I'm wracking my brains thinking, "Sandi? Do I know a Sandi?" and I don't actually think I do, which means yet another complete stranger has contributed to my support! (see comment after "Dear Diana"!) This is actually becoming quite humorous! Thanks Sandi! What a blessing from the Lord.
As you've pointed out, it IS really easy to give on-line via the SIM website. The only reason I gave the phone numbers is because I didn't think you could make a pledge of monthly support on-line, which is what Diana wanted to do. But maybe you can. Can someone leave me a comment and let me know?
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generation, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
That's all I have to say about that!
20 December 2006
15 December 2006
The Seed of the Gospel
This is a little essay I wrote for the Perspectives missions course I'm doing, reflecting on the "Cultural Perspective" section. I wanted to share it because I think it's one of the most important issues I've had to think through on this course and I wanted to give you a taste of what Perspectives is about.
“Do not bring us the gospel as a potted plant. Bring us the seed of the gospel and plant it in our soil.”
This was a statement made by Mr. Murthi, an Indian evangelist, (Hiebert, “Cultural Differences and the Communication of the Gospel) to Western missionaries in India. It forms a very memorable and vivid picture in my mind as to what my goal is as I attempt to communicate the gospel in a very different culture to my own.
As I reflect on my personal experience and the readings that I’ve done in this “Cultural Perspective” section, I can see how the gospel has often been “transplanted” as a potted plant from Western culture to other cultures throughout history. The cultural trappings that missionaries brought with the gospel message sometimes became the message itself. Converts would adopt Western services, music, leadership styles, lifestyles, etc. Sometimes this practice isolated and excluded new Christians from their larger culture and caused unnecessary barriers to the gospel in different people groups. At other times, the majority of the people group would embrace the “gospel” message but at a surface-level rather than at a deep, worldview level. (Kraft, “Culture, Worldview, and Contextualization”) Some of their outward behavior would change, at least temporarily, but their patterns of choosing, feeling, reasoning, interpreting, valuing, and explaining would be largely unaffected by the gospel message. This often lead to syncretism, the blending of surface-level “Christian” practices with deep-rooted worldview beliefs.
If the gospel is brought to a people group as a potted plant, it is essentially foreign and incomprehensible to that people. The key is to bring it as a seed and plant it in the new soil, watering it and tending it as it grows there. This involves directing the gospel message at the worldview of the people. It must be communicated to them in their heart language and in cultural forms that they can understand.
I think this is a very challenging process. The gospel was originally communicated by Christ within the first century Jewish culture, and then by the apostles within the Jewish and Greek cultures. How do we extract the seed of the gospel from Scripture and also try to free it from our own ingrained cultural assumptions in order to plant it within a new culture? I think an important clue is found in Jesus’ teachings and parables. He used ordinary, every-day cultural forms such as sheep and harvesting grain to communicate the message of the kingdom. His stories varied but they imparted the same truth. Another example is Paul in Athens, when he spent time wandering around the city, observing the peoples’ religious beliefs and practices, before proclaiming to them the “god” they worshiped as an unknown god.
In these lessons, I learned about ministering to people in their “felt need”. What are their fears, what are their sorrows, what do they value, and how does the gospel message speak to these? In Scripture, the gospel is portrayed with different illustrations: as atonement, as justification, as the kingdom of God triumphing over the kingdom of darkness. Different facets of the gospel will resonate within different cultures in significant ways. The plant that grows from the seed of the gospel may look a bit different to one in another culture but it will grow from the same roots and the same new life will come from it. (Kraft, “Culture, Worldview, and Contextualization”)
“Do not bring us the gospel as a potted plant. Bring us the seed of the gospel and plant it in our soil.”
This was a statement made by Mr. Murthi, an Indian evangelist, (Hiebert, “Cultural Differences and the Communication of the Gospel) to Western missionaries in India. It forms a very memorable and vivid picture in my mind as to what my goal is as I attempt to communicate the gospel in a very different culture to my own.
