Right well I figure I’d better write another entry or I’ll forget all that has happened.
Monday was my first kind-of real day in the office. The building being used is actually really impressive and quite modern, I managed to get myself a temporary desk to use but spent most of the day meeting a lot of the staff and helping plan for the “Introduction and In-house week” which would begin Tuesday.
Discovered the wonders of Tesco, a massive (and cheap) department store and got myself sorted with a SIM card etc.
That night had dinner at Ian Greens house, who is the founder and inspiration for the whole of NLI and what the organisation is doing. Again, just a really good atmosphere of people doing amazing things all around the world, talk about good work stories ;)
Tuesday started the more business side of things with many powerpoints, discussions etc about the Vision of NLI and where we want to be and how to improve. I really feel blessed to have arrived so early in the year, seeing and getting to participate in the in-depth discussions about the organisation have really helped me to understand what the people over here are trying to achieve and the every-day struggles they have in actually achieving the amazing results they are actually getting. It really is quite inspirational (and unusual) to look around the room and see the talent, business experience and skills sitting casually around you… and feel a part of it all (even if it is a small one :)
Many of the people involved are successful in their own right but have given up large incomes and stability to volunteer overseas relying on support and donations.
Overall though, it’s just encouraging to see people making a positive difference in the world.
As a completely random point I ended up running out into the countryside that night after work (I’ve been running each day, attempting not to get lost among houses that look very similar) and have found a really nice route which winds along a road bordered by small fields and trees, and leads to a small village on a hill. I really need to take a photo of some of the houses there, which are so gorgeous :) Really old cottages with vines growing up the sides and paved sidewalks and big wrought iron gates covered in ivy… you know, just like you (a New Zealander) would see in the movies.
After my run I had dinner at David Warrens house (who actually introduced me to the idea of an NLI internship when he was over in NZ) and meeting some of his family. I got to watch a real English Football match with “locals” over some fish and chips. Excellent night. Whichever side I was supposed to be going for won 4-0. haha.
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| Far left is the house I'm staying in while in Coventry |
Tuesday continued with a focus on management, fundraising and new approaches to such. Two guest speakers from another Christian Charity came in and shared a few amazing stories of how they’ve made ends meet and how they’ve needed to adjust to the times to keep meeting their goals. One story I really liked was one where a leader of the company had a support group or something pull out on their funding for an orphanage a week before Christmas or something… and the children needed the money to get presents or probably the food etc they needed… the day before Christmas this guy was just about to call someone in the local area to admit that he couldn’t raise the money they needed… When he got a call and the EXACT amount of money needed (thousands) was donated by one random person. With only a few hours to spare they got the money in.
Pretty spectacular.
Anyway, I’ll finish off with saying one of the exercises we did was coming up with a bunch of new and exciting ideas and events to raise money. Two which I think I will be involved in is; a 75 mile cycle across England raising money for the work being done in Romania, Albania, Bulgaria and Region 5… and an online photography competition worldwide. It’s all very exciting and I can’t wait to start.
Also found out today I will be leaving for a trip to Romania within a week, and will probably head to Serbia in a few months time, working in Southport in-between, raising money, training and helping the staff out with all in my capacity. We head to Bath this Friday for a staff-retreat/conference… I’m really hoping I get time to see the place (who am I kidding, I’ll make time, even if it’s during the dark hours ;)
Okay, I’ve said too much and must get some sleep
Love to all my family and friends,
Kendra
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