Friday 31 July 2009
From the Editor
“... Three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea ... I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, ... in danger in the city, in danger in the country ... I have often gone without sleep ... have often gone without food ...” (2 Cor. 11: 25-28 NIV, excerpts)
If there’s anyone who knew what it’s like to endure trials of all kinds for the sake of Christ and the gospel, it was Paul. It’s a rare Christian (at least here in Edinburgh) who is faced with trials similar to those Paul had to endure — but consider those Christians in other countries who face persecution and similar dangers. We, however, all do have to endure trials of various kinds. Trials of family life and relationships. Trials in the workplace. Trials because we have no work. Trials of illness, pain, disability and suffering. And many others.
Do we feel joy in our heart when we face the trials of life? James tells us that we must “consider it pure joy” because our trials test our faith and develop perseverance. Are you ready to be tested?
Robert Mill
From the Pastor
Dear Family,
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2.1).
‘No pain, no gain’. My mum hates it when I say this to her! And I understand why. She suffers from severe, chronic rheumatoid arthritis. It can be really, really sore for her to move at times. Yet it is also so necessary. For unless she keeps exercising and making the effort to do so, she will stiffen and become ever less mobile. I can understand this a little, in the physical sense. But I see it even more clearly when applied to our Christian life.
It seems to me that there are two stages to becoming a Christian – perhaps even two flavours – sweet and sour. They are integrally woven into one another and we can’t have one without the other too. On the one hand, there is the sheer wonder of what Jesus has done for us, in taking our sins and sickness into Himself, experiencing the consequences on the Cross of Calvary, and freeing us from the bonds of the devil, disease and death. All He has done for us that causes us to stand back in wonder and adoration as mere spectators to the marvellous mercy of God. But on the other hand, there is the way that He draws us into His own experience of living for the Kingdom of God. The way that we are, through our baptism, brought to see that we are to be united with Him in His death and thereafter in the power of His resurrection. There is this call to purposeful participation in the life of Jesus Christ, owning His sense of self-identity and Father’s child, taking to ourselves His commitment to expressing of earth the presence and purposes of the Kingdom of God. Pursuing the Nazareth Manifesto, outworked in our culture and context.
And so while there is a time and place to sit back and wonder at the sheer grace of God, there is also a place for getting up and getting on with the challenge. Enduring trials. Pressing on towards the goal. Committing all things to God in prayer and pressing on to win the victor’s prize. It is this that matures and develops us as God’s children.
Over this summer period, I pray that you find times to enjoy holy hedonism: simply relishing and relaxing in the sheer grace, love and mercy of God. But I also pray that, in such times, God speaks to you and shows you afresh the narrow path that you and I have been called to pursue.
That, realizing who and what we are because of Jesus Christ, you can focus and grow into the person God wants you to be. That together we might forge ahead and see the expansion of the Kingdom of God in and through our life and witness together, as the congregation of Bristo Baptist Church.
In His love,
Jim
Treasurer's Report
First of all I’d like to thank you all for voting me for a second term as Deacon and Treasurer. I very much appreciate the confidence shown in me in allowing me to continue to serve the Church in this dual role.
I recently presented last year’s accounts at the church AGM. Knowing we had substantial repair and maintenance work to be carried out on the church and manse we set ourselves quite an aggressive budget, and we met most of our targets for income. However there are problems in maintaining older buildings, and one piece of maintenance work can often reveal other problems which require immediate attention, resulting in us overspending our budget by just over £6000. All this overspend was made on capital building and repair works.
This year’s budget is set to be equally challenging, though with less money being set aside for repairs and maintenance, there should be more money available to use in other church work. Last year we postponed making a gift to the BMS. This year we hope to be able to give a more generous gift.
In summary:
Income actual 08/09 budget 09/10
Church Offerings etc. 52633 50000
Tax Refund 9638 8000
from Fair Trust (in lieu of rent) 2400 2400
from Fair Trust (bills) 1934 2000
use of Halls 5640 8000
Total 72245 70400
And for special offerings we proposed again to support the LOM winter soup kitchen, and a further love gift to LOM, along with gifts to BMS and Bethany.
