355. That is how many people have received life changing surgeries
since our arrival into Tamatave at the end of August. 355 lives touched with
the love of Jesus though the dedicated crew of the Africa Mercy. 355 lives who could
go on to impact the lives of all those around them. The ripple effect
When I found out we were returning to Madagascar for a back
to back field service, I must admit I had mixed feelings. We really enjoyed our
first field service in Tamatave but since that time, many of our close friends
had left and things have been different. Would we be bored? Could we find
enough patients? Would be become complacent? Could we sustain enough enthusiasm
and energy for a two year period in the same place? You have to remember that
the crew are a giant bunch of globetrotting adventurers. We live, work and play
hard! Our attention span is small.
I will admit, I slept through our early morning arrival,
thinking “I have seen this before” but now, as I think about leaving next year,
my eyes well with tears. Oh yes, we can do back to back countries. Our roots are
firmly established and we are deeply invested in this country. We have reached
further, gone deeper and loved harder.
I think back to when we arrived and when I finally got up
and opened my curtains to see the now familiar sight from our cabin windows, I
felt relief and a sense of being home. I was so excited to get off the ship.
Our first night in Tamatave we were able to have shore leave and we hoofed it
to one of our favourite eateries and Ivan, the Food and Beverage Manager hugged
us, his smile a mile wide! It made my heart overflow with joy to be able to have the opportunity to build on the relationships
that we had begun in Madagascar 1. It was a new feeling, that sense of familiarity within a country, as sense of knowing.
The day the day crew arrived on board is another special
memory that sticks in my mind. Most of our wonderful day crew were able to join
us again for another year. I went to do my laundry and I was carrying our hot
pink laundry bag, overflowing with washing, both of my hands busy with the weight
of the bag. One of the crew services day crew rushed towards me with a huge smile
on her face and threw her arms around me in delight, nearly bowling me over
with her petite frame. Can’t get that unless you do back to back!
Not to mention all the patients who are able to benefit from
extra follow up and further surgeries! What about the OBF clinic and the hundreds
of women who will receive surgeries for their obstetric fistulas and all the babies
whose crooked little legs will be made straight from the “new to this field
service” Ponseti program. Oh yes, now I
am utterly convinced that back to back field services are a gift! A gift to the crew and a gift to the nation we
are serving!
From the East to the West, the North to the South we have travelled
searching for patients in the dusty inland towns and seaside villages. Training for locals
in so many facets of medical care including WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and Lifebox
training. Glaucoma training, Ponseti and Dental training, Primary Trauma Care, Essential
Surgical Skills, Biomedical training and Safe Obstetrics Anaesthesia training
is ongoing.
God is good and has shown his faithfulness this field service.
He has blessed us by making a way for the Africa Mercy to spend a span of almost two years
in this beautiful and peaceful nation, allowing us to build upon relationships
and services to ensure that we leave behind a long lasting legacy. Oh yes, the crew will cry a river on the day
we sail from these shores…
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Our arrival into Tamatave. |
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Danny, one of our new Malagasy crew proudly holding her nation's flag as we draw near to our familiar berth. |
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The pilot boat packed with crew, so excited to see their floating home after our lengthy delay in South Africa. |
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Dozens of crew line the Toamasina dock eagerly anticipating being able to walks up the gangway. (Photo credit: Suzanne Veltjens) |
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Some of the deckies gather to pray on the bow. |
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The Malagasy flag is raised where it will fly for the duration of our field service. (Photo Credit: David Forrest) |
