Went to the Antartic Centre today. Had been recommended by a few people so went to check it out as I had a free day. Leaving it till late! Was a good time there, some good things there. Experienced minus 30ish in a snow storm like they get in Antartica. Was pretty nippy! Were a few static exibits which were interesting and then went to see the penguins that they have there! Little blue ones, think that they are the smallest ones in the world. Very cute as well. Got to see them being fed, quite entertaining! Got the last of my presents as well, again leaving it late!

Went down to town, got a card for Steve, Carne and the boys. Also sold a couple of my games, bit more cash. Depressing seeing how little you get for them though!!! Then went to the gym for my last session there. Pretty good one to finish on, was nice and quiet with me being the only person there!

Scott and Hannah came round this evening to say bye which was nice. Good to see them for a bit before going. Had tea and stuff then watched TV. A rerun of the NZ under-21 team play the Canada first team! Was a really good game and the Colts played pretty well. They only just lost out as well, by 3 points. Very impressive and quite scary that the under-21s are that good, think that they had a couple of players missing as well playing for other teams!

Have been packing as well this evening. Think that have everything done now! Just about at the weight limit on each bag as well, getting my money's worth this time! Need to check it again tomorrow, couple more things to add as well, couple tip the balance. Need to find what I could get rid of as well! Few things have already gone (no presents!!!), not sure what esle can go now. Sure that it'll all be fine. Is quite stange thinking that I fly today! Seems like I'm getting ready for the jet-lag adjustment as well, is currently 1:44am here!

After having a leaving and goodbye party last week I'm still saying bye to people here! Will have gone on for over a week once it is all finished! Had last Bible study this morning which was good. A recap over all that we have done so far, was great to do and a pretty good study as well. Had a lunch for me after which was really nice. Got well fed which is always good!

Then was down for MTS training at St Johns. Good time there, chatting through some issues for the first part and then studying some OT in the second helping out one of the guys who has a talk for Sunday. We also went out for a drink which was really nice, a goodbye thing again! Went shopping again and got stuff for Luke and my Great-Gran. Just Si left to buy for now, hopefully getting something tomorrow as I'm hoping to get to the Antarctic centre.

Rode down to training tonight in pouring rain only to find that it wasn't on! Not enough people turned up which was a shame. More goodbyes there! Not playing Saturday, common sense prevails! Was allowed to keep my shorts and jacket which was pretty cool, nice extra mementos!

Was so wet when I got back, crazy really. Could wring out my socks it was that bad! Stuff is now up and drying off. Started packing as well which was good. Amazed how much extra stuff I seem to have. Just hoping that I can fit it all back in now! Got one bag done and one half-way through. Getting there. Know that have nearly everything out and nearly packed!

Hi folks, welcome to the last Weekly Womble! Hasn't quite sunk in that I am going yet! I fly out on Saturday and get back to the good old UK on Sunday morning.

Things to be thankful for:

• Kids slot and youth group both going well at the weekend
• The huge encouragement that my 'leaving do' last week was to me
• Good turnout for Poly despite it being exam and assessment time
• How great this year has been! Such a wonderful opportunity for me to grow and learn so much
• All the people around me who have been so brilliant, especially Costa
• Steve and Carne for having me live with them!

Things to pray for:

• Things to continue to go really well at St Saviour's over the next few months. Youth group with quite a few changes coming up on
• Safe travels for me and a really good time with family and friends when I get back
• That I might have a good chat with someone on the plane! Next to someone for 20-odd hours, pray that there might be a chance there and that I would take it
• Costa to have a good holiday and come back refreshed
• The camps that I am doing over the summer to go well and that I would be a good leader on them and a good witness. That God would be softening hearts to the gospel and that there would be genuine conversions
• Uni, such a great opportunity there, pray that I would take it and that there would be some great chances for ministry there, especially in the first few weeks

Quite a few things, short and longer term!

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support for me, have been hugely appreciated by me. You'll see the fruits in heaven hopefully!

