Because 2020 wasn't crazy enough...

Hello from Dublin! Global pandemic, economic recession, social justice protests, hurricanes and fires, massive explosion in Beirut, cantankerous election in my home country… No, evidently that was not enough to make 2020 memorable. So I broke my ankle. Dang.

I don’t even have a dramatic story to tell about the accident, just lost my footing on some damp outdoor stairs coming down from the metro station and landed square on my foot. OK, three police cars and one paramedic on motorbike responding was a bit dramatic. Apparently there was nothing else happening that morning in posh Shankill village. (Fun fact: it’s where Bono lives.) Ambulance ride to the emergency room, surgery to put in metal bits, and a couple of nights in the hospital. It’s my first experience in the Irish public health system. Due to Covid-19 I couldn’t have a friend with me or any visitors, but the cheerful chatty skillful Irish medical staff took great care of me.

Now I’m home and coming to terms with an enforced slowdown. I’m in a non-weight bearing cast until at least Sept 9, then hopefully graduate to a walking boot. Ironically I moved from my one-floor apartment to a two-story cottage on the church grounds on Monday 20 July and then broke my ankle on that Thursday! Makes things a little more complicated... Fortunately I'm getting lots of good help and cheer from the Serge team here, from Irish friends in my Meetup groups, and from my pastor's family in the manse next door. Not how I'd hoped to spend August – I had to cancel the sailing lessons among other things – but not as bad as it could be.

Here's my list why if you MUST break your ankle a good time to do it is during a pandemic shutdown:

• All my international ministry travel for the rest of the year was already cancelled
• I can’t go visit my grandchildren anyway (*sigh*)
• No FOMO because no one else is doing anything interesting either
• Since everyone has time on their hands they’re happy to pop by and visit me
• All the restaurants are delivering

On a more serious note, I’m certainly seeing God’s goodness in the midst of this. He’s giving me just what I need to get through each day, ‘daily bread’ in terms of practical help, people dropping by or messaging, and rest and prayer. I’m getting to know my local Irish friends much better as they come into my home and generously take care of me. So grateful for these deepening relationships. And I'd actually already planned to take a sort of sabbatical for the month of August to rest up after a challenging year. I think the Lord may be using this to make sure I actually stay put!

Please do pray for good healing, for me to find ways to do life patiently and well in these circumstances, and for the Father to keep my heart firmly fixed on him. Thank you! Now I think it’s time for the next dose of paracetamol and another nap…