The Thistle Epistle - August 2013
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in
all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every
good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV
In Stratford, Ontario, Canada: James, Paul, Alexander, and
Pedrinah
Dear Friends,
Hello from Toronto en route to Zimbabwe. We are writing you
with the latest updates on our family and our mission – and an important
fundraising request.
The Thistles are not surprised about how fast their trip to Canada
has passed by. Summer vacations usually go so quickly. The grey skies and wet
weather did not dampen our spirits and occasion to travel about Ontario from
Ottawa to Stratford to Niagara Falls, then to Chicago and Moncton, then back to
Toronto this week in preparation for our return to Zim. In between
expeditions, Paul has been working part time doing obstetrics on call, and
general practice. The boys have had a field day of soccer, football,
cricket, and baseball re-invented (Czar Alexander’s rules). Pedrinah has had
some quiet time, as she prepares for the next year of study towards her Masters
in Public Health. We have been privileged to share our experience at
Rotary clubs, in small group gatherings, at dinner parties with friends and family,
and recently, at our brother’s church at Lutes Mountain, New Brunswick.
We welcomed the rest and recreation that our Canadian
excursion encompasses. A change can be as good as a rest. We are ever
grateful for the hospitality of our family and friends, especially our parents
who allow us to use their home in Toronto as our base. We are blessed. An
integral part of our trip this summer has been our formal connection and
commissioning with TEAM (The Evangelical Missionary Alliance) which is
affiliated with Karanda Hospital. TEAM is a 122 year-old organization which
supports more than 550 missionaries and staff in over 35 countries; now, we
count ourselves among them as we continue our work.
We return to Zimbabwe next week for another round in the
ring. As we plunge into the work, there’ll be no time for a ‘rope-a-dope’
– just ‘dope’ (in the pharmacy). After the turmoil of 2012, we have mixed
emotions but firm convictions. The country had a general election on July 31st,
and there are feelings of anticipation and anxiety as we await the results.
A lot of what we do in medical missions, in public health care, is
tethered to the state and stability of the economy. We live and work in a
world of paradox where extreme wealth coexists with extreme poverty, and though
peace is sought many people, poor and disempowered, are often compelled to
violence in their search for justice. Within this mission field of thickets,
the Thistles have set our hands to the plough. To paraphrase Rabbi Tarfon, ”we
are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are we free to abandon it.“
Karanda is known as the place to go for quality health care
– especially surgery. This often overwhelms us with long queues of patients who
have experienced delays and neglect at home or at their referring hospital.
People often cannot afford the bus fare to hospital let alone the user fees.
Furthermore, there is no ambulance service. You cannot dial 911. There
are no Meals on Wheels. There are no wheels. After the poor harvest of
early 2013, there are no meals either. Sick people in need of specialist
services cannot afford the cost of transfer to - and treatment in - central
hospitals in Harare, where a minor operation can cost three months’ salary … if
you manage to have a paying job; 80 percent of Zimbabweans are unemployed.
The provision of affordable, accessible health care to Zimbabweans is
called unrealistic, unsustainable, and impossible by armchair critics. We
disagree, but have preferred to voice our dissent with actions, rather than
words. The naysayers discourage but do not defeat us.
We were excited to hear good news from Karanda while in
Canada. The hospital hosted an ‘Eyes for Zimbabwe’ cataract camp in early July.
182 patients received sight. This sets a record (in the Thistles’ memory,
if not for Guinness’) for the largest number of eye patients operated on in one
week. We’re delighted that we were able to facilitate this venture, and look
forward to a full report upon our return.
We have often been asked on furlough for an update on the
situation at Howard Hospital. In response we have had little news to
report. Unfortunately, the first-hand reports from the hospital staff, family
members, and Chiweshe patients who are seeking medical care at Karanda continue
to contrast sharply with the official Salvation Army communications.
We request your prayers for:
- Peace in Zimbabwe after the elections.
- The people of Chiweshe. For reconciliation at Howard.
- Nurse Milton Zindoga who is out on bail over the Howard Hospital protest. His High Court appeal starts next week.
- Accessible and affordable health care for the people of Zimbabwe. Karanda has a vital role to play here.
- Education assistance for our orphans and vulnerable children in Chiweshe and Mount Darwin.
- The Thistle family. For our health, and our safety on the roads as the boys go back and forth to school. James (Grade 7) and Alexander (Grade 3) will be starting their new year of school in August.
Paul and Pedrinah would be pleased to be in touch at a
personal level should you have questions or require more information. Don't
hesitate to email us at drpthistle@gmail.com. If a printable handout for
donations would be useful to you for to give to your organization, one can be
found here.
Thank you for your ongoing care and concern for our work in
Zimbabwe. Chara chimwe hachitswanyi inda: One thumbnail cannot crush a
louse.
Yours faithfully,
Paul and Pedrinah James and ("You can even call
me Al") Alexander
Karanda Mission Hospital
Mt Darwin
PO Box MR92
Marlborough, Harare
Email: drpthistle@gmail.com
Phone: 263 (0)772 464 973
"I have decided to stick with love ... Hate is too
great a burden to bear.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
68 comments:
We have trusted our leaders - deemed them to be highly spiritual people who have the interests of the Kingdom at heart. But this tragic episode has shown us a darker side, which, speaking personally, has destroyed my trust in them.