Love,

David

Had creche this morning which went well, there were a few kids away which made it easier. Got a present as thanks from the ladies as well which was very nice. Kiwi meals in minutes cookbook and a book of photos of Canterbury- great! I then made a guest apperance as John the Baptist for their recap session. All dressed up- was good! Is there no end to the things that I will do as part of my job!!! Went well, am so much more confident in front of crowds than at the start of the year. Quite enjoy it now, always a good thing if I'm going to be standing up doing talks in the future.

Chilled out this afternoon for a bit before going to the gym. Good session there. Then got out and got another present, Dad now ticked off the list!

This evening have been out for tea again. Family with 3 boys so was great fun! Watched Jimmy Grimble which is pretty good, shame that he's a C**y fan though! Was a very nice night chatting and messing on with the lads, bit like being with my brothers, which I will be in just a few days now! After getting back have just been doing some sorting out work and throwing some stuff out! Getting all ready, is exciting! Beginning to feel a bit more real now.

Had another bit of a lie in this morning, not  as long as yesterday mind! Was then down at Poly for my last study down there. The long goodbye continues! Was good down there, a good crowd there showing again how random it can be! Exams coming up but more than the week before I'd say. Great to see! Pete said some really nice things as well, really encouraged! Sometimes feel like I don't do that much but was nice to be told that I'd be missed and stuff. Was interviewed there as well, really getting used to being up the front and talking!

Grabbed a Subway in town and then rode off to go shopping in a place on the edge of Christchurch. An outlet store for big shops so some bargains to be had. Got 2 pairs of boardshorts, 2 pairs of jandles (flip-flops) and a T-shirt for less than $80, bargainous! Rode home in good time after as well, great exercise!

Had training this evening. Have a game that kicks off at 1 on Saturday so I can make it to play! Have to decide if it is worth it though! Game would finish about 2:30 and I would have to be at the airport for 3:30 to catch my flight! Help on the decision would be appreciated. Factors to consider are how much I would like to play, but the possibility of injury so I can't fly! Think that I swinging towards not playing at the moment really. We shall see!

Had a lush long lie in this morning. Needed after quite a late night the night before. Had a email published on the BBC text cricket commentary which was very exciting before I went to bed! Got up about 11ish and just lazed round before actually going down and getting some food at 12! After that I watched some TV, rerun of last night's cricket which was good.

Then went down into town and did some shopping and stuff. Got a couple of new CDs, 2 kiwi bands. The best of the Exponents, an old NZ band with some great songs, and also an album by The Mint Chicks, newer group. Have just been listening to them both and am very impressed. Mint Chicks is great and I haven't listened to all The Exponents yet. Liked what I have heard though! I also went and traded in some of my PS2 games. Got more for them if I traded for something else so got International Cricket Captain 2006 cheap! Is a good game, pretty much just the same as the others with updated teams and competitions! Ain't broke don't fix it! Got to the gym after that and had a decent session there. Sore from the game at the weekend though!

Was out for tea this evening whichwas very nice! Lovely meal and then a good time playing with the kids and then chatting after they had gone to bed. Great evening! After that have been playing some ICC and listening to new CDs, tis good!

Was at church early for the 8 o clock! Got a lift down there but would have been on time riding as well! Great talk by Costa on the end of James and some very tricky verses, seem clear now which is great! Then got ready for the service, unfortunately the projector didn't seem to want to work so weren't able to use that. Glad that I hadn't spent ages doing something on it for my kids slot!

Kids slot went well, wasn't amazing. Probably not as good as some of the others that I have done either. Was interviewed after which went well. Then was doing Sunday school. A fun session with all the under 10s together. Most of the time was taken up by doing a fire drill, and then the fire brigade coming and talking to us. Of course, we had to have a look at the fire engine that they had and have a go in it, kids were so excited about it! Did do some things recapping from the previous series. The kids in my group were great and 'won'!

Was good chatting to a few people after as well, saying some goodbyes! Was told by one person that I looked like a natural speaker which was nice. Am so not though! Good that I have got much better at it, haven't had the chance not to recently mind!

