Easter: the scars of His suffering...

Christ is Risen!

He is risen indeed! 

As I celebrate Easter, I am reminded of the extreme sacrifice Jesus made for me, visualizing the pain and suffering He endured on the cross, in order to restore the relationship between man and God. 

John 20:19-20

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”

Jesus appears to His disciples, showing them His hands and His side. His scars. Evidence of the brutalities He suffered. The resurrected and restored Jesus bears the scars of His suffering. He suffered for my sake. His deepest pain became the greatest gift of love to me, to you, to us. I rejoice in His triumphant resurrection and the hope I have of a life spent with Him.

I am forever grateful. 

Christ is risen. 

He is risen indeed.

Happy Easter! May His love be made real to you today. He is our Hope and our Strength. 

Ebola cases confirmed in neighbouring Guinea...

Breaking news: Ebola cases confirmed in neighbouring Guinea for the first time since 2016.

 

My heart sank last night when I read that there was a likely resurgence of Ebola in Guinea. Samples had been sent to Conakry for confirmation and today the Ministry of Health in Guinea confirmed the Ebola cases. There have been 7 cases in the south-east of the country, of which 3 died, and all were linked to the burial of a nurse who died late January. 

 

Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ivory Coast will need to plan carefully, act quickly and work together effectively. Let's get this right! I know that we are better prepared now than we were in 2014 but there's still a lot of work to be done. 

 

For Sierra Leone, this means taking immediate action to prevent entry of the Ebola virus into the country. Our Health Emergency Response System was activated to level II, focusing on enhanced surveillance, active case finding and robust community engagement to build trust. At the same time, we have to continue our fight against COVID19. 

 

Thankfully, at the end of the previous West African Ebola outbreak a vaccine was developed, which brings hope. Although some vaccine is stockpiled in Switzerland, production of the vaccine will need to increase to meet demand, which is challenging when COVID19 vaccines are being ramped up globally.

 

#TogetherWeCan

2 years since flying...

 

Today marks 2 years since I last flew out of Sierra Leone! It’s my longest stint in Freetown yet. I had 2 trips planned in 2020 - both were cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic & closure of the airport. I know this is the way life is for many of us right now. I miss family & friends overseas & I could do with purchasing certain items that aren’t as available here, however, on the plus side - Sierra Leone really does feel like home, it’s full of beauty, I have amazing friends here & well, there’s Italian gelato.

Worship 2021...

Worship is a spiritual discipline that draws me closer to God, reminding me of His goodness and faithfulness. It helps fix my eyes on Jesus, rather than on the many things that distract me from Him. I’m sharing my worship 2021 playlist. It’s a collection of songs that encourage & inspire me, stirring up hope, peace & joy. I hope you enjoy these songs too. If the highlighted link doesn't work, you can search on Spotify: playlist: worship 2021 by sandralako

Here's the list of song titles, with corresponding artist & album.

1. What A Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship (What A Beautiful Name)

2. This I Believe (The Creed) (Live) – Hillsong Worship (No Other Name – Deluxe Edition)

3. O Praise The Name (Anastasis) (Live) – Hillsong Worship (Open Heaven/River Wild)

4. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) – Hillsong UNITED (Zion – Deluxe Edition)

5. Who You Say I Am (Live) – Hillsong Worship (There is More – Live)

6. Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) – Hillsong Worship (No Other Name – Deluxe Edition)

7. So Will I (100 Billion X) – Hillsong UNITED (Wonder)

8. Victor’s Crown (Live) – Darlene Zschech (Revealing Jesus)

9. The Passion – Hillsong Worship (There is More – Studio Session)

10. Guardian – Ben Cantelon (Everything in Colour)

11. Behold Our God – Sovereign Grace Music (Risen)

12. River of Life (Radio Version) – Emmaus Rd Worship (River of Live)

13. Lion and the Lamb – Bethel Music (Have it all – Live)

14. Highlands (Song of Ascent) – Hillsong UNITED (People – Live)

15. The Blessing (Live) – Elevation Worship (Graves Into Gardens – Live) 

16. Together (feat. Russel Dickerson) – Chris Tomlin (Chris Tomlin & Friends)

17. Who You Are To Me (feat. Lady A) – Chris Tomlin (Chris Tomlin & Friends)

18. Joyful, Joyful – Casting Crowns (Until The Whole World Hears)

19. It is Well (Live) – Bethel Music (You Make Me Brave – Live)

20. Cornerstone (Live) – Hillsong Worship (Cornerstone – Live)

21. Beautiful Things – Gungor (Beautiful Things)

22. Your Presence Is A Promise (Live) – Mack Brock (Your Presence Is A Promise – Live)

23. God You Are My God – Vertical Worship (Vertical Worship)

24. Breakthrough (Live) – Red Rocks Worship (spark – Live) 

25. Oh the Cross (Live) – UPPERROOM (Land of the Living – Live) 

26. First Love (Live) – Kari Jobe (First Love – Live) 

27. There’s Nothing That Our God Can’t Do (Live) – Passion, Kristian Stanfill

28. Follow You Anywhere (Live) – Passion (Follow You Anywhere – Live) 

29. Awake My Soul (Studio) – Hillsong Worship (Awake)

30. King Of Kings – Hillsong Worship (King of Kings)

31. The Way (New Horizon) – Pat Barrett

32. You’re Beautiful – The Worship Initiative, Shane & Shane

33. Yes And Amen – Chris Tomlin

34. In Christ Alone (Live) – Passion, Kristian Stanfill

35. Living Hope – Bethel Music, Bethany Wohrle

36. WayMaker – Michael W. Smith, Vanessa Campagna, Madelyn Berry

37. Holy Ghost - Bri Babineaux and Alton Eugene, Maverick City (Vol. 3 Part 1)

It's 2021...

 

2020 - what a year! Completing my Master in Public Health with a distinction was definitely a highlight, as was time with friends (often at a beach plus a few adventures upcountry to Bumbuna and Gold Forest). Although there were many beautiful moments, #COVID19 marked this year, bringing with it uncertainty, more PPE requirements, quarantine & travel restrictions (no travel at all in 2020!). The words that resonate with the ups & downs of 2020 are grief, loss, uncertainty, dependence (on God), growth, joy, friendship & gratitude. Through the ups and downs, in the mountains and the valleys, God was there. It wasn't an easy year, but I am stronger because of it.

I’m looking forward to an amazing year ahead. May 2021 be full of hope, goodness, love & joy for us all. And may we beat #COVID19 together!

Happy New Year! Welcome 2021.