tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218817362024-03-07T00:04:09.175-08:00Scots Family Pollocks Pacific AdventuresThe adventures of a small group of intrepid explorers and their friends in the land of the Long White Cloud.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-40387313339530238902011-09-22T04:07:00.000-07:002011-09-22T04:07:51.965-07:00The next hundred<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes it has been a while since my 100th post. I recognise that those not on Facebook and Twitter appreciate some longer news so I am going to try to do another 100 posts and see where that takes us. At the original rate of one every two weeks it will be mid 2015 at the current rate of one every ten months I guess Luke will be finishing what I start around 2094. I thought we should start with a review of recent sporting events!
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We are nearing the end of the hockey season. Craig's P1 Hutt Team tried their best through the season but struggled against bigger, better and older boys. They improved a lot but lost more games than they won. Craig has transitioned from being a goal keeper to playing centre forward. He has thrived on the change and managed to score the winning goal in the last game of the season. That game marked the end of 5 years of Jamie and Craig playing at Hutt and 5 years of my coaching at Hutt. We have had some great times there and made some good friends.
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Craig was selected for the Wellington Under 13 Development Team again this year. They have had a really good start to the season and won all three of their quadrangular tournaments including the Hardy Cup. They are a good group of guys and I am enjoying them. We have won ten games in a row and on that run have scored 36 goals and not conceded any. Everyone will be out to beat us now so we will have to keep improving. The Curtis Cup is in Wanganui in a few weeks time in the first week of the school holidays.
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Jamie has had a good first season in the Wellington College 1st XI. He did well to make the team and has worked hard on his hockey through the year. He was selected for the Wellington Under 15 Premier Team and played at the National Tournament in Timaru where they played well but did not really fulfill their potential. The school team played in the Rankin Cup which is for the top 16 schools nationally. They gave a good account of themselves but were disappointed to finish 13th equal which will put them back into the India Shield next year.
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In the local competition Wellington College defended their P1 title, topping the league and winning their semi final and final on penalty strokes. Jamie has also been captaining the Under 15 Elite team which plays other school under 15 teams and draws players from our top three teams at Wellington College. We have the Miskimmin Cup on Monday which we have hopes of doing well. At the prizegiving this week Jamie was given the cup for "Best Junior Player" Reading the recent names he said that he had a lot to live up to.
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Luke narrowly missed out on the 1st XI but has had a fantastic year with the 2nd XI. He was the vice captain and really developed through the season both in his skills and his leadership. Expectations were not high at the start of the season as they were overall a younger team. I was not sure about coaching them at the start of the year but am really glad that I did. They were a great group and we had good fun as well as achieving the most successful season the 2nd XI have enjoyed. We play other college 1st XIs and won the grading round of the local competition including a monumental win on penalty strokes over Paraparaumu College which went to a third set of strokes. We won the bronze medal at the Galletly Cup National 2nd XI tournament in Auckland and finished 3rd in the local competition.
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Luke played really well in a number of games and at the Auckland Tournament scored a fantastic individual goal against Hamilton where he beat two defenders for pace and reversed a powerful shot into the roof of the net over the advancing goalkeeper. It was hard to say who was more surprised but I doubt he will score a better goal. He also scored the winner in the bronze medal match against Tauranga finishing a great team move with his first touch after a 5 minute suspension for over enthusiasm in the tackle! He and Jack, the captain were joint Most Valuable Players of the Tournament and Luke got the award for Best Forward for the 2nd XI and the Club Cup for Sportsmanship and Team Spirit. At the end of our last game, which we lost Jack and Luke both said a few words and I was very proud of them both.
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Luke did his final Duke of Edinburgh Gold Tramp over 4 days. It was a more difficult expedition than they had anticipated but a fitting end to four years of endeavour.
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I was talking to Luke's headmaster yesterday and he was commenting how it is not easy starting in year 10 but that Luke has persevered and has made an immense contribution to the life of Wellington College. He only has one more term and most of that will be exams.
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Luke is not sure what next year will look like and will probably not decide until the end of the year. He is thinking about studying geography but will probably take some time out before that.
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We are all looking forward to the Elgin cousins coming in a few weeks time and to having some holiday at the end of what has been a particularly long term. Ailsa has started doing a few days relief teaching at St Marks which she is enjoying.
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We are all enjoying the Rugby World Cup. We have been to a few games but have also been trying to make the most of the opportunity. We have produced a rugby themed gospel "Godzone" which has had some media exposure and we are encouraging churches and student groups to give them to their friends, colleagues and neighbours. All the student groups are putting on events including "what is rugby" introductions for overseas students and some evenings with current and past international players. I have also been involved meeting chaplains who are attached to teams and looking at how sports ministry could grow of the back of the rugby world cup.
Obviously we are hoping that Scotland will beat Argentina on Sunday!
Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com81tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-6130356115060869412010-10-19T13:16:00.000-07:002010-10-20T05:49:12.961-07:00Anniversary and On<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH_jsgrg-ivFizxUaB9ze9ZRHWq35O06gX7S8g4j3rJcTAn4xZn0veJPK5zUqZ4b-sWEwzykSozVTowpXxU6wSsILXwdsRQXD5d1iswFh-jgEBKwPi4E9o5-Iduqsx9hwmoV1/s1600/IMG_5883.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH_jsgrg-ivFizxUaB9ze9ZRHWq35O06gX7S8g4j3rJcTAn4xZn0veJPK5zUqZ4b-sWEwzykSozVTowpXxU6wSsILXwdsRQXD5d1iswFh-jgEBKwPi4E9o5-Iduqsx9hwmoV1/s320/IMG_5883.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529865255092657746" /></a><br />We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in August. It seems hard to believe that 20 years ago we stood in Davidson's Mains Church and made promises to each other. It has been a privilege and an adventure and has certainly taken us to places that we never imagined going. We feel very blessed to have known so much happiness and have certainly seen God's faithfulness through the years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X-FnT3Z36rqRaxeiTKjCrgvEJ2FgB3Bp8KfNYA3fNdN7YREeelqR6MET40QpyIs9AA3wJuHqEzu7cm7r7dh0fX5joLyPB-zZZjQxlmNeKAkOQuoUaaziyjZuaHRoRdqwEx3w/s1600/IMG_5875.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X-FnT3Z36rqRaxeiTKjCrgvEJ2FgB3Bp8KfNYA3fNdN7YREeelqR6MET40QpyIs9AA3wJuHqEzu7cm7r7dh0fX5joLyPB-zZZjQxlmNeKAkOQuoUaaziyjZuaHRoRdqwEx3w/s320/IMG_5875.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529867753130771410" /></a><br />Partly through the generosity of Air New Zealand we were able to celebrate with a night in Auckland. I wore the same jacket that I bought for our honeymoon. It does clash slightly with the colour of the walls in the office.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fPYgdMsbt6Wm5fAAiZJTfOfE56luif3CMmA-nkCJZvLNVUkypYSDcusKdzTPGRiUo_-eh8_V6y9mst1keT6fIKyE2uPcvi7opOhyphenhyphen_O_HQNKpjC_3wfzckchDy-JHGTXnUlB4/s1600/IMG_5878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fPYgdMsbt6Wm5fAAiZJTfOfE56luif3CMmA-nkCJZvLNVUkypYSDcusKdzTPGRiUo_-eh8_V6y9mst1keT6fIKyE2uPcvi7opOhyphenhyphen_O_HQNKpjC_3wfzckchDy-JHGTXnUlB4/s320/IMG_5878.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529866686862754610" /></a><br />We had time to explore a few new corners of Auckland. Ailsa looked as beautiful as always.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP0yeKuPL0P6YaGz_EvwglLTbjv8D1DXnHYcDuy63tPVRBbZ4UIfTAjBVVXmelbpwtPnX0D8NseeMXghgBzIS_CSU5wbzIc6YfSy0QUL10Q2OBBiyQPn6Jz24vqwufkEFQSzO/s1600/IMG_5891.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP0yeKuPL0P6YaGz_EvwglLTbjv8D1DXnHYcDuy63tPVRBbZ4UIfTAjBVVXmelbpwtPnX0D8NseeMXghgBzIS_CSU5wbzIc6YfSy0QUL10Q2OBBiyQPn6Jz24vqwufkEFQSzO/s320/IMG_5891.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529863748906232194" /></a><br />I on the other hand could relate more to the sentiments of this advert at the cafe we had coffee in by the harbour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGEuOqN9J860JNj3L4Da2Xeq6GyLOK8lISN7frvu1d2_G70KEhwync1wFOdeQYbym2WfqVIEBYRh_3Iif7w8aRt0YU5kjuMyfNEyO-OIhdeqGcWVVXGXCGuZ0w0IPh3QX2bIX/s1600/IMG_5894.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGEuOqN9J860JNj3L4Da2Xeq6GyLOK8lISN7frvu1d2_G70KEhwync1wFOdeQYbym2WfqVIEBYRh_3Iif7w8aRt0YU5kjuMyfNEyO-OIhdeqGcWVVXGXCGuZ0w0IPh3QX2bIX/s320/IMG_5894.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529863074107159090" /></a><br />Fortunately this photograph was taken after the coffee!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcIArljlrH-lem-nWeP6RVkFAtv-IOeMUJrBmPLQGVgZ_vbx190x3Vr7cpUj7nms0DWRsO30hvjg8uV6jSropt5sBf4s6Bqkyj7I394tNssMRa8-fiDpJnXiOcfeTXiLXGtWa/s1600/IMG_5887.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcIArljlrH-lem-nWeP6RVkFAtv-IOeMUJrBmPLQGVgZ_vbx190x3Vr7cpUj7nms0DWRsO30hvjg8uV6jSropt5sBf4s6Bqkyj7I394tNssMRa8-fiDpJnXiOcfeTXiLXGtWa/s320/IMG_5887.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529864808551075266" /></a><br />We are very thankful for all the people who have supported us through the 20 years. Our friends and family have poured love and care into us and our children and we would not have made it this far without the care, concern and practical support that we have enjoyed. They say behind every great man is a surprised wife and although I make no claims to greatness I do believe that anything I have been able to do has been multiplied through Ailsa's encouragement and partnership.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PyPKF62fTFLDdGLlx45CsjOvsHukIj_ZEQpVR5L-0ZTdqTkFUxO1JrNWlMMNAQwbxl6SgkXAUuOLet2OJEnzlwiv7SCEQm49sUVkxfls0yuMIhb4T_q9ORtzcn8crf5cJhfW/s1600/IMG_5909.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PyPKF62fTFLDdGLlx45CsjOvsHukIj_ZEQpVR5L-0ZTdqTkFUxO1JrNWlMMNAQwbxl6SgkXAUuOLet2OJEnzlwiv7SCEQm49sUVkxfls0yuMIhb4T_q9ORtzcn8crf5cJhfW/s320/IMG_5909.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529862200347377554" /></a><br />We had a great time exploring some new parts of Auckland and were grateful for friends in Wellington looking after the boys for a couple of days. I am not sure if 20 has a name but we decided not to buy half a ruby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH10QoglU-E6TefnK9DseVWITpD-jlwr6svt_daXt08_3P_TJuPDzq5oNqqjgcDGss24RaBs25RT2kg6H7m8NKPqpX-YLf1VuIyX4_SofzFiGCgMNlH64BjqHxZthKVXzluP41/s1600/IMG_5925.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH10QoglU-E6TefnK9DseVWITpD-jlwr6svt_daXt08_3P_TJuPDzq5oNqqjgcDGss24RaBs25RT2kg6H7m8NKPqpX-YLf1VuIyX4_SofzFiGCgMNlH64BjqHxZthKVXzluP41/s320/IMG_5925.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529861689110181810" /></a><br />The boys enjoyed the cross country season and all competed in the round the bays relay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5bpuAx05I8TcnGBHlwZt58FOE24pikn6kpt44cZsnb0By4sl-nqpAFnK5aD6MdFQh_dK59afdTWIsoEqH3qN5Z5CFXjyHQBcBfHO1hxzC5QpGdTkHXsZ9YqKG80hJRyvRtxQ/s1600/IMG_5933.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5bpuAx05I8TcnGBHlwZt58FOE24pikn6kpt44cZsnb0By4sl-nqpAFnK5aD6MdFQh_dK59afdTWIsoEqH3qN5Z5CFXjyHQBcBfHO1hxzC5QpGdTkHXsZ9YqKG80hJRyvRtxQ/s320/IMG_5933.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529861290267334898" /></a><br />Luke's running has come on significantly this year and he was delighted to be able to run in the Nationals. He is currently working on his athletics and hopes to run in the track nationals too and to make the school athletics team.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjFDuZVaYZcsd6_IzVyiscBVn7Thlu5AVVM5fW8fHzkE1MHupAuKHIUXPrGhgrXBFJMOHag9nNVU26TG9RBMTEn7nmOlm_hKmB77hG28hN-H3o9XmPhOkjC6rm3m44EY9w_4P/s1600/IMG_5940.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjFDuZVaYZcsd6_IzVyiscBVn7Thlu5AVVM5fW8fHzkE1MHupAuKHIUXPrGhgrXBFJMOHag9nNVU26TG9RBMTEn7nmOlm_hKmB77hG28hN-H3o9XmPhOkjC6rm3m44EY9w_4P/s320/IMG_5940.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529861060015523218" /></a><br />Craig has started playing tennis matches for Maungaraki and won his first two matches ever last Saturday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_MJppFwgYHb8PD0UKkxFj054MGDerX1UCl31NNXLpEJKREh06lIiYkkEcjf2uuP0VAsRrgKdqhblwCu7KRvRZISb_PIFQaKcjV3teQgYfXU2Mf0bahO4ngQn2A3wKv7lW-IA/s1600/IMG_5941.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_MJppFwgYHb8PD0UKkxFj054MGDerX1UCl31NNXLpEJKREh06lIiYkkEcjf2uuP0VAsRrgKdqhblwCu7KRvRZISb_PIFQaKcjV3teQgYfXU2Mf0bahO4ngQn2A3wKv7lW-IA/s320/IMG_5941.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529859862138510802" /></a><br />The boys all live life in the fast lane and we don't have the opportunity to sit down together as often as we would like.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-GEJBwVJdws8TBvxbZkmaLaqyxvBsqtdALUljrnVwd1tEUxUgNEJlFAES-5x2-bnIJwK3yYB2jip1wmdwZzJeWNITuw9-kE9atOH8mbEV6Mj2C8vpnFTqOdfAzFjoo_Xq0E3/s1600/IMG_5946.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-GEJBwVJdws8TBvxbZkmaLaqyxvBsqtdALUljrnVwd1tEUxUgNEJlFAES-5x2-bnIJwK3yYB2jip1wmdwZzJeWNITuw9-kE9atOH8mbEV6Mj2C8vpnFTqOdfAzFjoo_Xq0E3/s320/IMG_5946.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529858894349788994" /></a><br />Jamie has been choosing his subjects for year 11. Art will be one of his options and he is producing some really good work. This was a piece of Maori Art that he created using paint on board. The Maori word in the centre means homeland.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBETQ3QuK_0MUhrITKD2F7YTjy5CDH1t1F1qmUf3MXXDYPpYA8iPFKhVFVcVmBcsOK2a5ofRJ9HUv2Y1Xj9uVF9EZBPrivPGJJpZEhzRk0zT47enzDtAc1b35iQiG8xEVXJCr/s1600/IMG_5949.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBETQ3QuK_0MUhrITKD2F7YTjy5CDH1t1F1qmUf3MXXDYPpYA8iPFKhVFVcVmBcsOK2a5ofRJ9HUv2Y1Xj9uVF9EZBPrivPGJJpZEhzRk0zT47enzDtAc1b35iQiG8xEVXJCr/s320/IMG_5949.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529858528925617282" /></a><br />Craig has had a remarkable run of success in different areas. He won a prize at the Wellington Science Fair for his project on re-designing a recycling box.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0HitVu4qoVDD8RVthdDNEMm6vQTtNd0CdG-lreV9EavvmgIUv7VsB-LBYsD0gD1co3qESTzRgex4Sm2y0qxs8PkuKP3DRdLCEObjO2V0pMnEHvyb8gv2uexZlN3h-YYPV6BT/s1600/IMG_5952.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0HitVu4qoVDD8RVthdDNEMm6vQTtNd0CdG-lreV9EavvmgIUv7VsB-LBYsD0gD1co3qESTzRgex4Sm2y0qxs8PkuKP3DRdLCEObjO2V0pMnEHvyb8gv2uexZlN3h-YYPV6BT/s320/IMG_5952.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529858038913756498" /></a><br />He also played Caliban in the school production of the Tempest and was picked to play Fleance in the New Zealand Opera production of "Macbeth" at the St James theatre.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M2WqXVdf0DAx2ENBygOQT7zWtJE_1gK7qlZVbBidUhhVy5dnEi25NHaK69Q2v0kp6A7w7yF9VazMscAFQvSUXGQ5j8pKzsO0g20ecXtf6NNJQQYXK6iyULVhMDEG-pJGvX78/s1600/IMG_5972.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M2WqXVdf0DAx2ENBygOQT7zWtJE_1gK7qlZVbBidUhhVy5dnEi25NHaK69Q2v0kp6A7w7yF9VazMscAFQvSUXGQ5j8pKzsO0g20ecXtf6NNJQQYXK6iyULVhMDEG-pJGvX78/s320/IMG_5972.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529857487989948018" /></a><br />Luke's 2nd XI team played in the Galletly Cup and finished 5th. Jamie was also picked to play in the tournament so they played together again for the first time this year. They have both improved a lot and both teams finished 3rd in their respective competitions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP3m2RPo5-FTtaNXUAk_wkAuG1cAA5P0VtKDDqt4aQGeZmve2WGDG6nux22gN94EXKZawO0N4KW9OHKH83wacxfpG7wnHZA_MND0GF5htC7IHnL5sXNbNXIjEDLL_uoe7ZFA9/s1600/IMG_5975.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP3m2RPo5-FTtaNXUAk_wkAuG1cAA5P0VtKDDqt4aQGeZmve2WGDG6nux22gN94EXKZawO0N4KW9OHKH83wacxfpG7wnHZA_MND0GF5htC7IHnL5sXNbNXIjEDLL_uoe7ZFA9/s320/IMG_5975.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529857280705903250" /></a><br />On the work front I spoke at the second Catalyst graduates conference. This was a very encouraging time and we had 150 in Auckland for the weekend. 15 tracks addressed different disciplines and professions and embryonic networks continue to develop. We are currently completing a resource for final year students to help them transition into the world of work. Mark Grace is doing a great job developing this important initiative.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-JCVL3MgdhrgAqEMwg2LxbYjMPPXWbB4nD1eD8aV5zQkagbATimx7HA1-FaTV5eVK6SmO_JsD2QQBHm-5UXmBd1q8XMcSOY9uApt-do_b0mHEW6Q54O19m7MCjhtwfG_rYvK/s1600/IMG_5980.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-JCVL3MgdhrgAqEMwg2LxbYjMPPXWbB4nD1eD8aV5zQkagbATimx7HA1-FaTV5eVK6SmO_JsD2QQBHm-5UXmBd1q8XMcSOY9uApt-do_b0mHEW6Q54O19m7MCjhtwfG_rYvK/s320/IMG_5980.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529856808419518178" /></a><br />Craig's Wellington U13 team, which I coach won the Curtis Cup in the Wairarapa. This is a regional competition for development teams and we won all three of our group games before playing brilliantly against Hutt Valley in our semi-final and winning a tight final against Hawkes Bay in the last minute on a partially flooded pitch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindWlwQrXTsTqCPH7l0fbvNvsxi5SmFsiyk6G6crNIVjUJCee1ssP8fKcSyNFF84S3yyEV0VdMdUIfXYqbt-s4S122RwpBXcvH3sMpLaSnShz581QPHGl4Ez4s9EomCI3Mm_mG/s1600/IMG_6010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindWlwQrXTsTqCPH7l0fbvNvsxi5SmFsiyk6G6crNIVjUJCee1ssP8fKcSyNFF84S3yyEV0VdMdUIfXYqbt-s4S122RwpBXcvH3sMpLaSnShz581QPHGl4Ez4s9EomCI3Mm_mG/s320/IMG_6010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529856244626487010" /></a><br />My mum and dad are visiting from Scotland for 6 weeks and it is good having them with us. They were able to hear Luke sing in the chorale and to see Craig's tournament and operatic performance as well as going to a few places with the whole family. Our Odyssey sadly died after completing 230,000 km and 16 years of service but we hope to get a new one in due course. I am heading off to South Africa for the third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town which promises to be interesting. You can follow news of that on <a href="http://culturalconnections.blogspot.com/">Cultural Connections</a>. We are also producing news and insights for a wider student audience. You can read that on our <a href="http://studentmission.blogspot.com/">networked blog for Lausanne</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlBmoGsNfbJelxEeu3BfZ_G6ZQOHQDVZ064ODJn_EN0FOg00ew_u_5oRSRYM17ArshGH2u0TiGtsBELCeAYuiH4nHTdASYSNGEt_pyw0odrPlEUkDE7iD6tLN1xJctdqgV1Ul/s1600/IMG_6032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlBmoGsNfbJelxEeu3BfZ_G6ZQOHQDVZ064ODJn_EN0FOg00ew_u_5oRSRYM17ArshGH2u0TiGtsBELCeAYuiH4nHTdASYSNGEt_pyw0odrPlEUkDE7iD6tLN1xJctdqgV1Ul/s320/IMG_6032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529855579385878466" /></a><br />Oh and just in case you think from the news above that our children are perfect and never get into trouble or require discipline. They are not and they do!Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-79401478393540465292010-07-24T00:54:00.001-07:002010-07-24T05:09:09.138-07:00The writing in the sand<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmsmKdVFxU085T0vu9vYJyQAz6E1lXQiDVvynlb0sWcTr1Wclp33PnqotS4_EsK8CnCO5rnLw9MPl4q_5B-fXT_Rpq8cEViT8HXukmLICqYd7P96lTKFtpbVdOVFctP9WUYHn/s1600/IMG_5778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmsmKdVFxU085T0vu9vYJyQAz6E1lXQiDVvynlb0sWcTr1Wclp33PnqotS4_EsK8CnCO5rnLw9MPl4q_5B-fXT_Rpq8cEViT8HXukmLICqYd7P96lTKFtpbVdOVFctP9WUYHn/s320/IMG_5778.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497378208644846514" /></a><br />It still seems very strange having winter in July. Having had a bit of a cold and wet spell the four days holiday we had as a family after conference was fantastic. It was hard to believe that it was winter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLMH3z20fLsAXRjlj3VusgLe3s1GZolIkzEpCXr8KxMIB-1tAnDLCuQtDGR1F7aKr1_MEVSP4G4tTOtxQORPJyluaJ_XoVaupiMIpqqNQnsZXlLycmT0IXkyQyXpaoQHrC8FK/s1600/IMG_5642.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLMH3z20fLsAXRjlj3VusgLe3s1GZolIkzEpCXr8KxMIB-1tAnDLCuQtDGR1F7aKr1_MEVSP4G4tTOtxQORPJyluaJ_XoVaupiMIpqqNQnsZXlLycmT0IXkyQyXpaoQHrC8FK/s320/IMG_5642.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497380722363182786" /></a><br />We hired a holiday house in Foxton, which is in Horowhenua, another 30 minutes north of the Kapiti coast. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd_DVELbvSfA9uIzd69wvRF6oyhHSA_qHcfevD2UJgkZS_uBglvXPdhx4RCZ4lNabOOFkw0sPspTUU8MYJ84hvfk8XiPm1r3Py6sAE0vt5Mmqfh1819CGLixEjq4BrakF4754/s1600/IMG_5636.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd_DVELbvSfA9uIzd69wvRF6oyhHSA_qHcfevD2UJgkZS_uBglvXPdhx4RCZ4lNabOOFkw0sPspTUU8MYJ84hvfk8XiPm1r3Py6sAE0vt5Mmqfh1819CGLixEjq4BrakF4754/s320/IMG_5636.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497380910932780354" /></a><br />Foxton is most famous for having a windmill. It looks quite rustic and is a working replica of a 17th century Dutch windmill but this was only opened in 2003 and was imported as a kit from Holland. It celebrates the Dutch heritage in New Zealand and (like many things in this nation) has no real business being here. But maybe that is the point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1luRFkakuwowoDGk4_DQxtvmWZ5dv0gYh5OVqVkAaY8r78ttQFCO-wJWo0O11ahrcWS5iIRlLFKK67sKD39srnQP4xRnwUDeUYw-WP9jpbrZOWtUil4j9TB1Ra9Wbx4c5eSB/s1600/IMG_5648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1luRFkakuwowoDGk4_DQxtvmWZ5dv0gYh5OVqVkAaY8r78ttQFCO-wJWo0O11ahrcWS5iIRlLFKK67sKD39srnQP4xRnwUDeUYw-WP9jpbrZOWtUil4j9TB1Ra9Wbx4c5eSB/s320/IMG_5648.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497381108402822306" /></a><br />Jamie managed to kick a ball through the bedroom window within 20 minutes of our arriving. This would have been a great feat of skill if the window had been open at the time. The emergency glazier was very helpful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6m3nUEa-mqH4ciFrgBAeZ8Ssk0Soy2lskr4LKYueECneOcrUJS6CrBilwADQFvMP1OpOMgY1DabIrQxfW3PuvBnQ2mzrDJzY6e7uSRep7sT-HSVJMJY2wnTJdo66cH0f5WMPA/s1600/IMG_5660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6m3nUEa-mqH4ciFrgBAeZ8Ssk0Soy2lskr4LKYueECneOcrUJS6CrBilwADQFvMP1OpOMgY1DabIrQxfW3PuvBnQ2mzrDJzY6e7uSRep7sT-HSVJMJY2wnTJdo66cH0f5WMPA/s320/IMG_5660.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497381381259810770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-ItYXyp-fYXXtkdKCbwo_NkNXbK4UrA3fb44gR4vUR2MeO6x_D7uEJ-p4BzcCE2DZsdmh__7Z4n-3FXU2RSuUoGYT1C-vjLMxbWb3d6AuBxe-ljRpjDPeT_kfnnh63A1OITH/s1600/IMG_5679.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-ItYXyp-fYXXtkdKCbwo_NkNXbK4UrA3fb44gR4vUR2MeO6x_D7uEJ-p4BzcCE2DZsdmh__7Z4n-3FXU2RSuUoGYT1C-vjLMxbWb3d6AuBxe-ljRpjDPeT_kfnnh63A1OITH/s320/IMG_5679.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497381608194894274" /></a><br />The first night we walked through the sand dunes to the beach. We have spent hours on this coast watching the sun go down. I often think that as it sinks over the horizon it is rising off the east coast of Scotland.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOuo64CNR0kQkyfvt_mDrOr8plUlRonKrqrij_ANYdziXryCvUXfimbap-a3iZIPfSgyx3PyD8D5zK5_7t9XJZDTzRlZZIyAysQELoDy_TFr-p9g8GRLvZCWH2RCCNb7GzKIL/s1600/IMG_5688.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOuo64CNR0kQkyfvt_mDrOr8plUlRonKrqrij_ANYdziXryCvUXfimbap-a3iZIPfSgyx3PyD8D5zK5_7t9XJZDTzRlZZIyAysQELoDy_TFr-p9g8GRLvZCWH2RCCNb7GzKIL/s320/IMG_5688.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497381894909795298" /></a><br />We seem to spend more time during the term on different activities in our weekly schedules. It was good to have time together without the pressure of things to do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0lMlFhGD9tpEiVgm9dXQKccHT5mckhDlvj4ll0RkOU3-ybuVJ8Gzeghyphenhyphengp7U5cv1fy6ZyRGrRLEmT31-9gMJWKiSAIF4OYljK6m74MIP39xO0NIiP3GmTKeVxA_04qTCul55/s1600/IMG_5700.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0lMlFhGD9tpEiVgm9dXQKccHT5mckhDlvj4ll0RkOU3-ybuVJ8Gzeghyphenhyphengp7U5cv1fy6ZyRGrRLEmT31-9gMJWKiSAIF4OYljK6m74MIP39xO0NIiP3GmTKeVxA_04qTCul55/s320/IMG_5700.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497382095484968690" /></a><br />We are becoming conscious that Luke is in his second last year at college and we probably have more family holidays behind us than we have ahead! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iktaTQdgLy4GIRGHSkkYqTKDj4E_KsV-BL2n3lb-WtI7IAmRhOJj1RHbOOKEN3OLVUWXfFLwuhW4ebgqHUx6oji0fPOz-nA37ejaWHfWvaw9ui9CwyxtHMtv7h2ToZ4bi2WZ/s1600/IMG_5702.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iktaTQdgLy4GIRGHSkkYqTKDj4E_KsV-BL2n3lb-WtI7IAmRhOJj1RHbOOKEN3OLVUWXfFLwuhW4ebgqHUx6oji0fPOz-nA37ejaWHfWvaw9ui9CwyxtHMtv7h2ToZ4bi2WZ/s320/IMG_5702.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497382291716439826" /></a><br />He is starting to think about where to apply to university and considering a year out between school and study. He did a three day barista training course in the holidays for which he got City and Guilds, NCEA, and Hospitality New Zealand credits. He had to make 7 drinks as part of his assessment and did it in under 8 minutes to achieve excellence. This may prove a useful skill in the months ahead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiAiwVqeeAL5pfJL7a0S5uDHcU7b4WOW1yA8rk3umLQL5vHs5KRzS-GRI2uE_MnjD7u0eIuCMmjKirEjV0XejPDL4fBYxTNviDuchJy2g2hrw-6bjX3b3ecoankWASSzH3Txz/s1600/IMG_5704.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiAiwVqeeAL5pfJL7a0S5uDHcU7b4WOW1yA8rk3umLQL5vHs5KRzS-GRI2uE_MnjD7u0eIuCMmjKirEjV0XejPDL4fBYxTNviDuchJy2g2hrw-6bjX3b3ecoankWASSzH3Txz/s320/IMG_5704.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497382528033370562" /></a><br />Ailsa has not managed to get any relief teaching yet and is wondering about approaching a couple of other schools. I was given a night in an Auckland hotel by Air New Zealand and we hope to use that to celebrate our anniversary next month. We are also discussing how to celebrate both of our parents golden weddings in 2011 and how that meshes with school exams and other commitments.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGMXXh29uDGlPPT-Pyd4GLtxaXf3TYKhdRURndFoRHaKDMId0DLyflrQED0rjptufZ2xlGUNhxFO3eKOwRPgveJ3sxe3Ll4yFMgCE-NS4g8SrFpw5DZ4jji_rmb2IHxVaBmfZ/s1600/IMG_5736.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGMXXh29uDGlPPT-Pyd4GLtxaXf3TYKhdRURndFoRHaKDMId0DLyflrQED0rjptufZ2xlGUNhxFO3eKOwRPgveJ3sxe3Ll4yFMgCE-NS4g8SrFpw5DZ4jji_rmb2IHxVaBmfZ/s320/IMG_5736.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497383848154032450" /></a><br />The boys enjoyed some extended dune jumping. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJRHN8xfDmpc7rmgEBtEuy3lDz4OJCXSeM0AxJwiUrHXfCUJ8s2ryuAkVKX78aqGneW3nFl22hcmB4Dqs4V3_3vwvRkZyijJumCEsUKisXTot_oYLGIJzZgCjxfO1lleyu9_6/s1600/IMG_5763.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJRHN8xfDmpc7rmgEBtEuy3lDz4OJCXSeM0AxJwiUrHXfCUJ8s2ryuAkVKX78aqGneW3nFl22hcmB4Dqs4V3_3vwvRkZyijJumCEsUKisXTot_oYLGIJzZgCjxfO1lleyu9_6/s320/IMG_5763.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497384294935734754" /></a><br />And some dune climbing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBOzbO9xQzOAjhloQHUg3m6BkdoOmn2ui0qpyh5rIW_Aihm5wm2JCinLvZcK9hKTfoST7GTRi_5zCVtDLRzsihyphenhyphen3aL7IajBl3xbm864l5735ZIRKXjC5DxppbjOy4qpnzDIRw/s1600/IMG_5739.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBOzbO9xQzOAjhloQHUg3m6BkdoOmn2ui0qpyh5rIW_Aihm5wm2JCinLvZcK9hKTfoST7GTRi_5zCVtDLRzsihyphenhyphen3aL7IajBl3xbm864l5735ZIRKXjC5DxppbjOy4qpnzDIRw/s320/IMG_5739.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497384072926465138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_83xa2N-zopA1QZKJl6b-ytlzkaWOe8TbCPRFT0dJ9aLcQzROgyh3WbxE2HAx9alPObgdHiY0HVBnSTksebyn5w7aoZfcXs-YrSBI9TtG-8QEb4lLpQTyQN-eqD0DVVqKKTAo/s1600/IMG_5769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_83xa2N-zopA1QZKJl6b-ytlzkaWOe8TbCPRFT0dJ9aLcQzROgyh3WbxE2HAx9alPObgdHiY0HVBnSTksebyn5w7aoZfcXs-YrSBI9TtG-8QEb4lLpQTyQN-eqD0DVVqKKTAo/s320/IMG_5769.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497384565670723986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OxuJxNAAszh1ll1YT87m1qqaMgoeQbFw6D86dnj_34wKqkZJboAymyRTb_3aVWXkynde0G9HmeHMu-vYQbU6GXQr4XBYNB_Pu_kYRzZ8vsOso08tsWxayTvDw_QkrWe5-oSK/s1600/IMG_5791.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OxuJxNAAszh1ll1YT87m1qqaMgoeQbFw6D86dnj_34wKqkZJboAymyRTb_3aVWXkynde0G9HmeHMu-vYQbU6GXQr4XBYNB_Pu_kYRzZ8vsOso08tsWxayTvDw_QkrWe5-oSK/s320/IMG_5791.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497385319461414322" /></a><br />Enjoyed the patterns woven in the sky and the sand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHl13BXY6RTTQzpJbkE_zKf1w37j4CByWnaXtgU7DIMKkvN7RjNuCqjSj4YMFC8_yFapHc7MHu6vihsqiWjvsu3gjrCQDFxlbm91clsxwGKNUdcGFOIv-6niC2qEM7aBUrGYm/s1600/IMG_5802.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHl13BXY6RTTQzpJbkE_zKf1w37j4CByWnaXtgU7DIMKkvN7RjNuCqjSj4YMFC8_yFapHc7MHu6vihsqiWjvsu3gjrCQDFxlbm91clsxwGKNUdcGFOIv-6niC2qEM7aBUrGYm/s320/IMG_5802.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497386688226902642" /></a><br />And made some patterns ourselves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkd0i_HAYwz1szxkxOz81MOe779K4UMWw6itIQrLftb-lYz3-_ta83F_Qp4b6EG37HyJ8w0wKFgWXTcCX9zTff0A8jXKR5fEvrACpV-7G-I-nnVlqVzrpkiah6Vzwzvkx4gvE/s1600/IMG_5807.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkd0i_HAYwz1szxkxOz81MOe779K4UMWw6itIQrLftb-lYz3-_ta83F_Qp4b6EG37HyJ8w0wKFgWXTcCX9zTff0A8jXKR5fEvrACpV-7G-I-nnVlqVzrpkiah6Vzwzvkx4gvE/s320/IMG_5807.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497394736530350674" /></a><br />I am still the tallest but Jamie is catching up with Ailsa and Craig is catching up with Jamie. From the beach we could see Taranaki and Ruapehu.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2k83wbaW_n1_gEzwzD0yWxZ3dBf25-hf1lOPYSkaZuGBtmrVkv7Q2N3pmg_qBsv_zYmFoQjaCQZ1W7svspanJdY__D7cuwkj9A5j0kQkMMr2u_Rwv_9YpkwiB3OJtfQLqCk-/s1600/IMG_5667.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2k83wbaW_n1_gEzwzD0yWxZ3dBf25-hf1lOPYSkaZuGBtmrVkv7Q2N3pmg_qBsv_zYmFoQjaCQZ1W7svspanJdY__D7cuwkj9A5j0kQkMMr2u_Rwv_9YpkwiB3OJtfQLqCk-/s320/IMG_5667.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497395259018784994" /></a><br />The road at Foxton is part of the State Highway system. Nearer the tideline the speed limit may be relevant but it seems a little optimistic at this point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0Zl8cOZQ6l5SfUFlOnIRa0KO530pC9m6i3i8FH7AHnKgoNVsHO-hSytystjLTJrZNlG9CdqqMETd7039JcD3DAn-F7HDxzrabxe28AwQ2SYA12Q4pBAIN6OKv0DrhFRkldBA/s1600/IMG_5816.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0Zl8cOZQ6l5SfUFlOnIRa0KO530pC9m6i3i8FH7AHnKgoNVsHO-hSytystjLTJrZNlG9CdqqMETd7039JcD3DAn-F7HDxzrabxe28AwQ2SYA12Q4pBAIN6OKv0DrhFRkldBA/s320/IMG_5816.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497395077401979266" /></a><br />Anyone with a modicum of common sense would know not to try to drive a saloon car down the access road when faced with a reasonable amount of sand. But common sense is not the route to adventure, digging and rescue by nice local man with large ute. Still it was another nice sunset and I did have fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5iHGxxbXnMXDLNtZakLoWhuP7Zf3SU3ookIdlcRs2KMVC_2DBnLhiM7ZoxzxjMFcISl4oYB_4Bd8muG5PO_t4q4YIa13UDT36UKQCXxKnwFtWC5EXwZ0ibnGOyAkE0azIAdt/s1600/Adult+supervision.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5iHGxxbXnMXDLNtZakLoWhuP7Zf3SU3ookIdlcRs2KMVC_2DBnLhiM7ZoxzxjMFcISl4oYB_4Bd8muG5PO_t4q4YIa13UDT36UKQCXxKnwFtWC5EXwZ0ibnGOyAkE0azIAdt/s320/Adult+supervision.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497395792185434754" /></a><br />Which is probably why this sign (taken through the gym door at conference) does have some abiding relevance. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzOgNARTw94qAie2h72N_vPPTF1FRV6C6lzDtpQSJhOJ0HNg6818DSn_Z1A-Gc9lP3E7Om1iPQV3f2MVzea48rCGFxkmts7iZoMdLZ5GNvgIkIcnog08ZAZ3mVwpSOntipv1V/s1600/IMG_5821.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzOgNARTw94qAie2h72N_vPPTF1FRV6C6lzDtpQSJhOJ0HNg6818DSn_Z1A-Gc9lP3E7Om1iPQV3f2MVzea48rCGFxkmts7iZoMdLZ5GNvgIkIcnog08ZAZ3mVwpSOntipv1V/s320/IMG_5821.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497397600109108338" /></a><br />We were able to join Ben and Jen to celebrate Sam's first birthday. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnq5jnfcvklWK69Ic-6JQPrA_1pAV4gTv5GOCPl0ScN6_uluHKj_WYNxlz3bE1aFaCjlrh38Y4tFjb4OSv_7jdm7GWw_3V94d6zLxG7fV5cDsQmqJ9crAaUMRl6t6DzNRO7FA/s1600/IMG_5829.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnq5jnfcvklWK69Ic-6JQPrA_1pAV4gTv5GOCPl0ScN6_uluHKj_WYNxlz3bE1aFaCjlrh38Y4tFjb4OSv_7jdm7GWw_3V94d6zLxG7fV5cDsQmqJ9crAaUMRl6t6DzNRO7FA/s320/IMG_5829.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497398234556191026" /></a><br />The boys are all very fond of him and friends become more important when family is far away. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhqbQpgvI1bGjtX54-GaSihX0_7uy4GYWGbMFL680MHpV1KuPH4XpZHkET4xPzyrdDGzi6odc0aK-xSHy-vG96Uu_On4Rhi4HjQnpy6Gdi4Ih1CKpLV2ZxH0UfQ-iqMtbDy_E/s1600/IMG_5837.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhqbQpgvI1bGjtX54-GaSihX0_7uy4GYWGbMFL680MHpV1KuPH4XpZHkET4xPzyrdDGzi6odc0aK-xSHy-vG96Uu_On4Rhi4HjQnpy6Gdi4Ih1CKpLV2ZxH0UfQ-iqMtbDy_E/s320/IMG_5837.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497398479644268562" /></a><br />Ben's dad Roger was able to be at the party having been here for a few weeks including speaking at the National Conference and visiting Vanuatu. Ben was slightly miffed that a number of people thought they were brothers. Roger made a great contribution and was a real encouragement while he was here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXebA5KkPjTwdfEi_tTJpnQh9P_eq4Iaa3RuLqcqFBVQbumDsvlierOXkcboJgchsYytu17_X7O0brMfruK8mkVPUw1N9Blu1qJwSOt936D2h6GJ06YG3NxQ78xQWuBQSZw8T/s1600/IMG_5838.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXebA5KkPjTwdfEi_tTJpnQh9P_eq4Iaa3RuLqcqFBVQbumDsvlierOXkcboJgchsYytu17_X7O0brMfruK8mkVPUw1N9Blu1qJwSOt936D2h6GJ06YG3NxQ78xQWuBQSZw8T/s320/IMG_5838.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497398737527546882" /></a><br />He was also very encouraging about Ben's work and seeing the value of what we are trying to do in NZ and around the Pacific. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Fur9DgzKc-nEfOrjWh5a2_pxnXQfhqNEb0PCkfEAfeNn4aJkgtKiiZgrQ8GAVvx574MrZJTkSXypBEdLUIVQ-t9owlIH8LCOXH_BoRMPRZthTWavASfbIU9UcahykCV-P2iQ/s1600/IMG_5789.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Fur9DgzKc-nEfOrjWh5a2_pxnXQfhqNEb0PCkfEAfeNn4aJkgtKiiZgrQ8GAVvx574MrZJTkSXypBEdLUIVQ-t9owlIH8LCOXH_BoRMPRZthTWavASfbIU9UcahykCV-P2iQ/s320/IMG_5789.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497396936746918258" /></a><br />We continue to build partnerships and look for ways to develop student and graduate ministry in these islands and beyond. There are a growing number of opportunities. Next week for example I am recording 5 three minute radio slots for the E100 series of 100 Essential Bible readings. I am doing Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. I have also been asked to coordinate the Lausanne World Student Initiative which I will write more about next time but which is starting to build some interesting relationships.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtU_Dv-bY_MW9JJM0sTqwPQ6a_FO9biEaL9HcTkDzDHl7-p8DJ9ymOwIbX3fkCbeFpvGZ5JZx4tgVeTepTRfTAAz3Tj6gGh6TydmF-cLwJrTUTGz_24DlP5ePbEVAv3Oewiot/s1600/IMG_5847.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtU_Dv-bY_MW9JJM0sTqwPQ6a_FO9biEaL9HcTkDzDHl7-p8DJ9ymOwIbX3fkCbeFpvGZ5JZx4tgVeTepTRfTAAz3Tj6gGh6TydmF-cLwJrTUTGz_24DlP5ePbEVAv3Oewiot/s320/IMG_5847.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497399076129116802" /></a><br />Luke was invited to the St Orans school ball. This is a presbtyerian girls school near the church which a number of girls in the youth group go to. We were able to acquire a great suit on Trade Me for around the cost of hiring one. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU4qOGpeV53jjIpBFzXTz1lWP7MBHaXkKh9CvOzu3qFdzM1g3hlwih3JvMsQoNzUW7Gr8PYle7Klm3NoFYIINZ-3eBzSQkWXdulSxy1IE7Te-sDNwQQ0KvEOMMOgMjvXD4XEz/s1600/IMG_5859.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCU4qOGpeV53jjIpBFzXTz1lWP7MBHaXkKh9CvOzu3qFdzM1g3hlwih3JvMsQoNzUW7Gr8PYle7Klm3NoFYIINZ-3eBzSQkWXdulSxy1IE7Te-sDNwQQ0KvEOMMOgMjvXD4XEz/s320/IMG_5859.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497399269145440434" /></a><br />He looked really smart and is there as I am typing this. I sometimes catch myself wondering "who is that man that Ailsa is talking to?" and then I realise that it is Luke.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkFfSv_6aK0zb7e73sqaIi4aSHN46EEBKLHgbMzzwLQW8qqwwFXw23a3ZPf90FfcW5Mh0hz-EGXvRLWnRb4opDzaR3KNFO2WNyaY7E0kYwmzVo9PjeeAsQoLAV9pbV9VEQ4O8/s1600/IMG_2448.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkFfSv_6aK0zb7e73sqaIi4aSHN46EEBKLHgbMzzwLQW8qqwwFXw23a3ZPf90FfcW5Mh0hz-EGXvRLWnRb4opDzaR3KNFO2WNyaY7E0kYwmzVo9PjeeAsQoLAV9pbV9VEQ4O8/s320/IMG_2448.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497409652279248226" /></a><br />Craig was doing a project on role models at school and decided to write to John Key, the Prime Minister, to ask who his role models were. He was pretty pleased to get a reply.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cCeKUcP6Hwf52_FB5Oa7mIPC406RKje2i8mR3g6VsD3MrEcC6kkQA-uo1BRl-jlUPgwtKF95Ie9bxJaqOye1fCAHFflzuaXREJa9jtuDwDfmIUZqBANnRYyH7PyZ89vnYK2U/s1600/IMG_2443.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cCeKUcP6Hwf52_FB5Oa7mIPC406RKje2i8mR3g6VsD3MrEcC6kkQA-uo1BRl-jlUPgwtKF95Ie9bxJaqOye1fCAHFflzuaXREJa9jtuDwDfmIUZqBANnRYyH7PyZ89vnYK2U/s320/IMG_2443.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497409410134379746" /></a><br />A few weeks later John Key came to visit the school and although he was scheduled to visit a different year group was introduced to Craig because of the previous email.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK00oZRnWgFrNbrh2CqxTTW2lVQSP0JcBz8x-VTg4y5-FBXl2XCFiyfl4JDroj8jar8Cql6rgy_fSPELstrqHUekpUjMTnvweqYsx8Lwj33wulrUcY_9j6AzK0xyI9Vi2Iz0-x/s1600/IMG_2447.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK00oZRnWgFrNbrh2CqxTTW2lVQSP0JcBz8x-VTg4y5-FBXl2XCFiyfl4JDroj8jar8Cql6rgy_fSPELstrqHUekpUjMTnvweqYsx8Lwj33wulrUcY_9j6AzK0xyI9Vi2Iz0-x/s320/IMG_2447.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497409548328781506" /></a><br />I like that in NZ an 11 year old can write to the prime minister of his own bat and that the Prime Minister remembers the letter and will spend time looking at your work in your classroom. I would love to see more politicians who had this kind of heart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyANsTgdTZC9RAS_wcLM6sVxgJhow3kM4Uz8p9ppFmBTI_La0VJgfW1-N_M4xb9hPgaSClNUg2w0p_J62X2VLNupLHgqOTVz37g9-1b8Unesrb1HgHU5O1rthEfqgHjb9XkyZ/s1600/pacific.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyANsTgdTZC9RAS_wcLM6sVxgJhow3kM4Uz8p9ppFmBTI_La0VJgfW1-N_M4xb9hPgaSClNUg2w0p_J62X2VLNupLHgqOTVz37g9-1b8Unesrb1HgHU5O1rthEfqgHjb9XkyZ/s320/pacific.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497410934324258578" /></a><br />We continue to be grateful for all who care for our family and support our work in prayer, finance and practical encouragement. Ailsa also commented that my writing in the sand is much better than on paper, which the people in the office would probably agree with.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-51284888909024758112010-07-22T21:47:00.000-07:002010-07-22T21:50:12.530-07:00To Base Camp and Beyond<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrI7hDGv5mW-SScBod6vwrlsy0FU64fQygxn7v4bR3JSH5XVfswwzQ4tYO6XHB75tXbqU-1AX0IZXL4SoNhzvXQi09rDBQZn7FJ-v0hSxJXqN9hKiFnjQs3iktKRW6XeKaS5bJA/s1600/secen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrI7hDGv5mW-SScBod6vwrlsy0FU64fQygxn7v4bR3JSH5XVfswwzQ4tYO6XHB75tXbqU-1AX0IZXL4SoNhzvXQi09rDBQZn7FJ-v0hSxJXqN9hKiFnjQs3iktKRW6XeKaS5bJA/s320/secen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496950856094276850" /></a><br />Everest first captured my imagination in a log cabin on an island in British Columbia. Browsing in a second hand bookshop I picked up Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, an account of the 1996 Everest expeditions which were caught in a storm while high on the mountain. Fifteen people lost their lives, including Kiwi guide Rob Hall. I became fascinated with what drew men and women into the ‘death zone’, the name given to the area above 28,000 feet. Above this altitude the air is so thin that it is at the limit of human physiological function. This combined with the low temperature and difficult conditions means no one can survive there for long.<br /><br />Over the next few months I read everything I could find on Everest. I guess I came to the mountain later than many Kiwis who have grown up on the achievements of Hillary and Tensing but I began to mentally map the routes. The names of the mountain; Chomolangma, Sagarmāthā, and the Kiwi sounding Peak XV, the points on the journey; Lukla, Namche Bazaar, the Khumba Glaciar, Western Cwm, Lhotse Face, the South Coll, the Yellow Band, the Balcony, the Hillary Step; places I will never visit but which carry significant memories for those who have.<br /><br />So at our Staff Training Conference last August when I was asked ‘Where are we now?’ I found myself taking a vivid and drawing Everest on the flipchart. Given that we were in Upper Hutt, rather than Nepal or Tibet, this was not the most obvious starting point. As I tried to answer the question I spoke about the mountain in an attempt to map where we had come from and where we were heading as a movement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjp3hCkaKf43hUo62y72YuB3WZ-Wo-YPng20vu3bNgIlfq5sFLZfZTvoBJKi6aQCh_-C24nX-IitLFdfY-ypcIxmhgHBQx-uVaUFMiNu-q4-Wi7K8PCeJcGfmUnDGjeZU9Q3sdA/s1600/khumbu_icefall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjp3hCkaKf43hUo62y72YuB3WZ-Wo-YPng20vu3bNgIlfq5sFLZfZTvoBJKi6aQCh_-C24nX-IitLFdfY-ypcIxmhgHBQx-uVaUFMiNu-q4-Wi7K8PCeJcGfmUnDGjeZU9Q3sdA/s320/khumbu_icefall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496954728440795810" /></a><br />In 2004 TSCF began to recognise that it was time to go back to the mountain. Matthew Scott wrote in his final Annual Report ‘I believe that the time has come to lead again guided by the Spirit of Jesus.’ When I was invited to come by the Board to consider leading this expedition Andrew Saunders met me at Auckland airport. Over coffee he said, ‘Please come but don’t come alone. If you can, bring some friends who have experience who can get things moving again’. I visited several times in 2005 and found that the climbers were discouraged, low on resources and a little lost. SLC 2005 looked at the Psalms of Ascent. We sat on the grass in the sunshine with staff and student leaders and began to dream a little. The Board were under no illusions as to the size of the challenge that we faced but were willing to step out in faith. That week we embraced a fresh vision to start climbing again. But this was not a vision to go somewhere that TSCF had not been before. This was a call to return to the mountain of Hillary, Tensing and Mallory, or in our case the mountain of Guinness, Laird, Orange, Miller and in more recent times of Malcolm, Ang How Kheng, McIntosh, Grantham, Saunders and Yee. The mountain we climb is to see students coming to Christ and discipled for life; to see the gospel engaging culture and the Bible applied to every area of life. We are working to raise up a new generation of influence in New Zealand and around the Pacific Rim.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLB5z7DUePHVMyutCa3Z8Js7aS86ajlrk2uGY6NQljNb9OfLr8BfCCN4akSsL9ztVqRKhRyzN6TF3Fvhp803se2Li081RufgxO6v3Kt9OAVCoKZTZpJy470wN-Vrab52b3wHn9g/s1600/climb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLB5z7DUePHVMyutCa3Z8Js7aS86ajlrk2uGY6NQljNb9OfLr8BfCCN4akSsL9ztVqRKhRyzN6TF3Fvhp803se2Li081RufgxO6v3Kt9OAVCoKZTZpJy470wN-Vrab52b3wHn9g/s320/climb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496950133768282434" /></a><br />I have been very conscious on this expedition of following in the footsteps of those who have gone before. We are grateful for those who have established camps, fixed ropes, cached oxygen, created maps and dedicated their lives to the summit. We would not be where we are today were it not for their service, sacrifice and support. Ed Hillary often spoke about how it was an international expedition that put him and Tensing on the top of the world. Sir John Hunt’s first choice was to put two Brits up; the Kiwi and the Sherpa were the back-up option. I lead an international expedition, which has as its first priority putting New Zealanders on the summit. This embraces the whole spectrum of contemporary<br />New Zealanders including those who have been here for generations, those who will be here for generations to come and those who are here for a season. That first summit of Everest with a Kiwi and an Asian standing together on the top of the world supported by a multi-cultural team is a powerful image of Everest past and TSCF present and future.