Was then home and doing work for youth group. Got my talk done and then went down to get it printed off and stuff. Said bye to Costa and Teresa as well as they left for the UK this evening. Was strange and sad saying bye, been such a massive part of my life over the past 9 months, strange that it's going to be ages till I see them again. Youth group after went well. Only 4 there which was a shame. Talk seemed to go alright, one girl seemed really tuned in which was great.

Felt quite surreal going back home, just had the last major thing that I have to do here. The major thing that I came out to do as well. Very strange feeling. Sad mainly as it's really getting to the end. Veged infront of the TV for a bit before making a pudding for tomorrow. Am going out for tea so said that I would bring pudding. Good to get me doing something! Have been talking to Naomi and just lazing around after that! Is good!

Got up nearly today, on my day off as well! Well, was early in comparison, is all relative. Was down to watch one if the guys from youth group playing 'soccer'. Saw most of the game after riding down there. Wasn't that good a game, his team played pretty poorly it has to be said. Disappointing for him I think. Really made me want to play football though! Can't wait to get back and playing properly again.

Got back and just chilled out and dried off a bit as well. Was wet on the bike and watching so lazed around getting a bit dry! Then was getting some lunch and kit together for rugby in the afternoon.

Hadn't sorted a lift out so rode to the ground where we were playing, not too hard, Christchurch is nice and flat! 5 and a half miles Google maps told me it was. Good little warm up! We were playing Christchurch, one of the oldest clubs in the world. I was able to start at full-back. The last time I had played there was once for school in year 10, 5 years ago I reckon!

Game wasn't that great, we got hammered again. 81-0 this time. We kept missing so many tackles and weren't able to get any and keep any ball, especially in the first half. Very disappointing. I played pretty well though, did a couple of good tackles when people were through on me and forced some penalties for holding onto the ball as well. Few big hits as well. In the second half I played a bit at fly-half when we were attacking and slotted back into full-back on defence, don't think that it worked that well really! Got a really bad dump tackle done to me, had passed the ball and the guy just picked me up and smashed me into the turf, hitting pelvis and knee. Was able to get up and continue though. Very glad that it had rained and soften the ground a bit. Might have been in big trouble a few weeks ago. We got a penalty so that was alright. Was able to get revenge later as the guy was running down the wing and had got past our winger. Was able to line him up and just nail him over the touchline, was so sweet. Legal and everything! Teammates loved it as well, people on the sides were cheering me on to do it before it had happened!

Got home and sorted myself out, shower and finding bruises and injuries! Not too bad this week, nowt major I don't think. Then went down to the club rooms. I won player of the day for our team so was very happy with that! Got a T-short, they didn't have any of the mug things that they give out which was a shame. Still got something to remind me of it though. Had to give a bit of a speech as well, went alright. Could have been my last game today for them as well, good note to go out on. Depends on what time the flight and game is next week. Have done well at Sydenham. 2 starts in the backs resulting in 2 tries and nearly getting player of the day (just losing out as I wasn't a forward!) and player of the day in my other one!

Got back and just been lying around, very tired! Lots of exercise. Ridden over 20km I reckon, walked to club rooms and back and played a full 80 minutes of tough rugby! Need a nice long sleep now! Have done a bit of work as well, got powerpoint, some Sunday school stuff and a bit of talk done.

Was working on my talk this morning, went reasonably well. Probably half way through it but know where am going with it. Just need to write out the rest nice and clear. Need some illustrations as well for it as well, seems quite dry at the moment. Did some more work on talk in the afternoon then went off to the gym. Good session there before getting down to church. Having a leaving thing for me there.

Did a fish and chip supper with L&P (lemon kiwi drink) and then pavlova for pudding! Was so great. Loads of people were there, touched that so many people appreciated me! Had heard that a few people weren't coming so was very pleasently surprised to see so many people there. Just very very happy. Got a few things from some of the kids which were very sweet. One lovely thing from one girl, just the cutest and sweetest card ever. Got an All Blacks shirt from everyone and a big signed card, was great! Not sure how much the AB shirt will be worn over September mind! Just an awesome evening really. Loved it! Had to give a bit of a speech but it seemed to go alright. Costa also managed to find a picture of me from back when he was in Newcastle and I was 7!!!

