Shuffling to Music Only I Can Hear

Week 8  April 19-25

This week we hit day 40 of being quarantined on the ship. All the Biblical references have now started to be jokes throughout the ship. During one of the comedy nights someone made a joke about how we were like Moses- we could see the land but we could not enter it. Haha!! that’s definitely the way we feel. 

We have biweekly fire drills on board the ship. This week the nurses that are not part of the EMT team were able to assist in helping with the drill. The fake emergency happened in the academy (the school on board for volunteer’s children). A smoke machine was used to make the visibility difficult and the kids had makeup on that made them look like they were bleeding and burnt. They loved it! They were so into their roles of acting short of breath, unable to talk, and parents acted distraught and overly concerned. Meanwhile I was very impressed. I was also able to play a nurse again and it was such a great feeling. I have often wondered if I chose the correct career path in life but after being removed from nursing for a bit, it has become very evident that it is where my passion lies. 

On Friday we had our first ever Silent Disco on board. It was also my first time ever to participate in one. For those who have no idea what I am talking about let me explain. Everyone has the same list of music, a pair of headphones, and gathers in the same location. The key is to make sure you all press play at the same time and then you all dance to the music. The thing is, to the person walking by, everyone looks crazy just dancing randomly in silence! Our photographer on board made us a track with a variety of songs and sent us all the link, we had a disco ball and string lights.. and we all attempted to press play at the same time but somehow it didn’t quite end up to be the exact same time, which honestly turned out to be absolutely hilarious. During the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” we were all so into it but also were all very much NOT in sync! haha! It was so fun and I think funny to those who were witnesses... or maybe we have just all gotten to the crazy stage in quarantine and are losing our minds thinking everything is funny. 

The past week hasn’t differed much from the others. I will say, one my favorite parts of every day has now been meal time. I am just embracing getting to sit around a table with people and enjoy eating and laughter. My absolute favorite has been small group time. Just getting to dive into God’s word and seeing how it applies to everything we are going through right now as well as the history into the text. It’s one thing to read the scripture but I’ve found it so much more meaningful to understand the background of the setting and history of it. I’ve never been one to be into history facts but never say never I guess because now I just can’t get enough of it. This past week in one of my small groups, I was asked to share my testimony. Yes, I have become a lot closer with them but I was still super nervous to just lay it all out there. Plus, there are boys in the group. Why that makes a difference, I don’t know but I just felt like a lot of what God has done in my life is full of emotions and I didn’t know how the boys would take it. I truly don’t remember what I said.. I made notes before hand which was helpful but I just prayed it would be less about the obstacles I’ve been through and more about what God has done for me and in me. He has redeemed me, loved me when I felt unlovable,  and given me grace when I never deserved it. I also wanted to be honest with them, saying I really struggled at times to see God. Looking back now, wow how much I can see that God has been faithful in every moment. After I was finished sharing, they all prayed over me and it was such a precious time..to feel loved and to know they are here for me even with the struggles I still have. Afterwards, we all had our blankets and laid together talking. We bonded so much that night. We star gazed, talked, laughed, and enjoyed music. It truly will forever be one of my favorite nights. 

Coming to the ship I think I expected it to be like church camp on steroids. I had in my mind that everyone was going to be sold out for Jesus. I knew Senegal was predominantly Muslim but I didn’t really consider other crew being non-religious. If you come as a short term volunteer you are not required to be a Christian. Therefore there are quite a few people on board the ship that may have different beliefs about a God, Gods, or no God. Mercy ships stands on their faith as being a Christian organization but they do not force you to go to Bible reading or any community church meetings. However, I do think it is very evident in the atmosphere what most people’s focus is on. All that being said, there have been a couple of people I’ve become friends with that either believed in God and feel like He has walked away or just don’t really know what they believe in. I haven’t really said anything as far as preaching to them but I have began to pray for them. Praying for whatever they are struggling with, for God to break down those walls and for them to experience the Holy Spirit. This past week I’ve started to see something changing in them. A little more joy, a smile, and allowing themselves to feel. On Sunday in church, they were there standing and singing and even allowing prayer over them! I’m not giving the situation justice by my description. But I will say it brought me to tears knowing the Holy Spirit is working in them. They aren’t here by accident. It has been such an honor to witness the seed being planted in their lives. Many questions and trials may be ahead but I will continue to pray for them. For the Lord isn’t worried about His people that already know Him- His heart is focused on the ones who don’t. 

This week flights have started to open up and the process of getting us back to our home countries has begun. It is a very lengthy process dealing with multiple embassies and immigration offices just to get the paperwork started. I am very thankful for our purser on board the ship who has made all this as smooth as possible. We’ve officially said goodbye to our Australians and some of our New Zealand crew that were still on board. Goodbyes are never easy but I think we all just soaked in all the hugs we could give because we knew the times of hugs and physical touch would be nonexistent at home. Please join me in prayer for those who left this week to return home to government mandated quarantine hotels. I’m sure all of you have been enduring the shelter in place orders and are getting used to the “new normal;” however, I just would like to ask for prayer for my friends and myself as we continue in traditions from home to Africa to ship life to quarantine to sailing life to new job roles in quarantined Spain to finally, home again but not as we left it.

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Tenerife, Spain

At the Cross is Where I'll Bloom

Week 7- April 12-18

Sunday was Easter and what a celebration that was! This was my first full experience of a Holy Week. I have always known about it but had never partaken in the rituals and ceremonies. One night we had communion and prayer time. A group of people took the time to redecorate the international lounge to be a very peaceful and inviting environment. There were beautiful drapes and material covering the walls. The plants that were throughout the ship had all been moved into the lounge. Pillows were arranged on the floor to have a inviting intimate place with The Lord. A separate area was made for the communion room. In it, there was a long table with satin material draped over it and on top laid a beautiful long loaf of bread and juice. Before you could could get your cup or bread, a bottle of hand sanitizer was awaiting. Haha! No intentional spreading of germs on this ship! Laying along chairs and pillows were passages from the Bible as it related to communion and the events surrounding the last supper. I’ve read the passages many times over the years but for some reason this time, I could really place myself around the table. It was in these moments of reading over the scripture and taking the bread and juice, that I realized this is the first time I’ve ever done this outside of church or church gathering. It was just me and The Lord. It was so amazing to really soak in the scripture and imagine myself at the table with Jesus. It was so much more than the usual “okay time to eat the bread and drink the juice” but really focus on the words Jesus said or grasping what Jesus was about to endure on the cross. 

On Good Friday we had a service on the story leading up to Jesus’s crucifixion. It was something I definitely want to start as a tradition in my family. It was a great reminder of all that happened leading up to the cross. A lot of times I find myself thinking of all Jesus endured for me and knowing He rose again. But I forget the details and the time He went through such ridicule. At the end of the service we were asked to write down anything we may need to surrender to Jesus. There was a cross with cards, nails, and hammers in the front of the room.. We were asked to write them down and then nail them to the cross. I have been a part of services at home when we did the same thing and every time it is just as powerful! What a great reminder that Jesus truly paid it all for us. One thing I had not seen before was what they did with the cross after that night.. We left our written surrenders on the cross that night and on Easter, the cross was found with flowers coming out of every nail pierced spot. It gave me chills. I truly feel thats the way Christ sees us. All the negative things we struggle with, all the labels we throw on ourselves, are made into something beautiful when we lay it down at Christ’s feet.

We are made new in Him. Praise God for the gift of Jesus. 