Income actual 08/09 budget 09/10
LOM - winter kitchen 3500 3500
BMS 0 1000
Bethany 10 500
LOM - gift with mission trip 1673 1500
General Mission 40 0
Total 5223 6500
Paul Watson
I recently presented last year’s accounts at the church AGM. Knowing we had substantial repair and maintenance work to be carried out on the church and manse we set ourselves quite an aggressive budget, and we met most of our targets for income. However there are problems in maintaining older buildings, and one piece of maintenance work can often reveal other problems which require immediate attention, resulting in us overspending our budget by just over £6000. All this overspend was made on capital building and repair works.
This year’s budget is set to be equally challenging, though with less money being set aside for repairs and maintenance, there should be more money available to use in other church work. Last year we postponed making a gift to the BMS. This year we hope to be able to give a more generous gift.
In summary:
Income actual 08/09 budget 09/10
Church Offerings etc. 52633 50000
Tax Refund 9638 8000
from Fair Trust (in lieu of rent) 2400 2400
from Fair Trust (bills) 1934 2000
use of Halls 5640 8000
Total 72245 70400
And for special offerings we proposed again to support the LOM winter soup kitchen, and a further love gift to LOM, along with gifts to BMS and Bethany.
Income actual 08/09 budget 09/10
LOM - winter kitchen 3500 3500
BMS 0 1000
Bethany 10 500
LOM - gift with mission trip 1673 1500
General Mission 40 0
Total 5223 6500
Paul Watson
Barbecued Cell Groups!
On the evening of Wednesday 1st July a barbecue took place at the home of Robert and Andrea Mill, mainly for those who attend the two Wednesday evening Bristo cell groups and the Thursday morning one. Several folk from the Monday international club also came along, as well as other friends, relatives and neighbours. The weather, which had been wet earlier, was kind and warm, there was plenty of good food and drink and a great time was had by everyone.
Beach Picnic
This event took place on Saturday, 20th June 2009 at Yellowcraigs beach near Dirleton in East Lothian. One of the main ideas behind it was to give an opportunity for the teachers and Sunday school children to get to know each other better and spend time together outside the classroom environment; however, everyone else was welcome. First there was a barbecue; we had a great variety of food as everyone contributed. Then there was time to simply chill out, play badminton, have a chat, enjoy the sea and finally play football and baseball on the beach.Altogether, it was a great time in which we could enjoy the day spent together as a family and make everyone else who came along feel welcome.
Lucyna Kurtyka
healingspacebristo
As Christians together, it is our privilege to know and experience the call to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ. Now, this takes many forms. At a personal level, it is rooted in a real relationship with God expressed in faith, repentance, prayer and reading the Bible. In the way we seek to deal with people. And beyond that, in our life of worshipping and sharing in the body of Christ, the church. Here at Bristo that is outworked in giving aid to the poor and homeless (the Bethany van and shelters), the stranger in our midst (Home From Home), welcome to the foreigner (International Club). In many other ways. And in healingspacebristo.
The ministry of healingspacebristo has begun, and there has been a touching of people’s lives through it. Where we have opportunity to pray and minister to one another in many ways, this new ministry is designed for those normally outside the church. It provides an opportunity for people to come to a room in our building where they can experience an environment of peace and be focussed in on the presence and the love of God. The basic time for prayer and quietness comes on a Thursday, from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. This is deliberately calculated to coincide with the end of a normal, working day.
A number of people have come along. But as with all evangelistic endeavours, it requires profiling and making people aware of the availability of this ministry. You can help by telling people you know. Especially those who do not already have an active, church connection.
Leaflets, to tell people about this, are available in the Crush Hall. More details can be had also on the dedicated website, http://healingspacebristo.blogspot.com/
Please be in prayer for this ministry, that the Lord uses it for the blessings of many. If you feel that you would like to be more involved, please speak to either Jim or Ryan.
