Getting to Know Lord Ian McColl Better!

You have all heard Lord Ian McColl’s many informative and yet amusing talks. From his recommending of “eating roughage” to the stories of countless surgeries where God has intervened at that crucial moment and all things have worked out to the glory of God. I am sure we have all seen him around and we have all loved his stories but do we really know that man in the blue scrubs that walks around the ship with a smile on his face.

Alanah and I were curious about him and decided to conduct an interview to find out about his life and other random things.

Lord Ian McColl became a Lord in 1989 when he did some work regarding the disabled. He helped give many rights to the disabled and was considered a national hero. He has met the Queen many times and she was even the one who bestowed the honour of making him a CBE.

Lord Ian McColl met his wife at Wednesday 3rd October 1952 at 2:30. It was at a Hospital in a lecture theatre. She was a freshman and he was in the year above at this hospital. It was a meeting where all the older ones stood up and spoke about the activities and clubs. He was the only one with guts to stand and talk about the Christian Union. Jean was so taken by this that she had to go and meet him. 5 years later they were married.

In 1996 Lord Ian McColl was invited to a big dinner at a mansion by his good friend. Upon arriving he heard all about Mercy Ships and the amazing work they did all over the world. Lord Ian McColl was hooked and instantly got involved with all the different activities.

He was inspired to be a surgeon when he was 8. There was a friend of the family who was a surgeon: He was a great man. He loved God with all his heart and everything he did showed that. This inspired Lord Ian to be a surgeon because he wanted to be just like this. The interesting thing is that he cannot stand the sight of blood. He hates the stuff, he says it's nasty and shouldn't be played with.

He has many memorable surgeries but his most memorable was conducted 40 years ago. He was on his way to a formal dinner and was dressed up in a really old suit. It had been his fathers and was very old even for him. On his way to the dinner he was called to the hospital because a patient was asking for a surgery. Upon arriving at the hospital he learnt that this patient had cancer in the groin and that the operation on her would be fatal if done wrong. However, if it wasn't done it would also be fatal. He went to speak to the patient and tell her the situation. When he walked into the room she turned to him, pointed and said "That is a very old suit!" He laughed and responded with, "Yes, yes it is." He then told her the situation. Upon hearing this she told him to risk it and if it was a success she would make him a new suit. After working very hard all night, the operation was a success. She made him a new suit and to the day it is still the suit that Ian McColl wears for every formal event he attends.

Lord Ian McColl once did a study on posture. He was very curious about the spinal cords of humans and what makes them curve and stay that way. To do this he studied penguins and the looks of their spinal cords. He has many X-rays and likes to think back on that time and tell the many funny stories about X-raying penguins.

Believe it or not, Lord Ian McColl used to have bright red hair! When he had his children none of them had red hair and he was slightly disappointed. He also went through 5 grandchildren that did not have red hair. But finally his 6th granddaughter had bright red hair and Lord Ian McColl was very happy!

One piece of Wisdom Lord Ian McColl would give to this generation is "Acknowledge him and he will direct your paths!" This is a basis for living.

Lord Ian McColl's and his wife's happiest moments have been on the ship. They say they get withdrawal symptoms when they are away because they love it so much. Lord Ian McColl also says that he couldn't do anything without his with Jean because she has been a great companion and an amazing wife.

So now you know a bit more about the man in the blue scrubs. Next time you see him and you have a few minutes ask him to tell some stories, he has many more and is always willing to share them to anyone who will listen.