‘When the bombs were falling like rain, Jennie stayed here with us.’ As a leader in international NGO, Tearfund, Jennie had always struck me as a quiet and unassuming person. We visited community rebuilding initiatives together in Lebanon just after the harsh and brutal civil war. Amidst shattered buildings, lives broken by sectarian conflict, aerial bombardment of the Beirut power station (just as we arrived) and Syrian ‘peacekeeping’ troops everywhere, we met with Christian leaders who recounted countless stories of heartache and hope. One of the things that struck me most was their deep reverence and respect for Jennie. Whenever she spoke, they listened with profound attention. Curious about this, I asked one of the leaders about it afterwards. He replied, ‘During the war, most NGOs withdrew because it became too dangerous for them to stay. Jennie was different. She refused to abandon us. When the bombs were falling like rain and we had nowhere else to run to or hide, Jennie stayed here with us.’ I felt completely speechless, humbled and amazed. I imagined myself in that same situation: how I would almost certainly have fled for my own safety – and have found or created very good reasons to justify myself for doing so. Yet what an impact now. The leadership and influence that Jennie was able to bring to this work by having been-with; not based on any hierarchical status, power or authority she held, but on a deep and incarnational, presence, relationship and trust.
22 Comments
Tamara Wieler
15/7/2022 02:27:36 pm
Was für eine tolle Frau!
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Nick Wright
15/7/2022 03:10:48 pm
Hi Tamara. Ja, stimmt! 💫
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Alex
15/7/2022 05:50:02 pm
Thanks Nick
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Nick Wright
15/7/2022 06:43:56 pm
Thanks Alex. Yes, her example had a big impact on them…and on me. 🙏
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June Webb
15/7/2022 06:41:00 pm
Hi Nick. Thanks for sharing.
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Nick Wright
15/7/2022 06:42:13 pm
Hi June. You’re welcome.
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Katy Brignall
15/7/2022 07:15:44 pm
Thank you for sharing this story about Jennie, Nick. I believe she demonstrated a distinctively feminine style of leadership and influence: presence, relationship and trust are very important to us.
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Nick Wright
15/7/2022 08:00:22 pm
Thank you for sharing such a profound insight, Katy. It has definitely given me food for thought...
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John Edwards
15/7/2022 07:19:20 pm
Hi Nick. I think Tearfund is a Christian NGO, right? It sounds to me like Jennie followed Jesus' example of incarnational love in a very real and radical way. I'm inspired!
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Nick Wright
15/7/2022 08:01:34 pm
Hi John. Yes, it is...and yes, she did!
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Francis Kemp
15/7/2022 07:50:28 pm
Nick, you often write about people, 'followers of Jesus', who put their lives at considerable risk for the love and benefit of others. They are stories of great impact too. I can see why that inspires you because it mirrors the life of Jesus and the early Christians who followed his example. Do you think the light of the gospel has grown so dim in Western countries because we focus so much on professional standards and protecting ourselves (e.g. health and safety) rather than living at the sharp edge?
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Nick Wright
15/7/2022 08:12:17 pm
Hi Francis and thank you for posing such an important and challenging question. It's a dilemma I've heard people in different Christian NGOs struggle with on numerous occasions. On the one hand, an organisation has an ethical responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect and safeguard the wellbeing of its staff, volunteers, beneficiaries etc. On the other hand, Jesus and the early Christians were more focused on God's calling - whatever the cost - than on ensuring their own personal welfare. So it's how to hold these in creative tension: to 'be safe, but not too safe.'
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Arman
16/7/2022 12:36:03 am
Hi Nick.
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Nick Wright
16/7/2022 02:07:14 am
Thank you, Arman, and yes - I agree. I wish I had more of Jennie’s courage. 🙏
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Tricia
20/7/2022 05:38:44 pm
Hi Nick. You always find something of value in your meetings with people, a good reminder to me.
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Nick Wright
20/7/2022 05:40:32 pm
Thank you, Tricia. I've just started reading a biography of Mother Teresa and am immediately struck by how she saw each individual as a person, and the profound impact that had on all those who encountered her.
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Rick James
21/7/2022 08:02:45 am
Thanks so much for this Nick. You make such an important point about immersion and staying with people. Solidarity in more than just words. I wonder what it means when so many of us are now based a long way from the issues we are trying to address – particularly with more limited post-COVID travel…
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Nick Wright
21/7/2022 04:20:58 pm
Thank you, Rick. Your reflections reminded me of a book I read many years ago by Italian priest, Carlo Caretto, called 'Letters from the Desert'.
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Rick James
22/7/2022 07:18:38 pm
Really interesting stuff – I’m at Bayes (City Uni) as I write this, doing hybrid teaching, so your points about minimising the distance resonate.
Nick Wright
23/7/2022 10:37:37 am
Thank you, Rick. That sounds fascinating!
Ian Henderson
25/7/2022 12:25:22 pm
Such a powerful message Nick and one that so few of us learn.
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Nick Wright
25/7/2022 04:08:56 pm
Thank you, Ian. I'm reading a biography of Mother Teresa at the moment and it certainly resonates with her stance too.
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Nick WrightI'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? Get in touch! Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
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