Whatever the political sensitivities, I cannot condone the sudden dismissal of Dr Thistle in such a way. To me it was inhumane and uncaring, and yes, selfish, for not considering the detrimental effects it would have on people who regarded the hospital as a lifeline. UK
There is a website that you can convey your concerns to the General. There are presently 2 messages of concern over Chiweshe and Howard hospital on it. Please add yours - the more we can get on an Army site the better. it's on the following link, which will get you directly to the required page.
No need for names - just use a pen name if you are uncomfortable with revealing your identity.
http://news.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvation-army-united-kingdom-welcomes-general-andr%25C3%25A9-cox-new-international-leader
As a former international leader I cannot, in present circumstances, forget that during the period I held significant responsibilities in my home territory, in which I was not only able to see some of the injustice meted out by unwise IHQ decisions and spoke up in protest about them, I was eventually seen by my TC who, doubtless with my best interests at heart, and told 'I advise you to remain silent for a year - it will be better for your future'. I( responded that I would leave my future in God's hands, as I was not prepared to remain silent when it was necessary to speak up. Later, he told me he was having difficulty in arranging an overseas appointment for me, as 'You are not an IHQ man'. Despite all, the Lord did open wonderful opportunities for service, for which I am grateful. Now, after years of retirement, I can rejoice in that I always tried to be 'true to myself and to the Lord'. Sadly I have seen other very fine officers penalised and at times virtually forced into resignation when they failed to conform with the fixed ideas of some of their leaders, and later, having achieved highly successful ministries outside of the SA, are welcomed back as guests speakers in some of our major events! How much the SA has lost! Sadly, the 'silence' to which I was 'called' by my leaders years ago seems to be still symptomatic of policy at high levers, and I regret that I have now met numerous people who have written to IHQ about the Howard situation, and who do not even receive a courteous acknowledgement. Whatever is happening? Should the SA not show better 'customer relations' than then the commercial world? I am distressed beyond measure by what is happening.
Former International Leader - how heartening to hear your comment. Yes, God is no man's debtor, and what we lose by following Him and not 'man's' way is often the start of a life full of blessings we wouldn't otherwise have experienced.
I have been a 'whistleblower' in my secular work, and was penalised in what I saw was unfair in the extreme, but, having been true to my conscience, the Lord has blessed me beyond my imaginings.
One of my friends also came into conflict with her employer and resigned on a matter of principle - at a time when her husband had no job and they had a family to consider. But God richly blessed her, and she secured employment that was much better than that which she had given up.
And having read 'the Thistle epistle', it seems that God has blessed the good doctor and his family as well, despite the spitefulness and inconsideration of TSA. I'm sure that he will now be able to carry out his skills of healing without the shackles of the Army's narrow-mindedness. The organisation has lost much more than a doctor, methinks.
Unfortunately, material security has become a god that even Christians serve today, and conscience is often quashed because of the uncertainties it brings, so that matters of faith are not tested.
Oh that there were others like you at IHQ today. The Salvation Army is not a compassionate organisation, and I'm afraid the godlike reverence in which it is held by people at the top is a precursor for spiritual disaster. You can't preach to people the core values of Christianity, create in them a Christian conscience and then to expect them to follow blindly when they see injustice and hypocrisy in the actions of their 'teachers'.
It is bad enough learning about TSA's decision regarding Paul Thistle and the Howard hospital, but to witness its obduracy in doing nothing about the chaos, misery and death that it has caused is, frankly, inexcusable, and the longer it goes on, the worse its moral position will be.
Just noticed an anonymous survey on the right of the screen - neat.
Sven and the FSAOF, you have been patient far too long! You've exhibited incredible grace in not taking the HH tragedy to the media. Your very special and essential bond with SA missions is evidenced by the several SA medical and health services you support through direct financial and equipment donations, gifts in kind and personal visits, all funded by former officers.
There have been hundreds of comments from blog visitors in support of your position; asking leadership for a response. Give it a few more days and if no response is forthcoming, let the media begin a search for truth and transparency.
SA leader
SA leader, don't leave it up to others,be a true leader by example by contacting the wider media wherever you are?
Former international leader, you said then; "I was not prepared to remain silent when it was necessary to speak up." And now?
Why not write a letter of protest, share it with the FSAOF, and once we have 100 signatures we'll send it by FedEX to General Cox. And we'll repeat that act monthly with additional signatures.
FSAOF Board of Directors member
(name on file)
I write as a UK soldier.
This tragedy is dreadful, fuelled by the fact that it originated because of the sinful actions of 'Christian' leaders and affected so many people detrimentally. I agree there is a case for doing something drastic to bring it out in the open, but that would be at a tremendous cost for other Salvation Army ventures, and could harm people who now benefit from them. TSA is operating a cynical ploy with this saga, in that it knows that most people of conscience do not want to place its international operations under more scrutiny, and that is why, after 'firing a volley' of what can only be described as lies concerning their actions and intentions regarding the HH and the Thistles, it has maintained a painful, defensive and arrogant silence on the issue, and is hiding in its fortified, secured 'citadel' at IHQ. This 'volley' is surely not what William Booth ever dreamed of for his Movement.
But we now have the opportunity to lobby the current General from within the ranks - at no personal cost to ourselves.
The link is:
http://news.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvation-army-united-kingdom-welcomes-general-andr%25C3%25A9-cox-new-international-leader
It works - I have posted my views on it. If enough people do this, TSA will have to do or say something.
At least this is a breakthrough, albeit a small one - people have previously reported that they have written and have had no response.
Well, this is no longer the case. Just do it. If you look at Armybarmy blog, you'll see Stephen Court waxing lyrical about evangelising aggressively all the time.