On Easter we started the morning with a sunrise service. Everyone on board gathered up on the deck and had worship together as the sun rose. It was absolutely breathtaking. The sunrise in itself was beautiful but add the voices of everyone singing praises onto The Lord was such a priceless moment. I was a part of the wonderful group that was working Easter weekend. Yes, I have worked many holidays at home but this was the first I could say I worked on Easter but it was to help prepare the feast for a celebration of Easter. We had prepped as much as we could in the days leading up to Sunday so that when we all came together we would not be as overwhelmed with the amount of food to prepare. We worked so efficiently we were able to break in time for the church service. In that service it was brought to our attention that we were probably one of the very few groups around the world able to gather together for Easter. That set the tone for the day. Yes, we were so filled with joy for all that the day represented but also a new appreciation and love was shared around the room for all of us being able to still gather together. During lunch, those who work in the dining room and galley were asked to walk around the room as others showed their appreciation for us by standing and clapping. It was so kind. I didn’t feel like I deserved that but I had gained a new appreciation for all that goes into an Easter celebration feast. 

Throughout the week it was very similar to weeks past. Meetings, trivia, games, work, small group, etc. It has now started to feel like the normal way. I think when I come back for another field service (Lord willing) that I will have to remind myself that I was a part of something rare and precious during such a traumatic and uncertain time. Not that the normal field service life isn’t precious, it will just be different. 

I’ve been loving every minute I have with such genuine people. Their hearts and minds focused so closely on whatever the Lord wants for them. I am learning to be more intentional with my quiet time and be thankful I have that opportunity. Learning to lean in more to God and focus on His goodness rather than my wants for this life. I’m grateful we, as crew members, have this time together. We are all praying for you back home.

Stay healthy and safe- physically and spiritually. 

Amen.

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Tenerife, Spain

Fun for the Soul

Week 6 - April 5-11

This week we have been entertained by events happening every night. Monday’s are small group, Tuesdays are pub quiz which is Mercy ships approved trivia, Thursdays are community night, which is like a midweek service at church, Sunday we held our first annual Mercy Ships Olympic Games, and then scattered throughout the week has been pong pong tournaments, fiesta night, and comedy night. Sometime during the week we had a meeting updating us on the latest with Covid-19 and what that means for us crew members on board. As for the latest with this information, Spain has closed it’s boarders until May 10th. As of right now, we are still looking into the process of many of us flying home. This would allow the ship to operate with less people and get the necessary people on board to help with ship yard (annual summer maintenance of the ship). 

The Olympics were split up in groups of 4. Each group represented a country and we had a total of 22 teams! Our MC of the Olympic Games was such a jokester that had us all laughing uncontrollably!! For example, she said “I’m so surprised all the counties could make it to this one location due the the covid-19 situation what a miracle!” My group represented the country of Guinea. The Olympic Games were sack race (with a garbage bag), paper airplane race, Gumby suit race, egg toss, eating a mysterious food and a relay race. It was so fun to just forget all of our worries and fears of the future and just be normal and have fun with each other.

During the work week it has been such a blessing to just be with others and laugh doing whatever the task. From cleaning freezers to washing massive industrial dishes, everyone has been such a joy to be around. I think we have all just been so grateful to have community and be able to grow closer together in a time that seems to want to distance everyone for one another.                                                                                                                                                                               

An update on patients from the hospital: Seven year old Zackaria asked his mother, “is it possible to remove the white things in my eyes?” With the help of Mercy Ships he was given a date for cataract surgery. The mother replied to her son, “God-willing, that will be possible.” Zackaria began counting down days until his surgery. Every day he would ask how many more days till his surgery. Four more...three more...two more...one more... then finally, surgery day! Six weeks later post op, Zackaria had his final check up and had a celebration of sight on the dock. He was given glasses to help him focus and had fun joining in the celebration. He is back home now and his family has sent personal messages to Mercy Ships. His procedure has touched so many lives. His mother states, “Now Zackaria can see better, he hardly stays still and is constantly moving about. I am so happy! I never thought that Zackaria would have this opportunity to have the surgery. Even I was suffering from something that Mercy ships has healed.”

God did that. We were just His hands.

For the unknown amount of weeks ahead on the ship, I am praying that I can be present in very moment and be truly thankful for all the Lord has given me. 

“ALWAYS BE HUMBLE AND GENTLE. BE PATIENT WITH EACH OTHER, MAKING ALLOWANCE FOR EACH OTHER’S FAULTS BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE. MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP YOURSELVES UNITED IN THE SPIRIT, BINDING YOURSELVES TOGETHER WITH PEACE.” EPHESIANS 4:2-3

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Tenerife, Spain

Not How, But Who I Serve

We are trying to process this new normal. This new way of life- where we are in this day and try to handle it the best we can.

We have made it to Tenerife, Spain. We are beyond thankful for the Spainish officials to let us port here. So many have been asking why we left Senegal in the first place. The choice was made to leave Senegal because we had to end the field service with the Covid-19 crisis going on and therefore we were not being any help to the country. We actually could be more harm if our crew got sick. If one of our crew members were to get sick they would have to go to the Senegalese hospitals. Due to their healthcare system already being at capacity, we did not want to overwhelm their facilities more. Some have asked why haven’t we helped with covid-19. We are not a ship that could take on that responsibility at this time, after all this is a surgical ship not equipped to handle infectious disease. Every action we have taken has been strictly to keep our patients and our crew safe and healthy. Right now our mission is do what we can as far as maintenance for the ship so that when the time comes and we are allowed to start another field service, we will be ready.  To clarify though, this is not like being on a cruise or vacation. We are still being quarantined on the ship and are just trying to make the best of it. 

While I am not serving as a nurse at this time, I have been asked to help in the galley (kitchen).  I help prepare the meals for the remaining 240 crew members on board. I’ve done a lot of chopping veggies and washing dishes. During the sail, trying to chop vegetables was very interesting and anyone that knows me, knows I’m very clumsy in the first place. Adding a rocking ship to the mix made things quite a sight to see. haha! I didn’t know what to expect going into this new job. This is by no means what I signed up for, but at the end of the day I came to serve and at the moment this is where I am needed. It has been beyond humbling to be a part of the galley team. I serve with some awesome team members and it has been a pleasure of getting to know them. It has been so precious to see how The Lord has worked in all of us to get here to serve. If it wouldn’t have been for these unforeseen circumstances, I probably would have never met these wonderful people. My first day at work in the galley we were closing up the day with prayer and our team lead, Johny, said to us nurses, “thank you for coming to help.” I responded with my own thanks for doing this job day in and day out..More importantly, with thanks for preparing, cooking, and serving all of us food multiple times a day and expecting nothing in return. Gosh, they are just such an amazing group of people. We all come from different walks of life but we are all willing to work together to get the job done. One thing that has really stuck out to me this week has been just how selfless the housekeeping and kitchen staff are. Yes, I volunteered for three months to serve as a nurse but these wonderful people volunteered to cook food and clean the ship, every single day, for hundreds of strangers. Just let that soak in for a moment. They paid to come here and volunteer to clean community bathrooms and cook meals. For me it has meant so much to see all those that work behind the senes to make things happen. As a nurse you are on the front lines so you get to see the patients’ progress and have that connection with them. As for these other volunteers, they are working day in and day out without that. To me that has been something I have noticed that I need to be more like. Less worried about what is seen but what is unseen. 

