pie charts and life change

The final surgeries have been completed and one-by-one the patients are being discharged from the wards.  The hospital (and all of the rest of the ship) is being packed up and readied for the sail to Durban.  Crew are finishing out this field service with all the tough good-byes that this season brings...

As those things are happening, it's nice to have visual reminders of some of what has been accomplished through the Africa Mercy in the last 9 months.  

If you have time, take a few minutes to study these charts - to read the fine print...to consider that each number is a person.  Each percentage represents impact. 

What's mind boggling is all of the lives that have been affected that are NOT represented by these pie charts.  Crew. Guests to the ship. Neighbors of patients who return home without the tumor or cleft lip or leaking body that they left with. Caretakers.  Health officials. Doctors. Nurses. Friends and family of crew back home.  The random person in Seattle who happened to click on a link where a story of a patient was shared.  

And then to think of future lives that will be affected (whew...that brings tears to my eyes)...those lives that will be saved because safe surgery practices are being used...the babies who will be able to breathe because a Malagasy nurse took a course...future crew who will come serve on a Mercy Ship because they hear the story of a current crew mate....hundreds and thousands of lives forever changed because of God's work through the Africa Mercy in Madagascar. 

A few songs are coming to mind and filling my heart: 

• To God be the glory great things He has done...
• Tell Papa God Tenki...
• Great things He has done.  Greater things He will do...

He is our good, good Father...what a privilege to be a part of His love here on earth.

Surely there will be more to come.

Paper Making Field Trip (we love Miss Katie)

This is the ever lovely Katie Stafford - Emma's teacher and a good friend of our family.  She recently wrote a blog for our internal communication forum affectionately known as "Navigator" -- we thought you'd like to see/hear her pictures and words from a recent field trip the Elementary Kids were able to take (and some bonus sea urchin activities!).

The end of the school year is upon us, and we have been busy with many fun activities and highlights! The elementary students recently had the opportunity to visit a local paper-making craftsman. What a memorable experience! We learned all about every step of the process, and then we got to do it ourselves.

Step 1: Beat the tree bark that has already been soaked and cooked for 8 hours

Step 2: Slap and spread the mixture over the screens in the water

Step 3: Design your own piece of paper using beautiful Madagascar flowers! Seal water over the top

Step 4: Leave the paper in the sun to dry. Thank the craftsman with a hearty “Misaotra Bessika!” Go enjoy ice cream before heading back to the ship!

Step 5: A few days later, admire your beautiful, hand-crafted Malagasy work of art!

Bonus! Sea Urchins!  : Racing and holding live sea urchins for a school-wide devotion time, led by our principal. What!?!?

Thanks, Katie, for letting us use your blog post.  And thank you for loving on Emma and teaching her so very much.  You've taught her so much more than reading and math and science, you've taught her kindness and generosity, gentlness and the art of laughter.  You've modeled the life of a woman who loves the Lord and lives her life for Him.  You've invested so very well in her and we will forever benefit and forever be grateful.  We would be thrilled if she grows up to be anything like you. We couldn't have asked for a better Kindergarten teacher.  We are praying God's absolute best for you as you transition from this place.  It's quite the understatement to say that we will miss you.  

The treasures and gifts of this place amaze us...Miss Katie and the Academy are certainly 2 of those treasures (not to mention sea urchins). 

Surely there will be more to come. 

i fell in love last week.

I fell in love last week.  I guess that shouldn't surprise me - after all, this vessel has been deemed the "love boat."   I just wasn't sure if it was really going to happen to me (especially since I came here happily married and already very much in love).

It was down on deck 3. On Tuesday.  I was wearing blue (as was everyone else).

Truth be told, this isn't the first time I've fallen in love in this place.  Just the most recent.

The falling in love happened as I observed 2 surgeries.  The fact is that this love connection could have happened 3+ years ago (and multiple times!) -- as crew, we are able to observe surgery once per field service.  For no explainable reason other than I just hadn't made the effort (and - more honestly, I really wasn't sure I would be able to handle it!), this field service is the first time I've done it.

I donned my scrubs (which are so very comfy and I wish I could wear them all the time) and was oriented by the lovely and kind Bronnie (OR Administrative Assistant...aka "Ms. Hospitality" for the crew who are coming to be first hand observers of miracles on Deck 3).  She graciously told me what I should do if I began

These pictures are not from the surgeries that I observed - but they are similar to what I saw.  

