For the past three years I have served on the board of trustees of Lakarmissionen (LM International) which is one of Sweden’s largest Christian development and aid organizations. Each autumn all the trustees are invited from around the country to share in this day. We learn about the excellent work LM is doing around the world from staff in the field and guest speakers from the humanitarian sector, civil society and government.
LM is a member of the Core Humanitarian Standard Alliance which seeks to assess how people affected by crisis experience the work of aid and development organizations. The standard asks the basic questions-how are we listening to people, honoring their agency and dignity, and empowering them to better their future? As trustees we worked through real case studies and presented to the group how well the project aligned with the CHS standards. It was interesting to hear stories from our facilitator from Uganda about his experiences in the field and to experience how he and others are training LM leaders throughout Africa.
One of the ways I have been invited to share my gifts with LM is to offer pastoral care and spiritual direction to regional directors and staff. Being a regular presence at staff training days and gatherings has enabled me to build relationship and trust and I am grateful to support these dedicated and passionate people in their desire to love mercy and do justice.
Pray for:
-LM International staff in Chad as they are dealing with massive challenges in providing water and sanitation to refugees fleeing the war in Sudan. Pray for an end to the war in Sudan, and for the thousands of refugees who have fled, for their protection and care as they seek to rebuild their lives.
-the spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing of the staff at LM as they face demanding work loads and huge challenges in their places of service