Originally the Golden Oldies Mission was comprised only those wanting to come and learn about the mission projects.
But now its become a Combo Mission.
Yes, some of our team members from last year are returning to further assist in the mission projects. From their years of knowledge, experience and skills they are coming back to ‘tutor the tutors’ and run practical workshops to students on maintenance and plumbing.
Grant Taylor, Allan Hussey and his son Tim, will have their work cut out for them too. One of the training projects is to train a village group the technical skills of plumbing in the toilets for the new toilet block in the Wailoku Village.
The toilets project was a dream that started 55-years ago, and is now scheduled to be officially opened at the end of this week, with the Golden Oldies present at the ceremony.
Plus they have training workshops booked for the Anglican High School and another session at the Bible College.
Its becoming a ministry partnership with skills and knowledge transfer. People learning to look after and take ownership of their own facilities, and not rely on others to do it for them.
And I doubt if the boys will even have time to get to McDonalds while they are there!

Is there any value of going on a Golden Oldies short term mission?
Let the proof be in the fruit of what is unfolding.
Since the first Golden Oldies Mission, those team members, and others such as the Archer residents, the NZCMS Families-Youth members, and friends, have all contributed to make a difference to the people and projects we have visited.
Together we have helped to raise over $15,000 towards development projects, donated 450 children’s storybooks that have been distributed to schools and villages, established an education scholarship fund, supported a new kindergarten in a small town to open in 2014, started connecting key people to get laptops and e-learning for rural schools, and after 55-years a rural village is going to officially open a new toilet block for its 300-children school and local church.
The fruit of short term missions in one year!
Not to mention the warmth of friendships that have been established and nurtured.
In such a short time it has been an absolute privilege to be involved in these missions, something that has enriched everyone who has become involved.

Finally we are about to ‘hit the road’, well actually, ‘Go on Mission’!

Our team comprises of 17 people from Christchurch, Nelson and Hamilton, with our most mature ‘Oldie’ being the wisest at 84-years old. Fantastic!

The team based in Christchurch have had several training sessions, and some of them are in this photo.

In this photo (L. to R.)are: Luke Mitchell, Thomas Mitchell (Back), Rev. Wendy Robinson, Peter Robinson(B), Tim Hussey, Grant Taylor (B), Allan Hussey, Elizabeth Risk (B), Isabel Lucas, Graeme Mitchell (B), Jane Mitchell, Adele Bishop (B), Carlene Sykes, and Suzanne Winter (B). Absent, but still very much part of the team are: Andrea Mitchell, Pamela Petherbridge and Pauline Way.

This team will be building on the partnerships that have been developing with the Fijian churches, schools, orphanage, and remote villages since last year’s inaugural Golden Oldies Mission team, and more recently with the NZCMS Families-Youth Mission team.

And to assist with the mission the order has gone out to the team.

“Pack lightly, with everyone asked to ‘donate 5kg’ of baggage space!”  Why?

To take a range of items with us as part of our project support. Items currently include: children’s story books, Anglican Prayer books, baby clothing, educational supplies, and medical equipment including stethoscopes and blood pressure monitors.

Now to get through customs!!