The Frequency
	January/February 2008 Year 7 No.1		Newsletter of the Amateur Radio Christian Fellowship (N.Z.)

The year is well on its way, but even now we wish every member of the Fellowship a blessed year in 2008. This year will hold much of interest, in the areas of politics and international sport particularly. It may also hold some other significant event for some of us. How good it is that God in His wisdom has hidden our future, so that we will not spend our time now in worry and sorrow – or alternatively wasting the present by reaching forward to grasp at some future pleasure. To live this day, and to live it well, is enough.

Hope you have had a time of peace and recuperation over the holiday period. It was good to be able to continue throughout the holidays with our nets – always there were some on air, and it was so good to tune up and hear first one familiar voice check in, then another, and another. We were all encouraged. Sometimes conditions were not good, and here in Christchurch we missed hearing many of you, but the Netmaster was a help in filling us in. This newsletter is based only on what we know, and all members are free to contact us with any item of news or interest that we should know of. We look forward to a wonderful year ahead, with many joining in radio fellowship each Saturday and Sunday.

Already 2008 has been severely marred by crime, especially youth crime; and we think of those families affected – families of both the victims and the perpetrators. Many suggestions are being offered, by so many people, as to how this situation can be reversed. These suggestions range from the sensible to the ridiculous, and strangely they all seem to deal with youth from the age of 12 or 13 – long past the age when an individual’s character is already formed. The following idea offered by Garth George (NZ Herald columnist) is surely the best. He writes, “Perhaps a good start would be for parents to send their kids to Sunday School – any Sunday School. Then our next generation might at least resurrect its spiritual dimension, without which life is largely meaningless, and learn the timeless virtues and values that have throughout history made communities and nations great”. Yes, without a basic knowledge of what is right or wrong, our young people hardly stand a chance – and jail is not the answer. May God and His Commandments again become pre-eminent in our nation, and thank you, Garth George, for bravely stating what is so obviously needed.

Fellowship News

Warren ZL3WPS – Has been away on two weeks’ holiday – we wish you a year of better health Warren, and hope the holiday was enjoyable.

Sydney ZL1BRS – It has been good to hear Sydney come on Sunday nets in recent weeks, though due to conditions we have relied on Kelvin to relay.

Gary ZL3SV – Planning a visit to Samoa February or March in connection with the starting of a new TV station. Gary is in process of erecting a new tower.

Peter ZL3AQN – Had a busy time with contacts on 40m and 80m during recent Scout Jamboree – callsign ZM6JAM. Such a commitment takes much time and much energy, but those young boys will have an experience to remember.

Tom ZL2TF – We received a note from Tom and Jean towards the end of last year which we should have reported for interest of members. Due to problems with rig, Tom has been unable to participate in nets, but hopes to eventually have rig up and running. These folk are indeed busy, what with helping on the 370-cow dairy farm, involvement with Tararua Christian TV, and teaching Bible-in-School classes in four schools. May God bless you, Tom and Jean, in all you do.

James ZL3IJ – James often brings to the net interesting bits of topical news or scientific discovery. On 5 January, we were informed this was the 100-year commemoration of Shackleton’s departure on cruise liner from Lyttelton to the Antarctic. Thanks for all you share with us, James – and special thanks for hosting

John ZL3TR for the Saturday net. It is always good to hear you both on.

Keith ZL3AHL – Visited Hamilton recently, where he and Grace called on Noel ZL1AIB.

Lou ZL1USN – We welcome Lou (Nelson) who has recently joined us on the Saturday nets. We look forward to many contacts in future.

Please continue to pray for any member known to you needing God’s healing, help or comfort. We think especially of David ZL1UTS, John ZL3TR, Stan ZL40W, Hans ZL1JA – and respective families.

We also remember those distant members: Ross VK2ER, Steve VK3JY, Alan ZL2TAG – may God’s blessing and protection rest on you.

Overseas Christian Radio Stations

David ZL1UFE has brought to our attention the following two stations which are worthy of our attention and our prayers.

- Radio ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) operates from Monrovia, Liberia. Broadcasts on FM94.5 and SW4760 KHz (60m) with transmission power of 1000 watts. Originated from the vision and challenge of SIM, but was silenced in 1990 due to civil war, only to be resurrected by SIM. See http://www.elwaministries.org

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- FEBC (Far East Broadcasting Company, Manilla). Founded in 1945, FEBC is a non-denominational, international Christian network, broadcasting in over 150 languages from 32 transmitters throughout the world. Read more on http://www.dxzone.com (scroll to see FEBC listed). On this site you will read about the crowd of 13,000 in Saigon who, just weeks ago, flocked to a stadium to hear about Jesus Christ. An amazing story.

Thank you David, for taking the time to phone and suggest we include this item.

Contributions for Newsletter

We would ask that you seriously consider offering contributions for this newsletter – either by way of a short personal profile about yourself (always of interest), short items of Christian or Radio news, or a short devotional for our concluding paragraph. Perhaps you have a question which one of our members may be able to answer, or even an item to sell. Any appropriate contributions from members, sent by email or letter, would be welcomed.

In Conclusion

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians begins: “Paul, … To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus”. Ephesus at that time was a cesspool of debauchery and sin, so how did some people manage to live there as saints, or Christians? Only by being “in Christ”. Being “in Ephesus” meant sinfulness but being “in Christ” meant saintliness. The conditions in our beautiful country of New Zealand may fast be approaching those of long-ago Ephesus. Our own personal “Ephesus” may be an office, a factory, a situation of constant loneliness, a hospital ward, a university or school campus where Christ’s name is blasphemed and corruption abounds, or even our own home situation.

Take hold of the awesome truth that you are not just “in Ephesus”, but “in Christ in Ephesus”.

This can help to make an outer hell into an inner heaven.

(From notes written by the late Selwyn Hughes)

Blessings and joy to you all, as you continue your journey “in Christ”. Keep those radios tuned up, and we look forward to hearing you on air.

73 from us both

Graham ZL3NZ and Mary ZL3MD

Fellowship Motto

To do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)

Contact us: Graham or Mary Dacombe, 20 Allin Drive, Waikuku Beach 7402 North Canterbury

Phone: 03-312 7782 Fax: 03-312 7783 Email: arcf@xtra.co.nz

Nets: Saturdays 7.30 p.m. on 3.650 MHz – Sundays 4 p.m. on 7.050 MHz

Website www.arcf.co.nz