As I reflect on my personal experience and the readings that I’ve done in this “Cultural Perspective” section, I can see how the gospel has often been “transplanted” as a potted plant from Western culture to other cultures throughout history. The cultural trappings that missionaries brought with the gospel message sometimes became the message itself. Converts would adopt Western services, music, leadership styles, lifestyles, etc. Sometimes this practice isolated and excluded new Christians from their larger culture and caused unnecessary barriers to the gospel in different people groups. At other times, the majority of the people group would embrace the “gospel” message but at a surface-level rather than at a deep, worldview level. (Kraft, “Culture, Worldview, and Contextualization”) Some of their outward behavior would change, at least temporarily, but their patterns of choosing, feeling, reasoning, interpreting, valuing, and explaining would be largely unaffected by the gospel message. This often lead to syncretism, the blending of surface-level “Christian” practices with deep-rooted worldview beliefs.
If the gospel is brought to a people group as a potted plant, it is essentially foreign and incomprehensible to that people. The key is to bring it as a seed and plant it in the new soil, watering it and tending it as it grows there. This involves directing the gospel message at the worldview of the people. It must be communicated to them in their heart language and in cultural forms that they can understand.
I think this is a very challenging process. The gospel was originally communicated by Christ within the first century Jewish culture, and then by the apostles within the Jewish and Greek cultures. How do we extract the seed of the gospel from Scripture and also try to free it from our own ingrained cultural assumptions in order to plant it within a new culture? I think an important clue is found in Jesus’ teachings and parables. He used ordinary, every-day cultural forms such as sheep and harvesting grain to communicate the message of the kingdom. His stories varied but they imparted the same truth. Another example is Paul in Athens, when he spent time wandering around the city, observing the peoples’ religious beliefs and practices, before proclaiming to them the “god” they worshiped as an unknown god.
In these lessons, I learned about ministering to people in their “felt need”. What are their fears, what are their sorrows, what do they value, and how does the gospel message speak to these? In Scripture, the gospel is portrayed with different illustrations: as atonement, as justification, as the kingdom of God triumphing over the kingdom of darkness. Different facets of the gospel will resonate within different cultures in significant ways. The plant that grows from the seed of the gospel may look a bit different to one in another culture but it will grow from the same roots and the same new life will come from it. (Kraft, “Culture, Worldview, and Contextualization”)
Dear Diana
I guess this is the only way to communicate with you so here's a post dedicated to you! I got your comment (obviously!) and am pleasantly shocked that you'd like to support me. (For those who might be wondering, Diana is a complete stranger who happened upon my blog and, after reading about how little faith I have, would now like to support me monthly!) Thanks Diana and thank you Lord! This certainly gives my little faith a great big boost! How dare I doubt my God when He works so creatively to provide for me? Probably the easiest thing to do is to phone SIM Canada on (416) 497-2424 or toll free in Canada 1-800-294-6918 and tell them that you'd like to support Amy Winger. They'll tell you what you need to do and send me your contact details so I can get in touch with you. Thanks again!
11 December 2006
O me of little faith!
Raising support--the 2 words that strike fear into the hearts of budding missionaries everywhere! It did to mine--I wanted to avoid it at all costs.
When I returned to Canada from England in March, I began looking at different organizations that I could go to Africa with. I had been told about Medair, a Christian disaster relief organization that specializes in "forgotten" conflicts and natural disasters, an organization which I still have the utmost respect for. In April I checked out their website, thought it looked awesome, and promptly began the application process right then and there. (I do things like that) I spent the next 2 weeks feeling miserable in my spirit, sensing that God was displeased with my decision but trying desperately to justify my reasons.
Not that there's anything wrong with Medair but I soon realized that my motivation for applying was all twisted. You see, I'm very interested in disaster relief and find it all rather thrilling. I also greatly revere and heroize (is that a word? well, I guess it is now) those who do disaster relief and I think I wanted to be a bit of a hero too! And the best part was, I wouldn't have to (shock, horror) raise support for this! The first year, I would be a volunteer with a small allowance and expenses paid and after that if I stayed on I would get (wait for it) a salary! I wouldn't have to depend on anyone else and would be free as a bird.