I was welcomed in to an OR...I was told (in pretty terrific detail!) what was happening...I got to stand and watch as a hernia was repaired on a young Malagasy man. Even more impressive than the hernia repair was being in a room full of people from various countries, generations and backgrounds working together as one team to perform a life-changing surgery.

I was also able to watch and listen as the Mercy Ships surgeons (there were 2)mentored,  taught, modeled, and explained to a Malagasy surgeon what they were doing (or perhaps a surgeon in training - not sure which stage of learning he is in!).  Who knows how many lives will be better as this Malagasy man takes what he has learned and applies it in his hospital and shares it with his colleauges.  Capacity building right in front of me. Beautiful to witness.  

After the hernia surgery I thought I was done...but then Bronnie asked if I wanted to go into another OR.  I thought, "I'm dressed and ready for it, why not?!"  I'm glad I said yes...the 2nd surgery was even more fascinating than the first!  I was able to be inches from a baby having her cleft palate and lip repaired (by the surgeon on the left below).  I've never considered just how tough the palate is and how closing the gap is actually done.  I'm amazed by the talent and skills people have and how they use them to bring hope and healing to some of the world's forgotten poor.

Yes, I fell in love with this place all over again.  I fell in love with the mission and the vision and the love that is happening in, on and through this vessel.  I was reminded of why we are here...and what we're all a part of.  I fell in love with the way healthcare is done here on the Africa Mercy - with kindness, care, attention to detail, excellence and Jesus-like LOVE for the one in front of us.

I fell in love and I was reminded of how in love with this place I already am.

I needed the reminder.

Surely there will be more to come.

...and a time for dancing!

Some nights are just so good...and so right...and so "normal" (but when did an extraordinary opportunity on a ship off the coast of Madagascar as a part of a remarkable community become so "normal"?).  

Saturday night was one of those nights.  Nick and the girls attended the 2nd Annual AFM "Father Daughter Dinner and Dance."  

The girls were able to get ready in the "Royal Salon" - the Hospital Conference room on Deck 3 had been transformed into a place of preparing, pampering and primping.  What gifts our girls were given: the chance to be loved on by some of our female crew, the chance to get "fixed up" in a most appropriate and pleasing way - not too little, not too much, the chance to interact with lovely ladies who are worthy role models of grace, loveliness and godliness.  

After the salon experience, we went back up to the cabin so that Nick could come and pick up Caroline and Emma.  He arrived right on time with flowers in hand.  We took a few pictures on Deck 7 and then off to the International Lounge they went.

In the International Lounge they were welcomed by a host of hosts - a line of guys who volunteered to serve these dads and daughters.  The first stop was the photo booth and then on to the tables that were set for dinner.

For dinner (while Mr. Laurin played the piano), everyone was served their own personal pizza - carefully handcrafted with pre-selected toppings!  Pizza was followed by an ice-cream sundae bar....And then on to the dancing...(not sure how we missed out on the pictures of Nick and Caroline dancing...)

Caroline's thoughts on the Event: 

It was really fun and we had good pizza.  there's this thing i did with my dad when we were dancing  where we would twist our arms and I would sit on the floor and my dad would stand in front of me with his back to me, holding my hands and then he would pull me up and i would jump and twist around in the air.  And it was fun to have the smoke machine.  It was kind of like we were in the clouds...but it smelled bad.  I don't think the clouds smell bad.  I liked having my hair straightened and blow dried.  I don't do that much.  I really like the braid in my hair and I know my dad liked the braid in my hair.  And I liked the serving people - they would bring us whatever we asked for...like water and stuff.  I liked the whole thing...it shows us how important our relationship with our father is and how special that is.

Emma's thoughts on the Event: 
It was good.  I liked the smoke machine and the light that spins around.  I liked how the fairy lights were hung up around the room.  I liked how other people danced and how daddy and I danced.  I liked the pizza and the icecream.  And I liked all the toppings on the icecream.  I think they had this dance to show how much the dads love their kids.  I liked what everyone was wearing.    

Oh what a night!  A sweet gift from this community to  Nick and our girls...to our entire family....

God gives such good gifts....

Surely there will be more to come.

cause sometimes it doesn't all make sense...

...but we know and trust and believe that God is good and He is love.  

Today our hearts are broken over the loss of a young patient.