This week has been hard. I had more time to process everything that has happened. Truly, I’ve struggled. I have had my moments with God just saying, “why Lord would you bring me all this way to only have two weeks of the field service. After all this is what thought you gave me the validation for and this is where you want me.” If you have been reading my other blogs the word The Lord laid on my heart was validation. And then - news flash - we are done with surgeries. What? This makes no sense. I wanted to have purpose here. I want to feel needed, to feel like I was helping make a difference. Then it’s all been seemingly stripped away. But maybe that’s the point in all this. Maybe it’s never been about my abilities or what I came to do but what God can do through me and in my own heart. I have been praying so hard over the last year to feel loved again. Maybe, just maybe, God brought me here to teach me about the depth of His love. 

I’ve really struggled with three main things: Questioning The Lord in why He brought me here on March 1st instead earlier if He knew this was going to happen, Feeling guilty for all the donations and for Global Health Collaboration helping me get here and then not being able to do nursing as long as planed, and third, selfishly, I wanted to have more time with the patients. I think we all strive to feel like we have purpose in whatever we are doing. For me, during this time The Lord has taught me a lot. For example, did I come for what I was going to gain or for what I was going to give? Maybe my purpose wasn’t to be here during a normal field service but to be here right now. To become more humble, to see behind the scenes, to take another layer of the control (I love so much) off, and for me just be present. Mostly I have felt The Lord asking,

“are you willing?”

I felt that question coming at me before I got here and even more now. My answer continues to be yes. So if I am truly willing, then it shouldn’t matter how I’m serving just as long as I am.

So here I am.

I pray I can serve with the Joy of The Lord and with a grateful heart. I think so many times we are guilty of assigning a person’s worth based on what they do. That’s the opposite of the way The Lord sees us. I’ve been reflecting a lot on how I treat people. Do I see them all as the same and love them the same? It’s been good to realize where my pride may get in the way. To be honest with myself and God, to grow deeper in my relationship with The Lord and strive to be completely selfless. For my greatest desire after all this isn’t about the relationships I’ve made, fun places I’ve been, meals I’ve helped cook, the care I gave to patients, but for having a heart after God’s own heart.

“And through it all, through it all my eyes are on You; and it is well. It is well. So let go, my soul and trust in Him. The waves and wind still know His name. So let go, my soul and trust Him.” 

“It Is Well” by Bethel Music- One of my favorite songs.

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Tenerife, Spain

A Ship at Sea

How has it already been a month? It has flown by. 

First, let me start with saying I’m praying you. For all of my friends and family. I know I’m not in the middle of what is going on at home but please know, just because I’m am across the world doesn’t mean I am oblivious to all that is happening. I’m not going to pretend to understand the level of fear and intensity this all has caused in my home nation but I will say I’ve noticed so many rely on The Lord like never before. Even though many feel like you can’t do all the ‘important things’ you’re used to doing- you are still alive.  God is STILL with us all. We have all lost control of our plans for our lives and are having to rely on living more day to day. I know loosing control in my life was by far, uncomfortable BUT the best thing ever to happen to me. If it wasn’t for that season of life, I might never have learned to fully surrender to The Lord. I know some do not have food options like normal, people are losing their jobs…all the unknown and uncomfortable is hard- but I know the Lord will provide! I pray people at home seek God for their security and strength. We will all get this through this. Though we (even we, as mercy shippers) are being asked to socially isolate, it’s important to not to isolate completely. Find that someone that you can open up to, someone you can pray with and that can pray for you, and find at least one thing to be thankful for everyday. 

He has not given us a spirit of fear.

As for news aboard the African Mercy..

We have left Senegal and are currently at sea. I’m not allowed to say where we are going yet but we are all safe! It was a very emotional departure from Senegal but before we left we had a meeting on board. The meeting mentioned returning to Senegal at some point in the future which seemed to ease our hearts and minds.

How is ship life? Well its been good. We have all joined together and have been willing to help with whatever needs to be done on board. Really not much has changed since my last post other than we are now at sea. Last Monday our last patients left. If they needed continued care, we partnered with medical ministries in the area to make sure their needs were taken care of. As many of us aboard the ship transition into different jobs, I’ve been so shocked with everyone’s attitude. We have all been open and willing to serve. Sometimes I feel like many people’s usual response to some of these tasks would be such as, “I’m too good to clean a community toilet or wash a cafeteria’s worth of dishes”… but literally everyone’s response has been just the opposite. Today (3/29/20) we were able to have worship on the bow. It was the most peaceful thing to be apart of. The waves were crashing and the voices sounded like a peaceful harmony. In that moment I just had Holy Spirit chills and felt the immense peace of The Lord. Isn’t it so amazing that when we redirect our focus on how great God is, our fears become less? Then we can just see fully, God for who He is: holy, pure love, peace, father, comforter, and grace. Thank you Lord for giving me another day! Thank you Global Health Collaboration and those who have poured into me, to help make this trip possible. Even though it has gone differently than expected, I’m so grateful for this experience and this community.

Also I have had some people thinking we are going to New York to help. We are not. I can see how this could be confusing. However, the ship going to New York is a US Navy ship named Mercy. That ship is a governmental ship that normally does similar things to the Africa Mercy however without the faith based focus and with the help of governmental funding where as we are the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship- run purely on volunteers willing to serve.

Until next post-with much love to all - Lauren 

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Dakar, Senegal- Africa

Life on Board the Unexpected

Wow! What a roller coaster of emotions I’ve been experiencing this past week. It has gone from getting my feet settled, learning my routines, and exploring the beautiful country of Senegal to stopping everything. I was so excited to fully dive into the culture. Then like a rushing wave we were hit with the news that due to covid-19, we could no longer continue the surgeries or any part of the rest of the field service. There was an overwhelming gasp in the meeting. We were all just heartbroken for the patients that had been preparing for months to have surgery and would now have to be told we can’t help them. Heartbroken for all those in the screening team that had to contact them. Heartbroken for all those Senegalese who have given up their jobs to help serve their country with Mercy Ships. It hasn’t been an easy week. Honestly, I’ve had selfish moments where I’ve thought “gosh, I just got here I wanted to help treat and care for patients and now it’s over.” But during my quiet time The Lord has reminded me that its not about my “experience” it’s about being in the now. Loving those I have had a chance to get to know with the love of the Lord. Cherishing my time with patients and watching God do miracles in their healing process. 

We have had a daily meetings to keep us up to date on the rapidly changing news. As of a week ago we have been quarantined on the ship. Surprisingly, in my opinion, we have done extremely well. We are having devotionals, worship nights, game nights, and still even lots of work! One of the most uplifting things I’ve witnessed is how the current patients have handled this all. They are so grateful for all that we have done. We have been told the response was the same from those that had to be contacted to have their surgeries cancelled.

Praise report: 

After sharing that the Dakar airport was closing, as many of you prayed for all those trying to get home, God made a way. The president and US government chartered a flight for US citizens to get home. 37 American volunteers were able to get home safely due to that flight. Praise God for His faithfulness. Some of you are wondering why I was not on that flight right? Haha! well let me tell you...

I had mentioned in a previous posting that I have felt called to serve with Mercy Ships even if that looks different than I expected.

