The ROC

Its arrived finally!!! Very early on Saturday morning I fly to Amsterdam for the ROC, which is Medair's training week. I expect to be learning lots about relief work, this will be my introduction humanitraian aid and Medair's mandate within that context. I thought that I would be feeling nervous and apprehensive as this moment approached, but i've got to say im really looking forward to it. Not sure if thats because i've been so busy recently ...I think its more to do with my outook on life though. I always get excited by a new adventure!!!

It promises to be an intense week as I start to understand what it means to be living the life of a relief worker. I believe this is where God wants me, I have a real peace about that. I hope things come together as the week unfolds, that a role and place within the organisation becomes clear for me. Thats where i will really need your prayers I think.

I really believe in Medair's programmes. They literally work amongst the most vulnerable people on earth, in some of the most forgotten crises across Africa and Asia. It will be interesting, no doubt about that.

A bit more about me

Im never sure how much i should reveal through this blog, as its not just my close friends who will see it. Anyway, i think there is some stuff that i should say, especially my interest in going overseas and my future work with Medair

A quote from Steve Chalk inspired me to share a bit more. He said 'My aim is not to impress people with what i do - but to train and inspire them to do better themselves'.

I first became awar of Medair when i was living in London back in the day. There was a girl from my church who went to work in Afghanistan as a nurse. I remember hearing her speak and thinking wow, im interested in that! My fascination with the organisation and humanitarian aid work in particular has never faded, infact i would say its grown stronger and stronger.

Hopefully since then i've matured in my faith. I am tuly convinced that Jesus holds the key it is only him who is able to transform people, communites and indeed entire nations. I have all the practical skills to build a successful career in this line of work, but without Jesus at the heart of it whats the point, wheres it all leading!

Medair

Well i've been accepted on Medair's training programme. You may ask who are Medair? well they are a Christian relief organisation. They work in some of the poorest countries on earth. I will be going to Amsterdam on 21 March for a week of training, and to see if they are the right fit for me. If all goes well, I may have a new job, or it could just be another step on the learning curve for me

A bit more about Medair....www.medair.org

Medair responds to natural disasters, conflicts that uproot communities, and crises such as drought or disease. Our core competencies are emergency relief – responding rapidly to save lives in a crisis – and rehabilitation – restoring vulnerable communities in the wake of a crisis. Our ability to provide life-saving care is enhanced by flexible multisectoral expertise including health services, water and sanitation, and shelter and infrastructure.

Medair serves the world’s most vulnerable people, who are identified by the seriousness of their needs. For Medair, this often means traveling to remote and hard-to-reach locations to assist the most underserved populations.

All of our activities are bolstered by a persistent focus on training and capacity building that stimulates self-sufficiency and nurtures independence. Being accountable to our beneficiaries is a vital component of our programme design and implementation. We do not travel to distant countries to impose our will; we come to compassionately serve the most vulnerable, to listen to their needs, and work alongside them to find the best solutions.

Following (Part 2)

This morning i've heard George Verwer speak at my church, Ivy Manchester. George Verwer is the founder of Operation Mobilisation. Check out more at http://www.georgeverwer.com/. He talked a lot about following Jesus, answering yes when Jesus says 'Come follow me'

The topic follows on nicely from my last post on this site back in October. Im sure you're wondering what i've been up to since then.

Well i started to apply for jobs with relief organisations over Christmas, and im waiting to hear back on applications at the moment. Having spoken to a number of people in the field in recent months it looks like i should get a post pretty quickly. I can trace this calling on my life back to my early days as a Christian, so you could ay its been a long time coming

Doesn't make it any easier actually saying yes though when Jesus comes calling. Im pretty happy in Manchester, i go to a good church, have a great group of friends and a fantastic family. The thought of leaving all this to go and live and work in one of the worlds most needy, dangerous countries seems crazy at times. I think sometimes i must be mad, or confused or running away from something. All sorts of things start to go through your mind its pretty scary. Will i cope being away? Will i be any good? Will i get on with my colleagues out there

i know, in my heart, what Jesus is leading me to. i have to trust him. This is what famous Chrisitans talk about when they say you need to surrender your life to god. Leaving your job and moving halway across the world. its all coming my way i think, if im brave enough to go and follwo Jesus

