RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
Covid crept a little closer when our son Jeremy and his family got it. Yvonne Hannah and I remained covid free but got a good dose of sinus infection. It’s the worst cold I’ve had in years. Certainly no man flu!!!
Late July I flew down to Blenheim arriving on Sunday 24th. I went straight to Connect Church and preached at the service. There was a good response with many coming forward for prayer. A good start for my time down there.
On the Monday, as trainer training was about to happen, one of the senior trainers called from her home in the deep south to say she had just tested positive for Covid. It was a blessing and a stress point. Had she been up at the trainer training and discovered the positive test, then all of us could have been infected and the course ruined. The stress point was that I had to pick up her delegations. I was already picking up the communication area as the trainer that usually led that had just got back from England and couldn’t come. The Lord was gracious and the training team rose to the occasion sharing some of the extra load. We had 12 participants. It was to have been thirteen, but one was still in Christchurch hospital. I wonder where the commitment was. The participants were a very enthusiatic bunch from a variety of ministry situations and it was a privelege as usual to see them grow. One person wrote; “It is giving me the confidence to do more than I thought I could.” One Pascifica minister said; “I have learned new skills in communication. It helps make [me] more focussed and to the point.” One young leader wrote; “It has made me discern critically what my strengths/weaknesses are.” We have been asked to do the Caleb course in Blenheim again next year and so we have committed to do that.
I came home the day after Hannah’s 29th birthday. The following week I preached at a south Auckland Presbyterian church. Last weekend Yvonne Hannah and I travelled up to Paihia to preach at a Uniting church. They have accommodation at the church and we were given 3 nights there so we could explore the area. It was a much needed rest and PTL the weather was good.
The next two weekends I will be preaching at two different churches. One is in the Waikato.
I will also be working again on the curriculum review and cultural relevance of the Leadership Matters course with my two colleagues in America.
I will be working on the review of the Life Plan material in the Caleb course with one of my leaders from Dunedin. I’ll also be working on three possible Bridge Builders courses. I continue to do the coaching/ supervision and have picked up two new clients. One is a vetenary surgeon from Blenheim. I wonder what his pet hates are?
I have ‘pledged’ to return to working on my book about how we process our thinking. One of my trainers has agreed to be my accountability person. Please pray that I diary time to work on this project.
Our wee holiday up north was restful. We went to Russell and looked at the historic sites there then spent most of a day at Waitangi and the treaty grounds. It was good to refresh ourselves on the process of Aotearoa-New Zealand becoming a nation.
The rest of the family are doing pretty well as they all get through various levels of illness. Poor Caleb ended up in hospital overnight with a bad dose of Croup. He has recovered well.
As often as we can we look after our granddaughter Kayla on Mondays. It’s always a delight to have her here if somewhat tiring. She will say “Grandpa, come and play” grabbing my little finger and walking off giving me no option but to follow or dislocate my pinky.
Hannah has been granted a couple of extra hours for her carers to be with her. We are hoping that this gives Yvonne and I time to go out and relax together not feeling like we have to rush back home moments after sitting down to coffee.
We continue to be grateful for your prayers. They were certainly answered in regard to the Caleb Leadership Course. If any of you have prayer needs, please let me know so that Yvonne and I can pray for you. And remember as the world continues to work through the various variants of Covid, that the Lord is our strength and our shield. When our hearts trust in Him we are helped. (Ps 28)
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny, Caleb & Ada, Jeremy, Sakura & Kayla, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.