Greetings
all
With 2013
already approaching February, I Trust that all is well and that you have had a
restful festive season. There are some
exciting opportunities that lie ahead for Sinekamva Chaplaincy and Counseling
ministry. One such opportunity is my
involvement with the CPE program at Groote Schuur Hospital.
This
journey began in the middle of last year, while I was doing PhD research that I
came across an advert in a pastoral care journal advertising CPE (clinical
pastoral education) in Cape Town. After emailing them, explaining who I am and
my experience in CPE (Houston, TX), I did not have much expectation that I
would get a reply since the advert was dated in the 80’s. After a few days had passed I received a
reply from a lady (Jacinta) in Strand stating that the program still existed
and wants to know what my interest in emailing her was about. In reply I said I was curious as I had done a
year’s CPE program in the US. Her
response was for us to meet. I had no
agenda for that meeting as I wanted to find out if a relationship between my
ministry and CPE Groote Schuur could be established. Near the end of the meeting Jacinta said that
their agenda was “me”. It was in that
week that she and her colleague decided to step down from leading the CPE
program (as they have been running the program for 15 years ) and felt it was
time for them to step down and find someone with fresh and new ideas. It appeared that in all likelihood the
program was going to close all together, although their prayer was for the
program to continue, they had no one to carry on running the program. Throughout that week they had been praying
for someone to take over the program and out of them to blue they received my
email. The end result was an open
invitation for me to prayerfully consider taking over the CPE program at Groote
Schuur Hospital as I had a good understanding of what such a program
entails. As part of my introduction to
this I will be attending their 2013 program (11 weeks) beginning February. Not only is this exciting to be part of such
a program, but this journey would also bring the beginnings of qualification to
awards a certified CPE supervisor (the program is governed by ACPESA).
I look to
this not as coincidence but a God given opportunity, as the timing of my email
could not have been more perfect. It has
always been a goal to establish such a program here in Cape Town, as
CPE is an incredible learning experience for anyone involved in pastoral
care. Groote Schuur Hospital offers a
wonderful learning experience as it is a world renowned for their innovative
and historical care. All staff at Groote
Schuur has a wonderful working relationship with all CPE students and
supervises. I will keep you all updated as to the progress of CPE in the next
few newsletters. Please be in prayer with me as I make a final decision about CPE in the next few months!
My PhD continues to move forward as I’m currently at the stage of
writing my first three chapters (introduction, literature review and methodology). I thank the Lord for such an opportunity and
continue to remain aware that this is an incredible journey that I and my
family are on. This is only possible
through the gracious support both financially and emotionally from all those
who support me in my ministry. If you would like to contribute towards
Sinekamva ministry or my PhD fees (Please reference “PhD”) the bank details are
as follows:
Sinekamva (Saving Account)
Bank: Nedbank (Somerset West)
Branch code: 106012
Account: 2060 1742 44
Thank you for your support
and God Bless!