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindm4GVlzYl_aHz3D945gtxIA_26syr3-T7nIiv147EQ5-qKVmomOiRYLf_-n3bGbALaYQiGEoWmgTvwN3Q2Cw3bIjUEhJHgBvTKYVclTpTslaQVMXOp-O5S2wrnbVbKNvhI8KwQ/s1600/blog-everest-02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindm4GVlzYl_aHz3D945gtxIA_26syr3-T7nIiv147EQ5-qKVmomOiRYLf_-n3bGbALaYQiGEoWmgTvwN3Q2Cw3bIjUEhJHgBvTKYVclTpTslaQVMXOp-O5S2wrnbVbKNvhI8KwQ/s320/blog-everest-02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496954261022097058" /></a><br />So as I reflected at Staff Training Conference about our journey over the past four years, I found myself talking about making it to Base Camp. We have worked hard to get our expedition together. We have assembled a growing team of staff, students, volunteers and supporters; registered as a charity and legally incorporate; redone all our systems; revitalised our electronic and print communications; moved to a governance board; established a National Leadership Team; launched Catalyst to work with postgraduates, academics and graduates. We have seen growing numbers of students coming to faith; developed the MINTY training programme; seen thousands of students attend an outreach event; explored a residential student community at ‘Rongopai’ in Wellington; strengthened international partnerships; increased financial reserves by $350,000 and not run a deficit in any of those years. At the end of 2005 we agreed to aim to double the staff team, triple the income and quadruple the core number of students involved by 2011. Each of these objectives has now been exceeded. It has not been easy and our faith and endurance have been tested but we have a lot to give thanks for. This Annual Review details many of these things and I hope you are encouraged. But we are not at the top of the mountain. We have only made it to Base Camp. Getting to Base Camp is quite an achievement; many tramping expeditions have Base Camp as their final destination, but not us. We are here for the summit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJ7jRg5TUVGMp8C1ghe2nUBoUzvacM1wX_97GaNZMXKGk3S69aQkgnZkwAn6x8K8HrYuYDml2YhYEFdKVUEHj_4Zt-ngAIdxit415D8NDER7wYQbtY2vCmCKnRHXQSJgA5DvY3w/s1600/khumba.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJ7jRg5TUVGMp8C1ghe2nUBoUzvacM1wX_97GaNZMXKGk3S69aQkgnZkwAn6x8K8HrYuYDml2YhYEFdKVUEHj_4Zt-ngAIdxit415D8NDER7wYQbtY2vCmCKnRHXQSJgA5DvY3w/s320/khumba.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496954629474639090" /></a><br />At present we are working our way through the Khumba Icefield with all its hazards and continually changing landscape. We continue to grow the team and are excited by the appointment of Simon Rabbidge from Tokanui to<br />strengthen the team in Lincoln but we need to see strong teams established in Dunedin, Palmerston North and Hamilton.<br />We are still getting our equipment together and putting our lines in to go to Camp 1 and then higher up the mountain. Looking up the mountain, where are we trying to get to by 2015? This is where we are going in the next 5 years. By the grace of God we want to:<br /><br />• See more students coming to faith through cross-centred, culturally relevant, creative evangelism that addresses the big issues in the academy and the media and is unashamed of the gospel.<br />• Develop a growing depth in discipleship through meeting the Living God in His Word and applying it in a community of meaningful friendship that inspires students and graduates to live distinctive lives that honour God and bless the campus and society.<br />• Encourage a new wave of Christian thinking that applies the Bible to the whole of life and helps people work out what it means to live and speak for Jesus in their university, workplace, home, community and leisure.<br />• Grow a new generation of influence who will have a clear sense of God’s call on their lives and make life choices characterised by self-sacrifice and service, and who have the discipline and endurance to keep going onwards and upwards to inspire others to be salt and light in NZ and beyond.<br /><br />In short we want to see God raise up a new generation who want to give their utmost for His highest. This is the vision that has captured our hearts and has us in the thin air on the mountain. I hope it inspires you to climb on your chair to shout encouragement, to get on your knees and to put your hands in your pocket.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzeIQiKJkZ9qT4c83cud-8A4_95oCEGio7vc71N-7AhbrWPpDfptjYc3NaBn9A7c_n3SOvbpM6AtRWx7Q8vNS4nb0LiSXJUUEotHrW2q8psAHmfq-xRjA9aShvMMqbyJIWK5hMQ/s1600/slope.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzeIQiKJkZ9qT4c83cud-8A4_95oCEGio7vc71N-7AhbrWPpDfptjYc3NaBn9A7c_n3SOvbpM6AtRWx7Q8vNS4nb0LiSXJUUEotHrW2q8psAHmfq-xRjA9aShvMMqbyJIWK5hMQ/s320/slope.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496951005200087026" /></a><br />To make the summit we need more people on the expedition, on the mountain, at Base Camp, in Kathmandu and at home. We need to develop our resources and to broaden our cultural diversity so that we reflect the campuses we work on. We look to partner with churches to develop resources and with people that will influence the cultures and communities that make up these islands and whose influence extends beyond these shores. We urgently need to establish a base in central Auckland as an office and meeting space. We want to establish more residential communities near campus in major centres. We want to mobilise people to pray for the student world. There will be significant celebrations around the Rugby World Cup in 2011, the Marsden Bicentenary in 2014 and the Anzac Centenary in 2015 that will present significant gospel opportunities in this nation, which we aim to participate in wholeheartedly. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbBZ4A_G764ejOdCHhvR6bh0LDBDZztb3hKaHcFXWVqv0Af1PkmweiNF52ORHN3gFm7_N1OiSmkJKw4W4gN-kchCdSBeuhYWXyfyDYfmf9qp7f7sxuYXSPPDXKg60qHuDQEFgVg/s1600/National+Conference+Web+2010+group+photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbBZ4A_G764ejOdCHhvR6bh0LDBDZztb3hKaHcFXWVqv0Af1PkmweiNF52ORHN3gFm7_N1OiSmkJKw4W4gN-kchCdSBeuhYWXyfyDYfmf9qp7f7sxuYXSPPDXKg60qHuDQEFgVg/s320/National+Conference+Web+2010+group+photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496957855960182834" /></a><br />High altitude mountaineering is a high-risk activity. Despite meticulous preparation people die. The allure of the mountain and the prospect of gaining the summit, draws people into the death zone. Their friends and family typically speak of them dying ‘following something they love’. <br /><br />The call on our lives and our commitment to keep climbing is not because we want to achieve something personally but because we want to see Jesus lifted high, and for people to follow Him.<br /><br />We’re all about getting people into the life zone. Yes some of us may lose our lives in the process but we will die following SOMEONE that we love. In the words of a famous low altitude mountaineer ‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose’.<br /><br />We ask that God would give us this mountain and that you dust off your ice-axe and crampons and join us for another summit attempt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_UaKVoznTT8T2MRToy5MKOnYRwe32Erp79Heb3OH5tr8n8H5mmhmOHZlD3gV22xwLGfg2jkVkgov7-_Ko6sn1wSpgyHHR_S7YStkGUvrbZUKEiANEQTUjqClNn0-4agideaQBA/s1600/base+camp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_UaKVoznTT8T2MRToy5MKOnYRwe32Erp79Heb3OH5tr8n8H5mmhmOHZlD3gV22xwLGfg2jkVkgov7-_Ko6sn1wSpgyHHR_S7YStkGUvrbZUKEiANEQTUjqClNn0-4agideaQBA/s320/base+camp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496938408879376370" /></a><br />This is the text of the TSCF Annual Report for 2009 which was delivered at the AGM at the National Student Conference (group picture above). It has since been circulated in NZ and is posted here for the encouragement of those who support our work around the world.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-23763839450920328082010-07-07T23:25:00.000-07:002010-07-08T02:45:45.194-07:00That was the term that was.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4SrnD_72aaD8hTEQEMd1KRGgiM6vkjrvi9V3-kWRoMigE45thxwIL1tZsiMS7-v8KuSIEXr-UqVj5S-DqZOu1Hn8S6u0Lp0M9XHaHizcGjITobTqPs0vdNYr2zHwCKfYA4f-/s1600/IMG_5526.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4SrnD_72aaD8hTEQEMd1KRGgiM6vkjrvi9V3-kWRoMigE45thxwIL1tZsiMS7-v8KuSIEXr-UqVj5S-DqZOu1Hn8S6u0Lp0M9XHaHizcGjITobTqPs0vdNYr2zHwCKfYA4f-/s320/IMG_5526.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491444678597754530" /></a><br />We are in the first few days of the mid winter holiday. We get two weeks at this time of year which is a welcome break. We are having a few days holiday but thought we would catch you up on what we have been up to this term. I have just come back from TSCF National Conference which was called "This is Jesus" but based on the picture below in my case could have been called "What not to wear"!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3jMKx42pmc_-YEBNI-8-Ft0Yjo4YrquOg0ZT2m5H1L7dCEQ_9SAEl5U1QixRXXIammJyqBFY0b7Pjr-TgTGEwyyKH0XR78TcswQ3nsfgif-cYiHIyFgzAlUFmEp-0uf8D2lS/s1600/36011_449111131419_658576419_6600468_4249250_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3jMKx42pmc_-YEBNI-8-Ft0Yjo4YrquOg0ZT2m5H1L7dCEQ_9SAEl5U1QixRXXIammJyqBFY0b7Pjr-TgTGEwyyKH0XR78TcswQ3nsfgif-cYiHIyFgzAlUFmEp-0uf8D2lS/s320/36011_449111131419_658576419_6600468_4249250_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491421797522236066" /></a><br />Wearing this hoodie at the TSCF National Conference almost proved too much of a temptation for some of the students. "This is Jesus" was a great event and the biggest student conference we have had in my time in NZ. It was particularly encouraging to see the quality of some of many of the students. We also had guests from the widest range of Pacific Islands. Tom and Yando were there from PNG, Atieca from Fiji, a small group from Vanuatu including one from Samoa and a couple from Australia. We are starting to see some genuine partnership develop in the region and we are starting to plan some more initiatives together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF0ynu7OzQooOC-C3AVVUJZEhyphenhyphen7xlRl8L5Lsq6czvFeGbn-trCm6uSQIoV5gcbrQOwmbjBMhyu24R4epJ0cTUVwFTUh_VHABYCEGoxcwjoKgMVPQUy54-AzURKwq6M175jUtN/s1600/34114_408893371199_721426199_4592491_7446699_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF0ynu7OzQooOC-C3AVVUJZEhyphenhyphen7xlRl8L5Lsq6czvFeGbn-trCm6uSQIoV5gcbrQOwmbjBMhyu24R4epJ0cTUVwFTUh_VHABYCEGoxcwjoKgMVPQUy54-AzURKwq6M175jUtN/s320/34114_408893371199_721426199_4592491_7446699_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491423610486154850" /></a><br />I was doing a series of 5 talks from John 3-8 and we also had Roger Carswell doing 3 sessions on practical mission and Mark Grace doing a session on the gospel story in the story of New Zealand. We had Kris and Jodie Bate performing before each talk and it was fantastic to see the arts being used well in a teaching context. This has huge potential for the future and it was good to interact with them and with others who have a passion to see good content and excellence in creativity combined. My personal highlight was listening to Chris Clarke, who is the CEO of World Vision in NZ talking of the ups and downs of a career in health management and lessons in life and leadership in 25 years since graduating. It was a great reminder that we are about changing students for life as well as reaching students for Christ. We had representatives from about ten mission agencies present. One commented on how it was the most included they had felt in an event and that it had been a great boost for them to hear the teaching and see the enthusiasm of the students. Another commented later "Hey wanted to thank you so much for your teaching at TSCF conference. Not only was it really great for me personally, it was so cool to have mission as such a focus in everything you shared. Well done, nice work :)". I should point out that the picture above is of Karaoke rather than preaching and there are times when you wish that the rifles had been loaded earlier in the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD07fgMw5xDvBy7r79A8IZkXuCgxg5zIbvDzYauv2CEu00gU2qwKTUZwb-k7R1QxoC4E2YeZGRULtI_olIilokVQGGNb8pd154QWut4PScyYigakKPQvL_5kWP1X1e35ExjdpK/s1600/36842_408892136199_721426199_4592440_7890664_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD07fgMw5xDvBy7r79A8IZkXuCgxg5zIbvDzYauv2CEu00gU2qwKTUZwb-k7R1QxoC4E2YeZGRULtI_olIilokVQGGNb8pd154QWut4PScyYigakKPQvL_5kWP1X1e35ExjdpK/s320/36842_408892136199_721426199_4592440_7890664_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491426393411242962" /></a><br />The conference was in Auckland and I always get confused there. Driving around Auckland (in a hire car) always makes me feel like I am in America. It is a reminder of the different characters of the cities in New Zealand and of the diversity of culture. They say only 38% of Aucklanders were born in NZ and the diversity of students at conference certainly reflects that. It was good to see greater use of Maori in the conference at the Powhiri welcome and also in the praise but identity continues to be a challenge. It struck me in conversation on numerous occasions that while we understand in principle that "Pakeha" (the Maori word for non Maori) includes Asian as well as European immigrants, in practice many European descended New Zealanders use "Kiwi" in a shorthand way that does not consciously include Asian descended new Zealanders (including those born here). These are not easy issues and we are committed to working through them, despite their difficulty. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLveYSQESF59T7Rh2KpFV0_xfB4aPSmXQ9WN3WvVTFJfRac-K1JWR2H8aV-vz-dzuGTEwjRBBioikCeeW7eu2hnX__XI7yEem-usnDUzXrQl7GRwL0geDpxKn7GaRMOItRDjK/s1600/conf+feedback.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLveYSQESF59T7Rh2KpFV0_xfB4aPSmXQ9WN3WvVTFJfRac-K1JWR2H8aV-vz-dzuGTEwjRBBioikCeeW7eu2hnX__XI7yEem-usnDUzXrQl7GRwL0geDpxKn7GaRMOItRDjK/s320/conf+feedback.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491430096769154514" /></a><br />One of the things that I have been trying to do is to encourage students to say more about their response through web sites and social networks. This is both to help them and to give others who support a better insight. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjLKA87nCwtHPukgS6wbhU85Ja9wznhyphenhyphenjyvErCYLGoeblZJcnAHdHkMpzs1DSj1QBDPCkUa891Yy4kMx8aAgz6vI7-neFgKsETCI-15zcufmNiG6eUPYUi-_5Pv-7AZElbdp4/s1600/JCS_Poster_small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 197px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjLKA87nCwtHPukgS6wbhU85Ja9wznhyphenhyphenjyvErCYLGoeblZJcnAHdHkMpzs1DSj1QBDPCkUa891Yy4kMx8aAgz6vI7-neFgKsETCI-15zcufmNiG6eUPYUi-_5Pv-7AZElbdp4/s320/JCS_Poster_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491440462399578706" /></a><br />Luke and Jamie were both in the College Musical: "Jesus Christ Superstar". Luke was a disciple and Jamie was a leper. It was a very well done production which sold out for all six nights, a few friends managed along and all enjoyed it. There are a couple of pictures of them in costume on order which I will put up when they come to hand. In other cultural news Luke continues to enjoy singing in the Chorale. They won the prize for best pacifica piece at the Wellington Big Sing but were not selected for the Nationals this year which was a disappointment to them. Craig has one of the lead parts in "The Tempest" next term as Caliban's conscious and Jamie enjoyed the musical so much that he decided to audition for the Junior Drama and has one of the lead parts in the play next term as Zody, so they both have lots of lines to learn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTn3tggrlvLrADmfSFj4oHMTH2ecQAavhIg3HiRbgYVoOOwSkOZQ5jRCRLfSZoD9eLAYbST-YA1iXunjvnqAArZ2PT4MBdgwt4xntK7Pjy_4fB8doO4Cj8I8cvdGo7Q9K6Nca6/s1600/NY_NYP.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTn3tggrlvLrADmfSFj4oHMTH2ecQAavhIg3HiRbgYVoOOwSkOZQ5jRCRLfSZoD9eLAYbST-YA1iXunjvnqAArZ2PT4MBdgwt4xntK7Pjy_4fB8doO4Cj8I8cvdGo7Q9K6Nca6/s320/NY_NYP.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491440953443357298" /></a><br />Sport continues to play a big part in our house and we have been watching World Cup games at all sorts of strange times. 11.30 pm, 2.30 am and 6.30 am have all been kick of times. We watched all three of NZ games and can relate to the US headline above. Sometimes a draw really does feel like a win! If Spain win the final New Zealand will do as Scotland did in 1974 and be the only unbeaten team. We have also been succesful in our ballot for tickets for the Rugby World Cup and will manage to see all the pool games in Wellington.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrfWv2USuFGoOWLMIDdPVnpQXZ70NX8eL-2-ku2XDoub_8HLTgSTAQvWqJ5Yizsu8uzf_vwrUv_IghjqSpjEYuPkn1JjGlkmH6uZCf56OxCbEgSgmetrrRor0kRo518nRg7ok/s1600/IMG_5458.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrfWv2USuFGoOWLMIDdPVnpQXZ70NX8eL-2-ku2XDoub_8HLTgSTAQvWqJ5Yizsu8uzf_vwrUv_IghjqSpjEYuPkn1JjGlkmH6uZCf56OxCbEgSgmetrrRor0kRo518nRg7ok/s320/IMG_5458.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491443355444681522" /></a><br />Craig managed to secure this signed Mahe Drysdale singlet from the Beijing games at a blind auction at school. He was very excited with his purchase and decided to try it on before putting it back in its display frame. It is interesting how we now have heroes who are Scottish and heroes who are Kiwi. It makes you realise how few global heroes and icons there are!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_ReNsn8hyphenhyphenqejXgN3X7aDVtrTsCP9M-MNSp2n_6YBMLh1WOfXr2KBqU6xUOyZ-O9xEnbVdm_L7a66nQqSUelKkXm_P4CPSSO8K4BGogQw8IFhhYHpm2cwjN2TMC4_jFRUqNZd/s1600/IMG_5591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_ReNsn8hyphenhyphenqejXgN3X7aDVtrTsCP9M-MNSp2n_6YBMLh1WOfXr2KBqU6xUOyZ-O9xEnbVdm_L7a66nQqSUelKkXm_P4CPSSO8K4BGogQw8IFhhYHpm2cwjN2TMC4_jFRUqNZd/s320/IMG_5591.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491443623140744242" /></a><br />The Hutt Hockey club had it's centenary which included some games in fancy dress. Given that Craig as a goalkeeper usually plays in fancy dress he decided to play outfield in historical garb. His Hutt team is having a good season and won the grading round of the competition. He has been selected for the Wellington Under 13 Development Team and is delighted about that. It is the first time in 4 years that I will have had one of the boys in the Rep Team I am coaching so that will simplify things a little for the family. He stopped a shot with his chin at training last week (not the recommended technique) which shattered his helmet. He now has a new orange one but we were grateful that he was wearing good protective gear. One of the older styled half helmets would have seen a serious injury.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0sFeLTdkw-7tKNI14opKkGQzWiV6Z7y_8nU0lGC9T-LFK6AKtuIKlBpHjoxoG2NDWLVO5r32BVvv2lb80nnn3J18OAGutvDRNJPu8apXkc_HKAngP5we4a33uLnqN6fAPjnN/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0sFeLTdkw-7tKNI14opKkGQzWiV6Z7y_8nU0lGC9T-LFK6AKtuIKlBpHjoxoG2NDWLVO5r32BVvv2lb80nnn3J18OAGutvDRNJPu8apXkc_HKAngP5we4a33uLnqN6fAPjnN/s320/IMG_5594.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491443883809706034" /></a><br />Luke is helping coach Craig's team for his Duke of Edinburgh Silver service. He went to the Hutt Centenary wearing a chicken suit that has survived from University and won a spot prize of a training top. His own hockey has improved a lot and he is playing in the 2nd XI. Wellington College 2nds play in the second division against 7 college first teams so it is a pretty good standard. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdfEY_OUxej2FysSAhtEFjNE5c9t-q4O2tiGMAGEzN3W7kHLcBFMbnSRoBil9CGSgtGUmtX-BWKrRWZWuC4MApYZSCod7wpqZ3LGDwnMCofujPGVwRt9jESNVsEAiywDrp-je/s1600/IMG_5599.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdfEY_OUxej2FysSAhtEFjNE5c9t-q4O2tiGMAGEzN3W7kHLcBFMbnSRoBil9CGSgtGUmtX-BWKrRWZWuC4MApYZSCod7wpqZ3LGDwnMCofujPGVwRt9jESNVsEAiywDrp-je/s320/IMG_5599.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491444132000781218" /></a><br />Jamie is playing for the College Under 15A team again this year and is the top scorer. That team is effectively our third team but we play in the 3rd Division against 4 colleges first teams and 3 second teams. It is pretty astonishing that in Wellington secondary school sport there are 7 divisions of boys hockey teams each with 8 teams playing every week.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcg7FJt7Yu5-7_EN8VJn4iPP4uTaYyXHv1F7uMUBTImiVLZ-L_f7wr6xsLzysTcTmnMTg2sdosR7nQokGOYOXJBB88y-1CZEPHvfQDU0PX4iaaXsAKjjGx1-Tlq2eE6pSvwJW/s1600/IMG_5595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcg7FJt7Yu5-7_EN8VJn4iPP4uTaYyXHv1F7uMUBTImiVLZ-L_f7wr6xsLzysTcTmnMTg2sdosR7nQokGOYOXJBB88y-1CZEPHvfQDU0PX4iaaXsAKjjGx1-Tlq2eE6pSvwJW/s320/IMG_5595.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491444480229122770" /></a><br />Jamie just missed out on the Wellington Under 15 rep team but because we live in the Hutt he was able to also trial for the Hutt Valley Under 15 Reps and was selected for them. This has helped his fitness and given him an opportunity to play a few more games and score a few more goals including a hat trick in the Wairarapa.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhdsyp3CpB6ydIqa1XZn-sG96cNDWmVhSWmsdVlJkvFk_GMwpXPKvIKBjsQE_iJrw27oQ6u8_gUbjjdmaCX1946l-l-UvBXy7x6x-w2dkt6P0uddvecKHkzwyDNCnN0Eigagl/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhdsyp3CpB6ydIqa1XZn-sG96cNDWmVhSWmsdVlJkvFk_GMwpXPKvIKBjsQE_iJrw27oQ6u8_gUbjjdmaCX1946l-l-UvBXy7x6x-w2dkt6P0uddvecKHkzwyDNCnN0Eigagl/s320/IMG_5587.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491445217117613602" /></a><br />Luke and Jamie both competed in the Wellington Regional Cross Country and Luke was selected to run in the NZ National Championships. He ran one of his best ever races and finished just outside the top 100! He finished 6th of the schools runners so "counted" for the team and beat a few boys for the first time. He has been training at 7 am two days a week which means leaving the house at 6.30. My own running has been a bit hampered through injuring something in my foot that is hard to pronounce. It has been frustrating not to be able to join in with training like last year but it now seems to be recovered.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ1XLLtktUA0KbTMSaasGq5fl40HZ7x_PW0gl2X-B69ey23EeuDMGlrRlo37Y7Zl0FSSK8hmlMQruBEhYmiQhOp5rlEGXrXXHWBxjz5AsrB_p77TFAeWlh67nzGPBjhZVlkRX/s1600/IMG_5602.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ1XLLtktUA0KbTMSaasGq5fl40HZ7x_PW0gl2X-B69ey23EeuDMGlrRlo37Y7Zl0FSSK8hmlMQruBEhYmiQhOp5rlEGXrXXHWBxjz5AsrB_p77TFAeWlh67nzGPBjhZVlkRX/s320/IMG_5602.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491445430234723106" /></a><br />We have also been in the season of Science fair projects. Craig decided to try to design an improved recycling box and did well enough in the school Science Fair to get through to the Regional Fair next term. He is really enjoying school and throws himself into everything with great enthusiasm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL4A1ItNjRCe33F8HSfHkpXCfYG3ZHQmAq5rPHDY_2HPpiEyVC27M2Bg6bNxF7Ah-Lgj8bF-S-uwUCcEqagfuHo5bcqllBmVQTtk6L6buOJ8a9kNdlIk1voX3ucw4CibJYnhe/s1600/IMG_5552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL4A1ItNjRCe33F8HSfHkpXCfYG3ZHQmAq5rPHDY_2HPpiEyVC27M2Bg6bNxF7Ah-Lgj8bF-S-uwUCcEqagfuHo5bcqllBmVQTtk6L6buOJ8a9kNdlIk1voX3ucw4CibJYnhe/s320/IMG_5552.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491445693809159410" /></a><br />Jamie decided to make home made holograms which was more successful than it sounded it might be. He is also doing really well and is turning into a talented artist. He has started on his bronze Duke of Edinburgh and recently completed the first practice expedition.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIY-WRlcuSQLlWie9mbsGQNi1zlekZHUwzSy2h4WXTuEPLX6OQRFsx0BgqH_Nt0zV6a2CEOdXKicDxQTA10M_dCcYVN4WB9P3yj948Y6S7qDW4F-dD6jyZ16Wcp_LfxzcVpBz/s1600/luke+eyes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIY-WRlcuSQLlWie9mbsGQNi1zlekZHUwzSy2h4WXTuEPLX6OQRFsx0BgqH_Nt0zV6a2CEOdXKicDxQTA10M_dCcYVN4WB9P3yj948Y6S7qDW4F-dD6jyZ16Wcp_LfxzcVpBz/s320/luke+eyes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491440714289517138" /></a><br />Luke did not have to do a Science fair project but wound up doing his own investigation into how to flush chemicals out of the eye! He was walking past another group in the lab (having finished his own experiment) when one boy ignored the instructions and put took much acidic solution into his experiment and it sprayed everywhere. Luke and another 2 boys went to hospital and two of them had the irrigation treatment that makes him look like an alien from Dr Who. We were all thankful that no lasting damage was done. Luke also continues to enjoy school and all the extra curricular activities. This week he has completed a three day barista training course at Mojo Coffee. He had to make 7 drinks (latte, cappuccino, mochacinno, filter coffee, tea, hot chocolate, banana smoothie) in under 8 minutes for a distinction and do a written test (for which he got 20/20) Now he just needs to find a friendly cafe who would like a reliable but extremely busy helper, occasionally! It is hard to believe he only has 18 months of school left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xk4-cHPSZPbaa4Qf2lls4X-O9tvyMOLd_x5dQQOlSnP4d6hT-dJV5pXvyOdiyg8fHLXVxCl0uFZ0eCtbGhcMsEC5JJKFgHRrHYYuInNBQTKmDCGQj1dqittsO8-WkDGGt6zo/s1600/ice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xk4-cHPSZPbaa4Qf2lls4X-O9tvyMOLd_x5dQQOlSnP4d6hT-dJV5pXvyOdiyg8fHLXVxCl0uFZ0eCtbGhcMsEC5JJKFgHRrHYYuInNBQTKmDCGQj1dqittsO8-WkDGGt6zo/s320/ice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491446586063145522" /></a><br />This was the most recent picture I had to hand of Ailsa. She continues to be involved at church and to enthusiastically support us in all kinds of weather. With her teaching qualification now ratified and her being registered in NZ she has been looking for some relief teaching and hopefully a door will open for that next term. Overall the work this year has felt harder in many ways than last year but although we have felt on thin ice at times we have not fallen through. We have a lot to be thankful for and are glad of the opportunity to have a few days break. I still find the rhythm of the year hard to adjust to. This should be long summer evenings, golf with Stephen and the possibility of SU camps for the boys. We value your friendship and support expressed in many different ways and hope that if you ARE in the northern hemisphere you are having a good summer.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-15951889782603288102010-05-23T14:15:00.000-07:002010-05-23T19:34:01.749-07:00Living Stones<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlg5ZbRrMXlr8_8GHiJAtsTfBMU353bYiDVHfudZeORWm1FsQ6R7Mxy2CpHBlyiBJ1VCt7_67bMpVfvVEUt6tNbJvWxOpIYEO1JFIdmHQDbHKVGHmasIS7L3waOxpCfnBT9tx/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlg5ZbRrMXlr8_8GHiJAtsTfBMU353bYiDVHfudZeORWm1FsQ6R7Mxy2CpHBlyiBJ1VCt7_67bMpVfvVEUt6tNbJvWxOpIYEO1JFIdmHQDbHKVGHmasIS7L3waOxpCfnBT9tx/s320/IMG_1176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474595044734329762" /></a><br />Living Stones is the name of the IFES vision framework to 2020. It seeks to see students built into communities of disciples, transformed by the gospel and impacting the university, the church and society for the glory of Christ. In it we headline six strategic priorities which have releasing student initiative at the heart of what we do around core commitments of Scripture Engagement, Community and Prayer shaped by 1 Peter 2 v 4 and 5<br /><br />Scripture Engagement – As you come to him, the living Stone… <br />We grow in our relationship with God through personal Bible study and deep theological reflection. We become believers who wisely apply biblical truths in our lives. <br /><br />Community - … you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house. <br />We are called to work and grow together with all believers to achieve our vision. We model the unity that Christ has made possible between people from a variety of church backgrounds and nations.<br /><br />Prayer - …offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. <br />We are absolutely dependant on God’s help and direction in all our plans. We must regularly and corporately seek God’s will for the Fellowship. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp0Hf5rELXwJpeMNsp4nvHm15XpO-oPAE0m4-4ER_ipxES4Y-ss_Xo4KCmww35yhR95aF6grLtJSLDyLdWBMn4bAcJ1Y87NkCWeHFlHNkf1LCG56IPzTMiLaDjHSe2Fwz52qQ/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp0Hf5rELXwJpeMNsp4nvHm15XpO-oPAE0m4-4ER_ipxES4Y-ss_Xo4KCmww35yhR95aF6grLtJSLDyLdWBMn4bAcJ1Y87NkCWeHFlHNkf1LCG56IPzTMiLaDjHSe2Fwz52qQ/s320/IMG_1134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474594888035357618" /></a><br />The six strategic priorities are:<br /><br />1. Communicating the good news of Jesus Christ – creatively and clearly to campuses throughout the world, in word, in action and through relationships, within and across cultures<br /><br />2. Strengthening leadership and formación – through leaders of integrity, impacting the church, the university, all of society<br /><br />3. Promoting student-graduate integration – nurturing life-ling disciples, committed to student ministry and to being witnesses in the workplace and society<br /><br />4. Building sustainable support – through a growing wave of indigenous generosity and involvement.<br /><br />5. Addressing global issues – as students, united with the global body of Christ, responding to contemporary challenges from a Christian perspective<br /><br />6. Engaging the university – constructively and boldly, with carefully developed biblical worldviews, demonstrating the integration of faith, life and academic disciplines<br /><br />It was heartening to see the progress that has been made in New Zealand in the last five years and to see that we are at the leading edge globally in some of these areas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJr7hzgh-YcWsy8x5dY-Jbm8Tm7gYZ4H0Cf2ER-NS5eXFost1G5XM96rR5k0raFcZHCmnwdglPO2IozDoTQCO2Zqe0jXY2IJ8UwwT3umyVIasm-8X3IFZ3dmUMmUMiFW0Lo33/s1600/IMG_5200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJr7hzgh-YcWsy8x5dY-Jbm8Tm7gYZ4H0Cf2ER-NS5eXFost1G5XM96rR5k0raFcZHCmnwdglPO2IozDoTQCO2Zqe0jXY2IJ8UwwT3umyVIasm-8X3IFZ3dmUMmUMiFW0Lo33/s320/IMG_5200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474594728862422578" /></a><br />In March the leaders of the work in each nation gathered in Malaysia with regional and international staff to work out what this vision looks like in practice on the ground. It followed a similar gathering held in Germany three years ago and built on work done at the World Assembly in Canada. Ailsa was able to come as well through the miracle of airpoints. Airpoints themselves are not miraculous, the miracle was being able to book flights at the right time and to the right place. The boys went to three different families in Wellington and it was great being able to travel together and for Ailsa to meet a number of people that she had heard me speaking about but had not met. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GeM6rMS46gV-ps4S_cZ5hVaYo_cT7vUCmJJRnFUxQkZVHQD80cKyeUJwLcx-JPxrkKAK9snS2g6wgv39v0KIoXUcGaQLHKQ9Q7bQxv0CLDQz9W_J8diT_bxO3jYEWw3fFcxm/s1600/IMG_5372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GeM6rMS46gV-ps4S_cZ5hVaYo_cT7vUCmJJRnFUxQkZVHQD80cKyeUJwLcx-JPxrkKAK9snS2g6wgv39v0KIoXUcGaQLHKQ9Q7bQxv0CLDQz9W_J8diT_bxO3jYEWw3fFcxm/s320/IMG_5372.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474593157064224034" /></a><br />It is fantastic to be part of IFES and to be involved with the work in 152 countries with over 500,000 students. Many of these graduates go on to play leadership roles and to hold positions of responsibility and influence in church and society.<br />The Living Stones Vision recognises that strong growth needs firm foundations, and will invest in identifying and initiating excellence and best practice in the following areas. <br /><br />1. Governance – well structured, wisely-governed, God-honouring ministry<br /><br />2. Organisational development – people and structures, united to achieve common goals<br /><br />3. Global partnerships – an expression of our unity in Christ, within and across cultures<br /><br />4. Human resources and pastoral care – people valued and supported to serve God effectively<br /><br />5. Research and innovation – continuous and creative innovation, informed by strong research<br /><br />This was all very helpful and for many movements globally the lack of investment in some of these areas makes the ministry even more precarious. Again I was encouraged to see how we are making progress and helping others through our various partnerships and exchanges to do likewise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjmUDYvGXSCKKgLPZZJOrMp0736zvPVjxhWP5rFHfTgVpd_Y1HmTS7qkJLhdoN_sBkJLofMnnxIGEDvdphmK3nPG-uUka8p9avXyIqZwLlHFL3mCbPleHXjSu-RgVo2hds838/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjmUDYvGXSCKKgLPZZJOrMp0736zvPVjxhWP5rFHfTgVpd_Y1HmTS7qkJLhdoN_sBkJLofMnnxIGEDvdphmK3nPG-uUka8p9avXyIqZwLlHFL3mCbPleHXjSu-RgVo2hds838/s320/IMG_1158.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474592816863831858" /></a><br />We spent time each morning with the others from the South Pacific Region and it was encouraging to see these relationships develop. We also had a slot to speak about the work in the Pacific to the wider conference and had fun doing that as well. We are a strange mixture from the urban sophistication of Sydney harbour to the stone age tribes of the Papua New Guinean highlands and a lot of things in between. We are surrounded by a lot of water, very aware of the threats of tsunami, earthquake and global warming and being a meeting place for many cultures and backgrounds. There is much to learn here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Irsa-PPmpusGtbfsCnJbEVDiNDWFC_luPFSFXX6tQ-Kn6FwP2vL-w2hscU-qdgfPvIT2cICKhkr9AXoeEnyRgzLl6VyyoH8gR174MJyejI7yB8XvTMCRDrzWK0WJA_CYiIAQ/s1600/IMG_5205.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Irsa-PPmpusGtbfsCnJbEVDiNDWFC_luPFSFXX6tQ-Kn6FwP2vL-w2hscU-qdgfPvIT2cICKhkr9AXoeEnyRgzLl6VyyoH8gR174MJyejI7yB8XvTMCRDrzWK0WJA_CYiIAQ/s320/IMG_5205.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474592571445842034" /></a><br />I have got to know Tom and Yando from PNG over the last few years. They are doing a fantastic job heading up the student and graduate ministry and seeing some obvious growth in both. I was privileged to be at the relaunching of their vision in 2008 when I was speaking at the national conference in Mount Hagen. People do not always know how to place me at international gatherings. Yando introduces me to people as being Kiwi on the outside but being Papua New Guinean on the inside! We hope to have them both over at our conference in Auckland at the end of June.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMY89fzozVGZfC10-f2oyPx_LaA6z_P5c8TBuXL1yrXtRJnWohV0yYgLyS7tDZBF86ajUShan_T_twDDQcVhHXACapLyT4ZvHLXhj6ItLxpNeXU1sTUeHuCFFVPRmAQVT0KGLI/s1600/IMG_5368.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMY89fzozVGZfC10-f2oyPx_LaA6z_P5c8TBuXL1yrXtRJnWohV0yYgLyS7tDZBF86ajUShan_T_twDDQcVhHXACapLyT4ZvHLXhj6ItLxpNeXU1sTUeHuCFFVPRmAQVT0KGLI/s320/IMG_5368.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474592106752046018" /></a><br />The greatest privilege of the week was leading a small group each day. I was given a group of some of the younger General Secretaries and we had a very good time together. We were from a number of lands Thai, Swazi, Ice and New Zea and from a couple of "stans" (former soviet republics). We spoke about the opportunities and challenges, shared about coping with corruption, being watched by the KGB, models of leadership, political tension, indigenous beliefs, secularism and pluralism. We were told after the first day that we could meet anywhere, even in the swimming pool. I think it was intended as a joke but we met on the beach, under the trees, in the foyer and on a couple of days in the pool. Jon shared at the end of the week that one of the older Scandinavian General Secretaries had spotted him in the pool at small group time and was about to come and give him a row. "But then I saw Nigel and I thought that explains everything". A comment I found both reassuring and disconcerting at the same time. Thailand and Iceland have been in the news a great deal for different reasons since we were in Malaysia and I have thought of all the group often.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhUI-rr5qeWEMiVmwZ3ZW3kAGLzXitcl1jd4qVJbO5qkORpZ7P88c9yjoHH5J-EOdFPWXtd-DCMC1PC4C5zeJjvFIFsLIUxVGSHCaBVPUjCQAIgy1_sz8M1WlzM1XmPt_nM3c/s1600/IMG_5274.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhUI-rr5qeWEMiVmwZ3ZW3kAGLzXitcl1jd4qVJbO5qkORpZ7P88c9yjoHH5J-EOdFPWXtd-DCMC1PC4C5zeJjvFIFsLIUxVGSHCaBVPUjCQAIgy1_sz8M1WlzM1XmPt_nM3c/s320/IMG_5274.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474592387563851810" /></a><br />On the Sunday I had been asked to lead the Service and we welcomed a number of Malaysian students, graduates and supporters into the conference. I was surprised by the amount of positive feedback from really doing very little. In the afternoon there were excursions and we chose to go to Malacca and had the chance to visit the old port and some early churches and colonial graves dating back to the 17th Century.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64gg1e5YUgEQ4k9I7k1YJIX54ATDkBQy4MrzQTaujA8AxizO0jA7ubtfJX9TNZbmtsSzY1vsRybTYubHALOuu_VbPAPI-e0l8hACKIXLY7NMSSd1uxx_LpliCD1qyIhhtS_K3/s1600/IMG_5234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64gg1e5YUgEQ4k9I7k1YJIX54ATDkBQy4MrzQTaujA8AxizO0jA7ubtfJX9TNZbmtsSzY1vsRybTYubHALOuu_VbPAPI-e0l8hACKIXLY7NMSSd1uxx_LpliCD1qyIhhtS_K3/s320/IMG_5234.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591908307003122" /></a><br />We didn't have time to go in but the Museum of Enduring Beauty sounds like a great day out if you are ever in Malacca with a few hours to kill. We had to run quickly to avoid being captured and put into one of the exhibits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjNijc7gGExefDx1om0Tg4qj1YMEqFCDM1gDwmG3QF3laJb77C_nT4bcF6NkHVyklbiN8ZLNUH8QzvXLYdnNmxy0H6h-2PCmWtzWCEgvrXUNZ_MHVYIFrs_UXjZRHhXA1r_4a/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjNijc7gGExefDx1om0Tg4qj1YMEqFCDM1gDwmG3QF3laJb77C_nT4bcF6NkHVyklbiN8ZLNUH8QzvXLYdnNmxy0H6h-2PCmWtzWCEgvrXUNZ_MHVYIFrs_UXjZRHhXA1r_4a/s320/IMG_5328.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591542455026322" /></a><br />Ailsa commented that she was amazed at how many people from different countries spoke to her in positive terms about my involvement or investment in them over the years. It is always hard to convey what has happened on a trip and I tend to underestimate the impact of things I am involved with anyway. I think she found it encouraging to hear first hand more of the stories from times I have been away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GhUAQIzhR1FM-UGitznkU-FLJr4wBK5BUaH_EztpGf91dTbFO0tq5aX0GNCZ0D9I5vE8AUAsyyRNMPuyDNwie_h5cdxclETGtNpldCkw3YJWs6U8Y109NHq3z8MKW2HXt7cy/s1600/IMG_5321.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GhUAQIzhR1FM-UGitznkU-FLJr4wBK5BUaH_EztpGf91dTbFO0tq5aX0GNCZ0D9I5vE8AUAsyyRNMPuyDNwie_h5cdxclETGtNpldCkw3YJWs6U8Y109NHq3z8MKW2HXt7cy/s320/IMG_5321.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474584802514077330" /></a><br />Ailsa may have been more at home in the Museum of Enduring Beauty but I reckon this is where I might have fitted in better. I don't actually know what this means (apart from it seems to be missing a letter in the middle of the translation)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_ZXEvZ27g9uUiN9n_UY0sfQACUIt7gBvzGl9qJVP7wSxdNZpfGzazKCsVCgTsawwiQbUtGbiA0xDYtTQk3DTMkOMaD2uegW5v37MJK9f-rqcPXRxfe4eF9ZPtxZkFe8-OgNn/s1600/IMG_5334.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_ZXEvZ27g9uUiN9n_UY0sfQACUIt7gBvzGl9qJVP7wSxdNZpfGzazKCsVCgTsawwiQbUtGbiA0xDYtTQk3DTMkOMaD2uegW5v37MJK9f-rqcPXRxfe4eF9ZPtxZkFe8-OgNn/s320/IMG_5334.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474584617451474930" /></a><br />The sticker on this motorcycle had a picture of Buddha which says "Safe Journey. He who is calm experiences transcendental joy" I was starting to wish that the taxi driver on the way to the airport in KL was a buddhist. He seemed more to believe in reincarnation and was keen to be cracking on to the next life as quickly as possible. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusK1uvL2cfJVOVbVBrYiF2aL-qZFWso5kF6zh_169U_kZHf5cjw5MQ0jGParBSfyHIBP6bOH3RcgH_fqybmGfG_UoKUm-0W0P-wpk1Rtv4nroI05_JG_alhRAvCCv-HH39Q9d/s1600/IMG_5304.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusK1uvL2cfJVOVbVBrYiF2aL-qZFWso5kF6zh_169U_kZHf5cjw5MQ0jGParBSfyHIBP6bOH3RcgH_fqybmGfG_UoKUm-0W0P-wpk1Rtv4nroI05_JG_alhRAvCCv-HH39Q9d/s320/IMG_5304.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474584384356466914" /></a><br />It was great to be part of Living Stones, to glimpse something of the future for IFES and to meet some of those involved in Malaysia. They were fantastic hosts and we very much appreciated our time there. Since coming back the TSCF National Leadership Team and National Board have both engaged with the Living Stones Vision. The recent Board Retreat identified where we are making good progress and where there is still work to be done. We want to have 2020 vision in order to have a vibrant student ministry that is ready for the children of today as they become the students of tomorrow and the graduates of the day after! As we put it in TSCF "Reaching Students for Christ, Changing Students for Life".Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-2962427058944992092010-03-25T02:14:00.000-07:002010-03-25T05:04:25.435-07:00Moustache you a question.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAE4Xpb6FqNQdazH536mhyphenhyphenInm5ZTfWON-BFd0LgCtXFP-hr5sETonQiRBHwePoN2KUmPftnxtlGqWt1nOMfSlzSQUb2Dkx65IgAaciZ_iRu6X9A-88SzQ7ccsji52lQlBfVYCq/s1600/IMG_5155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAE4Xpb6FqNQdazH536mhyphenhyphenInm5ZTfWON-BFd0LgCtXFP-hr5sETonQiRBHwePoN2KUmPftnxtlGqWt1nOMfSlzSQUb2Dkx65IgAaciZ_iRu6X9A-88SzQ7ccsji52lQlBfVYCq/s320/IMG_5155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452499514285561122" /></a><br />The annual Wellington 7s saw the boys donning moustaches and sporting gear. The number of shavers in the house is increasing but fortunately no one is yet sporting a 'tache on a regular basis!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe0e3euT9B5578B3VP47VJjX-rj0EGX0QEtDSabCyDspLjzq6v3mcITQzpRtFg76cLVOagYMEIGtAK9ymBV-wzIkv8KB5qSstjI8-m8T1Zj_MF7-vGsXwbbwyHAiOeqMtluDy/s1600/IMG_5151.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe0e3euT9B5578B3VP47VJjX-rj0EGX0QEtDSabCyDspLjzq6v3mcITQzpRtFg76cLVOagYMEIGtAK9ymBV-wzIkv8KB5qSstjI8-m8T1Zj_MF7-vGsXwbbwyHAiOeqMtluDy/s320/IMG_5151.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452500857628351906" /></a><br />Luke went as a cricketer (although it is Jamie who plays most cricket), Jamie went as a tennis player (although it is Craig who plays the most tennis) and Craig went as Nasa scientist (which Does not infer it is Luke who spends most time in outer space!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHQlabXYB_VYa7r3a08Nt0X6rEipMwfC4t-IUq4rD1PVqdAQVaJRuQHcdhFLIKueHT_sROu3pV0sECTkVkA7fC3ChEketAG3gmPdUN8FDkCXMPUdI4lR-xfQ323OrmjaGWx43/s1600/IMG_5153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHQlabXYB_VYa7r3a08Nt0X6rEipMwfC4t-IUq4rD1PVqdAQVaJRuQHcdhFLIKueHT_sROu3pV0sECTkVkA7fC3ChEketAG3gmPdUN8FDkCXMPUdI4lR-xfQ323OrmjaGWx43/s320/IMG_5153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452503014800762322" /></a><br />We don't have that many Wellington traditions but this has become one of the family annual events. I spent the weekend shivering on the sofa with a nasty bug. It is a fairly unusual event but when I am too ill to watch sport I am definitely ill. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66hCFWUqy1t3deRU_NXUdp0BjcO_U02J9QoEs0pibl3AJmGVQhDw7VmhizBYbcLsvJVJpG7UAUTIS3sfAyN1cmHXm4qpnfdqOmnRV45EIv1MizuOZfeRAI6Lo55kpyst-_Nbg/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66hCFWUqy1t3deRU_NXUdp0BjcO_U02J9QoEs0pibl3AJmGVQhDw7VmhizBYbcLsvJVJpG7UAUTIS3sfAyN1cmHXm4qpnfdqOmnRV45EIv1MizuOZfeRAI6Lo55kpyst-_Nbg/s320/IMG_1078.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452504392922948290" /></a><br />Ben and his brother Jonathan visiting from the UK were there to see Scotland fail to impress, as usual and NZ not manage to make a home final again. I think Jonathan thought he was back at my old school where we often played shirts against skins at Rugby and at 7s. Although in Scotland the worry was hypothermia rather than sun burn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-RI2hYzsDD75rfMSYyUSLlbX4CyQC7J9h_-OQiR3ZlApX_yyfkE7SPaBXDpacmmE30QdqTggLWNM1LQx5DlfNSfEYZHai1yelDzwyQtpphQv0pV0_zKPi14kE9JKdNx1iO6r/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-RI2hYzsDD75rfMSYyUSLlbX4CyQC7J9h_-OQiR3ZlApX_yyfkE7SPaBXDpacmmE30QdqTggLWNM1LQx5DlfNSfEYZHai1yelDzwyQtpphQv0pV0_zKPi14kE9JKdNx1iO6r/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452505441844340690" /></a><br />A new innovation this year was a mobile climbing wall. The boys always enjoy a wee scramble. The 7s usual coincides with the end of the summer holidays and the return to school.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNrsVFnRkMCR0Ch12NN37a49_-PAlbwfGmTukQuy5Y4ne2KOr5ucD_HEUAEZDxaC1DL-06B0jWF_xqSnMc3YbB7F5bXHhoDJqU85wCa2vyPQNBfINdRtsStOjCnCtj7fn7Jh6/s1600/IMG_5113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNrsVFnRkMCR0Ch12NN37a49_-PAlbwfGmTukQuy5Y4ne2KOr5ucD_HEUAEZDxaC1DL-06B0jWF_xqSnMc3YbB7F5bXHhoDJqU85wCa2vyPQNBfINdRtsStOjCnCtj7fn7Jh6/s320/IMG_5113.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452506398358611554" /></a><br />The annual purchase of new school shoes is a reminder of how much they all continue to grow. If our feet continued to grow at the same rate for the whole of our adult lives we would have feet the length of our shadows on a winters afternoon. Last years shoes with worn tread and scuffed toes testify to months and miles of school boy life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6ZpDPrKZNj7oAQHHklG31evwMEBhk9E9XozgsOXXAHi-nB38l0XEj-fJ-o5c0gDVPu-wnACc444gtK6LGbN7pLT4XwqKMqS0oGA2umUG55REQEQqkRwbJD02Yot-JH_JQcvW/s1600/IMG_5125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6ZpDPrKZNj7oAQHHklG31evwMEBhk9E9XozgsOXXAHi-nB38l0XEj-fJ-o5c0gDVPu-wnACc444gtK6LGbN7pLT4XwqKMqS0oGA2umUG55REQEQqkRwbJD02Yot-JH_JQcvW/s320/IMG_5125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452508199305315490" /></a><br />The birthday season started with Jamie turning 14. He continues to thrive at Wellington College and recently scored his highest ever cricket score when he was 48 not out having opened the batting. Jamie has started helping at Kids Alive and has started his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh. He also has a new piping teacher which seems to be working out well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0SkBTBnLHPNZPZpUaYYIJuTtxwZ2b2mktP766dVoRLdiatWQ3O40ZskC6Gxg5iL3XfNuepBy03hGS6YyPqPGmfjUOIuL8eYpjIYXy45NgTFNP-Kt9yPcVao6hwEdCbmkuu2c/s1600/IMG_5161.