Like I said, I had no peace about this reasoning and motivation but carried on with my plan for a couple of weeks until God had me in a place where I was a captive audience (in a 6 hour car journey from Edmonton, Alberta to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan to be specific) and spoke to my heart very clearly, exposing my motives and pride. I decided to give in to His will and opened my hands that were clutching my precious Medair plan for dear life and let go. My heart was flooded with peace and with an assurance that I was back on track. God seemed to be saying something like this "I don't want you to be a hero--I want you to be my servant and to trust me for all things."
This experience set me on a further search which eventually led me to SIM, a mission that requires each missionary to (cringe, gasp) raise their own support. Well, I was cool with that now. I thought "Yeah, of course God will provide." I was a bit like Peter in the Bible who decided to jump out of his boat to walk on the water with Jesus.
Things were going well until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves around him. Just like I was ok until I actually had to start raising support. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to sink and go nowhere, let alone to Sudan! All sorts of doubts flood in. What an uncomfortable situation! To be asking people for money? Why should they support me and my ministry when there are thousands of missionaries and ministries and organizations out there that they could be supporting? I have now been raising support for about a month and what an emotional roller-coaster it has been!
Well, I felt inspired to write about this tonight because I just received a new pledge which brought me up to roughly 10% of my monthly required support and there have been a number of one-time gifts too. I have felt gently chastised by the Lord the last couple days because yesterday I started to freak out inside about this whole raising support thing again and could practically picture myself, a little old lady in her rocking chair croaking out "Just hit 75%! Should be able to make it to Sudan next decade at this rate!" This was even though I had received an unexpected pledge of a one-time gift the day before and someone committing to some serious prayer on my behalf. That night I checked my email inbox and there was an email from a friend pledging some monthly support. Then another pledge of monthly support today and someone at church letting me know they sent in a one-time gift. And...ok Lord, I think I get the message! You'd like me to trust--you promise to provide. Thank you!
This raising support thing is one of the scariest things I have ever done, but in only one month, one of the things that has also brought me the most joy. I can see tonight that it is completely out of my hands. I cannot control, manipulate, or otherwise manoever this process very much. God is building my prayer and financial support team in His way, in His time. It thrills my heart each time someone writes or tells me that they are either sending in a gift, pledging regular support, or committing to be a prayer warrior. I'm humbled and gob-smacked (great, British expression) that God has given me the opportunity to represent these peoples' heart for world mission and serve Him in Sudan. We'll do it together, some of us in Sudan, some of us back at home.
"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"
Matt. 14:29-31
When I returned to Canada from England in March, I began looking at different organizations that I could go to Africa with. I had been told about Medair, a Christian disaster relief organization that specializes in "forgotten" conflicts and natural disasters, an organization which I still have the utmost respect for. In April I checked out their website, thought it looked awesome, and promptly began the application process right then and there. (I do things like that) I spent the next 2 weeks feeling miserable in my spirit, sensing that God was displeased with my decision but trying desperately to justify my reasons.
Not that there's anything wrong with Medair but I soon realized that my motivation for applying was all twisted. You see, I'm very interested in disaster relief and find it all rather thrilling. I also greatly revere and heroize (is that a word? well, I guess it is now) those who do disaster relief and I think I wanted to be a bit of a hero too! And the best part was, I wouldn't have to (shock, horror) raise support for this! The first year, I would be a volunteer with a small allowance and expenses paid and after that if I stayed on I would get (wait for it) a salary! I wouldn't have to depend on anyone else and would be free as a bird.
Like I said, I had no peace about this reasoning and motivation but carried on with my plan for a couple of weeks until God had me in a place where I was a captive audience (in a 6 hour car journey from Edmonton, Alberta to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan to be specific) and spoke to my heart very clearly, exposing my motives and pride. I decided to give in to His will and opened my hands that were clutching my precious Medair plan for dear life and let go. My heart was flooded with peace and with an assurance that I was back on track. God seemed to be saying something like this "I don't want you to be a hero--I want you to be my servant and to trust me for all things."
This experience set me on a further search which eventually led me to SIM, a mission that requires each missionary to (cringe, gasp) raise their own support. Well, I was cool with that now. I thought "Yeah, of course God will provide." I was a bit like Peter in the Bible who decided to jump out of his boat to walk on the water with Jesus.