The management in every department was asked to make a list of essential crew and nonessential crew. I have been asked if I would stay to help in the event of a crisis on board. As well as continue to serve the current patients. I have been so humbled that they would ask the girl that just got here two weeks ago to stay. In no way did I ever see myself as “essential,” but I think this just validates my feeling of called here. I’m so honored to be a part of this team and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Furthermore, to answer many questions: I don’t not know when I’ll be home. I am planning to serve here as long as they have a need for me and then I will return state side. I’m very grateful for all those praying for me! I’m thankful for a roommate keeping my beloved cat and letting me have somewhere to call home when I get back. I’m thankful for Global Health Collaboration and all those that helped fund my journey here. I couldn’t have done it without your willingness to help! Mostly, I’m just thankful to be alive and healthy. One thing I would like to focus on this next week is making sure glorifying the Lord is at the center of everything I do and embracing the happiness just to be a part of this amazing group- no matter what that looks like. The whole unknown thing can be very daunting at times but then I remind myself of God’s promises to me and the unknown seems less and less worrisome.

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Dakar, Senegal- Africa

Urgent Prayer Request

The airport here in Senegal is closing in 24 hours. Most people on board, (around 70%) were leaving to return home Sunday and Tuesday but this closure means they can no longer leave as planned. Please pray for the Mercy Ships team in Texas who are working tirelessly in trying to get people home and and for the all the uncertainty ahead of us all as we navigate through this pandemic.

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Dakar, Senegal- Africa

Change in Plans

Official statement from Mercy Ships:
“ The current situation of COVID-19, highlighted by the W.H.O.'s announcement of the designation of COVID-19 as a pandemic and the increasing travel restrictions applied by several countries, have made it increasingly difficult for Mercy Ships to continue to carry out its programs to the required standards, while protecting against the possible spread of the virus.
Therefore, in line with the measures taken by the President of Senegal with the Ministry of Health, Mercy Ships has reviewed the activities associated with the Africa Mercy and has decided to wind down the programmatic operations of our mission in Senegal.
The main concerns of Mercy Ships are the health of the Senegalese people and the safety and well-being of our own volunteers, crew and staff worldwide.
While we regret these measures, we are convinced that they are necessary for the safety and well-being of all concerned.
As we face these challenging events, we would like to thank you for your ongoing prayers and support to Mercy Ships and our mission to bring hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.”

As for me, I’m unsure when I’ll be coming home. I came to serve the people of Senegal with Mercy Ships and that’s what I intend to do even if it looks differently that I expected. Thank you all for praying and helping me financially. I ask that you please pray for the over 500 people remaining that are now being told that they will not receive the life changing surgery they had hoped and prayed to have. Also, please pray for the current post-operative patients, that they experience extreme healing by our Savior. 

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Dakar, Senegal- Africa

Validation

Feeling unloved and rejected are my two worst fears. In the last two years I’ve struggled with this on a whole new level. While having some beach time with a new friend I’ve made, we were just talking about our faith and how much we have learned over the years. I think one of the most beautiful things about this place is finding those girls that just are so personable and real. They truly want to know about you and everyone kinda has the understanding that we are all failures and yet we are still loved by our Heavenly Father. Being transparent with them has come so easy. During our conversation we talked about how we have found ourselves looking to others to make us feel included and loved. It’s so easy for me to get that reassurance through another person. I have been praying for a term or something that the Lord really wants me to get during this experience, then she said it - validation. It was weird, I got chills and just felt the Holy Spirit say to me “that is what I want you to understand.” At times I go through spells where it is so easy for me to determine thoughts coming from The Lord or and those coming from the world. Other times I truly believe the negative whispers-weather it’s the way someone has made me feel or something that they said.

VALIDATION

God, what do you mean?

This week I’ve felt He means that His love is validation enough. That I don’t have to find another person to make me feel loved but that He can renew my spirit and His love is worth it all. Validation that even though I didn’t think this is where I would be in this season of life, He has me right where He wants me. If my life would had been the way I was hoping I probably wouldn’t have answered the call to come serve in Africa.

Single, gosh that term just hurts me to say sometimes. But God is using this time of singleness to build me into the wife He truly wants me to be and this life isn’t about being married and having children despite what my home culture in the south can easy try to make me think it is. He is giving me validation that I can do this job even though this week I’ve felt like that is nearly impossible. At home I struggle with believing I can even do that job. I constantly find myself hoping someone will be give me that validation that I am smart enough to do it. But after receiving an evaluation that was the opposite of how I thought people felt about me and how handled my job.. I lost it. It really upset me..and that was just before leaving for here. Then I get here and I find myself thinking, “well crap, can I even be a nurse at all?!” I am questioning everything. But then that word hits me - Validation. That my worth does not come from what others say about me but what The Lord says. I am partially right, I alone can not do PICU here or at home; but God can and He has given me the knowledge I need to get through and let Him do it through me. The very moment I rely on myself or others, it doesn’t work. I fail or leave feeling less-than every single time, but when I focus on what God can do through me, I have a completely different outlook on life. Validation that someone on this ship will be my friend and that I can make connections with new and different people. Honestly that’s been hard. Yes everyone is really sweet and kind but most have been here for a while and with me coming in the middle of a field service, it can be hard to make those deeper relationships with those who seem to already have found them. But I as I just reflect on that term and what the Lord means by it, I feel reassured that it will happen. It’s just not in my timing. Nothing ever is. One of the hardest things I deal with is just releasing that control of my plans and fears and let go and say “okay God, I trust your timing. Your will not my own.”

  Praise God for the validation that he has given me to know that here in Senegal, West Africa with Mercy Ships is right where I am suppose to be.

“This is where my hope lies, this is where I find my rest. You can not change; yet you change everything.” - Rest In You by All Sons & Daughters

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Dakar, Senegal- Africa

These First Few Days

WOW. My first thought for week one. I’ve had my orientation and started shifts on my own. Honestly, I’m overwhelmed! I’m overwhelmed emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 

Emotionally, because I’m SO excited but at the same time it’s draining. I am so thankful for translators. I pray the Lord helps me learn and remember this language so I can at least connect in some way with my patients. I want to connect with them and help them feel loved but not only are there language barriers, but cultural differences. For example, the thumbs up I would normally use as a positive reinforcement for saying “you’re okay” can be taken as a rude in some cultures here. Not to mention just language here, Walof. Never heard of it? Yea me neither, but there are about 5 different dialects within this one language. I am just amazed at the translators who speak a minimum three languages each. Most of them have masters level education and took time off from work or school to help Mercy Ships. They are making much less in daily wages than they would in their normal jobs but they are sacrificing because they want to help their people. 

Physically, people here in Senegal are such hard workers. We have it so easy in The States. They do much more manual labor than most Americans will ever do. Most have to walk as a means of transportation because they can not afford taxis or a personal car. Gosh, I’m just overwhelmed because it’s so easy to take for granted all that I’m blessed with back home in The States. If I want to go anywhere back home, I can just hop in the car and go. Here, they have to plan ahead and know their trip by walking is going to be a day long journey rather than what would be an hour by car for me. Physically, I pray to have energy that only comes from The Lord to have time to connect and build relationships on the ship with the other volunteers, as well as during my shifts with my patients.

Spiritually, I want so badly to grow in this season and to come back with a renewed spirit and a new depth to my faith. I think for me, I’m trying to find my routine of things. With swapping shifts between days, evenings, and nights- it’s just finding the time for quiet time and surrounding myself with girls I can make lifelong friendships with. My prayer for that has been for The Lord help me remember what I’m here for. Yes, experiencing the culture is fun but keep reminding me of my true focus. I think personally, it’s easy to get distracted here just as much as it is back home. At home distraction comes in the ease in binge watching Netflix over taking time to spend with The Lord. Here, I’m less distracted by shows but could easily be just as distracted by hanging out with some of the other 399 people on board instead of spending time with Him. I pray I can find a healthy balance. The Lord has been so, so good to me. I pray I take the time to truly worship Him for all that he has given me.   

