We leave for New Zealand on Tuesday 13th

Well dear friends and family,
The time has come for us to move. As some of you know Tecla and I have been praying to go back on to the mission field since we returned to the Golden State of California back on October 31st 2006. The past year more specifically we’ve been praying for New Zealand. After 8 months of applying for work visas, two-yard sales, moving in with parents again, and sending my sister and her husband off to Kentucky, we are finally moving to Rotorua, New Zealand.
You may be asking why New Zealand and other are saying why not …it is the Hawaii of the Pacific Rim. Well long story short, a friend, pastor and teacher of ours moved down there little over a year ago and invited us to pray go and help him start a Calvary Chapel Bible College down there. As you know with much prayer, and consideration, (about 2 seconds worth) we said yes. So began the process of getting our work visas.
Talk about timing, we first wanted to leave in January of 2010 but the Lord did not allow it at that time. We stayed in the States for a bit more. It not only allowed us to save some money, but allowed Tecla to receive her American Citizenship, and go visit her family in Romania.
I would like to share with you what the Lord used to start our journey to New Zealand--Joshua is about to cross the Jordan River, with all of Israel, as the new leader of the Israelites. And the Lord has 3 things that He calls the Israelites to as they begin their journey:
First is to wait on the Lord, and follow his lead, because the Israelites “had not gone that way before”. This had new meaning for us in January, because we thought we were suppose to go to New Zealand at the beginning of the year, but that was not when the Lord was leading. We “had not gone this way before”. So we waited on Him, and allowed God to guide us and lead us to this point in time, we are leaving on July 13th of 2010.
Second thing God calls them to is sanctify themselves - the Israelites. What that meant is literally they were to take a bath and wash their clothes. Thankfully we are able to do that every day☺; to us it means to set ourselves apart from this world. To sanctify means to set apart, consecrate, make holy. By reading our Word and letting the Spirit move within us, every day we let the Lord work in us that sanctification, that washing of the mind and soul.
Third thing God calls the Israelites to follow the Arc of the Covenant. Nothing special there, the Arc is moving so follow. For us that went a little deeper. God called and we had to move, to follow. The Priests had to get their feet wet before God would part the Jordan River. They had to stand in a raging rushing river before that water would stop and dry up for them all to cross. For us we had to sell and get rid of things and even make preparations before God truly said go. We had to “get our feet wet” by trusting He would sell our house, cars and provide everything else before He stopped the Jordan. Before we go He wants to see our faith, hope, and trust in Him.
So here we are getting our feet wet, setting ourselves apart to follow and wait on Him. You may be asking ok what are you going to do down there? What I know for sure is that He’s called us to serve and help start this Bible College. There will be teaching involved, youth ministries, and many other opportunities, which God will reveal when we get there. We have work visas for 1 year so as far as we know that is just a start and we will see where and how long God provides.
Prayer requests
1. The school in general, new staff, new students. We will need to work out all of the kinks, and want lots and lots of grace for everyone.
2. Tecla and myself to continue to rely on the Lord for everything as we make this move being a Godly example to these students, this nation of New Zealand.
3. Provision for a car in New Zealand.
4. The Walsh family as they are the Pioneers for the rest of us.
5. For the Lord to be glorified in it all.
Thank you all and hope this wasn’t long or boring but just wanted to get some of you caught up to speed with what is happening in our lives. Love you all and please don’t hesitate to email us.
In Him
Jake and Tecla Wilmoth
“See I have set before you an open door…”
Rev. 3:8