“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7v9-10
This verse paints a wonderful picture of heaven with brothers and sisters from every nation and people group worshiping together. Partnering with brothers and sisters from Madagascar and many other nations to share the Good News in Mandritsara and beyond represents to me a wonderful foretaste of what this might be like.
John and Emily on the water tower at the Good News Hospital in 2015.
Whilst growing up considering what to study at University, I had an enthusiasm for supporting medical mission work to meet spiritual and physical needs of people in contexts with less material resources than our own. I initially learned of the Good News Project after having some time to fill following foundation years after medical school. I was asking friends and colleagues of places where mission and medicine go hand in hand. I spoke to Ted and Rachel Watts who were peers at Nottingham Medical School and was delighted to learn they were planning to spend time in Madagascar that would overlap with my availability. I then spent a 6 month period working as a medical officer in 2009 at the Good News Hospital, Mandritsara. The holistic attention to the physical and spiritual needs of the population was a stand out memory from that time. The scale of treatable surgical disease also served as motivation for me to train in surgery.
More recently it has been a tremendous privilege to serve as chair of trustees for Friends of Mandritsara trust. I became a trustee in January 2016 at the invitation of the existing trustees and following a conversation with a persuasive David Mann. My experience of being a trustee was as a fantastic way for someone not called to be physically serving as an overseas missionary, to tangibly support and facilitate such work. It is an entirely voluntary role taking extracurricular time and effort. Although not to be taken lightly, one should also not feel intimidated by embracing this kind of role.
Whenever asked to explain what Friends of Mandritsara Trust (FoMT) is, I find the use of a diagram (below) helpful. FoMT is a registered UK charity and subject to the corresponding legal and governance requirements. It has a partnership agreement with the Bible Baptist Association of Madagascar who own and oversee the Good News Project and its various ministries. FoMT has a local branch, Amis de Mandritsara (AMFM) who are registered with the government of Madagascar as an NGO allowing overseas missionaries to register to live and work in Madagascar. FoMT have relationships and agreements with sending churches and organisations both in the UK and throughout the world. FoMT seeks to make the Good News of Jesus known in Mandritsara through the following key activities: 1) Pray – encouraging prayer through publicity and prayer meetings, 2) Give – raising, receiving and channelling funds to support the project and helping to purchase some hospital supplies, 3) Go – seeking volunteers and missionaries to serve in Madagascar with the Good News Project.
Schematic representation of the relationship between Friends of Mandritsara Trust and its key partners in making the Good News of Jesus known in Mandritsara.
As trustees we have met monthly along with the AMFM leadership to fulfil the role of FoMT. We regularly meet key Malagasy leaders, prospective longer-term volunteers, plan prayer meetings and fund-raising efforts, as well as address current issues in the life of a project and consider broader current and future risks the trust and project might face. Risk management in a Christian charity involves some tension. On the one hand we have the reminder from Proverbs 3:5 to; “…trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Whilst also taking seriously responsibilities to assess and manage potential risks, to follow best practice and comply with all legal requirements. As 2 Corinthians 8 reminds us to: “take pains to do what is right not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of man”. Some of the risks we viewed as important to consider include the potential for dilution of gospel focus, optimal financial oversight, compliance with data protection and safeguarding.
After approaching 8 years as a trustee including 6½ as chair, and moving overseas with my young family to Canada for a one year surgical fellowship, the time was right to hand on these responsibilities to the next guardian. Doug Robertson has taken over as chair, with a faithful and committed group of trustees including David Mann, Tamsin Booth, Richard Bulmer, Vic Parsonson, Cath Grierson, Alison Brownell and Nathan Lawrence.
Please pray that the current trustees and all those in key leadership positions within the project would have the grace, wisdom and resources they need to serve the Good News Project and the people of Mandritsara.
Pray that whilst there are frequently challenging and emergent situations requiring actions, thought and prayer, that those in leadership throughout the Good News Project would be able to keep sight of the big and broad picture and issues for prayer and action. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16v33
Pray that we (Emily, Jude, Caleb and I) would settle into life in Canada and fulfil our purpose here.
Please pray for the next generation of supporters of the Good News Project to be inspired to maintain longer term engagement, which can be so rewarding for all.