Honestly, during these first few days I am thinking “Lord what in the world did you call me to.” I don’t understand any of this terminology, I have never seen these surgeries, and I don’t even know how to pronounce them. I’m feeling very defeated, truly. I couldn’t even pronounce the patients’ names. I’m not sure what I expected but I was kinda hoping to have a little of a grasp on things. Nope, everything is completely new. As an ICU nurse in the US I guess I went into this thinking it’s going to be different but a nurse assessment doesn’t change no matter where you are in this world right? However, these first few days I’ve felt so unqualified for this. It’s so funny how the Lord works. All I can think is, He is saying “Lauren, YOU can not but I can. I need you to trust me.” Gosh how I have trust issues.. But, the Lord uses our weaknesses to show us His strength. One special lady I know, Mrs. Cramer, told us on one Guatemala trip to “always stay fluid,” meaning just always going with the flow. That’s hard for me. My ICU brain is very detail oriented and constantly thinking about the next detail. HA! Well in the last two years God has rocked my world with that term. Just learning to trust Him as the steady point in my life that will never change no matter how much everything else does.

I would like to ask for those praying for me during this journey that you pray for me to allow myself let down my guard and trust His plan. Pray that He helps me pick up this language and all details of these surgeries.

Today I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness to bring me to this place. I can not begin to grasp how he just provided me with the money, supplies, and ability to have a job to come back to.

Thank you Lord for always providing when I could not see a way. All in all, when I’m so overwhelmed about this work, pray that I can be reminded that God hasn’t left me yet and He never will. He does say we will endure trials and struggles but in my opinion, if I hadn’t gone through the rough times, I wouldn’t understand His love and mercy like I do now. Then I probably wouldn’t have listened when He led me here. I am leaning into a true dependence on Him rather than what I may think I want in this life. 

Written by Lauren Craig

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Mercy Ships

Dakar, Senegal- Africa

Chris Thomas Serves as an Electrician in the Dominican Republic

A Brief Look at Chris’s Service with Freedom International Ministries

Thank you Global Health Collaborations on supporting me in serving for another amazing week in Dominican Republic doing the Lord’s bidding. It's always amazing to see how much the Lord has blessed the ministry taking place down in the DR. 
We started our work here 7 years ago, when there were no facilities and only thirty kids in pre-kindergarten class kneeling on the floor to do school work off of church benches. Today there are four hundred and seventeen children ranging from pre-k3 all the way to the original thirty kids now in 6th grade- ALL being discipled in a school building that the Lord sent us down to begin.
This year our team spent time building housing for the missionary families, working in the school with the children, and wiring electricity for a maintenance garage.
The goal of this ministry is to use this school as a tool of discipleship for the local children. It is humbling and amazing that the Lord allows me to be a small part of that, even if it is through something I consider small- doing electrical work. In short, we do it all for the glory of God!

Sincerely, Chris

Written by Chris Thomas

2020 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with Freedom International

San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic

Half a Day at the Hospital of Hope

I walk through the screen door of the hospital to the sound of alarms beeping in REA (the name of our hospital’s ER). I also hear the sound of many different languages being spoken: French, English, Fulfulde.. just to name a few. There are family members of patients scattered on the benches near REA and the few isolation rooms that we have in the hospital, some even relaxing on their mats on the floor next to their family members.

I walk up to the station (our nurses station), round the corner and look at my assignment for the day. I have the peds ward and one of the private rooms. 

After I get report on my patients, check their charts, and get organized for the day I head over to see my first patient of the day… a child admitted for a chemo workup in one of the few private rooms in our hospital. She is doing well so I head over to the peds ward and start my initial assessments for the day. At first glance, everyone seems to be doing well. One patient who came in with malnutrition is sitting up in bed and playing with his mom. I do a quick assessment of his condition, hand him some plumpy-nut (a high protein nutritional supplement similar to peanut butter and used in treating malnutrition) and move to the next patient. The next child will be going to the OR or out to our ER today for an elbow manipulation procedure. She is not in her assigned bed in the peds ward, so I walk out to the hallway and find her there waiting for her procedure. She seems a little anxious for what is to come, but is doing well overall.

Next, I approach another patient, we will call them Peds 4. The patient had already been to the OR a day or so before to have an intestinal perforation repaired. Because I knew this patient from having taken care of them in the past, a few things seemed off to me this morning. The dressing that was covering the abdominal incision had a green substance leaking out from the bottom, the JP drain that was meant to drain fluid from the wound base was completely disconnected, and new swelling was appearing on the abdomen and feet of my patient. Shortly after discovering this, one of the surgeons came in and took a look at the JP drain and helped reattach it. This patient was under the care of another surgeon however, so I had to wait for him to arrive before helping this patient any further. After a few minutes, the other surgeon appeared and we returned to see the patient. As he removed the dressing, it was obvious that something was wrong. He proceeded to press on the stomach of the patient and green stool leaked from the incision site. Yikes. He then proceeded to give me an NPO order for her (meaning she could no longer have anything to eat or drink) and ordered for me to place Foley catheter to closely watch her urine output and a nasogastric tube to decompress her stomach. He assured me that he would be taking the patient back to the OR to find out what was happening inside her abdomen.

We quickly got the patient situated and moved to the hallway to wait for surgery.

After that, I return to seeing my other numerous patients. One is a baby with with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen) who needs to be fed really soon. While I was getting my other patient ready for surgery, the mom of this child was pumping breast milk and doing her best to get him to take some milk from a bottle. I do a quick assessment, make sure his Nasogastric tube is in place, note the amount of milk he was able to drink by mouth, and pull up the rest for the mom to give by a syringe through his feeding tube. 

My next task directs me to the private room where I find out that the patient who is here for chemo treatment will be getting her first round this afternoon. I quickly ask the charge nurse (who is a great IV starter and chemo nurse) if he would mind helping me start an IV on her and assist me in mixing and administering the chemo when the time comes! He replies with an energetic “No problem” and my nerves are calmed; being that chemo is not something that I have ever given in The States... let alone hand mixed. 

After getting that situation organized, I grab some normal saline and a vial of Ceftriaxone to mix up an antibiotic for my pre-op patient. I can tell that she is nervous and not feeling well, so I do my best to encourage her while I connect her secondary line to her primary line with a needle so that she can receive her antibiotic. 

In the middle of all of this, I find out that a patient with cerebral malaria will be transferred to the general peds ward from the Peds ICU, yet another patient added to my list.  

I then start another feed for a baby and get report on my new patient straightened out so that I can go to lunch. This is only the first half of my day and honestly it was what I would call a pretty “calm” day around the hospital.

Written by Megan Smith

2019 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with World Medical Mission

Mango, Togo- Africa

A Ride to the Market

Though I lived in Mango for almost eight months last year, I easily forgot how the dry, red dirt literally sticks to your skin whenever your sweaty.

One of the silliest decisions that I made this week was putting lip gloss on before biking off of the hospital compound. 

Within minutes a moto (motorcycle) zoomed past me and then a taxi did too and my lip gloss was suddenly dirt-gloss. Fancy, I know.