Things were going well until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves around him. Just like I was ok until I actually had to start raising support. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to sink and go nowhere, let alone to Sudan! All sorts of doubts flood in. What an uncomfortable situation! To be asking people for money? Why should they support me and my ministry when there are thousands of missionaries and ministries and organizations out there that they could be supporting? I have now been raising support for about a month and what an emotional roller-coaster it has been!
Well, I felt inspired to write about this tonight because I just received a new pledge which brought me up to roughly 10% of my monthly required support and there have been a number of one-time gifts too. I have felt gently chastised by the Lord the last couple days because yesterday I started to freak out inside about this whole raising support thing again and could practically picture myself, a little old lady in her rocking chair croaking out "Just hit 75%! Should be able to make it to Sudan next decade at this rate!" This was even though I had received an unexpected pledge of a one-time gift the day before and someone committing to some serious prayer on my behalf. That night I checked my email inbox and there was an email from a friend pledging some monthly support. Then another pledge of monthly support today and someone at church letting me know they sent in a one-time gift. And...ok Lord, I think I get the message! You'd like me to trust--you promise to provide. Thank you!
This raising support thing is one of the scariest things I have ever done, but in only one month, one of the things that has also brought me the most joy. I can see tonight that it is completely out of my hands. I cannot control, manipulate, or otherwise manoever this process very much. God is building my prayer and financial support team in His way, in His time. It thrills my heart each time someone writes or tells me that they are either sending in a gift, pledging regular support, or committing to be a prayer warrior. I'm humbled and gob-smacked (great, British expression) that God has given me the opportunity to represent these peoples' heart for world mission and serve Him in Sudan. We'll do it together, some of us in Sudan, some of us back at home.
"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"
Matt. 14:29-31
22 November 2006
Arabic?! What would I need that for?!
I think God has a sense of humor. One day a few weeks ago, I was simply brushing my teeth when all of a sudden I remembered my oral rehydration spoons!
Now what on earth, you may be dying to know, is an oral rehydration spoon? Well, I'll tell you!
An oral rehydration spoon is a clever little invention used to help caregivers in the developing world accurately measure sugar and salt with water to make an oral rehydration solution (ORS)to prevent and treat dehydration in their young children. It's a simple solution that literally saves children's lives, as dehydration due to diarrhea is one of the biggest killers of young children in the developing world. The spoons are made of plastic and have a bigger scoop on one end for sugar and a smaller scoop for salt on the other end. The directions for how many scoops and how much water are written on the middle of the spoon.
Anyway, last year as I was ordering my health resources that I wanted to take to Africa from this amazing organization called TALC (Teaching Aids at Low Cost), I saw some oral rehydration spoons on the list, and thought, "Cool, I'll have some of those" and ordered a pack, ticking "English".
When my order arrived at my house, I discovered that they had indeed sent me ORS spoons but they were in Arabic! I was all annoyed, because I thought I was going to Sierra Leone, where the people speak an English-based Creole. I tossed them back into the box thinking they'd be useless.
Anyway, as I was brushing my teeth a few weeks ago, all of a sudden I remembered, "Arabic! Oral Rehydration Spoons!" You see, I now know that I'm going to Sudan, a country where the common language between the tribes is, you guessed it, Arabic. Call it a coincidence but I think God has a sense of humor and it reminded me that He knows where I'm headed even if I don't. And I will be able to use my ORS spoons after all!
I will need to learn the tribal language Mabaan as I will be living amongst this people group, but in order to communicate across tribes in Sudan I also need to learn Arabic. Amazingly, I have been given the opportunity to start learning a bit of Mabaan right here in Canada! A retired Canadian SIM missionary who translated the Bible into Mabaan has written and recorded some basic Mabaan lessons with a native speaker. Someone at SIM got me in touch with her and she has now sent me these so I can get a little head start before hiring a language tutor when I arrive in Sudan. God always provides what's needed!
