RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
The new year is fully underway and once again we are in level 3 lockdown. Many of you join me in this, with others of you in Level 2. The unsettled nature of the way life is at the moment can get frustrating and disheartening as further planned events for us at Caleb get cancelled. Yet I am encouraged through my reading this morning from Acts. I read of the 40 year old cripple who got his ankles healed and ecstatically leapt about. The apostle Peter refering to it said this “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man who you see and know; and the faith which comes through Jesus.” As I focus on Jesus and call on His name, I shall be strengthened and so will my faith. I hope that in your unfolding life, these words of Peter to call on Jesus name will encourage you to keep walking in faith through this uncertain time.
This is the 25th year of Caleb Ministries in NZ. For Yvonne and me it is our 18th year of faith ministry leading Caleb Ministries. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness. Along with our teams we have influenced the lives of over 350 leaders in NZ and been assisting in developing over 3000 mission leaders globally. The short courses have touched inumerable lives of ‘ordinary’ Christians all over the nation. What a privilage it’s been to be serving the Lord in this way. We are truly blessed by your faithful support and encouragement over the years. I’m not sure how we can celebrate this landmark year with the fickleness of covid 19 lockdowns. Suggestions would be appreciated.
I have had several preaching opportunities over January and February. I enjoy this aspect of my work.
I was to be presenting a workshop at a Northern Presbyterian Leaders conference. Sadly after all the preparation the event got cancelled by the first lockdown. Its now rescheduled for next year.
I went down to Dunedin for a few days to take two days training with a couple of my team for the Northern May Caleb Course. It was a very profitable time. I also visited some pastors and a Christian Camp Director at Waihola. From this meeting the camp director thought it may be possible to do a CLC course for Christian Camping NZ as our current course conflicts with an annual event they have. It occurred to me that in this dramatically changing environment, the Lord may be showing a way forward. I may have to look at ‘boutique’ courses for specific groups fitting around their programming. As a result I made a contact with the CEO of Christian Camping NZ. I was to meet with him today but Covid got in the way. Hopefully next week if we are out of lock down.
I am continuing to prepare the cohort group times for the Northern CLC and to do the supervision of pastors and business people. Its another aspect of my work I really enjoy. I am still praying for the funding to support a person to help with the online development.
At the end of this month, I will be down in the Canterbury region visiting pastors trying to get CLC rego’s. Then to Nelson to firm up a short course and continue to develop the DVD series for Anglican youth ministry. Yvonne and Hannah will be with me and we will have Easter with Rachel and her family. I continue to work on ITA work with a Board of Directors meeting late this week.
My visit with the Orthopaedic surgeon was interesting. He is not going to operate PTL. There is a slight dislocation but the physio has been helpful. There’s a bit of arthritis to live with. However, He suddenly got up to show me an exercise hauling my head sideways. I don’t think he knew about the C5 disc issue. The upshot is that the surgeon injured it and now my left hand keeps going to sleep. It truly is a case where my right hand doesn’t know what my left hand is doing, if anything. My physiotherapist is not a happy camper and is now having to treat the c5 injury again. Jay and Tim continue their studies with good results. Holding down their jobs plus study makes them pretty tired. The rest of us are doing well. Hannah’s shouting continues to be an issue. We have taken her off the antidepressants which seemed to make it very difficult for her to go to sleep. She’s been shouting out until 2 or 3am some mornings. The last two nights went a little better. Because of her shouting, we have shut down the BnB for now. This month my mum turns 94. She’s awesome. But what shall I get her for her birthday? Another life-size cardboard cut out of me seems appropriate don’t you think?
We are very grateful for your faithful support and prayer. May the Lord pour His love and blessing into your life.
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny, Caleb & Ada, Jeremy, Sakura & Kayla, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.