I was heading into town to visit my friend R* in market and to find some good looking mangos. As I was biking down the red dirt road to the market, I saw the water tower in the distance and knew that I was heading in the right direction. There are not many street signs here, so I used landmarks to help me keep my directions straight. After the water tower, I passed my tailors new shop and then I passed my friend’s house; I continued down the bumpy, dirt road until I finally reached the market. 

By the time I arrived at the market, my lip gloss wasn’t the only thing the dirt was stuck to. My feet, my arms, and my face are all sticky with sweat and red dirt.

The market was fairly calm, so I stopped by R*’s pagne (west African fabric) shop before I continued on with my errands.

When I stopped, she greeted me with a warm “Bon Arivee’”, I shook her hand, and sat down with her. I asked her how her family was doing and she asked me how my father was doing and then she redirected my attention to the new pagnes that she had in her shop. Pagnes are pieces or strips of materials that come in many colors and designs. Whether they are fashioned into a nice dress or wrapped around your head or waist.. almost everyone in town wears some kind of pagne regularly. After I looked at the pagnes and decided against buying yet another one, I asked R* if I could leave my bike at her shop while I went to search for Mangos, then I asked permission to leave, chatted for a few more minutes and then was on my way to look for mangos.

I walked in between the two rows of shops to the row of women selling fruits and vegetables in the middle. I said hello, smiled, and tried let all of them know that I was looking for mangos. Although several people approached me with piles of mangos atop of their heads, I ended up passing on the mangos in market. None of them looked quite as good as the ones that I had gotten the week before and I wasn’t settling for sub-par mangos. 

mango-less, I walked back to R*’s shop, sat with her for a bit longer, then went on my way.. biking back through the red dirt, past the water tower, and finally back into the hospital compound.

This was just errand one of my day. 

Written by Megan Smith

2019 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with World Medical Mission

Mango, Togo- Africa

Watching for His Promise

When caring for 8-10 patients per shift or 6-8 patients when working the intensive care ward of the hospital, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of my tasks for the day.

Push a little F-75 for one kiddo, push some F-100 for another. Make sure that the mom in the corner bed pumped milk for her baby’s next feed, and repeat. Start new IV’s on 3 patients. Mix some meds. Give some meds. Replace an NG tube on one of my littles... and repeat.

In the midst of my business, I sometimes have to catch myself and remind myself to see and celebrate the little and big victories! 

Just a few days ago, a boy came into our ER with a snakebite to his foot. After receiving a few vials of anti-venom in our ER, we admitted this patient to the pediatric intensive care unit to keep a close eye on his mental status, vital signs, and clotting times.. among other things. 

I am happy to say that this boy WALKED out of the hospital yesterday! He left smiling with his family smiling too because they still had their boy. 

His story could be very different. I know that all too well. 

Some days are better than others, but truly, I think the grace of God and good stories like this one keeps me going. I am thankful. 

Written by Megan Smith

2019 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with World Medical Mission

Mango, Togo- Africa

50,000 Patients in Less Than 4 Years

Today marks the first of June! That means that there are 13 more days left for me in here...this time. 

This week has been a busy week for me personally. I visited the church that I used to go to in town, met my friend’s baby girl, visited a few of my friends in their homes, and went to market and sat with my friend who sells pagne (west African fabric). It has been so wonderful to be reunited with so many familiar faces. In the same breath, it has been difficult in some ways too, saying hello, just to say “see you later” again in a couple of weeks. 

At the hospital, things have also been busy. This week the hospital treated its 50,000th patient since opening three and half years ago. 50,000 patients served by a 60”ish” bed hospital in just a few years. 

Aside from treating 50,000 patients. I am also excited to say that the local nursing students (who have been training for the last few years), will be graduating later this month. The nursing students are now working more shifts at the hospital and over the past few weeks I have been assigned to work with a student almost every shift. Truthfully, I have loved the days that I have had a student assigned to me! It has been so encouraging to see how much they have grown in their skills and confidence over these past months.

Even though I am sad to be leaving in a few weeks (not knowing if/when I will return), I am content knowing that these new nurses will be “officially” helping staff the hospital in month or so. Please pray for them as they transition into their role as new NURSES over this next month. 

Thank you for journeying along with me. I can’t wait to share another update with you next week. 

Written by Megan Smith

2019 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with World Medical Mission

Mango, Togo- Africa

Neo 6

Flashback to my blog post from January of 2018:

“Underneath the blanket and the bili-light, is a baby girl who was born at 28 weeks and 6 days at 0.92 kg (2lbs). Her momma was pre-eclamptic/eclamptic (meaning she had high blood pressure that led to seizures during her pregnancy), so our OB Doctor chose to go ahead and deliver this little one! Truthfully, I am amazed that she is doing as well as she is so far..things can change very quickly with these little ones. We don't have ventilators (machines that support breathing) here, so we use CPAP (positive airway pressure) to supply oxygen and then lots and lots of prayers. Pray for us as we take care of her (and her momma who loves her so much) in the days ahead.”

Flashback to my blog post from March of 2018:

“Neo 6 was discharged from the hospital. It was so much fun to be the first nurse to take care of her and the one to send her home too! A week later I was able to meet with her and her momma at their clinic visit, she seemed to be progressing wonderfully. Later that week, however, my roommate/fellow nurse pulled me aside at church and told me that she needed to talk to me. She told me that "Neo 6 had been readmitted to the hospital and that she may not make it through the night. Honestly, I was devastated. My room-mate and I immediately got on our bikes and went up to the hospital. Most days, I find myself wishing that my French was better but this night I found myself sitting on the hospital floor with Neo 6's momma, so thankful that I could not speak much French because I knew that there was nothing that I could say to make this better. My friend and I sat with Neo 6's momma for 30 minutes with our hands on her shoulders and we just let her cry. After that we asked her momma if we could pray for Neo 6 and she said yes. So we prayed and then I told her mom that I would drop by again when I came in for work the next morning. We left soon after and I cried a little too.

Over the next few weeks I stopped by Neo 6's bed before and after every shift. Over those weeks, she regained her strength, started eating again, and I am so happy to report that she is now BACK AT HOME WITH HER MOMMA! Praise God for that.”

May 2019 after being back a Week:

Although not all stories end with a happy ending, this one does. Throughout the year I have gotten a few periodic updates from physicians and nurses here in Mango and I am happy to say that because of the grace of God and access to quality medical care, this sweet girl is THRIVING. Stories like this one allow me to continue to hold onto hope even in the midst of the bad days that are full of a lot of death and sometimes sheer exhaustion. With the help of Global Health Collaboration, I am able to serve at the Hospital of Hope for another month without having to worry about finances! This is a huge burden lifted and allows me to be even more focused on providing quality medical care to babies like this one. 

Written by Megan Smith

2019 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with World Medical Mission

Mango, Togo- Africa

Megan's First Week Back in Togo

West Africa, Take Two

As the wheels of the the airplane lifted off of the ground, I could not help but to feel excited. Last year at this time, I had been living in West Africa for 4 months serving as a nurse in a local hospital. 

When I left West Africa in August of 2018 to be with my father who had just been diagnosed with Stage 4 Heart Failure, I never thought that I would be back there again in the same calendar year... but God.

Walking back into the hospital on Monday morning felt like home. I walked in, greeted my co-workers, checked the assignment board, and grabbed a “fiche de passation pour les infirmiers” (a patient care worksheet). 

