Sunday, June 1, 2014

Virtue mine honour (Macleans College motto)

Where there is no vision the people perish (Proverbs 29: 18 in the King James version): a favourite quote by Colin Prentice - a man of extraordinary vision.

I received word recently from Colin's wife, Margaret, that the boss has a terminal illness. My comment to Jacky was that Colin's rock solid faith will mean he will be at peace with that. The video posted on a Facebook Friends Of Colin Prentice page confirmed exactly that.

My life has been blessed with some amazing teachers and sources of inspiration whose influence has remained with me.

Colin is right up there - one of those people who matters most.

Colin was a charismatic leader at Macleans College when I joined the staff there in 1986. He taught us all a lot by just being genuine, being virtuous, being himself - a deeply spiritual man, strong in his convictions, deliberate in his methods, and compassionate.

I don't use the term 'charismatic' lightly. Colin has a compelling ability to inspire devotion in others (we love him) which comes from divinely given powers and set of talents.   

He has touched the lives of an incredible number of people - staff and students at all the schools he has taught at or lead, World Vision, the University Of Auckland.

He has that uncanny ability to make you feel special. Each one of us who worked with him has felt that.

I am so thankful that our paths crossed.  He sowed the seed of dreams in all of us.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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