RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
When I was at primary school, I used to think that the year was long and forever. But now as an older and hopefully wiser young man, I find the year sprints passed. However, there’s a plus in that. Rachel and Jonny are expecting their first child and it will be our first grandchild PTL. We are so excited by the news. She is now half way through and soon we will have to have a sweepstake on birth date time weight etc. I’ve felt the grandchild kick my hand which was amazing as Grandfather and grandchild got to say hello. I think she/he will be an attaching mid-fielder by the strength of the kick.
Yvonne Hannah and I had a successful journey south. First we spent time charging around Dunedin speaking to pastors. We have the possibility of two short courses and two pastors coming to the Leadership course.
We went on to Queenstown to take a Bridge Builders course with FBK Presbyterian Church. It is a group of rural churches and it was a family camp. It was a great time although we had to learn to ‘relax’ about start times as busy farmers and families got to chill and wind down. However, the outcomes were good and people gave good feedback about the value of what we did.
We are continuing to try to get participants for the Leadership Course in Nelson. So far we have 16 participant including four coming from Myanmar which will be interesting. I met a key Pastor from Myanmar who runs a couple of Theological colleges over there and is keen for us to bring the leadership course in some form to them. This is an exciting development.
Last letter, I indicated that we may have a second Leadership course with the Waikato/Taranaki Anglicans. Unfortunately the Anglican national leadership have put a hold on all leadership training and so the course is on hold. The course in Western Australia has also been put out to 2018. Setbacks for sure, but we wait on the Lord for His timing for both course in the future.
Just recently, the Caleb Board, myself and two invited guests spent two days working on the future direction for Caleb Ministries especially refining our focus. We are grateful to the Lord for His guidance and reassurance of our working in the direction He desires. We came to the realisation that a lot of what we train is on team and the health needed to become successful. Therefore we tightened our focus to say that Caleb Leadership Ministries exist to facilitate the growth of healthy teams.
Part of this refining has meant that I’m guiding our team on rewriting some of the Leadership and management workshops to reflect our purpose more expressly. It is exciting to me to have the sharper focus and look to what that might mean in the other expressions of Caleb. I’m grateful for the depth, wisdom and passion of the Board members and the others who worked with us.
This year instead of one day of trainer training in preparation for the Leadership team we will be having two days training up here in Auckland. I’m thrilled that this is happening as we work to develop newer trainers and the proficiency of each of them. It will also give us a good build up to the course in late July.
Tomorrow I head to Papamoa to work with a church on their direction and involvement in local mission.
As I said at the beginning of the letter, Rachel is pregnant and we are all thrilled our first grandchild is on the way. Rachel and the baby are doing well and Jonny is preparing too. They both had to re- apply for their library jobs. Jonny will be out at Pukekohe and Rachel in Otara. They are currently trying to rent a house in Papakura halfway between their jobs.
Jeremy and Sakura are having a well-earned two weeks leave and have gone to Nelson and then Christchurch to see family.
Tim and Aimee are both working hard doing long hours. Tim’s enjoying his football and scored a goal last week. Just like his Dad aye but no yellow card!
Hannah continues to have two times a week with her support worker and we are investigating a day centre in Papakura for her to be part of once a week or so.
My Dad is not doing well. He’s back in hospital and is struggling with pneumonia and fluid on his lungs. Please pray for him, Mum and the rest of the family. I got to pray with Dad and Mum yesterday and reassure them of God’s everlasting love and their place in his Kingdom.
Yvonne is busy as usual although winter has seen the BnB slow down a heap. She continues to work with Hannah and support the family.
I have had the MRI which gave us a fright as it showed a new blockage in a vein in the same leg. However, another ultra sound has shown that the MRI got it wrong and my veins are all clean PTL. The 2 blood clots in the femoral artery are still sitting there. My walking is going better but seems to have stalled and the leg gets really sore when the pressure goes on. I see the specialist tomorrow and find out what he wants to do next.
Good numbers coming to CLC.
Board planning retreat achieving good results.
Rachel and Jonny having a baby.
Successful BB in Queenstown.
Rachel and Jonny getting their jobs.
More people to sign up for the Leadership Course.
Dad’s health and God’s purpose for him.
My leg to be healed
Churches who have indicated they want to hold a short course will commit.
In faith we live and in faith you pray and support us so that together with the Lord’s power and guidance we make a difference in the lives of leaders helping them grow healthy team to further the Kingdom of God. Thank you for input into our lives and this ministry.
Blessings
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny, Jeremy, Sakura, Tim, Aimee and Hannah.