PEOPLE CARE

CARE AND SUPPORT IN CHANGING TIMES

BY MARK CONARD, SIM CHAPLAIN LEAD, EMMAUS TEAM

These days remind me of the Bob Dylan song, ‘The times they are a changing.’

The message is heard every day in conversations around the world. It seems like we have slogged through the last two years just trying to make it from one day to the next.

Whatever culture you are from, or whatever your age, everyone has been impacted by the storms that have hit us these last two years - pandemic, wars, depression, hopelessness, and death have been a part of all our lives.

What has resulted from these cataclysmic events? The World Health Organization reports that Covid-19 has triggered a 25 per cent increase in anxiety and depression.

As SIM people, how do we help ourselves and others face the challenges that have been forced upon us by these world events? Allow me to give some suggestions.

1. Self-care - Remember you are no good to anybody else if you don’t make sure you are taking care of yourself. Notice I said ‘taking care’ as an intentional, ongoing, lifestyle practice. Don’t allow yourself to be defi ned by the work and how much you accomplish. Spend time with God and take a sabbath day every week. Do things that help you to relax. Turn off the TV and cell phone and take a digital break. You will be amazed at the results.

2. Be present - A friend of mine said some wise words recently, “Proximity changes perspective.” When my wife, Stacey, and I were going through some difficult times people seemed to be full of advice that didn’t help us. Why? Because they were not close enough to the situation to understand. We don’t remember any of the advice these well-meaning people gave us. We do, however, remember those who listened well and helped us examine what was happening to us and journeyed with us through the pain.

3. Don’t be a hurting person’s theologian - I was talking to someone who had experienced a very traumatic event. When I tried to console them with a spiritual comment they said, “I don’t know how I feel about God at the moment.” Did I straight away try to convince them God cares for them? No. I just listened. Later they concluded that God loved them, and they were able to see how God was navigating them through their pain.

I have met several SIM people whose children are not walking with the Lord. It is painful but many have decided “to maintain a relationship with my child, I can’t be their theologian. They know what I believe. I must let God work out his plan and constantly remind myself he is not finished writing my child’s story.” 4. Reach out - Hopefully, you have a people or member care team at your sending office and/or where you serve. Be intentional about reaching out to see what is available. If you don’t have access to such people, reach out to someone on the SIM International Emmaus chaplain team, or the pastoral care alliance – we are here for you and your team.

If you reach out to us, do ask us some key questions:

• How is your care confidential?

• What services do you offer? • Do you have a list of care-givers I can reach out to?

• If I need extra counselling or professional help, could I get financial support?

Our goal on the Emmaus Team and the Pastoral Care Alliance is to ensure every SIM person who needs support has access to it.

If you have any questions, email international.Emmaus@sim.org.