tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108286402024-03-07T06:11:30.857+00:00Sandra's Latest~ Sierra Leone ~Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.comBlogger1023125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-54017031287905588672022-10-16T23:34:00.000+01:002022-10-17T01:43:06.511+01:00One month as Country Director...<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HnzPz9OdHl5qnCi2c2W_CWPVVv7rUsAh8coFXrFeK3zoPlNPrWTjNUkly9_L7y6peQphbnqoQ4eTMgPOGABg1RDwI1kdI_Yrwh7cZLTvCKLYi33zhfcLSgDOPJfxJKLXXGBzI6lmvWU6PhHRuj7QNsEdQXHUq1caU9i3W9-sg1x6vqO-kA/s4032/San%20in%20Senegal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HnzPz9OdHl5qnCi2c2W_CWPVVv7rUsAh8coFXrFeK3zoPlNPrWTjNUkly9_L7y6peQphbnqoQ4eTMgPOGABg1RDwI1kdI_Yrwh7cZLTvCKLYi33zhfcLSgDOPJfxJKLXXGBzI6lmvWU6PhHRuj7QNsEdQXHUq1caU9i3W9-sg1x6vqO-kA/w400-h300/San%20in%20Senegal.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>16 October 2022. </i>How time flies! It’s been one month since I started my role as Country Director - Sierra Leone with Mercy Ships. What an adventure it’s been already! </span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It started with a flight to Senegal on day 1, then training and orientation over 12 days, a flight back to Freetown with a few days to prepare for an executive visit, meeting with high level government officials, the President of Sierra Leone announcing the Global Mercy’s visit in 2023, a few days to prepare for another visit, welcoming team members for the 3 week long assessment visit, and now engaging with (future) partners to listen and learn about the health system, to inform our program design. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’ll write more once the assessment visit has come to an end! For now, I’m grateful and excited. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">#globalhealth #globalsurgery #safesurgery #mercyships #partnership</span></span></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-89714005072205352652022-09-06T21:44:00.001+01:002022-10-17T00:44:53.954+01:00Exciting transition into new role with Mercy Ships...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmE5Ik7_Unpi0ka7XxRBOxVBkgrA3WvXx2nWk9If7iESlu_-N3psos7XO0na1gzus0Ly1OlBNi26yjCUrnzt_VJhSlsqFNOh9-17BQyUvzkw4NaR-4oMiLMOY_xie-GnH7MSJ08FtL01setaxyXdN1dY6AX7PN67Qk5tl3453Cyk4LKyvXQ/s828/Photo%20GLM%20AFM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="828" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmE5Ik7_Unpi0ka7XxRBOxVBkgrA3WvXx2nWk9If7iESlu_-N3psos7XO0na1gzus0Ly1OlBNi26yjCUrnzt_VJhSlsqFNOh9-17BQyUvzkw4NaR-4oMiLMOY_xie-GnH7MSJ08FtL01setaxyXdN1dY6AX7PN67Qk5tl3453Cyk4LKyvXQ/w400-h318/Photo%20GLM%20AFM.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">I’m super excited to announce my appointment as Country Director - Sierra Leone with Mercy Ships, commencing 16 September, based in Freetown!! </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">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. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">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.</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">I’ll miss my AWC family and patients but I’m looking forward to this next adventure.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">#sierraleone #mercyships #hopeandhealing #globalhealth #globalsurgery #partnership #equity #transformation #restoringhope #safesurgerysaveslives </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">PC: Mercy Ships </span></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-50963774309930692582021-04-04T14:42:00.003+01:002021-04-04T14:46:17.788+01:00Easter: the scars of His suffering...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW9XXyYnpQAG0AMRAhyphenhyphenHGkpg05PdncaFNh2FH1kHGkGLUiK9Bv1QXrjFwrlx55iZJmCUUykUesvpZI1WJc0zhcQo4U1u63fBGE-oYQ1yHfc7Ba63HV_z1nrvlU1Mp59lqBR_Y/s2048/tulips.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW9XXyYnpQAG0AMRAhyphenhyphenHGkpg05PdncaFNh2FH1kHGkGLUiK9Bv1QXrjFwrlx55iZJmCUUykUesvpZI1WJc0zhcQo4U1u63fBGE-oYQ1yHfc7Ba63HV_z1nrvlU1Mp59lqBR_Y/w200-h200/tulips.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Christ is Risen!</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He is risen indeed! </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">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. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">John 20:19-20</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“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.”</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">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. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I rejoice in His triumphant resurrection and the hope I have of a life spent with Him.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am forever grateful. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Christ is risen. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He is risen indeed.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Happy Easter! May His love be made real to you today. He is our Hope and our Strength. </span></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-62631845045300862062021-02-14T23:11:00.003+00:002021-02-14T23:11:31.294+00:00Ebola cases confirmed in neighbouring Guinea...<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Breaking news: Ebola cases confirmed in neighbouring Guinea for the first time since 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">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 <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56060728" target="_blank">today the Ministry of Health in Guinea confirmed the Ebola cases</a>. 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thankfully, at the end of the previous West African Ebola outbreak a vaccine was developed, which brings hope. <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/12-01-2021-unicef-who-ifrc-and-msf-announce-the-establishment-of-a-global-ebola-vaccine-stockpile" target="_blank">Although some vaccine is stockpiled in Switzerland</a>, production of the vaccine will need to increase to meet demand, which is challenging when COVID19 vaccines are being ramped up globally.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/togetherwecan?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZXmY6-cMw4Ru0rfg5GTOA5dLybdIg54X_ygp026j7MbcJRMiyCDfU67Vh6HSuppANOc-vI9ze-8ClIzJCakZg4NlZNJZHE4fEBifAKKuqU3ECWRwR9hZdqeufH3cPm_zQgrVuujFJVeEIoYB9rXhLtxVT7UEPhZw1G8nh2flyc9kQ&__tn__=*NK-R"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">#TogetherWeCan</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"></div></div>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-32624835692570558032021-01-23T22:56:00.013+00:002021-02-14T11:00:13.065+00:002 years since flying...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9RQhHC9VLJ3qoxIWWHQN_mauUPcVrn2_iGDdC9BqHB5D2NdYSGwEK87s9js6gAkD4RuniKN58M28JcCBVxgM8Gv2f08zvvKwRfeNiXzqh8K1m7PqbstSHQv32j2qMpwRbs9Q/s960/blog+2+years+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="782" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9RQhHC9VLJ3qoxIWWHQN_mauUPcVrn2_iGDdC9BqHB5D2NdYSGwEK87s9js6gAkD4RuniKN58M28JcCBVxgM8Gv2f08zvvKwRfeNiXzqh8K1m7PqbstSHQv32j2qMpwRbs9Q/w163-h200/blog+2+years+sunset.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">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. </span></div></span><p></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-27719134098642893552021-01-10T16:33:00.013+00:002021-01-31T16:44:52.628+00:00Worship 2021...<p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. </span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sharing my </span></span><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fplaylist%2F00UdvD1Ok4iDlni9n4Gtet%3Fsi%3DSZY2UEtkSAil3ZGZrYDvEA%26utm_source%3DFacebook_SimpleMusicStories%26utm_medium%3Dsms%26fbclid%3DIwAR3BUABueX2cfznX7EReosqweSKxGofMmMQwIdw8BDmEdoawmkCsDhp6aqo&h=AT2L8Sl4eHua2Ew4jPWZklo5IPjaxNo9ZF1GjMvwIWRRMMlL-tv8tX3w4ggsjF9JMlI9l4zULnfe2pRkiHiF3g4u83nHN9Y8tIqBbHLk6Ba6enwGEk8cbOjGXpfgNZ_kcz8594Y&__tn__=%2CmH-R&c[0]=AT2jYgebfuAUKfBMLqI3jgD0XTSTeJAado88QM5t5HF-qKqW8QkTaEkcKrrK4Q7981DIIV5ea2B1rlsPNVvHSXdtW0furuYCooVUiXTtQbG2leuTB1zYXIonKmwIQtRW5SFy2z1-6ZJIjXFDPY2ImUVrRb4" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i>worship 2021 playlist</i></b></span></a><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. It’s a collection of songs that encourage & inspire me, stirring up hope, peace & joy. I hope you enjoy these songs too. </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">If the highlighted link doesn't work, you can search on Spotify: playlist: worship 2021 by sandralako</span></p><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's the list of song titles, with corresponding artist & album.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1. What A Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship (What A Beautiful Name)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2. This I Believe (The Creed) (Live) – Hillsong Worship (No Other Name – Deluxe Edition)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3. O Praise The Name (Anastasis) (Live) – Hillsong Worship (Open Heaven/River Wild)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) – Hillsong UNITED (Zion – Deluxe Edition)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">5. Who You Say I Am (Live) – Hillsong Worship (There is More – Live)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">6. Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) – Hillsong Worship (No Other Name – Deluxe Edition)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">7. So Will I (100 Billion X) – Hillsong UNITED (Wonder)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">8. Victor’s Crown (Live) – Darlene Zschech (Revealing Jesus)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">9. The Passion – Hillsong Worship (There is More – Studio Session)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">10. Guardian – Ben Cantelon (Everything in Colour)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">11. Behold Our God – Sovereign Grace Music (Risen)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">12. River of Life (Radio Version) – Emmaus Rd Worship (River of Live)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">13. Lion and the Lamb – Bethel Music (Have it all – Live)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">14. Highlands (Song of Ascent) – Hillsong UNITED (People – Live)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">15. The Blessing (Live) – Elevation Worship (Graves Into Gardens – Live) </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">16. Together (feat. Russel Dickerson) – Chris Tomlin (Chris Tomlin & Friends)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">17. Who You Are To Me (feat. Lady A) – Chris Tomlin (Chris Tomlin & Friends)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">18. Joyful, Joyful – Casting Crowns (Until The Whole World Hears)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">19. It is Well (Live) – Bethel Music (You Make Me Brave – Live)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">20. Cornerstone (Live) – Hillsong Worship (Cornerstone – Live)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">21. Beautiful Things – Gungor (Beautiful Things)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">22. Your Presence Is A Promise (Live) – Mack Brock (Your Presence Is A Promise – Live)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">23. God You Are My God – Vertical Worship (Vertical Worship)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">24. Breakthrough (Live) – Red Rocks Worship (spark – Live) </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">25. Oh the Cross (Live) – UPPERROOM (Land of the Living – Live) </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">26. First Love (Live) – Kari Jobe (First Love – Live) </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">27. There’s Nothing That Our God Can’t Do (Live) – Passion, Kristian Stanfill</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">28. Follow You Anywhere (Live) – Passion (Follow You Anywhere – Live) </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">29. Awake My Soul (Studio) – Hillsong Worship (Awake)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">30. King Of Kings – Hillsong Worship (King of Kings)</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">31. The Way (New Horizon) – Pat Barrett</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">32. You’re Beautiful – The Worship Initiative, Shane & Shane</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">33. Yes And Amen – Chris Tomlin</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">34. In Christ Alone (Live) – Passion, Kristian Stanfill</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">35. Living Hope – Bethel Music, Bethany Wohrle</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">36. WayMaker – Michael W. Smith, Vanessa Campagna, Madelyn Berry</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">37. Holy Ghost - Bri Babineaux and Alton Eugene, Maverick City (Vol. 3 Part 1)</span></div></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-51548487254776440882021-01-01T09:00:00.007+00:002021-01-31T16:46:01.503+00:00It's 2021...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFl5Ay7_lkpc9hKOnCPj7Cng8uwmyGChWwsTpCflHwoBigqTEJnH71lNrXRH3itLZtSlNoCFZYTNE6SI22tpe8KN8xlWT7p6vYMH2p79TtyqU7CbE95bH-Nhth-sUlcmNoYrX/s650/Top+9+-+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFl5Ay7_lkpc9hKOnCPj7Cng8uwmyGChWwsTpCflHwoBigqTEJnH71lNrXRH3itLZtSlNoCFZYTNE6SI22tpe8KN8xlWT7p6vYMH2p79TtyqU7CbE95bH-Nhth-sUlcmNoYrX/w394-h400/Top+9+-+2020.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><p></p><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;">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 </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;">Gold</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"> Forest). Although there were many beautiful moments, </span><a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-clinic-day-during-covid19-pandemic.html" style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;">#COVID19 marked this year, bringing with it uncertainty, more PPE requirements</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span><a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2020/04/an-unexpected-easter-in-covid-19-times.html" style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;">quarantine</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> & travel restrictions (no travel at all in 2020!). </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The words that resonate with the ups & downs of 2020 are </span><a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-path-of-grief.html" style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;">grief</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, loss, uncertainty, dependence (on God), growth, </span><a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2020/12/advent-rejoice-always.html" style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;">joy</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span><a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2020/11/happy-thanksgiving.html" style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;">friendship & gratitude</a><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;">. 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. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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 <a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/covid19?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUXMJVBeopHfbgyx_Hbx7ZItBfxlXaH7nFkjuFVRfyhoZQZLaNO8yBCvflmL_2m1sTpUBdSyCUfQ9mSUwwZiiIbgcL0J6jv2FkL3w4ifpOQwLRWLL9t6q53lTkWJsDkcSE&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--accent); cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0">#COVID19</a> together! </span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy New Year! Welcome 2021. </span></div></div><p><br /></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-3924640166644899522020-12-27T01:33:00.000+00:002020-12-27T01:33:32.082+00:00The path of grief…<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SufQOjD0Xm5bjfzkL0zML_PxH2SZzWiIDhuHvzo2LgMHmMIsQSEUB0drHk3LADJEg1_do9DG89NQn3W3j4fzHV9vLi5PcZcwvejgoFkS4ierxYvYUy-ULevL1q3upKLPYmcp/s2048/grief+grid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SufQOjD0Xm5bjfzkL0zML_PxH2SZzWiIDhuHvzo2LgMHmMIsQSEUB0drHk3LADJEg1_do9DG89NQn3W3j4fzHV9vLi5PcZcwvejgoFkS4ierxYvYUy-ULevL1q3upKLPYmcp/w400-h400/grief+grid.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>“Life’s beauty is inseparable from its fragility. No one makes it through life without experiencing grief. It is the heart wrenching flipside of all that makes life worth living. Love. Love is of course a source of joy and meaning, a universal binding of humanity. But living with an open heart also means loss.” (Susan David – Moving forward with grief)</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To love is to take a risk. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we let people into our lives, whether as a friend, a boyfriend/girlfriend or a life partner, there is a risk of losing them. We live in an uncertain and fallen world and although we hope it will not happen to us, circumstances or choices could separate us from the person or people we deeply care for. Death. Divorce. Distance. Breakup. We are not immune to it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, is love worth the risk? <i>Maxime Lagace said: “To love is risky. Not to love is foolish.”</i> I would agree that love is worth the risk. After all, God designed us as relational beings. However, there is a risk that a relationship will end, whether suddenly or gradually, leading to loss, which sends you down the path of grief. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot.” (Jamie Anderson)</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Grief is not an experience that we have but an experience we become. It affects our thoughts, emotions and physical being. It’s unpredictable. It is raw. It is complex. It is real. It is changing constantly. Grief can overcome us at any moment. Morning. Afternoon. Evening. Night. It comes with an array of emotions. Sadness. Anger. Fear. Depression. Acceptance. Numbness. Avoidance. Longing. Denial. Frustration. Disappointment. Meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When you step foot onto the path of grief you have to acknowledge that you are grieving, know that it is okay not to be okay and <a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2020/11/it-takes-as-long-as-it-takes.html" target="_blank">realize that your journey is going to take as long as it takes</a>. This is the first step. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once you have the headspace, you can start to process the grief. Talk to people. Cry. Write down your feelings. Pray. You are beginning to move forward with the experience of grief. This will take time. There is no magic bullet. You can’t rush the process. There is no fast forward button. But it seems like there's a rewind button. You might find yourself experiencing certain emotions over and over again. You might feel as if you’re not as far down the path as you would have hoped to be. That’s okay. You will get there. Remember: it takes as long as it takes. Be kind to yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eventually, somewhere along the path, you will gain new insights and perspective. Grief is one of life’s great teachers. The loss you experienced will become a part of your life story. You will likely still experience feelings of loss but you will be able to move forward in life, with the grief. It may feel like you're going back and forth between hurt, happiness and healing. That's okay. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>“You are allowed to be hurting, happy, and healing at the same time.” (Female Collective</i>)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Susan David shared the following “promise of grief” in a podcast: “If you are here with me, you will one day forget me. You will turn the corner and see the light. An upturned smile. A flash of something that sends you the promise that joy is possible once again. But for now, be here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is hope. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The situation may not turn out the way you wish it would but there is a new chapter being written. Trust that it will be good. This is where my faith carries me through. The last 4 months have been difficult. They are not what I would have chosen. However, I know without a doubt that God wants the best for me and that He has great things in store for me. I just don't know what they are. His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts, but He is good. I need to trust Him. And on this path of grief, I have learned that <a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2020/12/advent-and-on-earth-peace.html" target="_blank">"the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind" (Philippians 4)</a> and that I am to <a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2020/12/advent-rejoice-always.html" target="_blank">"rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for me in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you are on the path of grief, remember: it takes as long as it takes. Stop. Smile. Breathe. Pray. Keep your head high. Be kind to yourself. Trust. Life is beautiful. Even on the path of grief there is so much to be grateful for. Pursue the things in life that bring you joy. Joy and grief really can exist next to each other! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vqWGp_qVdzyzB7MrTzMiLH2Ryxh9AAbG4iEXZAC6e6812rdsBMZ1NJqjyMRZtdSINeqmmIRfXYIBwZpNZdZnEwuVnk_DVjjokMx2QQ13GjqjUU9Mr2cj-34nhmnNaVwo1ez7/s545/grief+and+joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="545" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vqWGp_qVdzyzB7MrTzMiLH2Ryxh9AAbG4iEXZAC6e6812rdsBMZ1NJqjyMRZtdSINeqmmIRfXYIBwZpNZdZnEwuVnk_DVjjokMx2QQ13GjqjUU9Mr2cj-34nhmnNaVwo1ez7/w400-h390/grief+and+joy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-80863587372625834282020-12-25T08:56:00.000+00:002020-12-25T08:56:15.628+00:00Emmanuel, God with us…<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd44cnIw8Bp8n4CLAu9tj7Gjtfa_gc-Wc9cvFxZKiYfMkDN7gWxHhkJsgBbiPrNxJVW41X69u0GooAWLTv_ZVTJ9t-uk4Q3R_wRcyXJPS1gILn6XEQbdLNjXevKnHNexbeBWs3/s507/5th+candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="495" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd44cnIw8Bp8n4CLAu9tj7Gjtfa_gc-Wc9cvFxZKiYfMkDN7gWxHhkJsgBbiPrNxJVW41X69u0GooAWLTv_ZVTJ9t-uk4Q3R_wRcyXJPS1gILn6XEQbdLNjXevKnHNexbeBWs3/w390-h400/5th+candle.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The fifth candle is the Christ candle. Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Saviour, who came as a baby, wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger. We celebrate the hope, peace, love and joy that Christ brings into the world. He is the light in the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">CHRIST. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Although your Christmas celebrations may look different this year due to the COVID19 pandemic, the significance of today is not lost. I want to share a prayer written by Pete Greig:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“May the love of God the Father bring unexpected comfort to your home today, connecting hearts that are apart, and reconfiguring family this Christmas. May the hope of God the Son, born into dark disruption and deep uncertainty, ignite a little light in your home today, surprising you with joy this Christmas. May the peace of God the Holy Spirit console your soul today, filling your heart and your home with the serenity of his presence this Christmas. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>And so let us return to that first Christmas to find a fearful mother as she brings her baby into such a dark place and time in history. It is not what she wanted. See the uncertainty etched in the man’s features, worried and unable to properly provide, feeling clumsy, unsure of his own role and involvement. It is not what he wanted. Consider their sense of isolation at a time of such vulnerability, far away from loved-ones and home. It is not what they wanted. Imagine the frustration they feel, forced to be here now, against their will, at this most intimate moment by the relentless demands of a distant government. It is not what they wanted. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>This year of all years, perhaps we may celebrate with new understanding the Christmas no one wanted. The fragility of life in the shadow of death, the hope of healing in a dangerous environment, the love ephemeral yet eternal, born to a tiny, vulnerable, isolated, disorientated, disappointed, fearful, fragile family, which is Immanuel, God with us (when others can’t be with us), a Light that shines in the darkness, a defiant hope in spite of everything, Jesus Christ the Lord.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1: 5)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As you celebrate today, whether alone or with loved ones, remember that Christ dwells among us. In the midst of these trying times, He is present. Always. Emmanuel, God with us. He is the light that overcomes darkness. May the hope, peace, joy and love of God be ever so real to you this Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Emmanuel: God with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-13724071589891044492020-12-20T10:47:00.001+00:002020-12-20T10:48:46.014+00:00Advent: choose love...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wyVLODDzl36sUrnK03FwvSPR-qlO0IXMpS3YotsQpcde4JnwZN-adza2ziRgRZHJfAsqBAdSGgScF3fbVr3vbZVKR0hMrkBXH5i00RwuaL3R_WD6OkYsdI-17Nh5a8-iCOOs/s2048/4th+advent+candle+of+love.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wyVLODDzl36sUrnK03FwvSPR-qlO0IXMpS3YotsQpcde4JnwZN-adza2ziRgRZHJfAsqBAdSGgScF3fbVr3vbZVKR0hMrkBXH5i00RwuaL3R_WD6OkYsdI-17Nh5a8-iCOOs/w400-h400/4th+advent+candle+of+love.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">“</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial;">For God so <u>loved</u></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial;">the world that he gave</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial;">his one and only Son, that whoever believes</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial;">in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">The fourth candle is the light of love. Jesus coming to earth, as a baby in a manger and the Saviour of the world, is God’s greatest gift of love to us. This is God’s redeeming love, which brings forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation. What a gift! A gift that lasts forever. The utter magnitude of His love for me is unfathomable and beyond amazing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">LOVE.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">Love is more than a feeling. Love requires action. Love requires taking risks. To love is not always easy. It involves a choice and it is often a choice we need to make over and over again. Let’s face it: some people are easy to love, others not so much. Yet Jesus asks us to love everyone! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">“</span><span class="textmatt-22-37"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">Jesus replied:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">Matthew 22:33-39) Jesus teaches us to love God with our whole being. He also teaches us to love each other. Family. Friends. Neighbours. Enemies. Strangers. The hungry. The prisoners. The thirsty. To love our neighbours as ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">What does love look like? One of my favourite passages on love is found in 1 Corinthians. We are given such a beautiful image of what love should look like. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.<b><sup> </sup></b>It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">What an incredible picture of love. Who doesn’t want to be loved like that? God’s love for us IS that perfect! And although our love for others will never be this perfect, we can ask God to help us love others, aspiring this wholesome love. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">How can we show love to others? Jesus shares what love as an act of service looks like in Matthew 25. Feed the hungry. Provide shelter to the homeless. Give those who are thirsty a drink. Clothe the naked. Visit the prisoners. Meet with the sick. There are many ways we can show love to those around us. Love in action. However, this passage is one that has continuously challenged me. We are commanded, not just advised, to help those in need or we will face eternal consequences. Jesus’ message is straightforward but putting this into practice all the time is not an easy task, especially when faced with people in need every single day. I have a lot to learn when it comes to loving others. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">This advent, reflect on God’s incredible love for you, love God with your whole being and love those around you as best as you can. Love is essential. Especially in this difficult season, in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic, be mindful of people who may be lonely or in need. Share some love with those around you this advent season.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">Choose love.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial;">O Come Emmanuel.</span></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-60797271248854494042020-12-13T23:58:00.005+00:002020-12-20T10:48:53.218+00:00Advent: rejoice always...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1sKmMps03HGlncm2xHlguCLPMmoxT9-hckbLdHxhp-CZyYOJC6HOc6XNCopttKIYQmuqaMs9_c8a90A0uUXkSla63SrYyq17rMLKOv0Txk_EUvGIE2d0CvwdUDETEo6esT7o/s2048/advent+candle+3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1sKmMps03HGlncm2xHlguCLPMmoxT9-hckbLdHxhp-CZyYOJC6HOc6XNCopttKIYQmuqaMs9_c8a90A0uUXkSla63SrYyq17rMLKOv0Txk_EUvGIE2d0CvwdUDETEo6esT7o/w400-h400/advent+candle+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><sup><span lang="EN-GB">“</span></sup></b><span lang="EN-GB">And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. <u>I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people</u>. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”(Luke 2:8-11)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;">The third candle is the light of joy. At Christmas we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come,” joyfully celebrating Jesus’ first coming. In the middle of the night, while watching their flock, the shepherds encounter angels who announce the joyful news of a Saviour's birth. It is these very shepherds who are the first to pay a visit to Jesus. Although the Hebrews anticipated a Saviour, they probably assumed he would come as a mighty King, demonstrating his authority, power and majesty, not as a fragile baby, lying in a manger, visited by shepherds. However, this little baby is our Saviour, bringing salvation and joy for all the people. These humble circumstances in which Jesus entered the world are a reminder that our joy is not defined by circumstance, but that He is the source of our joy and we can be joyful in all situations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;">JOY.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;">Joy is more than momentary happiness. It is not determined by our circumstances, our belongings, our success, our status or our wealth. It stems from God’s presence in our lives, knowing that by His grace we are saved. Knowing that we can trust in Him regardless of our circumstances. “Behold, God <i>is</i> my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid…Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”(Isaiah 12:2-3) We do not need to be afraid and we can rejoice in the promise of salvation and eternal life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can we find joy this advent, when there are so many hardships? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;">2020 has been a difficult year. Many people have encountered loss, illness, unemployment, depression, isolation, fear, failed relationships, broken dreams, separation from family. COVID19 has shaken the world to its core. Yet, in the midst of the hardships, I am convinced it is possible to find joy. We simply need to look to Jesus, the source of our joy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-GB">In Jesus’ darkest moments, hours before His death, “He took bread, <b>gave thanks </b>and broke it, and gave it to his disciples...” (Luke 22:19) “Eucharisteo” is the Greek word for “he gave thanks”. Charis means grace and chara means joy. Through “Eucharisteo”, thanksgiving, we can find grace and joy. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-GB">We are told to rejoice, pray and give thanks. Not sometimes, but always. </span><span lang="EN-GB">Continually. In all circumstances. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-GB">During advent and beyond, remember to fix your eyes on Jesus, give thanks and pursue joy. Focus on the many blessings in life that He has given you, whether that is health, connecting with family through social media, the beauty of flowers, birds, sunsets and rainbows, provision of food and shelter, friendships, work or simply being alive. </span><span lang="EN-GB">May you experience renewed joy this advent through the deep assurance that you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rejoice always.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: arial;">O Come Emmanuel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><br /> </p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-55260142056620742432020-12-06T22:57:00.001+00:002020-12-20T10:48:37.228+00:00Advent: and on earth Peace...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhGXDg0QVEeUgGspDB_tIsjaJS-cewAfd4ecAmxKBW0ybCPupWaBBZ5fzA5-b365yMKp4rFQWONAedwztIrp5sPM6o_ybhBITblva79NYQT9Jawf_B_BCt4kBu31onjtNxz0R/s640/peace+candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="640" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhGXDg0QVEeUgGspDB_tIsjaJS-cewAfd4ecAmxKBW0ybCPupWaBBZ5fzA5-b365yMKp4rFQWONAedwztIrp5sPM6o_ybhBITblva79NYQT9Jawf_B_BCt4kBu31onjtNxz0R/w400-h395/peace+candle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“<span class="textluke-2-13">Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,</span><span class="textluke-2-14"><b><sup> </sup></b></span><span class="textluke-2-14">“Glory to God in the highest heaven, </span><span class="textluke-2-14"><u>and on earth peace</u></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="textluke-2-14">to those on whom his favor rests.” (</span>Luke 2:13-14)<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">PEACE.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The second candle of advent is the light of peace. When the angels appear to the shepherds at night they proclaim: “and on earth peace…”. When Mary gave birth to baby Jesus, peace came into the world. Jesus, the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This doesn’t mean that the world was suddenly a peaceful place. It wasn’t an instantaneous ideology of “peace on earth”. Far from it. There was a lot of unrest during Jesus’ time. But Peace dwelt among the people, and still dwells among us today. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace but also encompasses harmony, wholeness, completeness and tranquility. It refers to the complete physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of a person, with an emphasis on being at peace with God, with others and within oneself. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As Christians we are saved through grace and that salvation leads to peace with God yielding an inner peace, due to the knowledge that God brings restoration and healing to us and ultimately to this world. God’s peace guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7) silencing anxieties and worry, leading to wholeness and tranquility. Shalom. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Peace requires us to trust in a God of peace and a God who grants us peace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."