I've also been told of a fantastic way to start learning Arabic with Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software. I would really like to get ahold of this and start my language learning. Right now I don't have the money for it, as I'm just beginning to raise support for my ministry in Sudan. So I wanted to raise awareness of this as a specific "project" that someone or several people together could help with. I found the best price so far on www.amazon.ca
. The Rosetta Stone Arabic Levels 1 and 2 along with a book that teaches the Arabic Alphabet costs $381.35 CDN and shipping is free. I also saw it on ebay so bidding for it on there and getting it cheaper is a possibility. Also, for those of you who are praying for me, could you please lift this up as a request, to help me learn the language I need to learn. Thanks!
Now what on earth, you may be dying to know, is an oral rehydration spoon? Well, I'll tell you!
An oral rehydration spoon is a clever little invention used to help caregivers in the developing world accurately measure sugar and salt with water to make an oral rehydration solution (ORS)to prevent and treat dehydration in their young children. It's a simple solution that literally saves children's lives, as dehydration due to diarrhea is one of the biggest killers of young children in the developing world. The spoons are made of plastic and have a bigger scoop on one end for sugar and a smaller scoop for salt on the other end. The directions for how many scoops and how much water are written on the middle of the spoon.
Anyway, last year as I was ordering my health resources that I wanted to take to Africa from this amazing organization called TALC (Teaching Aids at Low Cost), I saw some oral rehydration spoons on the list, and thought, "Cool, I'll have some of those" and ordered a pack, ticking "English".
When my order arrived at my house, I discovered that they had indeed sent me ORS spoons but they were in Arabic! I was all annoyed, because I thought I was going to Sierra Leone, where the people speak an English-based Creole. I tossed them back into the box thinking they'd be useless.
Anyway, as I was brushing my teeth a few weeks ago, all of a sudden I remembered, "Arabic! Oral Rehydration Spoons!" You see, I now know that I'm going to Sudan, a country where the common language between the tribes is, you guessed it, Arabic. Call it a coincidence but I think God has a sense of humor and it reminded me that He knows where I'm headed even if I don't. And I will be able to use my ORS spoons after all!
I will need to learn the tribal language Mabaan as I will be living amongst this people group, but in order to communicate across tribes in Sudan I also need to learn Arabic. Amazingly, I have been given the opportunity to start learning a bit of Mabaan right here in Canada! A retired Canadian SIM missionary who translated the Bible into Mabaan has written and recorded some basic Mabaan lessons with a native speaker. Someone at SIM got me in touch with her and she has now sent me these so I can get a little head start before hiring a language tutor when I arrive in Sudan. God always provides what's needed!
I've also been told of a fantastic way to start learning Arabic with Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software. I would really like to get ahold of this and start my language learning. Right now I don't have the money for it, as I'm just beginning to raise support for my ministry in Sudan. So I wanted to raise awareness of this as a specific "project" that someone or several people together could help with. I found the best price so far on www.amazon.ca
. The Rosetta Stone Arabic Levels 1 and 2 along with a book that teaches the Arabic Alphabet costs $381.35 CDN and shipping is free. I also saw it on ebay so bidding for it on there and getting it cheaper is a possibility. Also, for those of you who are praying for me, could you please lift this up as a request, to help me learn the language I need to learn. Thanks!
En route to Sudan!
I would just like to announce, for those of you who haven't heard, that on November 1st, 2006 I officially became a member of SIM (Serving in Mission) and was approved to go to South Sudan to join the medical team that will be setting up a primary health care center and a training school for community health workers among the Mabaan tribe. I'm very excited about the prospect and will be keeping you posted as developments occur!
09 October 2006
Primary Health Care Center, South Sudan
I just wanted to share a link to a page on SIM's website that details the project with Rebuilding South Sudan: Church and Nation that I am hoping to join. Click on: http://www.sim.org/country.asp?fun=12&fun2=1&cid=62&mid=&pgid=&prid=156
I learned some new things from the site and I get more excited each time I learn more about this project and just marvel at how God appears to be leading me. There are several things which I just love about the team's strategy. For one, they are beginning the Rebuilding South Sudan program at the request of the Sudan Interior Church, the network of churches that SIM established or that were established by national Christians as a result of SIM's ministry in South Sudan, beginning in 1937. The Church in South Sudan suffered greatly during Sudan's history of civil war and the country itself lies in shreds. The SIM team is there to strengthen the Church, disciple believers, train church leadership, and assist in evangelism. They are also there to help the Church to rebuild their country by working with them to develop health, educational, and agricultural systems. I like the fact that this program is based on strong links between the national churches and SIM and that it has at its heart the spiritual needs of the people, while giving high priority to their practical physical needs.
