RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
We move to Level 2 – yea. I hope you have been kept safe in the Lord’s care through lockdown. The time has been like a global sabbath giving people space to connect as families. The opportunity to connect more deeply with God. I’ve noticed more whole families out walking together. A lot more frequent skype calls seem to have happened as people found the need to connect and care. Yet there have been hardships for many especially those locked down alone or who lost jobs. Special occasions were different. My birthday, Yvonne’s birthday and our 40th wedding anniversary were all celebrated in lockdown and we (mainly she) put on a nice candle lit (I Lit) dinner. An interesting time in history for all of us.
I have continued to work on the Leadership course review. We are hoping to do a trial run of one or two workshops from the course with a group of ‘volunteers’ i.e. Caleb graduates as soon as possible. From this we can evaluate what goes well on line in the context of the way we do training. It will help us too, define what needs to stay as part of the face to face time.
I continue leading the Curriculum Review team for ITA. There are five of us on the team and I’m privileged to work with such gifted people who are passionate about training mission leaders. The other ITA committee I’m on is reworking the ITA Leadership Matters Course to make it relevant for a particular mission organisations pastors. This will be partly on line too. Currently the committee is in recess as one of the team had a family tragedy.
I’ve been doing some preaching on line mostly for Connect Baptist Church. It’s a bit different pre-recording my message and delivering it to my iPhone and an empty room. Mind you on the plus side, I don’t get rotten fruit thrown at me nor do people fall aslezzzzzzz.
As above in regard to ongoing course development. Several preaching appointments. Supervisions continue.
Praise the Lord for the birth of Ada Haley Nixon. One of the first lockdown births in Ashburton. Actually, she was born in Christchurch. The midwife got stopped by police twice while driving from Ashburton to Christchurch. Fortunately, Rachel wasn’t. Mum and baby are doing really well. Young Caleb has gone through the ‘what happened to being centre’ and is enjoying his sister a little more. We haven’t been able to get down to see the baby yet. I offered to take Yvonne to Wellington and then let her row across which would keep a safe social distance. Unfortunately, others in the family thought it not one of my best ideas. One can only but try aye.
PTL we were able to book flights to Christchurch last night and we leave on Tuesday 19th. Hannah and I for a week and Yvonne for two weeks. I offered to fly the plane to keep costs down, but I think the internet connection must have been scratchy because the reply I got sounded impolite.
Jeremy has worked from home, which for Sakura and Kayla has been valuable. Tim has continued his studies on line and his part time job. He recently found out he was top student for both his classes last semester. Aimee has had to stay home on reduced pay and is only now getting back to work.
Hannah is shouting out seems to be a little less. Thanks for the prayers. Our doc has increased her meds up to one tablet. She still yells out at random and transition times but at least more regularly sleeps through the night. We wonder if lockdown has rocked her and contributed to her outbursts.
Yvonne is keeping the BnB shut even as we enter level two. Its difficult to maintain safe distancing in our home with people we don’t know.
As you enjoy the increased freedom of Level 2, my prayer is that you stay safe and positive, looking for whom the Lord would have you encourage and bless. 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny & Caleb & Ada, Jeremy, Sakura & Kayla, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.