Jim Purves
Sunday School
There have been a number of changes in the Sunday School and crèche during the last twelve months. It is almost a year since I took over from Jennifer as Children’s Work Co-ordinator and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jennifer for all the work she has done in this role. Although she is no longer directly involved with the Sunday School, Jennifer continues to support this work as an appointed Independent Person who is available for children to speak to if they have any concerns. Thank you also to Alice who continues to handle the paperwork required to obtain disclosures for those working with children, to ensure that we comply with child protection law.
Johanna was born to Daniela and Jason in October 2008 and Lucas to Natalia and Ryan in March this year. Natalia has now taken over the crèche rota and we would welcome volunteers to be part of the crèche team. The crèche has not been required for a number of months as the babies have mostly remained in services with their parents; however it is envisaged that there will be a need for this as Johanna and Lucas grow older.
We said goodbye to Doreen and Joshua in August 2008, and also to Curt earlier this year. We wish them all well and thank them for their work with the children.
In January we welcomed Tanya into the Sunday School team. Tanya has been teaching the primary class (Eva, Lennox, David and Michael) alternate weeks with Sveta. Lucy is leading the secondary-school age class (Cyrus, Duval, Tafadzwa, Caroline and Marvin) alternate weeks with Linda.
We have recently been exploring ways in which the children can take a more active part in morning services and the children learned two new songs which they taught to the rest of the church on Easter Sunday and at Pentecost.
Our most recent highlight was the Sunday-School picnic at Yellowcraigs on 20th June, which is described by Lucy elsewhere in this magazine. We are planning another event like this for mid-September. As with the trip to Yellowcraigs, this will be an event for the whole church and we hope that many of you will be able to come along and join us.
The Sunday School will be taking a break for six weeks after 5th July to coincide with the school Summer-holidays, resuming on 23rd August. Activities will be organised for the younger children during the service for some of the holiday weeks.
The Sunday School will be taking a break for six weeks after 5th July to coincide with the school Summer-holidays, resuming on 23rd August. Activities will be organised for the younger children during the service for some of the holiday weeks.
Please continue to pray for the Sunday School and those working with young people in the church.
Linda Watson
It Club
· changes in perspective;
· appreciation at being provoked to think about ‘God stuff’;
· increased interest in the Bible
· enthusiasm for prayer and discussion
David Purves has been a real asset as an intern helping with the youth work this year due to his willingness and his commitment as well as his faithful friendship to Adam in particular. David will be leaving us this autumn to pursue his theology degree.
Special mention also goes to Sveta Kostrikina Barclay, whose continued willingness to step in and help on occasions when we need cover or extra support is always appreciated.
We will miss both David and Katy this autumn. Please join us in thanking them for their service and in prayer for their continued growth and development in the paths God is calling them to in Christ.
It Club meets on Friday evenings between 7:45 and 9:45. It is a youth club for young people in their teens, with other young people in their twenties and thirties acting as coaches.
A few of our teenagers have moved on since last June, but we have also had the pleasure of getting to know at least five new members too. More and more the It Club is becoming a youth group which is about being together and sharing life together, rather than activities and lesson plans. We focus our efforts on coming alongside the young people and befriending them, sharing their concerns and interests. In our weekly times of discussion and devotion (‘sharing times’) we seek to explore the Christian life together as individuals who are all on a journey seeking to follow Jesus whether in high school, college, university, full time work or wherever!
In January we started developing guidelines for our ‘sharing times’ with the Bristo theme of ‘Journey’ in mind. Our aim was to incorporate the ideas of ‘developing’, ‘liberating’ and ‘anticipating’ into each session. The result has been ‘Meet Pete’, a series of Bible studies designed by our group of coaches, following the life journey of Simon Peter after he met Jesus. During the course of this series the group has reflected together on how these themes interact with our lives today.
A few of our teenagers have moved on since last June, but we have also had the pleasure of getting to know at least five new members too. More and more the It Club is becoming a youth group which is about being together and sharing life together, rather than activities and lesson plans. We focus our efforts on coming alongside the young people and befriending them, sharing their concerns and interests. In our weekly times of discussion and devotion (‘sharing times’) we seek to explore the Christian life together as individuals who are all on a journey seeking to follow Jesus whether in high school, college, university, full time work or wherever!
