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| Immanuel – God with us “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” SEASONS GREETINGS from Noel & Edith Morris |  |
| 2011
was a year of changing roles for us, as Noel did fewer (paid) video
jobs and Edith played a rather high-profile part as the national
president of the Post Polio Support Society. This involved plenty of
travel around the North Island, and some Government lobbying. We found
ourselves working even closer together. January: This year started with the death of my brother Guy. His battle with cancer ended, and he passed peacefully into the Lord’s presence. And as we advance in the age groups, we found many of our other friends passed away this year too, and we attended some of their funerals. February: We
travelled to Wellington where Edith as Post Polio president
was supporting the QE Health submission to the National Health Board. March: A visit around six Post Polio support groups in the lower North Island began in Levin, but the previous evening was interrupted by the Japan earthquake and tsunami. We watched awe-struck at the images on TV. Skype and Facebook were the ways we checked in with our friends in Japan.  Celebrating Jonas’ 18th birthday There were successful meetings in Levin, Lower Hutt, Wellington, Masterton, Kapiti, and Palmerston North. Some groups were reactivated, and all were encouraged by our visit. There was some pre-publicity in local newspapers, and some reports after the meetings. Edith has a cheerful and engaging way of presenting the situation of Post Polio people. Noel was driver, logistics support, and gave the “advertisements” for the website and publications. | April: Rose & Hugh, Edith’s sister and her husband came to stay with us while Hugh went to see the V8 Supercar races in Hamilton.  May:
Edith was invited to present a session on needs of Post Polio clients
to the Orthotic & Prosthetic Association’s National Conference in a
resort hotel in Taupo. This was a “show and tell” session, with an
end-user addressing the specialists about some of the problems that had
been brought to attention by Post Polio members. Another
invitation for Edith was to East-West College to speak to a class about
Disability Awareness. As a direct result, one student came as a
volunteer to the CMWDT Camp in October. June: Noel travelled by himself to Wellington to attend and video the FGBMFI National Convention. A young African man, Jimmy Njino, shared some amazing testimonies followed by powerful ministry. Michael & Linda Livengood from USA brought good Bible teaching. In the middle of June, Denis from Russia graduated from his year at Faith Bible College and headed back to Vladivostok. Although we had already closed our involvement with the Bible School in Russia, Denis seems to have revived the school and has it functioning again as a part-time course. |
   Hydrotherapy
Pool opening
Denis returned to Vladivostok | |
July:
The Forum on the Family was the other major recording event for Noel
and Evan Ward. With the keynote guests being John Key and Phil Goff,
this required a 3-camera
production. The DVD of these two politicians being interviewed on their
principles and values was widely circulated before the election. We
hope to effectively use another of the sessions from Dr Albert Makary
about solving the binge drinking culture over the next year.The Hamilton Hydrotherapy Pool finally was opened after more than 4 years of campaigning and raising funds. Both of us were involved, Edith with publicity and Noel managing the website. We hope to be regular users of the pool over the next months. August: The Post Polio Conference saw our first visit to New Plymouth in many years. Usually in September, it was moved because of Rugby World Cup conflict. Over 80 members and spouses attended from all over NZ, joined for the opening evening by another 20 Rotary members. Noel met up with an old Ham Radio friend Graeme Jury, who he hadn’t seen for nearly 40 years. Graeme’s wife Ngaire was on the conference committee.  Graeme & Noel The following week-end saw us with a Post Polio stand at the Immunisation Conference in Rotorua. When one of the speakers was a no-show, Edith was given 10 minutes to share her story about growing up with polio – again a “show and tell” that made a deep impression on the medical and research professionals gathered there.  Health & Disability stand | September: We
assembled a Post Polio display stand at the Health & Disability
Expo in Hamilton, and took turns at talking to some of the 2500 people
who passed through the Expo, handing out pamphlets about Post Polio
Syndrome. October: Two event took place simultaneously. Edith went to QE Health in Rotorua for a 3 week rehab and assessment course. This has been vital to her well-being, and has given her new tools in managing her mobility and health.  Our household possessions in the garage At Labour week-end we went to the CMWDT Camp at Matamata where Edith spoke at a main meeting and Noel took a workshop session. November: We attended a book launch in the heart of the Rangitikei country (near Hunterville). “Otiwhiti Station” is the story of the Duncan family who among other philanthropic achievements started the Duncan Hospital to treat polio patients in the 1950’s. Some 630 people gathered on the farm for the occasion, many polios we knew. With Lynda and Kevin, we had a week-end holiday at a bach at Waihi Beach. This year the wind was so strong we didn’t spend so much time outdoors, but we did celebrate Lynda’s birthday! Then on the 28th we were both invited to share our stories at the Te Awamutu FGBMFI dinner meeting. It wasn’t until in the middle of our talk, that we realised that it was 38 years to the day that we had arrived in Japan. God has been so faithful to us! December: Many family birthdays are this time of year, and we went up to Whangarei to celebrate Edith’s sister Rose’s 65th. This relaxed week-end was another mini-holiday for us, only our waistlines suffered! Thank you for your prayers and friendship over this past year. We pray that 2012 will be a year when you will know the blessings of Jesus - our Immanuel. Noel & Edith |
| Noel & Edith Morris P O Box 12357 Hamilton 3248 NZ. 07-853-8285 noel@faithnet.co.nz edith@catchword.co.nz www.faithnet.co.nz www.catchword.co.nz | |