Africa

Africa. The word brings a lot of things to mind for the common people of America. None of the thoughts are probably very good. We all know the continent is war torn, that people are starving, have AIDS, and that it is the home of Genocide. But this side of Africa is not the reason I talk to you today, because we all know how dark of place Africa is. I am here to tell you of hope. To tell you of exciting events filled with miracles, joy, and hope. I am talking to you to tell you of the amazing works God is doing in Africa. We must remember that no continent is too big for our God. He loves those in Africa just as much as He loves you or I. God proves His love all the time, are we listening? Are we watching?

Specifically, I am talking about the Africa Mercy. A medical ship owned by the Christian organization, Mercy Ships. The Africa Mercy travels to a different country every 10-11 months. While in port, the ship conducts thousands of surgeries: for free. Not only does the ship provide surgeries but the crew helps train local medical professionals and helps build new medical facilities. The goal is always to leave a country in a better state than when the ship arrived. They teach locals about basic first aid and how to take better care of themselves. Most importantly each patients and person met by a crew member witness’ God’s love in action.

Now for some more on what we know of Africa. The locals say “TIA” as an excuse for anything bad that happens: it means This Is Africa. There are several different types of operations Africa Mercy conducts. One of those is surgery on Cleft Palates. These children have all forces working against them. They can barely take enough nourishment to survive. They have to fight off infections, diseases, and many more problems that incurred because of this deformity they are born with. Clubbed feet are another common problem that the Africa Mercy can fix. Children and young adults who can barely walk, in excruciating pain walk up to a week just to get to the ship. Women with VVF suffer loss of their community and family; they have to deal with the daily affects and problems of their injuries from prolonged childbirth. Patients are seen with extremely large tumors on their face and necks. These tumors can cut off the patients’ airway or start to grow out of the patients’ mouth making it almost impossible to eat. Several patients have cataracts. Blindness in America is pretty hard; blindness in Africa can kill you. If this were not enough to surely see their demise, they then have to deal with daily persecution.   In Africa, people with visible deformities or health problems are seen as cursed people. They are believed to be possessed by demons. So they are persecuted every day: burning leaves thrown on them or nails put in their deformed mouths. Every force imaginable seems to be working against them. 

Although this is what the world may see, this is not what I see – at least not anymore. When God moves, He moves. Nothing can hold Him back. What I see is children being able to eat again, those with tumors able to take a breath of air without pain, women with VVF are freed both physically and spiritually. What I see is that the lame now walk; and the blind now see. What I see is God moving in Africa and He is moving in a big way.  

Matthew 25: 42 - 45

42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45 "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

We are called to help the forgotten and poor and that is exactly what is happening in West Africa on the Africa Mercy. Where the world sees no hope for these forgotten children of God the Africa Mercy is bringing God’s love into action. There is hope for Africa. God is moving. The question remains: are we willing to move with God?

Writer

Many have asked me, with some confusion, “So you are a missionary and a writer?” The answer is yes and this can still leave people confused. So I thought I would write a little more about what my job entails. To start, I feel I must explain Mercy Ships in a little more detail. The ship Africa Mercy is a medical ship. There is a hospital ward and 6 surgery rooms, a lab, x-ray and CAT scan equipment all on one floor of the ship. Where the ships “main function” is the medical portion of this mission, the crew is only 1/3 medical staff, the rest is support staff. Like a small village the roles to make such a mission function vary from engineer, to “deckie”, to cooks, to the PR staff. We all have our roles to play to make this a well-oiled machine.

The Public Relations department gathers information about what is going on in the current port country. Through video, photography and writing they let the world know how God is moving, the needs of the people, and how others can help. I am quite lucky in the job that I have gotten. Many of the support crew do not have a lot of access to patients and programs because their 45 hour a week “job” has them working in other areas of the ship. I have the privilege of being in the heart of where the action is. I am one of the key networking folks. This means, I’m one of the first facing the people of Africa sees and I am the face that they will continually see. I become their friend: someone to listen to them and their story, to minister to them, to love them, to follow their journey with Mercy Ships. I will be their advocate, their voice – telling the world of their past struggle and future hope. What a blessing this will be to me! 

I will have opportunities to work both on the ship and off, getting to know thoroughly all of the programs Mercy Ships offers the people of West Africa. Our crew will have the opportunity to take some patients to their home village when they are healed from surgery. Again, this will be such a blessing to me! I will be able to see the reaction of the village to this “miraculous” healing!

Outside of this I will also have opportunities to work in the local orphanages and medical facilities. We are encouraged to attend a local church and be there as a support to them.  My heart is already racing a mile a minute with excitement. I know this journey will be hard but more rewarding the words could ever explain. I hope you will come along side me as I take this journey – the signs and miracles you will hear about will truly be amazing!

Acceptance

Missions is what my heart yearns for. I long to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Ever since I can remember - this has been my dream. I never had a romanticized ideal of mission work and for that I am truly grateful. I knew of the blood, sweat, and tears that would come with the sacrifice of not living a normal American life. In fact, my heavenly Father has turned my heart away from what we Americans deam normal. I will never be satisfied with the typical life for that is not what my Father created me for. How blessed am I to know my purpose in life!!?

I leave for Africa in 7 months. Working with Mercy Ships in West Africa as a missionary and a writer - it is all such a blessing. I had no idea that all those years of writing stories would turn into something as fantastic as this. I had no idea that last year when God amped up my passion for writing that He would bring me to be able to use it on the mission field. It goes to show that God knows us better than we do, and that His plans for us are far better than our own.

I'm now starting the journey by raising funds to go and do His good works. I am amazed at the peace God has given me in regards to finances. He is the great Provider and will supply all of my needs.

He is doing such an awe inspiring work in me. Jumping for joy is not enough - shouting on the roof top to tell the world is not enough - to truly show how amazed I am at what the Father has done for me.