In January we started developing guidelines for our ‘sharing times’ with the Bristo theme of ‘Journey’ in mind. Our aim was to incorporate the ideas of ‘developing’, ‘liberating’ and ‘anticipating’ into each session. The result has been ‘Meet Pete’, a series of Bible studies designed by our group of coaches, following the life journey of Simon Peter after he met Jesus. During the course of this series the group has reflected together on how these themes interact with our lives today.
Highlights of the It Club calendar have included:
· An Australian Christmas Party!
· Our Russian evening
· An Easter Special. This was a first for us, including a short service put on by the group, followed by Egg painting, Egg rolling and a fellowship meal (with an omelet of course!)
· trips to Laser Quest, Murrayfield Ice Rink and MegaBowl
· Our Russian evening
· An Easter Special. This was a first for us, including a short service put on by the group, followed by Egg painting, Egg rolling and a fellowship meal (with an omelet of course!)
· trips to Laser Quest, Murrayfield Ice Rink and MegaBowl
We have noticed positive effects on It Club members from outwith the church family over recent months, including young people expressing:
· changes in perspective;
· appreciation at being provoked to think about ‘God stuff’;
· increased interest in the Bible
· enthusiasm for prayer and discussion
Encounter
Encounter is a small group for 14 – 19 year olds meeting during the evening service on Sundays. It is distinguished from It Club, by being an environment primarily of Bible study, discussion, meditation and prayer. Recently we have been following the Bible passages set by the Sunday services.
Last year we reported a steady drop in attendance at Encounter. Numbers this year have continued to dwindle to an average of 2.5 per meeting! In response to this seeming crisis of attendance, we reviewed our approach to Encounter. In doing so, we realized that we still find value in providing even such a small group of young people with an environment where they can find guidance and support at this key point in their young lives.
After running Encounter with just David Purves and Matt acting as coaches during the autumn, we were glad to welcome Tanya who presence has greatly enhanced the group. In particular we appreciate her developing friendship with Lena.
Coaches
A ‘coach’ is an adult who provides guidance and support for the young people in Encounter and It Club. Becoming a coach means making a commitment to friendship with the young people; to listen, to encourage, to advise and to inspire them towards growth in Christ.
I want to note that Adam in particular has shown growth as both a young adult and a helper in the It Club. He is reliably punctual and faithful in his commitments.
I want to note that Adam in particular has shown growth as both a young adult and a helper in the It Club. He is reliably punctual and faithful in his commitments.
David Purves has been a real asset as an intern helping with the youth work this year due to his willingness and his commitment as well as his faithful friendship to Adam in particular. David will be leaving us this autumn to pursue his theology degree.
Katy Cracknell has also been a real asset to the group over the short time she has been with us. Her enthusiastic service and ability to relate well (especially to the teenage girls) has been greatly appreciated. Katy left at the end of June to pursue a teaching qualification back home in Australia.
Special mention also goes to Sveta Kostrikina Barclay, whose continued willingness to step in and help on occasions when we need cover or extra support is always appreciated.
We will miss both David and Katy this autumn. Please join us in thanking them for their service and in prayer for their continued growth and development in the paths God is calling them to in Christ.
Please also pray that as a congregation we will have the wisdom to discern those adults whom God will provide to meet the needs in It Club and Encounter in the coming year. We are always looking out for female coaches. There are 15 teenagers attending It Club as it continues to grow, and over half of these are young girls. Ask the Lord of the Harvest that he will send workers into his harvest field. The field is his, the fruit is his and the labour is too!
Matt Baines
Property Group Report
The Bristo Property Group, which comprises Stuart Rendle, Brian Wilson, Robert Mill and Craig Smith, meets regularly once a month to discuss and progress items of maintenance on the Bristo building.
