Sierra Leone Independence day...

Today is an important day in Sierra Leone, with its people celebrating their country's independence since 1961 after more than 150 years of colonial rule. Independence Day is always a great celebration, no matter what country you are in. A day to celebrate freedom. In Sierra Leone this year, there is an additional reason to celebrate: the launching of a free healthcare plan for pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers and children under 5 years of age. A plan that has been thoroughly thought out. Yet also a plan that will take a lot of man power and resources to implement. A plan, that if successful, can save the lives of thousands of mothers and children. This plan can finally decrease the amount of preventable deaths that currently occur all to often. Children dying of pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea because they cannot afford healthcare. Mothers dying in the hospital halls because they cannot pay for a desperately needed Caesarian section. One plan that can change one nation if everyone works together to make this happen. Politicians, donors, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, mothers, fathers, children, village leaders. In unison, with all people working together for the benefit of those in need, this plan can become a success. And in one of the poorest countries in the world with one of the highest child and maternal mortality rates in the world, this is what needs to happen. Let's hope for a smooth roll out. For more information read this article.

New homes in Haiti...

Will this really happen? I hope so. People need safer homes. I'm hoping this comes together and that this is a new start for many people. I'm hoping it will be more than just houses. It is a chance to form a new community. With food, clean water, sanitation, health care, education. I hope it will be a place in which God will reign. A place of peace. A place of hope. A place where healing and restoration take place. A place in which people work together in unity and bring change in their nation. Everything starts small but has the potential to become big.

It wants us to swim...

Taken from Rob Bell's teaching on April 19, 2009

“The common view is that life itself, whatever life is, does not care one way or another, any more than the ocean cares whether we swim in it or drown in it. In honesty one has to admit that a great deal of the evidence supports such a view. But rightly or wrongly, the Christian faith flatly contradicts it. To say that God is Spirit is to say that life DOES care, that the life-giving power that life itself comes from is not indifferent as to whether we sink or swim. IT WANTS US TO SWIM.” ~ Frederick Buechner

And so the Christian view is shaped not by a universe that is indifferent but by a universe that is relational. Not by a cosmos that says you’re on your own, but by a larger universe that says "There is help, there is love, there is guidance, there is wisdom. Ask, ask, ask.”

God gives without limits. Perhaps you are exhausted, burned out, tired. Perhaps you are facing life circumstances. To ask for God’s spirit is to ask for some animated energy. The center of the Christian story is to come to the end of your self. Realizing you do not have the energy anymore. Realizing you can’t do it on your own. Realizing your sins prevent you from perfection. And by coming to the end of your self, you are ready to acknowledge there is a God and it is not you. Walking in the spirit is simply saying God I need your animating energy because my internal spirit is exhausted. What I see is despair. I need help externally. I need something that will transcend what I can see. Give me sight for that which I cannot see presently. I need Your Spirit.

Medair ROC & confession...

On March 13th I travelled by plane and by train to a beautiful place called Vallorbe, Switzerland to participate in a week long relief orientation course (ROC) along with 33 other participants from all over the world. The lectures given were excellent, covering a wide range of topics from people management to suffering to team work to security issues to personality profiles to the biblical basis of relief work, etc. Great topics and great speakers. To be honest, a lot of it I had heard before, but it was good to hear it again, from a different viewpoint.

Another big part of the ROC was the simulation. I would love to get into the exciting details of the simulation but due to the nature of the course, many details need to remain unsaid, however, I can assure you that it was a week full of adventure. The simulation continued on and off throughout the week but got to the point that I felt like I was constantly in simulation. All I can say is that it consisted of many practical exercises, focusing on team work, cross-cultural aspects, living in a developing country and surviving in an insecure environment. I think the one thing that surprised me the most (and believe me, there were many surprises) was how real the emotion of fear was at one point, when I knew it was a simulation! I wish I could say more, but I can't or they might eliminate me. What I do need to confess is that this morning, as I reached into my jeans pocket, I pulled out a 100,000 bill in Tusil currency. Forgive me, finance officer.

