A Shaw Update

It’s been quite a while since we touched base with many, either by email, FB or whatever. Some might be wondering where we, Colin and Grace, are or what we are up to. Here is a brief update.

Halfway through last year, 2023, we sensed our ‘nest’ was being stirred. We were enjoying Whanganui, the city and all that God was doing in ‘the church of the city’. But early one morning Colin awoke with a song in his spirit that has been around several decades, ‘You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace. The mountains and the hills will break forth before you ..’

With that song came a clear sense that new horizons awaited us. While we sensed the time had come to step back from leading City by City, we were unsure as to what it meant location wise. It was only toward the end of the year that we received a clear word, ‘your home will now be in Australia!’

Hearing this word, we then took steps toward putting our Whanganui home on the market. Doing necessary touchups, packing household items into a storage for container unit.  All with the help of good friends, Kim and Sue Bonnevie.

Colin Storage Unit 400533

           (Photo of me here in front of storage unit)

Then, just before we commissioned a local agent to sell our home, we came in contact with a young Christian couple preparing for marriage who were looking for a house to buy. They liked our home and we agreed on a good price, both for ourselves and for them - all without the agent’s substantial fees. Truly God’s provision.

After plenty of goodbyes, encouragements and prayers, from the City by City team and others, we left NZ with mixed feelings, sad to go but looking forward to the ‘new horizons’. Landing on the Sunshine Coast, March 1, it was a joy to reconnect with our son, daughter and their families.

Three weeks later we left for Japan and the Philippines, our fares and hotel bookings all having been paid for by dear friends in Japan and the Philippines.

The church that we helped plant, and Colin pastored, in Manila, was to have its 50th anniversary. It turned out to be a marvellous milestone, a wonderfully inspiring celebration. (*See video clip below.)

There are now 6 flourishing fellowships under the banner of Covenant Renewal Church overseen by pastors Larry + Gina Romero, plus UNO, an overseas placement service that has mentored and found jobs for about 2000 Filipinos now in Japan, all of whom took part in, as part of their preparation, some Bible studies and a Holy Spirit encounter weekend all led by the church pastors.

It was such a joy to see the fruit of what was sown 50 years ago by a team of 10 young Aussies and Kiwis from Faith Centre, Sydney, the church then pastored by Paul and Bunty Collins formerly from Christchurch NZ.

The team plus some Timothies and a FEBC boarder seated next to Grace 600404

The original team members were: David + Cathy Young, Mike + Alison Barē, Alan Kitto, Robyn Cooper, Gai Johnson, Jill Varcoe, Colin + Grace Shaw.
The team plus some ‘Timothies’ and a FEBC boarder seated next to Grace.

Now back on the Sunshine Coast we are slowly ‘finding our feet’. Looking for our permanent home and dealing with all that is required by government agencies when relocating.

“We are enjoying being here with family, and are starting to make contact with church leaders. We would appreciate prayer. Our desire is to serve His purposes on the Sunshine Coast as He leads.”

Our warmest greetings to all. Colin + Grace

            facebook 86 Button32 < An overview of the CRC 50th celebrations