RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
What a year so far. In and out of various versions of lockdown. Is it an annus horribilis or annus mirabilis? In some aspects, like loss of scheduled work for us, it’s the former, while in opportunities to redevelop and review it’s the latter. In it all, we coninue to fix our eyes on Jesus who never leaves us nor forsakes us. It is our faith in Him alone that will sustain us in what ever situation we find ourselves.
Yvonne Hannah and I went off to Nelson for the Youth Leaders communication day. We had checked in the day before and then that night at 10pm found out Auckland was going to level 3 the next afternoon. What to do? Our flight was to leave just as lockdown would happen. We decided to go to the airport and see what would transpire. Once on the plane, we were told we’d be the last unresticted flight out of Auckland. For the most part, people in Nelson weren’t uptight at our presence. However, a handful were uneasy with us being from Auckland. So in conjuction with the Nelson leaders we postponed the course. However, all my other meetings went ahead and were very worthwhile. The flight back had seperation, masks, no service and even a guy in full PPE. On reflection back home, my decision to go was not a ‘bad’ one per se, maybe just not one of my best. We are rescheduling the course now Nelson’s level 1 and we’re level 2.
The Caleb curriculum review team met for two days. (not during lockdown- just to clarify). It was a very positive time reworking the template for each workshop of the course. The first priority though is to use the template for certain workshops to set them up for the online format. Please pray for wisdom around this whole online exercise. Feedback from some who are doing university studies online is that they are fed up with zoom classes and long to be back in face to face. We need the Lords direction on how much of the leadership course we do online and how much we do face to face. With Covid 19 the landscape has shifted quite a bit and so we are looking carefully at what that means for Caleb Leadership Ministries.
Currently all my ITA overseas work is on hold. I continue with the zoom meetings for the Curriculum committee and the regular Board meetings.
I was asked by the Northern Presbytery of the Presbyterian churches in the Auckland region to submit a proposal for a leadership development strategy solely for their ministers and elders. It was to be based around the current leadership course but done specifically for them. I’m delighted to say that late last week I received an email accepting my proposal. The CEO and I will meet this week to ‘tweak’ the proposal and settle on a final plan. It will involve a Leadership course spread over two separate, ‘in class’ weeks and ongoing group and individual coaching of participants over the year. This is an exciting addition for Caleb Leadership and we will still run the annual national leadership course next year in Nelson.
I’ve also been asked to be involved in the Northern Presbyterian conference Feb next year. But wait there’s more! I have been asked to work with the Drury Presbyterian Church to help them develop a new leadership group and lead them through the change. Now for the free steak knives; I have been asked to work with OAC national team to help them connect as a team and do some team building with them.
The Lord is good in guiding us into these amazing opportunities to serve men and women in leadership and to help them develop as leaders.
Rachel’s tumour is hurting at times. She had an appointment with the Sarcoma team in Christchurch. However, when she got there, the specialist had gone home sick. She will have an MRI in the next couple of weeks. Then in five to six weeks she will see the specialist when he comes to Ashburton. Please pray these appointments will happen.
Kayla is nearly walking. She turns one next week on the 24th which is also Jeremy and Sakura’s wedding anniversary. How time flies. With Sakura going back to work, Yvonne (and me) will be looking after Kayla each Friday. All the ornaments are now locked in cupboards! Jeremy begins his MBA next week. It will begin online. He will still be working full time but doing that in four days with study on Friday and Saturday. Please pray for his strength and peace.
Tim and Aimee continue with their work. Tim’s just finished another term of study and has done well. His ankle’s healing fine now. He’s not playing football but disc golf has become a replacement.
Hannah’s shouting continues its ups and downs. We’ve seen the psychiatric nurses and on Wednesday we see the Psychiatrist at our home (no not for me!). We hope this can shed some light on what’s going on and how to deal with it. It seems that each lock down doesn’t help. Please pray that the Lord will guide us to good solutions keeping us calm, patient and loving. The quotes for sound proofing Hannah’s room were around $5300 which is a bit scary. We are considering how much of it to do.
In light of all this we are only opening one BnB room. So far not many guests. I need some prayer for my left knee. Climbing up and down a set of trestles has done something to the muscles there and going up stairs etc really hurts. Otherwise I’ve gained from a recent week and a half’s leave.
Hoping we all get out of lockdown into level one soon. Be encouraged by Ps 31:24; ‘Be strong and let your heart take courage all you who hope in the Lord.’
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny, Caleb & Ada, Jeremy, Sakura & Kayla, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.