Last of all, there were interviews held on the Friday. I met with someone from HR for a general interview and then later with someone else for a medical interview. Good interviews. Basically told me that the course went well and I was a good fit. The question is, is there a placement available that matches up with what I want to do in the field. To be continued.

So, in summary, the ROC was amazing, scary, intense, fun, adventurous, informative and inspiring. I would definitely recommend it to anyone remotely interested in Medair. Great organization. Excellent orientation course. Thanks Medair.

Waiting...

Waiting. In Quiet.

Excited. For New Beginnings.

Anxious. But At Peace.

Wondering. With Hope.

Dreaming. Of Future.

Trusting. In Him.

Update...

I went to another 2 schools today and gave another 4 presentations on my trip to Haiti. The children listened attentively and were very intrigued. I think it is great for them to be able to see and understand what is going on in Haiti and what the money they raised was used for. Some of the questions were really good. Like, why is Haiti not in the news anymore? And, how are they going to rebuild the city? Some were your typical questions like, did you see any big spiders? And then some were not questions but comments like, my brother broke his leg once too. Always fun to share with children.

On Sunday I have one more presentation- this time in church. I'll use the opportunity to put Haiti in the spotlight once again and speak of the urgent need of shelter and pray for the country. Then I'll show my 4+ minute video and hope it encourages people to continue praying for Haiti.

Meanwhile I am still working on 'what next' and have come to some conclusions for myself. I am not going into much detail here, but I have sent out a number of emails to various hospitals/organizations in three different countries. And I am hoping for some positive responses. I do have a slight preference, so we'll see what happens. And how God leads. It's a time in which I am trusting Him to open/close the doors. In the meantime, I wait.

Habakkuk...

Paraphrase from The Book of Habakkuk

God says, never ignore your struggle with how I do things. Ask every question that rises in your heart as you live in this world. But prepare yourself to struggle even more with My response. You must stumble in confusion before you dance with joy.

Know this: those who live by faith will struggle in ways that those who live to make their lives work will never know. It is that struggle, to believe despite desperate pain and confusion that a good plan is unfolding, that will open your eyes to see Me more clearly. Is that what you want? Will you pay the price?

The price is this: you will tremble in agony as you live in a sinful, self-prioritizing world. You will learn to wait in emptiness and frustrated desire for My plan of love to reveal itself. With confidence in Me and hope in My plan, you will not only feel the pain of living in the valley but also see My glory from the mountaintop of faith.

Only those who struggle in confusion and wait in hope will be strengthened to struggle well and to wait with confidence.

Struggle well. Wait in hope.

by Dr. Larry Crabb

Saturday Easter thoughts...

Today is Saturday. The day after Good Friday when we remember Jesus' death. The day before Easter Sunday when we celebrate His resurrection. Saturday is the day in between. In the middle of death and life. For us, it is an ordinary day. A day in which we prepare for a celebration that lies ahead, knowing full well that He is risen. However, sitting here, I wonder what it was like for people thousands of years ago.

I am sure there were people who did not care. The religious leaders who felt threatened by him, the politicians who did not want a so-called king to run them off, the people who cried out 'crucify him, crucify him'. They were the ones who did not walk with Jesus. They wanted to put an end to this man. To them, another criminal got what he deserved. For them life goes on. Another Saturday in the history of the world. Little did they know.

Then there were who followed Jesus- those who walked with him and talked with him. His disciples, his family, his friends, those who experienced his healing, children who had listened to his stories. For them I can imagine it felt as if the world had come to an end. Their friend, their king, had been killed. There was nothing they could have done to alter the course of history. They had to witness his pain and suffering. They had to watch him drag his cross up the hill. They looked on as he drew his final breath. Reality hit. He was gone. I can only imagine the emotions. How does one move on from such a gruesome encounter? Such injustice? I can imagine the anger, the questions, the bitterness, the sadness. For them it was likely the worst Saturday in history as they tried to make sense of what happened and wonder how life will go on. Little did they know.

