sustain:if:able kiwi

a day that turned pear shaped

I have been away from Sunday, part of leading and speaking at a conference in Auckland, storytelling around new mission expressions. About 70 people gathering around 8 mission stories. Lots of learning, lots of relationship building between different parts of God’s body.

Around that gathering I have also been hosting Al Roxburgh and the first conversations around the Allelon Mission in Western Culture project as it might apply to New Zealand. So last night included a meal, with various church leaders here in New Zealand, informally, as we wondered aloud (and got an overwhelming affirmation), with regard to New Zealand.

Today I was due to fly back to Christchurch for the first lecture of a new class for the Semester, Being Kiwi, Being Christian. At the hotel, I opened my laptop bag this morning to begin my lecture preparation and realised that in the rush of my speaking yesterday, I had left behind my powercord for my laptop.

Sinking feeling … quick cancelling of taxi … rushing back to conference venue … searching … finding … great sigh of relief … off to airport.

Only to find my flight delayed… great sinking feeling, as I realise I am going to be missing my first class … Lynne said she could collect my bags, so I run off the plane … rush from the airport by taxi (never again, it was RIDICULOUSLY expensive) … frantically print off my notes … charging into the classroom.

Thankfully the 35 students were very gracious about the class starting late and it was a good start.

I am now due in town, to do a recording for a community radio station, talking about life and faith in Aotearoa New Zealand. Very much looking forward to collapsing at home and being able to simply laugh about being on the other side of a pear-shaped day.