My first day back, my assignment looked like this: a septic patient with malaria who was recovering from a stillbirth, a patient with malaria and possible typhoid fever (an adult weighing only 30kg), a post surgery patient with sepsis, a patient with a presumed stroke/brain abscess, a patient with a left femur fracture and a pulmonary contusion, and a patient with possible new onset leukemia. This was honestly a relatively light assignment, on a busy and short-staffed day there’s a chance that I could have up to 15 or so patients. All with needs. All with medications to mix myself and give. Usually each with IV drips to count by hand without an IV pump. Some going to surgery, some being discharged, some who may be told that they might not make it at all. 

To put it into perspective, at my hospital back home I would only ever be allowed to take 5 patients max, and that is a busy day. We usually take 3-4 patients. They each have IV’s that can be started by our vascular access team and pre-mixed medications that are delivered straight from the pharmacy. 

Comparison aside, what I do here is not much different than what I do in The States, it’s the “how” I get it all done that varies greatly. Luckily, creativity is one of my strengths and I utilize that strength every single day here. 

This is just a peek into some of the general comparisons of my work in West Africa and my work back in The U.S.A, I can’t wait to share more stories with you as I serve here over the next month! 

Written by Megan Smith

2019 Global Health Collaboration Missions Scholarship Recipient

Working with World Medical Mission

Mango, Togo- Africa

Be a Fibroblast

You ever want to write something profound but the words just don’t amount to the feeling you have in your chest? That is where I am. I find myself sipping coffee in Paris, waiting for my next flight, speechless. Over the last five weeks I have worked on D ward for my third service on board the Africa Mercy, my 5thmission trip to the continent of Africa in the last 6 years. That literally blows my mind. I can close my eyes and see myself sitting at my desk in the UNA Office of Student Engagement pushing through the struggle of nursing school and 3 jobs and campus life and imagining what the finish line would look like. Graduation. Dream job. Travel nursing. Maybe spouse…then once that all took approximately 5 years I hoped to get to Africa to “save babies.” That was my 5-year plan. People hear me talk about my 5-year plan and I am sure they think I am nuts, planning out my life just so. The thing is what they miss is the trauma that led to the wakeup call that I was settling for a life far less than the one I was called to live, that led to the focus on the God that had a beautiful plan for me, that led to the 5-year plan, that has me here. 

Show me a person doing amazing things and I’ll show you a God that made lemonade out of rotten tomatoes.

Nope I didn’t screw that up. That’s what kind of impossible, illogical work God does. I serve a God who has made the most unimaginably beautiful life out of the most ridiculous moments of pain and darkness. Impossible to possible. Pain to passion. Who in the world am I, the most unlikely choice (in my opinion), to be chosen to be the hands and feet of Jesus himself to the forgotten poor of Africa? Growing up I always wanted to be like everyone else. To have the “normal” family, to have the name brand clothes, to go to the cool restaurants, and be in the cool crowds. Even after becoming a Christian I wished I had grown up in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School like everyone else. Lock ins and father Abraham, am I right?! Lol! The thing is, I was a misfit. I didn’t have the likely background story. And as an adult, I thank God for that multiple times a day. 

                           Why fit in when you were born to stand out?

And that’s the thing isn’t it? I look back and smirk at all the times I was lost and felt like I was drowning. Asking why me? Why this? Impatient. Angry. Restless….

                                   And I see it now.. All part of the plan. A misfit so that I could understand the misfits. Different so that I could understand the different. A story to be shared so that people will not see me but will undeniably see God through me. 

           My pastor recently put it in a way that I find appropriate as I sit in the airport. “When we fly, we can only see out the window at where we are but our captain can see where we’re going.”

           Guinea was not unlike the previous African countries I’ve served in. Bustling streets of people working hard to survive. I love Africa. I think my favorite thing is that despite how hard life is at every corner imaginable, you help your fellow human. I often ride through the streets at dusk on my way to dinner and am just struck by the beauty of it. Children bathing in basins while their mothers cook over an open flame, groups of men stopping by a local stand for a drink after work, people still carrying items for sell atop their heads throughout the streets…living life together. Perfect strangers watching a tv show on benches in the open air, a lady hands her baby to the lady next to her waiting for a taxi so she can buy a papaya off the head of the lady walking by…Such trust and community and love. 

Of course, it isn’t that way for everyone. Guinea was another country where I got to love and care for the most beautiful babies…I’m not kidding when I say in 5 African countries, I have yet to see an ugly baby. Babies born with congenital defects that deemed them unworthy to sit at the table of the human race. Mothers who had been told to bury their infants alive and when they didn’t, were mocked and scorned as cursed and damned by their communities and families. Adults who were once those children, grown up still carrying their deformity as a scarlet letter for all to see they are less than human somehow. Cleft lips, cleft faces, cleft palates, encephaloceles, Noma scars, and large benign tumors is the D ward clientele. While there are 5 wards and a whole list of amazing surgeries done on board the Africa mercy, D ward is the island of misfits I call home. The stories are always similar…

For the babies it’s something like this: A baby was born different, a mother was told to kill it but she didn’t, she is blamed and cursed and often left by her husband and shunned from her village…but then Mercy Ships comes and repairs the abnormality and the mother visibly is transformed just as much as the baby we did surgery on. A once furrowed brow disappears and a smile takes over her face. Almost always she states that she had convinced herself that she was cursed just as everyone told her, but now she knows that God sent Mercy Ships specifically to help her baby.

For the Noma patients: Oh man the Noma patients get me…A recap on Noma: it is a gangrenous bacterium that is only found in the poorest corners of the world. This bacteria is an opportunistic bacteria that attacks children predominantly between the ages of 2-6 and has a 90% mortality rate. What that means is these Noma patients that we see are the 10% that survived with the odds stacked against them. Their mark of survival is on their face. Noma rots the tissues of the face down to the bone and leaves these patients often with gaping holes where their nose or cheek or eye once was. Just prepare yourself for disturbing images and then google Noma. Its horrific. These patients have stories of getting a cut on their way home from school or something similarly minor that changed their life forever. Once they get Noma they are now deformed and no longer allowed to go to school, no longer able to be a part of their village or families or society, no longer considered human. They are the strongest people I have ever met in my life. There is no textbook that covers how to repair Noma cases because it doesn’t exist in the developed world. Doctor Gary (he’s a freaking wizard) has just made up his own techniques over the course of his 30+ years on board in order to help these patients. He takes muscle from the skull and stretches it down to the nose where he keeps it attached for a few weeks to grow new skin and then releases it and builds them a new nose, takes a muscle from their shoulder and does the same to build a new cheek, the skull or the hip or the rib to make bone grafts….The list goes on..These walk up the gangway with fabric strategically wrapped around their faces to cover their scars of survival and leave unrecognizable. Their external scars still healing but their internal scars untraceable.

Tumor patients: The thing is, at home we find a lump or bump the size of a pea and we immediately run to the doctor to have whatever it may be removed. Being told it is benign is cause for celebration because in our minds, benign means survival and malignant means cancer. Well really the only difference medically is the borders that define that growth. A malignancy means the cells spread and benign means they are condensed to one spot. The difference in Africa means you’ll either die quickly or slowly. The tumors we see in D ward are all benign as we don’t operate on malignant tumors (because we will not help them by doing so). These benign tumors are anywhere from the size of an orange to the size of a watermelon…on the face…no joke. These patients will die a slow death by either starvation or suffocation if left without surgery. Their stories are that of knowing that they will die without help but having no help in sight. They watch their tumors grow bigger and bigger and their difficulties with it get worse and worse until they are sure they won’t make it another day and then Mercy Ships arrives. Again, there is no textbook procedure for the removal of tumors this large but the surgeons on board have perfected life change in a way that can only be divinely explained.

