12 hours to leave Sri Lanka

A year on from her return to the UK, Anne Baldwin shares those moments of hurried packing and what this year has been like for her.

Twelve hours to pack, say goodbye and leave the Theological College of Lanka, in Sri Lanka, after living there for two years!  (Anne Baldwin pictured on the right with Rev. Luke and family following his induction)

 For two years I had served as a Mission Partner in Sri Lanka with the Theological College of Lanka. My time as a Mission Partner brought good friendships, and fulfilment in my calling and yet was also punctuated with the sad events of Easter 2019.  I was due to leave at the end of the month but by mid-March 2020 I received frequent and strongly worded messages from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (BFCO), advising British subjects to return to the UK because of the rapidly spreading COVID virus. Because of this I decided to bring my departure forward.

After receiving the messaged from the BFCO I managed to get a flight later the same day which gave me twelve hours to prepare to leave. Those hours were spent frantically saying goodbye to the students, their families, college lecturers and staff. In between the comings and goings I managed to push personal belongings into suitcases and give away large household items. Many folk on the campus came to my home including two clergy who took a short service. No time for the many informal farewell events I had planned and to buy presents to bring home. The emotions of leaving, which would have been considerable whenever, were accentuated by the speed in which events occurred and being unable to hug goodbye the many dear friends I had made.

The flight was quite straightforward apart from a long stop over in Dubai. Arriving in England seemed very strange as folk were busy buying toilet rolls, pasta, flour etc and no hand sanitiser to be found anywhere!

 After a few days I was able to return to my own home and begin to adjust to life in the UK under lockdown. During the training to work overseas I had learnt of some of the difficulties that can be experienced on “Re-entry”, but oh, how lockdown added an additional layer to all the expected emotions!

 The greatest, I think, was the isolation. Having lived on a college campus, albeit a small one, I had been surrounded by mainly young students who were so enthusiastic about life, their Christian faith and stimulated by the academic atmosphere. People frequently came to my flat for formal and informal visits in addition to my college commitments. The contrast to living by myself under lockdown could hardly have been greater. Living in an area of high infection rates for most of the last twelve months, with its travel restrictions, has meant I have two granddaughters and several good friends that I have not yet seen since my return.

I continue to keep in close contact with many friends in Sri Lanka through Facebook, emails, YouTube and Zoom. They too have had lockdowns but also complete curfews. Overall, figures would suggest that the total deaths there have been a far lower percentage than in the U.K. I have watched the College Graduation ceremony, and joined in services which are in English. I have even proofed work for clergy that I know. I have been delighted that two grant applications to MWiB, which I was able to help prepare, have been successful in projects to empower women. My own local church is supporting a church in a very rural area and there are plans for my Circuit to link with a Circuit in Sri Lanka

There have been two occasions when I have been very conscious of the peace of God. When arriving at a very busy airport in Sri Lanka for the first time, when I knew no one, or where I was going or where I would stay, or what I would eat I felt a great calm. The second time was arriving back as the first lockdown began. I felt the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit as I approached the many tasks ahead of me.

I thank God for the opportunity to serve overseas. Having lived among Christians who have all suffered in some way for their faith, physically, emotionally, turned out by their families, being different to the majority of the population has resulted in their great commitment to and enthusiasm for Christianity I have returned a different person, with a greater zeal for my Christian faith.

Anne Baldwin

Mission Partner 2017-2020