By Douglas Robertson
(FoMT Volunteer Liaison)
“Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two ….” Mark 6v7
The disciples had only been in the company of Jesus for a relatively short time when he sent them out to preach and to heal. As then so now, we as Trustees of the Friends of Mandritsara Trust believe that every volunteer who gives their time, energy and skills to the Mandritsara Project is responding to the Lord’s prompting in their heart. We are grateful to the Lord for these men and women who share their skills and experience of God’s grace with the people of northern Madagascar through the Good News Hospital and the School, L’Ecole Bonne Nouvelle.
Volunteering to work in the Good News Hospital can be challenging for young western- trained clinicians, both doctors and nurses. The volunteer is often exposed to life events for which we have excellent protocols in the western world. In a country of limited resources facing such life-threatening events can be very distressing. We are fortunate that for some time now the long-term overseas mission team has been stable and has proven to be very supportive of our young, less experienced colleagues. Of course, long exposure to sad events may not reduce the impact of such events but with time we learn to adapt and how to deal with such situations.
While most of our volunteers are medically-trained we do have some whose remit involves Child Education, Bible Teaching and Church Leadership Training. We are also blessed with a Dentist.
As a Trust we are keen to ensure that every volunteer has the support of their local church. If the person hopes to come for more than six months, we encourage them to join a sending mission such as AIM or SIM. These Sending Missions are larger than FoMT and can provide more personal and ongoing pastoral support. Most Sending Missions also try to visit their missionaries from time to time while they are abroad.
While many young doctors have had overseas experience through Student Electives taken abroad, we are approached on occasion by some people who have never worked abroad. We are always keen to confirm each person’s sense of the Lord’s call on them. We are grateful to God for every willing volunteer whom the Lord Jesus has sent.
The past year has been busy. In addition to the 13 long-term missionaries, we have welcomed 22 short-term volunteers, plus the LIFT Team (electrical/building team from Northern Ireland), and many family and mission friends and supporters.
From an administrative point of view, as the FoMT Volunteer Liaison, I have responsibility to ensure that all our volunteers have a clear and lively faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I also confirm that each professional volunteer is in fact employed in the area that they hope to work in… surgeons, physicians, nurses, teachers, etc. Our friend Ian Little, who manages the LIFT Team, knows everyone that he brings each year…their background and skill-set as electricians, joiners, plasterers, painters and decorators, etc. He has also been known to bring the occasional cook!
The long-term missionaries have no need of my services once they arrive in Mandritsara. Their Sending Missions assume most of their pastoral care which we as a Trust cannot provide. They do however have responsibility to comply with any local visa or work permit requirements. Miora, the AMFM secretary, acts on their behalf with such administrative demands. (AMFM is the Madagascar branch of FoMT).
Ted Watts introduced a new “Volunteer Interview Assessment” protocol about a year ago. This interview is used to determine the suitability of any applicant before he refers them to me for their background checks. This initial assessment of suitability has smoothed the volunteer pathway for our enquirers. The role of the trustees in interviewing prospective volunteers has lessened greatly. We do however still like to meet anyone who plans to visit and work for more than three months. This often takes place by Zoom.
While the volunteer liaison work is demanding at times, it is also very enjoyable and I consider it to be a privilege. Each volunteer shares his or her personal life with the trustees. In particular, they describe in some detail their personal path of faith in the Lord Jesus. They are also asked to describe the steps that has brought them to this position of applying to volunteer for the Lord’s work. It is a privilege to read these life stories. I am constantly reminded that while I may not see such activity of the Holy Spirit in Glasgow at present, the Lord is at work all over the world in the lives of men and women from many different backgrounds.
In the past year we have had twenty-two volunteers from countries including Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. A number of professional visitors have included electricians from New Zealand and Belgium, and a variety of technical experts from Northern Ireland as part of the LIFT Team. We look forward in the next few months to welcoming friends from the USA. Several FoMT trustees were able to visit in 2024 and greatly enjoyed their time on the Project.
Besides the volunteers who have been working in the Mandritsara Project we have welcomed many friends and family members. They were usually visiting children and grandchildren of brothers and sisters. We never really understand how Claudia (Guest House) and Nadine (flights) cope with the constant coming and going of so many people. We are however very grateful for the good-will and welcome that each visitor and volunteer receives on their arrival.
We have also been greatly encouraged by the increasing number of volunteers who subsequently return to Mandritsara. Some of our friends have been visiting the Project annually for several years now. These folks simply slip into place after their break back home.
Please remember the Mission Team who form the backbone of the Missionary support fellowship. They too are engaged in the welcome and orientation of each new volunteer and are often also involved with some of the development programmes. Ted Watts, as AMFM Team Leader, in particular carries a heavy burden in these areas.
Rindra and part of the management committee
We are grateful for your prayers that God would help us in all these things, for His glory and the spreading of His Kingdom.