RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
Yvonne and the family wish you a happy Christmas. We are extremely grateful for your faithful support and prayers for us. Believe it or not, we are beginning our 18th year in this faith mission! The Lord has been gracious to us over that time and is asking us to continue to serve Him with the same passion with which we started out those long years ago. Next year will be Caleb Ministries 25th year and a significant milestone. Without your solid prayer, words of encouragement and financial support we wouldn’t have reached it.
In this unusual time in the world, Christmas will be so different to so many of us. I have a brother and his family in England. Their youngest daughter is in isolation hoping she didn’t catch Covid from her class mates. Their Christmas will be just them ‘locked down’ in their home. Yet in God’s mercy all of us here in NZ will have freedom over Christmas others will just dream of. So we need to celebrate Jesus birth with praise thanksgiving and adoration. In the first chapter Mathews Gospel, the purpose of Jesus being born as man was made clear. The angel’s declaration to Joseph was that Jesus was coming to save His people from their sins. And so He did! Christmas is not essentially about family, fun, or expensive presents but God’s grace and mercy. Receive His love and blessing in your life this Christmas.
I have had several preaching opportunities. They seem to be appreciated.
I have been building the teams for both Leadership courses. Pray I get enough people on the teams. I’m also having to condense the 11 day leadership course into 9 days. The 9 days as you remember are in a 5 day block then later a 4 day block. It’s like putting a jigsaw puzzle together without the picture on the box to help.
To assist in developing the online aspect of the Caleb course, I have decided we need a person to help with the tech stuff. One of the team working on the online course has that ability. I’d like to employ him one day a week for at least 3 months. To do that I’ve got to raise $3000. Please pray that I will be able to raise that amount by February next year. If you can help, please send a donation to Caleb Ministries NZ Trust 060 0222 0104470 00
Several more preaching assignments are to happen over December and January. I will be getting through most of the supervisions before Christmas. I’m also picking off one or two possible participants for next year’s CLC’s. I’m hoping to get a break after Christmas for a couple of weeks.
I’ve had an x-ray on my neck. It appears that the C4 vertebra is what the physio calls nearly dislocated. It’s causing a bit of pain and nausea still especially when I lie down. And it’s not because of the drugs either. Just saying. Anyway, I’m being sent to see the orthopaedic surgeon at the end of January. With ACC paying, it’s allows me not to have to go through the public system.
Hannah’s liver test has shown some deposits on it which many people have. She is to have a follow up blood test this week. Her yelling out continues to be very frequent and stressful.
Tim’s foot that was broken earlier this year is playing up and he has to go to see the surgeon next week. Otherwise, the rest of the family seem to be going along ok. The boys finish their study for the year this week and have both done exceedingly well.
Yvonne has had three couples come as guest of her BnB. With one couple we were able to share the gospel and encourage them to go to church. The man in the relationship who is not a believer, has asked if we can catch up. I shall be following that up.
May the Lord be your sure hope and rich blessing for you as you celebrate Christ this Christmas. We trust you will get some good family time and some down time to unwind and be rejuvenated. Thank you for your love and care over what has been a difficult year.
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny, Caleb & Ada, Jeremy, Sakura & Kayla, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.