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0SkBTBnLHPNZPZpUaYYIJuTtxwZ2b2mktP766dVoRLdiatWQ3O40ZskC6Gxg5iL3XfNuepBy03hGS6YyPqPGmfjUOIuL8eYpjIYXy45NgTFNP-Kt9yPcVao6hwEdCbmkuu2c/s320/IMG_5161.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452511069448238898" /></a><br />I visited Vancouver where James (real moustache apparently) has been studying. While there he met Jen from California and they are getting married on the 1st of May. They are a delightful couple and will be a great asset when they come back to New Zealand later in the year. At the moment we are discussing where they would be best placed and would all appreciate wisdom for this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJ9W10zCeJGG74Ww8lYhssDUfkpcOTEF7a1smc5lDrGnChtjXdR2rlooVVpPL_k8E8OBsHOchspHNXtsGUNNv6WYwp_TtT5dqIGwXY6SG5KIhsMA1BNck8hr2UtOuE9ywi4SY/s1600/IMG_5163.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJ9W10zCeJGG74Ww8lYhssDUfkpcOTEF7a1smc5lDrGnChtjXdR2rlooVVpPL_k8E8OBsHOchspHNXtsGUNNv6WYwp_TtT5dqIGwXY6SG5KIhsMA1BNck8hr2UtOuE9ywi4SY/s320/IMG_5163.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452517314922793090" /></a><br />I was also able to spend time with Ruth and Josue (reality of moustache untested but looks plausible) who have also been studying at Regent. Regent has been a great experience for them and they will return to Ecuador with much more to contribute to student work there. They are also expecting a baby which Anna Gracia is especially delighted about. One of their key concerns is finding the right place to live in Quito.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFjNqn8xqVmfegvqdVytX7rHj0k-Eo7-DOPMcgLkvlPm39O2P5PRCb8X9Su7u0FuxrxWszEladcdlescK6ra8hHTvLZyw8nOM1DO55DIFZdLiiP-A4vSJA2B-yDHKnJxSOxVP/s1600/IMG_5165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFjNqn8xqVmfegvqdVytX7rHj0k-Eo7-DOPMcgLkvlPm39O2P5PRCb8X9Su7u0FuxrxWszEladcdlescK6ra8hHTvLZyw8nOM1DO55DIFZdLiiP-A4vSJA2B-yDHKnJxSOxVP/s320/IMG_5165.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452517581100213506" /></a><br />I was able to be at Grandpa's birthday party in Dunbar with the Elgin and Falkirk cousins. We miss being part of family occasions and gatherings. 2011 sees both sets of grandparents celebrating their golden weddings. We are not sure when next to all try and visit Scotland. We have been working on improving communication with UK supporters of the Pacific Partnership Trust. Our giving has held up pretty well in the recession but the collapse of sterling is hitting us hard. The exchange rate is currently by far the worst it has been since we have been in New Zealand. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFxwxGMRe6Bos2OCsmkVp_iuWsrWjplClyCCzR8f-kTu2JsyDJ1aPQcQFvJ5zqavbnDLhvqcanuPeK8pFEpt3zUJMnb_typKtHYPHrTywfyZLb-0zn5rnfB5sNXAJDDuPs1Cr/s1600/IMG_5180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFxwxGMRe6Bos2OCsmkVp_iuWsrWjplClyCCzR8f-kTu2JsyDJ1aPQcQFvJ5zqavbnDLhvqcanuPeK8pFEpt3zUJMnb_typKtHYPHrTywfyZLb-0zn5rnfB5sNXAJDDuPs1Cr/s320/IMG_5180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452519874071834882" /></a><br />I had a bit of a nightmare journey home with delayed flights and missed connections which messed up my plans flying back. These kind of things don't actually happen to me as often as people imagine but they are always frustrating when they do. I did manage to make it back for Luke's 16th birthday. Luke is now in his second last year at College. He is enjoying singing in the chorale, running and looking forward to the new Hockey season. He is also in the chorus of the school musical "jesus Christ Superstar" which starts rehearsals this week. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu-iHfEmcCXhI99P3RQSoUtPmeWpLoyJRau5RBekhjcjw3rG-nmBQiSD-0161smhpSw4voNpZegjqmrz2XSFQpaVI3x4oNKOTNCnajXx5RMFox6pvTkHIkUY-itPTBgJBgcpS/s1600/IMG_5404.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu-iHfEmcCXhI99P3RQSoUtPmeWpLoyJRau5RBekhjcjw3rG-nmBQiSD-0161smhpSw4voNpZegjqmrz2XSFQpaVI3x4oNKOTNCnajXx5RMFox6pvTkHIkUY-itPTBgJBgcpS/s320/IMG_5404.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452521918995585714" /></a><br />He did the Wellington College Runathon for World Vision for the third year in a row. This year they were raising funds for a village in Tanzania for water, health and education projects. It has become a huge event in the school calendar and it is great to see this emphasis on the developing world.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtGaWNsDdVHVuQuM9-5euitOjn2k_P_vguKyk8zsa1E4VMo48C9jiF8cIOUHxpyIGVCAhazI2t_fsK79Nwg8sn7JHU0qT7CT5Qq7vQqv5tZtXQEGx6noDf2hRHlBRzMrK8KUA/s1600/IMG_5410.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtGaWNsDdVHVuQuM9-5euitOjn2k_P_vguKyk8zsa1E4VMo48C9jiF8cIOUHxpyIGVCAhazI2t_fsK79Nwg8sn7JHU0qT7CT5Qq7vQqv5tZtXQEGx6noDf2hRHlBRzMrK8KUA/s320/IMG_5410.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452522449919209122" /></a><br />Jamie was running for the second year. The event runs for 40 hours and at least one person is running all the time. Jamie ran 81.6 km and Luke 85.6 km over the course of the 40 hours. Both were struggling to walk towards the end. At the moment it looks like they have raised about $500 each but are still hoping for a few more donations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCUNxOkBemZtFEEwop96MnhFxdJ5RMQ5mlzHoDqAfPVzfeVctrFrm2oOmpH_qvGBuE9uOWuIDoeO2FxcDTc97Siy3io-l_LnW53n5Q1i8J1U6FIQgp1BzzRmVcheG7Ffggtj1/s1600/IMG_5442.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCUNxOkBemZtFEEwop96MnhFxdJ5RMQ5mlzHoDqAfPVzfeVctrFrm2oOmpH_qvGBuE9uOWuIDoeO2FxcDTc97Siy3io-l_LnW53n5Q1i8J1U6FIQgp1BzzRmVcheG7Ffggtj1/s320/IMG_5442.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452524445774114914" /></a><br />Luke had his head shaved for the cause for the second year. Which looked okay at the end but he had it done in stages and it was definitely not streamlined for some of the day. The day after he left for a geography field trip to do the Tongariro Crossing which is a fairly significant walk at the best of times!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaD4NOu3icO5o-TbJMmtJS3owPn_5IVIEXNlHwrlWOuocj6TgaCHOYCGgjoOe9lY1tERU2vF3Fe64kZUyTYcsixFh7UQ9vGk3owkPdc9R3EvieLJMXvm3uhdmmc9mjD2krBRjB/s1600/car.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaD4NOu3icO5o-TbJMmtJS3owPn_5IVIEXNlHwrlWOuocj6TgaCHOYCGgjoOe9lY1tERU2vF3Fe64kZUyTYcsixFh7UQ9vGk3owkPdc9R3EvieLJMXvm3uhdmmc9mjD2krBRjB/s320/car.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452525071879814194" /></a><br />Ailsa was rear ended waiting at lights by a car which promptly did a U turn and sped away. They got the registration but it has been a long and frustrating process to get the car fixed and the insurance sorted. You are not required to have insurance of any kind in NZ, we have comprehensive cover but in this kind of situation the excess should be paid by the other party but if they are not covered it is complicated recovering the funds. These sorts of things take a moment to happen and weeks of time and energy to get sorted. She has also been getting her teaching qualifications assessed by the NZ Qualifications Authority, this too has been a long and slow process but is nearing completion now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAJIuBuNDR1dwXyTBIB3U7-KtY644nP8TLMEc4eAflXjeL7-9_Xt_y051rld83_n3tZdKjO5Yw6036eYKDzrn9HM_QupJH6GCPTkGIcpS1O1HWsahllBwqLKyBuaXKleySxmI/s1600/IMG_5443.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAJIuBuNDR1dwXyTBIB3U7-KtY644nP8TLMEc4eAflXjeL7-9_Xt_y051rld83_n3tZdKjO5Yw6036eYKDzrn9HM_QupJH6GCPTkGIcpS1O1HWsahllBwqLKyBuaXKleySxmI/s320/IMG_5443.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452526919749079730" /></a><br />The birthday season finished with Craig turning 11. He is really enjoying St Marks and likes his new teacher, he has a good group of friends at school and church and is involved in a range of sporting and cultural activities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-TiK6QT8igxthlCu_W3fZrRLLxhfWzdNR0yMtVK0Mn4vdQU4gU-gUtMq4f3A7W2Nx-4auXKyDZ7wGh7d8eMjLRmh5Prima_rPRdCZNMK4cPUAXp9oY0Ipp8fwEMXNdVjUpxi/s1600/IMG_5450.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-TiK6QT8igxthlCu_W3fZrRLLxhfWzdNR0yMtVK0Mn4vdQU4gU-gUtMq4f3A7W2Nx-4auXKyDZ7wGh7d8eMjLRmh5Prima_rPRdCZNMK4cPUAXp9oY0Ipp8fwEMXNdVjUpxi/s320/IMG_5450.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452527712402675826" /></a><br />We went to Cadillac, a new American Style Diner in Lower Hutt for his birthday tea. My Mum and Dad were supposed to be here for his birthday but my Dad fell on the golf course and broke his leg so they have had to cancel their trip in the meantime.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw98J2fVl9ikpSq9xIdeaqGVHOzsOiOyvG7GwuIoRk0CUl7GEvc4uVVHUTj7kaigY85wQTy1r9Cz1AFOHWXitkbM7i9LpUzJz7FrnQMnSylrk5kL7dmIfR2iWu0iAvg9fBCAv/s1600/3443129.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw98J2fVl9ikpSq9xIdeaqGVHOzsOiOyvG7GwuIoRk0CUl7GEvc4uVVHUTj7kaigY85wQTy1r9Cz1AFOHWXitkbM7i9LpUzJz7FrnQMnSylrk5kL7dmIfR2iWu0iAvg9fBCAv/s320/3443129.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452528636376098034" /></a><br />The other day a storm hit Wellington. It was described as a one in 100 year meteorological event. We could see the storm coming. It swept in a line over the harbour, the surface of the water churning in its bow and came up the valley like a wall. The wind hit first and then came the rain. The temperature in the living room dropped 12 degrees centigrade in less than 5 minutes. It was a reminder of the force of the wind and the impact of typhoons and cyclones in the Pacific. But it was also a picture of where we are at the moment. There have been huge encouragements this year, a good start in many universities, the launch of the Catalyst Web Book Store, positive international partnerships and good investment in emerging leaders. But at the same time it feels like we are weathering a storm. Economically, spiritually, relationally there is plenty wind and rain about. Storms here make you grateful for windows not blowing in and roofs not blowing off. In Jesus day the key architectural issue was if your foundations were sand or rock. Aside from the parables the disciples learned things in storms personally about God's protection, power and authority and about taking steps of faith beyond anything they had considered on dry land in the sunshine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQo7mL7hrHGXp4VuVVQP8bRhGw1IycfUBTro3ZIlO1cjdlKZeKlMyfS6NYmk622Ctig8h8qU3t5mGRt5lnVyzHqtx1lA2I9wJlm4aaP72r1SUjy2LCuMx_h4D0bshz-SZqSJ-/s1600/IMG_5426.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQo7mL7hrHGXp4VuVVQP8bRhGw1IycfUBTro3ZIlO1cjdlKZeKlMyfS6NYmk622Ctig8h8qU3t5mGRt5lnVyzHqtx1lA2I9wJlm4aaP72r1SUjy2LCuMx_h4D0bshz-SZqSJ-/s320/IMG_5426.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452535111535527362" /></a><br />Stewart Goudie (yet another man with a moustache) sent me a message saying that he wanted to speak about our work, alongside his own story of being called into ministry, at the D'mains men's meal today. He asked if I had anything I would like him to say. How do you summarise 4 years in three sentences? Encourage them that we are making a difference in NZ, around the Pacific and beyond, slowly, in the grace of God we are seeing lives and situations changed. Thank them, we are enormously thankful for all who pray and give and invest in our work, the work of the Pacific Partnership Trust and the ministry of TSCF, we could not do anything without their partnership. Tell them that we are weathering a storm but we know that storms do not last forever and ask them to pray that our foundations would be strong and that we would remember Jesus presence with us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPtx1oBl8XeyoAcTQJyHJ7DDR5ITerMrlyQbx1nHEsDYZxHqLVH-w7UWva6z0oOQIFPNiuXjcDBexIRYa7NkLbQtKsMD33afaluUpSizyPEjnTQOjF5ph0qyoQ9EPXiB6Eoqj/s1600/ailsanig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPtx1oBl8XeyoAcTQJyHJ7DDR5ITerMrlyQbx1nHEsDYZxHqLVH-w7UWva6z0oOQIFPNiuXjcDBexIRYa7NkLbQtKsMD33afaluUpSizyPEjnTQOjF5ph0qyoQ9EPXiB6Eoqj/s320/ailsanig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452538739415040626" /></a><br />Ailsa and I had a great time at the IFES "Living Stones" conference for General Secretaries in Malaysia. The boys were hosted by three different families and we were away for 8 days. This was an extremely encouraging time but deserves an entire blog to itself. So having caught you up with family news that will be our next news update. We were especially thankful that reward flights were available on the days we wanted to travel which was a big help in making the trip possible.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-57895602022426540962010-03-02T14:38:00.000-08:002010-03-03T00:14:19.620-08:00Changing Students for LifeTSCF has two tag lines. One is: "Reaching Students for Christ. The other is: "Changing Students for Life". I thought at the start of a new academic year it would be encouraging to see a few examples of how that is working out.I got this card in the holidays. It had a warning on the envelope "this is NOT a Christmas card". The picture IS a little unusual but I think it is fantastic. The words inside are below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjoIgbXJeGQD_UjzBhyLE7pHIg2yQQTdN9jd7Iiulez6WDVigVC_fgBw-RO2TaKIiLCDgMUIRLQUc4XCs0DXZ6a3_uezyK9BaOEE_VbJyYKm3JVSpN16pqDygbqmqidinjN7t/s1600-h/Esther.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjoIgbXJeGQD_UjzBhyLE7pHIg2yQQTdN9jd7Iiulez6WDVigVC_fgBw-RO2TaKIiLCDgMUIRLQUc4XCs0DXZ6a3_uezyK9BaOEE_VbJyYKm3JVSpN16pqDygbqmqidinjN7t/s320/Esther.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444170306854680114" /></a><br />Dear Nigel,<br /><br />Well apparently I’m a vet now (doesn’t feel like it) so will be moving on from TSCF (but hopefully not too far). I can’t really say enough how much TSCF has helped shape my view of the Bible, study, work and ministry – my growth in the Lord has been exponential over the last 5 years because of this fellowship. Thus here is my thanks to all the staff, but to you in particular for what you’ve given up for and input into students like me. May the Lord bless you abundantly in return and may he give you a restful summer with your family.<br />As for me I’m off overseas for a few months before starting work in NZ. I’ve learnt enough about vet science, now its time to learn a bit about the other inhabitants God put on this earth and what keeps it spinning. Hope this card isn’t too gory for you – it was taken during one of my 1st surgeries, and the title is my prayer.<br /><br />Regards, Esther<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/30Fya05uCrk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/30Fya05uCrk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />At the end of Minty each of the interns does a presentation on their year. This video is Suey's reflection on the year. She came to faith through the AUT group a couple of years ago. Unfortunately Youtube have removed the audio for copyright reasons but just stick on a CD track of your own in the background to get the effect. It is incredibly encouraging to see such change over a relatively short time. One of the questions she asks as she looks to work in the fashion industry is "If God has given me a flair for design and an eye for colour - how do I use that in light of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission?" I think this is a fantastic question. These are both examples of Changing Students for Life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8twv50H2c6C4mryzFUDvPqzpZae5NJSq6YuvvsiTbEarcQRPyZVmSYN7AxOW0PxSd0hIJyn9UvfR8zoWKPEKiPoLoYNzoSIZsSbnqAllQ1m1W3edNBF0pNIwxh7NRl66L06z/s1600-h/College-students.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8twv50H2c6C4mryzFUDvPqzpZae5NJSq6YuvvsiTbEarcQRPyZVmSYN7AxOW0PxSd0hIJyn9UvfR8zoWKPEKiPoLoYNzoSIZsSbnqAllQ1m1W3edNBF0pNIwxh7NRl66L06z/s320/College-students.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444175582952241202" /></a><br />As far as the other tag line we are currently in the middle of orientation weeks on campus. The students we are contacting now are the stories of the future. The challenge is not to just to see them as a "the next lot of student" but to connect with them, love them, build relationships with, get them into the Bible, and invest in their lives over years.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-26863698599043544252010-01-31T01:06:00.000-08:002010-01-31T14:35:17.838-08:00January Reflections<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzga7bAJpI5mH80P6I57ib9azsNrQyCdf8Pa0cF2WNy7-4Mhlup8aj0g0yvxJhgRZjY2mlyb-0SFyy1OEFm0sf9_rKgJAkwQe0cKKZ8nQY2IZ_kQ42u2ZjRi-RNDkjR1PcZuL/s1600-h/reflect.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzga7bAJpI5mH80P6I57ib9azsNrQyCdf8Pa0cF2WNy7-4Mhlup8aj0g0yvxJhgRZjY2mlyb-0SFyy1OEFm0sf9_rKgJAkwQe0cKKZ8nQY2IZ_kQ42u2ZjRi-RNDkjR1PcZuL/s320/reflect.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432875406421873922" /></a><br />January is a time to look back and look forward. I am not sure what this statue on the Waterfront in Wellington is reflecting on or why his hand is over his head. I have a number of half finished reflections from the last few months. I hope to share some of them in the weeks ahead. Overall 2009 was a very good year and I am still working through some of the lessons from the experiences of some of what we were able to be involved in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd6mZwioPX0pCDUcUh3qOtj1tOt4MKhcxKHu2i-qiV9UhyphenhyphenhyphenhyphenP3ATlttCKW1jxxunNKJafghoP0T76G5QNZwFY8iHbWcGGzdIoYmBhXtPaEToUTf4SWf4fE82PIFvWqzDYKmxA/s1600-h/andynigelcold.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd6mZwioPX0pCDUcUh3qOtj1tOt4MKhcxKHu2i-qiV9UhyphenhyphenhyphenhyphenP3ATlttCKW1jxxunNKJafghoP0T76G5QNZwFY8iHbWcGGzdIoYmBhXtPaEToUTf4SWf4fE82PIFvWqzDYKmxA/s320/andynigelcold.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432873452808621346" /></a><br />The New year started with Andy and I in St Louis for the Urbana Missions Convention which happens every three years. We now have a US charity established and will be seeking to grow both support and work into the Pacific from that side of the Ocean. I led a seminar on work in the Pacific with my friend Yando from PNG. We were encouraged at some new relationships and see some real potential in networking and mentoring some younger leaders in North America. . It was great seeing Andy back to his fully functioning self a full 20 months after his bike accident. Ailsa and the boys saw in the new decade in warmer weather at the Tennents<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDb-e1HNnkZ2I74uKvpwwBKcaDrR_McAtww9aLdqr3qVuAbhF8VDfo25FLHME1qgiiiR36aQ61idA7Fq2Mh8Qvfs8eMWb_J80HmQaO5GRBx83Zb7mfoocU4EpP6GbjzJJE1jS/s1600-h/bikes.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDb-e1HNnkZ2I74uKvpwwBKcaDrR_McAtww9aLdqr3qVuAbhF8VDfo25FLHME1qgiiiR36aQ61idA7Fq2Mh8Qvfs8eMWb_J80HmQaO5GRBx83Zb7mfoocU4EpP6GbjzJJE1jS/s320/bikes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432872403253652386" /></a><br />We tend to take photographs on sunny days which gives a slightly misleading picture of the weather. The summer over all has not been the best and this day cycling to the lighthouse from Eastbourne in the rain is perhaps more typical of many of the days that we have had this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU39O3k2sOpgWOhs9s8iKfRLE3LhPXSV7XBURhp4s0ZAv5Jt1dVBWJATjcbNiSmbeR6_rn7ox5dNqMPxNv0Aro9ycGYWk1r9POnhHwqYpBFicCu0AZ_y8iT3oSAPIRGWlllm7l/s1600-h/craigbike.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU39O3k2sOpgWOhs9s8iKfRLE3LhPXSV7XBURhp4s0ZAv5Jt1dVBWJATjcbNiSmbeR6_rn7ox5dNqMPxNv0Aro9ycGYWk1r9POnhHwqYpBFicCu0AZ_y8iT3oSAPIRGWlllm7l/s320/craigbike.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432872967925141778" /></a><br />Good times are not conditional on good weather and we have some happy memories of days which did not quite work out as planned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtoKb9zgRUfn9D1Jvekow29h34iDev8GQUJW5KXK-q4KWwFCpizkvH4wJd3XD-HY006-3FWiKpLYenzapgnN8LKzqaWtfglj7TJ9RCr2I_ui_dVIwXs_jQpWi4yFo0xQUFoWI/s1600-h/cablebay.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtoKb9zgRUfn9D1Jvekow29h34iDev8GQUJW5KXK-q4KWwFCpizkvH4wJd3XD-HY006-3FWiKpLYenzapgnN8LKzqaWtfglj7TJ9RCr2I_ui_dVIwXs_jQpWi4yFo0xQUFoWI/s320/cablebay.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432867477629076802" /></a><br />We spent a couple of nights camping at Cable Bay. This was where the NZ terminus of the first telegraph cable to Australia was opened in 1876. This reduced communication with the UK to 4 days instead of the 6 months it took by letter at that time. It is hard in this age of instant messaging to think of 4 days being a revolution. A ten word telegram cost around the equivalent of $30 to send. This does make even roaming SMS seem comparatively inexpensive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHPkEoaUvgJfVwt3sOz3A5c4zmyTtlWJDGgz2yGQFF8oY6UK1Iwdxlm4aHulMwtyCfX_yYHGDQB8TzeYaWyMMbm_aISPtsDubeGpqwkoKE_QELyb4WEmhrIcnrr1m_puYd6X9/s1600-h/cablebench.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHPkEoaUvgJfVwt3sOz3A5c4zmyTtlWJDGgz2yGQFF8oY6UK1Iwdxlm4aHulMwtyCfX_yYHGDQB8TzeYaWyMMbm_aISPtsDubeGpqwkoKE_QELyb4WEmhrIcnrr1m_puYd6X9/s320/cablebench.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432866329167916978" /></a><br />You can just spot our car and tent to the right of Ailsa's shoulder. We had a good few days despite the showers. Highlights were climbing up the hill behind the campsite and a half day sea kayaking round Peppin Island.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgws4AgmfXARpVX4kfgdQER9ePaVxQ9dj2MvZcHjfj2oEdFBVctFJQnUMVdehb7_esOUrs1wwuXKdyUl_Z-QCb10C7ud8tw_2TVgyWl1ihd8xK0HMrBoYLZz6Oa6jSD_Y6YU1V_/s1600-h/kayak1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgws4AgmfXARpVX4kfgdQER9ePaVxQ9dj2MvZcHjfj2oEdFBVctFJQnUMVdehb7_esOUrs1wwuXKdyUl_Z-QCb10C7ud8tw_2TVgyWl1ihd8xK0HMrBoYLZz6Oa6jSD_Y6YU1V_/s320/kayak1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432867859778056754" /></a><br />We went in double kayaks with a guide and another family. Craig surveyed the options and quickly worked out that the guide was the best adult to be paired with!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv6Vrej15ZEj7xG41NJuBGFgk4wx4gClvRpiF_e6me7K3skBDfpl1MzpW6sPo2ZZt49SEmgj-P94vW_T5XZgnyPZro8bYdilS6Qu95Ea0WSNcv9V0dPPsQXvh_70IuVE_fAMU/s1600-h/kayak3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv6Vrej15ZEj7xG41NJuBGFgk4wx4gClvRpiF_e6me7K3skBDfpl1MzpW6sPo2ZZt49SEmgj-P94vW_T5XZgnyPZro8bYdilS6Qu95Ea0WSNcv9V0dPPsQXvh_70IuVE_fAMU/s320/kayak3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432867743359504274" /></a><br />We canoed through the waves and in between small islands and outcrops of rock. Stopped at a small beach to swim and snorkel and came back through a cave. The round trip was 7 km and it was great wee adventure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDoaUKJ5drFKDqlS2bA6Rt0Ry7QcG6AUZwo6Ze3aYdftWaL7WZ_HqaemivzLboNBNWMwu_U09JfImtzzwPijsXaXAyiYljpb7-218C9HdSOgEUGC7vs9Uw7-9-ubmAxUMFajH/s1600-h/cart1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDoaUKJ5drFKDqlS2bA6Rt0Ry7QcG6AUZwo6Ze3aYdftWaL7WZ_HqaemivzLboNBNWMwu_U09JfImtzzwPijsXaXAyiYljpb7-218C9HdSOgEUGC7vs9Uw7-9-ubmAxUMFajH/s320/cart1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432855479710956002" /></a><br />The Annual Staff and Families Conference took place at Bride Valley near Nelson. Mary Fisher from Australia spoke from Genesis on the Hospitality of God and the Shalom of God helpfully pointing out how counter cultural Genesis was and how different it is from other Creation narratives. Paul and Megan Winch led us in some workshops thinking about family dynamics and relationships. We also had plenty time for young and old to enjoy clean and dirty activities on site.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAYGQFmXCyenhpC7yhR91yJAy1eXcCy-_pccc7jXudlaAUx4LgAK5axo0kQsHe8O0tE3KWbhdtA5hOeuaZd8F4l8YqtnWs3S-rcXW8kpQVaLj2IUMwYfYpsCRyywWLzEZXpzT/s1600-h/cart2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAYGQFmXCyenhpC7yhR91yJAy1eXcCy-_pccc7jXudlaAUx4LgAK5axo0kQsHe8O0tE3KWbhdtA5hOeuaZd8F4l8YqtnWs3S-rcXW8kpQVaLj2IUMwYfYpsCRyywWLzEZXpzT/s320/cart2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432855617745765570" /></a><br />Staff and families is a fun conference and embodies many of the community values that we are seeking to develop. I think it is starting to become one of the highlights of the year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQGgn3fVG6zlMSjBLpm7GbrTtyLY3dKcTDTpAVH5XmWXipuqNG6lHTDkS7YJ1tdnV-BAQB05aZE-_UVuyJVDMY9oEihE-k3-Zur4oKNic4vkzsp4zB-qi24-Si77TH0pYb4fL/s1600-h/confthink.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQGgn3fVG6zlMSjBLpm7GbrTtyLY3dKcTDTpAVH5XmWXipuqNG6lHTDkS7YJ1tdnV-BAQB05aZE-_UVuyJVDMY9oEihE-k3-Zur4oKNic4vkzsp4zB-qi24-Si77TH0pYb4fL/s320/confthink.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432854188108720274" /></a><br />It was good seeing the older children participating in the all age learning times. Ailsa is in this picture if you look carefully!<br />My most memorable sound bites from the conference were:<br />“I had met Christians before but never one that had spoken about Jesus” Jodie Bates reflecting on what struck her as different about meeting Kristopher while working as an actress.<br />“Giftedness and Godliness are not the same thing” Mary Fisher reflecting on her own spiritual journey.<br />“The kingdom of God is about winning over not taking over” Paul Winch reflecting on keeping going in Ministry and being fruitful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPH3eGnZuVVvJhnb_sYMnKGQmGUapHHAi3gwqchaS6Y7pvClcaq4P3oRBydrmT3C0S4UUcQ3sF1oOhFjEyXMfL63VT3UregK66uLbMse8m51dQcQBATFAJMdVflA1HnSheTNC/s1600-h/confgroup.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPH3eGnZuVVvJhnb_sYMnKGQmGUapHHAi3gwqchaS6Y7pvClcaq4P3oRBydrmT3C0S4UUcQ3sF1oOhFjEyXMfL63VT3UregK66uLbMse8m51dQcQBATFAJMdVflA1HnSheTNC/s320/confgroup.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432851868062212754" /></a><br />It was hugely encouraging to see the growth in the staff team. In 2004 there were 17 at the Staff and Families Conference, this year there were 73. There was also a very happy atmosphere. It was great to see the kids getting on so well together and there to be a genuine commitment to partnership on campus. We still have some team issues but things have progressed a great deal in the last four years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5JV4MQo4vaPi2E-FPhfVaIDL9jTXikRVHTlSoZzmMhj_x4cM6W20hpCxD9_j9yOQwxsQDarxPwVkz9LLt2ne9ZQIGlVONEWwvxDNFGjSyas4Y2xCL9OYVeiHOJtCvyKi2QJa/s1600-h/biscuit.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5JV4MQo4vaPi2E-FPhfVaIDL9jTXikRVHTlSoZzmMhj_x4cM6W20hpCxD9_j9yOQwxsQDarxPwVkz9LLt2ne9ZQIGlVONEWwvxDNFGjSyas4Y2xCL9OYVeiHOJtCvyKi2QJa/s320/biscuit.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432849670940020146" /></a><br />After the conference we went to Keith and Raewyns's Bach in the Sounds. This is a fantastic holiday house right on the water and only accessible by boat. We had a great time and we all renewed our acquaintance with the Biscuit. In most of the photographs Luke is looking determined and Jamie is laughing!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbldfIwhcM1DY9rDWiVH5XhL5XNsTEH9wbekHVPurO62vWSZs5E5AtRaWBoglq6irbNDfZdN6BvNZ6If1suZKTnDdWILBm4TmaYywzYMIfOe5wbEYVc-qf0ehi6fDE-gdgIoUX/s1600-h/lukeski.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbldfIwhcM1DY9rDWiVH5XhL5XNsTEH9wbekHVPurO62vWSZs5E5AtRaWBoglq6irbNDfZdN6BvNZ6If1suZKTnDdWILBm4TmaYywzYMIfOe5wbEYVc-qf0ehi6fDE-gdgIoUX/s320/lukeski.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432848506784539714" /></a><br />Luke managed to get up on the Waterski on his first attempt and really enjoyed it. Jamie was still a bit light for the ski but did get going successfully on the wake board. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOZSAdF6tVY1JX431n4lmO1sLZffq2wpsLzAQEEKN-ET8UVVuQe782Ei93LTe1PkEhVHhSdmLUHoe5WVCLQg3cJOpJB2YRDRWpkb8KiN4xl-nAOWhnVr931f6Ry-sNM0cNI6Y/s1600-h/craigfish.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOZSAdF6tVY1JX431n4lmO1sLZffq2wpsLzAQEEKN-ET8UVVuQe782Ei93LTe1PkEhVHhSdmLUHoe5WVCLQg3cJOpJB2YRDRWpkb8KiN4xl-nAOWhnVr931f6Ry-sNM0cNI6Y/s320/craigfish.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432846188439384690" /></a><br />The boys did a little fishing from the boat and from the dock. The fish turned out to be mostly smarter than us but fishing is quite relaxing when you are watching other people not catching anything, at least until the lines start getting tangled.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLCUyy2bxBqKGShTkDCI2S40S-RMJ2Qrcrg6jb1oNkBvBcy_uZPyticU_CJub3G9izqRLfkdXVapFPfSkseIZ2LOsLdmu_ltMA-tt2Cid6WGRPYHbrJoh9TioOG5ZjsXbELz/s1600-h/fish.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLCUyy2bxBqKGShTkDCI2S40S-RMJ2Qrcrg6jb1oNkBvBcy_uZPyticU_CJub3G9izqRLfkdXVapFPfSkseIZ2LOsLdmu_ltMA-tt2Cid6WGRPYHbrJoh9TioOG5ZjsXbELz/s320/fish.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432846001688850194" /></a><br />Luke did catch a rather ugly fish with a horn from the boat and a few tiddlers from the dock.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl_DtegDz0DWXZVtwfk9l-0KhaCjDmycEtMB-WqadrggH36FQXMwQMw6Rz344oy9Z9-d4g8aXVqq9aPDxickY_PzfABdykJUPZ6Bt-4lAFpY64pRoYnixKSO5_Jju-wQN7ZrT/s1600-h/nigelhill.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl_DtegDz0DWXZVtwfk9l-0KhaCjDmycEtMB-WqadrggH36FQXMwQMw6Rz344oy9Z9-d4g8aXVqq9aPDxickY_PzfABdykJUPZ6Bt-4lAFpY64pRoYnixKSO5_Jju-wQN7ZrT/s320/nigelhill.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432842335966069330" /></a><br />I always like getting to a high place to see how things connect up and to get a proper appreciation of where I am. On the last morning I walked up part of the Queen Charlotte Track and then on a side loop to the top of a small hill. It was a pretty steep climb but well worth the effort.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs2Ij-hANnyrXXmhizWwWjHjNdmYOX6lLU26H0vXOLdt8z20Zy8Q1eqHl7rm57uALc6gPL-Cd9Y3y419zd-VNI31JczRgFDZttrqpr8MYWITEgFF2D_Z26tqTYcFpK7C9TDR0/s1600-h/hillview2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs2Ij-hANnyrXXmhizWwWjHjNdmYOX6lLU26H0vXOLdt8z20Zy8Q1eqHl7rm57uALc6gPL-Cd9Y3y419zd-VNI31JczRgFDZttrqpr8MYWITEgFF2D_Z26tqTYcFpK7C9TDR0/s320/hillview2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432839521968371010" /></a><br />The views over the Marlborough Sounds were fantastic in all directions. It is a real priviledge to be surrounded by so much awesome scenery. Much as we enjoy it I don't think people here fully appreciate it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3kTUruyT0isNmYfGb8YdtGuIasiYjFB4rT-vRqMxgWobuTw-Mhyphenhyphenb_xxahrT-Ye2kgW4_H1BsBfIRZGnFv3ITuWgtjSS_to1S4WOAFh4Xdgnok5DCAsJV6JACDgZnYYfc3nDh/s1600-h/hilltopview.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3kTUruyT0isNmYfGb8YdtGuIasiYjFB4rT-vRqMxgWobuTw-Mhyphenhyphenb_xxahrT-Ye2kgW4_H1BsBfIRZGnFv3ITuWgtjSS_to1S4WOAFh4Xdgnok5DCAsJV6JACDgZnYYfc3nDh/s320/hilltopview.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432843471326090562" /></a><br />"But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse." Romans 1 in the Message<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-urRqzT0wgemvFBkAbr8GxrMnl4DqTDBdEJplOngRdRwzTn_Wl2-wQ_8YCVN_E6JdShfo_vk_X49S2qca8rVqUcusXzh6Oy3_xOSW4hdnqYI2I_7fzaqXvc62dvIW-infz1n/s1600-h/IMG_5030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-urRqzT0wgemvFBkAbr8GxrMnl4DqTDBdEJplOngRdRwzTn_Wl2-wQ_8YCVN_E6JdShfo_vk_X49S2qca8rVqUcusXzh6Oy3_xOSW4hdnqYI2I_7fzaqXvc62dvIW-infz1n/s320/IMG_5030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432837711144382946" /></a><br />While I was up the hill Ailsa and Craig kayaked over to Mistletoe Bay while the others came to pick me up in the boat. Luke and Jamie swapped into the kayaks for the return journey. Craig particularly likes being in a canoe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqE9o3yJ3IDREDh7i3b7pEstFSBwYDA8qMW_C6OkceD29MpP4IMDxZtLT6pk3WulmNobgBV1YcnvhHB6_cBFesSH41eTwj1xlfluU9n3Jw_CZlDqVnNrmZzD5poz7rUyFbpplQ/s1600-h/jetty.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqE9o3yJ3IDREDh7i3b7pEstFSBwYDA8qMW_C6OkceD29MpP4IMDxZtLT6pk3WulmNobgBV1YcnvhHB6_cBFesSH41eTwj1xlfluU9n3Jw_CZlDqVnNrmZzD5poz7rUyFbpplQ/s320/jetty.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432836115190009170" /></a><br />The hospitality of people like Keith and Raewyn has been hugely appreciated by our family. We are often conscious in the holidays of being far from family and friends in Scotland and having special times with special people means even more. The last photo we had with Keith and Raewyn in the Sounds was when the Marshall's were visiting 2 years ago. The boys have a lot of happy memories on and off the water from both times in the Sounds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuopISkEeG6vOckcxwg2w7QlYzBlfkjgTY2Gu4zfUUv7Ws-JeVwfJKWWAqIf8djhBSTTajwPG_W8tJ-E-AGBkCXt4jjbP9ukaroZi4KBLRS9NuAjxHM1eF9nGfsM-V_2KFfci/s1600-h/heads.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuopISkEeG6vOckcxwg2w7QlYzBlfkjgTY2Gu4zfUUv7Ws-JeVwfJKWWAqIf8djhBSTTajwPG_W8tJ-E-AGBkCXt4jjbP9ukaroZi4KBLRS9NuAjxHM1eF9nGfsM-V_2KFfci/s320/heads.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432834740772086050" /></a><br />The ferry journey between the South and North Island is one of the great ferry crossings in the world. The first hour from Picton goes through the Queen Charlotte Sound, before going through Heads and out into the Cook Strait. We have had great weather on most of our crossings and this trip was no exception.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszikaMBbsQOk-Gf-whXP0ebPOZZWv43fhq-z_8o3RKJYxh7x8twQB07_YmhguEiWZboiVIJgcAz0z262LCkRKlynNoIUGKRL38VgKG-p9nyL6UhXofYK_4NaY3Z4l0zMF1wO9/s1600-h/wedding1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszikaMBbsQOk-Gf-whXP0ebPOZZWv43fhq-z_8o3RKJYxh7x8twQB07_YmhguEiWZboiVIJgcAz0z262LCkRKlynNoIUGKRL38VgKG-p9nyL6UhXofYK_4NaY3Z4l0zMF1wO9/s320/wedding1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432832063343044834" /></a><br />Yesterday we celebrated Nicola and Stu's wedding. Nicola has been doing a great job with the office admin and they had one of the few cracking summer days we have had for their marriage. The dress code at NZ events is fairly relaxed. This was the first Kiwi wedding for all of us except Ailsa. I can understand the attraction of shorts (although I did wear long trousers), but the most paradoxical clothing issue is that in the UK where no one needs to wear one, hats are a big deal at weddings, whereas in NZ where the UV rating makes hats an essential item, no one wears them to weddings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTg1PwokG4F3Qs4B8wPq-WRzwbxmdfRCcZpPpBR4NBsHbXdARIgizcdeEkjjuUStLp9VayBiuSsQhhn6Q1LkZsoGntcZQWyWWHSVs_VCLhDICrzKnC8MEWONrBHgadaN_JIKT/s1600-h/wedding3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTg1PwokG4F3Qs4B8wPq-WRzwbxmdfRCcZpPpBR4NBsHbXdARIgizcdeEkjjuUStLp9VayBiuSsQhhn6Q1LkZsoGntcZQWyWWHSVs_VCLhDICrzKnC8MEWONrBHgadaN_JIKT/s320/wedding3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432830750429929602" /></a><br />I like weddings where the emphasis is on the people and the promises and where people realise that you don't have to spend a fortune to have a great celebration. Jamie was particularly impressed with the hot hatch bridal car.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVCmRjUDDzkqzwOB6sJXtYV66Vw_et43j94c6C678jjd_HVh4nJcqR5BXTCNZH1lMFchkPePX2iAMtLHU4hNRMAH3Lpy_d-ypDe9HMVdAuL6JmagvdhEF0HHewAyoWxp-6ACz/s1600-h/wedding2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVCmRjUDDzkqzwOB6sJXtYV66Vw_et43j94c6C678jjd_HVh4nJcqR5BXTCNZH1lMFchkPePX2iAMtLHU4hNRMAH3Lpy_d-ypDe9HMVdAuL6JmagvdhEF0HHewAyoWxp-6ACz/s320/wedding2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432829634228113650" /></a><br />It is turning into a wedding fest in the office. Anna, our Personnel and Events Manager has recently married Alastair, James, Systems Manager and Wellington Staff Worker (currently at Regent College) has just become engaged to Jen. Elsewhere Sarah, Lincoln University Staffworker has got engaged to Dave. We are delighted for them all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20zdKxbWwGMLSM17GOLsNYIqfy5b4g5SlvmfrTvfuJcAADhUmsSWqn_tE3vpgoyJ8eCfyMlV04h8OsZrs-82VY5LcgR4RK7QcFbMy33MTQUkzRhS2r2FCXxFeKvelphXsLRc0/s1600-h/craigpush.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20zdKxbWwGMLSM17GOLsNYIqfy5b4g5SlvmfrTvfuJcAADhUmsSWqn_tE3vpgoyJ8eCfyMlV04h8OsZrs-82VY5LcgR4RK7QcFbMy33MTQUkzRhS2r2FCXxFeKvelphXsLRc0/s320/craigpush.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432828761755075362" /></a><br />Monday sees the boys return to school, me back in the office and Ailsa catching up with her routine. Not all the statues at the waterfront are reflecting. Some of them need a wee push to get going.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBisTv5AmqX-jFALRMxZ_GQCV2jX6yU44T-u5DkvdLIaylhl53eZAXa9HfmdeMJGWdKQIYQaBtoAbaDOrbOqlprJL1T3wSW_-362mq0imx21EOOXY5bfEBnMMwQH2JNdCTb3Y/s1600-h/craigjacket.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBisTv5AmqX-jFALRMxZ_GQCV2jX6yU44T-u5DkvdLIaylhl53eZAXa9HfmdeMJGWdKQIYQaBtoAbaDOrbOqlprJL1T3wSW_-362mq0imx21EOOXY5bfEBnMMwQH2JNdCTb3Y/s320/craigjacket.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432872066045406498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyyFnaT1xYGiY_DRTjTrPbOKJsbTlWjHhlBJATL4wpUyPuT4LRGJ95VHwPypXT_X6kToREarmcZBrZfjNgsON4_oDeVsmwG0OpZyxc11wBulQh25h6arVWZM_2SU1QD2p4lWo/s1600-h/Jamieblenheim.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyyFnaT1xYGiY_DRTjTrPbOKJsbTlWjHhlBJATL4wpUyPuT4LRGJ95VHwPypXT_X6kToREarmcZBrZfjNgsON4_oDeVsmwG0OpZyxc11wBulQh25h6arVWZM_2SU1QD2p4lWo/s320/Jamieblenheim.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432871796662767842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1-fX3nL8xmLDeGFGDrfFNr6vf_-IgGvQzTclDpnP6tsKc9mepoyoEFxG_-otm-7TnBUkXFHb6g9wv1Z5602v_YqLP95l_bIPPgu2vEF1Z5AZkjaFI-DADhzK01uCPVhb_ZwN/s1600-h/lukecoast.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1-fX3nL8xmLDeGFGDrfFNr6vf_-IgGvQzTclDpnP6tsKc9mepoyoEFxG_-otm-7TnBUkXFHb6g9wv1Z5602v_YqLP95l_bIPPgu2vEF1Z5AZkjaFI-DADhzK01uCPVhb_ZwN/s320/lukecoast.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432871681238231970" /></a><br />A few more pictures of growing boys from the holidays with our thanks and love to all who support and encourage us in different ways.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-78532629287832090312009-10-03T03:03:00.000-07:002009-10-04T00:28:43.813-07:00Tournaments<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kfUkmNypw_U4PrPOLwWkkk9QA7zxNWcArRnvutJA-1nYCTXcDpdQpPEfylz-chbgyF5b7y8k4c1QMuFhZ5yDZZVpuxsOefCN-tI1ZxwprjvMBjG5FXkoZ3vcidTIDflr6mVU/s1600-h/IMG_2336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kfUkmNypw_U4PrPOLwWkkk9QA7zxNWcArRnvutJA-1nYCTXcDpdQpPEfylz-chbgyF5b7y8k4c1QMuFhZ5yDZZVpuxsOefCN-tI1ZxwprjvMBjG5FXkoZ3vcidTIDflr6mVU/s320/IMG_2336.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388321032177125026" /></a><br />Craig had a great week in Napier at the Regional under 11 Tournament. Five teams competed in the development tournament and he was pretty pleased to represent Wellington.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63f3lE4qoEm2XTTFrqpwnOQXSoKIDmDYcjBx0Mocs5xD-ms1JGdrm5M42zLzFoLJ32_1Ex3Ze3LMSKTXoG8EQzjDMq_5FyKhsX3e0R-2zPcCV_2JYP3ierTT17ZKmT67Cj7nO/s1600-h/IMG_2366.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63f3lE4qoEm2XTTFrqpwnOQXSoKIDmDYcjBx0Mocs5xD-ms1JGdrm5M42zLzFoLJ32_1Ex3Ze3LMSKTXoG8EQzjDMq_5FyKhsX3e0R-2zPcCV_2JYP3ierTT17ZKmT67Cj7nO/s320/IMG_2366.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388321686522899522" /></a><br />Under 11 is the youngest Representative Grade and is a fantastic mixture of emerging skills, growing coordination, embryonic teamwork and huge variations in size. The Hawkes Bay goalkeeper was literally twice the height of Craig.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TE7VZAET-NkZyH0Q4Ax929kYiAfIjtFxW-xnDS0QezjuFOPvX5OJvxXpmjd488wh7pZTa-ATSEWCTjKwaZhu6O96ro-KofJ8mi73BGMW5EUTYABUBJ1cxJzJngzqCV-XZVl7/s1600-h/IMG_2449.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TE7VZAET-NkZyH0Q4Ax929kYiAfIjtFxW-xnDS0QezjuFOPvX5OJvxXpmjd488wh7pZTa-ATSEWCTjKwaZhu6O96ro-KofJ8mi73BGMW5EUTYABUBJ1cxJzJngzqCV-XZVl7/s320/IMG_2449.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388322718027433250" /></a><br />Craig is not the kind of goalkeeper who stands static on his line! He likes to stay involved and to encourage the team from his vantage point at the back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjns-K7d19O8L0s_BvqDgJkiUJIqlaECccGg24nlz2dJ-tdGceIAo-ujJUPm7B_4i-QPeMHcAovi6QqzCStoIzDYsSLb-_QqMz_sqjswHsxQRxArnkpMEr8e30ZpfDQYjjmGPSk/s1600-h/IMG_2392.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjns-K7d19O8L0s_BvqDgJkiUJIqlaECccGg24nlz2dJ-tdGceIAo-ujJUPm7B_4i-QPeMHcAovi6QqzCStoIzDYsSLb-_QqMz_sqjswHsxQRxArnkpMEr8e30ZpfDQYjjmGPSk/s320/IMG_2392.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388323266325543922" /></a><br />Fans and supporters of all ages come to support the boys. Some have more cuteness than understanding of the game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0qZ4kS39bRxWeeUt1rufHAq6YzmdJ4xIrFYO9iAH2SvQfabH9RbrT0EFnuyfJSroAVpZHhnUWrToha3XtOOprdRDR29Uhbe5G9LIpdy7qsm_5L4TCMCKZunGKFTk9GeBnZTy/s1600-h/IMG_2447.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0qZ4kS39bRxWeeUt1rufHAq6YzmdJ4xIrFYO9iAH2SvQfabH9RbrT0EFnuyfJSroAVpZHhnUWrToha3XtOOprdRDR29Uhbe5G9LIpdy7qsm_5L4TCMCKZunGKFTk9GeBnZTy/s320/IMG_2447.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388323807836916034" /></a><br />Whereas others have more understanding of the game than cuteness!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzik4IVTAhBCz-4YkQRhwJ7GCJp4iuo6aBNCYjzPxRsCAUbAL4vezSiDPCL7rEiijaNJr2VrcM1tMmxrKH1exfShwbFVlgeAroMx2GT8P5XWa3LWmUuHIv7tlLTqzemvpyxol/s1600-h/IMG_2308.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzik4IVTAhBCz-4YkQRhwJ7GCJp4iuo6aBNCYjzPxRsCAUbAL4vezSiDPCL7rEiijaNJr2VrcM1tMmxrKH1exfShwbFVlgeAroMx2GT8P5XWa3LWmUuHIv7tlLTqzemvpyxol/s320/IMG_2308.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388325509387294834" /></a><br />And before I get a deluge of correspondence telling me that "Luke IS cute" I should make it clear that I agree, that the contrast above was just for humerous effect and that his cuteness has just evolved a little over time! In fact they are all very cute which I am sure they get from their mum!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL6ykjYlTfN2bEm9vHsqpQH8KIV1hnSMbwFu1gAe1P8PHRvvxEQTClHm3L5_w5x9qUW-tFg78nXpejtJmS4N_JCTcuq3fjryQc5mAC2IWaW-ihDSiG_3tHLgC9YeI9VrEOpeg/s1600-h/IMG_2348.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL6ykjYlTfN2bEm9vHsqpQH8KIV1hnSMbwFu1gAe1P8PHRvvxEQTClHm3L5_w5x9qUW-tFg78nXpejtJmS4N_JCTcuq3fjryQc5mAC2IWaW-ihDSiG_3tHLgC9YeI9VrEOpeg/s320/IMG_2348.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388324377931007122" /></a><br />We are thankful for how well the boys do get on with each other. It was nice to see Luke and Jamie being so supportive of their wee brother. They continue to be genuinely interested in each others lives, which we we are grateful for, for as long as it lasts. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J9zM1qgVkuvOIpHUccYGqwzAs9AJtn9mbV0ETtiYcVKxNN-lIN5AR7kgzlXQGdWdtKbd7o3fhHE4d9W-e7z9ndMG5GnXaYHJcfGl98_bepsk8bpR2iEpm1m2M08l7e7Vvv1N/s1600-h/IMG_2314.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J9zM1qgVkuvOIpHUccYGqwzAs9AJtn9mbV0ETtiYcVKxNN-lIN5AR7kgzlXQGdWdtKbd7o3fhHE4d9W-e7z9ndMG5GnXaYHJcfGl98_bepsk8bpR2iEpm1m2M08l7e7Vvv1N/s320/IMG_2314.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388327778307235426" /></a><br />The morning I flew up to Napier a Tsunami devastated the Samoan islands and Tonga. It seemed incredible that on a bright sunny New Zealand morning the same wave could wash so harmlessly against our shores, dissipating over distance. In Samoa, in particular, communities have been destroyed and entire families wiped out. It is part of living on the Ring of Fire that these kind of disasters are never far away. The South Pacific although huge geographically is close in community and many families in NZ have been affected directly or indirectly by this tragedy. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljs_YF7EYVQt1fVEw-0Hwsdyugrn-TgQvF7LYzFCQI4BgDr7E9yJjNLEQ3JybUR7Qz8TmQfPu-sEdiLm552GwaqOT6dkA_21HdvcasDH0G8AyQgHuw5Rn2Zm-9uJIanTn7VZs/s1600-h/30092009258.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljs_YF7EYVQt1fVEw-0Hwsdyugrn-TgQvF7LYzFCQI4BgDr7E9yJjNLEQ3JybUR7Qz8TmQfPu-sEdiLm552GwaqOT6dkA_21HdvcasDH0G8AyQgHuw5Rn2Zm-9uJIanTn7VZs/s320/30092009258.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388330932696052130" /></a><br />New Zealand was on alert for a while and in Napier homes were evacuated. One interesting aspect was that friends overseas heard about what was going on or might be going on before I did. Looking at the pictures I took that beautiful Napier morning in the light of the pictures from the badly affected islands made me think that it was in similarly idyllic weather that the tsunami hit. Sometimes when you least expect it is when tragedy appears.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4egmX75zYMucj393XR2oc6uRoCpaJeyS4t5neTMoC2QVSQnSsPKqBiO2ct4iOj5VvXitGeNPBDh2bD0k8J2Ib67n3e2lzT2g5uBoegoiegy09F2ANYFL29Gckfj4EY5jZSAI/s1600-h/30092009262.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4egmX75zYMucj393XR2oc6uRoCpaJeyS4t5neTMoC2QVSQnSsPKqBiO2ct4iOj5VvXitGeNPBDh2bD0k8J2Ib67n3e2lzT2g5uBoegoiegy09F2ANYFL29Gckfj4EY5jZSAI/s320/30092009262.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388333241717172594" /></a><br /><br />Craig's team qualified for the final of their tournament and won 5 - 0 against local team Hawkes Bay. He made a few important saves early in the final and over the week only conceded one goal. In a city made famous by an earthquake in its past it was a reminder that sport and success are great but they need to be viewed in a bigger context. It always strikes me as strange that "the news" on tv always moves on to sport - pretty much no matter how serious the headlines have been. Bill Shankly famously said "Football is not a matter of life and death; it's far more important than that." He was wrong.