We can be evangelistic about our concerns for things other than salvation - this is a case in point – standing up for the marginalised people that TSA has abandoned.
This means of protest is but a small step to achieving justice for a disadvantaged community. It's the least we can do, and it costs us nothing. If you really feel as strongly about the misdeeds of the leaders as you state, then please - express your concern in this way. By not doing so we are no better than the leaders.
What happened to the blog poster who said matters had been reported to the police; charity regulstor and media?
The prayerful sctilns of the few js exemplary. Yo go to thr media would effect a huge and costly mess for TSA however what is the lesser of two evils: remain silent thus endorsing the status quo or reporting to the wider churches and media causing huge fallout. This is a conundrum for all honest people herein.
Good idea! You can add my name to the letter.
To the poster who started 'what happened to the blog poster......' - he/she was obviously bluffing.
I agree with your statement regarding the dilemma we are in. Having said that, TSA is a huge organisation which must realise the risks it is taking by maintaining its preferred silence on this issue.
To rely on its members' dutiful silence is optimistic in the extreme - it only takes one person to break ranks and the situation will be irredeemable. The fact that this subject has been a continual inclusion on this website shows the interest in it is not waning.
Members want justice for the people who have been affected, and can't understand why the compassionate side of TSA is strangely inactive.
The following quote is reflective of the subject:
“One of the grat tragedies of life is that men seldom bridge the gulf between practice and profession, between doing and saying. A persistent schizophrenia leaves so many of us tragically divided against ourselves. On the one hand, we proudly profess certain sublime and noble principles, but on the other hand, we sadly practise the very antithesis of these principles. How often are our lives characterised by a high blood pressure of creeds and an anaemia of deeds! We talk eloquently about our commitment to the principles of Christianity, and yet our lives are saturated with the practices of paganism. We proclaim our devotion to democracy, but we sadly practise the very opposite of the democratic creed. We talk passionately about peace, and at the same time we assiduously prepare for war. We make our fervent pleas for the high road of justice, and then we tread unflinchingly the low road of injustice. This strange dichotomy, this agonising gulf between the ought and the is, represents the tragic theme of man's earthly pilgrimage.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love
To those who posted the link
(http://news.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvation-army-united-kingdom-welcomes-general-andr%25C3%25A9-cox-new-international-leader)
If you posted any remarks about the Howard Hospital, they are now gone. I saw the remarks earlier this weekend but they have been removed by those charged with sanitizing the website to keep "unwanted" things from appearing there.
I've just checked and they have indeed been removed. one comment had been there since early August. That is shocking. To disenfranchise members like this is nothing short of totalitarianism. TSA does not deserve such loyal minions.
Hmmm..... that has made me angry - what to do now?
Seems that the Army wants to hear from you if you are between the ages of 7 and 25...
http://www.salvationarmy.org/thegeneral/tellthegeneral
Of course, there are "terms and conditions", one of which is this:
12) The views and opinions expressed by contributors may not reflect the official stance of The Salvation Army. We reserve the right to remove links to videos or other content.
So, tell us what we want to hear and don't rock the boat.
So how can a 'disenfranchised' membership challenge anything?
So, I am taking to twitter...
J Cooper @auntjojocooper
Pray for the Chiweshe people who have been without adequate medical care from the Howard Hospital for over a yr @TSA_WWPM @GeneralAndreCox
Hmmm.... not on social media.
FSAOF SURVEY RESULTS
THE HOWARD HOSPITAL - DR. PAUL THISTLE ISSUES:
Have been resolved to my satisfaction 4%
Require further investigation by an outside agency
64%
Were poorly handled by the SA 84%
Were handled appropriately 12%
Demonstrated that the SA's politics trumps humanitarian needs
48%
Remain unresolved; people continue to suffer and die
80%
Require apologies by the SA 76%
THE FSAOF SURVEY= TOP RIGHT CORNER OF THIS BLOG PAGE!
PLEASE VOTE IN THE SURVEY - TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.
In Canada some Salvationists are now sending their tithe to TEAM (for Karanda Mission Hospital) and will not give anything financially to TSA until IHQ does something about this situation. We no longer respect or trust the leadership of TSA.
In Canada Salvationists and non-Salvationists have gone to the media - BUT with the crisis in Syria at the moment, it is difficult to get media to look at anything else.
TSA has been removing postings about the Howard Hospital from it's discussion forums since last August 2012. The IHQ discussion forum, moderated at IHQ by Kevin Sims, allowed last August a prayer request for the Thistle's and the Chiweshe people. Forum contributors asked why prayers were being requested but any postings attempting to explain the situation were removed almost immediately.
IHQ has censored all comment on the HH situation since comments started appearing on their forums last August 2012 and apparently their censorship is continuing. The Canadian territory did not censor comments after their press release of Aug. 23/12, in fact many of the blog comments that have appeared on this website, have been taken straight from the Canadian media website comments of a year ago. It would be interesting to see if the Canadian territory still allows comments to be posted on this topic.
I smirked to myself when I read above that someone realized TSA is acting like a totalitarian regime. "To disenfranchise members like this is nothing short of totalitarianism." TSA has always been totalitarian, autocratic, militaristic. This is absolutely nothing new.
I'm sure IHQ probably didn't agree with the Canadian territory making press releases pertaining to an issue because when has anyone seen IHQ make a press release on a hot topic? - Never - I believe it is against their policy to do so. Silence is always the name of their game and they just hope that in time people will wear out.