Got back and just been chilling watching some TV and playing some Pro Evo this evening. Need to be getting to be soonish as am going to watch one of the youth group guys playing 'soccer' tomorrow morning. They have crazily early starts for kids sport! Not right.

Had Bible study this morning which went well. Jumped around a but but was a pretty good study. Good help on a tricky verse that I have never really understood properly as well.

Then rode into town and was looking for presents for people back home. Got a lush beef souvlaki thing as well to sustain me, awesome! Was just browsing round the souvenier shops and the market really. Nothing that exciting. Did get one thing before I had to go for MTS. MTS was good, we reviewed our walk-up evangelism and then did some stuff in 2 Chronicles, which a couple of the guys were preparing youth group talks for. Were meant to be starting a new Moore College thing but the books hadn't arrived.

After that was out and actually buying presents! Have got a few more people sorted now. Is fun buying them, bit nervy too though as you hope that they will like them! Rode home and had a bit of time chilling and eating before rugby training. Not that many there again so we played another good game of touch. Good laugh really but also good for the skills as it was a bit wet. I played pretty well and got quite a few tries. Scored one mint one where the ball was passed to me and I couldn't reach it so just volleyed it through and chased it up to score. Not sure if it would be legal in a game but looked pretty cool!

Got back and had some more food and a lush hot shower. Was pretty cold, wet and muddy from the game! Then have been making a tentative start on my talk. Doing Genesis 12 this week. Mainly the promises to Abram and then am going to be looking how Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the promises. Been finding some passages in the NT that explain it a bit that I can use tonight.

Hi, greetings from a cold Christchurch. I'm looking forward to getting back to summer in the UK and some warmth!

Was a good weekend, had a youth group social on the Saturday and then a busy Sunday doing Sunday school and the talk at youth group.

Things to be thankful for:

• Sunday school, is such an encouragement each week! The kids are really seeming to understand grace and humility before God
• Getting everything done and my talk going well last Sunday
• Helped Costa with some door to door work yesterday, be thankful for the conversations that we had with people
• Great turnout for prayer meeting last week
• Great fun social with one girl bringing a friend along which was very exciting!
• Anne who has started doing the admin in the office

Things to pray for:

• That my last Sunday would go well! Am doing the talk at youth group as well as the kids slot talk in the service
• That my talk would be clear and faithful
• Kids still coming along to youth group, that they might bring their friends as well
• Being clear in my kids talk and not nervous, knowing exactly what to do it on and to say
• Using time well in the last few days that I have
• For people that Costa and I were able to speak to. That they might want to find out more about Jesus and come along to St Saviours
• People to take over things that I am currently doing, Sunday school being the main one
• That I would still be a good witness at rugby and might be bold in telling people about Jesus there

Only 1 more Weekly Womble left! Can't quite believe that I go home next week!

Love and thanks,

David

Have now been here for 9 months! Seems like an age really, not long to go now, just 10 days. Had creche this morning which was the usual really. Kids were good again, good being able to take them for a run around in the church as well. Was really cold in there though, needed to keep moving! Is generally really cold, am looking forward to getting back in the warm of the UK, especially after seeing some nice looking forcasts recently!

This afternoon didn't get as much done as I really wanted to. Did do some reading and stuff but didn't really knuckle down, frustrated with myself. Got to the gym and had a good session there, ramping up the weights again. This evening again did some reading but was slow and inefficient. Annoyed at myself as it means that I'll have to work more and for longer over the next few days. Is my own fault though.

Just been watching the second State of Origin league game which was really good. Exciting and tense right to the end. Just 10-6 to Queensland with New South Wales desperately trying for the try to stop Queensland winning the series. Wasn't to be and the Maroons held on. Great finish, pretty good game of league for once, especially in the scheme of league!

Got to talk to Naomi for a bit this morning which was really nice, both been pretty busy and kept missing each other recently so good to be able to catch up for a short while at least. Was then down for Poly which went well, great talk on Matthew 7:1-12, hard verses but really well explained. Slightly disappointing turnout but to be expected as it's nearly the end of term and people have exams and stuff on.

