Return to Saarland

So, this is it, the return to Saarland.

After a somewhat eventful and prolonged journey; DHL lost my train tickets; my plane was cancelled at short notice; booked online tickets with Eurostar / TGV / Deutsch Bahn whilst on my way to London; telephoned and booked a hotel room in Paris; I can greet you from Germany.  Highlight of the journey was definitely the TGV driver appologising that the train could only manage 280km/h due to the icy weather and then deciding to travel at 310km/h anyway!

I've come back to Saarland (south west Germany) for several reasons.

Firstly, I made some really great friends here back in spring 2011, when I had the opportunity to complete an exchange semester here.  This was a truelly blessed and influential time, and I am extremely grateful for it.  It's been fantastic to be able to catch up with some of these including those from church (instant warm welcome and lunch invitation - love it!), friends from work, and friends from halls ('gudd Gess' has been shared!). 

Secondly, I've had a job interview here.  The interview was for the department of Nephrology (kidney medicine), one of the departments I studied within whilst here on placement.  I sent off an application a few weeks back and they said that they were interested in hearing more - hence my determination to get here!  Thankfully, the interview went really well and I've been accepted!  The head of department was approachable and open, telling me more of what to expect and the challenges and opportunities ahead.  My previous supervisor also came and put in a good word for me (I have retrospectively rewarded him with fine scotish whisky and M+S shortbread).  So, I've got a few formalities to sort out with the administration, however once that's sorted I'll be able to receive the contract.  Unexpectedly, my second year of the UK foundation programme may also count towards my speciality training, shortening the process by a year and letting me enter at a higher pay-grade (score!).

Thirdly, I needed to figure out the German equivalent of the General Medical Council.  This has proven to be the challenge of the trip so far...  They required 13 legal documents, after a lengthy discussion I managed to persuade the administration to accept 2 of the documents I had brought with me.  Turns out I need to become good friends with a notarist in order to legally recognise and translate my certificates, scripts and legal forms into a legislatively acceptable format.  I think there may also have been further miscommuncation during the meeting, as I had to spend several minutes persuading them that I was infact a real practicing doctor inspite of not having an MD.  Definite character building experience!!!  (although nothing that a combination of pray with coffee + german cake can't fix).  I have admin lady's email address and will be in further contact.  I seems possible to get everything together, it'll just involve quite a bit of hassle, time and expense.

So, it's great to be back in Germany.  Job is set and the language skills are coming back.  Sadly, lots of the students are away or in exams at the moment.  Encouragingly my church pastor tells me that quite a few new christian medics have started this year.  A christian medical group has also recently been founded.  Also, incredibly excitingly, I have discovered that a russian speaking congregation have started to meet in the town - Mega Awesomah!!!  Looks like there will be plenty of opportunies for Christian medical fellowship and improving my russian language skills!

In summary - I'm seeing many opportunities as to how I can serve here in Germany.  There will be many opportunities to learn more about people, my strengths and waekness, langauge(s) and cultures.  The present frustrations are useful to me as they will prepare me for what is to come.  It's also a great humbling experience and will allow me to serve others much better and to learn to rely on and work hard to honour God.  Just need to remember this when they say in the administration tells me in their direct manner - Nein, das ist unmoeglich!

Looking backwards, looking forwards, looking east!

The year that was 2012 is slowly drawing to a close.  It's been a busy one.  I've been blessed with many opportunities to head east, visiting quite a few countries for the first time.  This has included: a parisian New Years celebration with old friends (plus oysters & cigars); navigating a crazy interrail route around Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, Austria and Germany (with a tour of Chernobyl powerplant enroute); enlightening medical teaching trips to Ukraine (twice); summer camps with teaching opportunities in Lithuania and Belarus; short stays in Latvia and Estonia; backpacking around Russia having chance to see St Petersburg, Moscow and Kursk (with fantastic guided tour); and giving a week long series of lectures as part of PRIME on 'Whole Person Medicine', 'Stigma in healthcare' and medical communication skills to medical students at the University of Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania (Romania).  I've been made incredibly welcome by those I've met and have some great new friends.  I'm always amazed at how despite different cultures, the gospel (aka good news and promises of Jesus) unites people all around the world.  I have been shown such love, kindness and patience by those I've met and often stayed with over the past year - I cannot be thankful enough!  It's also been the year where I've gone from medical newby panicking about taking bloods to scary SHO on-call, being given even scarier responsibilities.  I've had some really great wards, inspiring supervisors and a fantastically supportive and caring church family, who've helped me keep my perspectives in check.  Furthermore, by grace, Preston now has a Christian Medical Fellowship group.

2013 also looks to be another year of challenge and adventure, with potential trips to Czech rep, Austria, Ukraine and Romania on the horizon.  Latvia is another contender.  God willing, I'm hoping there may also be a trip/holiday to Russia in the pipeline (buh-dum-cha!).  This may even be the long awaited year when I embark on the Trans-Siberian railroad and finally reach Vladivostok, the 'Ruler of the East'.  If the pace of work continues, 2013 should additionally herald the completion of year one of the Global Health masters (PG cert - woop!) and also potentially the dreaded MRCP part 1 (medical speciality exam). Mega Слава Богу if I manage that one!