Little did these people know that something very amazing, unfathomable, miraculous would happen the very next morning. Of course, the scriptures spoke of His resurrection, but this was prophecy. I imagine that on that Saturday, people were not expecting Jesus to rise again. They had not understood fully what Jesus' purpose was on earth. And so when Sunday came along, it was not a surprise that the women were trembling and bewildered at the tomb. It is not a surprise that the disciples did not believe. I think we would have all reacted similarly. But can you imagine what it must have been like for them to see him again? Pure joy I am sure. And we can approach this Sunday with that same joy. Knowing full well that He came and gave His life for us. He died and rose again. Amazing grace. He bore our sin and shame and we can now freely live. How glorious is His love!

Happy Easter.

Newspaper showed up at school...

Simon Peter's Easter thoughts...

We began to set the food out on the table and take our places. We sang one of the Passover hymns from the Hillel. We remembered Israel in Egypt and the night the Angel of the Lord passed over the firstborn of the Children of Israel. We rejoiced in God who brought us out of Egypt as we recounted the story in answer to the question, "Why is this night different from every other night?"

While we were doing thus Jesus became very troubled. His somberness caught our attention. We became quiet and waited. At last he said, "Very truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." Heads shook as we turned to look at each other. What did he mean? Who was he talking about? I motioned to John who was sitting next to Jesus, to get him to ask Jesus who he was speaking of. I saw John ask. I strained to hear. "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." The hairs on my body stood on end. I had goose bumps. The blood rushed from my head as I saw Jesus pass the piece to Judas. Jesus leaned over and spoke to him and he left. I was stunned. John looked like he had been hit by an escaped bull. Everyone else started murmuring about Judas going out to do some of Jesus bidding. Nobody else seemed to have caught on or heard. I felt disoriented. James must have told a joke. The others beside him were laughing. Everyone but John and Jesus and I resumed eating and talking. I didn't know what to think about this. Had I imagined it? I didn't have a lot of time to muse, though, as at that moment Jesus called for quiet. He picked up one of the round flat Pita breads and he blessed it. Then he broke it - tearing it in pieces and handed it around to us saying: "Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Afterwards in the same manner he took the cup in front of him and he gave thanks and said: "This is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." as he passed the cup. We all drank from the cup. It was a very special time.