Again thanks to this blog site for keeping this issue alive and PLEASE VOTE - TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.
I say we have an ongoing Twitter movement also and use this hashtag #HHZIM
They may can delete tweets (seems they did with mine) but they can't kill a hashtag!
#HHZIM
Another avenue is ... the World Council of Churches or an email to the Minister for International Development in UK and similar in each country. If IHQ can and has censused postings what else is left.
Who are the 4% who have said this situation has been resolved to their satisfaction? People at IHQ? - it's a good thing you can't vote twice. Whoever they are, they should hang their heads in shame.
Another option is start a UK Government e petition. You only need 100 signatures before it is taken seriously by the relevant department of State. Surely 100 signatures is an easy option given the numbers herein. The link is here
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions
How's this for crass hypocrisy - the Salvation Army's positional statement on corruption (taken from their website)
A widely accepted definition of Corruption, which is provided by Amnesty International and recognised by the UN, reads as follows: "Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain".
Corruption also refers to the abuse of, or complicity in the abuse of, private or public power, office or resources for personal gain . This can include not only financial gain but also non-financial advantages such as the furtherance of political or professional ambitions. Corruption can take many forms that vary in degree from minor use of influence to institutionalised bribery.
Corruption takes place in the public and private sectors, as well as within civil society. It has a debilitating effect on democratic values, and impacts the socio-economic rights and dignity of all people.
Those who suffer the most because of corruption are the poor, vulnerable and marginalised. Corruption diverts resources, increases the cost of goods and services, and perpetuates the root causes of poverty.
Statement of position
The Salvation Army deplores corruption in any form. The Salvation Army realises that there is often a lack of understanding, acknowledgement and identification of corruption because it is so entrenched in society. However, corruption is not an acceptable behaviour in any culture or society. The Salvation Army seeks to uphold Biblical values such as justice, integrity, honesty, impartiality, transparency and authenticity'.
This from an organisation that denies its members the human right of free speech (an illegal contravention of the Human Rights Act).
To the contributor who wrote "This from an organisation that denies its members the human right of free speech (an illegal contravention of the Human Rights Act).
" -
They are not denying your right to free speech. They are denying your (our) use of their websites and media presences upon which to make our statements.
We are free to take to other venues, such as this website w/comments, Facebook and Twitter. We are free to comment on other blogs, websites, etc.
And you have to know the powers-that-be or those that are charged with keeping all unpleasantness away are keeping up with what we're doing here. We don't let that stop us... we just have to do more than just use this site.
Email your Army friends around the world. Tweet with the hashtag #HHZIM. Post links to this blog on Facebook, making sure that your postings are as open as you feel you can make them (open to public, or open to a controlled list of viewers).
I'm open to other suggestions about what WE can do - certainly people have sent copies of the report to news agencies, print and media. But there are things that can be done on the ground, in our neighborhoods and in our corps.
Jolinda - I think you'll find 'speech' is not definitive:
'Freedom of speech'
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
'Freedom of speech is the concept of the inherent human right to voice one's opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment. "Speech" is not limited to public speaking and is generally taken to include other forms of expression. The right is preserved in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is granted formal recognition by the laws of most nations'.
So yes, they are denying us a voice.
Human rights of those of us who care deeply about the HH situation is one thing. What matters more is the human rights of the people and communities around HH.
Therefore while IHQ sits in silent bliss. We cannot condone or understand why a World Church behaves so contemptuously. Bring nothing but shame on its members. Leaving nothing but external action to be seriously considered.
The more we learn the greater the gravity of outcome on its reputation and future.
Send Jolinda's Final Report to media in your country.
I've just donated my harvest altar service to the Barnabas Fund for use in Syria. Fulfilling the Army's mission of 'Doing the most good - with heart to God and hand to man'.
I know people will criticise me for doing this, but I have lost total confidence in the Army to do anything than further its own ends. It has chosen to ignore the plight of the suffering community in Chiweshe, and the pleas by its members on their behalf, so at least I know that my (external) donation will have some impact for another group of people who are suffering real hardship.
Since this subject began I have researched many articles about TSA, and have been horrified at the number of instances where it has been less than Christian, and I've been shocked at the number of court cases involving the organisation.
In my opinion, it's totally lost the vision, and the logo 'One Army, one mission, one message' is phoney - a sop to the masses to delude us into a sense of purpose.
Yes, many of us, both soldiers and officers, are true to our calling, but what can you do when the leadership team is singing from a different hymn sheet?
We revolt and take OUR Army back .. bringing to justice those who have cause the floodtide of despair.
Anonymous said...
Sven and the FSAOF, you have been patient far too long! You've exhibited incredible grace in not taking the HH tragedy to the media. Your very special and essential bond with SA missions is evidenced by the several SA medical and health services you support through direct financial and equipment donations, gifts in kind and personal visits, all funded by former officers.
There have been hundreds of comments from blog visitors in support of your position; asking leadership for a response. Give it a few more days and if no response is forthcoming, let the media begin a search for truth and transparency.
SA leader
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Carol Gibson Please, no. As much as I grieve for this particular situation, the Army is so much bigger and so much damage could be done to an organisation that, despite it's faults, is doing incredible work worldwide. Of course I'm not saying the Army should not do something about this situation, I pray it will, but the media has quite a different agenda and in an attempt to 'find the truth' could ride roughshod over us all. What would be the object of such investigation? Could it possibly help anyone? I have personally been on the receiving end of such media attention, though on a much smaller scale of course, and it was not in the least bit helpful in that situation and certainly not to me, and 20+ years on I still bear mental and emotional scars (Nothing to do with the Army)
10 hours ago · Unlike · 2
Glad Ljungholm couldn't agree more Carol Gibson!