Most excitingly however... there is a likely change of scenery ahoy.  Whilst adminsitrative formalities are ongoing, I've accepted a clinical position in south-west Germany to start in September 2013 (black dot on map beneath).  I can envisage many opportunities and beneficial challenges in working there; I greatly look forward to embracing these!   

So, what have I learnt in 2012?

1. Trust in God; work hard; things happen.
2. Travel is easy, the mind provides barriers, flexible is key. (Haiku!)
3. Effective time management is never to be underestimated.
4. Necessity is the mother of invention.
5. I have the ability to teach.
6. Stereotypes are limitted in truth, isolation helps reenforce them.
7. Aspirations are not limitted to a particular culture.  Neither is self-interest.
8. The Russian language is an enigma slow to unravel.  The reward of doing so however is bountiful.
9. God is faithful, even when I am not.  Praise be purely to him.

Key
-  Yellow : Countries visited previously
- Orange: Countries visited this year
- . Red  .: Countries on the hit list for 2013
-  Green : Germany, planned new home
-  Black  : Location from Sept 2013

From Russia with love...

So after flitting my way around Eastern Europe for several years, I've finally made it to Russia.  The process has been epic and not something I thought I'd be able to arrange myself.  However, by grace it has been achieved and by grace I managed to see some great sights, meet with some great people and learn a huge amount about the fascinating and awe inspiring nation - it makes up a ninth of the world's landmass!  Unsurprisingly, I still feel like I've only just scratched the surface.

So, here are my initial thoughts and perceptions from my trip - things I hope to build on with time!

1. Russia is huge and is to some extent its own world

2. No smile does not mean no like

3. Russian history is a very complex beast

4. People have the same fundamental yearnings and desires regardless of nationality

5. The concept of an 'ideal' government is not objective

6. Our view of the world is shaped through the lens of the media

7. Night trains are a fun, convenient and comfortable way to travel long distances and meet new people

8. The concept of milk with tea is a non-starter. Mixing Smetana with tea causes mass dismay.

9. The dress code for Moscow is black.  For St Petersburg it's a flat cap.

10. Due to depth, the escalator for the Metro can take several minutes.  If suspecting imminent nuclear war, head to the metro.

11. Always complement the Russians on their fountains

12. Saturday is wedding day.  Arrive at tourist sites early to avoid the wedding crowds.

13. Russians are very very good hosts!!!

Большое спасибо мый русский друзьями, россия очень красивый стран. мне нравится это очень. Слава богу!

Busy times...

Another busy week at work has sadly put the active study of Russian back a little.  Shopping at the Polish supermarket is however widening my culinary knowledge.  Plans to attend and potentially teach at Christian ventures for medical students in Lithuania and Belarus are also making encouraging steps forward!  Watch this space for further updates...

In other news, travel to and fro has however given me the chance for more Russian radio!  Here is a very gifted Belarussian musician - Sergey Briksa singing Иисуса Эхо (Echoes of Jesus).

Russian Testimony

So, here it is!  I set myself the challenge of writing down how I became a Christian in Russian...  It took a while and is somewhat simplified, however the milestone is reached.  A friend has kindly corrected some of my endings for me - need to work on my grammar!

я стал христианином, когда мнe было пятнадцать лет. я должен был xoдить в церковь, потому что средняя школа былa христианскoй школoй. Нe многиe студенты верят в Бога. Пo вокресеньям я слушал БиблиЮ  в церкве. на христианскиx молодежныx группax я видел настоящиx христиан, кoтopыe верят в Бога. они знали Иисусa. я не знал Иисусa. они говорили о грехе. я yвидeл, что это правда. я Зaхотел yзнaтЬ Иисусa, однако я не верил в Бога и я не понимал многих вещeй. я молиллcя Богy, что если ты правда, пожалуста yдaли мое невериe. я не знаю как, однако oн сделал это. я не понимал многих ответов, однако я знал Oн иcтинa. с тех пор, он научил меня многих вещeй!

I recommend copying and pasting to Google translate for a rough idea of the English.

Sounds familiar...

I was listening to a Russian Christian radio station (новая жизнь - new life) this evening when a familiar tune started - words were however in Russian.  Looks like Delirious, or at least their songs, have made it to Russia!

John Piper in Russia

An interesting and wise insight into the challenges facing the church in contemporary Russia and the USA, given by John Piper (translation in Russian).  The personal and pastoral advice are immensely valuable.

From Britain, contemplating east

I am British, I live in Britain, I am surrounded by a British worldview.

There are however many other countries and languages in the world.  Strange as it may seem, the members of these nations don't always share conclusions with my countrymen.  Their worldview is different, shaped by differing external influences, challenges and resources.

There is immense richness and value in metaphorically stepping into a pair of foreign shoes.  Doing so you opens the door to a whole new perspective, not necessarily the right or wrong one, however doubtlessly different.  This has huge currency when considering what's important in life.  Seeing how another language and culture perceives the gospel - the core of Christian faith - shows me ever greater the immeasurable riches that are found in being part of God's family.

The opportunities I have had (and hope to have in the future) of visiting central and eastern Europe have been incredibly valuable to me in enhancing my outlook, service, knowledge of and for Jesus.  The aim of this blog is to be a reflection on these and my contemplations east, as I continue to gain and learn from the world outside of the shores of "jolly ol' Blighty"!


So, to quote scripture:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God - Colossians 1:9-10  

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Colossians 2:1-3