News Updates
International Women's Day
In recognition of International Women's Day, we celebrate our women's health patients, who have pursued healing despite great obstacles. These ordinary women have shown extraordinary courage after suffering from rejection and loss. We celebrate these beautiful women and their journeys!
Don Stephens Visits the Africa Mercy
"According to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, 5 billion people on the face of the Earth lack access to safe, secure, and effective surgery. That statement alone explains why Mercy Ships exists." -Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships
Fun Deck 7 Time
Four year old Sasimeny is a plastics patient currently recovering from surgery to restore function and mobility to her right arm. About a year ago, Sasimeny fell onto ash causing a severe burn contracture where she lost function of her right hand and her arm was unable to bend. Her playful attitude and wide eyes make her a favorite among nurses and visitors when spending time outside on Deck 7 each day.
"The development and growth of Mercy Ships has one key element: people. The quality of people, their call, their commitment, they share a common vision and purpose, that's the reason for the growth of Mercy Ships." -Don Stephens
Patient Updates
Elina's New Hope: This girl is getting more and more excited with each passing day. Elina's burn grafts have taken nicely and her wounds are hurting less and less. This has given Elina more time to focus on making friends and just being six. Elina's mama now has new hope for her daughter's future! It is thanks to donors and volunteers working together that Elina's future is looking bright!
Sasiline's Love: Sasiline loves the patients' daily excursion to Deck 7 for fun and fresh air. A month ago the burn scars that immobilized her elbow and hand were released by surgery. Then last week she received a skin graft from her thigh to restore her arm and hand. Nurse Monica Ciolfi is one of the fabulous nurses helping Sasiline along the challenging raod to complete healing. #followSasiline
Elvie Throwback: Before. Elvie was born with a clubbed foot, which made her different from the other children. But despite that difference, Elvie's mothers, family, and village showed her love and support. "Regardless of her clubfoot, she is my daughter and I love her!" said Elvie's mother. But when they heard about Mercy Ships, Elvie's family knew this was her once chance to fix her foot so she could be like the other girls and go to school and get married.
Elvie's Casting: After a surgery to straighten her foot, Elvie was in a cast for several weeks. Every time Elvie came in for a cast change they were amazed by how perfectly white her cast remained over the previous week. Elvie's mother said she wanted to do everything right so her daughter could be fully healed.
Elvie's Rehab: After weeks of casting, Elvie began physical therapy exercises. Physical therapy was fun work for Elvie who enjoyed the games. And sometimes Elvie's physical therapy sessions ended with a dance party!
Elvie's Transformation: "I am so proud of her beautiful face and smile. We are so happy...happy because my daughter will now be like other children!" -Elvie's mother
Prayer Requests
Fifaliana's Prayer: Fifaliana and her mother had mixed emotions this week. While one of Fifaliana's legs is now completely healed and straight, the other leg is not quite whole yet. in characteristic strength of spirit, this tiny ten-year-old resolutely stepped out with a new light-weight fracture brace on one leg, and another glitter-sprinkled cast on the other. A new series of rehab begins as she relearns to walk, and continues to strengthen muscles that her previous disability prevented her from using.
Will you join us in praying for Fifaliana and our other patients undergoing physiotherapy? They need both patience and determination to learn to move their bodies in new ways after their reconstructive surgeries.
Crew Bio: Laura McDonald (USA)
Nurse Laura McDonald from Missouri USA refuses to let language be a barrier between her and her Malagasy patients on board the Mercy Ship.
Recently changing the would dressing of one young woman, Laura describes the tears that were rolling down her patient's cheek as she gently worked. Laura looked deep into her patient's eyes and asked through the translator, "Am I hurting you? Is everything OK?" The young woman replied through her tears, "No, no it doesn't hurt. Thank you so much for caring for me--I can see it in your face!"
Laura says she has learned to become increasingly conscious and comfortable with non-verbal communication in all her role as a Mercy Ships nurse entails.
Itw as on social media at nursing school that Laura first learned about Mercy Ships. When a friend returned from serving six weeks on board, Laura decided this was definitely something she wanted to do in the future. "It was one of my dreams," she recalls. "I wanted to use my skills as a nurse in some capacity. I really like [the Mercy Ships] vision; going to really poor countries where people would never have opportunity for surgeries, and providing them for free. It lines up with how Jesus helped the poor, and it really stuck with me."
The nurses in her ward are from a broad mix of nationalities. While English is the professional working language they all hold in common, she says terminology can be a challenge. Despite people being from all over the world, she says they work well together as a team. "We support and encourage each other, which makes a difference when we are working towards a common goal. Also, not being paid pulls us together. We're all determined to make a difference, and to make our time count."
Cross-cultural communication turned into a significant learning curve for Laura as she goes on to describe the comradery she shares with the Canadian, Dutch, and French women in her six-berth cabin. "It's good to live in community and have close relationships with people. It shows you things about yourself that don't show up when you're living on your own.
"Being here helps me to see I have a big capacity to love people," Laura reflects. "Even one person makes being here worth it!"