Over the year the group has organised and overseen the following tasks:
· Repair of the Manse chimneys
· Replacement of the Flat Combi boiler which was around 25 years old
· Repair of and upgrade to the plumbing feeding in and out of the Baptistry
· Arranged for regular annual testing of electrical appliances within Bristo
· Actioned recommendations following a Health and Safety inspection of the kitchens by Edinburgh Council
· Clearing out unused junk, organising cupboards and compiling inventories of equipment (carried out by Brian Wilson)
Craig Smith
Over the year the group has organised and overseen the following tasks:
· Repair of the Manse chimneys
· Replacement of the Flat Combi boiler which was around 25 years old
· Repair of and upgrade to the plumbing feeding in and out of the Baptistry
· Arranged for regular annual testing of electrical appliances within Bristo
· Actioned recommendations following a Health and Safety inspection of the kitchens by Edinburgh Council
· Clearing out unused junk, organising cupboards and compiling inventories of equipment (carried out by Brian Wilson)
Craig Smith
Care Van Report
The Bristo Care Van team goes out regularly on the first Saturday of each month to serve rolls and teas / coffees / soups to the people on the streets around the city centre.
Looking back it’s possible to see a number of trends over the years: for instance over the last two years there has been a significant presence, off and on, of Eastern Europeans coming to the van. We at Bristo are blessed in having a multilingual congregation, and it’s been great to have folk in the team able to speak to these people in their own languages.
Another trend which I’ve only recently become aware of is how much more, compared to any previous time, service users have voiced appreciation about the work of the van; and I believe that this appreciation is as much to do with the regularity and dependability of the service being offered, as it is the service itself.
As an example, on the last Bristo van, in July, a service user’s son came and thanked us for effectively being a lifeline to his father over his period on the streets. Again there was this underlying sense that he meant ‘my dad depended on you every day and you didn’t let him down’.
I believe this faithfulness and consistency of witness is an important part of what the Lord calls his church to.
I think I speak for the whole Bristo team in saying that it is a privilege being involved in this work of God in Edinburgh.
Craig Smith
Looking back it’s possible to see a number of trends over the years: for instance over the last two years there has been a significant presence, off and on, of Eastern Europeans coming to the van. We at Bristo are blessed in having a multilingual congregation, and it’s been great to have folk in the team able to speak to these people in their own languages.
Another trend which I’ve only recently become aware of is how much more, compared to any previous time, service users have voiced appreciation about the work of the van; and I believe that this appreciation is as much to do with the regularity and dependability of the service being offered, as it is the service itself.
As an example, on the last Bristo van, in July, a service user’s son came and thanked us for effectively being a lifeline to his father over his period on the streets. Again there was this underlying sense that he meant ‘my dad depended on you every day and you didn’t let him down’.
I believe this faithfulness and consistency of witness is an important part of what the Lord calls his church to.
I think I speak for the whole Bristo team in saying that it is a privilege being involved in this work of God in Edinburgh.
Craig Smith
Can we SIMPLIFY our lives?
For some years now we as a church have had much teaching based around the Nazareth Manifesto (Luke 4: 18, 19) and similar passages. But, just how much are we putting this into our corporate church life and into our personal lives?
In the current issue of IDEA Magazine published by the Evangelical Alliance, there is a challenging article titled “Choosing to spend less”. It gives details of one church’s journey along the road the Nazareth Manifesto is calling them to follow. It’s Southampton Vineyard, and they even refer to the passage as the Nazareth Manifesto on their website (http://www.southamptonvineyard.org.uk/Jubilee2009.htm). They are challenging their members to simplify their lives from clutter. They are suggesting that their members voluntarily give up, for a month at a time, such things as TV, the internet, and supermarket shopping, and using only public transport instead of private. Those are just some ideas and no doubt you can think of others.
In February, as part of a ‘Jubilee 2009’ series of activities, they chose to spend less in order to identify with the poor. They decided to live as if receiving benefits for a whole month. In so doing they discovered what it really meant to live simply, ethically and generously. They signed up to donate leftover money to a selection of local and international charities. As a result over £23,000 was raised, over and above regular giving to the church, and this was given away.
