I am pleased to share with you our latest news from Peacemaker Trust. Thank you for your continued prayers and support during these challenging times.

The Blessings of Isolation

As you may know, my wife Joanna, was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer three years ago shortly after we launched Peacemakers and moved to Southampton. We have therefore had to take the guidance on shielding for the extremely vulnerable very seriously these past few months.  Despite the relaxation of restrictions from August, we will need to remain vigilant, which will inevitably impact future projects and travel plans. 

While initially, perhaps like you, I found the lockdown extremely frustrating, as time has gone on I have come to appreciate some of the blessings of isolation. Here are my top five:

1. Thankfulness:  I am thankful for the rare occasions I’ve been able to see my children and grandchildren, for walks in the New Forest, and for the awesome heroes serving us in the NHS. 
2. Mindfulness: I removed my watch during the first week of the lockdown as a conscious change of lifestyle, initially imposed, but progressively embraced willingly. I now measure time in hours not minutes. I’m doing less driving and more walking and as a consequence, am more observant and aware of my surroundings. As a friend used to say, “take time to smell the flowers”.
3. Creativity: We have all had to adapt and learn new skills, like how to use Zoom to connect with friends and colleagues. I am also learning new skills in developing websites to promote mission partners.
4. Simplicity: initially, when all non-essential shops were closed and many items were in short supply, I rediscovered how to live with less and be more content with what I have.
5. Empathy: Social distancing has meant we are more aware of the people we encounter on walks or in queues. Despite being an introvert, I now greet strangers as we pass. We also set up a WhatsApp group in our street to support one another. 

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