Thursday, May 31, 2018

Dogs are life changing

Our life with a dog is not quite 2 years along, and we have enjoyed many things that have come from having a dog.



We have met way more neighbors than we had in the previous 15 years!  We are out more and most people like meeting dogs.





We get outside more.  Brexit loves being outside.



We meet other dogs, including this Great Dane named Lincoln.





We have unique dog decorated clothing.


We are more directly involved with wildlife, like this owl.

The culture in ministry


BUILDING A HEALTHY CULTURE

A few years ago, Cru began utilizing a staff survey with the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) to look at how our staff experience serving with the ministry.  They look at things like team health, work with purpose, leadership, strategy and communication, among others.  In the end, an organization ends up with a score, from “toxic” to “flourishing.”

You may remember that we have been assisting GAiN, our humanitarian ministry, for the last few years.   When we first talked I shared with Al, the President,  how his staff need to know that Gain wants to invest in them and build a culture where people would want to serve.  We started making a plan to do that.  

GAiN’s scores in this survey have increased significantly in each of the last two years.  Morale has increased dramatically because they are clear about what they are doing, and the team have been intentional about appreciating their work.  They are now certified as “healthy” by the BCWI survey. 

Al, wrote to my supervisor this month, “In terms of fruitfulness, our achieving a Best Christian Workplace certification by BCWI and our being financially solvent is in no small part due to Barrett’s help with our Leadership team. “   Your investment in our ministry with Cru is making a difference!  Thank you.

Staff join Cru to make a difference in the world for Christ; they are willing to raise their financial support to do it; they enter willing to serve.  We want to support that desire and faith.  It takes intentional effort to create the kind or organization that will support that calling and we are glad we have been able to help GAiN do that.






QUICK VISITS

Luke was the last one to go out to meet Zeke, and before that we got him down to Orlando to visit over Easter Weekend.  











Macy and Catelin went to Virginia to visit Luke last weekend.  It is great to see everyone making connections and welcoming Zeke into the family.




With much love and thanks,

Friday, March 23, 2018

A little about work and a lot about a baby!


WHO KNEW MISSIONARY WORK WOULD INCLUDE THIS?
A year ago I was asked to facilitate a Cyber Incident Response Team at Cru and prepare our response to several potential incidents, including a loss of IT service, a social media attack, or a loss of data due to hacking.   Three weeks ago a hacker in another country somehow got the login name and password of one of our staff, and logged into several of our systems!  Everything seems to be OK, and we now have lawyers and forensic IT folks working with us.  It appears he did not access any truly sensitive information, but the risk became very clear!

It has been a lot of work, but our team is working well and that is the good news.  It is not just IT that is involved, but HR, Communications, Legal, Risk Management, etc.  This team has helped Cru respond in a thorough and coordinated way.   We have learned a lot that will help us secure our systems in the future.


Hey, enough about that!  How about this baby?!





A NEW PHASE!
As you have been with us in our journey with Cru for all or part of our 32 years, you may have known us as newlyweds, new parents, old parents, and now, we have become grandparents!  
Ezekiel Steele Johnson was born March 8 in California.  Cara and Perry are doing well and Zeke has begun receiving many visitors!  

Dad
Mom




















Dayna was there for the birth, Catelin and Aubrey are there now, Macy, my Dad, and I visit in April,  and Luke in May.  Thank you for praying for them, and celebrating with us! 

Mom,  Grandma Dayna, and Zeke

Aunt Aubrey
Aunt Catelin 




The other day, I was reflecting with amazement of how God has brought us together with you and so many others who partner with us as we serve with Cru.   We are so grateful for your investment in the gospel and in our family.  We love and appreciate you very much!


In Him,