attending our friends' wedding and then I'll be flying up to the North Island for a graduation, another wedding, Christmas, a camping trip to Hahei, and to find a job. I'll be living with a family that I grew very close to when I lived there as an AIM student from May 2006 to November 2007. This is their home.



As most of you know, I work for Starbucks here in California, but I can't transfer internationally. I've been in contact with the Starbucks in Tauranga and they said I should talk to them when I arrive.

I appreciate everyones interest in my life. God has definitely been the one leading me every step of the way. Prayers as I say goodbye to my family would be very appreciated. Thank you for your friendship, love, and support. God bless you!