MMN Dec 25 Mag - Online - Flipbook - Page 3
A Great Encouragement
Contributed by Ray Allen (MMN Trustee)
F
or sure, a visit from an old
friend, especially a昀琀er a
prolonged absence, is a
pleasure, and even more
so if complemented with
a cup of co昀昀ee (or two), a few
s琀椀cky buns and lots of congenial
reminiscing. Such visits, however,
can be totally underes琀椀mated and
undervalued, something that was
brought home to me (and a couple of travelling companions) a昀琀er
a recent memorable and eventful visit to Zambia, where we had
the privilege of visi琀椀ng numerous
mission workers, mission projects,
places and ins琀椀tu琀椀ons. A pleasure
and educa琀椀on indeed to call in
on friends working in such loca琀椀ons as mission hospitals, schools,
orphanages, Bible centres and voca琀椀onal training centres. It was
great to catch up with so many,
sharing news and views, listening
to updates and plans and enjoying
general chit-chat. As they would
say in Ulster, ‘the craic was mighty’.
We were also pleased we could
carry out and leave behind lots of
useful equipment (mainly medical
items), taking full advantage of our
extra airline baggage allowance.
All were much appreciated at the
medical centres.
How true the sen琀椀ment expressed
in Proverbs 25:25: ‘As cold waters
to a thirsty soul, so is good news
from home’.
As our journey progressed over
the next few weeks, however, it
became obvious our visits were
more than just a casual ‘drop-in’.
They were seen as much more
meaningful than that. Time a昀琀er
琀椀me as we said farewell to our
