Change

It has been a month of change.

I have been in Texas for 3 weeks at the Mercy Ships International Operations Centre (IOC) undergoing a period of training before I join the ship.

I have changed where I live, who I hang out with, what time I eat dinner. The clothes here are different – Texas is boots and bling. The cars, the roads, the food portions are different. All BIGGER.

We have classes from 8 till 4.30 weekdays, plus some Saturday and evening sessions. Assignments to hand in every week. It is a change from giving anaesthetics and working on intensive care.

‘So far so good’.  Or perhaps I should write with less of the British reserve and say something more American such as ‘So far it’s TOTALLY AWESOME’.  Yes, there are cultural differences and realising they exist is one of the things we have been learning. I have experienced cultural differences through working and travelling to many places overseas. But until now I had little understanding of why those differences existed, or the prejudices that most of us unconsciously hold. Many of us are unaware of how our view of the world impacts our thoughts and actions. I am learning to change the way I think about the world. This is essential if I am to make any lasting impact in West Africa especially with regards training healthcare providers.  

Understanding other cultures starts with understanding our own culture and ourselves. I teamed up with another Brit to present some of the British cultural values – see picture. We’ve also spent time understanding ourselves through personality assessments. I can’t change my personality but I can change the way I interact with others. This will help me bring out the best in them.

There has been a lot of change, or as I like to call it, realignment. My faith has been challenged, my view of the world expanded and adjusted. Realignment.

Change is not a bad thing. It is often necessary. If I need to sail on a bearing of 180⁰ to reach my destination, but I am just a tiny bit off, say 181⁰. After a while I will be way off target and may miss my destination altogether. The sooner I realise, the easier and quicker it is to make an adjustment, a necessary correction. Realignment.

So I am grateful for the realignment, minor corrections and adjustments to my ways of thinking. We all need it from time to time. But sometimes we are too proud to admit it. The only person who doesn’t need correction or realignment is God. He is totally consistent. He never changes. Africans have the phrase ‘God is good all the time. And all the time God is good’.  So I thank God for His goodness and His consistency in times of change.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father….who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

10 days and counting

10 days to go and I am almost ready…. almost…..

I have almost finished work. I have almost completed my list of administrative tasks. I have almost finished saying final goodbyes to friends and family. I have almost started packing…..but not quite !

This month I have been overwhelmed at people’s generosity and support in numerous ways. Work colleagues have voiced their appreciation and affirmation of what I do in the medical world; friends and family have said how much they value me and will miss me; and many of you have prayed specifically for me and given financially. I am truly grateful for all the love and encouragement I have received. There’s been something quite humbling about this last month.  

Humbling – yes. Why? Because I am aware that I don’t have a right to people’s support, but I do need it. Acknowledging that I actually need help and then seeing it so generously provided is actually quite a humbling experience.  

In the 21^st century we are brought up to be independent and self-reliant. So the idea of relying on someone or something else to provide for our needs takes a bit of getting used to. We are also brought up to work hard so we deserve our achievements.  So giving up my job and financial security, leaving behind emotional attachments to family and friends, so I can volunteer on a ship in Africa seems to turn this view upside down. Or does it?

I am reliant on others to support and provide for me. The concept that I don’t deserve it, I don’t have a right to it yet I still need it, reminds me of Christmas. God sent His son into the world because we needed Him. Jesus offers to support and provide for us. We don’t deserve it, but the gift is given. Receiving the gift requires humility (or meekness). The carol, O little town of Bethlehem puts it like this:

How silently, how silently,
    The wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts
    The blessings of His Heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
    But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
    The dear Christ enters in.

So, thank you for your kind support and generous provision which has been a tangible reminder of the meaning of Christmas.

Only 10 days to go…..I’m almost ready ……. but I’d better start packing.

Preparation – joy or hassle?

‘How’s your preparation going?’

That was the question I was asked by a colleague the other day.

What was my response?

I think preparation consists of two aspects, social and administrative. I love the social. Time spent with friends and family before I leave is a total pleasure. However, the administrative aspect produces other emotions. Hassle, and a sense that much effort is required to do everything I need to do before I leave. The list of tasks is endless.....sorting out my house, my car, various professional licensing issues, change of address notifications, booking flights, filling in numerous forms, deciding what to pack and what to leave behind. It feels like it’s constantly one thing after another.

There is so much to do and so little time to do it. But I don’t want my last few weeks in England to be defined by ‘effort and hassle’. I want to enjoy them. So I’ve decided to do just that. I believe you can change how you think because the bible says you can, and I have seen it to be true in my own life. ‘Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think’. (Romans 12: 2). I’m learning to change how I think.

I can’t control what needs to be done or what might happen to me. But I realise I can control how I react to external things. It is choice and I can choose. I’m choosing to think joy and peace not hassle and effort. I am choosing to enjoy all the little jobs that need doing. And I’m refusing to let anything or anyone to rob me of my joy. And how do I do that? By applying another biblical principle,‘Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus’. (Philippians 4: 6-8). That's how.

So, what was my response to the question, ‘How’s the preparation going?’

‘Great thanks. I’m really enjoying my last few weeks.’