In regard to the health project itself, the Primary Health Care Center and Training School for Community Health Workers, I love that there is a clear goal of handing over the project to national leaders by 2012. It encompasses many of the ideas that I am passionate about in regard to community health work: respecting the potential and ability of the local people, empowering them to be able to prevent and treat many illnesses right in their communities without needing to rely on the often unpredictable and very expensive "aid" from more developed countries. I am excited about the potential for community health work to display the kingdom of God in a tangible way and to open doors for sharing the hope we have in Christ.
Sure sounds like an appropriate place for a Paediatric Nurse. The infant mortality rate is staggering--1 in 4 children will die before age 5. A teenage girl is more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than to reach 8th grade. A huge need for maternal and child health--one of the big focuses of my Tropical Nursing course last year. The big killers will be in common with much of the developing world for under-5's: respiratory infections, diarrhea, measles, malaria, malnutrition--all easily preventable or treatable with mostly inexpensive, very practical measures.
I learned some new things from the site and I get more excited each time I learn more about this project and just marvel at how God appears to be leading me. There are several things which I just love about the team's strategy. For one, they are beginning the Rebuilding South Sudan program at the request of the Sudan Interior Church, the network of churches that SIM established or that were established by national Christians as a result of SIM's ministry in South Sudan, beginning in 1937. The Church in South Sudan suffered greatly during Sudan's history of civil war and the country itself lies in shreds. The SIM team is there to strengthen the Church, disciple believers, train church leadership, and assist in evangelism. They are also there to help the Church to rebuild their country by working with them to develop health, educational, and agricultural systems. I like the fact that this program is based on strong links between the national churches and SIM and that it has at its heart the spiritual needs of the people, while giving high priority to their practical physical needs.
In regard to the health project itself, the Primary Health Care Center and Training School for Community Health Workers, I love that there is a clear goal of handing over the project to national leaders by 2012. It encompasses many of the ideas that I am passionate about in regard to community health work: respecting the potential and ability of the local people, empowering them to be able to prevent and treat many illnesses right in their communities without needing to rely on the often unpredictable and very expensive "aid" from more developed countries. I am excited about the potential for community health work to display the kingdom of God in a tangible way and to open doors for sharing the hope we have in Christ.
Sure sounds like an appropriate place for a Paediatric Nurse. The infant mortality rate is staggering--1 in 4 children will die before age 5. A teenage girl is more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than to reach 8th grade. A huge need for maternal and child health--one of the big focuses of my Tropical Nursing course last year. The big killers will be in common with much of the developing world for under-5's: respiratory infections, diarrhea, measles, malaria, malnutrition--all easily preventable or treatable with mostly inexpensive, very practical measures.
27 September 2006
Ramadan
A friend just sent me a link to a fantastic resource to use to pray for the Muslim world during Ramadan, the 30 day Muslim fast which this year started on Sept. 24th. There's a 30-day prayer booklet you can download, which features different Muslim countries. I started tonight and learned lots about Uzbekistan, a country I know almost nothing about. There is also lots of interesting stuff to read on understanding Islam. Here's the link: http://www.30-days.net/ if you'd like to join me in prayer for Muslim people.
26 September 2006
A Long Silence!
Sorry for the long silence! Yeah, so it's been about 8 months since I've updated my blog and a lot has happened since then. Here's the condensed version: quit my job in Children's Accident and Emergency in London and moved back to Canada in March, and spent April, May, and June travelling back and forth and up and down between Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario visiting family and friends. In May, I also took the huge step of beginning the application process to SIM (Serving in Mission) as a long-term missionary. I made this decision after changing my mind about returning to Sierra Leone, West Africa to work with International D.O.V.E Association, as had been by goal for 4 years--since spending the summer of 2002 there. Coming to that decision was a long and difficult process, but suffice it to say that I clearly sensed God leading me in a different direction. I knew that I was still passionate about mission in Africa, desiring to use my children's nursing skills that I have been developing for the past 6 years to serve God. During my tropical nursing course, I became very interested in community based health care and in training village health workers.