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwwKFGDccosnsb1k7VNDhzYv4m3-5k_YzW2UiKR9h7dEoXNlq69as5yEdok-qkT4VEUrNUpqxkSuMA2ubjAoWkBekbV_xqhgpZantzGSRFAZbdIXPqHSXt_zVxxkpqQAAhoG-/s1600-h/IMG_2334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwwKFGDccosnsb1k7VNDhzYv4m3-5k_YzW2UiKR9h7dEoXNlq69as5yEdok-qkT4VEUrNUpqxkSuMA2ubjAoWkBekbV_xqhgpZantzGSRFAZbdIXPqHSXt_zVxxkpqQAAhoG-/s320/IMG_2334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388336341728144626" /></a><br />"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Our achievements are beautiful but ultimately insubstantial. Great to look at and enjoy but ultimately insubstantial. There is a time and a place for everything and we live in seasons, mindful of the earth turning and being turned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NaSanzsilgzQfEbAnfB12qfp_4ODMLGgzRULlQnLxmN3oc3hmQFRNSk_FxMXwzqrU8pBXxeXsLE7lFjenmUFRmor9L-5Qmu9sMC80ejvCSuPrmJ_BTb9bRdS5RuNDk4ap38k/s1600-h/IMG_2462.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NaSanzsilgzQfEbAnfB12qfp_4ODMLGgzRULlQnLxmN3oc3hmQFRNSk_FxMXwzqrU8pBXxeXsLE7lFjenmUFRmor9L-5Qmu9sMC80ejvCSuPrmJ_BTb9bRdS5RuNDk4ap38k/s320/IMG_2462.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388341831672419026" /></a><br />The last act of this sporting season is the Hatch Cup. This is the National under 13 championship now in it's 51st year. I am coaching the Wellington Under 13 team. We have a <a href="http://wgtnhatchcup09.blogspot.com/">blog</a> where you can follow our progress. This morning we flew to Invercargill at the bottom of the South Island into freezing temperatures and driving rain. People keep telling me that I should feel right at home!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRlSAMofbHbJoEvQnWIs880xpJ5UUzdcgTVAZtRN8Kk750va63Dpw-jWLoycO4FVpAUeZUpu2esrx75e2dbozbeGn6yzhjRLDYAhlukx90UoRYtxIGPASOKLu_0Hh8QT3lSo5/s1600-h/team.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRlSAMofbHbJoEvQnWIs880xpJ5UUzdcgTVAZtRN8Kk750va63Dpw-jWLoycO4FVpAUeZUpu2esrx75e2dbozbeGn6yzhjRLDYAhlukx90UoRYtxIGPASOKLu_0Hh8QT3lSo5/s320/team.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388346124343503714" /></a><br />The team has come on a lot and on or day we can beat anybody. You can see photos of the team in action through the season on our <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/wgtnhatchcup09/">official site.</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajyJrIFbO3-X7vbKFK2RpJgE03EtQEOVUAGoB12DuCL6kIKVuKUACdOvQl-7fD6KsbGZrh4kZtISRqxq3DJbGSQeX_cU7rylRycNT2O7iIMopR_witkJpvFMPvD4joJnu7y3S/s1600-h/IMG_2475.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajyJrIFbO3-X7vbKFK2RpJgE03EtQEOVUAGoB12DuCL6kIKVuKUACdOvQl-7fD6KsbGZrh4kZtISRqxq3DJbGSQeX_cU7rylRycNT2O7iIMopR_witkJpvFMPvD4joJnu7y3S/s320/IMG_2475.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388341391805341778" /></a><br />The tournament starts with a ribbon swapping ceremony where players from all 24 teams from around New Zealand exchange ribbons in the colours of their province. You could sense the excitement building as the boys started to eye up the opposition. We are looking forward to the competition and have high hopes of qualifying for the quarter finals. You can follow our results <a href="http://www.hockeynz.co.nz/eventscalendar/domestic_competitions/">here</a> during the week and clicking on draws and results and then Hatch Cup 2009 from the list on the next page.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTZoC6qOmmQxwaVbPQC8OT2GcUbObkDpEvSczCZINE3awKNw-qUUlyHgPqvzl6xX39T2vdwkGmyLFlYls9inFfRTfrnPekUCmso1W-phyezGteUfkzzTFLPe0ATDsIKiBRIyE/s1600-h/bigteam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTZoC6qOmmQxwaVbPQC8OT2GcUbObkDpEvSczCZINE3awKNw-qUUlyHgPqvzl6xX39T2vdwkGmyLFlYls9inFfRTfrnPekUCmso1W-phyezGteUfkzzTFLPe0ATDsIKiBRIyE/s320/bigteam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388347201763391346" /></a><br />Ailsa made cards for each of the team which I gave them at the airport. My hope is that they develop a players and as people through the season in general and the tournament in particular. What I wrote in the cards sums up how I feel about where we are.<br /><br />"Well done on making it to the Hatch Cup.<br />This is a great competition with a long and<br />proud history and it is a privilege for us to<br />be part of this heritage.<br />We are here to represent Wellington.<br />We play for the team and for our families<br />but we represent the past, present and future<br />of our province and all who call it home.<br />We have worked hard all season and have<br />improved in all areas. Good work!<br />I hope that your time in Invercargill will have<br />many happy memories for you in the future.<br />I know you will give it your very best and will keep<br />going to the end of every single game.<br />You are an important part of a good team.<br />Have a great time at Hatch.<br />GO BEARS!!!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AwKvCUuTgVxJ6winYBdIWOKMWnWfs-B3EfE02TKb4WPHTWbNkuGgELUi4X86d2z7cA-KdbBDVDP4M_vkmuaJHpKVXENBalb-mW1FfsxJd6lYyKbZIyIIL_lgb5I0DcSHCXy_/s1600-h/yellow+flower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AwKvCUuTgVxJ6winYBdIWOKMWnWfs-B3EfE02TKb4WPHTWbNkuGgELUi4X86d2z7cA-KdbBDVDP4M_vkmuaJHpKVXENBalb-mW1FfsxJd6lYyKbZIyIIL_lgb5I0DcSHCXy_/s320/yellow+flower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388357886700804338" /></a><br />We are conscious of many eyes being on us here and of high expectations, we will do our best.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjp-NSS828ekiH6w95PearAjC8gPGojfbi-crFexMgmC3jN7T6VOJLvvOFbz_LifmOheerxn291IVh84TbPE0ow1LVCPziMUlj_MpkOzhjrhCsvXIT7o-eBHd6mnQMDkaoHUF/s1600-h/napier+beach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjp-NSS828ekiH6w95PearAjC8gPGojfbi-crFexMgmC3jN7T6VOJLvvOFbz_LifmOheerxn291IVh84TbPE0ow1LVCPziMUlj_MpkOzhjrhCsvXIT7o-eBHd6mnQMDkaoHUF/s320/napier+beach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388357551484768546" /></a>Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-71276624888424882572009-09-27T16:39:00.001-07:002009-10-01T21:36:42.946-07:00Pilgrimage in Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBFwihCip-IrP4ECf7mtvmFzhjLkJ25WTU8NJZdwLlvxb2ZrvURb5DzO-tIktmAvfiACRUmBrVxCyofegOOsYnBM5QI9zMwkyDpeFwlFSZD4GNlmYAiTi0EvgGm8aQIKlt-7c/s1600-h/IMG_2206.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBFwihCip-IrP4ECf7mtvmFzhjLkJ25WTU8NJZdwLlvxb2ZrvURb5DzO-tIktmAvfiACRUmBrVxCyofegOOsYnBM5QI9zMwkyDpeFwlFSZD4GNlmYAiTi0EvgGm8aQIKlt-7c/s320/IMG_2206.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386300002324237874" /></a><br />Some days you have to be there. The description of events and the recounting of words said does not adequately capture the essence of experience shared. The 26th of September 2009 was such a day. Paul Windsor was celebrating his 50th birthday. To this end he invited a group of friends from the different decades of his life to go on a "pilgrimage" to Marsden Cross. This remote site in Northland marks the place where the first Christian Service in New Zealand was conducted by Samuel Marsden on Christmas Day 1814. Talking to a friend recently I was speaking about seeing things through other peoples eyes. SO instead of a commentary I invite you to share in the experience. What follows is my reflection on the day, pictures are shown in the order they were taken, if you had come along you would have seen some of these things! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchOykjSVdIcf-HwiJH1mu9Nke1NDoEOcpJUheSmBqQO6e42KGRzV1L6Er-PHhByu1Va3cVEdmmEhTQD5_9rhQTV2Uz9UcP2A-SkrOZIG-TH9zB5vRS-D-HXNDC3a85HbGgzGl/s1600-h/IMG_2210.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchOykjSVdIcf-HwiJH1mu9Nke1NDoEOcpJUheSmBqQO6e42KGRzV1L6Er-PHhByu1Va3cVEdmmEhTQD5_9rhQTV2Uz9UcP2A-SkrOZIG-TH9zB5vRS-D-HXNDC3a85HbGgzGl/s320/IMG_2210.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386299892999441634" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMU6AfNpMsV8mf34cANDHZWiLIvPekgDjpjZf3YoKWmN1jkibPzZAzNJs4ZbusFS1FEmu97ZgKihoJEvMyj7NRP9bBX9cUpNJhOfpZYIVG4ry1_j2FUqjoijmzjhz2tD3H8PU/s1600-h/IMG_2215.jpg"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoH4YhYvrUbI21U-C9xejJXu2RS8jqrDvi9ZOvv9Dwctw9wzr54ZA0na7ZBsQyiIB0hunJnrzgsiDm_ajiwOqta7u5Pskt1N8gQg541ZJiAh8_abDSkzH1Pak3NQIkVsW6uqV/s320/IMG_2292.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386296999860466882" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvag4ANZpe8DQvfFUlj6-GN_38gVMtDddbeGLiMcfiQdZsHe7dR8pSPKreDOCqkEefkfnSlVs948fvyxZkEVeg8caYk1P4_4qUlsrMVsTa7gogLV4koWhgM_ZXCpnuqMwzYQ4E/s1600-h/IMG_2296.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvag4ANZpe8DQvfFUlj6-GN_38gVMtDddbeGLiMcfiQdZsHe7dR8pSPKreDOCqkEefkfnSlVs948fvyxZkEVeg8caYk1P4_4qUlsrMVsTa7gogLV4koWhgM_ZXCpnuqMwzYQ4E/s320/IMG_2296.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386296710840501122" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjld1RpQZallf0wKpvRVhRSOed5yLU5ZDbiustzH9y2zGy4JFGUpFGPJ0Y1aBwzdRhajDY_AJUWtO14sdgOpk3nz9GvCGgyRcBggr581LvRCWi0KK1HC646eaviZb1RIXIsO32U/s1600-h/IMG_2297.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjld1RpQZallf0wKpvRVhRSOed5yLU5ZDbiustzH9y2zGy4JFGUpFGPJ0Y1aBwzdRhajDY_AJUWtO14sdgOpk3nz9GvCGgyRcBggr581LvRCWi0KK1HC646eaviZb1RIXIsO32U/s320/IMG_2297.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386296526576245010" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtDPvIopuSween9Mk5gGIw6YpL_D8gaIQ1XojKR2l-KS02ObDOnpRrLbhDbNISQJefHkU0BKOha-GDd4JaoZJNLRobudg2GdTWNifCmSe8lZd8N91B2LFF4SOQXG_oyF44l7T/s1600-h/IMG_2299.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtDPvIopuSween9Mk5gGIw6YpL_D8gaIQ1XojKR2l-KS02ObDOnpRrLbhDbNISQJefHkU0BKOha-GDd4JaoZJNLRobudg2GdTWNifCmSe8lZd8N91B2LFF4SOQXG_oyF44l7T/s320/IMG_2299.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386296395996954802" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgZEAThf4uyPcJpfJNty_TC4BfxfqMbOCCfTUmCXXzM4mYM7nME6SK-Gg-v8vQ_oaiumtSok64DzWwf4Arp5rfhUaFKkUh_DpDsZsVDLjQ_Q3GrXtaz9oFuJZRIBh7J_vu-62/s1600-h/IMG_2304.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgZEAThf4uyPcJpfJNty_TC4BfxfqMbOCCfTUmCXXzM4mYM7nME6SK-Gg-v8vQ_oaiumtSok64DzWwf4Arp5rfhUaFKkUh_DpDsZsVDLjQ_Q3GrXtaz9oFuJZRIBh7J_vu-62/s320/IMG_2304.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386296231449273138" /></a><br />If you don't know Paul (with the rugged beard above) he is formerly Principle of Carey College, now with Langham; a TSCF board member and a friend who encouraged me to come to New Zealand and has encouraged me since moving here. He is one of the most gifted Kiwis of his generation and it was great to see friends from different decades of his life speak of the impact his friendship has had in their lives. For all the positions we may have and the offices we may hold our enduring impact is in the lives of our friends. As the Maori say: It is people it is people, it is people. Well.... it is people at the cross!Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-61218945029416392342009-09-18T22:16:00.000-07:002009-09-21T14:13:14.841-07:00Just Do It Part 3 - People<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdvHoTPsYj_hbhCNFt987B1o2ooMEyETl40VGsg_5Im1jhzI_w7LKXivPL-vNHvmFcDWwCk5hJYcvyK9Nb0VjHbyEJy8EGNsjUGNvmh6zrUuqF0XrhDiivFSTGjpwK8CJQGfz/s1600-h/IMG_2271.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdvHoTPsYj_hbhCNFt987B1o2ooMEyETl40VGsg_5Im1jhzI_w7LKXivPL-vNHvmFcDWwCk5hJYcvyK9Nb0VjHbyEJy8EGNsjUGNvmh6zrUuqF0XrhDiivFSTGjpwK8CJQGfz/s320/IMG_2271.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383048714965680754" /></a><br />TSCF Staff Training Conference was held recently at Silverstream. It was an encouragement to see how the staff team has grown over the past three years both in numbers and in maturity. We looked at the Strategic Objectives I presented to the Board in 2005 and of the 32 things which i spoke about then, 28 of them have now been completed or at least advanced. We have seen growth, change and significant progress over the last 3 and a half years. Students have come to faith, twice as many students are involved nationally, conferences deliver quality input, income has nearly trebled, international links are stronger, graduate ministry has been developed, the Minty intern programme has been initiated, new staff have been appointed, systems have been overhauled. We have incorporated legally, registered as a charity, become an officially recognised Religious Organisation, transitioned to a Governance Board, rebranded and grown our communications, launched a new web site, started using digital media more intentionally and started several new groups around the country. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbtlJRE2a6Y3s5fXFaYpf3abHM5TOPf3rtRBRvMaO5223HnuhDOi_3u_LvNfW0WZjT5f5NwIQFphSX-1AKmz0wjfu-7Hdw0pUl0BfwsSgj_r1Z5t1tk7wg1chr__xXQNcutit/s1600-h/EverestBaseCamp-746690.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbtlJRE2a6Y3s5fXFaYpf3abHM5TOPf3rtRBRvMaO5223HnuhDOi_3u_LvNfW0WZjT5f5NwIQFphSX-1AKmz0wjfu-7Hdw0pUl0BfwsSgj_r1Z5t1tk7wg1chr__xXQNcutit/s320/EverestBaseCamp-746690.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383487887525641026" /></a><br />Basically we have got to what I describe as Base Camp. I will be commenting on this further but where we are now is not the final destination. Significant as getting here has been, we still have a mountain to climb. And we are in the high altitude business. In order to climb a mountain like Everest a process of altitude acclimatization has to take place, this involves going higher up the mountain and then coming back down to rest and build capacity. In this season of acclimatization various staff are having times of "sleeping low" in order to be able to "climb high".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsdVRjJUu3pKQrZZarxXh2EqKbvcUbJcoNgJ3nQhJEMDUvuEHMHcna7ZPabZzaBzCcONURNQ9aaWpJvWNZ-KnF6Njv0H62AzFzBudjwtK4NfuhsXNCyY6srpHSlrGnxzs9MzS/s1600-h/IMG_2266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsdVRjJUu3pKQrZZarxXh2EqKbvcUbJcoNgJ3nQhJEMDUvuEHMHcna7ZPabZzaBzCcONURNQ9aaWpJvWNZ-KnF6Njv0H62AzFzBudjwtK4NfuhsXNCyY6srpHSlrGnxzs9MzS/s320/IMG_2266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383048515605001522" /></a><br />Andy continues to recover. He is now back working 30 hours a week and is increasing the complexity of what he can handle. It has been a long and frustrating road to recovery but he had excellent support from various therapists at the different stages of his rehabilitation. We had an excellent time at his annual review this week. He continues to be a terrific asset to the work as well as a good friend. I find it hard to imagine what it would have been like in New Zealand without him. In the coming year I have asked him to supervise all the Regional Team Leaders and to work on development plans with all our staff. Andy is going to be visiting the UK to reconnect with supporters and friends next month, it will be an important time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFCuHKfqFrzkhScuD5AoQXHIx8ALTMQPsf6sSJXMwXhCRdk73e0zFSZHYcP14WOGoj9c5Y8Q74M1eEsSjkx5fkduKdz2qgFscLKgNW91DDyaMqxo9VCw7_iQriNIYwSWCBV-n/s1600-h/IMG_2268.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFCuHKfqFrzkhScuD5AoQXHIx8ALTMQPsf6sSJXMwXhCRdk73e0zFSZHYcP14WOGoj9c5Y8Q74M1eEsSjkx5fkduKdz2qgFscLKgNW91DDyaMqxo9VCw7_iQriNIYwSWCBV-n/s320/IMG_2268.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383048388691112130" /></a><br />We have been thinking more about our outreach strategy. Much of what goes on here is programatic rather than missional. Ben has had opportunities to speak but is also trying to listen. We have just agreed to try to bring together a small group of people with gifts and interests in relating faith to culture for a weekend in New Zealand early next year. Ben is also a making a fantastic contribution to the work in Wellington and in NZ as a whole. He fits very well into NZ culture and it is great seeing them do so well as a family. Ben and Jen are about to visit the UK to show baby Samuel to friends and family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIG2OiL-agapZZhMitRa7tXKlba84JHOnce3vsPdigQWaExfKK9SpPqzkyP61wuv6f0l-A8V5K-1BKVBzOAYag9xuBfzZGya10N2uK7R2rLmua73uedtlVEH_KZUf2zezi2ev/s1600-h/IMG_2275.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIG2OiL-agapZZhMitRa7tXKlba84JHOnce3vsPdigQWaExfKK9SpPqzkyP61wuv6f0l-A8V5K-1BKVBzOAYag9xuBfzZGya10N2uK7R2rLmua73uedtlVEH_KZUf2zezi2ev/s320/IMG_2275.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383048270410983522" /></a><br />Val has just left for a month in India. She is traveling with her Dad and will visit Udhagamandalam where her Dad and Aunt were born as well as spending time at the UESI staff training centre in Kotagiri with South Indian staff. Val is excited about the trip because of the family connections and because of our partnership with student ministry in India. She will be back for the rest of this year but wil then be on sabbatical for the first half of 2010. Val is a tremendous asset to the work in NZ and has done more than anyone to hold things together for the last 6 years. I believe that this season of rest and adjustment will be of huge benefit to her and the ministry going forward.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAdT-qRIvYEoXFqVZbpFttqvqdqLePoCDsfpmm5VH1QVXst8odnY_XoKeXZ078qdfMLwHlGDb7z7LmJ_jph9b4nq1lCYltTRMvlw_qQmL87DGpiQN8eW7nI-mwGu0bV0ABdDg/s1600-h/j+and+j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAdT-qRIvYEoXFqVZbpFttqvqdqLePoCDsfpmm5VH1QVXst8odnY_XoKeXZ078qdfMLwHlGDb7z7LmJ_jph9b4nq1lCYltTRMvlw_qQmL87DGpiQN8eW7nI-mwGu0bV0ABdDg/s320/j+and+j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383487471462283650" /></a><br />Jeff and Jane are currently in the US for 6 weeks with Sasha and Josh visiting family, friends and supporters. They had a most encouraging time in Wheaton and will be traveling a fair bit to connect with different people and churches. There are better photographs of them but given that they are raising support I thought one of them looking like they were working hard in difficult conditions might play better than a family snap in front of the Remarkable Mountains. Jane has been working on a review of International Student work in New Zealand and Jeff is leading the Auckland team. This is their first trip back to the US since moving to Auckland in 2006 and we are looking forward to having them back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lPvYEZ0ifM4Z_tD17ZMIC5o3Ti_6HWwBb8YzJenqYxNiYnAWUOK1eMKwax8KkPjSVtss5Ai7e0PLW-Vaf1NYyx63AZ75QG_bOQOE5IO2BNwfL642j1iA3eNMfB4TRp41i-SR/s1600-h/marks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lPvYEZ0ifM4Z_tD17ZMIC5o3Ti_6HWwBb8YzJenqYxNiYnAWUOK1eMKwax8KkPjSVtss5Ai7e0PLW-Vaf1NYyx63AZ75QG_bOQOE5IO2BNwfL642j1iA3eNMfB4TRp41i-SR/s320/marks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383498925216020578" /></a><br />Mark and Renee Santich will soon be heading back to Australia for 6 weeks with their 4 children. They continue to spearhead the work in Christchurch and are a testimony to the value of sustained investment over many years and of perseverance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4PJiL1OFPm-GbAZtmHHX01IpMLL_bOppkjEZNtHmpuVwnWijIOX79gDCgaStP5RKccgEz2G44RuK4twab8SARFnW0649Zsb8PR2peSl_XEBAt1S593_5PT90aPHXkOBfV3Dj/s1600-h/IMG_0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4PJiL1OFPm-GbAZtmHHX01IpMLL_bOppkjEZNtHmpuVwnWijIOX79gDCgaStP5RKccgEz2G44RuK4twab8SARFnW0649Zsb8PR2peSl_XEBAt1S593_5PT90aPHXkOBfV3Dj/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383044229542148690" /></a><br />Viv my new PA is on an extended trip with James, her husband for 7 weeks. All this does leave me feeling a little bit: "will the last person please switch the lights off" But the very fact that we are able to cope with this amount of people being away underlines the growth which we have seen. It was great to see Liz, my old PA (well former rather than aged) popping into the office with baby William Bud. She and Matt are back from Nepal for a couple of months and will return with the baby to Kathmandu in a few weeks. It was encouraging to see them coping so well and being so relaxed about the baby. They live at altitude!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3PL7-sISsdiDayGp0-dxKKwufIDVA-lJdKCrLuKPltmo9hicZDC5WSR-QasAWIT4QUsjhZlgwPufp_KPazruyQ3T7nz6PAzVTclLfyvzZJxy2VvfL953fGovUzTJ0xf2N1T5/s1600-h/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3PL7-sISsdiDayGp0-dxKKwufIDVA-lJdKCrLuKPltmo9hicZDC5WSR-QasAWIT4QUsjhZlgwPufp_KPazruyQ3T7nz6PAzVTclLfyvzZJxy2VvfL953fGovUzTJ0xf2N1T5/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383044063387456994" /></a><br />Ailsa has been enjoying the flurry of babies and we have just had Sarah Anderson visiting from Scotland and will soon host Alistair and Sophie from Amsterdam with Matthew and baby Sarah. It seems incredible that Luke was this size fairly recently and has spent the last two nights tramping (hiking) in the Tararuas for his Duke of Edinburgh Silver practice Expedition.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkWieMCw6Pczuxl7Q6En4ZFIOnVzZcYdWrqWy3MreSi-OvA8-A1JQ02HCBA-K9EbCXVPVqZzXdKw80xcE3tPOUri10lrmieWmPLuVSY5pk0AnJZAztE7-NPlv0uPHiFbG1lHz/s1600-h/IMG_1979.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkWieMCw6Pczuxl7Q6En4ZFIOnVzZcYdWrqWy3MreSi-OvA8-A1JQ02HCBA-K9EbCXVPVqZzXdKw80xcE3tPOUri10lrmieWmPLuVSY5pk0AnJZAztE7-NPlv0uPHiFbG1lHz/s320/IMG_1979.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383043692931241218" /></a><br />It is fantastic to see children growing up. In Scotland I had the opportunity of a guided tour of Linlithgow Palace. Katie was one of our guides. She has been doing tours for tourists with other senior primary pupils, in period dress. A few years ago this would have been quite a daunting thing but she did brilliantly. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gotfELwIx74&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gotfELwIx74&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />As you can see here!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u-wp0OG9E4LeHq5RBKHA3Hpg9RSuyCwe5dxExfKAF4lediN0k9V_OrYdveP5Xon3LTkEGQg8VlyqWaLXRO2PBAty40sLDXsjomLjYJua2ldgyb1xBAy0TdWXdXIZD2dZihXu/s1600-h/IMG_2282.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u-wp0OG9E4LeHq5RBKHA3Hpg9RSuyCwe5dxExfKAF4lediN0k9V_OrYdveP5Xon3LTkEGQg8VlyqWaLXRO2PBAty40sLDXsjomLjYJua2ldgyb1xBAy0TdWXdXIZD2dZihXu/s320/IMG_2282.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383043518667484530" /></a><br />All this new life and growth is a reminder of how quickly life passes. We only get one life and using it well is a challenge and a responsibility. I remember someone saying once that the great puzzle in life is not why so few live so well but why so many live so poorly. Even as we wait for the next thing and go through seasons of rebuilding, reconnection and change we need to keep sight of the reality that we were bought at a price. The life we now live we live by faith in the son of God who loved us and gave himself for us. There is no time for mediocrity, compromise or cruising. God is at work in us, strengthening and equipping for what lies ahead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFgY9BqIZBrsVH1XtCwEnrnTDHUaOjO6Z4UHYUyNCZmxMXuFtd_K4GGQ_IhC7alqOkwVBT9lyguHrLQGACxENLm_UHLmtxuRuOHN1aziJFzRo-y6J7JJAujcq_-9Z0_chEVo7/s1600-h/IMG_2284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFgY9BqIZBrsVH1XtCwEnrnTDHUaOjO6Z4UHYUyNCZmxMXuFtd_K4GGQ_IhC7alqOkwVBT9lyguHrLQGACxENLm_UHLmtxuRuOHN1aziJFzRo-y6J7JJAujcq_-9Z0_chEVo7/s320/IMG_2284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383043387260018450" /></a><br />As the writers to the Hebrews reminds us, perseverance is not a passive thing. We need to set ourselves to keep going through the challenges of the life seasons. "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." (3v12-14)<br />No one said the mountain was easy. But it's there! And whether you are climbing high or sleeping low at this moment, we are climbing it together, so clip on and enjoy the adventure.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-36205206860738006622009-09-17T16:15:00.000-07:002009-09-17T19:48:46.764-07:00Just Do It Part 2 - Hockey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrc3b8oOakk0jqCl-Wz0mG4LUABtltD8g4gTuG7TKr7ZaSDaX7C3tZ-fZreM1sPZWOkB9X8Rj0_O2qHIbsHPT0tQluvGc9agKfE1VqSZ_b4MdFMMZ41WuTno5GDW5WKcODQ1Y/s1600-h/IMG_1758.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrc3b8oOakk0jqCl-Wz0mG4LUABtltD8g4gTuG7TKr7ZaSDaX7C3tZ-fZreM1sPZWOkB9X8Rj0_O2qHIbsHPT0tQluvGc9agKfE1VqSZ_b4MdFMMZ41WuTno5GDW5WKcODQ1Y/s320/IMG_1758.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382596546357777138" /></a><br />The Hockey Season is coming to an end. School and Club games finish this week and then there will only be a couple of weeks of the Representative season to finish with tournaments in the holidays. The Wellington Under 13 team are called "The Bears" and we will be playing in the Hatch Cup in Invercargill from October 3rd to 10th. Our Mascot is a well travelled bear who has already been to the South Island this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRqytb367Qp1-LZ33qX_hb4oxazYFxNBNAFYoXLwrpdacEqtCS4ufUp_OMe5hS60sA6yt8JXIZxfG10abv7Ed6Xz4VYxWSKuz-vKMETKywboLEdL57mFiES3h9h9D5Za0k35D/s1600-h/IMG_1803.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRqytb367Qp1-LZ33qX_hb4oxazYFxNBNAFYoXLwrpdacEqtCS4ufUp_OMe5hS60sA6yt8JXIZxfG10abv7Ed6Xz4VYxWSKuz-vKMETKywboLEdL57mFiES3h9h9D5Za0k35D/s320/IMG_1803.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382597062661284386" /></a><br />The Hatch Cup team is the pinnacle of primary school Hockey in New Zealand and 24 teams will be there for a week from all over the country. It is an honour to be picked and the boys have a real pride in playing for Wellington. We have played tournaments in Levin, Blenheim and Wanganui and have been improving all the time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNU9e03gcm00fjCJJVXqrC0RwETLRy741Ht2nGfZILhxbDxldwE5sdFErQ3Su8tPIIisdQ6xRBG_he3cqTC2YvrK_ryk6gYaow1ubYjfr8AF7CTjfcFx0kbaIcTBJPN_H4uY9/s1600-h/IMG_1810.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNU9e03gcm00fjCJJVXqrC0RwETLRy741Ht2nGfZILhxbDxldwE5sdFErQ3Su8tPIIisdQ6xRBG_he3cqTC2YvrK_ryk6gYaow1ubYjfr8AF7CTjfcFx0kbaIcTBJPN_H4uY9/s320/IMG_1810.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382597450220917202" /></a><br />At the Blenheim tournament one of the dads arranged for us to visit the Air Force maintenance training base. My personal highlight was the Sioux Helicopter which you might recognise from "MASH".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojGhyXm-KG5lK9NZJiArpr0jgmZMO7Jbw86caEnLlT6_wMsqTqQ-ddy4RsNZ_xNnurRIzDe2XHXMeMLfLGpRLlRmMOR_vFE_0kWX-AYp7-9op9uKXE2t2II3my0wHm6uqJBQB/s1600-h/IMG_0070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojGhyXm-KG5lK9NZJiArpr0jgmZMO7Jbw86caEnLlT6_wMsqTqQ-ddy4RsNZ_xNnurRIzDe2XHXMeMLfLGpRLlRmMOR_vFE_0kWX-AYp7-9op9uKXE2t2II3my0wHm6uqJBQB/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382593578170112418" /></a><br />The team has its own website where you can see more photographs of our <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/wgtnhatchcup09/">adventures</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI9nIwj5R_KSXemdRWZVWb-_wAY3WdO18a-7Op8RngKdOxyAsm3Y0b_b4bKzjZpqyL6OsJAIyWFML8rQMLXYOU6MFoMnBYufuPvQQX_m4HqgTtV2polrmYPKgnu6v8TiauSei/s1600-h/IMG_0026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI9nIwj5R_KSXemdRWZVWb-_wAY3WdO18a-7Op8RngKdOxyAsm3Y0b_b4bKzjZpqyL6OsJAIyWFML8rQMLXYOU6MFoMnBYufuPvQQX_m4HqgTtV2polrmYPKgnu6v8TiauSei/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382592304269930434" /></a><br />I was asked the other day what my "coaching philosophy" is. I guess it is to see kids having a real love of the game and growing in their ability, confidence and character through being part of the team. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgbemnsL0HYMeTb2papzBI8jYS_PhfjMB_kDEgCv7hi6trzwD_JyMaCQmKKHfKXdgqwXpCBV9dUetKpw_ZAR3nm-aolLyTkbRNPTuNXGbHGR5oZTBHA_NR8JiP81E3vvScxqv/s1600-h/IMG_0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgbemnsL0HYMeTb2papzBI8jYS_PhfjMB_kDEgCv7hi6trzwD_JyMaCQmKKHfKXdgqwXpCBV9dUetKpw_ZAR3nm-aolLyTkbRNPTuNXGbHGR5oZTBHA_NR8JiP81E3vvScxqv/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382593015441129538" /></a><br />I see some of these kids and their families 5 times some weeks. I enjoy seeing the team come together and trying to build a culture of encouragement and learning. We have fun together but I also think sport has a vital part to play in developing relationships, life skills and character for these guys. It is a privilege to be involved but it is often hard work and sometimes challenging.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypc5cMxz9QtePawiYYut0sgNOFFprHEwdKoeaEPKJ4g_hT8GIPy1YnJRzEA4gw3WaPyxn-N2_Fc9HiiovAwS7gZGoTRdiZF5Pej1qqYiw7ekbN5MLsp_ABY3wPpmTBIBWSpPP/s1600-h/IMG_1909.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypc5cMxz9QtePawiYYut0sgNOFFprHEwdKoeaEPKJ4g_hT8GIPy1YnJRzEA4gw3WaPyxn-N2_Fc9HiiovAwS7gZGoTRdiZF5Pej1qqYiw7ekbN5MLsp_ABY3wPpmTBIBWSpPP/s320/IMG_1909.JPG" border="0"alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382598120659925858" /></a><br />The Bear has a wide variety of possessions including some alternate head gear. We have redefined the use of these for our campaign. The hat on the right is the "Genius" hat awarded for a piece of brilliance, the one on the left is the "D'OH" hat for an act which is at the other end of the spectrum. hats are awarded at the end of each game and must be worn until the next match warm up. It seems to work well and I am thinking of extending the idea by getting a couple of hats for TSCF staff. But I may wind up wearing the "D'OH" hat too much personally!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSOhP8DqiYlgkwl-zOSdeICxc9b5kmUfx1Agi3r-WD_ch2s0CBFtl_09slT3mw0HCWqJUMtJxAloRDKUpXQYQXSBFXQQKynk2fHuMb4zIA9UkmxpGdQsCDpRM-wuhpheiEEvk/s1600-h/IMG_1903.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSOhP8DqiYlgkwl-zOSdeICxc9b5kmUfx1Agi3r-WD_ch2s0CBFtl_09slT3mw0HCWqJUMtJxAloRDKUpXQYQXSBFXQQKynk2fHuMb4zIA9UkmxpGdQsCDpRM-wuhpheiEEvk/s320/IMG_1903.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382597915167534530" /></a><br />I have learned a lot about coaching this year and have enjoyed the professional and personal development that has come through the coaches club, mentoring and seminars. I want to be the best coach I can be and I feel that I have grown in my understanding and ability this year but there is still a lot to learn. It has been great building and continuing relationships with a wide range of boys and their families, some of whom I have coached for 3 years now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5L906pqrRMBus0GFSpQ70OOo3Q7EmkpA20PIFGF61K21R1pr4uH5TQcQdThkKv9svQO1FcKaelZuOVoMRYkMrrYAG5FmHjMgoBvI-Jq1dn6ibG2EB5qZkMHSFxIoRhlK5P5h/s1600-h/IMG_1200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5L906pqrRMBus0GFSpQ70OOo3Q7EmkpA20PIFGF61K21R1pr4uH5TQcQdThkKv9svQO1FcKaelZuOVoMRYkMrrYAG5FmHjMgoBvI-Jq1dn6ibG2EB5qZkMHSFxIoRhlK5P5h/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382595275750266434" /></a><br />The Wellington College Under 15A team had a tougher second half to the season with a couple of key players picking up serious injuries. We finished 5th which was just out of the semi finals. We played 17 matches, won 11 and lost 6 but we only lost to other school 1st XI.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0hCVxfCrK-HYqb6uFeAcy1DZslqNe3rG_hCalIJT_mSe-HfqcsulJkPkqqKnhqerg90-8WGFyh-ccpUkA_6RdZSdZGPu2svbMUahIsa51Cn7vasKD4kPJbyoywsNuaQa5cl5/s1600-h/IMG_1195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0hCVxfCrK-HYqb6uFeAcy1DZslqNe3rG_hCalIJT_mSe-HfqcsulJkPkqqKnhqerg90-8WGFyh-ccpUkA_6RdZSdZGPu2svbMUahIsa51Cn7vasKD4kPJbyoywsNuaQa5cl5/s320/IMG_1195.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382594374361579778" /></a><br />Luke and Jamie have both developed in their play and it has been great fun. The team was a new initiative and in our final playoff we secured a spot in the P3 division for next season. This is a a step on from where we started this season and half the team will still be under 15 next season. We have the hockey prize giving for Wellington College on Monday evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhXkfgsoDrz7vRJGG4arsEAjk8_pnb95IqWIQLfQRG0lMRIdeHbwddhV22cpK3twHjNzcbHwSO5VqsUtDKbpWH77leD1BYMOr7be9e6kJPaOPp5XVu7zR9B-qr1dzh9H7hHei/s1600-h/IMG_1204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhXkfgsoDrz7vRJGG4arsEAjk8_pnb95IqWIQLfQRG0lMRIdeHbwddhV22cpK3twHjNzcbHwSO5VqsUtDKbpWH77leD1BYMOr7be9e6kJPaOPp5XVu7zR9B-qr1dzh9H7hHei/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382595738800975442" /></a><br />The Hutt Primary Team has had a great season. This is the club 1st XI which I coach and Craig plays in goals for. We have played scored 16, won 14, drawn 1 and lost 1, scoring 77 goals and conceding 10. The final of the Primary Competition is on Saturday at 2.45pm. There will be a reasonable crowd there to watch and a great occasion for the team. Hutt boys have not won this cup very often in recent years. We are playing Kapiti, who are the only team that we have lost to but are looking forward to the game. Win or lose on Saturday they have been a great bunch of boys to work with.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxKkOGEROZCOrukE1RC99BYT_hkAy-jYoCO0GNUag1C8O4zROoc0acPqnQxKFSbedIfYmNNV3O4_IvMkP0VgjcRohTh4SmpS5S_Hhgx-Al8zJ-dilySflVkXEb0TO5PHQGRph/s1600-h/IMG_2254.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxKkOGEROZCOrukE1RC99BYT_hkAy-jYoCO0GNUag1C8O4zROoc0acPqnQxKFSbedIfYmNNV3O4_IvMkP0VgjcRohTh4SmpS5S_Hhgx-Al8zJ-dilySflVkXEb0TO5PHQGRph/s320/IMG_2254.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382598381566711730" /></a><br />Craig has been learning a lot about goalkeeping and has now played in three mini tournaments for the Wellington Under 11 Development Team. He has now played in 3 mini tournaments and has grown in confidence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfoyv5rdVaj_7V1ykg_wMzV3p1Wg1JENWOx5FpL7TBy9U-OekBZDYRwqNnDDyK2m0Uxz53Ut-TReAWy4FHXJUn-T75e43PhpDR_D48lzzD9ub4AOZjdW_ktyxtMbGCzECS2Az/s1600-h/WINNING+TEAM+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfoyv5rdVaj_7V1ykg_wMzV3p1Wg1JENWOx5FpL7TBy9U-OekBZDYRwqNnDDyK2m0Uxz53Ut-TReAWy4FHXJUn-T75e43PhpDR_D48lzzD9ub4AOZjdW_ktyxtMbGCzECS2Az/s320/WINNING+TEAM+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382599439440865250" /></a><br />Craig's under 11 team will be playing in the Regional Tournament in Napier from September 28th to October 1st. Ailsa and the boys will go up for the week and I will go up for a couple of days to take in a few matches. He is looking forward to it.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ScTo4j5nQF4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ScTo4j5nQF4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Craig has a ritual at the end of each match where he sprints across to the rest of the team and slides in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2bsff7DNJn7eNzzrmRLs2sVFJGq7WPTHNhcWgZycC95w4laGMYd5KW_ruBzWZlPDhCQbsBbwd1Mjn76wDF11KgCGu3aDO4WqoBURJRfLZZU1pt8bKNJaFgJ_g79fNcxg9qiE/s1600-h/bear.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2bsff7DNJn7eNzzrmRLs2sVFJGq7WPTHNhcWgZycC95w4laGMYd5KW_ruBzWZlPDhCQbsBbwd1Mjn76wDF11KgCGu3aDO4WqoBURJRfLZZU1pt8bKNJaFgJ_g79fNcxg9qiE/s320/bear.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382603479234501922" /></a><br />So we head into the last 3 weeks of the season with a lot to play for. Or as the bear would say,"Onwards and upwards"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIs5_ailPYGG4bOMEHN_17J3xQVzsezuJY1DdzM87HMwNlTYc-Xrg-9dnSQ09KPYYkC6RZZQzy7THnA1Wyy06HE3o0UnFDujIHSe9VQbM9D8l-mLOriFKdQ0Z_rOtYSawQNgI/s1600-h/IMG_2257.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIs5_ailPYGG4bOMEHN_17J3xQVzsezuJY1DdzM87HMwNlTYc-Xrg-9dnSQ09KPYYkC6RZZQzy7THnA1Wyy06HE3o0UnFDujIHSe9VQbM9D8l-mLOriFKdQ0Z_rOtYSawQNgI/s320/IMG_2257.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382599142380192946" /></a><br />As we get to spend time in God's creation and enjoy sport and friendship together it is the same thing that I would pray for the boys and their families. Onward and Upwards! :)Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-20993925783163895102009-09-17T01:43:00.000-07:002009-09-17T05:11:01.526-07:00Just Do It Part 1 - Music<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn7OqrTotAiTowXoYTx0z00ge3aMiRvwas9ahOODuq268XCtjpcrxAKfdQ6f-7s7WbGsA3QGvxvhSwfUc3Vi7e9yGlRr6FrW6pCrioQUtaRRe8W_swTf4v3SPDn3q45oMIBnR/s1600-h/nigel+legend.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn7OqrTotAiTowXoYTx0z00ge3aMiRvwas9ahOODuq268XCtjpcrxAKfdQ6f-7s7WbGsA3QGvxvhSwfUc3Vi7e9yGlRr6FrW6pCrioQUtaRRe8W_swTf4v3SPDn3q45oMIBnR/s320/nigel+legend.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382398142000547426" /></a><br />Sometimes I say to people that a lack of blogging is one of the indications that I am not doing so well personally. I have not blogged for a while so maybe things are pretty grim! Actually I am doing really well but have been really busy which means there are really a lot of things to catch you up on. (Yes I know there were really a lot of "reallys" in that last sentence - it was for dramatic effect). So the problem I have been facing is that the amount of stuff that had built up was starting to paralyse me as I was facing the biggest blog post in the history of blogging. So instead of seeking the perfectly elongated blog I have decided to "just do it" and post some quick fire posts in rapid succession of a thematic rather than chronological nature.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqonpO3E97tXRDxOgY2xUs_rPn-sz5O2l9u1k1WREB-iejO2XE-mOlNXVdidxdrmBllLk-lD5-w-utq1nbN_qeTUV6AXRNRfoJZvbEYiI7BE4CUZbGaNlOt_A_W6C5JWqq_wro/s1600-h/craig+st+marks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 81px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqonpO3E97tXRDxOgY2xUs_rPn-sz5O2l9u1k1WREB-iejO2XE-mOlNXVdidxdrmBllLk-lD5-w-utq1nbN_qeTUV6AXRNRfoJZvbEYiI7BE4CUZbGaNlOt_A_W6C5JWqq_wro/s320/craig+st+marks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382398460020766130" /></a><br />The first of these covers various musical endeavours of the past few weeks.If you click on the picture above you will see an advert for St Marks that was in the Dominion Post Newspaper. Craig is the A in Arts!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iw_VXfhRZMZYyobzH-7lgw3hpuhMUA4ZgVWBwbfm1neQTAW-d_g8GggGkClvholfMvW72IGvErgVbAhYLlV9kCBwfku-9t1fb8AwozJbBplnArOwxh8sALe1xlB_5_4V4b5z/s1600-h/IMG_1935.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iw_VXfhRZMZYyobzH-7lgw3hpuhMUA4ZgVWBwbfm1neQTAW-d_g8GggGkClvholfMvW72IGvErgVbAhYLlV9kCBwfku-9t1fb8AwozJbBplnArOwxh8sALe1xlB_5_4V4b5z/s320/IMG_1935.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382398030915188050" /></a><br />Craig had the opportunity to sing at Artsplash. This is an event for primary schools over a week in Wellington where massed choirs are assembled and perform in the Arts Centre.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-0et8IfDiRW_JmpGlAhmhN3izVw0rgnJFcW1TEzF1ucgl-ewGgPCjYxESyg78-5JqmPe_x-HR8j7g4DLBC0Pymb9jwsU8YEHsYRNZYSZq3tRWhMkbFdu9p9KpyPvWYmOjHXe/s1600-h/IMG_1931.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-0et8IfDiRW_JmpGlAhmhN3izVw0rgnJFcW1TEzF1ucgl-ewGgPCjYxESyg78-5JqmPe_x-HR8j7g4DLBC0Pymb9jwsU8YEHsYRNZYSZq3tRWhMkbFdu9p9KpyPvWYmOjHXe/s320/IMG_1931.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382397928611008674" /></a><br />There is also an art exhibition and a wearable art show as part of the week. It is a massive undertaking but a lot of fun for all the children taking part.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/48pctrvJ038&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/48pctrvJ038&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This is filmed from a long way back but does give you a flavour of the fun of the evening and the serious effort of the performers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXS_938Lu621BRqmfxBpLf_WuBcPOlWXJMAq19hBgkbf4eLRprNcgUzzPPIH-pqHM50cLTOHiGEOfJW5rYbhlEcKVJpQSoRBmbD1qqDRouNlRZ6Sp4IPD91gnTsbihREQcqLE/s1600-h/bigsing1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXS_938Lu621BRqmfxBpLf_WuBcPOlWXJMAq19hBgkbf4eLRprNcgUzzPPIH-pqHM50cLTOHiGEOfJW5rYbhlEcKVJpQSoRBmbD1qqDRouNlRZ6Sp4IPD91gnTsbihREQcqLE/s320/bigsing1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382395462591004642" /></a><br />Luke has had a fantastic time in the college Chorale. They went on tour to the South Island where he stayed in a vineyard and a motel and did a few concerts en route to the National Finals of the Big Sing in Dunedin. This was a great experience competing as one of the top 20 secondary school choirs in New Zealand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvchdD3wLE8vweXcZqkjsUV829WDD9KwvAKi2kRw9saDnlFV_y5rFpDr0PxjwgY1NQ27YXEv0sJFAGbrRqo0UzBwYC0AYZ4_pVDesvfYSMARbJsyXnKyFKurYkmkr8fQ8P4cxW/s1600-h/bigsing2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvchdD3wLE8vweXcZqkjsUV829WDD9KwvAKi2kRw9saDnlFV_y5rFpDr0PxjwgY1NQ27YXEv0sJFAGbrRqo0UzBwYC0AYZ4_pVDesvfYSMARbJsyXnKyFKurYkmkr8fQ8P4cxW/s320/bigsing2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382395347814207650" /></a><br />The chorale competed well and were awarded a bronze medal. The standard was exceptionally high and they worked very hard. You can see the choir performing "Vegetable Milkshake" at the nationals in this <a href="http://www.choirsnz.com/video.php?videoid=119">Professional Video</a> which is quite like the other home made ones!!! You can also see <a href="http://www.choirsnz.com/video.php?videoid=97">Kuarongo</a> (which is still my favourite I think), <a href="http://www.choirsnz.com/video.php?videoid=98">Widmung</a>, <a href="http://www.choirsnz.com/video.php?videoid=118">Summertime</a>, <a href="http://www.choirsnz.com/video.php?videoid=99">Ronda Catonga</a>,and <a href="http://www.choirsnz.com/video.php?videoid=120">In Taberna Quondo Sumus</a>. You might notice they sang in a variety of languages!!<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H9XSlTRlJ4g&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H9XSlTRlJ4g&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I mentioned before that Jamie had the opportunity of playing his pipes at the Cultural Extravaganza in the Town Hall. I said that I would try to post the video, which I have pleasure in now doing! It was quite emotional and it was quite a venue for his first public performance! Highland Cathedral has always been a tune I have liked but now has added poignancy for us as a family. <br /><br />More soon!Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-81135213901341859532009-08-03T17:04:00.000-07:002009-08-11T18:26:43.600-07:00Making it easier to say goodbye<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrrteDUq8P3KDtM73NJCKy33L7nCHOpJkq6v6pjnU3r6nGWBtK_GNLnCH0uVmLO4SWaMWPf1vCFkCZ0jfQ_rK40gyflnUep-OGXbV_mTZsBQyMPOU9vDMP4s1d7HwOgSfjEq-/s1600-h/byeblog004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrrteDUq8P3KDtM73NJCKy33L7nCHOpJkq6v6pjnU3r6nGWBtK_GNLnCH0uVmLO4SWaMWPf1vCFkCZ0jfQ_rK40gyflnUep-OGXbV_mTZsBQyMPOU9vDMP4s1d7HwOgSfjEq-/s320/byeblog004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365893194724113410" /></a><br />I sometimes feel that life is just one long series of saying goodbye to people. Auckland airport is advertising that its now terminal will make it easier to say goodbye but follows with the line: "but you may not want to leave". There are many people and places that I do not like leaving and the nicest terminals in the world do little to change that. This past month has not been easy. There have been a series of illness, death and crisis to cope with. I have felt the distance from friends and family. I often say that the hellos make the goodbyes worth it but it does not always feel like that at all. We seem to have been saying goodbye to a lot of people.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7pixZfg7GRm26iAqtq2TUL7dte6H5we6bI9OUliQkGoEFA0etlYi-lOZQwEzu-yRnxudFe9HvgCEBlnwqbCkpL7DuKKHm_KswY78lDHbmqiBe1lb9izQgPs1K-JdNhr9D4U3/s1600-h/byeblog009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7pixZfg7GRm26iAqtq2TUL7dte6H5we6bI9OUliQkGoEFA0etlYi-lOZQwEzu-yRnxudFe9HvgCEBlnwqbCkpL7DuKKHm_KswY78lDHbmqiBe1lb9izQgPs1K-JdNhr9D4U3/s320/byeblog009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365894401533536034" /></a><br />May and Holmes are the two interns from America who have been working at church. They came to the end of their year and we had a couple of farewell events for them at church. Ailsa spoke at their last morning service about how much she had enjoyed supervising them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOKCs8DGBxnisPnDxUhI6P-kjDTJ3YD475QstI1zjLMnvutRPbF-ZIeLNMKWJgGMXaDn7YCPMU11FI9w8xvrjZLDOJg6yQVYkSVwTN57y8WpZlM9Sq5UpFO15doHM9dyvm383/s1600-h/byeblog007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOKCs8DGBxnisPnDxUhI6P-kjDTJ3YD475QstI1zjLMnvutRPbF-ZIeLNMKWJgGMXaDn7YCPMU11FI9w8xvrjZLDOJg6yQVYkSVwTN57y8WpZlM9Sq5UpFO15doHM9dyvm383/s320/byeblog007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365933068962847330" /></a><br />We had them round for dinner on their second last night in New Zealand. It was great to spend time with them and think about some of the highlights of the year together. We had a meal comprising Scottish, Kiwi and American courses. May wrote in the visitors book "Thank you for being family to us and encouraging us all year. You have truly been role models and making me want a family like yours". <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEEWeZbU_m7fujPz9XigZm3SEPBHIAaERnfSJDan_9L5bux1BPbodSwuwBfuy9X-cERDzau2GHbrhlpdCqCTkE-3zM3bLzHacXkDWT-png2Oz_-gzlM2Iz2FiHaCvgpl2llJM/s1600-h/byeblog008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEEWeZbU_m7fujPz9XigZm3SEPBHIAaERnfSJDan_9L5bux1BPbodSwuwBfuy9X-cERDzau2GHbrhlpdCqCTkE-3zM3bLzHacXkDWT-png2Oz_-gzlM2Iz2FiHaCvgpl2llJM/s320/byeblog008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365933261189711154" /></a><br />Craig dressed in an outfit with Kiwi, Scottish and American elements. He also performed his own version of Caledonia with some verses that he had writen for the girls. Holmes wrote:"This note isn't for a single visit to your home. This note is for the visits all along. Thank you for opening your home to me. I have to say I'll miss you terribly. You have a lovely home and family too. I don't say "goodbye" so "see you soon"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkZCH3jZ8HcqZ_S2lcf9AU98oScAmtUvVQLJhUmqtyb1rV8v8h-0uG02BKVsEdmq3p5QUNAFGMndAysjv5RC_cGdzoF-LFadeucAG7OnL3KQ4tu3cmVvk4oqrCgHx9rmRnuG6/s1600-h/byeblog010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkZCH3jZ8HcqZ_S2lcf9AU98oScAmtUvVQLJhUmqtyb1rV8v8h-0uG02BKVsEdmq3p5QUNAFGMndAysjv5RC_cGdzoF-LFadeucAG7OnL3KQ4tu3cmVvk4oqrCgHx9rmRnuG6/s320/byeblog010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365935944469872098" /></a><br />One of the most moving things about the farewells was seeing the impact they had been able to have in the lives of young people in the church. They shared their lives, were unashamed about using the Bible and built relationships with many people in the church and beyond. They have left a lasting impression in the lives of many and we will miss them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenPWwUpWrT2fnvII1_71a7eQ83kOi7odwl_C1UjE1RZEXFDeGkYdGRKOH01C33RDyncCMUk-9CYeYciaU3OOU-M77vFfuxz-ybYIFGUi5BT5nx_F1f6YPha_5H6PJ2K0c-Hny/s1600-h/byeblog011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenPWwUpWrT2fnvII1_71a7eQ83kOi7odwl_C1UjE1RZEXFDeGkYdGRKOH01C33RDyncCMUk-9CYeYciaU3OOU-M77vFfuxz-ybYIFGUi5BT5nx_F1f6YPha_5H6PJ2K0c-Hny/s320/byeblog011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365936794230197922" /></a><br />The Shudalls came for a few days in the holidays minus Ruben who was in Germany. Andy is making good progress and is back working 30 hours a week. This was the first time that they had been to visit us as a family. The kids were in great form and a delight to have. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sO0udZVq84MOrPSSt6gKibpzG_e3PNyoy0FKve7ikijhZbhU5sDEEbZ_IUC4HJ4BLWz8PTVGpTsTv4uXaQ11GPjvCEXJPwIEjRGsovGIWtfhxP8H_EY2WtkfdAhQrMINNVjS/s1600-h/byeblog019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sO0udZVq84MOrPSSt6gKibpzG_e3PNyoy0FKve7ikijhZbhU5sDEEbZ_IUC4HJ4BLWz8PTVGpTsTv4uXaQ11GPjvCEXJPwIEjRGsovGIWtfhxP8H_EY2WtkfdAhQrMINNVjS/s320/byeblog019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365941739003285346" /></a><br />Ruth and Mark McConnell came to from Vancouver visit for a couple of days with Karis and Alana. It was great to see them after quite a few years. They were exploring possible job options with the institution formerly known as the Bible College in Auckland.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMOorbWTljCkzTSYDPl7vVJ4yZ9f9gJgDHvTzuBxDHgHa9qLLVbIs3qCm2s0PusqWJaWVo__U5_8YSO0YFOVwo4DQ4GotFO-mdKkdU4nWfb6zmQh771uu_8BnocyRVhTILxcN/s1600-h/byeblog001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMOorbWTljCkzTSYDPl7vVJ4yZ9f9gJgDHvTzuBxDHgHa9qLLVbIs3qCm2s0PusqWJaWVo__U5_8YSO0YFOVwo4DQ4GotFO-mdKkdU4nWfb6zmQh771uu_8BnocyRVhTILxcN/s320/byeblog001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365936196024769282" /></a><br />We enjoy having visitors as the salt on the barbecue says: "Thanks for coming". While it is great to have relationship with such a wide variety of people distance and time zones shape friendship for better or for worse. Sometimes I sit at my desk and people I wish I could talk to are sound asleep. The motto of Aberdeen is "Bon Accord" which is usually translated as "Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again". I often say that we are not really saying goodbye at all, just: "See you later". <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HWhyphenhyphenYOeBVAVTmDlsq9MNcrDEmRkevKQGoHVuZINnLbIWwymPtaqGCAtpTOAmXeJuw1JGvghWhIAv-j5389E0MM0rv5XHvKXtW-KO4oARU4p9LgGqqbEv2lkDoTem-4AFs4UN/s1600-h/byeblog005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HWhyphenhyphenYOeBVAVTmDlsq9MNcrDEmRkevKQGoHVuZINnLbIWwymPtaqGCAtpTOAmXeJuw1JGvghWhIAv-j5389E0MM0rv5XHvKXtW-KO4oARU4p9LgGqqbEv2lkDoTem-4AFs4UN/s320/byeblog005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365933592507783522" /></a><br />Apart from the hope of reunion, perhaps the thing that makes saying goodbye easier is new life where you are. The koru is a constant reminder here, of how new life unfurls. This new life is evident at a number of different levels.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW2n6N5qDn-mX35J2w30fS6T6KGkJdSW-2NGLqo2f7kgxZ6KTnm_M6p_uhWkvNAMEdim2ckzrgR-mygHf62Kzicuyp_wkzrxXEQ9qwWVm0hRd4zScgbutbcfpzpig7yPFgNej/s1600-h/byeblog013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW2n6N5qDn-mX35J2w30fS6T6KGkJdSW-2NGLqo2f7kgxZ6KTnm_M6p_uhWkvNAMEdim2ckzrgR-mygHf62Kzicuyp_wkzrxXEQ9qwWVm0hRd4zScgbutbcfpzpig7yPFgNej/s320/byeblog013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365940603521775906" /></a><br />Ben and Jen Carswell had baby Samuel. It is fantastic to see them doing so well. I was hoping he might last until six minutes past five on the 7th of August as I thought that 0506 07 08 09 would be an awesome birthday. But we will have to wait and see if Matt and Liz can take up that opportunity instead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwJnbhnRjykePGfiyiu2V8CQO3JUqyT9x_spOGQDU_z68ZWG8lLhLKTHff3Qked56u6kQH7LNAnKAVwGa7JUfWrs6Kg-BV7OgkNl08m9Rm-tPTQYcZWLUdtzGr_eXdqInTMBq/s1600-h/byeblog012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwJnbhnRjykePGfiyiu2V8CQO3JUqyT9x_spOGQDU_z68ZWG8lLhLKTHff3Qked56u6kQH7LNAnKAVwGa7JUfWrs6Kg-BV7OgkNl08m9Rm-tPTQYcZWLUdtzGr_eXdqInTMBq/s320/byeblog012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365939847989164386" /></a><br />Samuel James Carswell is the first of the next generation of those we have worked with or encouraged to come to New Zealand. It is humbling to me so see friends having and raising children on the other side of the world out of a sense of call to work together for the gospel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiUQo5VEsyJJLlGW2XPwnsYtlDXkotY8tqnH4OLYxI_D2b5UOqKqcieQLKn-wn7RlqiZ_ZN7AiIUPek3nCZVtE4LtHJfR4zy-vIM4NPk8arite7eRNP6bKRxixzA1MEIKVsXj/s1600-h/byeblog014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiUQo5VEsyJJLlGW2XPwnsYtlDXkotY8tqnH4OLYxI_D2b5UOqKqcieQLKn-wn7RlqiZ_ZN7AiIUPek3nCZVtE4LtHJfR4zy-vIM4NPk8arite7eRNP6bKRxixzA1MEIKVsXj/s320/byeblog014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365940703002318978" /></a><br />Ailsa and I were able to visit him on the day he was born. I had to run from hockey training to get in before visiting hours ended! (and yes I do find this picture slightly scarey!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8bvI9ChWjFtv-IWc2pT541AdjUT2X2KOM980eccr3Yi2AogXA05aAOjod5ZTpujzSCpyMz9SQKWb0PtejQM69o9RUPky3TwOgqXEAX9zulkUh5Y-Q0tqgjp3-DFQzCyZr8Gj/s1600-h/byeblog021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8bvI9ChWjFtv-IWc2pT541AdjUT2X2KOM980eccr3Yi2AogXA05aAOjod5ZTpujzSCpyMz9SQKWb0PtejQM69o9RUPky3TwOgqXEAX9zulkUh5Y-Q0tqgjp3-DFQzCyZr8Gj/s320/byeblog021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365945766976574818" /></a><br />Ailsa had been working on a cross-stitch for a few months and completed it just a couple of days before Samuel was born. Only his name and date of birth had to be added before it was framed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaEqxGdCxrMwIoL01ZfEtfc1t5kKQG9FTbhM5d5fd8e0B6hnT_Dcij-MIw3RfKfUtaUfztD3rpu6ML-1Z5NWAogKn_nkPRrhs1cio3K0FbCNeTXF4_i5k8NFGjfAMErf8Dy9p/s1600-h/byeblog020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaEqxGdCxrMwIoL01ZfEtfc1t5kKQG9FTbhM5d5fd8e0B6hnT_Dcij-MIw3RfKfUtaUfztD3rpu6ML-1Z5NWAogKn_nkPRrhs1cio3K0FbCNeTXF4_i5k8NFGjfAMErf8Dy9p/s320/byeblog020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365944471384242402" /></a><br />I though the result was sufficiently impressive to warrant a close up! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SunGw2zxWHda3OoW6aH1yFEWwD822BKOt2p68pnIN0y9eHqDA6QIrehS2_m22pc1uGyW85wUoNo4wQPxut_nWkvjnoG0BJtvO0RwAyMmCDKLki8kqi9LNJZFFiDqnZ4L1e0A/s1600-h/byeblog026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SunGw2zxWHda3OoW6aH1yFEWwD822BKOt2p68pnIN0y9eHqDA6QIrehS2_m22pc1uGyW85wUoNo4wQPxut_nWkvjnoG0BJtvO0RwAyMmCDKLki8kqi9LNJZFFiDqnZ4L1e0A/s320/byeblog026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365948243644255394" /></a><br />The boys all very fond of him already and have been to visit on a few occasions for cuddles. . Mark and Emma Grace had their third child a few days later and were delighted to welcome Zoe May Hinemoa into their family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2O1y7kOXh0ICUCvpnG4KBLsEM9HOmWD-sV0WI9RnJLbz1zXRAIRmNSMFOWZzqm-QzL_QdsSFhbitcgCMkCQRSTAPbQi8e2CW_mjLlxnydfWYHMlurbbreTo8N7faXndU8jxgN/s1600-h/byeblog002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2O1y7kOXh0ICUCvpnG4KBLsEM9HOmWD-sV0WI9RnJLbz1zXRAIRmNSMFOWZzqm-QzL_QdsSFhbitcgCMkCQRSTAPbQi8e2CW_mjLlxnydfWYHMlurbbreTo8N7faXndU8jxgN/s320/byeblog002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365942686891706994" /></a><br />New life is happening in the student world too. I spoke at the Overseas Christian fellowship Group at Auckland University and was really encouraged by the numbers but also meeting a couple of students who had come to faith. There are twice as many students involved in different groups in Auckland than there were three years ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd1WDX32OZNCLGI5TOC_M0k-KNGtvXHDg51S82kKw16ZXs1yIkSIgTZxT1LCfwm8sh1aXGLxldd0GKCq-ElT_t_tIxyANc_U9Tw9sC3U-2MnGIoXPG-GVRHVlxZTPpLxSI1tL/s1600-h/byeblog024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd1WDX32OZNCLGI5TOC_M0k-KNGtvXHDg51S82kKw16ZXs1yIkSIgTZxT1LCfwm8sh1aXGLxldd0GKCq-ElT_t_tIxyANc_U9Tw9sC3U-2MnGIoXPG-GVRHVlxZTPpLxSI1tL/s320/byeblog024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365947052967759234" /></a><br />Another new initiative was this past weekend in Welington. The two Victoria University groups put on a Cultural Marketplace event. This was extremely ambitious with food from about 10 countries for sale and a full programme of cultural events. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0TmRFf_9edsNrL7jT8yPmUxqYJfEMbcf7OUE0M7KiOscLt5Yc-DgvC3ycr1c3dIxIXIJ6GqvJEjBiZ0PEuapa3oGkhLw0nL1wrJUEs21h1EhnWbPmU1IL2TgfSywUpZmVJCt/s1600-h/byeblog022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0TmRFf_9edsNrL7jT8yPmUxqYJfEMbcf7OUE0M7KiOscLt5Yc-DgvC3ycr1c3dIxIXIJ6GqvJEjBiZ0PEuapa3oGkhLw0nL1wrJUEs21h1EhnWbPmU1IL2TgfSywUpZmVJCt/s320/byeblog022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365947635560163074" /></a><br />It turned out to be one of the best organised student events I have ever been to. Peng and Mel spoke very well about what the student groups vision is. The event was partly to raise funds for the groups local activities and IFES projects. I took part by doing three auctions. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblOWmRNDZDNNAqHQP6Hunnh0mvii9dQtTxcxqEeFiTYsHEE1cicD5MgN_MgSAKNkA5lVdUFcTDTAoaHp3KbXcTZsyVrjT8LCx1sBnifNrFvh89lV3yKDm-7JC3c1YOB38QA7R/s1600-h/byeblog023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblOWmRNDZDNNAqHQP6Hunnh0mvii9dQtTxcxqEeFiTYsHEE1cicD5MgN_MgSAKNkA5lVdUFcTDTAoaHp3KbXcTZsyVrjT8LCx1sBnifNrFvh89lV3yKDm-7JC3c1YOB38QA7R/s320/byeblog023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365949616684602738" /></a><br />I followed Craig's lead by wearing hybrid national dress. One of the student leaders was talking to me about my teaching from Daniel at mid year conference and then commented - "You do realise that you give us confidence to try crazy things". <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07jUAZJIQVHN5YhoxV0GDo22VWv-LJxx4zj3AYXTBm0Bxf9YhOcaegedJTA4EWEvrIQrSfe0O4C39dsaztUQC8JbD6gb4-juDM3_SoyX46MBJhzA9G0QdX9TglKPHA_dqzWKi/s1600-h/byeblog025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07jUAZJIQVHN5YhoxV0GDo22VWv-LJxx4zj3AYXTBm0Bxf9YhOcaegedJTA4EWEvrIQrSfe0O4C39dsaztUQC8JbD6gb4-juDM3_SoyX46MBJhzA9G0QdX9TglKPHA_dqzWKi/s320/byeblog025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365949029040933522" /></a><br />There were several hundred people there over the course of the evening. They had invited people from some of the embassies, local churches and also some other student societies to put on cultural performances. There was a great mix of styles of music and dancing and people participated from a huge variety of backgrounds. Culture is definitely an opportunity as we look to build relationships, develop mutual understanding and share faith.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8y7AEETFPaoPpSjK3v0WeTX-zx_xFWw6aPPR2nuQrEPMREPMHxiUycANIoZKbKBOXnc6B-NcQLynlwgnEyBYMhVTKf6EMaSn38nLCTk1G9uluJUfMnvXU8htdEU9owZI-9vHx/s1600-h/byeblog016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8y7AEETFPaoPpSjK3v0WeTX-zx_xFWw6aPPR2nuQrEPMREPMHxiUycANIoZKbKBOXnc6B-NcQLynlwgnEyBYMhVTKf6EMaSn38nLCTk1G9uluJUfMnvXU8htdEU9owZI-9vHx/s320/byeblog016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365942305837654386" /></a><br />Sport continues to be another opportunity for us building friendships and having fun. The hockey season is in full flow. The Wellington under 13 team won our first tournament. We won against Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Manawatu but had drawn with Horowhenua. This meant that if Horowhenua won their final game against Manawatu it would come down to goal difference. They had to win by 4 goals to claim the cup. With 5 minutes left they were 3-0 up and pressing forward. Manawatu got a penalty and as we held our breath they scored, so we won by a single goal. Goal difference, like a penalty shoot out, is a terrible way to lose something but it is an okay way to win! We are off to Blenheim this weekend on the South Island where we play in another tournament and will face the might of Canterbury. Jamie has just been picked for the Wellington Under 16 emerging players team. Craig is delighted to have been selected as a "rep" for the first time for the Under 11 Development Team. This makes the weekends quite busy! Craig's Hutt team is top of division one in the primary competition and Luke and Jamie's Wellington College Team is challenging for the semi finals despite being decimated by injury. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY5TqGtQ57Y85d9_KChO9nF6pX7AeeR_Luw-kwt0EJRe6c1KwewUfR7rizfXnOkB7-lEHMhFDcraMQmM3Zei2GaE_zWCXu09utFJJflZ-g3hD6EfhGCwsRzK6YOgL2-jlKeaD/s1600-h/byeblog017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY5TqGtQ57Y85d9_KChO9nF6pX7AeeR_Luw-kwt0EJRe6c1KwewUfR7rizfXnOkB7-lEHMhFDcraMQmM3Zei2GaE_zWCXu09utFJJflZ-g3hD6EfhGCwsRzK6YOgL2-jlKeaD/s320/byeblog017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365943005885359586" /></a><br />The boys sometimes complain when we abruptly stop by the roadside that I am slightly obsessive about taking photographs of sunsets. I enjoy the late afternoon light the most. Perhaps it is the sense of the day saying goodbye with a flourish. The clouds and sunlight drawing patterns in the twilight from the mixture that the previous day has held and signaling hope for the day to come. (for shepherds at least). So thanks for your support, prayers and encouragement. It is never easy saying goodbye but I WILL see you later.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-40649101083921922262009-07-01T20:24:00.001-07:002009-07-02T04:09:58.846-07:00Growing Pains<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaihUzEUXrGekOdJ711GZs9UsIfYDLQPlwgG5-01uOGuIv5pOrmQk5W4NtRK0JnvdxsKrdvSLaNJvlpy2_KtBagatToT0jqzfJzI1Eu8-k4QZD8aiShb1mTiLSbyNHUjBmSl0r/s1600-h/kapiti.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaihUzEUXrGekOdJ711GZs9UsIfYDLQPlwgG5-01uOGuIv5pOrmQk5W4NtRK0JnvdxsKrdvSLaNJvlpy2_KtBagatToT0jqzfJzI1Eu8-k4QZD8aiShb1mTiLSbyNHUjBmSl0r/s320/kapiti.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353698868636045458" /></a><br />Being back on the Kapiti Coast always makes me think about why we came to New Zealand and what we are doing here. I stopped recently as I was driving through with a whole mess of emotions churning around. The past few weeks have seen some great times, some huge encouragements but also some tough times and some difficulties. I have always been slightly sceptical of the value of printing bible verses on tee shirts but it was good to be reminded of the "Minty Verse" and to remember what God has done and is doing in our midst. God is in the growth business. Growth is slow and sometimes painful but God does indeed make his people grow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxy6mAS7eK4hiP89qJ1l7YYW72Jt9j_6CeMEdqX31PdykwFUhEDnq0O2bBTTJJE1cGbLP6QZ8bSzoQQs0uMz8l3TghBLIy35m8yKlIY2cRasWgTkHx5qm6pIacbwasye0v5L-/s1600-h/mintyclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxy6mAS7eK4hiP89qJ1l7YYW72Jt9j_6CeMEdqX31PdykwFUhEDnq0O2bBTTJJE1cGbLP6QZ8bSzoQQs0uMz8l3TghBLIy35m8yKlIY2cRasWgTkHx5qm6pIacbwasye0v5L-/s320/mintyclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353700194145303938" /></a><br />The Minty Verse is from Psalm 92. "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him." We look back with thankfulness at all that has been done but long to see people established who will bear fruit through the whole of their lives; who will be strong in God and provide strength and shelter to others.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQ4uI9eZgHDYps0PxRffi8xMcDi66lfQ-j3JfilqgcrG5_hlubFmqgoBkyUDV9cHd5XGzi3EBnOF9Xr3bdxhZBsPgcBsrVuyir2silDuY_OFGw2kM1AfWy0lVQt7VYdc70uAA/s1600-h/nigelminty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQ4uI9eZgHDYps0PxRffi8xMcDi66lfQ-j3JfilqgcrG5_hlubFmqgoBkyUDV9cHd5XGzi3EBnOF9Xr3bdxhZBsPgcBsrVuyir2silDuY_OFGw2kM1AfWy0lVQt7VYdc70uAA/s320/nigelminty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353700654234903954" /></a><br />We have a great group of interns doing Minty this year. Sarah (on my left) and Greg (on the extreme right of picture) are coming to Scotland in August for the first of our Leadership Conversations which we are calling “Influence with Imagination”. Probably one of the best things about the first three years in NZ is beginning to see some really good quality student leaders, interns and emerging staff being shaped by the work. I think we are entering a new phase where there are a number of green shoots beginning to emerge which have the capacity to bear fruit in the future.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qZJ8T3_vtMaQnEdj6a9lJwvL2_1OIGJCi6yXJOYrEE48uaVQkXqb7fb_gvPYJddi3sZt1SdqVajHk45rvIzN42VLrxBmZVKoPgMownqfQm_z0X5GAgS4j_bw3f-s0HjHwomf/s1600-h/nigeljoel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qZJ8T3_vtMaQnEdj6a9lJwvL2_1OIGJCi6yXJOYrEE48uaVQkXqb7fb_gvPYJddi3sZt1SdqVajHk45rvIzN42VLrxBmZVKoPgMownqfQm_z0X5GAgS4j_bw3f-s0HjHwomf/s320/nigeljoel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353701175964572578" /></a><br />Another Australian friend, Joel, who I have seen a couple of times since SPRITE in December, came to stay for a week on his way to lead a student team in Vanuatu. Joel spent a year in Vanuatu pioneering some student work and has a real passion for the Pacific Islands. We had some great breakfasts together and were able to speak about some possible opportunities for the future. I know he and the five students on the team would appreciate prayer for the next three weeks of teaching and outreach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXdWzrW5XorAWTOxlZSOQkyPHu8XMBUQI2ZwENT2CvohyphenhyphenEn1H-Ifdcn95zBXeS_KeV4zhUKwDL9z5VzLtjuJTMQ0G5bGJxtLRhBGqW0kVtt5EyC1ZjLh7eO-90D5BV2we66nh/s1600-h/joelsnooze.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXdWzrW5XorAWTOxlZSOQkyPHu8XMBUQI2ZwENT2CvohyphenhyphenEn1H-Ifdcn95zBXeS_KeV4zhUKwDL9z5VzLtjuJTMQ0G5bGJxtLRhBGqW0kVtt5EyC1ZjLh7eO-90D5BV2we66nh/s320/joelsnooze.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353701742328786802" /></a><br />We took Joel to watch the All Blacks play France the day he arrived. Now to be fair he had been up ALL night getting ready to leave AND it was not the MOST exciting game but for someone engaged in cross cultural mission, actually falling ASLEEP during the game did display an ALARMING LACK or cultural sensitivity<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw057FqIat3lGMnx19rHbhBjWlnwrxK4LFuQ2LlOuDE4Cl6rVzy0xbEUPsW4o7D8ZC9j3GDAAf8BjkmkYIkA1aGAkEh7Lwrwxkf7c0kUssoeLljJCkx_aTxx8CqgBg-lvSzwG/s1600-h/nigeljohn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw057FqIat3lGMnx19rHbhBjWlnwrxK4LFuQ2LlOuDE4Cl6rVzy0xbEUPsW4o7D8ZC9j3GDAAf8BjkmkYIkA1aGAkEh7Lwrwxkf7c0kUssoeLljJCkx_aTxx8CqgBg-lvSzwG/s320/nigeljohn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353701472430783202" /></a><br />I have been talking to John Criswell from the US about us developing some capacity in the US. The states are a significant player on the Pacific Rim although probably only those on the West Coast have much appreciation of that. John has been in New Zealand this week meeting people and getting a feel for what we are trying to do here. There could be a great advantage in developing new streams of funding, volunteer teams and staff for the Pacific Rim and we would appreciate prayer for wisdom in this. John has a long experience in student and church ministry and could be ideally placed to help us get things moving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBiMELGSsPO-Cghp4Loyy2qyMU-2KIG6VzMF1i-wknwST7wmr_58FgCACoJz3sJANmOy9OrDdVN6bKVZP-j6jJkQYlB6zFHrMf0p3KqDZbiuC8Y7udX5-T7KF7b420bEg1tMx/s1600-h/clouds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBiMELGSsPO-Cghp4Loyy2qyMU-2KIG6VzMF1i-wknwST7wmr_58FgCACoJz3sJANmOy9OrDdVN6bKVZP-j6jJkQYlB6zFHrMf0p3KqDZbiuC8Y7udX5-T7KF7b420bEg1tMx/s320/clouds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353699423438348274" /></a><br />But alongside the green shoots there have also been clouds and darkness. A friend died unexpectedly, within our closer circle in New Zealand there have been a couple of bereavements which have hit our friends hard. We have also been grieved by the machinations in the Church of Scotland at the recent General Assembly, the appalling crisis of leadership it represents and for many struggling to know how to respond with grace and integrity.<br />My Dad has been in hospital for almost three weeks. It is hard being on the other side of the world when this kind of thing is going on. He seems to be responding to the physio and the antibiotics are getting on top of the infection but they have not been able to discover the source of the blood infection or to diagnose the pain in his back. We appreciate the many expressions of support and prayer from friends around the world. We hope he may get home in the next few days but will be on crutches, will need some adaptions in the house and will be on antibiotics for 4-6 weeks. My mum is waiting for new glasses after her cataract operation but when they arrive should be able to drive again which will make a difference.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOl28RStyLlD_ICDzqHtmOp9fNukIEDq2M7FUXEpf_F30faVvrhHv13pYOh54KMbeh1x3WFZar798pB0eBuwPsFPETcczeeCaIaTfO2a3bzCXjlxUFP5tiqfO52T_d0ulPevIe/s1600-h/car.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOl28RStyLlD_ICDzqHtmOp9fNukIEDq2M7FUXEpf_F30faVvrhHv13pYOh54KMbeh1x3WFZar798pB0eBuwPsFPETcczeeCaIaTfO2a3bzCXjlxUFP5tiqfO52T_d0ulPevIe/s320/car.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353699777232684594" /></a><br />Sometimes the tough things and the good things are pretty close together. The Catalyst Graduate Conference got of to a bumpy start. Cameron and Alison were at the entrance to the camp road indicating to turn right. A car slammed into the back of them at 100 km bashing them into oncoming traffic. Another car coming the other way smashed into them. Fortunately the car had spun through 180 degrees so the impact was again to the rear. If it had been side on it would have been much worse. We were stuck in traffic for an hour and when I saw the wreckage I feared that we may have been facing a fatality. It was a reminder to us all of the fragility of life. The turning is notoriously dangerous, after an accident last year the camp wrote to the council and were told that there would have to be 4 deaths at that point before they would consider it bad enough to change the road layout. We were glad that Alison and Cameron did not make a more persuasive case for road safety!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-NtuCFNcZb7S3XXZgQdq0l7VpKXud5Le6Pmxcqv8XQrM2kW_xdZOXTkOdBcX6uvKE6a3aAeId3OtDqH3f3-fWA0bJMnnuYUewUssQF4piHkT_RNBP29lS8I5_lQcpRVUTcsb/s1600-h/graddinner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-NtuCFNcZb7S3XXZgQdq0l7VpKXud5Le6Pmxcqv8XQrM2kW_xdZOXTkOdBcX6uvKE6a3aAeId3OtDqH3f3-fWA0bJMnnuYUewUssQF4piHkT_RNBP29lS8I5_lQcpRVUTcsb/s320/graddinner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353700919296474962" /></a><br /><br />The Catalyst Conference was a great first step. We had over 100 there including a group from Priority Associates (the Campus Crusade connected workplace ministry who we have been talking with over the past year. I gave three key note talks on Daniel and we had streams for Marketplace and for Academics and Postgraduate students. Bob who leads Priority Associates in Auckland wrote after the event:<br />"I know this is a pretty crazy week for you with two back to back conferences. Thanks so much for your encouragement and affirmation. As I said in the e-mail to Mark partnering with you was an absolute pleasure. Thanks too for your ministry from the Word. I am busy getting feedback from those that we invited and your sessions in Daniel were the highlight for many of them. Cameron (the one who was not in the accident) said “The highlight of the conference was definitely Nigel Pollock's messages from Daniel. It was great to be challenged about being in the world but not of the world which I see as being probably the single biggest issue in the work place and permeates everything that we do.” Your prayer partners can rest in the knowledge that God used you and their prayers to minister deeply to these young professionals. So a heartfelt thanks. Who knows how God will use our mutual commitment to build His kingdom and honour our Lord Jesus Christ in transforming this nation." <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQplGRHTOtJVbzOy38ZmT8lPWSmdZebVP-xhauuzNu1dNa6deE4ssUnzT_oh21Xfu8MgO8ie2Ytdm8DBBFk4a3nf0dyECwHjs4STMfNPPOVDb-WaVWuVlUJyZ7UttD9fzip2n/s1600-h/conf2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQplGRHTOtJVbzOy38ZmT8lPWSmdZebVP-xhauuzNu1dNa6deE4ssUnzT_oh21Xfu8MgO8ie2Ytdm8DBBFk4a3nf0dyECwHjs4STMfNPPOVDb-WaVWuVlUJyZ7UttD9fzip2n/s320/conf2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353796580903594642" /></a><br />"Living the Dream" was the theme of our annual national student conference. As I write we are entering the last day of exploring "work, study and dreams to the glory of God". Andrew Becroft gave an excellent talk on integrity from Daniel 6 and I spoke on Tuesday on Faith Under Fire from Daniel 3. At this evening's talent show the Christchurch group did the best musical summary of any talk I have given - we must try and get it on YOu Tube. I am speaking in the morning at the final session on "Faith for the Future". As part of the conference we hold the TSCF AGM. It was a pretty encouraging meeting, a number of students have spoken to me about it since using words like "inspirational" and "life changing". Which was a little surprising to me to be honest! I was also encouraged by the note to Andrew from Chris Clarke Honorary President of TSCF, until recently Chief Executive of Hawkes Bay District Health Board. "Would you pass on my apologies to the AGM and also pass on my comments that I think it has been an excellent year for TSCF - that we are blessed with outstanding staff, a dedicated board, world class leadership in Nigel and some fantastic new initiatives such as Catalyst to celebrate."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhur0o3DPiwyEOVLYISe8mwKJzwjR_JBV_3zz8T9fYmB4hRy4fJvSbh721RM93Rxcqzg4oBIu2KcOElOK0LwCh_oOvH9QzFV41IVB6VEaqa5V5UNLjASELHqB5H3F3NjqN9ASSF/s1600-h/petonejunej.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhur0o3DPiwyEOVLYISe8mwKJzwjR_JBV_3zz8T9fYmB4hRy4fJvSbh721RM93Rxcqzg4oBIu2KcOElOK0LwCh_oOvH9QzFV41IVB6VEaqa5V5UNLjASELHqB5H3F3NjqN9ASSF/s320/petonejunej.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353706768849428418" /></a><br />I do not feel remotely world class at the moment. I am just trying to get through one day at a time. I have written a piece on <a href="http://culturalconnections.blogspot.com/2009/07/flotilla-and-fleet.html">Cultural Connections</a> which summaries what I said at the AGM and reflects something I have been speaking to a number of people about over the past couple of years and more intentionally over the past number of months. This last comment below only makes sense if you have read it!<br /><br />Steering through the smoke, shells exploding around, waves threatening to swamp my little boat, not always sure what is going on or where we are but glimpsing through the mist other little ships. And realizing that sometimes just keeping going is enough.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-20983574267325482062009-06-16T04:28:00.000-07:002009-06-18T15:26:51.876-07:00Don't mention the "I" word<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_m_px-ueC-KtoEoKKFj3SKxwERmE6HPf7QJkKKH0rJk4G7yycN8xxMbr0YeCjqusA0p2YSh696jVT0UaZA60FuXdXul5IunuMJKtoOvtkrRkMlbFhvdjfYZ0EQwDBPKRjkn-t/s1600-h/IMG_8312j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_m_px-ueC-KtoEoKKFj3SKxwERmE6HPf7QJkKKH0rJk4G7yycN8xxMbr0YeCjqusA0p2YSh696jVT0UaZA60FuXdXul5IunuMJKtoOvtkrRkMlbFhvdjfYZ0EQwDBPKRjkn-t/s320/IMG_8312j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347888215861081106" /></a><br />I was going through with a few people in the office some of the things that irritate and annoy me. They were 1. Being told something is impossible; 2. People saying anything is boring; 3. People putting limits on themselves by deciding that "they are not the type of person who..."; 4. People who always point out problems and explain why something can't be done; 5. A negative or critical spirit. It was pointed out to me that my commitment to number 5 may not be as strong as I would like to think given my articulation of points 1 through 4! But hypocrisy is on my OTHER list of things I dislike with a passion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnWW9z1FxoWWcCD_NhAf26rZhAsH5-Y13TgQfYnGE4rYSVWFIzNBHQTBWzSi9RKgKKYZJ96LL2WifA6I7TA5LXmM186nJ7NCrA7UaqdQP08nG3Zw_xG6t9mR7JjMHrUU9E0wB/s1600-h/impossiblealij.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnWW9z1FxoWWcCD_NhAf26rZhAsH5-Y13TgQfYnGE4rYSVWFIzNBHQTBWzSi9RKgKKYZJ96LL2WifA6I7TA5LXmM186nJ7NCrA7UaqdQP08nG3Zw_xG6t9mR7JjMHrUU9E0wB/s320/impossiblealij.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348596313260453010" /></a><br />The office discussion was occasioned by my being told twice in one day that something was impossible. Use of the "I Word" always makes me want to do it more!! So I was pleased to discover this Mohammed Ali poster in the Mall. "Impossible is just big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZJ4gTXM3xubHnHYoWAeZjCOCaUnt6ukjlSVIPoyD6ZmUOFkdT-khF4lKTKP-tJeJJ65ZN-Cuz_YPP7rhKGjqo1bCqpGLVjT3ox3uym9yQvZXjP7lvHIXMipdwmBPhhwLSNOw/s1600-h/coogee1j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZJ4gTXM3xubHnHYoWAeZjCOCaUnt6ukjlSVIPoyD6ZmUOFkdT-khF4lKTKP-tJeJJ65ZN-Cuz_YPP7rhKGjqo1bCqpGLVjT3ox3uym9yQvZXjP7lvHIXMipdwmBPhhwLSNOw/s320/coogee1j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348601691176599714" /></a><br />I guess if I was to summarise my sense of call to ministry it is to be involved in impossible things. I know this is utterly infuriating for some of my friends, colleagues and team mates but I am not very interested in maintenance. The first 6 months of this year I have been conscious of a growing commitment to take risks, to change, to pioneer and to create. The Pacific Partnership Trust is working to network and resource a new generation of leaders from the Pacific. I like the idea of thinking of this as an Impossible Missions Force! (this blog will self destruct in 10 seconds)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oC-TVljboZKe03MSSKXP9GeVr0HtSqq6n-JJbtl7QnVaK_2e30A2Z1tfdluOgKOpflIDUtIU4ofg1FZ_wjgC9ApzItYGz9skaUTCDSAcuzFJHRFQJD06IXaJ6MdgYKgdt7wN/s1600-h/coogee2j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oC-TVljboZKe03MSSKXP9GeVr0HtSqq6n-JJbtl7QnVaK_2e30A2Z1tfdluOgKOpflIDUtIU4ofg1FZ_wjgC9ApzItYGz9skaUTCDSAcuzFJHRFQJD06IXaJ6MdgYKgdt7wN/s320/coogee2j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348604258676732674" /></a><br />When we were in Scotland our newsletter used to be called "Postcards from the Edge". I have a renewed sense of call to live on the edge. These photographs are at a place which has become important to me in seeing the power of the waves pounding the rocks, the wide open sea stretching away from the beach and a path marked along the edge towards the gathering clouds. It reminds me that love casts out fear, that faith is a risky business and that I am frequently an impossible person! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgZBf_y4p7-73hE33-W_F2zsUfG0fiFZ5p97FHpPqd6XLGRRSHHJAjFHA8VvlcE_rJXz1iGBOQ_Gcv_ews5UutJSMWJIN6_JPVkgHqLbM3fvDqihL0qERwIrzZ_KV2k0Ymru9/s1600-h/IMG_1423j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgZBf_y4p7-73hE33-W_F2zsUfG0fiFZ5p97FHpPqd6XLGRRSHHJAjFHA8VvlcE_rJXz1iGBOQ_Gcv_ews5UutJSMWJIN6_JPVkgHqLbM3fvDqihL0qERwIrzZ_KV2k0Ymru9/s320/IMG_1423j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348614244520204978" /></a><br />We continue to look for people to work in the Pacific Rim and to support people from the Pacific working elsewhere. I am currently in the early stages of planning a number of "Influence with Imagination" leadership conversations. These will be small conversations rather than conferences and will look at engaging gospel and culture, relating faith to life and networking and mentoring a new generation of influence. We are also exploring how to develop some capability in both the US and Australia.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5ldpUNNoE-SegIYZx6HDJSKDv1LmlwGrdtYqIjLecIDEqhm9jL1tjkLlg9Zf3uOXQWK7HgIKiIlZx99D-oaSk4tMbyFOB4CG7j-cnCYMt8FBa0rIGIBECUZPcnnYYyswqBJH/s1600-h/IMG_1515j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5ldpUNNoE-SegIYZx6HDJSKDv1LmlwGrdtYqIjLecIDEqhm9jL1tjkLlg9Zf3uOXQWK7HgIKiIlZx99D-oaSk4tMbyFOB4CG7j-cnCYMt8FBa0rIGIBECUZPcnnYYyswqBJH/s320/IMG_1515j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348624186871947298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBgzMCKz3uFEEjV_rriseVo_8rwkmrZO42ogYQkg8hQxkeXZdy0lUTbcKKXzdvmiJ_oSsrdpcaPZXjf5ByDbmhZFKQ5DnTzBkFX67zaadlmvqcM4VRg5vEergo-ghfOpJsE9L/s1600-h/petenigelj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBgzMCKz3uFEEjV_rriseVo_8rwkmrZO42ogYQkg8hQxkeXZdy0lUTbcKKXzdvmiJ_oSsrdpcaPZXjf5ByDbmhZFKQ5DnTzBkFX67zaadlmvqcM4VRg5vEergo-ghfOpJsE9L/s320/petenigelj.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348624526822254050" /></a><br />On my recent visit to Australia I was able to have lunch with Pete, a friend from Australia and Neil a friend from Scotland who is having a sabbatical in Melbourne but was visiting Sydney. I am increasingly aware of the privilege of having friends around the world but also of the responsibility that comes with that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrQ0WXtzpSym0OfnmSfXGaJfxbnlw7BRqwXEFsU-F1Cw4hQuo7G11PC8ublDBx6f05DKeSivPryPqIWZvyA1su5yDB4cu_JD9oBMieOPkM_DJy8kejQj2ibuIQFy-BVVuwRjS/s1600-h/shadowj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrQ0WXtzpSym0OfnmSfXGaJfxbnlw7BRqwXEFsU-F1Cw4hQuo7G11PC8ublDBx6f05DKeSivPryPqIWZvyA1su5yDB4cu_JD9oBMieOPkM_DJy8kejQj2ibuIQFy-BVVuwRjS/s320/shadowj.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348609892630286818" /></a><br />In TSCF we are developing Catalyst as a new ministry to graduates, academics and post graduate students. I am speaking at the first Catalyst Conference over the last weekend in June. This will be a small but potentially significant gathering and will lead into "Living the Dream" our annual National Student Conference. I will be speaking from sections of Daniel at both events. I am also delighted that we have been able to appoint Viv Ayers as my new PA who will start in the middle of July.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqArjPvPiLq4z7QRkZ-tOeuZeN7ExbKHfLN93s5Qo_UO07uFEEoblGcLqS0xqhUytbMxW6Qu891en3SHzXVFZDsoLcPVb_-lOWC_FhRYxCqzLlDjs9nGK0cnzbbHQsuMGfIfe/s1600-h/ailsamic2j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqArjPvPiLq4z7QRkZ-tOeuZeN7ExbKHfLN93s5Qo_UO07uFEEoblGcLqS0xqhUytbMxW6Qu891en3SHzXVFZDsoLcPVb_-lOWC_FhRYxCqzLlDjs9nGK0cnzbbHQsuMGfIfe/s320/ailsamic2j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348610622853828610" /></a><br />Ailsa has been doing more of the teaching at Kids Alive at church. They have been following "Adventures in Science" and Luke has also been helping with a small group of 7 year olds. It is a significant time in the life of Knox and the church is attempting to engage with issues of vision, leadership, strategy and staffing. Colin Salisbury and I have been doing some facilitating of this process and are encouraged by the possibilities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn6Vi8DAdyLiF0ZuXbyh1pNCMNHHpuzOMQ9q1KApW7HP279zAfIwG19Fz3uG3CjPh4EK7czbYnX8wyu1QdUi8loqhr27Fjbu6NXw8B3E4g1WQV5wd2KMKuCCVCJbO66A7F21v/s1600-h/rain3j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn6Vi8DAdyLiF0ZuXbyh1pNCMNHHpuzOMQ9q1KApW7HP279zAfIwG19Fz3uG3CjPh4EK7czbYnX8wyu1QdUi8loqhr27Fjbu6NXw8B3E4g1WQV5wd2KMKuCCVCJbO66A7F21v/s320/rain3j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348611777984534466" /></a><br />The hockey season has seen some atrocious weather. We have been training and playing in a variety of conditions from drizzle to monsoon. One of the parents remarked that I would be finding it less of a problem; "being Scottish you probably have gills".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzh_EjfhcdS7ZbXngWqb8f4C2m92iR1TnVvslYXy9Lbte_FHED6SZBYIDAknfc1TT2BrbfR6xN60PUyxlf8Lz5Xheh-79M1hsR73RIXfm4wxySaNKpPQPhxj0y2KNvQEvvrB5/s1600-h/hockeyhailj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzh_EjfhcdS7ZbXngWqb8f4C2m92iR1TnVvslYXy9Lbte_FHED6SZBYIDAknfc1TT2BrbfR6xN60PUyxlf8Lz5Xheh-79M1hsR73RIXfm4wxySaNKpPQPhxj0y2KNvQEvvrB5/s320/hockeyhailj.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348612733061040002" /></a><br />We had the Wellington Under 13 trials over Queens Birthday Weekend and having endured most seasons over the two days were treated to hail storm during the last game which saw the ball pick up a ring of ice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7KU5kKrCzg7iqeJxz4qgxWfY7l7aTFOLbqIIdE_Db0YD8f23Yi3oV5uOzdvwHDfrW_ORkbEgez3SVJkuFUmbiNj8pUf8pwZF9-EBjnNgs0wbnUHqdYcmXB1v7JivTlEZ8A1M/s1600-h/p3boys+table.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7KU5kKrCzg7iqeJxz4qgxWfY7l7aTFOLbqIIdE_Db0YD8f23Yi3oV5uOzdvwHDfrW_ORkbEgez3SVJkuFUmbiNj8pUf8pwZF9-EBjnNgs0wbnUHqdYcmXB1v7JivTlEZ8A1M/s320/p3boys+table.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348622187725464274" /></a><br />Luke and Jamie's Wellington College Under 15A team which is playing in the open grade 3rd division with 4 1st XI and 3 2XI won the first round and only narrowly lost their promotion relegation match 2-1 against the college 2nd XI who were all in later years at school. Craig's Hutt team is unbeaten after 6 matches. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNczmJPJ5nW3bQ_gRMvSKY0Z-YSQdEwSbr4tQz1Lf8cy9I3ds2gLTeSH2gM-dqfTmowVPHO6Epzh63JilKPY1P72G_1Q1abqESQON7AZtYvQBz_-9mqSVt2yYOUT3zCGe9ZrS/s1600-h/IMG_1504j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNczmJPJ5nW3bQ_gRMvSKY0Z-YSQdEwSbr4tQz1Lf8cy9I3ds2gLTeSH2gM-dqfTmowVPHO6Epzh63JilKPY1P72G_1Q1abqESQON7AZtYvQBz_-9mqSVt2yYOUT3zCGe9ZrS/s320/IMG_1504j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348626412366091858" /></a><br />Craig celebrated his tenth birthday (slightly late) with a Star Wars Clone Wars Party at the house. We had 9 friends from school and church and they completed a number of Jedi training exercises.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K_rqBzZ4b8Y&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K_rqBzZ4b8Y&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Craig was able to pass on the benefits of his experience in vanquishing Darth Vader in a previous skirmish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxOdNGa9xtzHWMw3F-ycx8OAfUpIgYAWm4QuNqmxKv8B4Ov2Ht8fDqfUKBtt_gSLwgM5RWiYUHUbZoFU32YVDqDGrOCPY8f7rluhlDEZXuaSn1DFmmvZz89i_JRvvenpTPFr-/s1600-h/IMG_1501j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxOdNGa9xtzHWMw3F-ycx8OAfUpIgYAWm4QuNqmxKv8B4Ov2Ht8fDqfUKBtt_gSLwgM5RWiYUHUbZoFU32YVDqDGrOCPY8f7rluhlDEZXuaSn1DFmmvZz89i_JRvvenpTPFr-/s320/IMG_1501j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348627499470286882" /></a><br />Ailsa had made a C3P0 cake and they then watched the Clone Wars together. Craig is making good progress with his guitar and was also pleased to qualify for the Central Zones Cross Country.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fdMG78Mm3mkNB13n2F1q23WgeYb8Ek4-mLjGKk3DQP_YlD_vo5ZzRc9fuK6tAAMS9pULiiaTS8NK1k7vDCtanPDNnaEpLSiNhE48HpoSuy9ZmQy8L27jPjjsqvGQhM_vZGTe/s1600-h/LukeAirportj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fdMG78Mm3mkNB13n2F1q23WgeYb8Ek4-mLjGKk3DQP_YlD_vo5ZzRc9fuK6tAAMS9pULiiaTS8NK1k7vDCtanPDNnaEpLSiNhE48HpoSuy9ZmQy8L27jPjjsqvGQhM_vZGTe/s320/LukeAirportj.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348632428292813074" /></a><br />Luke has also been enjoying cross country and has been doing well at school. He is especially enjoying being in the Chorale. They competed in the Regional Big Sing competition.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LgrARTtPgsI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LgrARTtPgsI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Of the three pieces they performed this is the one I like the best.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_yZ8_Cyr1-EloLXbrDd_2wn_VbxaOPA2Bk4T2fc0VUn_3-iQVnXjqS9SboZ91SP34o3GBN6oUcNpLBO1m_tgS335j2tZnBq47qchqdxQtQEcpg8CtF2WtKQsNiB-eVwnvul1/s1600-h/Jamie+School+web+09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_yZ8_Cyr1-EloLXbrDd_2wn_VbxaOPA2Bk4T2fc0VUn_3-iQVnXjqS9SboZ91SP34o3GBN6oUcNpLBO1m_tgS335j2tZnBq47qchqdxQtQEcpg8CtF2WtKQsNiB-eVwnvul1/s320/Jamie+School+web+09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348629872197808994" /></a><br />Jamie was thrilled to be asked to play his pipes at the joint Cultural Extravaganza with Wellington Girls in the Town Hall. The combined choirs and orchestras were playing Highland Cathedral and Jamie started the piece off on the pipes and kept going all the way through. If he had known how many people were going to be watching I am not sure if he would have volunteered but he did really well. This was his first proper public performance and first time playing with other people - so it was a debut at the deep end! We felt both proud and nervous watching this little figure coming out to the front of the stage. People at school have been really positive to him which has been great. I love that he did not think of all the reasons why it was not possible but was willing to give it a go. I do have a clip of this which I will try to share next time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MiJi62WtbFmHaKXYB0Jw5XoyqGmr5qkxC2xo3d_YlViZ0Ii5z4HZ2DI0z6bo-lU_kcrX7QRCJFJQNlZFwO1G4F8qUKoJ57zYJO8Xg7Hbj4WhcVqiL50M2W4PLxR7AzktMgNU/s1600-h/jodiboatj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MiJi62WtbFmHaKXYB0Jw5XoyqGmr5qkxC2xo3d_YlViZ0Ii5z4HZ2DI0z6bo-lU_kcrX7QRCJFJQNlZFwO1G4F8qUKoJ57zYJO8Xg7Hbj4WhcVqiL50M2W4PLxR7AzktMgNU/s320/jodiboatj.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348776674060235986" /></a><br />Our friend Jodi leaves for the gulf region on Tuesday with a small student team for the next few weeks and to investigate student ministry opportunities in the longer term. I like that she did not think of all the reasons that it was impossible but has been willing to step out in faith. To her we say Bon Voyage, Courage, a Bientot and Bienvenue à la Force Impossible de Missions. (the last of which she will probably need Alex's help to translate). I know the team would value your prayers over the next month.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNdYcwu04Cmv7qMVf32T-K_FJA3rpu7LpxbETSKJPdrLZ24o4ON3SOqN7l718113OkDSiUlpUK9B0tRS190lK6Zk0OsmEf4Ss-1lM8VS6UVIHjHXKei37x-wjL4-0ewoTP5vy/s1600-h/IMG_1426j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNdYcwu04Cmv7qMVf32T-K_FJA3rpu7LpxbETSKJPdrLZ24o4ON3SOqN7l718113OkDSiUlpUK9B0tRS190lK6Zk0OsmEf4Ss-1lM8VS6UVIHjHXKei37x-wjL4-0ewoTP5vy/s320/IMG_1426j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348779379045490706" /></a><br />While in Melbourne with Ben and Val I came across this sign. It came as a shock to discover that Nigel Lee was not in glory after all but was running a small bakery in Melbourne. I looked inside half expecting to see his smiling face but it appears he my initial suspicions as to his location may in fact have been accurate. I continue to be grateful to him for inspiring and encouraging me to try to do things which seemed impossible at the time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrj6Efu0lPcB7J3EerCgiGOALjw2w0oAv9htjXda2dSfae0XyfiWpjkTfDomEGGXpH5RAD99yPGnxxkKP9yuxa7UvmIX2UD7HXUfifleLY2URhe7E5PUeD7YziqBvMhBtPG_XH/s1600-h/IMG_1425j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrj6Efu0lPcB7J3EerCgiGOALjw2w0oAv9htjXda2dSfae0XyfiWpjkTfDomEGGXpH5RAD99yPGnxxkKP9yuxa7UvmIX2UD7HXUfifleLY2URhe7E5PUeD7YziqBvMhBtPG_XH/s320/IMG_1425j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348780424955234354" /></a><br />I also thought this sign around the corner was one Nigel would have liked. He was a man who rather enjoyed being a nuisance and a mischief. I rather like the accusation that the angry mob bring to the city officials in Thessalonica in Acts 17 as they accuse the disciples of treason: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here" It is a little gender specific but it is a great motto for the Impossible Missions Force. Or as that other great nuisance George Russell would have quoted the same verse from The Message: "These people are out to destroy the world, and now they've shown up on our doorstep, attacking everything we hold dear!" You betcha!! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFn4JA4CFo0JF0HCLXW8TA3h8T_jTQJWBT6XOX7pDD1HpzlCRwuRfb3lt0uUD0qgDIo_khOhM6FX-OiNBrKLqgtUwhngTLgcG9BJTb6vsYXRNOyuqMkf6lJG4MHkw0jvBEiqN/s1600-h/mumanddad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFn4JA4CFo0JF0HCLXW8TA3h8T_jTQJWBT6XOX7pDD1HpzlCRwuRfb3lt0uUD0qgDIo_khOhM6FX-OiNBrKLqgtUwhngTLgcG9BJTb6vsYXRNOyuqMkf6lJG4MHkw0jvBEiqN/s320/mumanddad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348782988853750530" /></a><br />My Dad has been in hospital for the past few days. He has been having tests to try to get to the bottom of a sore back and an infection in his blood. He had an operation on his knee to clean out some possible infection there and is on an anti-biotic drip and morphine at the moment. He appears to be improving but my Mum was obviously concerned, especially when he had a night in the high dependency unit. My Mum still can't drive as she is recovering from a cataract operation but people have helped out. It is at times like this that I feel the 11,500 miles distance and feel quite powerless really! We would appreciate prayer for my folks and for wisdom for us as to the best way to help. I am next scheduled to be in Scotland mid August.