The beautiful 5-year-old girl from Northern Madagascar passed away on board the Africa Mercy on Thursday 10 March, at 5.45pm. She died two days after a very unusual, rare and severe reaction to the surgical procedure in combination with general anaesthetic, during treatment to remove a complex tumour of her lower face and neck. Her mother had been at her bedside since their arrival to the Mercy Ship on 20 January and her senior uncle joined them Thursday evening.

Official formalities with the local authorities were completed Friday morning and the family and the body are flown back to their village in the afternoon to prepare for her funeral.

Our prayers and our love leave with them.

-Mercy Ships Press Release, Saturday March 12, 2016

It's hard when hope and healing do not look the way we imagine that they will.  It's hard when we pray for life and yet death is the gift of grace that is given.  It's hard when we want to know answers and reasons and explanations...yet they aren't ours for the taking.

Here are 3 blog posts that may give you a better picture of the situation, ways to pray and glimpses into the beautiful hearts of our crew (we would highly encourage you to click on the links and read these posts):

• KJ's Blog
• Brian's thoughts on the Barki's blog
• Krissy's Blog

Small excerpt from last Sunday's sermon -- finding God in Esther:

"...and sometimes there’s going to be a great reversal that we get to experience on earth – it’s all going to come together and make sense…and we can trust that even if there’s not an earthly conclusion that makes sense, there will be heavenly conclusions that make sense…we can still have faith, believing that our God is working even when circumstances are uncontrollable – even when life is unpredictable..."

Surely there will be more to come.

the month that was February...

Here are 3 slides from our hospital that give dozens of incredible reminders of the ways God is at work in, on and around the AFM and tangible examples of the ways He is using YOU in the lives of the people of Madagascar.  

If you have any questions or want to know more about a particular item (ie - what is Ponsetti?  or why did they misspell "hopital be"?) just let us know!  We'll do what we can to answer your questions.

Surely there will be more to come.

2 in 1 - Haingo & BioMed Training

Thought you might be encouraged by these 2 updates that were put together by our Communications Team...2 examples of how God uses the unsung heros of the Infant Feeding Program and the BioMed Team to bring hope and healing to some of the world's forgotten poor.  

Haingo

Haingo needed intense care to bring her back from the brink. Her cleft palate was the greatest concern; her inability to breastfeed/nurse left her severely malnourished. Her bilateral cleft palate left her face severely disfigured.  Haingo was almost seven months old and weighed a fragile 2.2kg (less than 5 lbs) when she was admitted with her mother Viviaby to the Africa Mercy ward. She immediately began the infant feeding program (IFP).

Every few hours - around the clock - Haingo was fed milk and supplements with an oral syringe by nurses who rocked her and prayed. Within days the tiny baby stopped her constant crying, she stopped frowning and her mother slept soundly for the first time in many months. Little by little, the tide was turned and Haingo began to gain weight. Viviaby began to believe her precious daughter would survive. In 10 days Haingo’s health had stabilised enough for Viviaby to relocate to the Hospital Outpatients (HOPE) Centre and mother and daughter began frequent visits to the IFP dietitian. Jillian helped Viviaby understand how to effectively feed her baby, and provided her with the supplies and equipment she needed. Haingo’s gradual weight gain was monitored and celebrated. Mother and baby relaxed into a nurturing environment.

Haingo began to reach her developmental milestones as her slowly growth progressed. Jillian and Viviaby worked together week after week, reaching towards twin goals. When Haingo weighed 3.5kg she would be strong enough to have surgery to restore her cleft lip, but she had to be ten months to have surgery to restore her palate.  Both goals were met and surgery became possible!  

BioMed

Doctors and nurses depend on well-functioning equipment in order to give the best possible care to their patients. Well-trained biomedical technicians who can keep keep equipment running properly are a vital resource to any hospital and can sometimes be the difference between life and death. Recently 6 Malagasy trainees completed months of biomedical training thanks to a partnership between Mercy Ships and Medical Aid International. Trainees not only received academic and hands-on instruction but they were also taught how to teach others to continue to grow their ranks and improve the healthcare in Madagascar.

Medical Aid International Instructor Sean Ryder shares, “They have a great start. They have the tools, the equipment and the knowledge. That knowledge needs to be grown and they can do that themselves through experience of working with the equipment. If they have the opportunity from their management they they will grow into an amazing center probably nothing like they have in mainland Africa let alone an island off of Africa. They have the best possible start now. This hospital and those around can see what a difference it makes, grasp the opportunity and continue driving it forward.”