(John 14:27)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We are also called to be peacemakers, extending peace to our neighbours and communities so that we can be at peace with one another. Shalom. To be at peace with others. This takes courage. It is also a choice. Being a peacemaker requires us to step out of our comfort zone and into challenging situations. At times it requires us to stand up against injustice. Being a peacemaker is not an easy task and <span style="background-color: white;">it is God’s peace within us that will help bring peace and unity into the situations around us. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lord, help us to be instruments of your peace. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">O Come Emmanuel. </span></p></div><p><br /></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-79562405930422179522020-11-29T23:58:00.005+00:002020-12-20T10:49:03.689+00:00Advent: cling to hope...<p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgz4PRUAOLysUz_Xqr34BrSGFT3v1OCSLf8n6Wsf4nsA_f3CLhP1eth_sZ9JWodeqf5IXQZ_PU0O2oG7kOYzLE9zaGCBAAKfTmn7OZLbkZ4KR0u1ofddMpa9K7DzvBPGFHrGP/s640/advent+candle+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="640" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgz4PRUAOLysUz_Xqr34BrSGFT3v1OCSLf8n6Wsf4nsA_f3CLhP1eth_sZ9JWodeqf5IXQZ_PU0O2oG7kOYzLE9zaGCBAAKfTmn7OZLbkZ4KR0u1ofddMpa9K7DzvBPGFHrGP/w400-h390/advent+candle+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">“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) </div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the 12<sup>th</sup>Century, 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HOPE. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hope is more than wishful thinking. It is not simply a feeling. It goes beyond mere optimism. Hope is <u>confident expectation</u>. 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can we hold on to this hope in a world filled with disease, death, despair, division and injustice? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">has happened</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and something greater that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">is going to happen again</span></em>.” (from: Hope: An Expectant Leap)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">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.” </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Our hope is in God alone. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">"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)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cling to hope. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">O Come Emmanuel. </span></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-1413854799189304122020-11-26T22:52:00.002+00:002020-11-30T00:03:16.859+00:00Happy Thanksgiving...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGfVpG2CvpIcvDeCMhrNV6eTS5HPkBQJedVoFzt3W_D_aXCAcCkfDGwMbUG9Qk9-T5QyId52bwzWGH_cezzPyaw2JKZyyksJseIenaJZAC-yK58SB0AR9nruBBFwr2jFm3Qgs/s960/happy+thanksgiving.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGfVpG2CvpIcvDeCMhrNV6eTS5HPkBQJedVoFzt3W_D_aXCAcCkfDGwMbUG9Qk9-T5QyId52bwzWGH_cezzPyaw2JKZyyksJseIenaJZAC-yK58SB0AR9nruBBFwr2jFm3Qgs/w400-h400/happy+thanksgiving.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Thanksgiving! </span></div></span><p></p><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This evening I’ve enjoyed delicious food and some time to reflect. Basically, I’m incredibly grateful for the people God has put in my life - whether for a season or forever - whether near or far - they constantly teach me how to live, laugh and love. They remind me of the importance of self-worth and courage, letting go and moving forward, patiently waiting and chasing my dreams. </span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="❤️" height="16" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6c/1/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; text-align: justify;" width="16" /></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m forever grateful. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And yes, I put my Christmas tree up a few days ago. It's 2020. It's allowed. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/ihaveamazingfriends?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVYCE7AhYJPtFrlvmMQSENGyyssb_eYy3uqcA3MZE7rYYfIvebR3NyGNmpO3xDGhED9MPukWTF7gV3XcFchIXkHpbdCvIUj2iIt2EYuhA0CMO3UK_9FL-cYZbn6zIkIXHI&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--accent); cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0"><span style="font-family: arial;">#ihaveamazingfriends</span></a></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/ihaveanamazingfamily?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVYCE7AhYJPtFrlvmMQSENGyyssb_eYy3uqcA3MZE7rYYfIvebR3NyGNmpO3xDGhED9MPukWTF7gV3XcFchIXkHpbdCvIUj2iIt2EYuhA0CMO3UK_9FL-cYZbn6zIkIXHI&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--accent); cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0"><span style="font-family: arial;">#ihaveanamazingfamily</span></a></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/livelaughlove?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVYCE7AhYJPtFrlvmMQSENGyyssb_eYy3uqcA3MZE7rYYfIvebR3NyGNmpO3xDGhED9MPukWTF7gV3XcFchIXkHpbdCvIUj2iIt2EYuhA0CMO3UK_9FL-cYZbn6zIkIXHI&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--accent); cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0"><span style="font-family: arial;">#livelaughlove</span></a></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/alwaysanadventure?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVYCE7AhYJPtFrlvmMQSENGyyssb_eYy3uqcA3MZE7rYYfIvebR3NyGNmpO3xDGhED9MPukWTF7gV3XcFchIXkHpbdCvIUj2iIt2EYuhA0CMO3UK_9FL-cYZbn6zIkIXHI&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--accent); cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0"><span style="font-family: arial;">#alwaysanadventure</span></a></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl q66pz984 gpro0wi8 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/begratefulalways?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVYCE7AhYJPtFrlvmMQSENGyyssb_eYy3uqcA3MZE7rYYfIvebR3NyGNmpO3xDGhED9MPukWTF7gV3XcFchIXkHpbdCvIUj2iIt2EYuhA0CMO3UK_9FL-cYZbn6zIkIXHI&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--accent); cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0"><span style="font-family: arial;">#begratefulalways</span></a></div>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-33263370114267803232020-11-22T14:57:00.006+00:002020-12-06T23:31:50.539+00:00It takes as long as it takes...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxg3RDRk4i-UFEvv29FlwzKnCWk7dEkFxDkfZQaXgyBR3Ld7L4xQQ8He8xzrWi7TP-VHeB9dZCtgnGlkViuQ01MVEY9kVggedD26ItF0NrSvhJdqrucwSTvgVmH1Of0J4CB87/s500/It+takes+as+long+as+it+takes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxg3RDRk4i-UFEvv29FlwzKnCWk7dEkFxDkfZQaXgyBR3Ld7L4xQQ8He8xzrWi7TP-VHeB9dZCtgnGlkViuQ01MVEY9kVggedD26ItF0NrSvhJdqrucwSTvgVmH1Of0J4CB87/w200-h200/It+takes+as+long+as+it+takes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">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”. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">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. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you’re going through a challenging time, be kind to yourself. Be gentle on yourself. Give yourself time. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace joy and gratitude. </span></span></p>Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-56783048498135545032020-05-18T07:45:00.000+01:002020-11-22T14:59:56.449+00:00A clinic day during the COVID19 pandemic…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s 6:45 am on a Monday. As I head out the door, I put on a cloth mask and make my way to the paediatric outpatient clinic at the Aberdeen Women's Centre. Unlike many places in the developed world where outpatient services have switched to telemedicine, here in Sierra Leone due to limited connectivity we are still doing in-person consultations. It is the only way to keep essential health services going, which is vital in a country with some of the highest maternal, child and infant mortality rates in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It goes without saying, safety is our priority: personal safety, colleagues’ safety and that of the patients and caregivers. This is not an easy task and takes considerable planning and resources. Hand hygiene, screening, personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing occupy my mind throughout the day. Psychologically it is challenging. Everyone I come into contact with potentially has COVID19. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On arrival I wash my hands and go through the screening process. Once screened, I enter the hospital compound and make my way to the children’s clinic. I wash my hands. After changing into my scrubs, I wash my hands again before I don personal protective equipment (PPE): head cover, mask, apron, face shield, gloves. Now I am safe, as long as I don’t touch my mask or my face and I wash my hands frequently. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I walk out of the clinic’s side gate and meet the line of patients waiting to be seen. Our first priority is triage and screening. Triage to ensure that the sickest children are seen first, and screening to identify any potential COVID19 cases to isolate them for testing. During this process we have to ensure that patients are socially distanced and masked up. Although it is made somewhat easier due to painted markings on the sidewalk and chairs placed at least a meter apart, it can be chaotic, requiring a lot of patience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Screening takes time but eventually the patients enter the clinic; all wearing face masks. Next, one of the nurses does a health talk, using the time to educate the caregivers about corona virus and how to prevent it. Meanwhile I attend to very sick children in our observation room or, if there aren’t any emergency cases, I prepare my consultation room; disinfecting the table and chairs and making sure I have gloves and hand sanitizer. Finally, I start the general consultations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Consultations are carried out as usual except that I consider every person to be a suspect case. Although we screen at the gate, we will miss cases, in particular asymptomatic caregivers. So, I make sure the caregiver and child are sitting at least a meter away from me and I keep my mask and face shield on, using gloves for every patient contact followed by hand hygiene. This process repeats itself until every patient has been seen, either by my colleagues or myself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After all of the patients leave, I remove my face shield for disinfection and reuse, wash my hands and attend to administrative tasks, trainings and meetings. My mask is kept on, because even those I work with are suspects. Anyone could be an asymptomatic carrier. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s time to clock out. I doff any remaining PPE, wash my hands, change my clothes, put on a cloth mask and make my way home. On entering my compound, I wash my hands before heading indoors. The workday is done and I can only hope that I kept myself safe today. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All across Sierra Leone, healthcare workers continue to provide essential health services, as well as COVID19 care. Please pray for courage, safety and perseverance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#TogetherWeCan #EndCorona #ProvidingEssentialHealthcare #ChildrenMatter</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-61169063426871857292020-04-12T23:11:00.001+01:002020-04-13T11:52:19.568+01:00An unexpected Easter in COVID-19 times...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-74797075998060081772020-04-10T23:36:00.000+01:002020-04-13T11:52:19.589+01:00Good Friday: in the midst of chaos and uncertainty <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Good Friday, I am reminded that in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty in the world, and despite Easter weekend looking very different this year than we may have imagined or hoped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our circumstances change, but He doesn’t. We feel like we’ve lost control, but He hasn’t. We may feel alone, but He is with us. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today I reflect on the amazing sacrifice He made, the outrageous love He displayed and the grace He extends to me over and over again. May we rejoice in the hope that we have in Him. And may we remember that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-60088658848229391272020-03-31T23:02:00.000+01:002020-04-13T11:51:46.800+01:00Whirlwind Weeks: COVID19 confirmed in Sierra Leone<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last few weeks have been quite something; it's hard to even put it in words. The whole world is consumed by COVID19 with daily increases of cases, deaths, lockdowns, overwhelmed health facilities, shortages of personal protective equipment and pretty much every headline focussed on the disease. Meanwhile, Sierra Leone was amongst a small group of countries in the world yet to confirm a case. However, as the President of Sierra Leone stated on the 24th March 2020, when he declared a State of Public Emergency, it was not a matter of 'if' the coronavirus would come to Sierra Leone, but 'when'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sadly, today is that day. The first COVID19 case was confirmed in Sierra Leone. The index case is a national who traveled from Europe back to Sierra Leone. Symptoms were experienced during quarantine and the index case went to an appropriate health facility for isolation and testing without first going home. Confirmatory tests were positive. Thankfully, the person is in stable condition and measures have been put in place for contact tracing in a systematic manner. We all hope and pray this disease will be contained. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The government has made good efforts during the preparedness phase to try to prevent/contain COVID19 from coming to/spreading in Sierra Leone. The big shift came on the 19th of March when the government announced that flights would be suspended for a period of 90 days. Within hours and days a myriad of measures were put into place including no large gatherings, closing of mosques and churches, schools stopping by the 31st March, stopping the LUMA markets upcountry, restrictions of passengers in public transport, closing the land borders and declaring a State of Public Emergency. Now that we have a case in country, additional measures will follow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the government plays its part, and the various pillars at the Emergency Operations Centre work hard to contain COVID19, it's important that we as individuals take ownership and make sure we prevent spread of this disease.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wash your hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds.</span></i></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cough and sneeze into your elbow.</span></i></i><i></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do not touch your face. </span></i></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Avoid contact with sick people.</span></i></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep physical distance from each other. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Call 117 if you are sick.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Follow local health advice.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's pray for Sierra Leone and for the world.</span></div>
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Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-65555132360232253212019-08-10T18:08:00.000+01:002019-08-11T15:26:22.209+01:00Wake up world: stop tolerating harmful medical practice...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you likely know, I am a qualified and registered medical doctor working alongside national staff in a facility that is run by a UK foundation and supported and registered by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, providing outpatient medical care to sick children below 16 years of age. The severity of illness we deal with ranges from a child with a runny nose to a child who is unconscious due to severe malaria. Regardless of the situation, our team acts based on our <i>training and experience</i>. Yes, we are forever learning, but through years of training, we have been equipped to handle such situations. <b><i>I cannot even begin to imagine managing critically ill children with no medical training.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am shocked but not too surprised to read <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/08/09/749005287/american-with-no-medical-training-ran-center-for-malnourished-ugandan-kids-105-d?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR0ahHw7IAEH87lhminRpty2erjmRId3q4I1MmXKXik0u7u_2Iiq1ei41XQ" target="_blank">the story of Bach, who according to this article, went to Uganda as a 20 year old highschool graduate with no medical training, and ended up running a centre for children with severe acute malnutrition for five years, performing medical procedures herself</a>. If these facts are true, this is wrong on so many levels. And sadly, stories like this are a reality in many developing countries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This would not be the first time a possibly well-meaning, but naïve or ignorant, individual sets out to help others but puts lives at more risk. Some might call it the White Saviour Complex. Whatever you call it, it is appalling and needs to stop. Whether it is foreigners coming in to “help” or nationals "helping" their own people, if they are working outside of their realm of expertise or doing more harm than good; <b><i>STOP THEM</i></b>. If the facts are accurate, it is also infuriating that Bach's friends, family and Board did not intervene but applauded from the side lines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don’t have more details than what is included in the article linked above, but I know this is a global issue and I believe we can and must do better. We owe it to ourselves and we owe it to those we care for. The world needs to wake up. So, here are some reminders...