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4necuKDrZWKEY1n069NCf1FzyT6Ai9X7POsR0VmdQ_QewVeiLmleulAwS0so0erYrJ-mfllF3y5QW5ZwkSowup9vi8XseFXoLVKUiZRA6llSmA2zDimYKRRyDOZlHrEFVYqt/s1600-h/IMG_1493j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4necuKDrZWKEY1n069NCf1FzyT6Ai9X7POsR0VmdQ_QewVeiLmleulAwS0so0erYrJ-mfllF3y5QW5ZwkSowup9vi8XseFXoLVKUiZRA6llSmA2zDimYKRRyDOZlHrEFVYqt/s320/IMG_1493j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348785464097689218" /></a><br />Overall I think we are doing pretty well at the moment but I am conscious of not having been in Auckland, Christchurch or Dunedin as often as I would have liked in the last few months. We have been under pressure in the office but with Anna returning and Viv starting there is some light at the end of the tunnel. (which hopefully is not a train coming to get us). Our house is slowly returning to normal but it has been an expensive and messy business and we still need to get the outside sealed and repainted. May and Holmes, the two American interns that Ailsa has been supervising leave in a few weeks. They have done a great job with the young people at church and will be missed. We have a number of staff working through visa issues. Do pray for Gillian and Sarah as their applications are reviewed and give thanks for Anna and Elliot being approved. It is kind of ironic that of all the people we know who have been applying for Visas this year the one who has had the least hassle is going to an Islamic country. Joel, another friend from Australia arrives on Saturday for a week before taking a student team to Vanuatu. We are looking forward to having him here. Ben (standing in front of the nuisance sign) and Jen are expecting their first baby in a few weeks and Mark and Emma Grace their third. There is a lot going on and much of what we are involved with is fragile. We are conscious that we could not do any of it without your prayers and practical support. Your partnership means a lot to us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFRvpYQFhW69mYAia0mFPMbIde-Jp2cvjsG-ad6VDE-D9n_NY_VX_-iKETNnhr-TVFXOzBrF4lW73gU-s25DvA8aEBUsRsDlceNnk9Fb_9M3QZlvR_sqrurmjz_Fl_jN_7Gd3/s1600-h/skyj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFRvpYQFhW69mYAia0mFPMbIde-Jp2cvjsG-ad6VDE-D9n_NY_VX_-iKETNnhr-TVFXOzBrF4lW73gU-s25DvA8aEBUsRsDlceNnk9Fb_9M3QZlvR_sqrurmjz_Fl_jN_7Gd3/s320/skyj.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348788873828816578" /></a><br />For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.<br />Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.<br /><br />Which is Paul's prayer for the Ephesians but is a great prayer for the Impossible Missions Force - as it is directed to a God who specialises in doing the unimaginable and that which we might consider impossible. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLWQvBLESNKuf_2X3Uw8MycNu_Sm1f2ZofVoatl8Jb6xODrUpTqaT0YPFboAn4o4cvsjGuNuSETxRUBVrzIxohbHOea8aHV1xAoDBfdrbQAMM_zucP1uhcIyRImpHObsN9rJy/s1600-h/IMG_1442j.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLWQvBLESNKuf_2X3Uw8MycNu_Sm1f2ZofVoatl8Jb6xODrUpTqaT0YPFboAn4o4cvsjGuNuSETxRUBVrzIxohbHOea8aHV1xAoDBfdrbQAMM_zucP1uhcIyRImpHObsN9rJy/s320/IMG_1442j.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348791389577195026" /></a><br />And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.<br /><br />God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a6QZe8ui5oWOgLfZB9N-CXOny34twPrTYoR4TSmcZGZDFsHthuvMN1jV1g2Lix1Mq2-vISYjjow_u1LKRrYLCFFoQNkQZd-p_8w8sD-dVSqcXB8Z3VBKFKUvjGr2ARijTZGq/s1600-h/milogo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a6QZe8ui5oWOgLfZB9N-CXOny34twPrTYoR4TSmcZGZDFsHthuvMN1jV1g2Lix1Mq2-vISYjjow_u1LKRrYLCFFoQNkQZd-p_8w8sD-dVSqcXB8Z3VBKFKUvjGr2ARijTZGq/s320/milogo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348794623777876034" /></a>Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-34498546483030935672009-05-24T12:15:00.001-07:002009-05-24T15:14:18.811-07:00Keeping Perspective<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcza-LZNrdDukDQfO4Qd05MsiNAvRDWQRguK1XXS7AdHYxjgVjO27ObFvyJrxaRrIriC-PcVS9DWIo2v0ij5duVT3_3Er224LXEFv8VpLx_hCtj-hxYDjiFy0-iT-jERllXzTB/s1600-h/persp008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcza-LZNrdDukDQfO4Qd05MsiNAvRDWQRguK1XXS7AdHYxjgVjO27ObFvyJrxaRrIriC-PcVS9DWIo2v0ij5duVT3_3Er224LXEFv8VpLx_hCtj-hxYDjiFy0-iT-jERllXzTB/s320/persp008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339476446725840898" /></a><br />After the last home Hurricane's game we got back to the house on an amazingly clear night. One of the things I like about Wellington is that there is not much glare from the city into the night sky. I got some cushions from the family room and we all lay on the drive looking at the stars. I stayed a bit longer. I like looking at things from different angles, trying to understand them. I increasingly think that having perspective and helping others to have a proper view on what is going on is a key leadership responsibility. It is not just about seeking to see things from God's perspective, it is about seeing everything in the context of who God is, what God has done, what God is doing and what God has said he will do in the future. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElIqhX0n6D_W9T162_PqbbADGNgYYLgQafKvAjAJzpn6vaOs1vRdKvxpY3cfMg6Ub5fTPKJ93MIVGj2SoAfpBW_MHjWwxkj8pJOI8rHMkpkdOydT55OKfMkqsK1PcdE5vCmJx/s1600-h/persp019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElIqhX0n6D_W9T162_PqbbADGNgYYLgQafKvAjAJzpn6vaOs1vRdKvxpY3cfMg6Ub5fTPKJ93MIVGj2SoAfpBW_MHjWwxkj8pJOI8rHMkpkdOydT55OKfMkqsK1PcdE5vCmJx/s320/persp019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339473689096720754" /></a><br />It is not just the night sky - everywhere we look there are reminders of God's eternal power and divine nature. Psalm 8 starts and finishes: "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"<br /><br />The Message translates it with a more immediate and obvious enthusiasm.<br /><br />"God, brilliant Lord, yours is a household name. <br />Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs <br />That drown out enemy talk, and silence atheist babble. <br /><br />I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, <br />Moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, <br />Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?"<br /><br />It is a rhetorical question! It is because of who God is and his desire that we see, appreciate and share his glory.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJArqce7fD5AUhm8EtBRFyUi03P9jRLZE5qvWVEmFiNJLaek98Zb5BtOz1v1Yn7GyfdRT5SJCeFaodXA4uaAeOkWbxCNad5xm6eKBXbMIkl_tSjjw0tJ1i1lTTmko2sr1I1aK/s1600-h/Photo+488.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJArqce7fD5AUhm8EtBRFyUi03P9jRLZE5qvWVEmFiNJLaek98Zb5BtOz1v1Yn7GyfdRT5SJCeFaodXA4uaAeOkWbxCNad5xm6eKBXbMIkl_tSjjw0tJ1i1lTTmko2sr1I1aK/s320/Photo+488.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339475966064482722" /></a><br />I had something of an identity crisis flying to Australia recently. You need an Electronic Travel Authority to be allowed to fly. (a kind of electronic visa). At check-in I was told I did not have one. They do expire but I was sure that mine had been renewed in November. "No!", I was told "There is another Nigel Pollock on the flight and he has one but you don't". Now it sounded a bit unlikely to me that there could be two Nigel Pollocks on the 6.40 am Wellington to Sydney flight but computers never lie! The Air NZ person swung the monitor round to prove it to me. At this point I noticed that the other Nigel Pollock had the same middle name as me and the same passport number. I tried to explain that obviously the other Nigel Pollock was me. This argument fell on deaf ears and I was sent to the ticket desk. Here it transpired that although both Nigel Pollocks had the same birth day we were in fact born in different years. The "other" Nigel Pollock was older and had not shown up for the flight yet. Eventually I managed to persuade him that this other Nigel Pollock was not likely to be coming and he conceded a data entry error might have been made. He was unable to correct the error so a new Nigel Pollock was loaded into the system with an ETA and I was sent back to check-in, at a different line. "Wow" exclaimed the operator "There are three Nigel Pollocks on this flight - which one are you?". "I'm the middle one, I know the other two pretty well, if the older guy turns up put him in the seat next to me but the other one doesn't have a visa so he won't be travelling". He diligently wrote this information down - bless him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr67EC7ki3X-U-CoY11s4hUElp32r7zDtKZqpnBuuGhBZwKAXNoimWdcOYZxYB4Nc2Hak43NDL45pNlQhtydkmFZ0QzQzWSkchOXybkybyiRelX_42FcCW_W2q0kR5_O9ftz-/s1600-h/persp002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr67EC7ki3X-U-CoY11s4hUElp32r7zDtKZqpnBuuGhBZwKAXNoimWdcOYZxYB4Nc2Hak43NDL45pNlQhtydkmFZ0QzQzWSkchOXybkybyiRelX_42FcCW_W2q0kR5_O9ftz-/s320/persp002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339475045457571554" /></a><br />On the internal flight to Melbourne I was reminded of that great line from Crocodile Dundee. I found myself standing behind an Australian guy at security check who got extremely annoyed that he was not allowed to take his 9 inch retractable hunting knife onto the plane. "You people need to go overseas to learn how to handle business people - you are unbelievable!" He was incensed that he was not allowed to take his knife with him, angry that he could not leave all his stuff at security while he went to check the knife and had no perspective at all that his behaviour might have been at all unreasonable. Memo to customs and security personnel here or overseas "Don't let irritable Australians onto planes with big knives - I don't care what business they are in". I am constantly amazed how people lose perspective when they travel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYp7g9Ay1EqpsTgGtV3hBGbCFMiNQ4SQTcbObHqGOTvhl11DW61AxZsnghir8Bb3GcPTQBlrGIYlwNortCcV1cTu2UE-Wb1Pf4Gaxmb6YcLbXbSfDMPXsRxlEAmu32kkbmVuf/s1600-h/persp016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYp7g9Ay1EqpsTgGtV3hBGbCFMiNQ4SQTcbObHqGOTvhl11DW61AxZsnghir8Bb3GcPTQBlrGIYlwNortCcV1cTu2UE-Wb1Pf4Gaxmb6YcLbXbSfDMPXsRxlEAmu32kkbmVuf/s320/persp016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339475234704537970" /></a><br />Thankfully I never lose perspective like that. I would never fall into the trap of thinking the world revolved around me. As I saw different people holding up signs to greet the other arrivals - I was surprised that they had gone to the trouble of making a billboard especially for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2REBh_SSDTNa9EMek3hJ0oOyiRLkBXjUxxySYR7Cp1PPM0eVmAhTWBw3yFgYcXEfCjhmDdWYaDqK_RlF_a7h55K7f2n3IwIFUCUICtWtAywoD6sxpaaOg2MmMINJetdCOgHrg/s1600-h/persp012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2REBh_SSDTNa9EMek3hJ0oOyiRLkBXjUxxySYR7Cp1PPM0eVmAhTWBw3yFgYcXEfCjhmDdWYaDqK_RlF_a7h55K7f2n3IwIFUCUICtWtAywoD6sxpaaOg2MmMINJetdCOgHrg/s320/persp012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339474760778848578" /></a><br />This was my first visit to Melbourne and I particularly enjoyed the variety of architecture. I like buildings that make you think and make a contribution that enables you to look at the landscape differently. It never ceases to amaze my how locals take so much for granted about the place they live.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g5nO7Y3NaiHoIiON2IkgyYMRAUd0v-O6qIQZQBC8UK7m6p15TPFHuQYFg_CwDqbNeiUP2CjUm9DNLeq2AoPGavXayTNbZdEhv7xP9NGgKijPQbeYz2HTqktlZSQDbsuEuFGB/s1600-h/persp013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g5nO7Y3NaiHoIiON2IkgyYMRAUd0v-O6qIQZQBC8UK7m6p15TPFHuQYFg_CwDqbNeiUP2CjUm9DNLeq2AoPGavXayTNbZdEhv7xP9NGgKijPQbeYz2HTqktlZSQDbsuEuFGB/s320/persp013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339474627651320658" /></a><br />I had a couple of hours between meetings where I walked around central Melbourne. One of the reasons I did not get lost was that there were a number of pairs of city guides, mostly retired volunteers, wearing distinctive red jackets and very keen to help with directions, suggestions and maps. I mentioned this later to the people I was staying with and they had never heard or seen anything of these volunteers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZXFAcUOruxiwENmOtBo75urd7OZRuKbAkvIguzms24dEunwix7pdiRpi4CPZGTAiG4aDwDZRa_8MKF1pURA3nztamcBZgJZari94iO-f1uiLjnUtS2SoK86omy0whT1BsKaD/s1600-h/persp007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZXFAcUOruxiwENmOtBo75urd7OZRuKbAkvIguzms24dEunwix7pdiRpi4CPZGTAiG4aDwDZRa_8MKF1pURA3nztamcBZgJZari94iO-f1uiLjnUtS2SoK86omy0whT1BsKaD/s320/persp007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339473987825978466" /></a><br />I wondered how many Australians would feel the same about church. Pretty obvious that it's there but totally unaware of what it was about and not knowing that there are people there who can help you if you get lost. I am not sure that this kind of building sends out many of the right signals and maybe that is part of the problem in the churches growing invisibility.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGOm1Oqd7ZPR22F9bQ9G9ABXY60ChR1fjY4glsnFi1WgPfdcqeAMQw9cSkz-b7lyWx1H15iWSmCznczfMU0eOWAi0wc5PkLWE-xQtr3d1KHl5lAD16UB71Zo867Eq6VC1lVop/s1600-h/persp010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGOm1Oqd7ZPR22F9bQ9G9ABXY60ChR1fjY4glsnFi1WgPfdcqeAMQw9cSkz-b7lyWx1H15iWSmCznczfMU0eOWAi0wc5PkLWE-xQtr3d1KHl5lAD16UB71Zo867Eq6VC1lVop/s320/persp010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339474458196692546" /></a><br />Outside was this bay of seats. Why were they once only for women? Clearly no one bothered to see the benches as gender specific now. What lasts and has value in that in is derived from God's character and what is temporary and insignificant and is to do with a cultural expression of something at a period in time. How do we help people tell the difference when sometimes we are not that clear on it ourselves?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQZ7xpMbqzZHs5ekR-sFwFV-AgkgP0FFJnzLnFOPwZHcsZenHEpmKS64mI0YbSqHKQhSBh3p2GgdlT81OEk4UyhY43oIKSOpcXMYOQh3nmUx2frRN7jU2yxMngNFMl3D_IfG9/s1600-h/persp006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQZ7xpMbqzZHs5ekR-sFwFV-AgkgP0FFJnzLnFOPwZHcsZenHEpmKS64mI0YbSqHKQhSBh3p2GgdlT81OEk4UyhY43oIKSOpcXMYOQh3nmUx2frRN7jU2yxMngNFMl3D_IfG9/s320/persp006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339474310362899954" /></a><br />One of the other things I enjoyed about Melbourne was the amount of written communication; on pavements, posters and buildings. I increasingly believe that post-modernism was a late baby boomer attempt to explain a generational watershed that they never understood. Much of the analysis has turned out to be faulty. The desire for certainty and hunger for authenticity is etched large on the contemporary cityscape. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibngajLWn5BtPg-d2Qm54LGTPiRORjuZNZtlbTRtPgrBluCYE4IXxQO1u4fyWkN5qZGoU-Z1vvifihwY4FhyphenhyphenZ8gzrGz9s-vL02HzyRb7R4QNmkJ_mw4v62MOfAGy9sCsOPRP1e/s1600-h/persp003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibngajLWn5BtPg-d2Qm54LGTPiRORjuZNZtlbTRtPgrBluCYE4IXxQO1u4fyWkN5qZGoU-Z1vvifihwY4FhyphenhyphenZ8gzrGz9s-vL02HzyRb7R4QNmkJ_mw4v62MOfAGy9sCsOPRP1e/s320/persp003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339473205873082882" /></a><br />Electronic or real...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58mDmLaopJ0lVGNCvSn14ql6b6-rVwcs_QJrFQTVWK2LWxT1lKUiZmZg0r2s_vPP07UdbLSwAE66biBhlhhapf1D7ssDZ_hHc45nm06SxyURnkMGDNjTqJTaGGUeIt1upsVfz/s1600-h/persp017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58mDmLaopJ0lVGNCvSn14ql6b6-rVwcs_QJrFQTVWK2LWxT1lKUiZmZg0r2s_vPP07UdbLSwAE66biBhlhhapf1D7ssDZ_hHc45nm06SxyURnkMGDNjTqJTaGGUeIt1upsVfz/s320/persp017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339473079933665714" /></a><br />There at least choices available in 21st Century Australia.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQAyTxDn0iKvQzi5U3VphM-K5Pckd_MNM8vc8pmtZGVQ0FTNceF9i2I9GlYslylmeIM-iXqif-tBreYjRkN20KxpKDqfBSG0Xf7WACTZa5tvMYRxhqv0E5njMxnQsXvOoklDP/s1600-h/persp015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQAyTxDn0iKvQzi5U3VphM-K5Pckd_MNM8vc8pmtZGVQ0FTNceF9i2I9GlYslylmeIM-iXqif-tBreYjRkN20KxpKDqfBSG0Xf7WACTZa5tvMYRxhqv0E5njMxnQsXvOoklDP/s320/persp015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339473459904896610" /></a><br />I had a great time in Melbourne meeting a couple of potential staff and hearing something of the work with international students. I can see why many Kiwis like Melbourne and feel that it resonates with a New Zealand attitude to life. I then spent a day in Sydney, beginning to explore how the Pacific Partnership Trust can develop younger leaders in Australia and being able to catch up with Jodi and Joel. (Jodi was with us last month and Joel is coming over next month to stay for a week on his way to Vanuatu with a small team).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KNVWw54Hp8GkTGfwsG-LOKyp7MCVz-Cl6aAClkrrFf8ynG7X8lHOIWYNFuzUVmrbPm-OB3LFfbOOxnGBcGJn9hOh1haZcO4VPTssTWfrw9qYVyAdhIz1eLrAWBNlJW88UH3o/s1600-h/founain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KNVWw54Hp8GkTGfwsG-LOKyp7MCVz-Cl6aAClkrrFf8ynG7X8lHOIWYNFuzUVmrbPm-OB3LFfbOOxnGBcGJn9hOh1haZcO4VPTssTWfrw9qYVyAdhIz1eLrAWBNlJW88UH3o/s320/founain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339497812950101186" /></a><br />It was pretty close to a perfect day. I flew back refreshed and encouraged and with a better perspective. And (especially for those of you who think that I am always getting into trouble traveling) without any notable incident of any kind! I will be back in Australia for a few days in a weeks time. Unlike the knife wielding businessman I find I gain perspective when I travel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94wnj_606zPSCtfVxebtsbCneRxM_iYTiLV9mAH2jGLaS8Mn_5J7lZfZ2imtpln48KM6Vge4CmruRVluQVEdW90SPWjAlGrAjxjmISLg1exTdolMq20qXOWyR6LT2l8-wBRfv/s1600-h/persp001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94wnj_606zPSCtfVxebtsbCneRxM_iYTiLV9mAH2jGLaS8Mn_5J7lZfZ2imtpln48KM6Vge4CmruRVluQVEdW90SPWjAlGrAjxjmISLg1exTdolMq20qXOWyR6LT2l8-wBRfv/s320/persp001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339472833344372466" /></a><br />Both Hockey teams I am coaching have had a good start to the season. The Hutt P1 team that Craig is the goalie for have won their first 4 games and are top of the first primary division. I really think this could be our season to win! The Wellington College Under 15 team, which Luke and Jamie are playing for is in a tough division with 4 College 1st XI, 3 Colege 2nd XI and us. We were well beaten by Raphael House in the second match but having beaten Hutt Valley High 23-0 and the previously unbeaten Onslow College we are top of the league on goal difference and challenging for a promotion playoff spot. Next weekend is the Wellington Under 13 trials so I will be chairing the selection process for the two Under 13 Wellington Rep teams.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Eg-CzWPVkU944N0UyLoqzssUYkoYZ5Rc1PlEkYPp3jfHxsP4cXeJSQZFnNB6jIpmS9WyYHTx8FJqUUuvTlENHzYaCzyX1CCxqQBp9DW8QVvKofDsEwh83aYf8RxDfKUJoryy/s1600-h/persp014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Eg-CzWPVkU944N0UyLoqzssUYkoYZ5Rc1PlEkYPp3jfHxsP4cXeJSQZFnNB6jIpmS9WyYHTx8FJqUUuvTlENHzYaCzyX1CCxqQBp9DW8QVvKofDsEwh83aYf8RxDfKUJoryy/s320/persp014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339472515108550226" /></a><br />Jamie had his 13th birthday the day he started at Wellington College. So we finally managed to celebrate with his friends on Saturday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96jrkshXxm38-BMcTJQeMF85puvnG9DW-XmrUQqhdjN2n6ONp3WS_jgayEgNdulAwezsMMq3Tk30c9mNRVkCYLldZmh5xQR-2HfNjNXps00O5bdUPHizzKXDmMx4JLHr7q1Bl/s1600-h/persp018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96jrkshXxm38-BMcTJQeMF85puvnG9DW-XmrUQqhdjN2n6ONp3WS_jgayEgNdulAwezsMMq3Tk30c9mNRVkCYLldZmh5xQR-2HfNjNXps00O5bdUPHizzKXDmMx4JLHr7q1Bl/s320/persp018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339472285958375186" /></a><br />The last time we went go carting Craig had been too young to join in so we was particularly excited to be able to participate. I was the only one on the track with a driving license but found the lack of power steering took a bit of getting used to!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LIRKW9eHB5VjUKIk7QjlFkW4XbHnujn30CPFpG2T_auMy_RdKd0YZeN_KWxG-nesgVIhsiEsyo51A1jwA81cXD2S9PAe0cLDRFDUM-HAAsEvV9v_6fvZe_zQyjzbUJvGUZVW/s1600-h/persp009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LIRKW9eHB5VjUKIk7QjlFkW4XbHnujn30CPFpG2T_auMy_RdKd0YZeN_KWxG-nesgVIhsiEsyo51A1jwA81cXD2S9PAe0cLDRFDUM-HAAsEvV9v_6fvZe_zQyjzbUJvGUZVW/s320/persp009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339472115851136546" /></a><br />We also had a game of laser tag. Where the green team led by the birthday boy looked menacing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5PmdVmob67mybCQwWBAPHO1wQ7Zp7GIgy_IsH3ptT9Uwnj2hLBiao52aLYCXGlovLWz0zdhhgN_BJPS73p7pG3ehuJYSTLcB54q0uQlpl6mdLTnwBQf2lvyZXuutY9qxme6e/s1600-h/persp004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5PmdVmob67mybCQwWBAPHO1wQ7Zp7GIgy_IsH3ptT9Uwnj2hLBiao52aLYCXGlovLWz0zdhhgN_BJPS73p7pG3ehuJYSTLcB54q0uQlpl6mdLTnwBQf2lvyZXuutY9qxme6e/s320/persp004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339471946845825218" /></a><br />But were no match for the invincible "reds" - Not that I am at all competitive. And yes they did look a bit more orange to me as well. We went back to the house where Ailsa had rustled up a cake in the shape of a helmet and various other goodies. She was especially pleased that the inside of the lounge was finally finished for the boys being round and although we are making slow progress there is still work to be done coating and painting the outside of the house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6SIPnJge3J9FvwknkU0Lv975ax2eZA7lT14ISxpCLd5mnOMolCBOAgAn_CVdXKqYK4ifNk_fYUHIBnteQv9H8Z9RWmGcc7EhKmbSfZU2bANbFvsFO2NO1w_u1FjThH-wMo3-/s1600-h/Photo+504.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6SIPnJge3J9FvwknkU0Lv975ax2eZA7lT14ISxpCLd5mnOMolCBOAgAn_CVdXKqYK4ifNk_fYUHIBnteQv9H8Z9RWmGcc7EhKmbSfZU2bANbFvsFO2NO1w_u1FjThH-wMo3-/s320/Photo+504.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339476237344502050" /></a><br />There have been a number of other encouragements over the last couple of weeks. Further response to the Vision Issue has been positive and I had a good day in Palmerston North meeting church leaders and speaking to the student group. Catalyst - the new graduate ministry is slowly building momentum. I also spoke at the SU staff conference and was given a moving note from one of the people there which I asked for permission to share here for the encouragement of those who support us here.<br />"I have really appreciated your teaching at all the different SU events I have heard you at over the last few years. I always look forward to you speaking because I know it will be significant for me. The first time you came I was seriously considering leaving ministry and God used your talks to confirm my calling despite the hardships I was facing at the time. I appreciate the way you start in the Bible, stay in the Bible and finish in the Bible not using clever techniques but allowing the Bibke to speak and just adding helpful illustrations. Your talk today on "Disappointments, Frustrations and Failures in Ministry" was a great encouragement to me again and I thank God for you being so honest and real".<br /><br />One of our passions in New Zealand and indeed around the Pacific that people would gain perspective from the Bible. Every now and then I get glimpses that it's happening - from my perspective anyway!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2f-A2GxPc61LooZKKqllZubd85wawNahpEE1LWrTqaRxNEhybPDOUuRvsoimGji7U6BW5J_YNUQaYj8b3-ZeWGeUT3leV9RHqZVryqLu4zZ5JHOLDrqSch09HrkD4AvaqbEl/s1600-h/melbourne-motto.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2f-A2GxPc61LooZKKqllZubd85wawNahpEE1LWrTqaRxNEhybPDOUuRvsoimGji7U6BW5J_YNUQaYj8b3-ZeWGeUT3leV9RHqZVryqLu4zZ5JHOLDrqSch09HrkD4AvaqbEl/s320/melbourne-motto.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339514949145607906" /></a><br />A couple of other things coming up this week which are significant. <br />On Tuesday Colin Salisbury and I are meeting with the elders of Knox (our church in Wellington). We have been asked to lead a review process in helping us to think about where we are and how we can move forward together. Colin nad I have been meeting with people over the last few weeks and Tuesday is the next step in the process. There is huge potential and we believe a willingness to change.<br />On Wednesday we are interviewing for a new PA. We have short listed 3 candidates and the right person could make a huge difference. Raewyn, Andy and I are interviewing and would value wisdom and discernment.<br />On Thursday and Friday I am thinking about how we can develop the work in the US and in the UK as part of our global strategy with PPT.<br /><br />And in case you were wondering, the latin is the motto Melbourne and to save you contacting my father in law for a translation means "We gather strength as we go". May it be so!Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-61960317943225207992009-05-03T04:14:00.000-07:002009-05-03T06:36:57.089-07:00Anzac Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqn8ai_VgymGCz6oWvPHKT7l5qOxDCS3Ojl5IVFul1hYDwYoldL4s4bvQ9EIrCGGJhufKGGkpzZ-NqlZI_oNVZHoWuDPzltF9p2Q7BLKyaTKGNKTOde_jUS-XcXM46PNFnR4L/s1600-h/450px-WGNT_Cenotaph_07_ANZAC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqn8ai_VgymGCz6oWvPHKT7l5qOxDCS3Ojl5IVFul1hYDwYoldL4s4bvQ9EIrCGGJhufKGGkpzZ-NqlZI_oNVZHoWuDPzltF9p2Q7BLKyaTKGNKTOde_jUS-XcXM46PNFnR4L/s320/450px-WGNT_Cenotaph_07_ANZAC.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331555037885376722" /></a><br />The 25th of April 1915 marks the day that a combined Australian and NZ force landed at Gallipoli. It was a campaign that was to gouge a scar through the prime of a generation and forge an emergent sense of nationhood in both countries. The campaign was poorly conceived and even more poorly managed. By the end over 120,000 men had died: more than 80,000 Turkish soldiers and 44,000 British and French soldiers, including over 8500 Australians. Among the dead were 2721 young New Zealanders, about a quarter of those who had landed on the peninsula.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPD_EDofvFN6HdIKmiqdGk5be-6rYei3b4Ijt8jh1Tq-8RnZv5-9ACfeXvO9GJkRqctiBmrFOxT2K4slIuARdGmuyNau4csKYNXe011-OXBN5TvdTb3LORiVHcJ_lw6X0TlVG/s1600-h/anzac002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPD_EDofvFN6HdIKmiqdGk5be-6rYei3b4Ijt8jh1Tq-8RnZv5-9ACfeXvO9GJkRqctiBmrFOxT2K4slIuARdGmuyNau4csKYNXe011-OXBN5TvdTb3LORiVHcJ_lw6X0TlVG/s320/anzac002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331556767041749410" /></a><br />The loss of life on the Western Front for both nations was to prove more significant but it was Gallipoli that first brought the impact of the horror of modern warfare home to Australia and New Zealand. As early as 1916 there was a half day of holiday and dawn services remembering the lost. Since then it has become the day of remembrance for all those lost in conflicts from these islands.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVi__SWTPc5rE6QybYVoCWShnb_AZfugPVlA_t8UPMns5Ouj4drZzbruy9vjPPVx-6lid1aUjPG-RyMw1-x0u85gEY4yFVL1yetDe74uJmQ9SYuVW71yXCfondLqmqiCOqqAA/s1600-h/anzac001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVi__SWTPc5rE6QybYVoCWShnb_AZfugPVlA_t8UPMns5Ouj4drZzbruy9vjPPVx-6lid1aUjPG-RyMw1-x0u85gEY4yFVL1yetDe74uJmQ9SYuVW71yXCfondLqmqiCOqqAA/s320/anzac001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331558265218605090" /></a><br />Over recent years the numbers marching at dawn services has increased. Craig has wanted to go for a couple of years but we had not had the opportunity before this year. We went into Wellington to attend the dawn service at the cenotaph. Ailsa and Ben came too. (Luke was in Nelson with the youth group and Jamie at a sleepover at a friends).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1qMfJuiY2Npqrj-jkOrLnkie6unh7IP3qDpKS2Ni62UxS2oOyW3Qdu1VEYbLcgRgE490wi0paDVcsFmO4edPSXUw0l9Z2t-pw2fXaT13kh8ENKatZUlDE-rMCCf8nJQ6MCzC/s1600-h/anzac003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1qMfJuiY2Npqrj-jkOrLnkie6unh7IP3qDpKS2Ni62UxS2oOyW3Qdu1VEYbLcgRgE490wi0paDVcsFmO4edPSXUw0l9Z2t-pw2fXaT13kh8ENKatZUlDE-rMCCf8nJQ6MCzC/s320/anzac003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331560274073498466" /></a><br />I find the whole idea of Anzac Day and its place as one of the founding legends of the nation fascinating. I would like to write more about it but I do not really understand it yet!. It was interesting how few people joined in with the hymns and how many clapped when the veterans marched past. It is certainly hard to imagine such a diverse group of people gathering at dawn on Armistice Day in the UK. After the service we walked down to the dockside to watch a breath taking sunrise over the harbour. People sat or stood in small groups but there was some sense of being together, sharing and celebrating some heritage, identity or memory.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9raWE0zriufce0CCkT38eJiwZ3F7rNf8Bcu1AOTQnoyBCmm66N66UfyG0c6yLLFn-Y9AUWW-M72jrGTSE0P7B4PeUQ-njwnyQvhDBVUrd4Z0uXSTx5KoyqYP8CDRBo32vLQn/s1600-h/2886_508005776770_157900264_30312466_7044321_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9raWE0zriufce0CCkT38eJiwZ3F7rNf8Bcu1AOTQnoyBCmm66N66UfyG0c6yLLFn-Y9AUWW-M72jrGTSE0P7B4PeUQ-njwnyQvhDBVUrd4Z0uXSTx5KoyqYP8CDRBo32vLQn/s320/2886_508005776770_157900264_30312466_7044321_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331562341175954370" /></a><br />Luke got safely back from the Knox Youth Mission Trip to Nelson. They were able to do a mixture of running programmes at a kids camp, some practical service in the community and some fun. The highlights for Luke were helping with the activities at the camp and going on a tramp at the end. We have been really impressed with May and Holmes the two interns we have had this year and they did a huge amount to make the trip a success.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ88oQL6F08s9RFRpSuFDgw6xMJYd52CDgdADzoV9PbCGUriUMHaKHaArHMpv6wARn2PPmtpj3H5UrJdAZaIX-l_yedJmaodXjx0tCqWWUtdv9iNs74F2s2FiaSGDHiRVDOVTa/s1600-h/anzac014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ88oQL6F08s9RFRpSuFDgw6xMJYd52CDgdADzoV9PbCGUriUMHaKHaArHMpv6wARn2PPmtpj3H5UrJdAZaIX-l_yedJmaodXjx0tCqWWUtdv9iNs74F2s2FiaSGDHiRVDOVTa/s320/anzac014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331562155680480194" /></a><br />I am coaching all the boys this year. (a situation which is unlikely to happen again!). Luke and Jamie are both playing for the Wellington College Under 15 A team. We are playing in the P3 Grade which is a mixture of 1st XIs, 2nd X1s and us. Our first game was against Scots College 2nd XI. Some of their players were 18 and some of our guys looked small in comparison but we played well in the pouring rain to win 2-1.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mIkYpbume9ttEEHkDoDacM0MxEEc6D4X3teZmVkEHlZQCzMSfDGlwgs_8q8UQxtmocohoCHRSp2gDGHGmG6XGIExuj7uaWvQcB__9heRhFB-xXbfqadVAn2XAy9niUqJey4n/s1600-h/anzac004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mIkYpbume9ttEEHkDoDacM0MxEEc6D4X3teZmVkEHlZQCzMSfDGlwgs_8q8UQxtmocohoCHRSp2gDGHGmG6XGIExuj7uaWvQcB__9heRhFB-xXbfqadVAn2XAy9niUqJey4n/s320/anzac004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331564671470706946" /></a><br />Craig is playing for the Hutt P1 team. You may find it hard to spot him in the picture as has decided to try his hand as a goalie. We got off to a good start in our first match on Saturday with a 5-0 win over Upper Hutt. Craig only touched the ball once but it was a good quality save with his feet clearing well out to the side.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cIiC0BXqud2qFxy3P-EYI_2Y7OXT1akbSWWemkWHK9Frq9vhAwMZRGG7qF6aR2XwGEEd0LX9_WHzcOrK1YinTLJGxJNzuuFMBLsYnjk-9qHwHZiS4ryJMAGJ5Dmx_dj9-JKN/s1600-h/anzac012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cIiC0BXqud2qFxy3P-EYI_2Y7OXT1akbSWWemkWHK9Frq9vhAwMZRGG7qF6aR2XwGEEd0LX9_WHzcOrK1YinTLJGxJNzuuFMBLsYnjk-9qHwHZiS4ryJMAGJ5Dmx_dj9-JKN/s320/anzac012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331567216294421042" /></a><br />Craig's kit bag is just about bigger than he is but it is good having a goalkeeper who is not last when we are doing our running and he seems very keen and eager to learn. Ailsa decided that it was more emotionally taxing watching a child playing in goal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LUBxYNnLNHMa597YDE2LjDzKEiKM2FDSl78WGLD5dxg_OyoQ11Ulvd2Y2Lafs20WASAneqoM7ncFh5YqS06rPp0VCqYOk_8fG7mH3Wfiw4V7s0Q5lneVfc2Zt3fgwy6TWEWk/s1600-h/anzac007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LUBxYNnLNHMa597YDE2LjDzKEiKM2FDSl78WGLD5dxg_OyoQ11Ulvd2Y2Lafs20WASAneqoM7ncFh5YqS06rPp0VCqYOk_8fG7mH3Wfiw4V7s0Q5lneVfc2Zt3fgwy6TWEWk/s320/anzac007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331568080440742642" /></a><br />One of the good things going into what will be my 4th season coaching in NZ is that there are now a number of families that I have had contact with over a few years. I already know, at least a little, most of the players in both teams. Both teams will train on a Monday with games being on Thursday for Luke and Jamie and Craig on Saturday mornings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWNUlUt6AGCSYW96-mQzwEFW_FIxN1p1QOM4seaut5sHiqqyicR5tp7fVsGp88aXgdgjO4CjySGsBNoqoSJPpSVnVCwg5gmkgtN490bK47pd-QaVCbsXuUb_EeSiKDfh9k8dS/s1600-h/anzac008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWNUlUt6AGCSYW96-mQzwEFW_FIxN1p1QOM4seaut5sHiqqyicR5tp7fVsGp88aXgdgjO4CjySGsBNoqoSJPpSVnVCwg5gmkgtN490bK47pd-QaVCbsXuUb_EeSiKDfh9k8dS/s320/anzac008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331585664670847314" /></a><br />After a week of appalling weather the sun came out at the weekend. Wellington is a great city and we really enjoy living there. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_ZGwythmi1wlKwfhFvuwjYkx6TBTCnesmhxMA6cov-Q6Un6NruuoPWFkexCjk8K3XSmNMEWzMAecn9o-fxfHJ7sjgtkcR3B8-tDIDt2vN0i21YZEOcXq4FJlcupHmrycplsS/s1600-h/anzac005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_ZGwythmi1wlKwfhFvuwjYkx6TBTCnesmhxMA6cov-Q6Un6NruuoPWFkexCjk8K3XSmNMEWzMAecn9o-fxfHJ7sjgtkcR3B8-tDIDt2vN0i21YZEOcXq4FJlcupHmrycplsS/s320/anzac005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331588781043312818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLskYWYFf56zLvDAfilS8o9KnSHZ-zdhrrHVBYC5b3ns1l6Htk9x9skIxtixJd00JBN7lgOryVJ41Lu8O0n8rZsA9W40ysIgojqzlyQbweokQknE3_J0cZK_HCpDnFilVHR84/s1600-h/anzac006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLskYWYFf56zLvDAfilS8o9KnSHZ-zdhrrHVBYC5b3ns1l6Htk9x9skIxtixJd00JBN7lgOryVJ41Lu8O0n8rZsA9W40ysIgojqzlyQbweokQknE3_J0cZK_HCpDnFilVHR84/s320/anzac006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331589058091442626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj5koXxTjMg9MSjeORbwMyWvhyphenhyphenK61Hg-lUmFgCvWPzmW0-6NlLlzT6ijEFx8WNhw8KxhKKodv7UKNgXWDXJnI_ZYp98UztmGhQgkVr8Zzxj4WNnJDf-WwORy3zmHoKIMjpGFh/s1600-h/anzac010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj5koXxTjMg9MSjeORbwMyWvhyphenhyphenK61Hg-lUmFgCvWPzmW0-6NlLlzT6ijEFx8WNhw8KxhKKodv7UKNgXWDXJnI_ZYp98UztmGhQgkVr8Zzxj4WNnJDf-WwORy3zmHoKIMjpGFh/s320/anzac010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331589665780476130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zt2fhoXhZ2vDzXvTK39kqza9GEICEzUtu-zK7lUoE3jc9cpsexo2tZD5t-O8tz_P4i6a8LwJvOnoC6l1ewpAI0v-v1NrzkWQNY-hWKBgKqHbbS3TFlHsI45gWToFVVyeEOyE/s1600-h/anzac011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zt2fhoXhZ2vDzXvTK39kqza9GEICEzUtu-zK7lUoE3jc9cpsexo2tZD5t-O8tz_P4i6a8LwJvOnoC6l1ewpAI0v-v1NrzkWQNY-hWKBgKqHbbS3TFlHsI45gWToFVVyeEOyE/s320/anzac011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331590015325623698" /></a><br />The freedom, the beauty, the people. I guess that was what so many of those young men laid down their lives for through history. We inherit the legacy of their suffering and live their dream and that at least makes them worth not just remebering but celebrating.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-82775332403864928792009-04-26T03:42:00.001-07:002009-04-27T06:08:02.657-07:00It's all about the story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjYTu0CG0Mr6-D817nGdLu1Dm3sr9ygBciRTTHr7m3Cky4DrIEswzPqDrw5a_40u3L18CBTwsbdt1BpTyyuJ628IJwnW3NRCZQLvyt44D9v7Whm1-j5rgZ7B0Mcl7J4pSaua1/s1600-h/easter008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjYTu0CG0Mr6-D817nGdLu1Dm3sr9ygBciRTTHr7m3Cky4DrIEswzPqDrw5a_40u3L18CBTwsbdt1BpTyyuJ628IJwnW3NRCZQLvyt44D9v7Whm1-j5rgZ7B0Mcl7J4pSaua1/s320/easter008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328949301371574114" /></a><br />I sit thinking of the last two weeks or so and wonder how to tell the story. So many different things have happened but I want to try to make sense of the different events and encounters within a bigger whole.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGchyphenhyphenYGQalMHTx98wdXvuaUgZOaKYl9xgapbixnxGAMtHZDM7SjBafQ-kRFNo2ovGKvlcG0zU9f52RDlHA0y1U7lvKcjspKR9vdmkS3ECPgt0oh-IiXjnk7KX2ZP5QHFL6ZhO/s1600-h/easter028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGchyphenhyphenYGQalMHTx98wdXvuaUgZOaKYl9xgapbixnxGAMtHZDM7SjBafQ-kRFNo2ovGKvlcG0zU9f52RDlHA0y1U7lvKcjspKR9vdmkS3ECPgt0oh-IiXjnk7KX2ZP5QHFL6ZhO/s320/easter028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328952670008238770" /></a><br />This story begins at Easter. Easter is the key event in understanding God's story. Part of my passion in coming to New Zealand is that people would glimpse more of the story that God has written in His word, is writing in the world today and will write through to its final finale in the future. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-uDUbUqyFQjdjBi66DhSWVt0lHiOT7wR8Gwjs2WoSzSZQ843D64LWivgoYNWk9T-8xTgajKcoFS8HOvu8o4rDfFpeBxVEm3Tms2ffMv5CuJJOo7NcS_phLhsSP3fNY175_x2/s1600-h/easter041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-uDUbUqyFQjdjBi66DhSWVt0lHiOT7wR8Gwjs2WoSzSZQ843D64LWivgoYNWk9T-8xTgajKcoFS8HOvu8o4rDfFpeBxVEm3Tms2ffMv5CuJJOo7NcS_phLhsSP3fNY175_x2/s320/easter041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329320665406624274" /></a><br />Maori have a concept called Whakapapa. "Papa" is something flat and hard like a slab or a rock and whakapapa is the layering of stories and geneologies from the past to the present and on into the future. It is more than a family tree, it speaks of the connectedness of living things and the connections back to creation and into the spiritual world today. It helps people place themselves within a bigger story and see how they relate to the whole.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_skXplZFX0_hSb79hIJPcQBy24ZtbM8PYrZD9QDNRUtrAg79kqYDMDgagpZj2NkGgj3PyRzlcwU1SxJRnmOneSy6jKD9JdxF4C-zDsAg6SkI1iEPoDKpplbF2PFc_s7yzjbi/s1600-h/easter049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_skXplZFX0_hSb79hIJPcQBy24ZtbM8PYrZD9QDNRUtrAg79kqYDMDgagpZj2NkGgj3PyRzlcwU1SxJRnmOneSy6jKD9JdxF4C-zDsAg6SkI1iEPoDKpplbF2PFc_s7yzjbi/s320/easter049.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329322197461624482" /></a><br />Perhaps this whakapapa is the key to the story of this Easter. Layers being laid and connections formed building on what has gone before. Paul writing in 1 Corinthians 3 puts it like this: "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." Many events and encounters but all part of what God has been doing in these islands, is doing now and will do in the days ahead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nSfFtQIPB-zEywG5WextL6KFNtE2yCoXB_pbYdTa2tMz97uFMVPJeBniBzpXumep_Arj1jX3_8He_qwlzrwHT1pPkcXi6TNBzYH2qUtOMLCVHVYHgNhRzvQagYuqbLBl9qf4/s1600-h/easter012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nSfFtQIPB-zEywG5WextL6KFNtE2yCoXB_pbYdTa2tMz97uFMVPJeBniBzpXumep_Arj1jX3_8He_qwlzrwHT1pPkcXi6TNBzYH2qUtOMLCVHVYHgNhRzvQagYuqbLBl9qf4/s320/easter012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328954895263260082" /></a><br />Easter Weekend took me to the Kapiti Coast. This is part of my whakapapa in NZ, a place layered with memories. The first time we came to NZ I spoke at a conference there and the second time, and the third time when I also had my interview and met Paul Windsor for the first time. I think I have now been to 15 camps or conferences on the Kapiti Coast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFnoPPcQRjBQDHrwQZN71OXh5URHXzRiKab8FeDcgRbQPxWEcZ4YekIq1KMgLIi5BquwLUBnN0sazfIoP9tjpG_bCTAe7Zq4At0rIORiQ9HEuYC023AuY20QwlqhJdGXCsD6i/s1600-h/easter031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFnoPPcQRjBQDHrwQZN71OXh5URHXzRiKab8FeDcgRbQPxWEcZ4YekIq1KMgLIi5BquwLUBnN0sazfIoP9tjpG_bCTAe7Zq4At0rIORiQ9HEuYC023AuY20QwlqhJdGXCsD6i/s320/easter031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328958162766859522" /></a><br />The Presbyterian Youth Camp took place at Palm Grove. I spoke 5 times in 3 days just covering some of the basics of the Easter story and looking at a few people Jesus met. There were groups of 13-18 year olds there from about 9 or 10 churches in the Greater Wellington area. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJZRDgofKkRmbZNs24Ivy9iJyH9Qp2mJKeJI45ZS99dkP36YOBcTCfr5Fr1s3REBemmSBeX1SoBg2iNwJdwnVpOA4P0sM8iTGxhvOqXBFcLAo-2cboCoE5uRrvclBOMsGeUAU/s1600-h/easter005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJZRDgofKkRmbZNs24Ivy9iJyH9Qp2mJKeJI45ZS99dkP36YOBcTCfr5Fr1s3REBemmSBeX1SoBg2iNwJdwnVpOA4P0sM8iTGxhvOqXBFcLAo-2cboCoE5uRrvclBOMsGeUAU/s320/easter005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328960810845514482" /></a><br />It was especially good to have groups there from a number of Pacific Island congregations. The Samoan and Tokelaun young people made a great contribution and it was very good seeing different ethnic groups worshipping and learning together. Often in NZ congregations divide on ethnic grounds. There may well be a time and place for this but I would love to see more times when there is greater collaboration and more unity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH7Lk-xPBTU6OeLRq7QK_coXj_MQQjp9qWqriBdwrLhuDL72qpcWSUVC2LCTyG6MJ7vsoikjPkMC1SmZnNJzfMsN7k6AffIwqhd8mHWCT7SPeasm0MUt3uLCHoP-dzBdn96RH/s1600-h/easter044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH7Lk-xPBTU6OeLRq7QK_coXj_MQQjp9qWqriBdwrLhuDL72qpcWSUVC2LCTyG6MJ7vsoikjPkMC1SmZnNJzfMsN7k6AffIwqhd8mHWCT7SPeasm0MUt3uLCHoP-dzBdn96RH/s320/easter044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328962418159366978" /></a><br />There was a good group of around 30 from Knox. This included Luke and Jamie who stayed in the camp with friends. Craig and Ailsa came to visit at different points. This was the first time I had spoken at something like this when our boys were there as campers in their own right. I don't think they found it too embarrassing that their dad was the speaker (but you can ask them yourself if you like!). The feedback was very encouraging both from the young people and the youth leaders.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsENl3EP22nKPf4haFIYiC6tpHacaxB2j618UvjdbXKu4zvj7eKRIv2Gx9lNBgj-GhT9LqRT2u38ktpaOZlCXinvOncrqQkSSXudfJBlSoT9dB1Px5lVpeZaVZDolEUHNOTugq/s1600-h/easter004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsENl3EP22nKPf4haFIYiC6tpHacaxB2j618UvjdbXKu4zvj7eKRIv2Gx9lNBgj-GhT9LqRT2u38ktpaOZlCXinvOncrqQkSSXudfJBlSoT9dB1Px5lVpeZaVZDolEUHNOTugq/s320/easter004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328972700094300290" /></a><br />We drove North to Auckand on the Monday and discovered that everyone was quite tired after the weekend. We stopped at Waiouru to visit the Army Museum as we did a couple of years ago. The boys like going back to places and it is only something we are really starting to see happen in NZ now. We also stopped in Hamilton for dinner so the journey took pretty much 12 hours.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEkRbHdvHf4gu1Oad_0NvT6KK_Dj__RhgzqESpGEL0u9PdaEj7uUJsmK58hIjb5R-nYYOQOQOlZqjL9PJFuGuilrK70KljmEnUc-9WKmGvSda0dhp2BObKOeiX_u3rACnrdX_/s1600-h/easter048.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEkRbHdvHf4gu1Oad_0NvT6KK_Dj__RhgzqESpGEL0u9PdaEj7uUJsmK58hIjb5R-nYYOQOQOlZqjL9PJFuGuilrK70KljmEnUc-9WKmGvSda0dhp2BObKOeiX_u3rACnrdX_/s320/easter048.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328973782832457074" /></a><br />Our friend Jodi flew in from Sydney and met up with us in Auckland. I first met Jodi a few years ago and she first posted on this blog in November 2006. This was the first time that she had spent time with Ailsa and the boys and it was great how quickly they all started getting along. We went to Kelly Tarltons Aquarium (which we went to in 2001) and to the Savage Memorial at Bastion Point. Both are testaments in different ways to men with vision.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAE-Kt5ECtm3bQrfW2KKVOtQ7I2xsDT8fcdcs5vpzkAY4gjd0_b3-c9ctDWdCFCTPZSJ914WMN2canzUP9RR9mVXrsUBljf_CzCA50ZzMmj-bqDA2va7fuB-p9YKX9uIq5q9K/s1600-h/easter016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAE-Kt5ECtm3bQrfW2KKVOtQ7I2xsDT8fcdcs5vpzkAY4gjd0_b3-c9ctDWdCFCTPZSJ914WMN2canzUP9RR9mVXrsUBljf_CzCA50ZzMmj-bqDA2va7fuB-p9YKX9uIq5q9K/s320/easter016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328980937844864722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN6WGmRQQGo261KRa4vbdhrXn65vxGRmpiF-V0GJsL2Y0KuIckJytOT72TbpoJ_1jZMSkW7AsOB2RJFUSSYxKssLRILf52YZE3OftlckbsSgLhP5dec5Rj2MCMwu1C1mtcMEi/s1600-h/easter036.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN6WGmRQQGo261KRa4vbdhrXn65vxGRmpiF-V0GJsL2Y0KuIckJytOT72TbpoJ_1jZMSkW7AsOB2RJFUSSYxKssLRILf52YZE3OftlckbsSgLhP5dec5Rj2MCMwu1C1mtcMEi/s320/easter036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329332886177940946" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ9J5zcQd6g57dUA5r8jj4gJ90R5sJAp7DaNIdrt6hyeRDrT2L8aTE2mSd0qtR4f2lETP26oo5tgodCvTnFi4sE43FBVBm9x9ZiMT-UjjkXPOXfACRY078FWnBisKoyS4dmHh/s1600-h/easter039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ9J5zcQd6g57dUA5r8jj4gJ90R5sJAp7DaNIdrt6hyeRDrT2L8aTE2mSd0qtR4f2lETP26oo5tgodCvTnFi4sE43FBVBm9x9ZiMT-UjjkXPOXfACRY078FWnBisKoyS4dmHh/s320/easter039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328976595034414642" /></a><br />The rest of New Zealand has a bit of a love hate relationship with Auckland. (well mostly hate hate actually!) but it is a great city. I always enjoy Auckland and it really showed itself at its best. We had fantastic weather the whole week that we were there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF4AuqeHkZz7poIc0BHHd0wQO0HaBBx34NKzI19RKyZYz2DuyH5YPyYn0B3O7wgRDqBprbdTk5P7q7t8TIVxWPvcaxRyb8D7PZJr__FtYkKpzI7B7LNVWrfAilTqn5Fk8X8SJ/s1600-h/easter035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF4AuqeHkZz7poIc0BHHd0wQO0HaBBx34NKzI19RKyZYz2DuyH5YPyYn0B3O7wgRDqBprbdTk5P7q7t8TIVxWPvcaxRyb8D7PZJr__FtYkKpzI7B7LNVWrfAilTqn5Fk8X8SJ/s320/easter035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328977327861643282" /></a><br />There were a couple of main reasons for being in Auckland. The first was the TSCF North Regional Camp at Eastern Beach. I gave 3 talks in 3 days and was impressed by the attitude of the students and their desire to engage with big issues.