9 hours ago · Like · 2
Carol Gibson Thank you Glad.
9 hours ago via mobile · Like
You have to ask the question 'what is the point of a Christian church which is not fulfilling Christ's commands? IS it Christian? We've already suffered a loss of our Christian profile by the removal of anything mentioning God on our publicity documents - just look at the Big Collection stationery - the IHQ moles on this site have reacted in horror at suggestions that people will not engage in the BC this year in protest. They say that valuable opportunities will be lost in not contacting these people by the 'door knock'. But there is nothing on the stationery that even hints that we are a Christian organisation. There are many people today who do not recognise what the uniform is either, so we're on a loser from the word 'go'. Similarly, contracts made with partnerships these days usually have a clause in them which prevents us from stating our Christian credentials.
So - what is our purpose?
I have to say I agree with the bloggers who don't advocate taking this outside the sphere of TSA, but I can't see that TSA will progress if it refuses to talk to its members. Where there is no communication, relationships die. And where there is antagonism, hearts will harden. None of this is the right environment for God's Spirit to flourish, and in the meantime the devil is laughing his head off. Well done TSA.
I saw this on a Salvation Army discussion on officership - or the lack of people offering for it:
........In my opinion, it’s time for the Salvation Army to grow up. The words and actions of William Booth were inspired from God, but they are not God's. They are NOT eternal, I don’t think William would be very impressed with us if he knew that we were still doing things the same way he did one-hundred years after his death. Especially since he began the Salvation Army by breaking free from the moulds of tradition.
The Salvation Army needs a revolution within itself, every passing year it is becoming more and more insignificant to the world. I hear these types of questions constantly being asked in Salvation Army articles; Who are we?”, “How do we get more officers?”, “What kind of changes need to be made?”. The problem with these questions is that we keep asking the wrong people, Salvationists. Constantly focused internally within our organization. If you are continually asking like-minded people, you are going to get like-minded answers.
I think we are afraid to ask God these same questions because we know that he will call for change. LOOK AROUND YOU!!!!!! What is the world asking us to be? what is the christian community asking us to be?
In the 21st century I see the Salvation Army having relevant dynamic life, or a secluded dwindling death. Fortunately for us, God will bless either.
Going public and exposing TSA's handling of this affair is the only thing that might make TSA respond appropriately. Yes, it might hurt the image of the Army, but if they apologize for their wrong doing because of such an expose, they will gain respect, not lose it.
If they make amends to the Chiweshe community by providing transportation of the seriously ill to Karanda, there will be a regaining of trust and confidence in the leadership.
There will be no gain for the Army in this situation without pain. Purging, admitting wrong decisions, repentance, apologizing, making amends - all painful things which we advocate people do in their personal lives. Well it's necessary in corporate life as well to regain lost respect and confidence.
The only thing that will bring a response from IHQ is for Salvationists in other countries, particularly the UK because it is the geographical home of IHQ, to go public as Salvationists have done in Canada.
Some good folks on here are like desperate ferrets in a sack!
Every territory has got its own strong issues to deal with. There is not a single day in the year that the SA is not involved in some legal action through the court system, industrial tribunals and dealing with very intricate financial and political concerns that affect its operational social and spiritual ministries.
Lets be realistic and not too religiously sanctimonious wringing our hands in desperation or glee, HH just does not figure highly on the international scale of Richter beyond IHQ, Zimbabwe and Canada. What was initially an urgent (internally stoked up?) matter has already been superseded by many other matters of concern....such is life.
Any blog has the danger of becoming a venting of spleen site very quickly - this one is not an exception. Any blog has also got a relatively small group of active participants, each with their own historical organisational baggage or none.
I am afraid that HH has given some the opportunity to get even where there has been personal or organisational meltdown in the past that has led to a parting of the ways. And if it was not HH, it would have been something else.
We all have personal choices to make that ultimately affects others as well as none of us live in isolation. Think twice or thrice before hanging yourself and destroy others in the process!
NS
What was once a promising FSAOF site, with the genuine interests of a peculiar and particular group of people in mind, has become tired and worn (clapped out?)after 6 years. There is the distinct impression of abandonment of the original aim and purpose to have a facilitating function. should I ever become a former officer, I would think twice before becoming a member of this blog group.
How many of the claimed membership are actually participating in any debate? One can see that only a small proportion have signed up on the Facebook site (99) - how many of them are actually 'active' and make themselves heard or seen? Do all listed still want to be identified somehow?
Probably the ones that have not been able to 'move on' in life claim the most interest.
For this blog to become true to its original aims again, it needs to revisit its beginnings - going back to source.
ps..... visiting this blog certainly provides some good entertainment,thank you for that.
I sincerely hope for the sake of your soul that you haven't found the HH expose entertaining.
There is a time to laugh and a time to cry.
.ps..... visiting this blog certainly provides some good entertainment,thank you for that'.
Why don't you thank the Chiweshe people - I'm sure they'd appreciate it.
There is a time to speak, and a time to remain silent. Perhaps you should have remained silent. There's a line of decency that most of us know not to cross. I believe you just crossed it. Shameful.