So I have applied for the position of community health nurse with SIM South Sudan. I have spent the last few months, in addition to all my travels, filling out application forms, completing doctrinal and psychological assessments, attending interviews in Toronto, and working on a missions course that SIM requires. Phew! It has kept me busy! In October, I have SIM training in Toronto as well as 2 final interviews before they can decide to accept me.
I am pretty excited about the prospect of going to Sudan. I've been intrigued by everything I've heard about this country for quite some time, but especially since reading a fantastic book called Emma's War. It's written by a journalist who has spent many years in Sudan and is about a British relief worker called Emma who falls in love with Sudan and with one of the leaders of the Sudan People's Liberation Army, one of the main rebel groups in Sudan's most recent civil war (1983-2005). What I love about this book is the author's vivid descriptions of the history and cultures of this fascinating land. It is the largest country in Africa, encompassing desert, mountains, savannah, the lush river valleys of the Nile, and tropical rainforest. It is a mosaic of Arab and African cultures. For more info on Sudan and on what SIM is doing there, go to www.sim.org. From there look for "Where we serve" in the left column, click on Africa, then on Sudan. This week on the home page there is also a nifty little slideshow of SIM's work in South Sudan. Look under "What's New" for "Rebuilding Sudan: Church and Nation (slideshow).
So I have applied for the position of community health nurse with SIM South Sudan. I have spent the last few months, in addition to all my travels, filling out application forms, completing doctrinal and psychological assessments, attending interviews in Toronto, and working on a missions course that SIM requires. Phew! It has kept me busy! In October, I have SIM training in Toronto as well as 2 final interviews before they can decide to accept me.
I am pretty excited about the prospect of going to Sudan. I've been intrigued by everything I've heard about this country for quite some time, but especially since reading a fantastic book called Emma's War. It's written by a journalist who has spent many years in Sudan and is about a British relief worker called Emma who falls in love with Sudan and with one of the leaders of the Sudan People's Liberation Army, one of the main rebel groups in Sudan's most recent civil war (1983-2005). What I love about this book is the author's vivid descriptions of the history and cultures of this fascinating land. It is the largest country in Africa, encompassing desert, mountains, savannah, the lush river valleys of the Nile, and tropical rainforest. It is a mosaic of Arab and African cultures. For more info on Sudan and on what SIM is doing there, go to www.sim.org. From there look for "Where we serve" in the left column, click on Africa, then on Sudan. This week on the home page there is also a nifty little slideshow of SIM's work in South Sudan. Look under "What's New" for "Rebuilding Sudan: Church and Nation (slideshow).
03 February 2006
Lessons from Tropical Nursing
Well, I'm pleased to say that I wrote my last exam for my Diploma of Tropical Nursing course on Wednesday and so officially finished the course! I now have 4 weeks of work left and will be starting to sort out my room and pack for Canada and Sierra Leone. Wow, I can't believe that the way is clear, that I've finished the last step in my education and training that I've been working on for the last 5 years and am now free to go to Africa!
The course was fantastic and gave me so much new knowledge and skills to use in Sierra Leone.
However, oddly enough it triggered a real spiritual struggle and a real time of doubt for me.
It was my first time to encounter so many compassionate people who deeply care about the world's suffering, outside of the church. My motivation to care for children in Africa has always stemmed from my faith in God, and a deep-rooted belief that each one is valuable and worthy of rescue precisely because of being made in God's image and because of the death of Jesus on the cross for them. Now here were loads of people, both students and lecturers, who appeared to have a very selfless love and desire to help people, but completely on humanitarian grounds, for "the love of humanity". I had never encountered this as a massive force before and it really blew me away. Most were non-religious, one very inspiring lady was Buddhist, and yes, a few were Christians.