Please join us in praying

• for Haingo and the others in the Infant Feeding Program
• that this BioMed training will have a long lasting impact on the nation of Madagascar
• for continued strength and courage for every crew member of the Africa Mercy 

Surely there will be more to come.  

Cloudio #nomoreburden

So this happened downstairs yesterday (thanks to Ruben Plomp for the pictures and captions). 

 

This is Claudio. A 14 year old boy who is courageous and brave. Without any hesitation he walked into the OR room today ready to see his life transformed. 5 hours later he was free from an obnoxious big deformity that grew on the back of his head.  #nomoreburden #mercyships #madagascar #part1

And here is Claudio one hour after his surgery. He gave me a fist bump and a smile and is laying on his back for the first time in forever! Wow... Go Claudio!  #madagascar #mercyships #nomoreburden #part2

Surely there will be more to come. 

Somaya: beautiful garden surrounded by roses and flowers

This is a story put together by our Communications Team about a beautiful little girl named Somaya.  It's also a story about God's faithfulness to Somaya's Mama, Neny.  And it's about God's love for Neny's neighbors.   And it's about His goodness to let all of us be a small part of bringing hope and healing to some of His beloved children. 

Many times Neny’s neighbors told her to get rid of Somaya because she was born with a cleft lip and palate. They frequently told Neny to just put her in an orphanage, but Neny refused. "She is a gift from God. Soon I will find a solution to fix her lips and then she will be like everyone else. I was really sad and was praying for a solution every day.”

Neny was told it would cost US$122 for an operation to fix Somaya’s mouth.  “I earn 3,000 Ariary (less than US $1) a day. From this we must buy food and pay rent. It would be completely impossible for me to save this money. When I heard about Mercy Ships on the radio broadcast I knew it was my answer from God." 

Two year old Somaya was offered reconstructive surgery at no cost to Neny. Now she can eat and speak normally for the very first time. No longer will Somaya have to endure the ridicule from neighbors. Just a few weeks ago, Somaya returned home to celebrate her first Christmas with rose-bud lips and a restored palate!

Isn't she beautiful?  And with the tiniest scar to remind her that God sees her and cares for her....a testimony to the fact that He gives His children good, good gifts.  Isn't that what scars can often be?  A reminder of what we've been brought through.  A reminder of the healing that has taken place.

I wonder who this little girl will grow up to be.  I wonder how God's going to use her to bless and strengthen and draw people to Himself.  I wonder if she'll come serve on a Mercy Ship in a couple of decades.  I wonder what God has in mind for this little 2 year old treasure.  

I looked up the meaning of her name.  "Somaya: beautiful garden surrounded by roses and flowers." Our writer, Sharon, was spot on in saying that Somaya celebrated Christmas with rosebud lips. 

Surely there will be more to come.  

Cash Crew Christmas 2015 - part 2

Solomon's Creativity

I saw this picture on facebook - and loved it!  Solomon, one of our crew (the guy in the blue!) created these trees for the Hope Center out of pallets.  Creativity is absolutely lovely! 

Santa Lucia

This is one of the most beautiful Christmas traditions on the AFM!  The roots of the Scandinavian tradition are connected to the winter light festival of St. Lucy, a Christian Martry from the 3rd Century.  (one of the rare times candles are able to be lit on the ship...rest assured, there's a fire extinguisher nearby)

pc: KJ

Decking our own halls: Cabin 6318

Gingerbread House Making
Mad love, huge props and major respect to KJ for making a gingerbread house with the Cash and Dunne kids - that's quite the undertaking.  They had quite the creative result...complete with a story about dinosaurs attacking, santa eating and then rebuilding their house.

 a few of the other "results"

Carols by Candlelight

Monday night we gathered in the warehouse on the dock and got to hold REAL candles!  Some of our crew from the Southern Hemisphere shared this Australian Tradition with us.   It's easy to forget that not everyone's Christmas involves wishing for a white Christmas, fire places and bundling up. Fun fact: the acoustics in the warehouse are amazing!!  

The Australian born (AFM/Malagasy version) "Wiggles" also made an appearance...sorry for the blurriness...they lived up to their name and weren't still

Elementary Students Caroling

The day before their break from school, the kids were able to sing down on the wards in the hospital and share some joy through singing. Then they came up and sang for the crew in mid-ships and shared joy through cupcakes!

More memories made...more celebrations shared...more excitement over the coming of Jesus.  One more sleep until Christmas Day! 

Surely there will be more to come!