Southampton Vineyard’s example has challenged the Evangelical Alliance to encourage churches and individuals to take place in Simplify, which is a practical outworking of the Alliance’s Square Mile campaign. Simplify asks us to take a fresh look at our lifestyles, priorities and purchases, at the stuff we collect and what the word need really means. At the same time, it prompts us to be generous and practically show our solidarity with people who are all too familiar with need.
The initiative, part of the Evangelical Alliance’s Life Beyond Debt campaign, aims to stimulate Christians across the UK to live on the same amount of money they would receive if they were on benefits for one month, giving any excess money to charity.
We in Bristo try to take the Nazareth Manifesto seriously. Can we, therefore, rise to this challenge from the Evangelical Alliance? More details will be available from the Alliance in October. Meanwhile, read the article in IDEA and click on ‘Simplify’ in the Campaigns section of the Alliance web site and read what’s there at present. And then start praying and thinking about what we can do. Perhaps we too can ‘simplify’ our lives by spending less and giving more to those on the Father heart of God.
Robert Mill
In the current issue of IDEA Magazine published by the Evangelical Alliance, there is a challenging article titled “Choosing to spend less”. It gives details of one church’s journey along the road the Nazareth Manifesto is calling them to follow. It’s Southampton Vineyard, and they even refer to the passage as the Nazareth Manifesto on their website (http://www.southamptonvineyard.org.uk/Jubilee2009.htm). They are challenging their members to simplify their lives from clutter. They are suggesting that their members voluntarily give up, for a month at a time, such things as TV, the internet, and supermarket shopping, and using only public transport instead of private. Those are just some ideas and no doubt you can think of others.
In February, as part of a ‘Jubilee 2009’ series of activities, they chose to spend less in order to identify with the poor. They decided to live as if receiving benefits for a whole month. In so doing they discovered what it really meant to live simply, ethically and generously. They signed up to donate leftover money to a selection of local and international charities. As a result over £23,000 was raised, over and above regular giving to the church, and this was given away.
Southampton Vineyard’s example has challenged the Evangelical Alliance to encourage churches and individuals to take place in Simplify, which is a practical outworking of the Alliance’s Square Mile campaign. Simplify asks us to take a fresh look at our lifestyles, priorities and purchases, at the stuff we collect and what the word need really means. At the same time, it prompts us to be generous and practically show our solidarity with people who are all too familiar with need.
The initiative, part of the Evangelical Alliance’s Life Beyond Debt campaign, aims to stimulate Christians across the UK to live on the same amount of money they would receive if they were on benefits for one month, giving any excess money to charity.
We in Bristo try to take the Nazareth Manifesto seriously. Can we, therefore, rise to this challenge from the Evangelical Alliance? More details will be available from the Alliance in October. Meanwhile, read the article in IDEA and click on ‘Simplify’ in the Campaigns section of the Alliance web site and read what’s there at present. And then start praying and thinking about what we can do. Perhaps we too can ‘simplify’ our lives by spending less and giving more to those on the Father heart of God.
Robert Mill
Back from Africa MERCY
Here is Pamela’s last despatch from the Africa Mercy ship, sent von 24 June. As you will see, she is now back in the UK.—Editor
Thank you everyone for thinking of me my whole time here on the ship. It has been more than helpful to know this. At first I was unsure how I would settle into this environment but after being here longer and thanks to the grace of God, I have made a few amazing friends. Jane has been such a great friend and I am going to miss her so, so much. It’s not often you go on a mission trip and find someone who is a farmer and knows what a Deutz Fahr is!! [It’s a kind of tractor -- Ed.] Becky is another girl I will miss so much, from Somerset and the craic we have had was fantastic... we can hardly look at each other without laughing or finding something hilarious in our everyday surroundings and she has had many a drama in which we can laugh about now.
As I’m down to my final week, I am trying to get myself ready for leaving. It will soon be me walking down the gangway next Sunday night and doing the usual leaving ritual.