After that me and Costa went out and did some door to door stuff. Went pretty well although found that lots of people were out, shame not to be able to chat to them. Did catch some people which was good and a few seemed interested. The first person we talked to was a 'white witch'. Had a really long chat and discussion with her which was very interesting but really went around in circles! Think that it's the first 'wiccan' I have met, although she believed a whole range of things combined in with it!

This evening was at training in the cold! Hardly anyone turned up for it, wimps! We just played some touch which was good fun, scored a few tries which is always nice! Have been watching my usual Tuesday night fix of TV as well, House and Bosten Legal! Have done a bit of reading after too.

Met with Costa this morning which was good. Last time ever! He goes to the UK on Sunday so we can't meet next week. Know that am getting near the end when I am doing things that happen weekly for the last time. Going to be doing some door to door evangelism tomorrow with him, scary!

Got home and have been reading this afternoon. Catching up on a bit which has been good. Have got a bit slack with quiet times and reading so good to be catching up again. Then went to the gym with a guy from church. Was really good to go with someone. Good chatting with him as well. He is going to be doing MTS come January, is brilliant!

This evening listened to a talk from CCH and then have been 'babysitting', boys were already in bed and I just had to listen out for them. Nice and easy! Played more Pro Evo and watched some of the cricket before coming up and doing a bit more reading.

Was very cold this morning as I walked to early church, left my bike down at church after the social last night so had to walk. Was quite nice really, bracing! Got to church late, as usual. Am shocking on that. Was there just in time for the sermon though! Was another quality talk from James as well, so clear and challenging. Great to hear! Funny how Christians love to hear things that say how bad they are and how many ways they do things wrong!

Then sorted things out for church, including writing up some song words for the projector as when was checking through found that they didn't match the service sheet. Had the time so was all good in the end! Taught Sunday school which went well, not too many kids but a really good time with the ones that were there. They understood the meaning of the parable of the unforgiving servant as well. At least they gave the impression that they did! Very exciting again. After church played some ball games with some of the kids which was good fun.

Was able to be at home for lunch today! No more open homes. Got home and just relaxed and had a lush lunch before getting my talk all finished and then back down to church to get ready for youth group. Youth group went well, only 3 kids there but a good time. Played a bit of football with them which was great fun. They were all good as well, was pleasently surprised! Are some talented guys there it has to be said. My talk went well it seemed, don't think that it was my finest work but was pretty good. Could have done with more time spent on it, as ever really.

After that I sorted the sheets for Learning to Serve out and then went home. Babysat so that Carne could go to LTS. Steve was down at his office as he's going to Aussie for the week and needed to get things ready for that. I did some washing up and then had a quality Pro Evo session! Life is good!!!

Was able to actually talk to Naomi on Skype this morning which was great! Had a bit of a sleep in beforehand though which was also good. Then wrote my Sunday school lesson for tomorrow. Got it all sorted so pleased with that. Not spent that much time on it but it is done. Was then getting all my stuff ready for both the youth group social and for the rugby game that I had before that.

Got everything together and went down to rugby. In the end I didn't get a game, was on the bench and then wasn't that fussed about getting on as there wasn't much ball getting out to the backs, especially not the wingers. We got absolutely hammered as well, lost by over 50 points to nil. Not a good game. Against a good side though as well. Still a poor performance.

Left just before the end of the game as needed to get down to church to get ready for the social. We did a photo rally where we had a few teams with a car and a camera each and a list of photos to get and be imaginative with! Had 3 teams going out and it was really good fun. Got some very funny shots, might put a selection up here when I get around to it. Few very clever ideas for the photos. My team lost but was a good time. Got a load of pizzas in and ate them while we looked and judged the photos people had taken.

After that went round to a family from church's to watch the All Blacks game. They have a lush new TV and just got cable so was able to get a look at that and appreciate it! Very snazzy! Wasn't that great a game, too one sided to be a enjoyable. Some great play by the ABs though, looking much improved on last week. Scary to watch! They have Canada next week which won't be much of a game but it will be interesting to see them up in the Tri-Nations in a few weeks.