The analogy of 'desperate ferrets in a sack' is something of a misnomer. It implies that people are fighting over this issue. To fight there has to be communication or contact in some form or other. All that the bloggers are doing is imploring TSA to do or say something. TSA is saying nothing. It seems to me that the only ferrets on here are their minders.
Also the comment 'such is life'. Life means different things to different people.
For some it is lived in luxury, but for others it is lived in abject poverty. Christians generally have the motivation to make life better for the poor. It appears that TSA are selective to whom they extend their largesse.
And if, as you say, this matter has already been superseded by other matters of concern, I dread to think what that could mean.
Me thinks that if the whole story was ever told warts and all, no-one involved in this very sad saga would come out clean.
There may well be a real personal and organisational interest on the part of both parties involved to keep a lid firmly in place. Lifting it could very well be life image and reputation shattering stuff.
Those who appear to be beyond reproach and have been elevated sky high as perfect and without guile on an impossible pedestal by others have the tendency to fall deep when things go pearshaped. This goes for both organisational and personal impossible images to live up to.
I don't think anyone with any common sense would think that there aren't faults on both sides, but what is unforgiveable is the fallout effect on the Chiweshe community.That is the issue. For myself, there isn't the salacious desire to see everything about this debacle displayed for all to see - that's between the parties involved, and frankly, it's of little interest to me, but for it to have affected so negatively the very people TSA says it is in existence to serve, and the leaders' stubbornness in not addressing the physical needs of these poor people is reprehensible indeed, and not worthy of the good reputation of TSA that i have loved up until now.
It's not at all about 'image' - it's about the personal needs of suffering humanity that TSA is not now serving. It's not these people's fault, and they shouldn't be the effect of this internal squabble. A little compassion goes a long way.
But did the SA wash their hands so ruthlessly, drastically and abruptly of the Chiweshe people - as portrayed by third parties - by the enforced departure of one single person for whatever reason?
Not every effort was based on the poor Chiweshe people alone - they at times had to make way and probably wait for fee paying, more affluent people from the cities to be treated. This is understandable as it brought in the needed funds to keep HH rolling and subsidise the poor of the area. That is pure economics.
Was the HH operational programme so single person centred that the person involved was deemed (deemed himself? deemed by others?)as indispensable, untouchable and therefor beyond the authority of THQ/IHQ? As a lay person one would be on a fixed term contract -possibly renewable, or not. As an officer same conditions do not necessarily apply. Would there have been a similar outcry if a lay man's contract had not been extended and the post was not filled immediately?
There are a lot of red herrings posted here possibly obscuring some very unpalatable truths of fractured inter-personal relationships, political intrigue, power struggles, a perpetual lack of credible financial resources, a perceived lack of integrity and lack of mutual trust etc etc. This ultimately leading to a massive riot, organised and likely stoked up to pressure cooker level by people or parties with their own agenda's - not necessarily anything to do with HH itself?
What probably began as a very small, insignificant matter has been allowed to stubbornly fester into a massive boil that ultimately had to be lanced somehow by someone. Hence the stench. ~These issues are notoriously hard to deal with once gone out of control. I am sure there are valuable lessons to be learnt on how not to by everyone involved.
Just a perspective that some other might find very unpalatable and disgraceful but that is ok - no offense taken.
I don't doubt that there's an element of truth in what the above blogger states, but the overriding concern for TSA should have been the welfare of the people relying on the services they had become accustomed to.
And you can't deny that the doctor was doing a fantastic job, and bringing in his own considerable donations and volunteers to enhance what was there. What is interesting, too, is that others thought very highly of him, and his international reputation is very high. In secular employment, there are often 'tricky' surgeons who are tolerated because of their medical expertise. They are not sacked, especially when there is no-one to replace them. Without him, and his 'fringe benefits' the people have been left in an impoverished position, and for me, the way TSA has dealt with this - or not dealt with it actually- is unbecoming for a christian charity with a worldwide reputation for helping the marginalised. They have let egos and loyalty to a man-made institution get in the way of 'love in action'. This is definitely not a case of 'love in action'.
As an outsider looking in objectively with no claimed interest either way.......
I think one must make a clear distinction between being sacked or being issued with farewell orders. In my opinion there was no 'dismissal' nor 'sacking' until the refusal to make way and ultimately accept another appointment.
The insistence on remaining in post at HH basically indefinitely or until it was felt it was time for a change (due to a very laudable strong commitment to the local Chiweshe people and Zimbabwe) undermined the authority of THQ and IHQ as line management in their own establishment. Whether this was a sound one or not is a non- issue here.
Going by the ultimate happenings, this just did not come out of the blue. Very, very rarely is it a single issue that sets the world aflame. It must have increasingly become an untenable position during a prolonged lead up (I would guess at least 12-24 months - if not longer, of increasingly souring relationships and meltdown) to the final events leading to the 48 hours notice after everything got totally out of control with a violent riot etc, there was no other option left. Nor was cancelling the initial farewell orders as a point of no return had been reached.
Although the demonstration was to be in favour of the status quo to be maintained, it being turned into a violent, full blown riot it had the total opposite effect with the case rapidly becoming lost. Horror, horror, everything became critically beyond control for all involved, total meltdown indeed.
This is no indictment whatsoever on any parties involved, just one perspective amongst many.
