NICK WRIGHT
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Inspiration

6/11/2017

38 Comments

 
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A ‘university for the poor’. The past 2 weeks have been an inspiring and humbling experience at so many different levels. A close friend invited me to train and facilitate students, faculty and staff at a college in the Philippines that supports young people who cannot afford university education. It’s based in the inner city, shares basic facilities with various other government institutions and backs onto a market that, at times, fills hot and humid classrooms with a foul stench of waste.

It’s my third time in the Philippines and I’m always struck by the wild, extroverted and, in some ways, quite crazy culture. Dance, song and loud music are everywhere (as are people with guns), intermingled with sounds of all kinds of passing traffic and street dogs barking. The students here greet me with wide-eyed enthusiasm. It’s unusual to receive a visitor from the UK and they are curious, intrigued and keen to learn. We run classes for 3 days and the energy in the group is exhilarating.

At the end of the week, the students first sing a song to me then, one-by-one, come forward with hand written letters and cards, beautifully coloured and designed. I want to cry and yet fight back the tears. They are thanking me but I owe them so much. We move to workshops with faculty and staff using positive psychology and appreciative inquiry. Like the students before them, they are passionate, playful and professional. We laugh, work, sing, dance and learn together.
​
These memories stay with me: Their faith in Jesus that shines simply and brightly without inhibition. Their vision for the poor that extends beyond academic theory to personal and social transformation. Their kind welcome and hospitality to me as a total stranger. The very special friend who worked so incredibly hard – yet so carefully avoided the limelight. The open-hearted generosity of students who said, ‘We want others to experience what we have experienced here.’
38 Comments
Cindy Espenshade
6/11/2017 08:16:26 pm

Thank you for sharing your expertise to my fellow Filipino.

Reply
Nick Wright
6/11/2017 08:18:03 pm

Hi Cindy. It was truly my pleasure and privilege.

Reply
Suzette De la Fuente
7/11/2017 09:33:07 am

Thank you.

Reply
Nick Wright
7/11/2017 09:34:16 am

Hi Suzette. You're welcome.

Reply
Lisa Face MSc, BSc
7/11/2017 11:02:17 am

Inspiring account of your time with these incredible, gifted students Nick. It reminded me of the time I worked with and worshipped alongside many wonderful Filipino folk in Dubai: their cheerfulness, humility, courtesy and warmth was encouraging and inspiring to me! My first career coaching client was Filipino and like your students she was enthusiastic and creative too. Sounds like you'll be returning!

Reply
Nick Wright
7/11/2017 11:08:24 am

Thanks Lisa. Great to hear that's been your experience of Filipino people too. I'm curious - did you notice any cross-cultural issues when career coaching? You may find these related short pieces interesting:

http://www.nick-wright.com/blog/cross-cultural-coaching
http://www.nick-wright.com/blog/learner
http://www.nick-wright.com/blog/i-am-them
http://www.nick-wright.com/blog/love

I hope to go back, God-willing. One day at a time... :)

Reply
Maja F.
7/11/2017 11:47:34 am

All glory and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, our good Father, Shepard and Savior. In Him we know our place and purpose - to glorify, love and serve our Creator and to serve and love each other. This brings true and eternal joy.

Reply
Nick Wright
7/11/2017 11:48:11 am

Hi Maja. Amen to that!

Reply
Robert Dallmann
7/11/2017 12:08:46 pm

Thanks for sharing Nick... I have some friends who have been missionaries in the Philippines since the 1970s. They would echo some of these sentiments.

Reply
Nick Wright
7/11/2017 12:10:38 pm

Thanks Robert. You're welcome. I would be intrigued to hear your friends' observations...and I imagine they have seen a lot of changes in the Philippines over that period.

Reply
Robert Dallmann
7/11/2017 03:05:47 pm

I have only gotten to know them over the past year... so I can't offer much at this time. They currently train people in a Bible school to send laborers into the harvest.

Nick Wright
7/11/2017 03:07:12 pm

Hi Robert. That's OK. One of the things we discussed with the student teachers last week was the difference between UK and US English. 'Gotten' is a good example of a US word. :)

Robert Dallmann
7/11/2017 06:55:22 pm

My wife is Canadian and it is amusing how "different" English can be!

Nick Wright
7/11/2017 06:56:06 pm

Yes - 'great nations divided by a common language'. :)

Ellen Finkelstein
7/11/2017 06:53:52 pm

There's something similar (not connected to Christianity) in South Africa. https://tmhome.com/news-events/maharishi-institute-free-university-in-south-africa/

Reply
Nick Wright
7/11/2017 06:54:21 pm

Thanks Ellen. Interesting.

Reply
Tara
7/11/2017 06:56:25 pm

Nick, I value your reflections as you bring forth the culture these little learners share with you. How full your heart must feel with each trip! Looking forward to your next visit!

