MERCY SHIPS
So many years ago now that it’s difficult to remember exactly when, my eyes and my heart were opened to the people of Africa. A magical place of great natural beauty, culture, resources, and, unbelievable need. Since then I’ve worked with Point Hope and countless other worthy organizations to help create pathways to better education, services, nutrition, and health for those in Africa and well beyond.
I often say, “It’s when the sky is night-est, the stars are brightest”; there’s nothing quite like the luxury of star-gazing and reveling in the wonder of our heavens on a crisp clear night. It’s a metaphor for life. Those of us privileged to have access to the goods and services to meet our every need live in a state of clear skies and immense possibility, free to dance in the radiance of twinkling celestial bodies. But for many in our global community it’s difficult (to impossible) to see the light through the fog of very real hardships.
For over 40 years Mercy Ships has been serving as a beacon of hope, changing people’s lives. They turn ships into floating hospitals and journey to some of the poorest countries in the world, providing free surgical procedures — over 100,000 — to those with no access to medical care, aided by volunteers who come from all walks of life.
In doing so, they’ve also helped transform entire communities in Africa by training local doctors who continue the work long after the ships leave port.
The hope that Mercy Ships creates goes well beyond patients and their families. It also inspires the surgeons, nurses, and entire team of volunteers and donors who make this mission happen.
For everyone involved with Mercy Ships, from medical and administrative personnel, to engine room assistants, galley workers and housekeeping, the world gets a little brighter.
Over the next several weeks you may hear me mentioning Mercy Ships on my radio program, or see posts about them on my social media platforms. I’m also working on a podcast that includes the stories of volunteers who have served aboard these floating medical miracle-makers. I guarantee you won’t be able to listen without a box of tissues nearby.
The reason? Because I want you to know of this incredible group of medical professionals and ship volunteers who’ve joined a high-seas mission to hand deliver gifts of hope and healing.