It caused me to question anew what difference Christ makes in all of this, if any, and how I can be sure that I'm believing the truth. I felt that these extraordinary individuals I was meeting were putting me and many who call themselves Christians, to shame with their love for humanity. I also became bogged down in the incredible suffering and physical needs of people around the world and lost sight of their spiritual needs.
This was all causing me great angst and frustration, when one evening I sat down with a Christian friend and poured out what was on my heart and eating slowly away at my faith. After I did so she was able to point out what was wrong with my thinking. She showed me that I was forgetting the first commandment, to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and becoming obsessed with the second, to love my neighbor as myself. The first commandment is first for a reason. My relationship with God needs to come ahead of any "good works" I do. I realized I was trying to love God through loving my neighbor only and was becoming so busy with my course and getting ready to go to Sierra Leone that I was neglecting to spend time in His presence. My prayer times had become full of requests for the needs of others, at the expense of worship and praise and listening to his voice. I had become a bit like Martha, tearing around trying to serve Jesus, and forgetting what is most important, sitting at his feet like Mary.
As for all of those wonderful people on my course, my friend reminded me that their good deeds are like "filthy rags" in God's sight, if they don't know him. A verse I need to keep in mind as I go to Africa is, "What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" Yes, I believe absolutely that I need to care for the physical and emotional needs of the people I work with in Sierra Leone because Jesus himself cared for the whole person. But I've been reminded that nurturing a relationship with God is the most important, for me as a Christian, and for those I'm trying to help.
I had forgotten God's amazing grace, that I don't need to and can't earn his favour. The reality of God's love is this--if I lay down and went to sleep for the rest of my life and never helped another human being, God's love for me would stay the same and he would still want to have a relationship with me.
The course was fantastic and gave me so much new knowledge and skills to use in Sierra Leone.
However, oddly enough it triggered a real spiritual struggle and a real time of doubt for me.
It was my first time to encounter so many compassionate people who deeply care about the world's suffering, outside of the church. My motivation to care for children in Africa has always stemmed from my faith in God, and a deep-rooted belief that each one is valuable and worthy of rescue precisely because of being made in God's image and because of the death of Jesus on the cross for them. Now here were loads of people, both students and lecturers, who appeared to have a very selfless love and desire to help people, but completely on humanitarian grounds, for "the love of humanity". I had never encountered this as a massive force before and it really blew me away. Most were non-religious, one very inspiring lady was Buddhist, and yes, a few were Christians.
It caused me to question anew what difference Christ makes in all of this, if any, and how I can be sure that I'm believing the truth. I felt that these extraordinary individuals I was meeting were putting me and many who call themselves Christians, to shame with their love for humanity. I also became bogged down in the incredible suffering and physical needs of people around the world and lost sight of their spiritual needs.
This was all causing me great angst and frustration, when one evening I sat down with a Christian friend and poured out what was on my heart and eating slowly away at my faith. After I did so she was able to point out what was wrong with my thinking. She showed me that I was forgetting the first commandment, to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and becoming obsessed with the second, to love my neighbor as myself. The first commandment is first for a reason. My relationship with God needs to come ahead of any "good works" I do. I realized I was trying to love God through loving my neighbor only and was becoming so busy with my course and getting ready to go to Sierra Leone that I was neglecting to spend time in His presence. My prayer times had become full of requests for the needs of others, at the expense of worship and praise and listening to his voice. I had become a bit like Martha, tearing around trying to serve Jesus, and forgetting what is most important, sitting at his feet like Mary.
As for all of those wonderful people on my course, my friend reminded me that their good deeds are like "filthy rags" in God's sight, if they don't know him. A verse I need to keep in mind as I go to Africa is, "What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" Yes, I believe absolutely that I need to care for the physical and emotional needs of the people I work with in Sierra Leone because Jesus himself cared for the whole person. But I've been reminded that nurturing a relationship with God is the most important, for me as a Christian, and for those I'm trying to help.
I had forgotten God's amazing grace, that I don't need to and can't earn his favour. The reality of God's love is this--if I lay down and went to sleep for the rest of my life and never helped another human being, God's love for me would stay the same and he would still want to have a relationship with me.
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