Lyn's Log: Spring 2014
Dear Friends:Winter is past, and spring has come. As I hear the birds, walk in the sunshine, see the daffodils and cherry blossoms bloom . . .I know new life springs forth. And so it is for me. Cancer treatment is finished, and new cells are created by the God of the universe, bringing new life to my body. Past . . .Since September, my church in Virginia has been my home base. I am so thankful for the love they have showered on me as I walked the road of surgery and radiation. Prior to starting my daily radiation treatments, my son Jeff came to visit, and we had six days together. I have not been able to see my other son Joshua or my grandchildren in Liberia for a few years, which is a bit sad. Perhaps God has a plan for this year!Though I had little strength during radiation, I had a fantastic team at the clinic. Their care for their patients was very touching, and encouraged me so much along the way. I was also able to participate in a few activities at my church that were live-giving for me . . . being part of the advisory council, offering a two-hour training on child abuse, giving a message at church, and on Saturdays facilitating a trauma healing equipping session for 10 women.Meanwhile, I did my best to oversee the Mercy Ships Mental Health Program projects in Togo and Benin, and to develop the project plans for Guinea and South Africa. Samuel, Soule, and Koumabe (all pastors in Togo and Benin), worked alongside Torbjoerg Jensen who is a psychiatrist from Norway. Samuel served as the Regional Project Manager, as he has worked extensively and capably with the mental health team for over 4 years. Present . . . I spent a few days in Annapolis and Washington D.C., after attending the Trauma Healing Institute Community of Practice (COP) in Philadelphia. This COP, of which Mercy Ships is a member, was initiated by the American Bible Society. The group is composed of individuals and organizations who have a common interest . . . bringing healing to traumatized individuals and communities. I was inspired by the growth and scope of the group since I last attended in 2012. The group is multi-cultural, and I love making new friendships, deepening previous ones, and dreaming about the possibilities as we network together.Future . . . April 1st I return to Conakry, Guinea for three weeks of programming, during which time several people will be trained as facilitators or master facilitators of trauma healing, along with mental health training for the police/military, corrections/justice, and a follow up session for the children who attended our children’s trauma healing workshop last year.In June I will leave for four weeks of programming in South Africa, traveling to the Eastern Cape to hold a three-day workshop for community leaders with Naomi, our liaison in South Africa. The following week Naomi and I will provide training for Northpine Baptist Church leadership team, and for the Substance Abuse Program staff and counselees. Finally, the mental health team will host its first Mercy Team with several mental health professionals joining to hold a trauma healing workshop with children from the northern townships of Cape Town.Soon my amazing administrative assistant will be leaving Mercy Ships to get married and move with her Dutch husband to the Netherlands. I will also be transitioning from full time Mercy Ships service to a consultant role at the end of July, so that the scope of my work becomes global rather than regional. And hopefully I will have time, energy and inspiration to write JPrayer Points:
- Increasing strength as I travel to Africa
- Smooth logistics for Guinea and South Africa
- Safe travel for all team members (especially for me through Brussels April 1-3 due to the European Summit terrorist threats)
- Appropriate selection of participants
- God to reveal Himself in a greater way to all involved
- Hearts and minds to be healed
- God-selected individuals to assume responsibility for the mental health program
- Protection for all from the Ebola virus, now affecting the people of Guinea
- Protection from Ebola virus for country of Guinea and team
Anchored in the Passion of Christ and His resurrection, Lyn