Managed to talk to Naomi for a bit on MSN this morning which was good. Haven't been able to chat to her as much recently as have both been busy. Then was doing some work on my talk for Sunday which went alright, getting there slowly but surely!

Got to the gym this afternoon and had a good session there before getting back and doing some more talk stuff. Got most of it written which is good. Actually needing to flesh it out for once!  Will be good being able to go into more detail on some and maybe even just doing a shorter talk! Sure that the kids would like that!

Have also been watching the kids a bit. Steve and Carne were around but meeting with house agent and stuff so just sat with the kids to keep them company. This evening Steve and Carne have been out and I've been babysitting. Was really easy as the boys were already in bed!  Played quite a bit of Pro Evo and now am watching the cricket, great being able to watch England still!

Was down at church this morning helping the woman who is starting to do admin. Showing her what I did and trying to make things clear for her. She used to work in a school so should be fine with it all, just needed showing the ropes a bit. Wasn't that difficult. Got home and did some reading and looked after Liam for a little bit while Carne went and picked up Josh. Liam wasn't well so was just lying around on the sofa. Was nice and easy to watch for once!!!

Went down to St Johns this afternoon to find that MTS wasn't on as still doing walk-up evangelism. Need to get round to doing it with Costa at some point soon. Went to the gym and did a cardio session as I was in town. Was good although tough, has been a while. Did a 2.5k run which was good, 10 minutes running as well at 2% gradient. Reasonably happy with it as it has been ages. Then got in the pool and ran 20 lengths in there. Is really good exercise, thankfully the pool isn't that deep!

Got home and started some work on my talk for Sunday. Have my main points and even starting writing it, which is very organised for me! Had prayer meeting this evening which was as good as ever. Is my last one which is sad, have really enjoyed them. Been a great highlight. This month was no exception with a great turnout. Brilliant to see.

Hello! Only 2 weeks left now!

Been a reasonably busy week, had a talk for preaching group to do last night which took up most of my time. As ever, see the daily updated blog for more information on day to day happenings, sometimes not the most exciting of reads though! Link at end of email.

Things to be thankful for:

• Me getting talk done and the very helpful feedback that I got for it last night
• Another great turnout for youth group, including one guy bringing a mate along, awesome to see!
• Sunday school, they really seemed to grasp humility before God in prayer, so encouraging to see
• 2 guys have said that they will do MTS next year, starting January. Scott and Warren. Give thanks for them! Very exciting times ahead

Things to pray for:

• Me as I speak on Sunday to youth group that I would be clear and faithful. Pray that I would pitch the talk right and have the right things to say
• Good turnout again for youth group and that one lad would be less disruptive
• Have a youth group social on Saturday night. Pray for a good turnout and a great time together and that there will be some great friendships being formed there. Pray for me, Scott and Hannah as we prepare for it
• Prayer meeting tomorrow night, pray that it would be well attended
• Energy and enthusiasm in these last 2 weeks
• Someone to replace me teaching Sunday school group
• That I would be a good witness at rugby

With love and thanks as always,

David

Has been another uneventful day really. HAd creche this morning which was pretty standard, the usual. Easy kids who generally amuse themselves. Space that we have them in is getting a bit crowded but we will be fine for a while longer. Only got 2 more sessions with them to go, strange really.

Got home and have been reading this afternoon. Was nice to have the time to. Have started to think about my talk for Sunday as well, on Genesis 11. Should be good. Hoping that it won't take too long to get done although have plenty time to be getting on with it. Got to the gym as well this afternoon, good session there. Nice ride back as well, really felt it when got of the bike. Went hard at it!

Got back and did some more reading before chilling playing some Pro Evo this evening. Not sure what I am going to do with the PS2 when I go. Am slightly swayed by taking it home as would be ace to have some of the games. Unfortunately it wouldn't play games I buy back home so would be stuck with the ones that I have. Probably just give it to someone, save on space and luggage allowance too!