You would think that as medics we would get used to interruptions. Day and night, they are a regular part of every doctor's life (which is also true of most people). However, if you are 'work orientated' like me they can be quite irritating, even frustrating at times when you have a list of things you feel you need to get done in your carefully planned day! With so many 'things' to do, people just seem to get in the way! How often have you thought that the NHS would work much better if there were no patients or colleagues to cause you grief.

I've just finished reading an excellent book by David Stevens, the Executive Director of our American equivalent, entitled Jesus MD. He looks at medical life in the light of the way the 'Great Physician' handled things. Jesus - 'the missionary medic'. Constantly interrupted in his daily routine by people with questions and problems, Jesus saw them and their concerns as the central purpose of his life.

Interruptions may seem a pain but they can be divine appointments. We may like to set our priorities but others, God included, may have higher priorities for our day. Perhaps we need to be asking ourselves 'what would Jesus have done in this situation?' Or 'what is it that God is doing in this person's life?'

So, please forgive me if I sometimes sound harassed or distant, with my mind set on other things when you phone me. I still have my 'L' plates on but I am beginning to find the daily interruptions to the routine I have set myself both a challenge and an opportunity.

Global Medical Missions Conference, USA. - 1-2 November 2002

I was recently given the opportunity to go to this annual event in the US, organised by a mega-church in Louisville, Kentucky and was very challenged by it. It was attended by some 1200 participants, students and postgraduates both medics and other healthcare professionals. The audience wa s mainly American but several other nationalities were represented and included missionaries and other folk interested in working overseas. The main sessions were especially challenging and there were a wide variety of seminars on mission related topics. It was well worth the trip and I wo u l d recommend it to others for future years.

Medical Missions Conference - 28 June 2003

We are planning to hold a day conference on various aspects of Medical Mission in London at Partnership House next year. It will be aimed at students, trainees and established GPs and Consultants who are interested in medical mission or looking for opportunities to get involved. Details can be obtained from the Overseas Desk at the CMF Office

An impossible prayer?

I have to admit that when I first took up this post I was disappointed to find such a small percentage of our membership working abroad full time (180 out of 5,000). However, I have been increasingly delighted to meet so many of you who are going abroad for short stints, often on a regular basis, to help out in a variety of ways - teaching, training, doing locums, academic work etc.

Be warned however that it is my prayer that we increase our involvement in the resource poor world over the next 5 years to 10% of the membership being involved full time overseas and that all of our membership will be considering the possibility of offering a tithe of their working lives in overseas service. I believe that our God is a God of the impossible and that he answers prayer. Are there others who will join in me in praying that prayer?

International Medics

We are increasingly realising the need to establish a database of members who are spending some of their time working abroad on short-term trips. As a Fellowship, we need to know who's doing what where so that when we are called upon for advice or help we can point folk to some one with the local expertise to help and advise. We intend to send a questionnaire to members early in the New Year and would be very grateful if you wo u l d take the time to complete and return it to us.

Global Healthcare Forum - 27 November 2002

This was held at Partnership House under the auspices of Global Connections. The topic under review was 'The role of the Christian Hospital in the 21st Century'. Some 60+ participants took part. There were excellent presentations from a wide range of sources including the Emmanuel Hospital Association (India), UMN (Nepal) and the Nazareth Hospital (Israel). Useful discussion followed. The need for working in partnership, local ownership of the work and the envisioning and training of local personnel with leadership potential were emphasised by most of the speakers.

Refresher Course - 7-18 July 2003

Bookings are now being received. It will again be held at Oak Hill college in North London. There will be some changes in the programme with interactive seminars and workshops in Paediatrics, AIDS management and Surgery/O&G.

If you are thinking of going overseas or know others who are, please book the dates If you know of folk who will be home on leave at that time, please let them know. A Booking Brochure is available from the CMF Office

Medical Service Ministries Centenary Celebration Thanksgiving Service

This event will be held on Saturday 12 April 2003 at Westminster Chapel, Buckingham Gate, London with guest speaker Dr Marjory Foyle.This is an opportunity to hear of the financial support Medical Service Ministries provides, as a faith ministry, to Christian workers around the world for personal and community healthcare training. Hear the history of MSM, the testimonies of former graduates and the vision for the future. If you expect to attend or for further details, please contact Glennis Dowling - 01920 486039.

HealthServe Day Oak Hill College, North London - 12 July 2003

The need for committed, professional Christian healthcare in the developing world is greater than ever. AIDS, TB and malaria are becoming major, uncontrollable epidemics. The gap between rich and poor is widening all the time. War, natural disaster and political instability all add to the problem. How can we respond? What are the opportunities? What is actually happening?

HealthServe Day is a day conference to come and find the answers to some of these questions.

Top speakers, resources and exhibitions from Christian mission and aid agencies, and opportunities to meet with others working in the field, all make this an essential one day conference for anyone interested in Christian healthcare mission.

There will also be a service in the eve n i n g celebrating 125 years of MMA HealthServe who work to mobilise and support healthcare students and professionals in the developing world.

Please do join us as we remember God's work through the many medical men and women who have served in overseas mission. Registration for the day costs £5 (free to students, unwaged or overseas workers). Please contact MMA HealthServe for more details and a booking form on 020 7790 1336, or www.healthserve.org, info@healthserve.org