I'm thriving
A lifetime working in the corporate world meant Kevin Duxfield was the perfect fit as the Business Administrator at Northland Bridge. After a long struggle with his physical health, Kevin says he has discovered spiritual wellbeing through this role.
I come from a Northland farming background and was raised in a Brethren family. I met my wife, Debra, when I was working for an insurance company in Wellington. She comes from a strong Wellington City Salvation Army family. Those were the days of the high neck uniform and bonnet—I thought she looked great! We married in 1982 and have attended the Army together ever since.
I worked in corporate finance for close to 40 years and have done everything from money lending and repossessing cars, to internal audits. But in 2005 I became unwell with recurring glandular fever, which later developed into chronic fatigue.
Eventually I was made redundant. So, in 2008—with our three children all grown up—Debra and I went to Aussie where we attended Chatsford Corps in Sydney, and I worked in risk management for a pharmaceutical company.
I continued to struggle with my health, so with a grandchild on the way, we returned to New Zealand and brought our retirement plans forward. We’d always agreed that Northland would be the place we’d settle, so in 2012 we surprised ourselves by buying an old Catholic church as our retirement home!
Renovation costs determined that a return to work would be necessary. I was hopeful that my skills might be useful to the Army, so I put some feelers out, and here I am! The Northland Bridge is such a good fit for me because I can serve and use my skills, but I also love that wellbeing is such a focus here—especially for staff. This is totally different to my experience in the corporate world.
At the Bridge I can bring my whole self to work—I don’t have to check my faith at the door the way I often felt I had to in the corporate world. I can turn on my worship music and sing to my heart’s content and no one bats an eye. I love taking part in devotions each morning, and often go with our clients up to Whangārei Corps for waiata group.
Debra and I also go to Te Reo classes on Saturday mornings. It’s a no-brainer for us to be learning the language of the tangata whenua. If we were in France, we’d take French lessons, so why wouldn’t we learn Te Reo? The classes have been so special—a real eye-opener, and this introduction to bi-culturalism has enriched my faith.
People are people, and while there are gaps and differences that the enemy likes to jump on, I’m just an ordinary Pākehā guy desiring unity. Recently, a Māori brother got enrolled as a soldier at the corps. I was delighted to be able to pray with him and say: ‘Truly you are my brother—in culture and in faith’.
I’m so grateful to God for the opportunity to work at the Bridge. At the end of the working day, I wander around the building closing windows and shutting doors and praying in each of the rooms for what will happen the next day. The longer I’m at the Bridge, the more important this practise has become for me. I love it and I’m thriving!
By Kevin Duxfield (c) 'War Cry' magazine, 13 July 2019, p11 You can read 'War Cry' at your nearest Salvation Army church or centre, or subscribe through Salvationist Resources.