These stories are endless. Stories of shame, hopelessness, fear, pain….but then God…but then Mercy Ships. 

A surgeon on board gave an in-service that struck me right in the heart strings. Dr. Chong started out with a photo of these white blood cells called fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are just your everyday connective tissue cell that by all intents and purposes are unremarkable. The don’t look that impressive, they don’t do that impressive of a job within the body..They mainly just help other cells do their jobs and wait around until there is something to heal. What is cool about these cells though, is once they are called into action they are adaptable, resilient, and powerful. They actually thrive in the face of adversity! 

What is the Africa Mercy but a boat full of fibroblasts? A group of people who have sacrificed all the easy and comfortable ways of their lives back home to answer the call to heal. As Dr. Gary states, “We facilitate the impossible in a tangible way. Planting seeds of hope. That maybe they would go back to their village and the things that seemed impossible, like clean running water and good schools..that they might start to have the courage to do the impossible.” 

                           Facilitate the impossible in a tangible way… 

        Yep. I wanna do that every single day. Live my life in such a way that people will rethink what they once thought was inaccessible, impossible, unachievable. Then to say, how is it possible? And look up to the God of possibility. 

           I think we are quick to be like Abraham or Moses and disqualify ourselves from life’s big challenges. You know the ones, those that God speaks to you loud and clear…”You WILL be the father of nations..” “You WILL lead your people out of Egypt…” “You WILL ……(fill in the blank with your personal mountain)…..We say “OOOOHHHH heck no, that’s way too big for me, chose someone else God, I am not your guy”…….But just like the patient’s we treat on the Africa Mercy, they can’t receive their blessing until they first embark on the journey to the ship. 

                       …..You have to depart before you can arrive…

You can’t stay where you are and receive the blessings of where you’re supposed to be.

My biggest advice, find a squad of human fibroblasts to be on your team. One of the biggest things God showed me while I was gone was just how many amazing people I have in my life. Iron sharpens iron after all, so look for people who push you. Who tell you what you need to hear even when you don’t want to hear it. Who listen and impart wisdom on you. Who grow you and make you think. Those who pay attention to the whole of you not just the part that is different. That look you in the eyes and get you. Who see the whole of you and not just one talent or mistake or story or quality that sets you apart. Those people who know the part that makes you different but doesn’t make that your whole identity. People who may even love your bilateral cleft smile (only D ward nurses will know) that deems you weird. 

I guess what I am saying is people are just people. The only difference between you and me and the patients that I serve on board the Africa Mercy is really just the geographical location we were born in. We all are called differently and I am called to missions. But no matter where you receive the call in your life, answer it. Nothing can prepare you for the hard parts of life except for knowing you are in the will of God. Live life seeking God’s will and you will always find strength to deal with the parts of life that are simply inevitable. Count your blessings, including your human fibroblasts. Be a human fibroblast yourself.  Don’t disqualify yourself from the amazing. Help your fellow human. Don’t keep up with the Joneses on Facebook or otherwise. Live the life God has planned for you. It is ALL possible, trust me. One step at a time…I’ve seen the impossible happen time and time again on board a floating hospital full of human fibroblasts. 

Disclaimer: Actually none of the photos above are from Guinea but are from Madagascar and Cameroon because I mainly have photos of craniofacial patients from Guinea..Ill post them soon but here are the after photos for the first and third patients above (the middle one is an after as the before pictures of Noma patients are far too graphic).

Not Because of Who I am

If you had told me 6 years ago that I would be taking my fifth trip to serve in the mission field in Africa while simultaneously beginning Nurse Practitioner school, I would have driven you to the hospital myself convinced that you had completely lost your mind. I remember so vividly, telling Mrs. Juliette (my Kenyan immigrant coworker and superior) about my whole 5 year plan leading up to my dream of getting to Africa to “save babies.” I had every year laid out in the hopes that by year 6 I would make it to Africa.

 I had ZERO intentions of ever returning to school. 

“We can make our plans but the Lord gives the right answer”-Proverbs 16:1

I literally laugh out loud at the raw reality of this verse. I hoped, planned, and prayed to get to Africa to “save babies” by year 6 post graduation. This year.

In 3 weeks I leave for my fifth mission on that beautiful continent. 

In fact, if you doubt God pays attention when you pray specifically..My first trip was a year after graduation on a research trip to Zambia. By God’s beautiful design I somehow found myself the only nurse on a team of doctors working on a labor and delivery ward attempting to implement interventions on none other than decreasing infant mortality rates. Literally saving babies yall. That trip, a switch flipped and God showed me that this wasn’t just a dream likely sparked from watching way too much Lion King, this was my calling. 

Continuously He pushes me, molds me, reminds me who I am when I am not quite sure it’s in me. It was while serving in Togo that He showed me that I was meant to be a Nurse Practitioner and to be honest I was like.. “AWAY FROM ME SATAN!” Haha! No way was I going back to school, that’s not in the cards for me! Me, the first in my family to go to college. Me, the girl who worked her butt off just to get through undergrad with a 2.97 GPA. Me, the girl who was knee deep in student loan debt. Me, the terrible test taker, the one who has to study harder, work harder, push harder..yea, no. I’ll sacrifice, fly clear across the world, take cold showers in bacteria infested water, ride a bike 3 miles in the rain and eat boiled eggs every day for a month straight but I am NOT going back to school. 

But God.

Man. Most days I can hear the Lord speaking to me as loud as my alarm clock and just as persistent. I can press the metaphorical snooze button all I want but He loves me so, that He keeps calling. I couldn’t ignore Him so I applied to the University of South Alabama’s program last fall. They have a great reputation and don’t require the GRE, Score! I worked hard on my application and felt sure I would get in with the Lord’s provision. But when my letter came, rejected. You know what happened though? I wasn’t distraught. I had built my foundation on solid ground, my faith was in Him and His plan and if this door was closed, I was sure He’d open the right one as long as I kept knocking. I prayed and I waited. He told me to wait in the “hallway” and to try a few masters classes, so I did. Then that masters program announced they were starting a Nurse Practitioner program the following semester and the Lord said to me..“Go knock on that one.” 

Today the door opened.

Today I got into Nurse Practitioner school at my alma mater (ROAR LIONS). Today God said to me, “I made you for amazing purpose, now walk through that door and make it happen.” 

Today I have been a blubbering mess. 

As I’ve looked over the course of the last year and noticed every detail of God’s provision, direction, and intervention in my life. Things that can only be explained by Him. Can I tell you how unbelievably overwhelming it is to know you are exactly where you are meant to be on the path that God uniquely designed for you before you were ever even born? 

I am so unworthy.

This life. This path, my husband, my mission work, my career, all of it. It is such a beautiful, beautiful life pouring over with blessings and I am so unworthy but yall I am floored with thanksgiving. Who am I that the Lord of all the Earth would care to make this beautiful life for me? Not because of who I am but because of who He is, I give it all back to Him. I will continue to follow where He leads because His plans are always best and I couldn’t have gotten here with the most strategic of five year plans on my own. 

So here I am halfway through year 6, the unplanned year.. (I graduated in May) I married my soul mate this year. I got into NP school this year. I take my fifth mission trip to Guinea this year. I gained 2 new nieces this year (and another by marriage!) I am blessed beyond measure.

Here’s to beginning NP school onboard a hospital ship off the coast of Africa! haha! Yall pray for me..