and plan for an inclusive Christian school. She attended the first public meeting, saw the need and felt compelled to join this little group, realising she was the only teacher to sign up for such a momentous task. As Lynn said of those crucial early days, “I found that success didn’t lie in some ‘great thing I could do for God’; but rather in just allowing God to work in me, to achieve His plans, through me.” In this pioneering stage, Lynn took on the task of designing a Christian education model. She visited schools and held meetings with Principals to study their methods. She studied models which in theory were excellent but would only work if the teacher was Christian and fully engaged in the vision and mission of that model. Through much sifting and guidance, she created a model which continues to be used today, not just in that one small school in 1979 with eight students, but now in a system of ten schools, with approximately 3,000 students. In those early days, many experiences from her childhood, her own education and her teaching became ‘guiding posts’ in creating the model used today. She calls them ‘lightbulb moments’, such as when she was a student herself and, missing some foundational aspects of maths, was blessed with a tutor who not only filled in the missing knowledge, but tutored in such a way that inspired her to want to know and achieve much more (from failing to 96%). She saw the potential impact of a teacher’s relational teaching style on her own studies and was encouraged to do the same, from a Christian perspective, for other students. Another example was when she was a ‘supply teacher’ in London and taught a student who was very defiant and chaotic. Being firm with care showed gradual positive results. It was very encouraging to see the change in this student, and especially encouraging when the student’s mother visited Lynn to thank her for the change at home as well, to being obedient instead of defiant. Lynn learnt to never give up “I never shouted at him – ‘speak one not with force’ – just continually giving firm, caring instructions”. Lynn built these and many other lessons into the model she built for the school. Whenever she didn’t feel able or equipped for the task, she says God would say to her “Remember when…” In these moments she would revisit the many times God had helped her in specific situations, showing His grace, strength, wisdom and providence. For example, Lynn’s childhood was in the postwar years, difficult years for families both financially and in recovery from the war. God’s providence was seen many times, such as how her mother stepped up to be the ‘mother lion’ in a potentially dangerous situation, or when her extended family provided for Lynn to attend Grammar school to prepare for teaching by supplying a tutor. Even in her first few years of teaching, God was preparing and equipping her. Lynn worked in a one teacher school for a number of years, gaining valuable experience which God used for her service to this new inclusive Christian school which would eventually become Pacific Hills Christian School. Those ‘remember when’ moments reminded her that God ALWAYS provides, ALWAYS encourages and ALWAYS reassures. He leads quietly, filling in the missing links and uses all our experiences to build a tapestry for His glory. “We are like a carpet – we only see the back, the messy part, but God sees the front”. To God the weaver, Lynn says “I just feel thankful that God used me”. As God calls and leads us, let Lynn’s helpful words be our inspiration – “Me? A pioneer? Normally no, but God wouldn’t let me say no – He kept opening doors and I sensed I had to keep going and not let other people down. I am so happy to be the beneficiary of God’s grace, happy to be able to say God did it and will do the same in you”. 11
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