Very shortly after supper we headed out across the Kidron Valley to the Garden on the Mount of Olives. We were singing hymns along the way but quietly as the night was getting later. While we were walking along, Jesus told us: "You will all become deserters; for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." That's when I claimed in my pride and arrogance, "Even though all become deserters, I will not." Jesus said to me, "Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." I don't know why I had to argue with him, what fantasies drove me to think that I was so powerful, so courageous on my own, but I heard myself - I still hear myself - say, vehemently: "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you." The rest of them said it with me. We were so sure.
When we arrived at our usual place Jesus indicated that he was going to pray. He said to all of us: "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial. Sit here while I pray." He motioned to James and John and myself to go on further into the garden with him. He was very upset, very anxious, pacing a little as he spoke. "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here and keep awake." He went a little further and he threw himself on the ground. I watched him do it as if in slow motion. I heard him ever so faintly but I could just make it out: "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible. If you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet, not my will but yours be done." My emotions had been stretched so much this week and this day that I suddenly felt drowsy and before I knew it I had drifted off to sleep.
The next thing I knew was Jesus standing over me saying: "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray." He went away again and prayed as before. I started to pray myself and again I nodded my head in sleep. Jesus woke us up. We didn't know what to say. I felt ashamed. He went back to praying. We went back to sleeping. At last he came again and he said to us, " are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour is come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."
While Jesus was speaking we could hear the commotion of a crowd coming towards us. There was Judas with a bunch of men carrying clubs and swords and the officers of the temple police and the elders. Judas called out: "Rabbi!" and went up to Jesus and kissed him. The men with clubs laid hold of Jesus to arrest him. That's when everything got a little crazy. I drew the sword I had hidden away and sliced off the right ear of the high priest's slave. Jesus told me to put my sword away. "Am I not to drink the cup that the father has given me?" That's when they began to bind Jesus with cords and the menace of the crowd grew. All of us began to slip away as quickly as we could. I withdrew far enough for safety and to watch. As they began to move away, I followed to see where they were taking Jesus. This really happened.
Sure enough. They took Jesus to the high priest's house. It looked like there was quite a crowd assembled. All the lights were on inside and every few moments there was coming and going from the inside. I managed to get in to the courtyard and I went and sat, as nonchalantly as I could, with the guards as they warmed themselves around the fire. I tried to be inconspicuous. I just listened to everything. One of the servant girls began to stare at me and came over and she said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." I looked at her and shook my head and said, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." She went away and I breathed again. I walked out to the forecourt to stay out of the way. The cock crowed.
After a while another servant-girl came along and she began to tell the rest standing around that: "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." I swore an oath and said, "I do not know the man." That seemed to shut her up. A few moments later one of those bystanders came up to me and said, "Certainly you are one of them, for your accent betrays you. You are a Galilean." That did it! I began to curse and I swore an oath that I did not know this man! As I finished speaking the cock crowed again.
The Lord turned and looked at me. Then I remembered. I remembered what Jesus had said- that before the cock crowed twice I would deny him three times. I broke. Great shuddering heaves seized me and the tears blinded me as I tore out of the courtyard and down the narrow streets. Running. Running I do not know where. Sobbing. Heaving. Shamed to the core. Bitterly with bile in my throat heaving great pangs of agony as I ran.
I had no concept of time. I was wandering around in a daze in the lower city. I realized that I didn't know what was happening. I was so caught up in my own grief that I forgot all about Jesus and what he must be going through. I had to find out. I started back up towards the High Priest's house. When I got there someone told me that they had taken him to Pilate, the Roman governor. That didn't sound good.
Nearing the Governor's palace I heard all kinds of noise and shouting. The crowd was really worked up. I heard the shouts: "Crucify him! Crucify him!" As I jostled through the crowd I could see Jesus standing beside the governor. He looked awful. A crown of thorns on his head. Blood on his face. Pale like he was in shock. He seemed to sway as he stood there. Pilate raised his hands. The crowd quieted a little. "All right. I give you my decision. Barrabas goes free. This 'King of the Jews, this Jesus, is to be crucified." The crowd cheered. My heart sank.
It was then that I got really angry at God. Why, oh why have you forsaken him? Why? Where are you God? This is supposed to be your Son, the Messiah. Why does he have to die? These thoughts and others swirled around inside. I didn't even notice that the crowd seemed to be moving at first. Then I heard the harsh shouts of the Roman soldiers making a way through the crowds. Pressed up against my neighbours I watched as I saw the wood of a cross come towards me. Then I saw my Lord slumped under its weight not six feet from me. He looked up at me and all my anger at God dissipated. The last time I saw those eyes I had denied him myself. Now those eyes, glazed with pain, were looking into my soul. Why was it him and not me? I still didn't understand. I was scared and I, too, was in shock. Everything was happening so fast. My Lord was going to die.
copyright - Rev. Richard J. Fairchild & Charlene E. Fairchild 1998 - 2006

Glimpse of Haiti...

Haiti. from Sandra Lako on Vimeo.

A glimpse of my 3 weeks in Haiti. And a glimpse of the country and the people. An incredible experience. A humbling experience. What I saw was: HOPE in the midst of devastation, JOY in the midst of suffering, PEACE in the midst of chaos and LOVE in the midst of brokenness. The children in this video are some of the bravest children I have ever met. It was a privilege to work with them. Please continue to pray for Haiti. It is not over yet. But He is the "God of this city". (Music by Chris Tomlin)