A piece of reflective testimony from our Rachael, our Chief Medical Officer whose childhood in the port city of Hull gave her taste for fresh fish and tales of the sea…
Safe harbour
In Spring 2020 I was happily at my usual work in the Western Pacific. Then COVID-19 barrelled up into a worldwide tsunami and, like most missionary-minded healthcare professionals, I was returned to the proverbial safe harbour of home. I don’t mind telling you that I was relieved.
Then I had a safe but relatively steady two years. Sure, I encountered some risk in English prisons working with COVID-positive prisoners. But in general it was easy. I even managed to get lucky: COVID resurged across Europe just as I was delivering a young family member to live in France for a year; so I got to spend Lockdown Two marooned in a beautiful French city with an amazing library. And thanks to the French seeming to regard pâtissiers as essential workers, I had endless supplies of tasty pastries! Life at that point in my pandemic could have been far, far worse!
So overall, my pandemic has been largely spent in comfort with my feet up by the proverbial fireside. But one can have too much of a good thing…
Back out to sea
This spring I was excited to learn that foreigners were once again allowed to travel to Olongapo, the Philippine port city where I spent a lot of time pre-pandemic. I booked a flight and headed off for what I thought would be a great time. After all, I’d been there dozens of times before. But instead I found myself unexpectedly terrified and unwell. Two years by my fireside had made me forget just how hard overseas medical work can be. A boat that’s been idling in a harbour for ages shouldn’t be simply returned to the sea. It needs to be prepared. Or else it flounders.
EMERGENCY REPAIRS
I don’t mind admitting that I returned from that first pandemic-era trip in poor shape. I’ve needed emergency repairs - rest & relaxation, counselling, exercise, medical attention, and time - time to pray and (something I had let lapse a bit during the pandemic) to daily seek guidance from God’s Word, the Bible. And my reading reminded me that I had neglected to appoint a captain for my ill-fated trip:-
Then he [Jesus] told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat [captain’s cabin] — I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how…”
(The Bible, Gospel of Luke 9:23-27, The Message version)
Not made for the harbour
I’m much better now and, thanks to two lovely friends, I’ve just managed to get away on a seaside mini-break! I really enjoyed watching boats of various sizes sail in and out of the local harbour. And then this morning I read this article and listened to this song, both of which were written by Andy Flannagan, a fellow medically-qualified, musical & left-listing Christian whose ministry I have always admired greatly…
Andy is quite right. We COVID-era Christians are at risk of mission paralysis from the ‘stay safe’ mantra. We’ve spent more than two years parting from each other with well-meaning reminders to ‘stay safe’. Absolutely, God doesn’t want us to die of COVID complacency. Yes, we should stay as safe from COVID as is practical. But no, He doesn’t want us to remain in safe harbours, drinking endless lattes in cosy cafes. He wants us back out in open waters, returning to our workplace ports, but guided by Him - the very best ship’s captain who knows have to navigate life’s dangerous waters.
Bon vogage
So now I’m preparing to set out from my home harbour once again. Yes it still feels a tad unsafe but this time I’m not frightened. Because I’ve remembered that workplace ports - in my case, overseas places of detention - were not, are not, and never will be completely ‘safe spaces’.
If you too have been in lockdown mentality, I wish you safe passage back to your own workplace. Remember that, whatever risks we face in our various work places, He is always right there beside us:-
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
(The Bible, Gospel of Matthew 28:18-20, The Message version)
Bon voyage!
Rachael
Dr Rachael Pickering is our voluntary Chief Medical Officer. She is in great need of prayer support and, thanks to COVID, financial assistance. If you’d like to receive her personal newsletter +/- help financially, please do get in touch.