Smouldering Wicks

These COVID eons, we talk more often about burnout. This week we filled out a survey for a friend's research, which is the second Serge colleague doing such a project. I read an article this week too, about burnout amongst non-physician health care workers that identified high emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation as risk factors for quitting. 

But in that article, organisational satisfaction was protective. And the surveys have heightened awareness that along with Sabbath and spiritual rhythms, good exercise, sleep, and dietary habits, the way we smouldering wicks avoid becoming dumpster fires and then piles of ash is . . . community.

So today, a small ode to team.

We have a couple visiting this week (Dr. Jack and Regan seen by Scott above) and as Scott and I talked about what kind of cross-cultural medical situation they might choose for their life, what would be best for their family, how they would react to the bottomless swamp of malaria here, the interrupted supply chains, the intermittent power, the inadequacy of staffing, the sorrowful deaths, the immediacy of majority-world realities we'd rather not confront hour to hour . . . well, it's a lot to ask someone to embrace. But then Scott said: they won't find a better team to be on. 

So much comes down to just that: the person beside you in the trench.

(L to R) Mike who brings together pastoral Bible depth and accounting competence, which is a perfect but rare missionary skill set. Kacie who has plunged into learning preemie care in NICU and bravely got her Ugandan nursing license. Patrick who came to lead staff development at Christ School and has weathered school being shut down more than in session so far, but redeemed the time with literacy camps and discipleship. Alexis who ended a decade mom-induced teaching break to dive into Rwenzori Mission school. Michaela who has poured her heart into making Kindergarten and 1rst grade pinnacle educational experiences. Ann who connects us all to the community with her endurance and approachableness, and pioneered an environmental education and discipleship camp this summer. Laura who agreed to trade teams from Kenya to Uganda at the 11th hour and somehow seems to be picking up Lubwisi as fast as she is coming up to speed as a middle school teacher. Josh who hikes hours every week to bring a clean water system to marginal people, and Anna who smiles like that even when her kids don't sleep and she's teaching preschool. And then the visitors, and us. We've had our stressful times negotiating COVID protocols, grieving losses, stepping on each others' toes, having to share cheese and freezer space and rides and data. But over the last couple years this team has gelled into an imperfect gaggle of humans who care about each other and the world.

And it's not just this team, but also our colleagues and neighbours. Last night the Christ School teachers were commenting on how much they appreciate their family-like support for each other, as they joined in a gift for one of the staff member's new baby, and another announced an upcoming marriage. Our nutrition team cared so well for the one who got COVID. Dr. Amon and the hospital team work incredibly hard; as Nusula the charge nurse just said in the staff meeting, we have double the normal census but no increase in deaths on the ward. Yes.

With vaccines and the airport open, we are now entering a season of "home assignments". Our Serge workers are given one year out of every five to report back to their donors, reconnect with family and culture of origin, rest and renew, update studies. We will miss the McClure family and Ann who fly out this week until January, and later the Forrests (Nov) and Dickensons (May). We want to hold onto stability; but the nature of the sojourner life is that people come and go. 

But Jesus does not. And Jesus was the very one whom the prophet Isaiah said 

"a bruised reed he will not break, 

and a smouldering wick he will not quench, 

until he brings justice to victory; 

and in his name the nations will hope."

So we keep smouldering on here, smoking glowing embers of the world as it should begin to be, dim lights that point to a new reality. Until justice wins and everyone has hope. Together.

Dr. Amon on the packed paeds ward

CSB staff meeting with COVID protocols for Bible Study

Team meal on our patio

Gathering this morning to pray for the McClures as they drive out

Building community with our interns

Going to miss my friend Ann!

The requisite pre-Home Assignment family photo . . . 

The NICU nursing team and intern meeting to discuss our work

Scott talking to Reuben, who has worked here even longer than we have!

Scott, Jack, Admin, Amon: hope for the hospital's future!

Beautiful Ugandan food fuels beautiful community

waving bye this morning to a core family . . . they will be back!

A sobering reminder that not everyone survives this shared vision. Dr. Jonah's grave in the Ebola memorial.