Exciting transition into new role with Mercy Ships...

I’m super excited to announce my appointment as Country Director - Sierra Leone with Mercy Ships, commencing 16 September, based in Freetown!! 

What a great opportunity to represent Mercy Ships and work alongside the Sierra Leone government, health sector, partners and healthcare workers to see how the organisation can complement ongoing efforts to improve access and quality of healthcare services. 

I have a long history with both Mercy Ships and Sierra Leone. One of the ships was my childhood home for 14 years, and after studying medicine in The Netherlands, I moved to Sierra Leone, which has been my home for the past 17 years! I also worked for a Mercy Ships medical project here from 2005-2009 and have taken many patients to the ship for surgical care. It’s my worlds coming together. 

I’ll miss my AWC family and patients but I’m looking forward to this next adventure.

#sierraleone #mercyships #hopeandhealing #globalhealth #globalsurgery #partnership #equity #transformation #restoringhope #safesurgerysaveslives 
PC: Mercy Ships 

Advent: cling to hope...

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) 

Today is the first day of advent: a time of waiting and expectation, preparing for, and reflecting on, the coming of Jesus. In this season, while physically preparing for Christmas, with trees, lights, carols, family traditions and delicious foods, we also prepare our hearts, contemplating the hope, peace, joy and love that Christ is. 

 

In the 12^thCentury, Bernard of Clairvaux emphasized Christ’s coming in three ways: in Bethlehem as a baby in the manger, in the second coming at the end of the age and in His presence in our lives every day. 

 

HOPE. 

 

Hope is more than wishful thinking. It is not simply a feeling. It goes beyond mere optimism. Hope is confident expectation. In the New Testament there was a confident expectation that the Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah would be fulfilled through the birth of a Saviour. 

 

As believers, we have a confident expectation that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. We confidently expect that this child who was born in Bethlemen will come again to reconcile this world. We confidently expect the gift of eternal life. 

 

How can we hold on to this hope in a world filled with disease, death, despair, division and injustice? 

 

It seems inevitable to lose hope. However, without hope, life loses its meaning and purpose. We must cling to hope. Jay Y. Kim describes hope as follows: “It doesn’t ignore fear, anxiety, and doubt; it confronts them. It holds steady, clinging to peace in the midst of chaos. Through life’s many treacherous storms … hope is buoyed by something greater that has happened and something greater that is going to happen again.” (from: Hope: An Expectant Leap)

Hope requires a trust placed in a loving and merciful God who is the same yesterday, today and forever, who knows the beginning from the end and who keeps His promises. Hope in the one who has come and who will come again. Hope in the one who is present in our lives, whose Spirit dwells within us. 

 

St. Augustine prayed the following: “How much you have loved us, kind Father! If your Word had not become flesh and had not dwelt among us, we would have had to believe that there was no connection between God and humanity and we would have been in despair.” 

Our hope is in God alone. 

"But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone." (Psalm 33:18-22)

 

Cling to hope. 

O Come Emmanuel. 

It takes as long as it takes...

The last few months have been challenging on a personal/relational level and it’s taking some time to process. I feel like I should be, or am expected to be, further along in this journey but I was reminded recently that “it takes as long as it takes”. 

A friend encouraged me to remember the 3T's: tears, talking and time. And to be kind and patient with myself during this process. So, onwards I go, for however long that takes. Some days are easier than others as I continue to walk a fine line between hope and reality.

Ups & downs seem to be a bit of a theme these days for everyone, especially in this COVID19 era. From issues at work, to travel restrictions, to personal matters. It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride. If you’re going through a challenging time, be kind to yourself. Be gentle on yourself. Give yourself time. Embrace joy and gratitude.

An unexpected Easter in COVID-19 times...

I am writing to you from mandatory quarantine; all is well. I am currently healthy. Spending time in isolation has given me the opportunity to reflect and although this Easter has not gone as planned, it is probably one of the more meaningful Easter’s I’ve had. 

Over the past few weeks, the following words have become all too real to people all over the world. Isolation. Chaos. Confusion. Fear. Death. Suffering. Loneliness. Pain. Hurt. Loss. Doubt. Distress. Uncertainty. Despair. We are confronted with the reality of separation, disease and death. Our world feels like it has been turned upside down. Maybe it’s not so crazy that this pandemic happens to coincide with Easter.

The moments leading up to Jesus’ death were full of turmoil. Jesus was distressed and troubled in the garden of Gethsemane. One of his very own, Judas, betrays him. Peter disowns him. Soldiers mock him. Those who pass by the cross hurl insults at him. And at noon, complete darkness fills the land. Jesus cries out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” How many of us have asked where God is in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic? The earth shook. The temple curtain split in two. Unprecedented. A day like no other.

The good news is, resurrection Sunday came. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, just as he said.” (Matthew 28:5-6)  Death did not hold Jesus. The darkest moment in history transformed into the greatest love story the world has ever known. Amazing grace. Through His death and resurrection, we are brought out of the darkness and into the light.  He does not promise us an easy life but He promises us a life with Him. In the middle of our current unexpected storm, He is our anchor. He is our light and our strength in these dark times. He is our peace. Hope is not lost. 

Christ is risen! Let’s rejoice today as we celebrate our Lord and Saviour – our hope and our strength! May you have a deeper awareness of His love and peace today.