a cricketing retirement (sort of)

After 24 years of hanging-out with NZ Baptists I was farewelled as Principal of Carey Baptist College at last week’s Baptist Assembly.
Me ol’ mate Andrew Picard was one who gave a speech using various cricketing jargon to get his point across. A fellow cricket fan, Andrew had even contacted the Black Caps (the NZ cricket team) in Bangladesh and got them all to sign a T-shirt for me and send it back to NZ. GULP?! He then presented it to me on the night… how cool is that? I even have photos to prove it!

These might be the best available images of the Black Caps for the next few weeks as they are about to take on the might of a wounded Australia. Just as well I am over here in rural Ohio for two weeks (speaking at a missions’ conference in my father-in-law’s church) with limited access to news… Still – I reckon they’ll offer a shock or two along the way.

nice chatting

Paul

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About Me

paul06.16

the art of unpacking

After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.

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6 Comments

  1. Matt Barker on November 19, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    Awesome! Very jealous. We’ll probably need Howe to score another couple of 170+ scores to be in with any chance of toppling the mighty canary yellow.

  2. Anonymous on November 19, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    Enjoy Ohio 🙂 We will miss ya tonight at home group!

  3. shannon.richmond on November 21, 2008 at 6:58 am

    Hi Paul,
    as an avid cricket follower i couldn’t help but comment. 214 all out on day one of the first test! that’s australia by the way. maybe they have been inspired by you : 0
    one writes this now knowing that things may not be so good by the end of the day! But that is the nature of NZ Cricket and we must take glory in the small things before they return to normal.
    SHannon

  4. Andrew on November 21, 2008 at 8:45 am

    Day one to NZ by a country mile. A day and a half of good batting and something amazing could happen… It must be the shirt!

  5. the art of unpacking on November 22, 2008 at 3:19 am

    Yes, I only manage to catch updates on the internet intermittently – but I see some of my predicted shocks have already occurred 🙂

    The greatest shock of all would be if our batting line-up could chase down 200+ tomorrow. I ain’t holding my breath – but I wouldn’t mind watching it!!!!!

    great to hear from you all

    a lonely cricket-fan all alone

    [although my cell-phone is finally working and so if any of you feel prompted by the Spirit – or a spirit, any spirit, for that matter – to txt me little updates, I will remember you in my will]

  6. Lauren on November 24, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    well…. NZ is doing well at rugby union and league. Perhaps we’re allowed a cricket slump. after all, none of us are good at everything (except A. Picard),,, 🙂

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