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wsyiush1RItEIn-yzMTQS0MecNfuDLpGQLa6jDkZP2bAiDtkOca_SJYO-90N2ubO-zdlnr8ELWxB66kFpVGlNcZpqEQ3fnfcur6VqaOlhPkZLtox5cwA8T07u_QpbxYzpWmx/s1600-h/easter024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wsyiush1RItEIn-yzMTQS0MecNfuDLpGQLa6jDkZP2bAiDtkOca_SJYO-90N2ubO-zdlnr8ELWxB66kFpVGlNcZpqEQ3fnfcur6VqaOlhPkZLtox5cwA8T07u_QpbxYzpWmx/s320/easter024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328978043877251970" /></a><br />I did an experiment at the end of each talk where three people gave an off the cuff response using a framework of: HEAD (what they had been thinking and learning) HEART (what they were challenged about and how they felt about it) HANDS (What they were going to do as a response in terms of attitude, relationships or actions and FEET (what they thought the first step should be for them). I thought this went very well. Jodi especially was a huge help in showing the way and many students commented on finding her responses particularly helpful and practical. Elliot and Sarah also did a great job.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjElaybHCXiCliaLhRxCzD-AhyHW0N0ZYCF2GFnrk8icJWw-hAC70ITsikYVC2TUmE_Pw_8q9wVAMe97NghjoMsWsSQgcoHWzKhtRPWsA7J6kJNUP_JRdoj6u5PJl0ha2ZZNR_/s1600-h/easter034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjElaybHCXiCliaLhRxCzD-AhyHW0N0ZYCF2GFnrk8icJWw-hAC70ITsikYVC2TUmE_Pw_8q9wVAMe97NghjoMsWsSQgcoHWzKhtRPWsA7J6kJNUP_JRdoj6u5PJl0ha2ZZNR_/s320/easter034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328979762858906258" /></a><br />Auckland continues to be a struggle for student work. It is a huge city and very multi cultural. Only 38% of Aucklanders were born in New Zealand and there are also big numbers of international students and a lot of commuters. I was encouraged to meet and talk to some students of real quality and have been thinking what more we could do to encourage them going forward.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUURCfTUJtEMz-Oeak5oGdLKlDfUFTJrWDIX__QOCKUVFx4q6edLb5tviPm7AetmQ4wIfsQ984ZrExHd0GyFpc7JItHtNA2iFG_bgh2pA7i9vjm7nllgJNC72_L0XhI1ZThmuT/s1600-h/easter009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUURCfTUJtEMz-Oeak5oGdLKlDfUFTJrWDIX__QOCKUVFx4q6edLb5tviPm7AetmQ4wIfsQ984ZrExHd0GyFpc7JItHtNA2iFG_bgh2pA7i9vjm7nllgJNC72_L0XhI1ZThmuT/s320/easter009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329332548343393794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGIhIvtAhXVt-ch5FdjEUPXyZY8B6AXIBLCNNaQ2G4O27WUBA8f1mYxeJ3vYHvM3yAtnJY8QW1ECMMj__iG3anCKUm07uYMR7sootZMl2gImqKcy0vlyf3etP5WxSmgpCxQL5/s1600-h/easter052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGIhIvtAhXVt-ch5FdjEUPXyZY8B6AXIBLCNNaQ2G4O27WUBA8f1mYxeJ3vYHvM3yAtnJY8QW1ECMMj__iG3anCKUm07uYMR7sootZMl2gImqKcy0vlyf3etP5WxSmgpCxQL5/s320/easter052.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329331632308993330" /></a><br />The boys had fun playing with the Pelz children and joining in with the student sport. I am not thinking of turning professional with my trampolining ANYTIME SOON! Luke flew down to Wellington to join the Church Youth Group Mission Trip to Nelson while the rest of us stayed to the end of the camp.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCsWw27PfxzW1z5WFlCuEj-AGVHINeq0rYVWi9FGXJH9dt5gApeZ7xx3bGgpQ2aD0n276FXZOi4y3qSsLciiLRmF5jeW3ZA44xVeyMeqojpR3YbE1-VrBQG1MYLf6RO1q9foZ/s1600-h/easter042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCsWw27PfxzW1z5WFlCuEj-AGVHINeq0rYVWi9FGXJH9dt5gApeZ7xx3bGgpQ2aD0n276FXZOi4y3qSsLciiLRmF5jeW3ZA44xVeyMeqojpR3YbE1-VrBQG1MYLf6RO1q9foZ/s320/easter042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329330760811557554" /></a><br />The other main reason for being in Auckland was to take part in "Kiwi Made Preaching". Paul Windsor, who is on the TSCF board and has been a real encourager of me in NZ has just left his role as Principle of Carey College for a new role with Langham Partnership International working alongside Jonathan Lamb developing preaching. This is an exciting development with huge potential. The day conference was effectively the Langham Launch Event in NZ and it was great having Jonathan there from Oxford. All the other presenters are engaged in the Kiwi context and it was a privilege to be involved.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FE3ak_fMQoMu9zUxQ5Ojf7Miqv1WDNtIs_pjjHLeCtEMnQcCS-EUlHqcvpFQu5rgpAKD4DVpt3gjT-0_9MkBi9lcW7wrYYXILHyjQbpPiUqK3SfKrl5QHmLPJM3FRBT9Fom2/s1600-h/easter006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FE3ak_fMQoMu9zUxQ5Ojf7Miqv1WDNtIs_pjjHLeCtEMnQcCS-EUlHqcvpFQu5rgpAKD4DVpt3gjT-0_9MkBi9lcW7wrYYXILHyjQbpPiUqK3SfKrl5QHmLPJM3FRBT9Fom2/s320/easter006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329331217251631394" /></a><br />My session was on "Being true to the text, yourself and your culture". I really enjoyed it and had quite a bit of positive feedback. I was thrilled to see that a significant proportion of the younger people there and of the women present had strong TSCF connections. Three of the students that we took to the World Assembly in Canada were there. Again a reminder of how layers, build on layers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrxU26_ynUg0bs7AIwhPc9bwPp78rW54PjUFg3aRu93E_oEnjGC6U4SP6UVGpRl5reC2a5FMOjaWdw_6fRnh_mxZndnxZwvH6G_jf3vjrQxYaPR6ydT6jhlXaxhCzIn4GdAxf/s1600-h/easter001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrxU26_ynUg0bs7AIwhPc9bwPp78rW54PjUFg3aRu93E_oEnjGC6U4SP6UVGpRl5reC2a5FMOjaWdw_6fRnh_mxZndnxZwvH6G_jf3vjrQxYaPR6ydT6jhlXaxhCzIn4GdAxf/s320/easter001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329340861456881490" /></a><br />We then meandered south taking Jodi on a wee trip to Rotorua and Napier. We visited Te Puia which the Saunders first took us to in 2001 and the boys delighted in showing our Australian guest her first geyser and first kiwi.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmk7m_lnH8iFJn7Did7iDKbmKAVcoXyl_FkthyphenhyphenxxFO62oHCNUs_dDZ8zkXpjPdbKcMk7va0qqtH_WyFyaKJxlBIqm7mPXoKM8XIf_iRPuI8HFB_LCE6byGgWAKZsT_SAvU_3hW/s1600-h/easter023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmk7m_lnH8iFJn7Did7iDKbmKAVcoXyl_FkthyphenhyphenxxFO62oHCNUs_dDZ8zkXpjPdbKcMk7va0qqtH_WyFyaKJxlBIqm7mPXoKM8XIf_iRPuI8HFB_LCE6byGgWAKZsT_SAvU_3hW/s320/easter023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329346827954417538" /></a><br />In fact Jamie and Craig were absolutely delightful on the whole trip. I don't know if it was the novelty of having an extra girl or that they were missing Luke but we had a lovely time with them and some great chats in the car.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIEPh1h87P6KZxBGMggtQx3k4J_xYayz8kGQx1HwrOE1eEl7s7pDcMQzO4iKsvwffeQ50wG5K5XLDAUvtHr0iF2kHHsp3VD_wi0A3f_bl6vNHYCCC2O9QneoEwWrbgpQCe9VA/s1600-h/easter020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIEPh1h87P6KZxBGMggtQx3k4J_xYayz8kGQx1HwrOE1eEl7s7pDcMQzO4iKsvwffeQ50wG5K5XLDAUvtHr0iF2kHHsp3VD_wi0A3f_bl6vNHYCCC2O9QneoEwWrbgpQCe9VA/s320/easter020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329349974980733394" /></a><br />Ailsa enjoyed wearing her new Kathmandu top and receiving the occassional text from Luke in Nelson reassuring us that he was having fun, was enjoying helping run the kids camp programme and was at least still alive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdnFk1ggKtirWoAtEorrBc9k4VJ4f2FLVtinmVv3Dc0ccprisZfsJZwwl0CsgmRi2oxGD_haKK8PlJ-rJWNeG8ikbaBJMSLBJpuEI1icTuY5DdPqCjyBGF3PA-X-bI7Go0QiN/s1600-h/easter015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdnFk1ggKtirWoAtEorrBc9k4VJ4f2FLVtinmVv3Dc0ccprisZfsJZwwl0CsgmRi2oxGD_haKK8PlJ-rJWNeG8ikbaBJMSLBJpuEI1icTuY5DdPqCjyBGF3PA-X-bI7Go0QiN/s320/easter015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329349753131292930" /></a><br />We visited the carving school and saw a number of carvings. It is extraordinary the work it takes to fashion these Maori carvings. I was struck by the patience of the carver, how little seems to be happening while he is working, how much wood needs to be chipped away and how the image is built up over time. Many of these carvings tell stories, stories of whakapapa, meaning and memories crafted into the grain of the wood. Creativity and content.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwltoLlL093bflb8WkUyNGqQJChyphenhyphenyXb0GGJev4b9zndQniCnjLx3hbz7Gt_Bg7cLT7xrhK9nfRxx4zPkWlmVUT-brhWrDbqM_e8J-eBTMjUFcux6ykp5ZjZn29twHyE9DHTz8Q/s1600-h/easter027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwltoLlL093bflb8WkUyNGqQJChyphenhyphenyXb0GGJev4b9zndQniCnjLx3hbz7Gt_Bg7cLT7xrhK9nfRxx4zPkWlmVUT-brhWrDbqM_e8J-eBTMjUFcux6ykp5ZjZn29twHyE9DHTz8Q/s320/easter027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329341721096934818" /></a><br />We also visited Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderland. I had wanted to go here a couple of times before but had never managed it. It was amazing. From steam blowing hot and cold over a lake with a mineral terrace in bright orange, to deep holes of seething mud, to a crystaline river frozen in time, to a vast green lake. We all loved it, walked all of all of the tracks and would go back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwi93Rfw0axscj2jtEqF9MW76_knzJARahBeL-e_K_G7nnQyE1AGtTleFiXKE2vE-GvyRdaENA-XEfj8j8N6ukdfrnn9zRF2oy5Icup9dL5ux2Tw8T1xod5LjnP5PJPeBZs2b/s1600-h/easter021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwi93Rfw0axscj2jtEqF9MW76_knzJARahBeL-e_K_G7nnQyE1AGtTleFiXKE2vE-GvyRdaENA-XEfj8j8N6ukdfrnn9zRF2oy5Icup9dL5ux2Tw8T1xod5LjnP5PJPeBZs2b/s320/easter021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329342318568456466" /></a><br />Maori whakapapa traces back to the waka their ancestors arrived on. Having arrived on a 747 this does not quite work for me. But maybe on reflection much of my whakapapa is about the air as well as the sea. Many of my friends and family have come to Aotearoa from the air and I still spend a lot of my time there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgEmrCQkO_zyEE6Wp7etoJAznbyV7re5I2MRaAYB7lufbPvm1Jl1WeqRWex0IpNQirCmBDXW5_GfBaYU1WhQD2NZAWRNm_udFz_18Vwjzm6_MmBzol_y7xoCBl_jsMlBrB7Ez/s1600-h/easter043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgEmrCQkO_zyEE6Wp7etoJAznbyV7re5I2MRaAYB7lufbPvm1Jl1WeqRWex0IpNQirCmBDXW5_GfBaYU1WhQD2NZAWRNm_udFz_18Vwjzm6_MmBzol_y7xoCBl_jsMlBrB7Ez/s320/easter043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329342915963795394" /></a><br />Ben, Val, Jodi and I went to the Wairarapa for the day. The four of us had spent some time together at Sprite in Canberra and it was fun to hang out together again. It was an absolutely glorious autumnal day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFVFfLDqLfQrE-ztG2v1DF4eVuvTNiru37IvHIP-meD7LLvdN1pK8SUwjoRsFb8viQ6f4b46cnEFV-eb6D8tnRtfaW0PAe8vdrGdt-uUrjkFkiN0nep5NYJkDJmSfmTY49gol/s1600-h/easter007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFVFfLDqLfQrE-ztG2v1DF4eVuvTNiru37IvHIP-meD7LLvdN1pK8SUwjoRsFb8viQ6f4b46cnEFV-eb6D8tnRtfaW0PAe8vdrGdt-uUrjkFkiN0nep5NYJkDJmSfmTY49gol/s320/easter007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329343607290764850" /></a><br />We visited a few vineyards which the area is famous for. I was reminded again that it takes a while to get from grape to wine and is a fairly labour intensive process. Each of the vineyards has its own story and interaction with the soil.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YWYSyDS3wVP689gIRXRb3HKDIyHy-s3lmQdo0tH3lTNdpOcL9ZAcMaRxQhgrnYJtodxJZctEwkLWdVgQnRdRfIOaeKEikOHbJMgRyJNxqeHNq5KtS5QAnuvoi6xvUiXZmi5b/s1600-h/easter014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YWYSyDS3wVP689gIRXRb3HKDIyHy-s3lmQdo0tH3lTNdpOcL9ZAcMaRxQhgrnYJtodxJZctEwkLWdVgQnRdRfIOaeKEikOHbJMgRyJNxqeHNq5KtS5QAnuvoi6xvUiXZmi5b/s320/easter014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329349423615979714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIJS6UzvItnky1Z5Dx3lEyhrkObcsvKWckhD3LGwkkaGUhqpaWyU1faHyxpIFV51FQa2tHL7goD61noV87MvNcSHPhJaKYDcEOY7NNNna8DMPjTkBdi55UTeHuTa_GImudug4/s1600-h/easter029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIJS6UzvItnky1Z5Dx3lEyhrkObcsvKWckhD3LGwkkaGUhqpaWyU1faHyxpIFV51FQa2tHL7goD61noV87MvNcSHPhJaKYDcEOY7NNNna8DMPjTkBdi55UTeHuTa_GImudug4/s320/easter029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329345064839429986" /></a><br />This was Jodi's first time in New Zealand but I suspect it will not be her last. Despite the caption in the paper I know that she was! She is heading off to a new challenge in cross cultural mission in a couple of months and it was great to be able to spend time with her as a family and as a group of friends. Sometimes my life feels a little disconnected and I like it when the fabric of relationships is strengthened and new layers of memory are laid down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBE4BQptODPIRU_wHzSvzdhyphenhyphenBdk8a00ftbaI4CO_vsXIkMa6xzVLNBTNucP3k5VtxUFlJYBc3lzWVurM6h3wi6ep-7Z09jZAx8VIG9WwAa3Vv49x1yLneksU-aEsvubNHZMrU/s1600-h/easter003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBE4BQptODPIRU_wHzSvzdhyphenhyphenBdk8a00ftbaI4CO_vsXIkMa6xzVLNBTNucP3k5VtxUFlJYBc3lzWVurM6h3wi6ep-7Z09jZAx8VIG9WwAa3Vv49x1yLneksU-aEsvubNHZMrU/s320/easter003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329347092970146674" /></a><br />Which takes me back to where I started with another Maori word. Whanua means extended family. I feel that through all these Easter interactions in different places and in different ways that our extended family has been extended. I hope that lives have been enriched and that for some their concept of home has been enlarged. It really has been a great couple of weeks.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-50835759626615025242009-04-07T05:09:00.000-07:002009-04-08T15:42:47.199-07:00Quintessential<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWDFLUCO0jt5ZvY8X2RbhWQ4FOQBoMJFIVirN4FXh9t4erKnq0zAwRyFIWSrQ8-65aY32KW3OYmPwEJ1p6kZPPf7W6uVhHl2uwbafkwu0wR83lIDomSyDP-GpffX5f1jH9XJN/s1600-h/apr009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWDFLUCO0jt5ZvY8X2RbhWQ4FOQBoMJFIVirN4FXh9t4erKnq0zAwRyFIWSrQ8-65aY32KW3OYmPwEJ1p6kZPPf7W6uVhHl2uwbafkwu0wR83lIDomSyDP-GpffX5f1jH9XJN/s320/apr009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321921179368554242" /></a><br />When we were in Scotland at Christmas we walked past an art shop that was having a closing down sale. In the window was a Jack Vettriano print which I rather liked and much to Ailsa's dismay bought on impulse. It was not that she did not like the picture but that she was aware of the logistical issues involved in buying something large in a different hemisphere from the one in which you live. (which to be fair is not an unreasonable concern)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WT7KNwC2C5WHSH7E7RQlmB9-pYGdEvRRbFg8Tipf4vCp4O9LpuFuwe-Km-oqAFCESzvnpzEOvN5QSLaLpVjy9wIebc5kQSJ5GwUiYyHtfpn-RD5at3QBdZLT1lTeeawyN6uD/s1600-h/Jack-Vettriano-Bluebird-at-Bonneville-205011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WT7KNwC2C5WHSH7E7RQlmB9-pYGdEvRRbFg8Tipf4vCp4O9LpuFuwe-Km-oqAFCESzvnpzEOvN5QSLaLpVjy9wIebc5kQSJ5GwUiYyHtfpn-RD5at3QBdZLT1lTeeawyN6uD/s320/Jack-Vettriano-Bluebird-at-Bonneville-205011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321923689280813890" /></a><br />The picture is of the Bluebird at Bonneville. It portrays Sir Malcolm's Bluebird CN7 being inspected on the Bonneville salt flats in Utah where Sir Malcolm achieved his ninth and last record of 301.12 mph, in 1935. I like it because of the resonance with Bert Munro, the connection with the inter-war era and the way that 12 people gather round the car. (that and it reminds me of top gear!). My Scottish friends were slightly concerned at my chances of carrying it as hand luggage all the way from Edinburgh to Wellington. It did have it's challenges at times going through 4 airports, 4 security checks and 4 flights but it now adorns the wall in our lounge. There is something about this story which is quintessentially me. (for better and for worse).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdko7hraRy17WjshoMK9ijBm9YwkZduaCfsdkvbz1oJhJ7lRGvVqeEy30jaLE6yIo1-IGnrsoe1RhH0_9Rr3ZCzatyQp2yAfOhIKZvTHa2vlKXP3u4CUy6R1lrHcnflMoAU2U/s1600-h/apr013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdko7hraRy17WjshoMK9ijBm9YwkZduaCfsdkvbz1oJhJ7lRGvVqeEy30jaLE6yIo1-IGnrsoe1RhH0_9Rr3ZCzatyQp2yAfOhIKZvTHa2vlKXP3u4CUy6R1lrHcnflMoAU2U/s320/apr013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321931048005281010" /></a><br />The annual World Vision Runathon took place at Wellington College. Both Luke and Jamie took part. They each ran 80km in 40 hours, with both of them completing a hockey practice, Jamie playing a cricket match and Luke helping at a youth programme in the middle of it all, not to mention attending a day of school classes. Craig joined in scootering 20km to earn points for his brothers teams. Luke and Jamie were there for the first lap at 6am on Friday and there at the last lap at 10pm on Saturday. They were stiff the next day but have each raised over $600 for World Vision. There is something about all this which is quintessentially them! (for better or for worse).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgBQDLaymjoufe9r0AbdD6ddE0cRm6GiUrkIPIfu9LEhAewJr_ZEOv9_pQeoimeN2Y1FIJE8LcW6BuhBGEXGrB39gO-k7hpBQYxM1h_H7KoRItH3Wq5YiCqkxBw8_Tje_19Wi/s1600-h/apr003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgBQDLaymjoufe9r0AbdD6ddE0cRm6GiUrkIPIfu9LEhAewJr_ZEOv9_pQeoimeN2Y1FIJE8LcW6BuhBGEXGrB39gO-k7hpBQYxM1h_H7KoRItH3Wq5YiCqkxBw8_Tje_19Wi/s320/apr003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321933876483312914" /></a><br />Luke went the extra mile and had his head shaved which has been slightly disconcerting as I have wondered from time to time "who is that skinhead and why is he following me?". <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OBuZwT0sLKhDAAFLX71jpMu1wH1ZSkR4tuW2cXGqsfy63wMWirJDWFhrlX9KKH1Tjl1bwZ0KDCLvWiyryktAkh4zJPtitUveSz6DdC7vw_s0aammDKZqYhim0Gmwc76CgC6D/s1600-h/apr004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OBuZwT0sLKhDAAFLX71jpMu1wH1ZSkR4tuW2cXGqsfy63wMWirJDWFhrlX9KKH1Tjl1bwZ0KDCLvWiyryktAkh4zJPtitUveSz6DdC7vw_s0aammDKZqYhim0Gmwc76CgC6D/s320/apr004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321934648424439554" /></a><br />The hockey season is just getting going. Luke and Jamie are likely to be in the same Wellington College Under 15 team which I am coaching. We played our first match on Monday which was a promotion relegation game to see what division we would play in at the start of the season. We won 3-1 so will play in Premier 3 which will be a good standard playing against some schools 1st X1s and some 2nd X1s.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYrKuCYLfLNqKGvyU1VsMqGsLFoR1Jel6ckw5po7xWSdJjdgR-trUEn6I8sES3SqGcDuzE3ER88JVyPuCNioOp6jgMXdMlZK37OTrrhCK3U9KeUC9igtCm6nrrxIl6pMW5hzk/s1600-h/apr001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYrKuCYLfLNqKGvyU1VsMqGsLFoR1Jel6ckw5po7xWSdJjdgR-trUEn6I8sES3SqGcDuzE3ER88JVyPuCNioOp6jgMXdMlZK37OTrrhCK3U9KeUC9igtCm6nrrxIl6pMW5hzk/s320/apr001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321935903122797266" /></a><br />Craig has decided that he wants to try being a goalkeeper this year so he is going to play for the Hutt P1 team. He has a bag of kit which is slightly bigger than he is. It will be quite a step up for him so we will see how he copes! My Hutt Teams have finished 3rd for the last 2 years so it would be nice to at least make the final this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRKI3jsDxT9XIpnIWhkxQ72qWKzfbXr81pfx9eSCli_IKPhrbjXRYUrTTIqiOxMc3zzfR_uOjVc2eSgLUIKOYDwqnID-d0uKZvMj9n7RAtTnhlOIwm6UCRLZ9tvNzJ1ky5YBF/s1600-h/apr007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRKI3jsDxT9XIpnIWhkxQ72qWKzfbXr81pfx9eSCli_IKPhrbjXRYUrTTIqiOxMc3zzfR_uOjVc2eSgLUIKOYDwqnID-d0uKZvMj9n7RAtTnhlOIwm6UCRLZ9tvNzJ1ky5YBF/s320/apr007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321936843865060466" /></a><br />Craig celebrated his 10th birthday. It seemed a bit of a milestone the youngest reaching double figures. He is doing well and continues to enjoy St Marks. He is hoping to have a party when the busy family schedule allows!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfssq90RarRS_D8gzMjIGrwlQM3dgRJ-SRFLeTMHKw0zNTRW6qnZ_3YVOqZEoV4WCQ0aIh325dd4vVFICodRWJ-S6XphrN6g9yOSQOrH07PnOKm-UG4CTpkWkIIMLqVguJfyf/s1600-h/apr015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfssq90RarRS_D8gzMjIGrwlQM3dgRJ-SRFLeTMHKw0zNTRW6qnZ_3YVOqZEoV4WCQ0aIh325dd4vVFICodRWJ-S6XphrN6g9yOSQOrH07PnOKm-UG4CTpkWkIIMLqVguJfyf/s320/apr015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321937717093810898" /></a><br />Ailsa has been busy helping at school and at church. She is enjoying working with the two interns at church and we continue to practice hospitality despite the issues with the house still being slowly resolved. We hosted the board retreat last Friday which was a very positive start to what turned out to be a great weekend. There is something in the desire to keep giving and serving even while not everything is exactly as she would like it which is quintessentially her. (mostly just for better really!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fIKT7lnnMhHAuit6YW3EnSz4fRxaIhs6OGt2fWbwRrjNNzCrXnFHplMXtuX9NLXmZUYbRLDrzMUMMWTbHqU47K4qNqIH5OeTAzBan3mlAZ62rGAVhcRyRa7jX6lWPgg6t6Ha/s1600-h/apr017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fIKT7lnnMhHAuit6YW3EnSz4fRxaIhs6OGt2fWbwRrjNNzCrXnFHplMXtuX9NLXmZUYbRLDrzMUMMWTbHqU47K4qNqIH5OeTAzBan3mlAZ62rGAVhcRyRa7jX6lWPgg6t6Ha/s320/apr017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321939162384097874" /></a><br />The Black Caps played India at the Basin Reserve this week. It was great seeing the Indian community out in force and the atmosphere was probably better than the game overall. Cricket is the quintessential Indian game all hand eye coordination and timing with not too much running and plenty of breaks for drinks and tea. You can see why it caught on so well in the subcontinent! We had David Jayakumar from UESI in India here visiting around the same time. I have an affection for India and Indians and are glad that we are able to support the theological training of some of their staff through scholarships.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIyEvqjbWhMlOCclbyxWsMondjP-aE1WzuViI4fLyuv3thJU8P8YhRXraAaOA9l5oMBxozBtE9Lmlbrgy88CkTOrXVBt2-o5Mfw1H7PBxjbWWE_vOOOONmI9Ev9U19882U5Zv/s1600-h/apr008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIyEvqjbWhMlOCclbyxWsMondjP-aE1WzuViI4fLyuv3thJU8P8YhRXraAaOA9l5oMBxozBtE9Lmlbrgy88CkTOrXVBt2-o5Mfw1H7PBxjbWWE_vOOOONmI9Ev9U19882U5Zv/s320/apr008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321940683955077954" /></a><br />I know it's eleven against eleven when they get on the pitch but India are choosing from 1 Billion and NZ from 4 Million. Despite this statistical reality we genuinely think that we can win. (there is something quintessentially Kiwi about this - which is also pretty Scottish)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVBEUzrLdM-FJvqwNZePd-jOvb8_iaT8p6k_ZGRQknU34qLgdsCqQBrPERfEQAl3aJzBx916cmNTN8iJIpwKBtwerYvLqXa514SZa8J209ttIdMvixHnN5B8Ap2_91YhOXDJL/s1600-h/apr012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVBEUzrLdM-FJvqwNZePd-jOvb8_iaT8p6k_ZGRQknU34qLgdsCqQBrPERfEQAl3aJzBx916cmNTN8iJIpwKBtwerYvLqXa514SZa8J209ttIdMvixHnN5B8Ap2_91YhOXDJL/s320/apr012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321942187475389282" /></a><br />This week we have been sorting out the remnants of the Cleaning Company to whom we were renting downstairs in the office . They went bust at the turn of the year. They left an office like the Marie Celeste and abandoned a pile of stuff which we have been throwing out, attempting to sell and giving away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOyDT1m7ke1NUqZlAd2B3EAUPeGIzYNzEzCuqcB-CtmrbUzFZbt6Ts_tSEPoAuwrnnBKwdq0iKyDyh3O9dRhXp6tFm9eidQF_jC3J8NeS20jjMpgxbL6tcyOO3f0tsHO1H8jD/s1600-h/apr006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOyDT1m7ke1NUqZlAd2B3EAUPeGIzYNzEzCuqcB-CtmrbUzFZbt6Ts_tSEPoAuwrnnBKwdq0iKyDyh3O9dRhXp6tFm9eidQF_jC3J8NeS20jjMpgxbL6tcyOO3f0tsHO1H8jD/s320/apr006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321943246678305778" /></a><br />One of the things we found was a document entitled: "Principles for a sustainable property services industry". Sifting through the wreckage of their business we did wonder if they had read the paper. There was something about the irony of this which echoes through the world that we find ourselves in at this point in history. I could say quintessential but I think that may be overdoing it slightly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hINSDvNjBtCC7KKY0L8Vzp9lpu_MxaEIzkhaIuXWWRjopBpcHLIGgFBG-WVKTs3uX4TNUc_47S8hB8EDgyj2mYOeFO_2tWIyHMdmkMLKSMWDPD4p2GOPqF2chPsWPDdyYVD6/s1600-h/apr002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hINSDvNjBtCC7KKY0L8Vzp9lpu_MxaEIzkhaIuXWWRjopBpcHLIGgFBG-WVKTs3uX4TNUc_47S8hB8EDgyj2mYOeFO_2tWIyHMdmkMLKSMWDPD4p2GOPqF2chPsWPDdyYVD6/s320/apr002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321945480560167778" /></a><br />Luke completed his Young New Zealander/Duke of Edinburgh expedition with an overnight tramp in the Tararuras. That more or less completes his requirements for Bronze. He is going to spend the second week of the school holidays with the church youth group who are going down to Nelson to help run some programs with disadvantaged kids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsH7sbpyWoMam5R1Sqcj7Ci5qq9zOSO6f_JmARUqGMK4fm7305Vc0Q9y211GOzXZW2EoAqqaeEyaYknEcpSqlNz_ljVYQofcT5U2GhBslDVfIjNAn4cqiUzyzOggYMpChNy3Z/s1600-h/youth387x96-youthministry01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsH7sbpyWoMam5R1Sqcj7Ci5qq9zOSO6f_JmARUqGMK4fm7305Vc0Q9y211GOzXZW2EoAqqaeEyaYknEcpSqlNz_ljVYQofcT5U2GhBslDVfIjNAn4cqiUzyzOggYMpChNy3Z/s320/youth387x96-youthministry01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321946797230475826" /></a><br />I am speaking at the Presbyterian Youth Camp for the lower North Island over Easter. Both Luke and Jamie are going with the youth group from Knox and Ailsa and Craig will look in at different points. I have one talk on Friday and two each on Saturday and Sunday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNZyx6yNUgp5vkL1sMQzI72hKtMHJA_ICFssXG7us28PiLv_PuMRqIO0-ZNvMA-6WH2o_ieB7DxfPO7-4l3fQiQ9V9f4hBz2eJC_YAOKobUc6slGMxn6j1x6I-3I0VwR2ReFu/s1600-h/nrc2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNZyx6yNUgp5vkL1sMQzI72hKtMHJA_ICFssXG7us28PiLv_PuMRqIO0-ZNvMA-6WH2o_ieB7DxfPO7-4l3fQiQ9V9f4hBz2eJC_YAOKobUc6slGMxn6j1x6I-3I0VwR2ReFu/s320/nrc2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321947971735204834" /></a><br />Then we drive up to Auckland where I am speaking at the North Regional Student camp. This looks like being quite an exciting event with over 80 students booked already. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnDg-KJZGQkpHSYuHIJBncm532JJ2r4iADogIqVm178iOFAdyRVGeIpRJg60h1NakZ37SqAtxXB6wvAU_SPNpvcBzlV7ZZKH56_lklug-PofJj38LU_2CNbtApSmvlRIQ8LO2/s1600-h/nrc1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnDg-KJZGQkpHSYuHIJBncm532JJ2r4iADogIqVm178iOFAdyRVGeIpRJg60h1NakZ37SqAtxXB6wvAU_SPNpvcBzlV7ZZKH56_lklug-PofJj38LU_2CNbtApSmvlRIQ8LO2/s320/nrc1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321948592460631666" /></a><br />One of the things I am doing is experimenting with a different kind of response at the end of each talk, so we will see how that goes. Our friend Jodi is coming over from Sydney for the camp and to spend some time with us. We will have a few days off after camp, travelling with her, which we are looking forward to, (except for Luke who will fly south on the Thursday).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oGf0WBUbElFK1fpI5tqb1gE66fK-ho2GkGxpNCqq0ieHF_sZmvuwBprHOYbY1UdxidJcPhTRWFUPyhYpyV_b2vqVSNpIsh8LczfGrE-0eoPoGVIx6UYdOJ-44zrq45U4tz8D/s1600-h/SideOne.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oGf0WBUbElFK1fpI5tqb1gE66fK-ho2GkGxpNCqq0ieHF_sZmvuwBprHOYbY1UdxidJcPhTRWFUPyhYpyV_b2vqVSNpIsh8LczfGrE-0eoPoGVIx6UYdOJ-44zrq45U4tz8D/s320/SideOne.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321950532503555026" /></a><br />Val, Ben and I are all presenting in the "Smorgasbord" at the Kiwi Made Preaching Day. We have been right behind this new initiative and see it as a potentially significant day. It will be great to see Jonathan Lamb too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZY441WdCSk0N4vCTvg8BIw10haEj0rWk3dmuNwzGwNMMdN0Niy0cclA2RqvcnkXiPy6SehrVUSbC_8wA8-qzmx1wMMeclG0NOlt0XNAO9glnBzmnGLJGrYeTe4JxHqwptCoi/s1600-h/apr014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZY441WdCSk0N4vCTvg8BIw10haEj0rWk3dmuNwzGwNMMdN0Niy0cclA2RqvcnkXiPy6SehrVUSbC_8wA8-qzmx1wMMeclG0NOlt0XNAO9glnBzmnGLJGrYeTe4JxHqwptCoi/s320/apr014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321950192435662450" /></a><br />I have also just had my annual review which was a helpful and positive experience. I am conscious that the organisational elements of my role do not always align with the vocational aspects and need to help people with that. I think those around me would also value me finding a new PA or EA. But overall I am the most encouraged I have been since we have been here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN6KYsvZeQHIzkG2FngIAJEle-ofqgVaVf_KpODeV1zK5OH0jxRciZGqP-U7T-bBqFuFmkKXdqp9nq4DgMTNcwg0sUFD7eY96fCMRqrN7IG9aN3FhYpAYhyphenhyphenZaMN35OtNa6yMk/s1600-h/apr010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN6KYsvZeQHIzkG2FngIAJEle-ofqgVaVf_KpODeV1zK5OH0jxRciZGqP-U7T-bBqFuFmkKXdqp9nq4DgMTNcwg0sUFD7eY96fCMRqrN7IG9aN3FhYpAYhyphenhyphenZaMN35OtNa6yMk/s320/apr010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321954786208154322" /></a><br />But since I started this post talking about a big picture that seems a suitable place to close. The response to the "Big Picture" Vision Issue of Canvas has been very encouraging. As one church leader said to me "this is the kind of thing that we hoped you would do when you came to New Zealand - it is quintessentially what we need and quintessentially what we hoped you would be doing". <br /><br />I have to say that "quintessential" was not a word that I had heard for a while. But having looked it up; (Adj.1. quintessential - representing the perfect example of a class or quality; quintessential; (adjective) ultimate, essential, typical, fundamental, definitive, archetypal, prototypica); I resolved to use it more. (just in case you were wondering).<br /><br />This comes with our love and best wishes for a wonderful Easter. (which is after all the quintessential Christian festival!)Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-64113221516731438532009-03-18T18:33:00.000-07:002009-03-18T21:12:28.941-07:00The Privilege of Flying<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsSoGD-mGh7qWXZK0Kp0y6VjHstQPuoVVznQGWSuAC00cF49zQos0WmqFshPZV_9SyqMVyzah41IteSLNp_6Pn9UEpyMpqhS5fxrc7RUWzDMYpYmimOFAlelMQowqZxZNpCGW/s1600-h/aerial1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsSoGD-mGh7qWXZK0Kp0y6VjHstQPuoVVznQGWSuAC00cF49zQos0WmqFshPZV_9SyqMVyzah41IteSLNp_6Pn9UEpyMpqhS5fxrc7RUWzDMYpYmimOFAlelMQowqZxZNpCGW/s320/aerial1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314724573090198450" /></a><br />Sometimes people mention to me that it is a long and tiring journey to NZ. It is but I always feel it is a privilege. Given the sweep of human history and the situation of the majority on the planet today it is something many would love to be able to do have done or do. There are certainly many worse ways to travel than on a modern airliner. I like looking out of the windows when I am on a plane. I enjoy the perspective and the way that you can see how things join together. I always feel that I function better when I am able to relate the wider view to what I do each day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkF__liovStLZ3P5eLKB2NYaKAZewMGFbx0vVsUtZWg9affEeeyzBgJGomlsgOZSSN2K71JGidk2nVGk9OSTs6sIPlIuxB3VR2nbw-cPjGp-LdtM4l4gY5CCjTjrpNHczKTea/s1600-h/aerial2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkF__liovStLZ3P5eLKB2NYaKAZewMGFbx0vVsUtZWg9affEeeyzBgJGomlsgOZSSN2K71JGidk2nVGk9OSTs6sIPlIuxB3VR2nbw-cPjGp-LdtM4l4gY5CCjTjrpNHczKTea/s320/aerial2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314723492553393490" /></a><br />When you are walking by the Thames the London Eye dominates the skyline. It is about the highest place you can get to in London but from a different viewpoint you can see how it fits into the landscape. The Vision Issue of Canvas, which you can read on Cultural Connections and is about to go out in NZ, is an attempt to get up in the air and see some of the major challenges we are facing with some perspective.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4VhfqiiWhWKi-ccxRXWoZhGxo_ggQt97jiualzAcnyvAukQ7QHTLPdCvKdyD0owHZgvIbM64fU4QV9S2numytWNsYERpwldpH6Ix_nX7-Z8DiBbhcNm5WAxuRj1sNQjp-AWV/s1600-h/nigelcloser.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4VhfqiiWhWKi-ccxRXWoZhGxo_ggQt97jiualzAcnyvAukQ7QHTLPdCvKdyD0owHZgvIbM64fU4QV9S2numytWNsYERpwldpH6Ix_nX7-Z8DiBbhcNm5WAxuRj1sNQjp-AWV/s320/nigelcloser.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314720728235253250" /></a><br />Overall this year I have felt much more positive within myself and excited about engaging with these challenges. The time from being at Sprite in Australia, through being in Scotland over Christmas and then back to New Zealand has felt like the start of a new chapter. The first three years in NZ has seen some remarkable provision in staff and finances, conferences have begun to grow again, new groups have been pioneered and many existing groups have prospered, broken systems have been fixed, new partnerships developed, relationships around the Pacific strengthened and potentially strategic initiatives started. Yet for all this encouragement there have been some frustrations, a degree of loneliness and the struggles of adapting to life in a new culture. What I have come to realise over the last few months is that both the encouragements and the difficulties have been part of a process of growth and learning. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptSAkEFBxko41Lp1GYv6ooh1CH6-UvxF_CCC2UxfngooSqOmxGX2CA925n_tw7WLVvlB7qqKHmbTsLH4YX5B6CpG-F9yM7u0sGmmeGbbK860QIzCOeQNozttvPSg-Bdeee5Sh/s1600-h/ali.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptSAkEFBxko41Lp1GYv6ooh1CH6-UvxF_CCC2UxfngooSqOmxGX2CA925n_tw7WLVvlB7qqKHmbTsLH4YX5B6CpG-F9yM7u0sGmmeGbbK860QIzCOeQNozttvPSg-Bdeee5Sh/s320/ali.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314720306281686354" /></a><br />Ally left to return to Vancouver. We all really enjoyed having her visit and the boys were sad to see her go. We enjoy having people to stay and although there are many people that we would love to see more of who live in other places it is a privilege to have these chunks of quality time with visitors. Our house still needs a bit of work and we are hoping to get the next phase underway soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIJiJyxbe2oK2a8cwOv7Yq8Ng6XBo1YYsDAmPNWMbU93W0a9S-JoS0Odc1Od8UHOle_-vqyHyopObOzqKLe8qF5ASP9JEB-Pec6PcCnLa3cy9fqutxVdUWH2hORrp69wEM2oR/s1600-h/weet1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIJiJyxbe2oK2a8cwOv7Yq8Ng6XBo1YYsDAmPNWMbU93W0a9S-JoS0Odc1Od8UHOle_-vqyHyopObOzqKLe8qF5ASP9JEB-Pec6PcCnLa3cy9fqutxVdUWH2hORrp69wEM2oR/s320/weet1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314718355808982994" /></a><br />The boys all took part in the Weetbix Tryathalon. This was severely curtailed last year due to bad weather so they were glad to be able to do the whole thing this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScCWva1N566IX98ss5nZJfHHyl4w0vESbVbxxhKVoylpZ7DlsJHX9gEWIhFBquaXrQcM1WSiQ_CteriyoD5d4a16p8hvXT22hwRuxyjukPE84uwZ49aPizsr2MxuW9v5kkSek/s1600-h/weet2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScCWva1N566IX98ss5nZJfHHyl4w0vESbVbxxhKVoylpZ7DlsJHX9gEWIhFBquaXrQcM1WSiQ_CteriyoD5d4a16p8hvXT22hwRuxyjukPE84uwZ49aPizsr2MxuW9v5kkSek/s320/weet2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314714445417952850" /></a><br />It consists of a swim, followed by a cycle and finally a run. It is a fun event rather than a competitive race but you take part with other people of your same age group.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrze20yfNgoV7Eb7XjlCj67zfq_avP-JRRFzH9SBQ0VGUDYpVG4yoH47HgEynWanQp9hfq3UrOBulxUMnwbLErGGDFkoyg6GBbKNGmVaQ9BqYlPMN-TBxOM_MY3DpjgiezHggd/s1600-h/weet3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrze20yfNgoV7Eb7XjlCj67zfq_avP-JRRFzH9SBQ0VGUDYpVG4yoH47HgEynWanQp9hfq3UrOBulxUMnwbLErGGDFkoyg6GBbKNGmVaQ9BqYlPMN-TBxOM_MY3DpjgiezHggd/s320/weet3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314713360782192530" /></a><br />Everyone who participates gets a tee shirt and everyone who finishes gets a medal. Piri Weepu from the Hurricanes is signing Jamie’s shirt. This was good training for Luke and Jamie who are about to take part in the Wellington College World Vision Runathon this weekend. You may remember that last year Luke ran 80 km in 40 hours. This year the additional challenge will be combining it with a Hurricanes match, cricket helping with a kids event and hockey training. It is Jamie’s first year and they both want to be there at the start and at the end. (6.00 am on Friday and 10.00 pm on Saturday!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_syUe-iPj1z2Pc8sJfMZ2Jw0vYQThkNHRnI_NCt_aBfMiizBMVQ_0ufrvbMwJPWqXVOOMwyEXbdb0emXbXK_lUuT8bp7qvVrdwUjndpqKqSprjUj4i99LFAdwsfv-yc4m0arN/s1600-h/schoolspeech1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_syUe-iPj1z2Pc8sJfMZ2Jw0vYQThkNHRnI_NCt_aBfMiizBMVQ_0ufrvbMwJPWqXVOOMwyEXbdb0emXbXK_lUuT8bp7qvVrdwUjndpqKqSprjUj4i99LFAdwsfv-yc4m0arN/s320/schoolspeech1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314712602970467922" /></a><br />Craig did really well in the Year 5 and 6 Speech Competition. He had to prepare a speech on a topic of his choosing and also do an impromptu talk. He chose “Alcatraz” as his subject and was picked to go through to the final.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULRHISsvb2Wciv0MEAArbAM5ephIwW3Nq6zKMrGwocbuv-rCHdxsRaMee-0KG3JTyrmxl3zyGPmNOgA-pqHsCHqp59VemrTysq0jQogm1r5cqNNExb-jBOhkSG5Shr_FLGoV9/s1600-h/schoolspeech2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULRHISsvb2Wciv0MEAArbAM5ephIwW3Nq6zKMrGwocbuv-rCHdxsRaMee-0KG3JTyrmxl3zyGPmNOgA-pqHsCHqp59VemrTysq0jQogm1r5cqNNExb-jBOhkSG5Shr_FLGoV9/s320/schoolspeech2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314712380763622226" /></a><br />Ally and Ailsa were both able to be there to see him speaking in front of both year groups. He is good in these situations and he was rewarded with 3rd Place which reflected how hard he had worked on it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV92VL86F69UsqQSs9LTrudETclCu8WKMqb7OiwdEaXwPayDG6PjI20pIM8lx2J6hAEe_sGyVe344VWsoRhDqC-kvlE1kuhWPKr4OXfUb6S1VK7qvHh4hUU-d08RQgLToM8dfV/s1600-h/eddiecopy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV92VL86F69UsqQSs9LTrudETclCu8WKMqb7OiwdEaXwPayDG6PjI20pIM8lx2J6hAEe_sGyVe344VWsoRhDqC-kvlE1kuhWPKr4OXfUb6S1VK7qvHh4hUU-d08RQgLToM8dfV/s320/eddiecopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314711922605162434" /></a><br />I had a worthwhile trip to the US and the UK. It was good to meet up with a few people I had not seen for a while. It is always difficult knowing who to try and connect with. It is clear that the global financial crisis will have a significant effect. I met with a Trust in the US who had been making positive noises about funding our building project last year but have been decimated since then. Capital Projects in particular are going to be much harder in the current climate. There are a lot of people who are in pain and some of that must be shared. I do have a sense though that there is some momentum building behind Catalyst, Campus Evangelism and Leadership Development. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHcJw0nXtOxNkPJchAKWaXvGRtvdXs8NxRtgTqZkEw9o3zNgT9Y-PWWnVzXpi3UrnF2oZuOvXq7dbm8habfV48Yy4Rd001zih0tqCt99k3dc5OaYgh38nYN762Wg1RPxBXoKQ/s1600-h/petermedal.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHcJw0nXtOxNkPJchAKWaXvGRtvdXs8NxRtgTqZkEw9o3zNgT9Y-PWWnVzXpi3UrnF2oZuOvXq7dbm8habfV48Yy4Rd001zih0tqCt99k3dc5OaYgh38nYN762Wg1RPxBXoKQ/s320/petermedal.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314709989157029378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9y3bJ9C_XsSTosBo5fLMwLx1ThGoIdBZFX2VuZXxR8U-Y_kGCwYGJC574o7-iyUfpHlav5jPg487njifOeUPKPdIZQ-3Yjg-qPS2ge29mfdF1NNqX4ySfu-bBPHiqU3msbEf/s1600-h/sarahmedal.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9y3bJ9C_XsSTosBo5fLMwLx1ThGoIdBZFX2VuZXxR8U-Y_kGCwYGJC574o7-iyUfpHlav5jPg487njifOeUPKPdIZQ-3Yjg-qPS2ge29mfdF1NNqX4ySfu-bBPHiqU3msbEf/s320/sarahmedal.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314708697064049426" /></a><br />I was able to visit my sister and family in Buckingham. They were just back from their latest ski competition. This saw Peter win a silver medal and Sarah 2 silver medals. Andrew did well too but is less focussed on the competitions. I did take a photograph of him as well but it was not especially flattering so I decided to spare his blushes here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVknF1XuMupvejsNxqWFDYuIOM3K2-V0pROjtP4OOl1mumQ8M76J6zZWPA01WmtVKrc62FxRekxfGpTIJPkp6hqYmmBmTSbuROHiLK_tGkGz7ZH5N5GlxAML1Mge8bA41E7G-/s1600-h/al.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVknF1XuMupvejsNxqWFDYuIOM3K2-V0pROjtP4OOl1mumQ8M76J6zZWPA01WmtVKrc62FxRekxfGpTIJPkp6hqYmmBmTSbuROHiLK_tGkGz7ZH5N5GlxAML1Mge8bA41E7G-/s320/al.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314708388458370194" /></a><br />The Marshalls were all in good form. Part of the increased fun of visiting the UK is the increasingly long list of things that those who have been there miss and pine for. I think Alastair would probably have been on our boys list but they will have to be content with Ready Brek.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCrcmEnFd06q2GwoDAWJNcnNhEdtwVt-hVuCwpk0aRovtr2g-jCkRk9BwuowZENrD5MD8B2i1LAQ2SFYfdinz4r4A-BE98_zCfLHq24tKnKU8eafw5gkZ02YTs3kTu_3oHDaC/s1600-h/marshalls.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCrcmEnFd06q2GwoDAWJNcnNhEdtwVt-hVuCwpk0aRovtr2g-jCkRk9BwuowZENrD5MD8B2i1LAQ2SFYfdinz4r4A-BE98_zCfLHq24tKnKU8eafw5gkZ02YTs3kTu_3oHDaC/s320/marshalls.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314708139418682290" /></a><br />Frizz-Ease Curl Control, Cadbury’s Highlights, Jaffa Cakes and Pickled Onion Monster Munch were all high on individual wish lists. I have not made any promises but I do have some things to declare at the border.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZljC__CE4hSse_dQuFZ8-oS-WY_-isw1KGOSQ62rXcGIUmBveT1UeduHiQFL0P8URF5-gxIhVeLgiYARUULXGuVloPv_2U7pSEeR4kDKzwEjKYL-J6w3EY3SbRrG5iIjcrGaP/s1600-h/jerry.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZljC__CE4hSse_dQuFZ8-oS-WY_-isw1KGOSQ62rXcGIUmBveT1UeduHiQFL0P8URF5-gxIhVeLgiYARUULXGuVloPv_2U7pSEeR4kDKzwEjKYL-J6w3EY3SbRrG5iIjcrGaP/s320/jerry.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314707822654627586" /></a><br />The other highlight was, as always, being at Davidson’s Mains. I came across this poster in the US but actually one of the strengths of the church is that it is not just about Jerry. The move to a new pattern of working eldership focussed on making disciples is exciting and one that I welcome. Change is always hard though and inevitably there will be people who feel they have lost something in the transition. My prayer for our friends is that there is unity and a growing understanding of leadership as being about function rather than position and an increasing commitment to take opportunities to serve and encourage. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO3CHSPt4O4b0_iirqbh6w2AW43Y3DhlypGWA6R19Q4LxNY5PrMhL7IRvshXMiJu86SPxxDEeVIFFeL2UvX2NGP3C5pfirr2OGUJHunqAiRlYFdNzEFUuBKEmX64K9sojG9AA/s1600-h/bible.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO3CHSPt4O4b0_iirqbh6w2AW43Y3DhlypGWA6R19Q4LxNY5PrMhL7IRvshXMiJu86SPxxDEeVIFFeL2UvX2NGP3C5pfirr2OGUJHunqAiRlYFdNzEFUuBKEmX64K9sojG9AA/s320/bible.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314707618773705250" /></a><br />At the evening service Jerry spoke of the death of Jim Phillip and the influence that he had made in his life. He said that it was not at college but rather sitting in church week by week that he learned the Bible. There are many in Church ministry today who would say something similar having been involved at Holyrood, Gilcomston, Sandyford and the Tron. Stephen Carvel made an interesting comment that when great Christian leaders pass on it is up to others to take up the baton and build on that legacy in their generation. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaVjnwUv9Yz2Wa9FsJ0XwHneVLVuwC4Ymr8m91wUdfZIs5lIj4SI9KpBYwu0Ubhh8blA-Hydb-FCDQ-ZBuFztYbGwVOUhTL57d8cvTX8kqqwiKaiVjjxPgr4m5bc83TzARXqH/s1600-h/nigel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaVjnwUv9Yz2Wa9FsJ0XwHneVLVuwC4Ymr8m91wUdfZIs5lIj4SI9KpBYwu0Ubhh8blA-Hydb-FCDQ-ZBuFztYbGwVOUhTL57d8cvTX8kqqwiKaiVjjxPgr4m5bc83TzARXqH/s320/nigel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314706395388912194" /></a><br />I remember someone saying to me once “The puzzle really is not why so few live so well but rather why so many live so poorly”. I am thankful for those around me who do not want to settle for mediocrity and who encourage and challenge me. Life is short and we want to make the most of every opportunity because each day we have does not come again. So as we contemplate the whirl of a new hockey season, speaking writing, fundraising, developing partnerships and working with staff and students, I do not want to lose sight of the big picture. I want to see the privileges more than the problems and take up that baton in my generation. Hope you will stick around for the adventure.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-30988760820282624732009-03-03T23:07:00.001-08:002009-03-04T01:33:59.745-08:00The Adventurers Return<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjXTwppBldLZ43ze3-2dVz_HRHzV6yI0F9hQ_s4luTOw54OlLg7EnBSSAd-7rd115wcKGI4pjcgTaM_ENW8vmCWizlaE4q0aSDwtCIm9KmyYDFrJ-l95_kUckQ_1nwWCrihpC/s1600-h/marchblogcanoe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjXTwppBldLZ43ze3-2dVz_HRHzV6yI0F9hQ_s4luTOw54OlLg7EnBSSAd-7rd115wcKGI4pjcgTaM_ENW8vmCWizlaE4q0aSDwtCIm9KmyYDFrJ-l95_kUckQ_1nwWCrihpC/s320/marchblogcanoe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309226043726633042" /></a><br />Ailsa and Ally had a fabulous time kayaking in Abel Tasman. They paddled for 50km over the three days of the trip. There were some rough seas in the first couple of days but they successfully piloted their canoe carrying all their supplies and tents in and all their rubbish out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PeVhOIVIDzZidhyphenhyphengKI1TedFMb010v3aYvQdoQXIne-pmc7xkvs-FsLYY5qdDWn1IXkssfPMeCGKsRUBXL2WsXlYsDlVpVIL42O0mvhzT7qTuiiiFPLpWWGZUq-o6ZlOb7lFJ/s1600-h/marchblog012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PeVhOIVIDzZidhyphenhyphengKI1TedFMb010v3aYvQdoQXIne-pmc7xkvs-FsLYY5qdDWn1IXkssfPMeCGKsRUBXL2WsXlYsDlVpVIL42O0mvhzT7qTuiiiFPLpWWGZUq-o6ZlOb7lFJ/s320/marchblog012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309226792690547698" /></a><br />There were 8 in the group plus a guide. One of the couples was from Scotland visiting New Zealand for a year and they were able to find some friends in common. The guide cooked each night and the group were impressed with what he was able to whip up on a portable stove.