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The Frequency |
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August 2009 Year 7 No.7
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Newsletter of the Amateur Radio Christian Fellowship
(N.Z.) |
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Warmest
greetings to every member and friend of ARCF, on an icy cold North Canterbury
day. The cold is certainly strengthening with the lengthening of days! Friends
of ours in Alexandra paid $730 (after
discount) for last month’s power, and apparently others in that area pay even
more. So we think of those for whom the cost of warmth is so high, and hope you
have warmth and comfort in the place where you dwell.
News of
Members
Somehow
the noise level on 80m this past month has been such that we have had great
difficulty in hearing, so we apologise if any important points have been
omitted. However, the following items of which we are certain, will be of
interest.
KEITH
ZL3AHL (Christchurch) – Has successfully come through surgery to aid
mobilisation, and is making slow progress, but progress at least. We thank God
for this, and join with others in praying for both Keith and Grace, that Keith’s
healing will continue.
DAVID
ZL1UTS (Auckland) – Warmest congratulations on David’s passing of Electrical
Examinations! Now a qualified “Sparkie”. We wish David well.
JAMES
ZL3FV (Hokitika) – We keep James in our thoughts and prayers as he takes an extra
mandatory period of recuperation following his accident.
PAUL
ZL2BEQ (Palmerston North) - Paul and Jennifer have recently spent time with
family in Sydney, and this coming weekend will be in Wellington for a family
Christening.
ADAM ZL1VI and TAMI ZL1SXY (Hawera) – It was so good to meet up with Adam, Tami and daughter Hayley when they parked their campervan on our driveway overnight recently. When Christians meet up, the conversation never runs dry – especially when amateur radio is an added common interest. Adam, Tami and Hayley came third in a recent Bible Society Quiz at their Church – congratulations!
CLIVE
ZL1HZ (Auckland) – Clive, who sometimes comes on to our 80m net, advised last
week that his Mother-in-law recently went to be with the Lord, at age 97. Our
loving sympathy to this family in their loss, yet rejoicing that they will meet
again.
BARRY
ZL2FV (Palmerston North) – has need of a small HF antenna tuner. Perhaps
someone can help here.
CECIL
ZL1BXT (Hamilton) – It was good to hear Cecil on Saturday 25th July,
telling us that he is coping at home quite well. He recently enjoyed a Church
Jubilee/reunion; also was grateful for
recent help with some equipment from BRIAN ZL1HN.
KELVIN
ZL1LY (Tokoroa) – So good to hear Kelvin back on 40m on Sunday 12th July after
a month away from us; also back to
Church first time that day. May God continue to strengthen and bless Kelvin in
coming days.
In
addition to above, please keep the following in your prayers, who have had and
are having times of questionable health:
John ZL3TR, Stan ZL4OW (and daughter Jennifer), Peter ZL1CDF, mother of
Warren ZL3WPS; son-in-law of Lou ZL1USN; son of Trevor ZL2TN; Eril xyl of
Lindsay ZL2LKS. We remember Alan ZL2TAG
and Averil as they settle back in NZ, and birth of their Grandchild. We
remember David ZL1UTS, in areas of health for he and Lyn. For all of the above,
and any others not known to us, let this be your strength and confidence: “He
that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow
of the Almighty”. (Psalm 91)
VK
Members - We think of Ross VK2ER, Stephen
VK3JY, and Robert VK2VRD. Conditions apparently don’t presently allow contact
with us on 80m, but perhaps sometimes you do hear us, and we do not forget you
are over there. We wonder if you have been able to form an Australian link with
other Christian amateurs, and if so would be glad to hear news.
BIRTHDAYS – The following will celebrate birthdays during
August: Murray ZL1CN (5th);
Terry ZL1TNO (8th); James
ZL3FV (11th); Keith ZL3AHL
(28th). May God bless you all, and any others whose birth dates are
unknown to us.