I had a lazy weekend past as we had a heavy night on Friday, we had a patient for VVF who the surgeons worked with for 9 hours. I scrubbed in around 4.30 p.m., we worked till 7 but the surgeons were having real difficulty with closing the fistula, long story short, but the surgeons had to leave to get their flight, they left no time to spare at all. They were devastated they could not fix her and we were all emotional. Doctor Jose came in and assessed the situation again and so we worked till 10.30 p.m. trying to fix her. Much to our delight Dr Jose did a great job and we recovered her and she is doing well. Everyone worked hard and we thought that the patient was leaking urine into her abdomen and so we thought we were in a losing battle on that one. But as we discovered her urethras which take urine to the bladder from the kidneys were still intact and functioning but the hole in the bladder was difficult to retrieve and fix. It was managed and we left that night feeling very satisfied. Knocked me for six the next day though and I spent most of it, lying around the ship not doing very much.
Today we had the great opportunity to do the VVF screening with the new surgeons who have arrived. It took me around 40 minutes to get a history from the patient as it had to be translated up to 3 times before we could understand each other. Successful day though all in all and we look forward to seeing these ladies come in to us in the next two weeks (oh I will only be here for one of them.. ) but hopefully having them healed! After that I found two playmates and we played footie together.
Margreet and I are having our goodbye dinner tomorrow night and altogether we have thirty people coming. It’s really nice to know that people are coming and spending the evening with us, or maybe it’s just that they will be celebrating the fact that we are going! I feel as though I have a lot to do before I come home, my list is getting longer and I wanted it to be a stress free week oh well!
For most of you, I will see you next week! and for the others I will see you soon after that, with a trip to the weegie land and Manchester in the next coming month I’m sure I will cover most bases.
Very sad to be leaving here but I really look forward to seeing you all again.
Thank you everyone for thinking of me my whole time here on the ship. It has been more than helpful to know this. At first I was unsure how I would settle into this environment but after being here longer and thanks to the grace of God, I have made a few amazing friends. Jane has been such a great friend and I am going to miss her so, so much. It’s not often you go on a mission trip and find someone who is a farmer and knows what a Deutz Fahr is!! [It’s a kind of tractor -- Ed.] Becky is another girl I will miss so much, from Somerset and the craic we have had was fantastic... we can hardly look at each other without laughing or finding something hilarious in our everyday surroundings and she has had many a drama in which we can laugh about now.
As I’m down to my final week, I am trying to get myself ready for leaving. It will soon be me walking down the gangway next Sunday night and doing the usual leaving ritual.
I had a lazy weekend past as we had a heavy night on Friday, we had a patient for VVF who the surgeons worked with for 9 hours. I scrubbed in around 4.30 p.m., we worked till 7 but the surgeons were having real difficulty with closing the fistula, long story short, but the surgeons had to leave to get their flight, they left no time to spare at all. They were devastated they could not fix her and we were all emotional. Doctor Jose came in and assessed the situation again and so we worked till 10.30 p.m. trying to fix her. Much to our delight Dr Jose did a great job and we recovered her and she is doing well. Everyone worked hard and we thought that the patient was leaking urine into her abdomen and so we thought we were in a losing battle on that one. But as we discovered her urethras which take urine to the bladder from the kidneys were still intact and functioning but the hole in the bladder was difficult to retrieve and fix. It was managed and we left that night feeling very satisfied. Knocked me for six the next day though and I spent most of it, lying around the ship not doing very much.
Today we had the great opportunity to do the VVF screening with the new surgeons who have arrived. It took me around 40 minutes to get a history from the patient as it had to be translated up to 3 times before we could understand each other. Successful day though all in all and we look forward to seeing these ladies come in to us in the next two weeks (oh I will only be here for one of them.. ) but hopefully having them healed! After that I found two playmates and we played footie together.
Margreet and I are having our goodbye dinner tomorrow night and altogether we have thirty people coming. It’s really nice to know that people are coming and spending the evening with us, or maybe it’s just that they will be celebrating the fact that we are going! I feel as though I have a lot to do before I come home, my list is getting longer and I wanted it to be a stress free week oh well!
For most of you, I will see you next week! and for the others I will see you soon after that, with a trip to the weegie land and Manchester in the next coming month I’m sure I will cover most bases.
Very sad to be leaving here but I really look forward to seeing you all again.
Pamela Graham
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