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30rBiQOmzo5l4wLhzNnX5i0rybtSAyAr2YFqWIp9CSAuw9LnR0noRTdMEoHMFFJm9hImd2j5bljY4wuoyncP7PvKT5IzD9ZPNPmpf_mwCt5vJPwl4rlkBBOE7ETgsvG5HesxD/s1600-h/marchblog028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30rBiQOmzo5l4wLhzNnX5i0rybtSAyAr2YFqWIp9CSAuw9LnR0noRTdMEoHMFFJm9hImd2j5bljY4wuoyncP7PvKT5IzD9ZPNPmpf_mwCt5vJPwl4rlkBBOE7ETgsvG5HesxD/s320/marchblog028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309228046411465442" /></a><br />They saw a number of different birds, seal pups and dolphins and enjoyed hearing a bit of the history of some of the islands and bays. Ally coped fine with her arm still being in plaster and the kayak did not spend all it's time going in circles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVVS_LHhztDyyggkOPoALD_oGFWeN4ftbPM-09vTjfEjJlON-EMwuz3d7xEiwvVEosoj_qNE1NmqLfKU8Dqc7e9_A6JNNmTy6erTEQcCo4Za7dLjh6kSLEufr2t__ZwZKvNB1/s1600-h/marchblog002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVVS_LHhztDyyggkOPoALD_oGFWeN4ftbPM-09vTjfEjJlON-EMwuz3d7xEiwvVEosoj_qNE1NmqLfKU8Dqc7e9_A6JNNmTy6erTEQcCo4Za7dLjh6kSLEufr2t__ZwZKvNB1/s320/marchblog002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309229195666593730" /></a><br />Ailsa really enjoyed the week. They had a night in Nelson either side of the Kayak trip and had fun exploring and cooking their own dinner on hot stones in a restaurant they discovered. Difficult to get the balance between "yes it was all fine" (running the risk of "you don't appreciate me") to the "it was awful" (running the risk of "I feel guilty about leaving you all"). In fact the boys were great at home and we all coped pretty well but we were all delighted to have Ailsa back again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r-sZsS9XwYk-DNURDTCLLe8DFC-kzT3X1q0nheumFG9mzEhHUcBxJjPt7XTv9DrSnuWbfMMhCi2P83-kMWnxkL6kJSyFU3exP8AifbQBd0ZDuEiHElRJY7W8GW_VbZVkYwTK/s1600-h/cricket1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r-sZsS9XwYk-DNURDTCLLe8DFC-kzT3X1q0nheumFG9mzEhHUcBxJjPt7XTv9DrSnuWbfMMhCi2P83-kMWnxkL6kJSyFU3exP8AifbQBd0ZDuEiHElRJY7W8GW_VbZVkYwTK/s320/cricket1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309231403412742834" /></a><br />The last night before Ailsa got back we went to the 2020 cricket at the Cake Tin. It was a great evening and one of the best atmospheres we have been to there. There is not often much away support at the stadium but there was a huge crowd supporting India which was good fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN8TiMZo-yiA3bdqYxvhr4AamkI0gerS8qoYW9WxG4EASYMXp-BAeVK6O-AWyY9qoqSKjW-uW5JmcHfTmPyTBhrJOqTPJZP_StWwKqB0sIr4WDfh6TZa6G3nOsXIL87J3hze5/s1600-h/cricket2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN8TiMZo-yiA3bdqYxvhr4AamkI0gerS8qoYW9WxG4EASYMXp-BAeVK6O-AWyY9qoqSKjW-uW5JmcHfTmPyTBhrJOqTPJZP_StWwKqB0sIr4WDfh6TZa6G3nOsXIL87J3hze5/s320/cricket2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309232822146089906" /></a><br />We went with Andrew, Sam and Isaac and some students and friends. At the close we needed 16 of the last 7 balls and then 9 of the last 3. The Black Caps won on the very last ball to the great delight of the boys. (and to Gina Wong who was perhaps the most excited I have ever seen anyone of Asian origin!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAsojxE_pUhEWdb2pRarkuVWWAYXUsfA5BhOfbxIaKbWWE8PWKe7DkaOnosxE0xlvgVhMNBCmV9w_QATTy3W4Q2G_VT37woWRXyklHQOJrZgK3AGrfh2VuphWM2_Wwj-w458j/s1600-h/marchblog024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAsojxE_pUhEWdb2pRarkuVWWAYXUsfA5BhOfbxIaKbWWE8PWKe7DkaOnosxE0xlvgVhMNBCmV9w_QATTy3W4Q2G_VT37woWRXyklHQOJrZgK3AGrfh2VuphWM2_Wwj-w458j/s320/marchblog024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309235411098967410" /></a><br />We took Ally up to the Kapiti coast on Sunday. This is one of my favourite places partially because it was where I spent most time on my first three trips to NZ.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbDKZKkdGF3TAJDy9o9Y7yU8Pl07NwwDdOAzg5Up_l5XphWn6MOoIwoYNJJuEFFKbCE5eY6OBh7DKj7b7ixlnmDEoDQyo2u-dQ9o005TqhMhDlHjWgKfqo0B-AJMcWK1Jdp_6/s1600-h/marchblog008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbDKZKkdGF3TAJDy9o9Y7yU8Pl07NwwDdOAzg5Up_l5XphWn6MOoIwoYNJJuEFFKbCE5eY6OBh7DKj7b7ixlnmDEoDQyo2u-dQ9o005TqhMhDlHjWgKfqo0B-AJMcWK1Jdp_6/s320/marchblog008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309236235003166850" /></a><br />It has been great having Ally visiting. This is the 4th country we have spent some time together in and she is a Great Aunt in both senses of that! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhfD-1lx8ylLwYCBF9XeHOtODnaEFTQVkRgXS5pT99pm-9Pge5Uba74A-YfHK1-JuZaCHjSYLsLfQmwrvVaC0r1uC-6QbsGYk6R52BDB0PHNl-1cfwoX0hKIGi7jF9NaJAMeW/s1600-h/marchblog021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhfD-1lx8ylLwYCBF9XeHOtODnaEFTQVkRgXS5pT99pm-9Pge5Uba74A-YfHK1-JuZaCHjSYLsLfQmwrvVaC0r1uC-6QbsGYk6R52BDB0PHNl-1cfwoX0hKIGi7jF9NaJAMeW/s320/marchblog021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309238624825853266" /></a><br />Eddie commented the other day how we always look like we are outdoors in New Zealand. It is certainly one of the things we enjoy about life here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKW5FkjHjtn5nDuPczDs7-s1CLu_I7GxVV4VACVHIoJLCwWtpGgPpXCIGgrUI8Qv1aWvXmfKOSAA1vom0hlEbywkVvpXFWLTtUhLqM7sK2Tvut40_A3QHRFumYpts85WRcVwSs/s1600-h/marchblog029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKW5FkjHjtn5nDuPczDs7-s1CLu_I7GxVV4VACVHIoJLCwWtpGgPpXCIGgrUI8Qv1aWvXmfKOSAA1vom0hlEbywkVvpXFWLTtUhLqM7sK2Tvut40_A3QHRFumYpts85WRcVwSs/s320/marchblog029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309240933626376738" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVuhxwhvANFtKN1dEyQkjW5xraxGPTOi3guGrZysvCnN9lB6gEm64gmhrQPK2oYLiKZC7BjgwA7figcIgthkY1RFPPPp-CNhQwwLzfvErq3tsoRoMWiBLbWp3wsd4mT85zwke/s1600-h/marchblog027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVuhxwhvANFtKN1dEyQkjW5xraxGPTOi3guGrZysvCnN9lB6gEm64gmhrQPK2oYLiKZC7BjgwA7figcIgthkY1RFPPPp-CNhQwwLzfvErq3tsoRoMWiBLbWp3wsd4mT85zwke/s320/marchblog027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309240726269417218" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xman5hWzr8IXgN8B3Bc8TS6-qkFFtjOCafrzX2hPyxL_VwO13g59Pkdmh_d445W9FHMvjjHgcOWTf5T3dQHOWRqWVpby8SgZAK-AvwpQtvVIBkX3y9ZgBNaRkKIc4n8CXXaA/s1600-h/marchblog003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xman5hWzr8IXgN8B3Bc8TS6-qkFFtjOCafrzX2hPyxL_VwO13g59Pkdmh_d445W9FHMvjjHgcOWTf5T3dQHOWRqWVpby8SgZAK-AvwpQtvVIBkX3y9ZgBNaRkKIc4n8CXXaA/s320/marchblog003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309240562849167730" /></a><br />We are all starting to get into training for the new hockey season. Luke and Jamie will have trials for Wellington College and Craig at Hutt. I have done more pre-season training myself than I have done for about 20 years!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdLsPtxJNzQDnYuXwjRoLh-w6RUKugX_aEY73f8872VYZwrZoGZaqUDXgJ1nGRnmuAFhylvmrl-Ooz8kdEmU1t07qN_WZH6GS1G0R_Dbe_U0Oi5IT29NA7jcfdWaAdj5wwCs3/s1600-h/marchblog023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdLsPtxJNzQDnYuXwjRoLh-w6RUKugX_aEY73f8872VYZwrZoGZaqUDXgJ1nGRnmuAFhylvmrl-Ooz8kdEmU1t07qN_WZH6GS1G0R_Dbe_U0Oi5IT29NA7jcfdWaAdj5wwCs3/s320/marchblog023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309245920134250690" /></a><br />I had a pretty enjoyable birthday. Ailsa had got some pictures of Alcatraz framed and the boys gave me some Dukka and a book about the Olympics. Nicola had made chocolate cake ad they sang happy birthday in the office and a lot of people sent greetings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oUPzGzV-p78lmEYpsZDygedSw3kj7boN7cv2Zdef08mOLd0R88Mb1BZ7qlDlo_YuynyT0lWGI4aooXvJa2WVT_L9dLsWGuM3tiE6mA8lgqEMEa_du3YqqI7XZ3cLjbPboauF/s1600-h/marchblog013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oUPzGzV-p78lmEYpsZDygedSw3kj7boN7cv2Zdef08mOLd0R88Mb1BZ7qlDlo_YuynyT0lWGI4aooXvJa2WVT_L9dLsWGuM3tiE6mA8lgqEMEa_du3YqqI7XZ3cLjbPboauF/s320/marchblog013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309243763720258050" /></a><br />We went out to Ichiban Tepanyaki for dinner which was Ally's first time at a food throwing Japanese restaurant. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1COUtyEbYoB6U6tkdKqPixNZrEvukbyh30jgmMc7ZtzSPsaTFhrdguuFcyGUycdKBaNIJCc8uSuH3lskj0ZFSWTVbb7aaoUwFFyOuDu4VRF43lRYphP21w896T36mkN8kiTv/s1600-h/marchblog006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1COUtyEbYoB6U6tkdKqPixNZrEvukbyh30jgmMc7ZtzSPsaTFhrdguuFcyGUycdKBaNIJCc8uSuH3lskj0ZFSWTVbb7aaoUwFFyOuDu4VRF43lRYphP21w896T36mkN8kiTv/s320/marchblog006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309242251093869010" /></a><br />I guess birthdays are a time to reflect and give thanks. I feel the first few months of this year have been significant. I have felt much more encouraged and supported by older and newer friends. There are still huge challenges but I feel that phase 1 has been completed in NZ and we are now pressing forward into a new stage of life and work here. I have also been feeling more creative. (which is always a little dangerous!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0g27qxIvn7_dIRDLfSkrj0U_g4WzBYbUBhZXvv4rR2suoiw42Cjn3I1VbvWpFnMXEZWMe3bMX2OyNls624fDrMYN05WoCjvJ3p-3XL4d7yNKpMFFjzuxazbs-e33rtHKNsj_/s1600-h/marchblog020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0g27qxIvn7_dIRDLfSkrj0U_g4WzBYbUBhZXvv4rR2suoiw42Cjn3I1VbvWpFnMXEZWMe3bMX2OyNls624fDrMYN05WoCjvJ3p-3XL4d7yNKpMFFjzuxazbs-e33rtHKNsj_/s320/marchblog020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309247469542261474" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-_u8-dCmGX4T8uwjOYNkOxBXTLquqHbQxNQE-Wf06s-pqBdLxxvpk54QqFzgXi3cIGlkBdzQu8uLNyps4fZt_61rHYPUDn5YkC_RQrFcsqGKGWptvo1fPnpsRJ2_vk4r8NRq/s1600-h/marchblog014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-_u8-dCmGX4T8uwjOYNkOxBXTLquqHbQxNQE-Wf06s-pqBdLxxvpk54QqFzgXi3cIGlkBdzQu8uLNyps4fZt_61rHYPUDn5YkC_RQrFcsqGKGWptvo1fPnpsRJ2_vk4r8NRq/s320/marchblog014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309247114685544482" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO4E7GVdbI36w4lmJ3rknXq7Ho1Eu683L6QNTi6UlVdLFsH7E4um77Pq0Ox1YZlng7X-11Kme-YIOOZVK4zZUf8YGIBcqqfcUkllCBQ3q6Xpjtg6k-izKfGCaUyeB0Hnq2Eqs/s1600-h/marchblog001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO4E7GVdbI36w4lmJ3rknXq7Ho1Eu683L6QNTi6UlVdLFsH7E4um77Pq0Ox1YZlng7X-11Kme-YIOOZVK4zZUf8YGIBcqqfcUkllCBQ3q6Xpjtg6k-izKfGCaUyeB0Hnq2Eqs/s320/marchblog001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309246520818466706" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4duP2tCIu7SgXMRi_e4KxWxYevEOb_2-w0BJFQT-rUdACVe_yx72tebZWeHXxygYE_BL571OBbQSwS_zTAO5vWwmy0A4aMeXhAROmCXU0cBV0Im473hFFzMz2bUbamvejVOrS/s1600-h/marchblog009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4duP2tCIu7SgXMRi_e4KxWxYevEOb_2-w0BJFQT-rUdACVe_yx72tebZWeHXxygYE_BL571OBbQSwS_zTAO5vWwmy0A4aMeXhAROmCXU0cBV0Im473hFFzMz2bUbamvejVOrS/s320/marchblog009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309246956688923266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX1Ic7-a9Jhf8FMQLUzvLR8mbz5r-j5qGkgBrxDrCumsMjD4u2A2TxvOOKjz5v44Ndwqu1kM8AB5KBoPZhtnhFhM5EVgiLkinmvNG205se8AyKgDFVr_zh_nR9oA7jIVECfqC/s1600-h/marchblog004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX1Ic7-a9Jhf8FMQLUzvLR8mbz5r-j5qGkgBrxDrCumsMjD4u2A2TxvOOKjz5v44Ndwqu1kM8AB5KBoPZhtnhFhM5EVgiLkinmvNG205se8AyKgDFVr_zh_nR9oA7jIVECfqC/s320/marchblog004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309246688414943602" /></a><br />I enjoy that on a beach you have things which wash up on the shore having been shaped by water and wind. They exist on the boundary for a fragile moment. Walking on the beach looking out you have the big inspiring vista but looking down there is also much to be treasured in the tidal debris. There is beauty in both and I enjoy shifting the perspective. Trying to get people to see small things in a bigger context has and continues to be a major leadership challenge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxJtKLumztAdqHAw2g1RghxfVAXRvj4-DTt44lhvizuwWwJ49g4pSB0nhiIorQdv6MMtwIpaBYaaYZVKCRpzkHe8CKCrZosb2uD6dgRTliNY9Nx_M38_bTws30IY6GENPDsht/s1600-h/marchblog017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxJtKLumztAdqHAw2g1RghxfVAXRvj4-DTt44lhvizuwWwJ49g4pSB0nhiIorQdv6MMtwIpaBYaaYZVKCRpzkHe8CKCrZosb2uD6dgRTliNY9Nx_M38_bTws30IY6GENPDsht/s320/marchblog017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309247723175768130" /></a><br />The McEvedy Shield is an annual athletics competition held in Wellington between the 4 traditional boys schools. Wellington College, St Pats Town, St Pats Silverstream and Rongotai. It is one of the highlights of the sporting calendar for these schools. Selection is very competitive and Luke just missed out on the 1500m.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLSDEmSK8WJvLcOaOztwHsv4Zn_E0mzE2OCLnCawReBwxkQO5pE8SsQIRJIyLFw8S-Wc9vgWP156Y5Tes131K23B9qpGe-LONH1xjwP-4Wcm8TQliyLBEpL8r9Ph0g3IXGb6b/s1600-h/marchblog019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLSDEmSK8WJvLcOaOztwHsv4Zn_E0mzE2OCLnCawReBwxkQO5pE8SsQIRJIyLFw8S-Wc9vgWP156Y5Tes131K23B9qpGe-LONH1xjwP-4Wcm8TQliyLBEpL8r9Ph0g3IXGb6b/s320/marchblog019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309247909440424882" /></a><br />St Pats Town were the defending champions and led for most of the day. The noise the supporters make can be heard from some distance away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOuXA68eErkHqNPyEzyOZ6UJCadJl_O3r_DKSzJAw13ftZ2Q2mpJaXkRJSzp78w-0y8CHSG01rCFeE3cZJ94QxoSc7QgSGhXe0p_vJqWmK3z-CDTEqtidmOVdM62TaU-A2iEl/s1600-h/marchblog025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOuXA68eErkHqNPyEzyOZ6UJCadJl_O3r_DKSzJAw13ftZ2Q2mpJaXkRJSzp78w-0y8CHSG01rCFeE3cZJ94QxoSc7QgSGhXe0p_vJqWmK3z-CDTEqtidmOVdM62TaU-A2iEl/s320/marchblog025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309248092329186914" /></a><br />Wellington College fought back to win the closest competition for years by 182 points to 173. With Stream third on 100 and Rongotai fourth on 83. Luke and Jamie joined 600 boys performing a celebratory haka. The other schools respond with their own hakas. The pride and passion is quite moving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGT0SnjivkbVvvMcPkKRqyqqbkRke50XFvpuVyTXZ10gzIyN59jlJNPUlWfpxCt-PpwcHVJpUSTBiBW6dwtt59hbwuWmGdCTgxJgwFGHYoaLj71O6D2QmHBHtnl0qIdkSVujDU/s1600-h/Photo+230.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGT0SnjivkbVvvMcPkKRqyqqbkRke50XFvpuVyTXZ10gzIyN59jlJNPUlWfpxCt-PpwcHVJpUSTBiBW6dwtt59hbwuWmGdCTgxJgwFGHYoaLj71O6D2QmHBHtnl0qIdkSVujDU/s320/Photo+230.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309250634715104786" /></a><br />As I write I am somewhere over the Cook Islands. I have a couple of meetings with a few days between so am taking the opportunity to progress some writing projects. Gillian Wildgoose has had to leave NZ while her application for PR is being processed. We are very keen to have her back and it would be great if the process would move a little faster. Anna is in a similar situation and her absence leaves a big hole in the office. My ongoing lack of a PA is also an issue as is the global financial meltdown and its potential impact on our support.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS2UXF1ec8VTC8SnHIe4a38QYeVeDvgm8tJndFR5dLHQXd38o_5-S9g14xp7s-wTiGBNW7BGIkJfE3Coi2FXXelYqEmwc41x3aehqvxlLpquvNkA7ixqs7CmTg0sqS4QcUTfG/s1600-h/Photo+276.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS2UXF1ec8VTC8SnHIe4a38QYeVeDvgm8tJndFR5dLHQXd38o_5-S9g14xp7s-wTiGBNW7BGIkJfE3Coi2FXXelYqEmwc41x3aehqvxlLpquvNkA7ixqs7CmTg0sqS4QcUTfG/s320/Photo+276.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309250749274561938" /></a><br />This week Ailsa and Ally are hoping to visit the Wairarapa for a day and the boys are all participating in the Weetbix Tryathlon at the weekend. These things always put more pressure on Ailsa when I am away which maybe I appreciate just a little bit more in practice rather than just in theory having recently done it for a lot less time than she does on a regular basis.Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-70675570100203440742009-02-25T04:00:00.001-08:002009-02-25T11:52:45.937-08:00The Great Kiwi Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcqSoMkCkBmmsUbm4lo3tjYYbi9ZEjLJgoRNT05-0x3QIuJjhcHENueXpuY_DZ3uDm3CmnxcOYdPwVvo_gy1VbwmfJsriatPUqwFFbZDoiqwnw9l535ppcMz9QRlBS6NUAOSK/s1600-h/kayakblog018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcqSoMkCkBmmsUbm4lo3tjYYbi9ZEjLJgoRNT05-0x3QIuJjhcHENueXpuY_DZ3uDm3CmnxcOYdPwVvo_gy1VbwmfJsriatPUqwFFbZDoiqwnw9l535ppcMz9QRlBS6NUAOSK/s320/kayakblog018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306736935884813010" /></a><br />We have watched on the news images of bush fires in Australia and snow in the UK. Our summer has been pretty reasonable by comparison although it still feels strange saying that in February. I think perhaps the key lesson of the summer - (including the part we spent in the Scottish and American Winter) is the value of friends and the importance of encouragement. It has been great to connect with old friends, sense a deepening of relationship with some new ones and appreciate the fabric of relationship that we are privileged to be part of.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXI3zpY_B-RwOhmnGbBXWLRiD8EwcAW30gvKKpVnM8wJF6XRB0SZ6WEzFnqLuQTUj4ShSLSuvSdxkmvcQxbdJcZnY830_RhcOtUfggjsOY-hhm7tniURE7a4e6Y3YIcyVFNjW/s1600-h/kayakblog013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXI3zpY_B-RwOhmnGbBXWLRiD8EwcAW30gvKKpVnM8wJF6XRB0SZ6WEzFnqLuQTUj4ShSLSuvSdxkmvcQxbdJcZnY830_RhcOtUfggjsOY-hhm7tniURE7a4e6Y3YIcyVFNjW/s320/kayakblog013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306738689690298850" /></a><br />We have had plenty of opportunity to do things outside and also experienced a couple of deluges which seem to confirm that our house is now mostly watertight even if there is a fair bit of work still to be done.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtL6buSxwxRXKC6Soj8eS5NC2uLaT84uhMnLc37iWqhbHWHrL3_FOatpju6gUl_5v8KA0hP21nrtVlvjW8BBPiGKJsUjI4nhfhgsXE0ctZ0goV1IMZ7EwEA33NZHjg1uURxg_/s1600-h/kayakblog006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtL6buSxwxRXKC6Soj8eS5NC2uLaT84uhMnLc37iWqhbHWHrL3_FOatpju6gUl_5v8KA0hP21nrtVlvjW8BBPiGKJsUjI4nhfhgsXE0ctZ0goV1IMZ7EwEA33NZHjg1uURxg_/s320/kayakblog006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306734116560159458" /></a><br />I have been pretty busy with the start of the new academic year. This is a vital time of year for student work and we have been working hard on every campus to meet new students and get things started well. The Rongopai house in Wellington has 8 new students living in community and we also now have a ministry flat in Auckland. We are also getting "Catalyst": our new graduate, faculty and marketplace work going. I have been writing a Vision summary of the top ten challenges in New Zealand which will shortly appear on Cultural Connections. We still have no resolution on some of the staff with visa issues but believe that progress is being made. We have two new staff starting in the next few weeks in Auckland and Andy is starting to manage a few hours a week which is great. I am doing ok at the moment but could really do with a new PA as it is now some months since Liz left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU0_nk7fomfN0Zm3uf8zpAy3pil9nEkYZOc9e7-G1dGbQLne51ca6gjOcR_kdtXG2J58lAKOHH0acUnU5BlSU4ExIdNwB_ynbJNbd_19y_SrI4FsddrZS6DA94FTNR9JvYRti/s1600-h/kayakblog005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU0_nk7fomfN0Zm3uf8zpAy3pil9nEkYZOc9e7-G1dGbQLne51ca6gjOcR_kdtXG2J58lAKOHH0acUnU5BlSU4ExIdNwB_ynbJNbd_19y_SrI4FsddrZS6DA94FTNR9JvYRti/s320/kayakblog005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306732352280030242" /></a><br />Ailsa's Auntie Ally arrived for a three week visit including meeting up with some friends on the South island. She lives in Vancouver but over the years we have managed to see a bit of her in Canada, Scotland and America. The boys have been pleased to see her again and we took her up Mount Victoria when she arrived.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz5gS9vhckc-iopJot4hP_UHjaHrWdUIUsIxBpIZ_U8oMnxWoJZsyz0Ko3MIKQ_gBV9iCrSTyDwgwttkJB9MpBLvoNjqJAlWVnOqekJ7lJEp__zxzySYiNQ6-L-o0ljxaB9Zx/s1600-h/kayakblog009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz5gS9vhckc-iopJot4hP_UHjaHrWdUIUsIxBpIZ_U8oMnxWoJZsyz0Ko3MIKQ_gBV9iCrSTyDwgwttkJB9MpBLvoNjqJAlWVnOqekJ7lJEp__zxzySYiNQ6-L-o0ljxaB9Zx/s320/kayakblog009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306730746773777778" /></a><br />Luke turned 15. It is amazing where the time goes. He is now edging ahead of Ailsa in the height stakes. He is a a good kid and is still loving Wellington College. He is planning on going on a Missions Trip with the youth group at church to Nelson in the Easter holidays to work with at risk children.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlrcZUz4h7Aef5gbyF_k1aZNylh9Eo2sOhYTmd3cT5fmTPEZTbmcWaXIQ_d-D7aW5e552RXDaSif8JdOQUhVRVQ18S4cBzsdLQ_on8VXdfQac7ouUXOGyazQNZJ6myR2cTicA/s1600-h/kayakblog010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlrcZUz4h7Aef5gbyF_k1aZNylh9Eo2sOhYTmd3cT5fmTPEZTbmcWaXIQ_d-D7aW5e552RXDaSif8JdOQUhVRVQ18S4cBzsdLQ_on8VXdfQac7ouUXOGyazQNZJ6myR2cTicA/s320/kayakblog010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306729650040850098" /></a><br />We had a couple of friends round to the house after school for tea and then took them to the Hurricanes game at the stadium. The Hurricanes ahve made a shaky start to the season given that they were one of he pre-season favourites. We managed to beat a poor Highlanders team in the last minute of the game which pleased the boys even if the performance frustrated the crowd.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeK5K6Y0pl_MY13Not01VDiMxQdVWJALXLX0zq5RKNiLgsKg7ZtRKVBFYqHmwIUR78dTX3ZfxBrZ_XYnVmYhyphenhyphenaLxPPgSvxC7ABnAoGvcWMcTBIi4a9dIX-KJGcPU6n6ImIQjO/s1600-h/kayakblog019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeK5K6Y0pl_MY13Not01VDiMxQdVWJALXLX0zq5RKNiLgsKg7ZtRKVBFYqHmwIUR78dTX3ZfxBrZ_XYnVmYhyphenhyphenaLxPPgSvxC7ABnAoGvcWMcTBIi4a9dIX-KJGcPU6n6ImIQjO/s320/kayakblog019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306737298416250034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeFiPKO9nuXOOMOBGGNgqWUTngleP_CSqtdsTAKR9HQGJfta_KulzyhA_AwoQBqVix9EZ5792WQxX8_dZuOjtBIIftyBDo16q7pTCmqTDxIXEfI3cwo8vuiEZwgnHW0Xi66is/s1600-h/kayakblog015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeFiPKO9nuXOOMOBGGNgqWUTngleP_CSqtdsTAKR9HQGJfta_KulzyhA_AwoQBqVix9EZ5792WQxX8_dZuOjtBIIftyBDo16q7pTCmqTDxIXEfI3cwo8vuiEZwgnHW0Xi66is/s320/kayakblog015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306727776306089058" /></a><br />Jamie got the chance to be a ball boy at one of the NZ v India internationals at the National Hockey Stadium. There was a pretty decent crowd and Jamie enjoyed lining up for the National anthems with the teams before the match. Wandering among the spectators made me realise how many people we have got to know in Wellington through hockey. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWtuV8FQB2EikS3qnE9it1hNwjY4X2_xLJUixXz7iU8uHdJAT2Tk2EA_qe1v2C1SQ0Ybo4d01kbbC4jJZGL-uQlyRTUW7gu7t_4u2mvh5-2mIWUNdxyOwXSpphuydbN1Yisx4/s1600-h/kayakblog022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWtuV8FQB2EikS3qnE9it1hNwjY4X2_xLJUixXz7iU8uHdJAT2Tk2EA_qe1v2C1SQ0Ybo4d01kbbC4jJZGL-uQlyRTUW7gu7t_4u2mvh5-2mIWUNdxyOwXSpphuydbN1Yisx4/s320/kayakblog022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306726297094666770" /></a><br />jamie always relishes an opportunity to wear a different shirt even if it is only or a day. It was also good to see some of his friends from the Hatch Cup team last year. Wellington College Under 15 training starts this Friday at 7.45 am. This is early for the boys but VERY early for the coach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBXjO8yrNack7stRnODnF_LE4ZU2xaUidwRfn3RAX2rLstePITDPHvX60J8Ylm0M__ZVPWB-B8cMebs-YfmM2Lhcqqb6CmWrkCy8MuyEbPtxW7xkjo1ynwh9wDNlbrcB7KtZh/s1600-h/kayakblog012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBXjO8yrNack7stRnODnF_LE4ZU2xaUidwRfn3RAX2rLstePITDPHvX60J8Ylm0M__ZVPWB-B8cMebs-YfmM2Lhcqqb6CmWrkCy8MuyEbPtxW7xkjo1ynwh9wDNlbrcB7KtZh/s320/kayakblog012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306712657914143458" /></a><br />It was great to see two top teams playing. We are pretty privileged with sport at the moment because the Indian Cricket Team arrive tomorrow and will play a 20/20 international at the Cake Tin which I am taking the boys to with some friends and some students (not that those are mutually exclusive categories).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7USQ9r_F0Elj_rFc2PMHffy_7f0Em-ltO1qg-gHlT03yM-qUH78f5LM5NeWZxaMm55TDa3DYXXHVHAMdE0WsFSPhS2BQwF4q8LkB8Y8tuyKWTLXK5v_8sLgb4oZ6Trt9cmO46/s1600-h/kayakblog007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7USQ9r_F0Elj_rFc2PMHffy_7f0Em-ltO1qg-gHlT03yM-qUH78f5LM5NeWZxaMm55TDa3DYXXHVHAMdE0WsFSPhS2BQwF4q8LkB8Y8tuyKWTLXK5v_8sLgb4oZ6Trt9cmO46/s320/kayakblog007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306710865868615330" /></a><br />Craig has started playing Touch Rugby again after school on a Wednesday. It is a popular summer sport here and at the higher levels fast and skillful. Fortunately at the lower levels the games do not last too long.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1mqWaBh2BeG_9RyJNv993-i0fELRgxq4gM8QCVTb6IQnH1SHom1E_ejLFRFAd79vo359WHK9D3tazrRkKz9aUcuTMIWtTSdiyqs2HByCW_oiCP4Ave37scx697oAq6Ezqbfr/s1600-h/kayakblog014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1mqWaBh2BeG_9RyJNv993-i0fELRgxq4gM8QCVTb6IQnH1SHom1E_ejLFRFAd79vo359WHK9D3tazrRkKz9aUcuTMIWtTSdiyqs2HByCW_oiCP4Ave37scx697oAq6Ezqbfr/s320/kayakblog014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306709714375049586" /></a><br />I am not an expert on "Touch" by any stretch of the imagination but I can see that Craig has some idea of supporting the player with the ball - which is a bit unusual!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnHroGA_961pgtHo4IjB9hu9m6gAZFIoOEYtr2q4lUPkIBMynRgauIqjuP7c0segwlJkLcHMOkm5ulk0QcLa2f-K2mevUnSuNZTMVmPJxBtISjdbiYhhRMTEYEahN0kyCsulW/s1600-h/kayakblog021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnHroGA_961pgtHo4IjB9hu9m6gAZFIoOEYtr2q4lUPkIBMynRgauIqjuP7c0segwlJkLcHMOkm5ulk0QcLa2f-K2mevUnSuNZTMVmPJxBtISjdbiYhhRMTEYEahN0kyCsulW/s320/kayakblog021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306706633524951666" /></a><br />Ailsa and Ally have gone on a kayak trip to Abel Tasman National Park. This is a really beautiful part of New Zealand and they should have a fantastic time. They are going to the far end of the park and paddling for about 4 hours a day for 3 days and a couple of nights camping with "gourmet food" prepared by the guides.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9HQK-PF1LYhB45-BIk1I1VWfC1zxld_ur7jDucha4C3Nn4CnSlI1yNEdNr-jJLXeH-cyzuYCAQF2I_XK2RdaJLVZBTyATlnU7p6S11mxpCDZk991xmtmVaKl31-ijozsM5_k/s1600-h/kayakblog011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9HQK-PF1LYhB45-BIk1I1VWfC1zxld_ur7jDucha4C3Nn4CnSlI1yNEdNr-jJLXeH-cyzuYCAQF2I_XK2RdaJLVZBTyATlnU7p6S11mxpCDZk991xmtmVaKl31-ijozsM5_k/s320/kayakblog011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306707719838193026" /></a><br />This is their ferry heading out past Scorching Bay towards the Cook Straight. If hypothetically speaking, a wife, who was going kayaking for 4 days with her Aunt, answered her phone when her husband had driven round to wave at the point then it might have been possible to indicate out where they were on said ferry. Of course it's all hypothetical because said husband would not have wasted time on frivolous and futile romantic gestures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWytw4CZE-ZmAKQyYKgRp6TSegXKB7oTJW7X1uGKoOAyZVMP9UFri8opRZon4hyphenhyphen8Gyypiuo9ircX1eq63VH1fq6Atmlle1gxMumCOVvZcPA1qCrG2A8JwKT8PGuPtPFbT2pZ4a/s1600-h/kayakblog004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWytw4CZE-ZmAKQyYKgRp6TSegXKB7oTJW7X1uGKoOAyZVMP9UFri8opRZon4hyphenhyphen8Gyypiuo9ircX1eq63VH1fq6Atmlle1gxMumCOVvZcPA1qCrG2A8JwKT8PGuPtPFbT2pZ4a/s320/kayakblog004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306705236644433554" /></a><br />This leaves me holding the fort. Not that we live in a fort as such but if we did I would be just the chap to hold it. This involves all kinds of responsibilities like cooking, cleaning and organising the children. So far I seem to be coping and the boys are being pretty good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULXI8bg27fhWl5nzvFbuRgMOQD-3pH2kqgcr954weu1wO6t2AsnYlWNbjfFxumZH0Ls6Vabsg5c4JIzUP3rMsshcoMGgbSOPiUE2kr6kqA3LjgO3uVVWPYOShAB3D7q5aoJCA/s1600-h/kayakblog017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULXI8bg27fhWl5nzvFbuRgMOQD-3pH2kqgcr954weu1wO6t2AsnYlWNbjfFxumZH0Ls6Vabsg5c4JIzUP3rMsshcoMGgbSOPiUE2kr6kqA3LjgO3uVVWPYOShAB3D7q5aoJCA/s320/kayakblog017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306704443715611458" /></a><br />So it is important to record that just because Ailsa is away nothing is different and that absolutely everything is the same and there is no illicit behaviour of any kind taking place. After all it is very important that parents have the same standards for their children!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTohydXOgOIgk4rk8fsBtawLSy5JRpfWr3WP6FN3GJ11mAH14virwugX59U1O4PLcc7Jpn8T2s8NQ1p4QTIUwNNgqoRM2s_TtfgE2QBXhJMKroNPJbxK8xZXXF2URymVX4nKu/s1600-h/kayakblog002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTohydXOgOIgk4rk8fsBtawLSy5JRpfWr3WP6FN3GJ11mAH14virwugX59U1O4PLcc7Jpn8T2s8NQ1p4QTIUwNNgqoRM2s_TtfgE2QBXhJMKroNPJbxK8xZXXF2URymVX4nKu/s320/kayakblog002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306703926423733250" /></a><br />Cheers Mum!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOiNkLI5hySKgt_RqYYFXIuNkIeSWjyZSFoENjLeW2R_1JdVE9QVregf7BW_wTMSeM7PIgPMe7nw2lDsMxP7VGy9Q26J7xFRpGbo9TqodIMBoHDNTkEkBD5udvGN2gECrMvsQ/s1600-h/kayakblog020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOiNkLI5hySKgt_RqYYFXIuNkIeSWjyZSFoENjLeW2R_1JdVE9QVregf7BW_wTMSeM7PIgPMe7nw2lDsMxP7VGy9Q26J7xFRpGbo9TqodIMBoHDNTkEkBD5udvGN2gECrMvsQ/s320/kayakblog020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306732100883276082" /></a>Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21881736.post-44530558739163107812009-02-11T15:13:00.001-08:002009-02-11T19:16:31.855-08:00Hold on to your hats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UIPx3ZhM-bxN4qLk5KTIt0_cHWJs5sKeN-ZJuR5O12U2E1JTPlxAE8ka-R2BnGnAdUE7v9lQJZ_CPskJw4f_X5dSjMJ-Pxd6pCqP_MNriuTCOIN0Jf2ld8sgWZAE3Zzed0dx/s1600-h/sevensblog010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UIPx3ZhM-bxN4qLk5KTIt0_cHWJs5sKeN-ZJuR5O12U2E1JTPlxAE8ka-R2BnGnAdUE7v9lQJZ_CPskJw4f_X5dSjMJ-Pxd6pCqP_MNriuTCOIN0Jf2ld8sgWZAE3Zzed0dx/s320/sevensblog010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301682068671048242" /></a><br />Hold on to your hats it was the annual Welington 7's extravaganza over the weekend. 16 teams converge on the windy city (with apologies to readers in Chicago) for two days of action. The 7s is the only sporting event I have been to where there are people watching the crowd rather than the game and where players take photographs of fans. This is largely because pretty much everyone dresses up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi248al7WDQMJYCQwxVEDGwx9akvjVob4zeAC4VhulH_WW0Nn4lqq3Ytqo7w7C4JxCkGWV4DWO9GrQXvlO4PiLkgTG8zNUgxh6J32op-CNVe_bB5tLrgvxwYR1uX7jecDp2Iqec/s1600-h/sevensblog027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi248al7WDQMJYCQwxVEDGwx9akvjVob4zeAC4VhulH_WW0Nn4lqq3Ytqo7w7C4JxCkGWV4DWO9GrQXvlO4PiLkgTG8zNUgxh6J32op-CNVe_bB5tLrgvxwYR1uX7jecDp2Iqec/s320/sevensblog027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301683141891401026" /></a><br />The boys chose a black and white theme and looked pretty cool with a mixture of bought, borrowed and adapted apparel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4IdKG6Ze5IiFd2WsYIamDaYOwy8aNLITAx8jgqr-IimGRA6VkOeixeI-JGkZmFTljBqPAMX6XQjNeU74EdX9hlIkydftb_1MMvFNsYBmITTBgkbwFuGFZbFz4fHvaQj7xqk0/s1600-h/sevensblog031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4IdKG6Ze5IiFd2WsYIamDaYOwy8aNLITAx8jgqr-IimGRA6VkOeixeI-JGkZmFTljBqPAMX6XQjNeU74EdX9hlIkydftb_1MMvFNsYBmITTBgkbwFuGFZbFz4fHvaQj7xqk0/s320/sevensblog031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301683878045840098" /></a><br />Mum and Dad joined in the masked theme but not quite so enthusiastically.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9sADyf9vrAAm4ere-s8FpE7Jt0xZ-T_KLxlBTYNJaXoehRXyyv9YGDYrNHAjK8Kdu1XFEsPl4oo-JSJOZRpXkQeNigy7Vy97OPRXiUFgo3xTYp98adOUuR2aVRgQgH2pALZR/s1600-h/sevensblog023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9sADyf9vrAAm4ere-s8FpE7Jt0xZ-T_KLxlBTYNJaXoehRXyyv9YGDYrNHAjK8Kdu1XFEsPl4oo-JSJOZRpXkQeNigy7Vy97OPRXiUFgo3xTYp98adOUuR2aVRgQgH2pALZR/s320/sevensblog023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301684288472736850" /></a><br />Although there was time for a little romance. (who was that masked man?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOQFjxcsiwWsj4W8XrLiAZXFcMhIs46u3zxO7b_f-s4y2AGlIBlLroJIIkRy4h97xawaXebPnxm0vBqfa8pVwM3BS5SNoyidKCmtB_zbJ5kc7y8Vy2HJKybkiwtjeVpCSm1FX/s1600-h/sevensblog026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOQFjxcsiwWsj4W8XrLiAZXFcMhIs46u3zxO7b_f-s4y2AGlIBlLroJIIkRy4h97xawaXebPnxm0vBqfa8pVwM3BS5SNoyidKCmtB_zbJ5kc7y8Vy2HJKybkiwtjeVpCSm1FX/s320/sevensblog026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301684658465458194" /></a><br />It is astonishing how much effort people in to their costumes. Many come in quite large groups like these 30 or so Elmos. Some of whom must have been baking in the sun in the afternoon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpn-RI6s97IK0YEdGghMOd4yO1Wf7LTU1g8LrU6WuuvjIsDVKDOzCC_BC40S1kOeStUwjp91ll9se9SpKB7OcefeJTciaFn32fbE4iraN5lZ5lc_L4grMawH_WbM8dZZdu9V1/s1600-h/sevensblog006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpn-RI6s97IK0YEdGghMOd4yO1Wf7LTU1g8LrU6WuuvjIsDVKDOzCC_BC40S1kOeStUwjp91ll9se9SpKB7OcefeJTciaFn32fbE4iraN5lZ5lc_L4grMawH_WbM8dZZdu9V1/s320/sevensblog006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301685147310750210" /></a><br />We thought these self made lego people were excellent<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY_UsjR_K6kkhp1_x4iU8zvON_JjBp2taZjDuAN0942wUdITjnJ84IL8Kb7g-W_f-8idTSH0J_eaB-0RbGVxllpNE8MmVCkQcMWbnNBv-kxJfHMuBtP98e_gpquot_f4IrflL/s1600-h/sevensblog016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY_UsjR_K6kkhp1_x4iU8zvON_JjBp2taZjDuAN0942wUdITjnJ84IL8Kb7g-W_f-8idTSH0J_eaB-0RbGVxllpNE8MmVCkQcMWbnNBv-kxJfHMuBtP98e_gpquot_f4IrflL/s320/sevensblog016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301685413095426770" /></a><br />But Richard Branson seemed to be carrying a few extra pounds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweU8GdePCDoYmJBi_CsI9V7Oiju5eDDq5iXWgCSfUXPkd03pZsmG_OhYvaQaOY35ObaVvmtzMd6ZRUOniAWRCktJAH_3zaf4eSsAFS_-CMiDNTeqy7dHlJpLdH0-HmuqOvOIH/s1600-h/sevensblog018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweU8GdePCDoYmJBi_CsI9V7Oiju5eDDq5iXWgCSfUXPkd03pZsmG_OhYvaQaOY35ObaVvmtzMd6ZRUOniAWRCktJAH_3zaf4eSsAFS_-CMiDNTeqy7dHlJpLdH0-HmuqOvOIH/s320/sevensblog018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301686022945675362" /></a><br />The Irish were there in force, as were the Romans, Egyptians and Smurfs. Many people also go in the strip of the country they are supporting and some even adopt a country for the weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YQM-gTjV_3caA3Mkso-B68NICT0ACG7RMWi_fSZkTyJTKNfAsoPjC9Yf64esylIbs0x7S6jgTdBnAbweyLB84jMkqPAJ_jFPF_tCahfOgD6T3vpDozjriXIzX6PxJh26BIUa/s1600-h/sevensblog019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YQM-gTjV_3caA3Mkso-B68NICT0ACG7RMWi_fSZkTyJTKNfAsoPjC9Yf64esylIbs0x7S6jgTdBnAbweyLB84jMkqPAJ_jFPF_tCahfOgD6T3vpDozjriXIzX6PxJh26BIUa/s320/sevensblog019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301686502687510226" /></a><br />While some go as clones seeking a near identical look, others choose to go as complementary sets. There was a great fruit bowl, a selection of Cadbury bars and variations on these scrabble tiles who together made something. It is interesting these two ways of identifying as a group.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrBoNrtOLTIokb3AK03nYSyp6H1Dz90xGuEMDONJpXnll4ZVqDqdFHg7YSpHUBtY7eDbBZssn39QTO8I8-NYBVN2V7ypMCrUbYcT-DY8Y5etpfb9SRczQwo-wAOI4vKeqNTG0/s1600-h/sevensblog015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrBoNrtOLTIokb3AK03nYSyp6H1Dz90xGuEMDONJpXnll4ZVqDqdFHg7YSpHUBtY7eDbBZssn39QTO8I8-NYBVN2V7ypMCrUbYcT-DY8Y5etpfb9SRczQwo-wAOI4vKeqNTG0/s320/sevensblog015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301687315197083042" /></a><br />But there are others who just go as individual characters and find their place in the wider crowd. I did like the sight of "Kill Bill" being at the first aid post looking for help from the paramedics in attendance. They needed more of that in the movie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMIg8ctS9Fk1glT8vt0kEzZEp2Ntc_I6sacL4rx3veGAOknB5lIqwQPJnyjfjG_6MG4Bxx34Bj0_4JhGipVepH6wCkifrcL_2jOY1ihC6ECHcmdl2-L62QW1tgWTYEua0FT1V/s1600-h/sevensblog022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMIg8ctS9Fk1glT8vt0kEzZEp2Ntc_I6sacL4rx3veGAOknB5lIqwQPJnyjfjG_6MG4Bxx34Bj0_4JhGipVepH6wCkifrcL_2jOY1ihC6ECHcmdl2-L62QW1tgWTYEua0FT1V/s320/sevensblog022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301688071696330834" /></a><br />Val and Ben came too. Val fulfilling a long held dream to get to the 7s and Ben somewhat disappointingly supporting England.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CXigu_Hd3jj0OKAwOlvn4Td6LIcHP7oSd_BNMbUN__H1IKwktsF8S93KcHJWk1oJp6WQNbaxSKpwv0bPljuHz0Wr36JGt-M-vttxcfs5XYne_BTn-8eybQvMvErD-RbMI1ZZ/s1600-h/sevensblog025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CXigu_Hd3jj0OKAwOlvn4Td6LIcHP7oSd_BNMbUN__H1IKwktsF8S93KcHJWk1oJp6WQNbaxSKpwv0bPljuHz0Wr36JGt-M-vttxcfs5XYne_BTn-8eybQvMvErD-RbMI1ZZ/s320/sevensblog025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301689094103584850" /></a><br />I think our own sporting allegiances are now very clear.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1qbZqV925l54BALrAEmO2FngRkOOARcetceJTTSADtzFiDoLe96blz8wwonPqH_b2J1crtY70PVn_HR2wzsvMXMFvU_YK-qYtzCn08Y8a7V0Z8wnLTtiUi8CtnXySNcL88lU/s1600-h/sevensblog008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1qbZqV925l54BALrAEmO2FngRkOOARcetceJTTSADtzFiDoLe96blz8wwonPqH_b2J1crtY70PVn_HR2wzsvMXMFvU_YK-qYtzCn08Y8a7V0Z8wnLTtiUi8CtnXySNcL88lU/s320/sevensblog008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301688554134841250" /></a><br />Except when Scotland are playing! (who let's face it need all the support we can muster).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgru2THrUnA7mIJ2_Q5pVeaULQzh7mkXm8wg8C_vu33WJs1fzZYlQnoD6kkTCFhZvhe_fEB6x64hlTm3tj8NrQzlRQCXSTOEHTcvEjayutNWjkPIiZ0UIcJpicUSQc3mySRiVLI/s1600-h/sevensblog012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgru2THrUnA7mIJ2_Q5pVeaULQzh7mkXm8wg8C_vu33WJs1fzZYlQnoD6kkTCFhZvhe_fEB6x64hlTm3tj8NrQzlRQCXSTOEHTcvEjayutNWjkPIiZ0UIcJpicUSQc3mySRiVLI/s320/sevensblog012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301689721791812658" /></a><br />It makes for a colourful spectacle and a great atmosphere.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vsq7aqw0wtU0bQycDEFUKp_L1hdXM84_y5SPM_F1PwvwFH8p3k-URFXEFl2BBBN7qf9yREE8XGdG_QJ94YE02aubUEErnyDZJjF9XDVlaiXZgKupcgQxWZp0xC5yPlZrke8L/s1600-h/sevensblog024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vsq7aqw0wtU0bQycDEFUKp_L1hdXM84_y5SPM_F1PwvwFH8p3k-URFXEFl2BBBN7qf9yREE8XGdG_QJ94YE02aubUEErnyDZJjF9XDVlaiXZgKupcgQxWZp0xC5yPlZrke8L/s320/sevensblog024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301690203965566626" /></a><br />There is also music, other entertainment and fireworks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqalxBsLIjqp9AQHuAiJMXDlU8AewaRN7wGQIuHdR-A_hIObpuGuf12fG3HvUF5uyyQJzDC92PIRs0BRQlDNfZLZEB2v8u2M9uxvAN78mzAXmvHmdsj7avnic3VSQ3AlcTqCN/s1600-h/sevensblog005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqalxBsLIjqp9AQHuAiJMXDlU8AewaRN7wGQIuHdR-A_hIObpuGuf12fG3HvUF5uyyQJzDC92PIRs0BRQlDNfZLZEB2v8u2M9uxvAN78mzAXmvHmdsj7avnic3VSQ3AlcTqCN/s320/sevensblog005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301690550538690594" /></a><br />As well as a few spontaneous items - such as the team from Niue doin their haka. (many of the pacific islands have equivalents or versions of the Maori Haka and NZ Maori have several in common use)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8bP21lsDScXoPvVQ4zdjsiYua1nezPk_Roz4s_H42hYbn3a2YVUmF-RT-LcI1usNPj6RKv7y_q5bg4zwwSfeYpm28A8-SSNBQOPQUCOEwMb2TPRjmkabOb2LycTO7DfYYIbB/s1600-h/sevensblog030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8bP21lsDScXoPvVQ4zdjsiYua1nezPk_Roz4s_H42hYbn3a2YVUmF-RT-LcI1usNPj6RKv7y_q5bg4zwwSfeYpm28A8-SSNBQOPQUCOEwMb2TPRjmkabOb2LycTO7DfYYIbB/s320/sevensblog030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301691679215096194" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8OY69wydbGLEsRDKrUg7ryz_bu9tB8kpHo9g4KtdJgTFeqP3JZB7XzS5ke7cgjwBOTcV_Jl_4ntns8rTiW-F_DxjZAD-4B39wpZ7_7MeSVuR5rBg36XATF5eCAkm4OAW9AeT/s1600-h/sevensblog014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8OY69wydbGLEsRDKrUg7ryz_bu9tB8kpHo9g4KtdJgTFeqP3JZB7XzS5ke7cgjwBOTcV_Jl_4ntns8rTiW-F_DxjZAD-4B39wpZ7_7MeSVuR5rBg36XATF5eCAkm4OAW9AeT/s320/sevensblog014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301691554192814338" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQign72uKw3KyV-6fhyzWrWnCdEJfeSKEE2dYHyyPlyzxWRiHTbQEW5Y8CTN34tQ64XgHrTUTpE3wJyH11lm9BbzdNg7NX-RSsybYFIdMxDOgoElMr0i7qTF6B4FY80LAoK5b/s1600-h/sevensblog011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQign72uKw3KyV-6fhyzWrWnCdEJfeSKEE2dYHyyPlyzxWRiHTbQEW5Y8CTN34tQ64XgHrTUTpE3wJyH11lm9BbzdNg7NX-RSsybYFIdMxDOgoElMr0i7qTF6B4FY80LAoK5b/s320/sevensblog011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301691319558899618" /></a><br />So plenty for us all to see and do and an event that has become one of our New Zealand traditions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1qiKMyZXqufX_iyIn44oVoDhmsvXdvrGojWkA-ZidsVXxNk0wsHOd_ohhq5TuU3JxOjoLvByRW6QRtanNme_Oo1q-w2mXUfaeBHLI3lREsstUkGHiYlFBbdLqexj-no2COUd/s1600-h/sevensblog007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1qiKMyZXqufX_iyIn44oVoDhmsvXdvrGojWkA-ZidsVXxNk0wsHOd_ohhq5TuU3JxOjoLvByRW6QRtanNme_Oo1q-w2mXUfaeBHLI3lREsstUkGHiYlFBbdLqexj-no2COUd/s320/sevensblog007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301692241671948546" /></a><br />We were impressed by this ingenious tidying device made by linking the cardboard squares in a four pack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe0L8vR0jmXWdcD1xsfwqpaoBe4fv-bQhBihhrnKQoWEgShlxBOnSRM_Vpa-aien8yXhc9jdAcVPclWundex8Ir8SrjzjEwx5RQZZ_BwjIbw2yIWHinVIStAaOtEc8w9uii5I/s1600-h/sevensblog028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe0L8vR0jmXWdcD1xsfwqpaoBe4fv-bQhBihhrnKQoWEgShlxBOnSRM_Vpa-aien8yXhc9jdAcVPclWundex8Ir8SrjzjEwx5RQZZ_BwjIbw2yIWHinVIStAaOtEc8w9uii5I/s320/sevensblog028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301692718119005314" /></a><br />And we picked up a few things over the course of the two days which saw costumes being adapted at different points.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAHAZroddhruU5IKhYfi_KUzSY3gvj2UYmqY0u-AOLBx9L1t3IA0IXupTDnC4i5NoYyXpCF6u6D9CU4ne5HZHGeXR9q7Wl1zWtGQiqKRSE6VlxllYPZnbhaT-INNn6NbiC0Yk/s1600-h/sevensblog017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAHAZroddhruU5IKhYfi_KUzSY3gvj2UYmqY0u-AOLBx9L1t3IA0IXupTDnC4i5NoYyXpCF6u6D9CU4ne5HZHGeXR9q7Wl1zWtGQiqKRSE6VlxllYPZnbhaT-INNn6NbiC0Yk/s320/sevensblog017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301693298771158194" /></a><br />Before every match the NZ team have a practice of walking round as a connected group from the warm up area. It provides encouragement and focus before a period of intense activity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjPVSdj69QMD3Y7-mo3XpdSsikZw5v9EW-ky5QYvc-wU-SnQJuO9j5I-yt9BMJLfzwq6827gMsW1wl4Tn5NskyzHNUhXfbXqDYtdgSMC2xrYKWne1MPuffmKYpnzoavLKPOZJ/s1600-h/sevensblog020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjPVSdj69QMD3Y7-mo3XpdSsikZw5v9EW-ky5QYvc-wU-SnQJuO9j5I-yt9BMJLfzwq6827gMsW1wl4Tn5NskyzHNUhXfbXqDYtdgSMC2xrYKWne1MPuffmKYpnzoavLKPOZJ/s320/sevensblog020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301694186878169954" /></a><br /><br />We have just had the first Minty Training for the new Ministry Interns. We have 6 this year which is great. Tim Hodge and Gina Wong led an excelent week with Andy still being out of action. I went up to speak one day and was very impressed by the caliber of folks we have. It is a similar idea to the NZ walk. Connecting and strengthening each other for the opportunity that is coming. The new academic year kicks off here over the next couple of weeks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWeFUCc45WBhSMKE8Rjhhqlkf3px0nz9WXsImidh7RkwEUHOJsII_SfwelQCDyiyxspSkutPmzqxcZhHmUQZur1F6y1D-tD79e1sM_JtT93NY9w2LFT27vXxpVB1EO6Srw462/s1600-h/sevensblog013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWeFUCc45WBhSMKE8Rjhhqlkf3px0nz9WXsImidh7RkwEUHOJsII_SfwelQCDyiyxspSkutPmzqxcZhHmUQZur1F6y1D-tD79e1sM_JtT93NY9w2LFT27vXxpVB1EO6Srw462/s320/sevensblog013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301695531014259810" /></a><br />We would love to see people as passionate about the gospel on campus as some of those in and around the stadium were fro the 7s.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfPQzrCXETu4KkdrNK4tYNFIecnVhpinnNnokmEzRZAkbBixc923Zl_ODhEIl1vBmPPBuK98lajlP3fh-Az1UHVEWoavu4MNmOyhgI20YS8wVAiwrDkVua3jjFjP0sAchGX74/s1600-h/sevensblog029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfPQzrCXETu4KkdrNK4tYNFIecnVhpinnNnokmEzRZAkbBixc923Zl_ODhEIl1vBmPPBuK98lajlP3fh-Az1UHVEWoavu4MNmOyhgI20YS8wVAiwrDkVua3jjFjP0sAchGX74/s320/sevensblog029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301695951415171394" /></a><br />Back into the routine of life all the boys are loving school. It helps when you can do your homework in conducive surroundings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55kvO3u0SSlXcsEUMr-8yGZ6gbjFxtiOZmwDDPZnUMYWwyDc6szkaGGLb48BC4yTIKADiP5QX8OD-u2k8nGS5xEBK3z0EaZujIEbJKrrjQQWsdUrKEetHUUTEJGMpymRlmMVl/s1600-h/sevensblog009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55kvO3u0SSlXcsEUMr-8yGZ6gbjFxtiOZmwDDPZnUMYWwyDc6szkaGGLb48BC4yTIKADiP5QX8OD-u2k8nGS5xEBK3z0EaZujIEbJKrrjQQWsdUrKEetHUUTEJGMpymRlmMVl/s320/sevensblog009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301696365483648082" /></a><br />Every so often teenage boys can be delightful!Nigel Pollockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16517484759723698526noreply@blogger.com0