Reply
Nick Wright
8/11/2017 09:29:32 am

Thanks Tara. These 'little learners' were actually young adults - mostly student teachers - and adult faculty and staff. I count myself as a learner too at these events. Every encounter is so enriching...although can sometimes feel strange and disorientating cross-culturally at the time. I too hope I will manage to do further work like this in Asia. Thanks for your encouragement!

Reply
Fi Hills
8/11/2017 09:25:22 am

Great stuff ! :)

Reply
Nick Wright
8/11/2017 09:30:01 am

Thanks Fi! :)

Reply
E.G.Sebastian - CPC, CSL
8/11/2017 09:31:15 am

Super cool! :)

Reply
Nick Wright
8/11/2017 09:32:29 am

Indeed, E.G. :) I thank God for the privilege of these special encounters and experiences.

Reply
Jeanne Schulze
8/11/2017 09:33:33 am

Amen Nick. They are beautiful souls. I experienced similar while working with students in India. This is the real work. God bless you, Brother.

Reply
Nick Wright
8/11/2017 09:34:41 am

Thanks Jeanne. God bless you too. I would love to hear more about your experiences with students in India. Could you share an example with us?

Reply
Jane White
8/11/2017 01:00:27 pm

Wow! What an inspiring experience. I am reflecting on my own personal, career and professional goals today - and is making me think about this - going for something worth achieving.

Reply
Nick Wright
8/11/2017 01:01:40 pm

Thanks Jane. Yes, I'm still buzzing from it. I'd be interested to hear what you decide...'something worth achieving'!

Reply
Deaunna Evans, ACC
9/11/2017 07:34:23 am

Beautifully spoken!

Reply
Nick Wright
9/11/2017 07:37:08 am

Thanks Deaunna!

Reply
Sergio De Miguel Taroncher
9/11/2017 07:12:15 pm

Great experience! Thanks for sharing such personal feelings and emotions love!

Reply
Nick Wright
9/11/2017 07:13:04 pm

Thanks Sergio. Yes, it was a truly wonderful experience for me!

Reply
Alice Mar Rocher
10/11/2017 01:53:57 pm

Amazing!!! And inspiring. Thank you for sharing and for giving.

Reply
Nick Wright
10/11/2017 01:54:59 pm

Thanks Alice! I know this sounds a bit glib...but I really did enjoy and gain so much through this experience that words can hardly begin to describe it.

Reply
Gail Varis
13/11/2017 01:47:24 pm

A great story - lifted my heart today - thank you.

Reply
Nick Wright
13/11/2017 01:47:57 pm

Thanks Gail. Your feedback lifted my heart today too!

Reply
Lesley Hossner
14/11/2017 10:22:09 am

I’ve worked a lot with Philipino seafarers, and they are always the most cheerful and positive people, even when their conditions make you gasp. Always a ready smile and willingness to learn. What a great experience you had.

Reply
Nick Wright
14/11/2017 10:25:28 am

Hi Lesley. It sounds like you have had some very positive experiences too. I had a similar and yet very different experience in the Philippines in March, teaching in a remote jungle village. The environment was a sharp contrast to the inner city where I worked this time but the people had that same effervescent energy and those same amazing smiles. You may find this short piece interesting? http://www.nick-wright.com/blog/learner

Reply
William C. Hensel
21/11/2017 02:57:00 pm

Inspiration--literally'breathing in' or 'taking in the Spirit'--is ever-present, when I take Jesus at His word and 'keep on watching' and 'keep on praying.' Skimming a few samples from recent inspirations: my wife Katherine has been facing the challenges of Alzheimer's dementia for several years, and her calm, warm, honest demeanor and conduct bring me face to face with God's grace for hours each day. I re-read last night my brother Bob Dallmann's short book concerning the 'armor of God' as discussed in Paul's letter we call Ephesians; in light of recent discussions over heresies, Bob's steady emphasis on the true Gospel is inspiring and helpful. I'm inspired by the prospect of spending a long weekend, the first three days of December, at a lovely retreat center, Camp Allen, a couple hours' drive away from the hustle of Houston. And so on. Also, I'm touched by the discussion above in this thread concerning the Philippines, where I was stationed during the Vietnam war.

I was in the PI in the years 1969-70; my elder daughter was conceived there (during a visit from my wife over the holidays). I was touched by the diversity and grace of the people--a nation and population bruised by a sequence of empires that overpowered the people, and (memorably during my time there), the sequelae of the brutal Japanese occupation during WWII. I never acquired a taste for baluts or rice bugs, but the lovely, diverse people of the Philippines affected me just as Nick has more recently been touched. Pagbati at pagpapala!

Reply
Nick Wright
21/11/2017 02:59:53 pm

Hi William. Thank you for sharing such moving and inspiring personal stories from now and from '69-70. May God inspire you during your forthcoming retreat in December. Jesus bless you with strength and hope.

Reply



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    ​Nick Wright

    ​I'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? ​Get in touch!

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