This is HUGH ZL2BHK and xyl Jennifer, of New Plymouth.
Many of you will have heard Hugh come on 80m via Echolink. It was good to have
them stay overnight recently, giving Jennifer and I (Mary ZL3MD) opportunity to catch up – we have a friendship
spanning 50 years. May God bless Hugh and Jennifer in their Christian service
in their Baptist Church, where their involvement includes a Home Study Group,
Prison ministry, coastal radio watch for Hugh, establishment
of
a mini orchard, and other things.
Some
thoughtful one-liners from Trevor ZL2TN
“It
is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one”.
“God
doesn’t call the qualified; He
qualifies the called”.
“God
promises a safe landing, but not a calm passage”.
“He
who angers you, controls you”.
“We
don’t change the Message; the Message changes us”.
Personal
Profile – Fred Small ZL3FS [Fred, of Hornby in
Christchurch, recently celebrated his 95th
birthday. Always it is an inspiration to hear his
voice on our nets, and now to read a little of his life story].
“I
was born in Lyttelton in 1914. The home in which I was born is still well lived
in and is now over 100 years old, well cared for and immaculate in condition.
My walk with our Saviour commenced when
at the age of 7 or 8 years I began attending Sunday School in the lovely
peaceful rural community of Governors Bay which nestles at the western end of
Lyttelton Harbour. I grew up in a
loving Christian home, so my walk from the beginning was assisted by loving
parents.
When secondary schooldays ended in 1932
NZ was in the throes of a severe economic depression with its hardships and
hard times for all. I well recall my weekly pay being 7 shillings and 6
pence. At this time I met the first Ham
I ever knew; his call sign was ZL3PS
and his name Fred. My interest in radio then followed. By this time I had
become involved in the Bible Class movement at St John’s Church (Presbyterian)
in Lyttelton. About then I also began
my first public service when I joined the ranks of St John Ambulance, also in
the Port. At this time followed a
period of youth work, study and interest – life, faith, and the days of the great
Dr Billy Graham.
Then 1939 and war!! Chaos and challenges
– service in the Pacific – and later action – fear – faith and a great Padre –
fear – reassurance – faith and prayer – but challenges, yes.
However, throughout my life I have never
been alone – prayer has always been the Key and of course remains, more so
today with so many needy worldwide and so many who don’t pray – but how they
need it! The precious side of prayer
life is that we pray to a God in whom we believe, and our God knows, hears and
helps us. Let us walk the walk – 1
Timothy 4:12 – and be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love,
in Spirit, in faith, in purity.”
[We are very grateful to Fred for
sending this Profile, and wish God’s richest blessing upon him. We would welcome more Profiles from any who
have not supplied one – they are of great interest].
In Conclusion
F.B.Meyer
wrote the following: “The Secret of a
Great Life”
Do
not try to do a great thing; you may waste all your life waiting for the
opportunity which may never come. But since little things are always claiming
your attention, do them as they come, from a great motive, for the Glory of
God, to win His smile of approval, and do good to men. It is harder to plod on
in obscurity, acting thus, than to stand in the high places of the field,
within the view of all, and do deeds of valour at which rival armies stand
still to gaze. But no such act goes without the swift recognition and ultimate
recompense of Christ. To fulfil faithfully the duties of your station; to use to the uttermost the gifts of your
ministry; to bear chaffing and trivial irritations as martyrs bore the pillory
and stake; to find the one noble trait in people who try to molest you; to put
the kindest construction on unkind acts and words; to love with the love of God
even the unthankful and evil; to be content to be a fountain in the midst of a
wild valley of stones, nourishing a few lichens and wild flowers, or now and
again a thirsty sheep; and to do this always, not for the praise of man, but
for the sake of God … this makes a great life.
73s,
and may you know the blessing of our Heavenly Father now and always. Until we
meet again.
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 and 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 7.150 MHz
Website:
www.arcf.co.nz