I can see your reasoning, and commend you for your impartiality. But doctors are not randomly issued with farewell orders, especially in a medical community of 270,000 people in a remote bush area where there was no doctor to replace him. That is when TSA should have taken a step backwards and considered the people he was serving instead. What would they have lost - some wounded pride? There was obviously a personality issue here, but we are taught to act with grace, and this was certainly no gracious act. My understanding is that the riots took place after he was dismissed, and I can understand the peoples' frustration - many of them suffering from AIDS/HIV and dependant on regular medication To have this cut off must have been soul-destroying. How would we fell in similar circumstances. it's not as if there was a surgery or hospital on every corner, and with the economic frailties as well, to lose their only surgeon must have been the end of their tether.
Very sad all round.
Thanks for the generous response.
There is much more than mere wounded pride on both sides to consider.
Usually where trust in working relationships has irretrievably broken down there ultimately has to be a parting of the ways for the good of all concerned. As this seems to have accelerated at some point with possibly all sorts of wild accusations flying to and fro, this may well have, or not, happened before due date in order to salvage that what can be saved.
This can sometimes happen in a (local corps) church or social services setting as well as in other secular environments.
With the proposed policy of moving away from specialist surgery in places like HH over time, the need for a fully qualified surgeon would not be there any longer anyway.
Forced U turns rarely work medium to long term, especially where there is no mutual trust left and there is a real battle of wills going on.
Applied basic management principles are usually interchangeable to whatever setting. And failure to mutually adhere to same can have disastrous effects.
I think one must remember that HH is a Salvation Army establishment, under SA management and control and therefore holds the aces (Whether we think it right or not)
Go well....
You, too. It's good to read a balanced view. I can see how it all happened, but my abiding thoughts are with the people who have been forgotten by TSA, and also with the lies and cover up of IHQ staff/leaders. I cannot reconcile these with the God that I love and serve, and with the thoughts and deeds of Christ.
So this tale is one of heartache for me, and in my search for good things about TSA, I have come across horrendous news items that make me feel sick.
You are, unfortunately, right about your 'SA management and control' statement, but I do wish it could be different. I am one of the people in the above blog who wrote on the General's web page, asking (politely) for him to somehow resolve the HH situation. My message was deleted. I am so let down by this small action, and disappointed that TSA will not countenance any viewpoint other than its own.
I am further distressed that in my opinion they should, as I and many other soldiers, officers, adherents and friends,do, submit to the highest spiritual authority - God - and not place so much loyalty to a man-made institution. It is so narcissistic. I wonder if they realise that Narcissus' fate, of course, was death, as he was unable to leave the beauty of his own reflection.
I do hope TSA will realise that the organisation is just an image -it's humanity that counts in the light of eternity.
Go with God.
Thanks, much appreciated.
I for one do not believe that the SA has washed its hands of the local HH community and have abandoned them. That is strong, unsubstantiated emotive language.
The SA commitment to the local people through HH is likely still as great as ever. HH can and is functioning without Dr Thistle - albeit without certain specialist functions of course. There are of course people who would like to think otherwise - that's ok too.
Maybe it would be prudent on the part of the SA to do an up to date report on the overall state of health provision in Africa, including HH. Not singling out one particular establishment. Dean Pallant has of course already done an excellent in-depth work on this in recent times and could inadvertently so well have contributed to the developing saga that resulted in the situation as it became in August 2012.
Funding has always and will remain THE major issue of any medical and educational establishment in any developing ( or developed world for that)world area, HH is therefore not an exception to this, especially where it involves capital expenditures during periods of political instability and sky high inflation.
This can sometimes mean a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
All parties have, wisely so in my humble opinion, been very economical in sharing any details of this extremely complicated internal sad human resources saga involving senior staff members. All would come out badly stained and damaged. This is professional management and expected to be practiced by any reputable organisation such as the SA.
In the process of 'it' hitting the proverbial fan, the fall out has been unpredictable and messy.
One does not enter into a public discussion about internal matters.
Most of the blog reports and many blogs have been third, fourth or fifth hand, with largely emotive, speculative and manipulative responses in favour of an underdog pitted against mighty authority or vice versa. O how we love the underdog!
If, as you say, the Army's commitment to HH is as great as ever, then it should say so. And if it had been better advised, the ripples would have been much smaller. An article on health in Africa would be a start.
Even though TSA is an authoritarian setup, the human and spiritual elements of this issue should have taken pride of place, because that is what drives the lower ranks, especially at corps level. We aren't taught the theory of corporate management - what matters to us is the welfare of people who are less well off than we are, particularly the poor and marginalised, such as the HH community. We fund-raise for them and to read about what TSA has lost (perceived as having thrown away) in donations etc is not within our mindset to equate. That is why this is probably the most read of all the FSAOF blogs - it touches hearts, not cheque books.
Because TSA is so large and so involved in secular operations on the social work side, there is a divergence of opinion and practice that in my opinion cannot be bridged. A SA accountant will always take a polar opposite view to those involved in catering for those who have nothing. And at church (corps) level the same applies. We are taught spiritual truths and how to live in a Christian way, caring for each other. Truly, we are not in the same world, and I don't think the leadership has grasped that.
And to prevent people/members from speaking their mind or even asking a question is unacceptable in today's society. It only serves to antagonise.
Regarding the underdog - I assume you refer to the doctor. I do think he was badly treated, but my real 'underdog' is the community. I don't think TSA gave them much consideration from the facts that are visible.
If TSA is active in HH, let them restore the websites they have hidden, and let them explain how they are using the ambulance and the other resources they have there. Communication really is the key. It has been said previously on these electronic pages - if you don't communicate, then all contact is lost.
