No doubt many of you have heard about the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the South Pacific.  The islands of Samoa were the hardest hit areas.  New Zealand was under a tsunami warning but eluded the wave’s damaging effects.  We have a number of Samoan believers in our congregation with family living in Samoa.  They have had no reports of injury to relatives, but widespread damage to property was sustained.

It’s great having Janet back home.  She was in Michigan during July and August helping her mum adjust after the death of Janet’s dad.  We continue to praise the Lord for graciously saving Janet's dad just weeks before his death!

The Lord continues to bless His work here in Porirua, NZ.  Four men are currently teaching a verse by verse study through the book of Colossians on Wednesday evenings.  One of the men involved is teaching for the first time.  The church is really excited about hearing these men teach.  As missionaries, it is a huge blessing to watch the believers take more of the responsibility for ministry upon their shoulders.

We are preparing for a busy summer with our usual Christmas activities, church picnic, teen activities, and Holiday Programme (VBS).  This time of year brings a heavy emphasis on evangelization.  We are asking God to use us to bring many lost people under the sound of the Gospel.

On a personal note, Micah is playing on the basketball all-star team for our area.  His team won their regional tournament in August, which qualified them for the national tournament.  We will be travelling to the South Island soon where his team will compete against the best teams from around NZ in his age group (13/14 year olds).  He loves his basketball!  His dad never had a chance to pass on his love for baseball in a cricket playing country.

By HIS grace & for HIS glory,

The Browns

Dale, Janet and Micah