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Common sense:</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don’t do what you’re not qualified to do.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Always make sure that what you are doing is legal.</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don’t think YOU can save faulty systems or the world for that matter. You may be able to help, but you are by no means THE solution.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Work alongside local authorities and nationals on a long-term sustainable and coordinated response.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do not do your own thing.</span></li>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Appropriate support </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>and</i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> sponsoring:</i></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Know who and what you are supporting.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Make sure the charities you support are law abiding.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you know that someone is working in a capacity overseas that would not be acceptable in your own country, strongly advise them to stop.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Advise people you support overseas to work alongside nationals who know far more about their setting and context than a foreigner ever will.</span></li>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wake up call for local authorities in developing countries:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></i></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Supervise and monitor all of the so-called health facilities and professionals. Put clinical governance systems in place. I know that in Sierra Leone, there are “clinics”, pharmacies and healthcare workers working outside of their legal boundaries, providing potentially harmful care. Some do more harm than good and should be shut down. Why tolerate it at someone else's expense?</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Building a good health system does not only mean improving standards and ensuring high quality care but it also entails regulation, which means shutting down illegal and/or unsafe health facilities and revoking licenses of those who do more harm than good.</b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="58cl5afz"><span style="text-decoration: none;">#</span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="text-decoration: none;">wecandobetter</span></span> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="58cl5afz"><span style="text-decoration: none;">#</span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="text-decoration: none;">sierraleone</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="58cl5afz"><span style="text-decoration: none;">#</span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="text-decoration: none;">healthcare #clinicalgovernance #healthsystems #partnership #collaboration</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="58cl5afz"><span style="text-decoration: none;">#</span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="text-decoration: none;">regulation</span></span> <span class="58cl5afz"><span style="text-decoration: none;">#</span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="text-decoration: none;">moreregulationneeded</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="58cl5afz"><span style="text-decoration: none;">#</span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="text-decoration: none;">ethics</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="58cl5afz"><span style="text-decoration: none;">#</span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="text-decoration: none;">healthramblings</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="58cl5afz"><span style="text-decoration: none;">#</span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="text-decoration: none;">commonsense</span></span> #dogoodnotharm #supervisionandmonitoring</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-60512757533804476202019-01-07T22:31:00.000+00:002019-01-07T22:56:25.042+00:00Ongoing journey of gratitude...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqOBQyM6oZuGjz7pHPihGreaDX6imHCUd4yjrnbr3L-o72Rzg43dFlGJTchN04mowN2vCf7H7k88Vo92KMSOPDti3WSiESBoHc211XQVfvxn2F3vlest6bNDihT7n4-3t-w8Z/s1600/IMG_4474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqOBQyM6oZuGjz7pHPihGreaDX6imHCUd4yjrnbr3L-o72Rzg43dFlGJTchN04mowN2vCf7H7k88Vo92KMSOPDti3WSiESBoHc211XQVfvxn2F3vlest6bNDihT7n4-3t-w8Z/s400/IMG_4474.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the beginning of the Ebola outbreak, which was one of the most challenging times for me both personally and professionally, I embarked on a <a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-first-30-days-of-thankfulness.html" target="_blank">journey of gratitude</a>. Everyday I paused, focused on the positive and wrote down one thing I was grateful for. I ended up with 365 moments of thankfulness. This journey helped me grow in gratitude and have a more positive outlook on life. At the start of 2019 I decided to continue this journey. Here’s week 1 of my moments of thankfulness! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 1. Thankful to catch up with my friend Anna over a New Year’s dinner</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 2. Thankful for fresh fruit, yoghurt and a blender = delicious smoothies </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 3. Thankful for my parents, 45 years of marriage and their ongoing commitment to each other </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 4. Thankful for a friend who came to visit when I wasn’t feeling well - thanks Suzanne</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 5. Thankful for inspirational people in my life who encourage me to live and love better</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 6. Thankful for a luxurious overnight in a hotel that was gifted to me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 7. Thankful that the National Emergency Medical Service (NEMS) is up & running and their ambulance was able to transfer two infants to the Children's hospital for us since our ambulance is temporarily out of service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#2019 #makingitcount #gratitude #momentsofthankfulness #alwaysanadventure #ihaveamazingfriends #ilovemyfamily #livelovelaugh #actjustlylovemercywalkhumbly </span></div>
Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-61996215971316528902018-10-05T23:26:00.000+01:002018-10-07T00:48:18.852+01:00Happy 40th Mercy Ships...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #353535;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Congratulations Mercy Ships!</i> 40 years ago, on the 5th of October 1978, the
first Mercy Ship was purchased. As a 1
year old at the time, I was oblivious that this ship would one day become my
childhood home. However, just a year later, my family joined the M/V Anastasis
in Greece and I had the privilege of spending the next 14 and a half years
onboard. To date, the Anastasis is still the place I have lived the longest,
surpassing The Netherlands. However, Sierra Leone is catching up with 13 and a half years and counting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #353535;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was the first child to go all the way from
nursery through 12th grade onboard and although it wasn’t always easy, especially
when I was the only child in my grade, I am so grateful that I grew up on the
ship. What an amazing experience. From playing sticks, foursquare and sardines
on the ship to swimming in the pool, playing basketball on the dock and roller-skating
on the Aft deck. From sleeping outside during sails, watching dolphins swim
alongside the ship, life boat drills and star gazing to having ‘fun nights’, ball room dancing, helping in the snack bar and watching movies in the lounge. I had the privilege of meeting so many
people but also the heartache of constantly saying goodbye. The opportunity to
visit over 40 countries was amazing, but also means some of my childhood
memories are a bit of a blur in terms of where (in which country) a particular memory
occurred. Being a part of community outreach including painting schools, building a playground, assisting in community clinics and
spending time on the ward with patients coming for surgery, were defining moments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #353535;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sierra Leone was one of the countries I
visited as a child in 1992-1993. <a href="http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2006/03/written-in-1993.html" target="_blank">In our school yearbook that year I reflected on my time in Sierra Leone and ended with the following memory</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #353535;">“I remember sitting down under the
little palm-branch covered hut among the sick children and their hopeful moms.
