The Problem with My Name Stamp
In June 1984 we produce a Vail Vagaries newsletter with an amusing account of something that had happened. Well we thought it was amusing at the time but others didn't. We had had a delay in our visa's coming through and wondered why. I had…
A Principle Mr Vaughan Taught Me
When I was a young boy, probably 8 or 9 years of age, I was rather free to roam with my friends. We would often go down to the Wairau Creek, near my house and play on and in the stream. Fishing for eels and…
Catching Ermine
There is a creature in Northern Europe called the ermine. Like the mink it is well known for its fur. The fur of the ermine is prized because it is pure white; a good quality ermine pelt is very valuable. The quality depends on the…
I Have Prayed and Believe God Will Return My Money to Us
We had only been in the country a few days when I went to the bank to change all of the travellers cheques we had brought with us into Indonesian Rupiah. I went to the bank first and changed the money then I went to…
Are You Calling Me a Sinner Like Your Father
Allow me to give you one further example from my own family. My mother was a good living woman and had many life values that in fact were very biblical. My father eventually became a Christian and dramatically changed following my acceptance of God’s Truth.…
The Word Came With Power
During our initial time in Sulawesi, we were privileged to attend a two or three day workshop with Jo Shetler, who described her work in bringing the Good News of Christ to the Balangao people of the Philippines in her book The Word Came With…
Playing Uno with the Rongkong
Living with the Rongkong people all those standard cultural cues went out the window, if there even were windows. And let me tell you that colour is not perceived the same culturally around the world. Come on Ian, that can’t be true. Blue is blue…
God Always Leaves You a Faith Gap Short
When I first became a Christian as a result of George Curle’s Faithfinder Films ministry I was made aware that God will also leave you a faith gap short. On the 19th of August 1973, that’s right, that long ago! I stepped from death and…
Read It Seven Times Until You Perfect It
My Greek professor taught us to do that. Read a book over and over until you get it. He told us over and over, countless times, “Class to understand any book of the Bible you need to read it in one sitting, at least 7…
It Takes God To Be A Man
Any man who has to keep his wife submitted to him by violence of any sort, be it physical, verbal, intimidation, threats, belittling or any other means in order for him to make him feel like a man is really no man at all. I…