Christianity as all about personal involvement - intricate, invisible threads that weave their way through people's lives, connected to God - we are not involved in anything that comes out of IHQ. This isn't acceptable. TSA really needs to rethink its communications strategy, otherwise it won't even need a tragedy like this - people will walk because they feel isolated and of no significance.
I was saddened to read the arrogant statement by one blogger who derided our protests, and boasted that TSA was bigger than anyone and nothing could destroy it. It is but man-made, and if it isn't what God would have it be, then nothing can save it.
From a private Facebook entry.....
"This is good news from Howard"
"Rotary International (Zimbabwe) has donated two brand new Resuscitation Machines to us. These two new machines will further enhanced the quality of our new-born care."
Interesting and considerate post indeed.
I think readers on this blog have been deliberately led along a certain path to believe that there is only the one sided third hand reporting available that matters.
Since for the SA it seems it is business as usual at HH, with the local community still being looked after and cared for, albeit without the personal and specific skills of Dr Thistle, there is no felt need to respond to an internal spat that has got nothing to do with anyone outside the immediate loop. I have learnt a long time ago that no-one is indispensable in any situation. If anyone thinks they are, then there is a grand delusion going on.
It is quite interesting how quickly the story moved on from the daring moving ( how dare they?) of Dr Thistle to the far more emotive, heart string pulling abandonment of a whole community, leaving it without any healthcare and letting people suffer and die on purpose.It is easy to be taken in by this.
This has of imho never been the case.I think the community of Chiweshe would be highly bemused
at the interest shown in them from total strangers who, before this blew up, had never even heard of this group of people.
May God continue to bless HH and the great people of Zimbabwe it attempts to serve with integrity and honour.
Strange how some posters deflect the preceding statements away from the criticisms of TSA and its senior leaders. I wonder why?
There is no answer to any requests to explain their reasons for their efforts to expunge this affair from human interest, and to bury any attempt at communication with its own members. Why is this? Some people may be suspicious.
The principles of these questions have nothing to do with the HH, and yet TSA still won't even display courtesy by responding to them.
Members of TSA devote much of their lives to this once-great institution - they give of their money and time, and to be treated as to be of no account is demeaning.
Because entering into any discussion would be never ending, resulting in unedifying acrimony and stalemate? No answer given would ever suffice unless it fully agreed with the questioner and then others would jump on the band wagon with their own agendas in order to destroy.
The SA is very wise not to respond in anyway to any goading from this blog.
Questions get lost in the rhetoric every time and are not answered. Pathetic really, and not good a good idea to bite the hand that feeds.
How correct! Good to remember that!
The hand that feeds 75% of UK corps in order to be able to be financially solvent and stay in business is the DHQ/THQ hand through Mission Support. Without such life support many a corps would be bankrupt and not able to breath.
I wholeheartedly agree that 'it is not good a good idea to bite the hand that feeds'.
Still no answer for questions.
Could that be because there are no clear cut answers of 'yes' or 'no' to often hypothetical, loaded and closed questions? That whatever possible solution offered that runs contrary to rock solid stated opinion is just a futile exercise?
It is always good to keep asking questions without expecting any answers in return.
More often than not in life, the answer lies in the asking and the subsequent realisation that we have the answer within ourselves.
It is highly likely that we are the answer to our own prayers.
The answer to 'why can't I ask a question?' can not be found 'within' us - it has to come from the people being questioned. After all, there has to be a reason. I'm not sure what you class as 'hypothetical', 'loaded' and particularly 'closed' questions. The above question certainly isn't 'closed' and it's fairly simple, really. I'm not sure that I need to await a response, though - the very fact that dozens of blogs of this nature in this series have been met with prevarications like yours speaks volumes. And I won't get an answer, because you, as (I imagine) one of the leaders' stooges, are probably paid good money to make sure that the minions are kept at arms' length. Not good. Or healthy.
"Rotary International (Zimbabwe) has donated two brand new Resuscitation Machines to us.'
Not sure I believe this - there is nothing on Rotary International website to authenticate it. Is it another 'smoke and mirrors' ploy by people who want this subject out of the way?
The best way to find out as to whether this is true is to contact HH direct. This will also allow you to ask what other support is needed to make life a little easier for the local population.
Good luck
howard.hospital@africaonline.co.zw
hmmm.... thought so - another red herring dead end. Does nothing to bolster confidence in the good old SA.
oh dear, negative lil at it again! is there nothing positive going on in your life and SA experience?
It seems that the HH saga as per FSAOF has finally run its course and has reached dead end due to lack of oxygen.
There is nothing more negative to report on this sad matter - going by the present apathy of a few active contributors.
To the abhorrence and shock of certain folks, HH has not fallen apart let alone closed down, is still serving the local community effectively, funding is still being sought and obviously found, students are still being trained, senior members of medical staff have been appointed, organisations such as Rotary International still support materially etc etc etc.
May God truly continue to bless, as he has always done before of course, the excellent work emanating not just out of HH but every single medical care establishment in Africa whether SA or not. Special blessing on Dr Thistle and his family.
Karanda hospital will have its own issues, probably not too dissimilar to HH and any other establishment operating in Zimbabwean culture.
'oh dear, negative lil' - you have proof? I found nothing in my search for this uplifting tale, which reminds me of previous blogs and wild geese.
When you search in the right places then you can find out a lot!
Not really difficult to find out.
Just keep trying and you will find eventually.
'negative lil'?????? You really shouldn't jump to conclusions. It's better to be non gender-specific, honestly.
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