The sight of those children tugged at my heart. Holding a hopeless and
suffering, measles inflicted child in my arms, after watching two other kids
die from the same thing, made me realize how fortunate I really am. I also know
that with God's strength I have something great that I can give to the dying
children in the world today."</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #353535;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #353535;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know this was very idealistic, but that
experience along with the life changing surgeries I witnessed on the ship, inspired me to pursue medicine. I was exposed to people who genuinely
cared about others and one of my life heroes is still onboard, extending
compassion and humility to the patients that come his way. In just a few days Dr. Gary will meet 7 patients that I am sending from the clinic I work at in Freetown to the Africa Mercy in Conakry for cleft
lip/palate surgery. It is an honour to help these children on their
journey and to partner with Mercy Ships. </span></span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although the M/V Anastasis was retired in
2007, the Africa Mercy and the Mercy Ships community still feel very much like
home.</span></div>
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Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-21839194785423096282018-08-01T23:25:00.000+01:002018-08-02T00:36:04.306+01:00Another year...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">Today marks the first
day of another year at Aberdeen Women's Centre! </span>Yesterday, I completed
my first year working as a doctor in the outpatient paediatric clinic. There was a lot of transition at the start, including a
move to a new home, resuming clinical work and starting my online Masters in
Public Health and at times I wondered if I would make it to the
end of the contract. Thankfully, I did and I’ve decided to stay put for another
year. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Although there are parts
of my work that are frustrating and challenging, like any job I suppose, the
work I do in Aberdeen is also very rewarding. I have the unique opportunity to
help children get better and advise and encourage the caregivers to provide
healthier environments for their children, whether it’s through nutritional
advice, encouraging them to bring their children for immunisations or teaching
them how to prevent illness. It’s a privilege to work alongside a Sierra Leonean
team and provide healthcare that makes a difference in the lives of children
and families in Freetown.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now that the rains have
started, the clinic is even busier than usual and in the past three days alone
we’ve treated over 400 patients. We are seeing more diarrheal disease,
respiratory disease, as well as cases of severe malaria, in children of all
ages. At times it’s scary to see just how sick these children can get but on
the flip side, it is amazing to see how so many of them recover. I’m hoping for
ongoing wisdom and energy for our team as we strive to help as many children as
we can despite the craziness and long days. Here’s to another year at AWC. </span></div>
Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-52593754268321242802018-06-21T22:02:00.000+01:002018-06-21T23:43:21.194+01:00First 24 hours...<div style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I arrived in Freetown last night after being away for a month. I had a great time on my three country trip but it was really good to come home! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Besides the fact that the electricity cut out at around 3am meaning my fan switched off and it got pretty warm, I slept quite well. Thankfully the power came back and my fan cooled the room down again. Breakfast today consisted of tea with a Basha donut, courtesy of my housemate who was very considerate to buy some 'welcome back donuts' yesterday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Within 10 hours of arriving home I walked out of the front door and out of the gate to find a taxi to take me to work. On arrival I was warmly welcomed by staff at AWC, which is always encouraging and fun, except for the comments about how I’ve gained weight because I was fed so well while on leave. This is one of those cultural things I will never quite appreciate. Is it really okay to tell someone they are fat?! I'm sure the donut this morning didn't help. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There were about 45 patients waiting in the clinic when I arrived and they had probably been waiting since 5 or 6 am already. That’s the way it works here - no appointments and people come early to make sure they are seen that day. Thankfully clinic didn’t get too busy and we were able to take our time during the consultations. I even had time for lunch, which was rice with potato leaves - my favorite AWC meal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My first patient was an infant who needed to be referred due to severe pneumonia. I also saw a child with epilepsy, a 5 year old weighing 11 kilograms and a child who had been mismanaged at a pharmacy who I diagnosed with malaria and started on treatment. I saw others with acute respiratory tract infections, skin conditions like scabies and diarrhoeal disease. It’s definitely never dull! I even had a little time left over at the end of the afternoon to update one of our protocols. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After work I found a taxi to take me to Aberdeen road junction, walked to a supermarket to pick up a few essential items and then walked home from there, ignoring quite a few “white girl” comments on the way. Another one of those things I have never gotten used to!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I had a relaxing evening at home, which is a nice change since I usually come home and have to start studying right away. Thankfully module 3 of my MPH doesn’t start for another week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Alright, that’s it for a little glimpse of my first 24 hours back in Sierra Leone. More another day. It’s bed time now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">#lifeinsierraleone #sierraleone #alwaysanadventure #outpatientclinic #AWC </span></div>
Sandra's Latest...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13602848470758101756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10828640.post-23383273697589433542018-04-04T22:41:00.000+01:002018-04-05T01:08:37.169+01:00Breaking news in Sierra Leone - Presidential Elections…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As of tonight, Sierra Leone will have a new President, with the swearing in taking place any time now. Congratulations Julius Maada Bio. It was a 4 week process, but we finally have an outcome. </div>
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The first round of elections between 16 Presidential candidates was held on the 7th of March, 2018. The results were announced on the 13th of March. SLPP was in the lead with 43.3% of the votes, with APC closely behind with 42.7%. Since neither party had more than 55% or more, a run-off election was announced for the 27th March 2018. NGC had 6.9% of the votes and C4C 3.5%. The remaining 12 parties all had 1.1% or less. There was an 84% voter turnout. </div>
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However, on the 26th March we awaited a decision by the High Court due to an interim injunction halting the runoff presidential election. Fortunately it was halted and the run-off election was allowed to go ahead, however, due to logistics that needed to be put in place, the run-off was postponed to Saturday 31 March, 2018. </div>
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On Saturday 31 March, 2018, the run-off Presidential election was held. 2,578,271 people voted in 11,122 polling stations across the country, representing 81/11% of all registered voters.</div>
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On Monday 2 April, 2018 the tallying was halted due to a disagreement between the parties on the process used. Later that day ballot counting and tallying continued with both parties having come to an agreement with the National Electoral Commission resolving the earlier dispute about which system to use. </div>
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On 4 April, 2018, just after 10 pm, the National Electoral Commission announced that Bio Julius Made, having polled 51.81% of the valid votes cast on the 31st March 2018 Presidential election run-off, has been duly elected President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. </div>
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There has been a lot of cheering, singing, whistle blowing, banging of pot covers tonight as many Sierra Leoneans are out in the streets celebrating. Let's hope for continued peace and for good conduct amongst people from various political parties. Hopefully everyone will graciously accept the election results. The people have spoken.</div>
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Congratulations Sierra Leone on conducting a peaceful, fair and transparent election. The people have decided and effected change. Let’s work together for the good of the country. Be positive. One country, one people. <span style="font-family: ".apple color emoji ui"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">🇸🇱💚</span></div>
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#SierraLeoneDecides #SierraLeoneElections #sierraleone #votesalone #salonevotes #keepthepeace #slppwins #onecountryonepeople</div>
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