This year’s Refresher Course was something different. Numbers varied during the fortnight with a core group of 32 present throughout. At one point there were 45 participants from 11 nations working in 17 different countries. It was a mixed group of doctors and nurses, old hands and new, together with some who were thinking of going overseas for the first time. For one participant it was her 3rd attendance in over 25 years of overseas service. For one nominally Christian worker, it was a time of rebirth as she committed her life to the Lord. It was a privilege to be there.

CMF and MMA HealthServe had responded to a request from CMF Kenya to join them in subsidizing the costs of 5 Kenyan Doctors thereby enabling them to attend the course and hopefully encouraging them to continue working in Christian hospitals within their country. It was great to enjoy their lively input and to share their insights, as nationals, on the need and roles of expatriate missionary’ workers in their country.

In addition to the usual interactive lecture format, four afternoons were given over to workshops on HIV/AIDS, Paediatrics, Surgery and Obstetrics and one day to member care topics. These were well received and may well be expanded in next years course.

Morning prayers and studies on the Fruit of the Spirit in the evenings, led by participants and lecturers, provided spiritual refreshment and encouragement. Time was also given each evening to allow individuals to share about their work which was both informative and challenging ‘It was good to realise that I’m not alone in the difficulties I face and to be encouraged by others’, said one.

Participants were generally enthusiastic in their thanks and praise for all who contributed to the course as a whole. ‘The best course I have ever been to’ said one. ‘The course was of great value to me professionally and spiritually encouraging’, said another and even the 3rd time participant found it ‘as helpful as ever’.

Thanks are indeed due to all those CMF member and others who so freely and willingly give of their time and effort to make this course a success. Thanks in particular to Peter and Hilary Bewes who unstintingly throw themselves into hosting the occasion each year, and to all those at Oak Hill who always make us so welcome.

Advance details of the 2004 course can be found at http://www.healthserve.org/resref.htm.