Following

God spoke to me a lot when i was out in Africa, about pushing forward and really trying to seek out Gods best for my life. I think I've been trying to understand what that means in the 3 weeks ive been back in the UK. Obviously, i feel my future involves mission and possibly Africa. My future will probably also involve doing some theoloigal training, some study of missiology and i still feel called to the practical side of mission, not just the spiritual side of things

But more than anything, i think this means following Jesus. That doesn't mean just in terms of mission and disappearing off to Africa, but also in terms of how i live out my faith here in the UK. Its easy to pick and choose the bits of the Chrisitan faith you want to follow, but to really follow what Jesus said...to be a true disciple..now that is a challenge! Thats really what I feel is going on with me at the moment

I am part of a strong church yes this is true. There are smaller communties within any church though, and i want to be part of a community that is really following Jesus in everything they do. I think i have found common ground in this already, there are poeple i know who are moving in the same direction and are thinking the same things. Where this will all lead i don't know....its dangerous asking God for certain things sometimes. Asking for help to be a true disciple, a follower, is one of those dangerous questions I think..the way the early church operated, an Acts style church, was far from how i live out my faith here. They shared their possesions, their wealth, all with the Kingdom in mind. Im not saying im at point yet but who knows in the future....im in the mood to be a bit radical and try to follow Jesus in everything!

Isn't it great to be back home ???

It actually is good to be back in Manchester. Seeing family and friends, catching up with people and being able to share whats happened in the last few weeks has been great fun

Some things though, do make you scratch your head a little bit in bewilderment!

I've been back at work 3 days. The credit crunch is hogging all the headlines. Ive been working in London today. I shared my flight back with a girl who works for my company and has just been made redundant. She has worked for the company for over 8 years , won't get much in terms of a payoff and to be honest, was in a bit of a state this evening. Where do i want to put my own security, in a multinational corporation or something with much more permanence,. Yes im talking about the creator of heaven and earth, God himself. I know where my loyalties lie!!! I've also been watching with interest the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the struggles of AIG and Merill Lynch amongst countless others this week. Listening to the doom and gloom merchants in the media, the world as we know it is about to end . Once again, Im grateful for being able to put my faith in a God who does not change and remains a constant in my life throughout everything!

Tonight, i went out to catch up with a good friend. We visited a fairly well known bar in South Manchester to have a chat and watch some footy. We must have been there 30 minutes when the guy next to us interrupted to ask why we were talking so much and would we shut up so he could watch the football in peace. Not surprisingly, this moron was sitting by himself. I was quite proud of myself for ignoring this idiot, walking off and finding somewhere else to sit. I was tempted to respond, but he was probably just looking to light up his pathetic little life with a fight. Im sure you can find people like that anywhere in the world, but its a bit depressing...i've only been back in the UK 3 days and have to put up with that rubbish. I'll pray for that guy anyway!!!

Chariots of Fire

I made it home this afternoon...finally. My journey home was not without its problems unfortunately. I actually landed at Heathrow yesterday evening, but because British Airways took over an hour to deliver my bags i missed my train to Manchester. Not the end of the world, I guess I should be thankful they at least managed to get all my luggage delivered to the right place!!!

On the flight home, I watched the film Chariots of Fire. Its a great film - the story of Eric Liddle is very inspiring. A devout Christian, he remained loyal and faithful to God, even when it looked like observing the Sabbath would make him miss his event, the 100 metres at the Olympics. Of course, he ended up winning the 400 metres and went to China to complete his calling as a missionary soon after.

His kind of unwavering commitment, complete faith in God makes a remarkable story. Its something I really need to think about now Im back home in Manchester. What has the last 6 weeks been all aboout? Where is it leading to? It would be easy just to settle back into things here, where everything is clean and comfortable, but its really important now that i don't just settle for a life that is second best, that i really push on and try to see everything that God has for me. The last 6 weeks has been an amazing experience, but i don't want it to just stop there. At least i don't think i do!! Please feel free to challenge me if you see me around in 2/3 months and see that im falling into this trap. For me, its quite an easy thing to do!!!

Anyway, im going for a hot bath, putting some clean clohtes on and heading out to catch up with a few friends. Speak soon!!!