“They” say you should never start a communication with an
apology ... so I’m not sure how “they’ deal with the feeling rotten over being
so overwhelmed with work, commitments, uni, and family events that there
actually hasn't been time to communication significantly with people you care
about, in a while? If you know “them”, please ask and let me know, OK?
Entering the Congo
Our Mercy Ships field service in the Republic of Congo –
also known as Congo-Brazzaville - began with a huge event. The process to
gather patients in a nation involves a Screening or Patient Selection Day. The ship medical staff set up in a local event centre where people were
examined, medical histories recorded, blood samples taken, assessments done. The
patients we are able to help are booked for appointments. More than 300 of our crew
worked 12 hours that day to facilitate and process the more than 7,000 desperate people looking
for help for their conditions. The last patients were examined by torchlight.
The French speaking nation has huge needs despite receiving
much aide over many years. Still, 1 in 14 children die before their 1st
birthday! Pygmies are still held in indentured labour by other tribes, and the
war in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (which ironically is
neither Republican nor democratic) has roll-on effects for many even as far
away as the coastal region where the Africa
Mercy is docked in Point-Noir – with a bunch of Kiwis serving onboard, we’re
delighted to say!
Our work in the New Zealand office under girds the transformation of the outcast and forgotten through the provision of
surgeries, medical services and associated projects by recruiting volunteers
and raising funds to carry out the work. From NZ we currently have an anaesthetist, ward
and theatre nurses, an engineering store man, a second officer, a housekeeper, a dentist and administrators
serving on-board the ship – with a surgeon arriving shortly. Each play an vital yet diverse part of bringing hope and healing in Jesus' name to people who have no means of getting their needs met under normal circumstances.
... is a very real and raw piece of television (medical professionals will LOVE the surgery scene) which revealed something I have never heard before – the (translated) overheard conversations between patients about what they really think about Mercy Ships and the God they have glimpsed through the love and care they have received. It's an utterly astounding programme! You can view the short trailer ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhHvquE8fNg
Unfortunately The Surgery Ship doesn't want to link, but it is well worth copying and pasting into your browser to view!If you are in Australia, this really incredible documentary is to be aired 8;30pm on December 10th on SBS. (They said if there is enough feedback, it could be aired in NZ too, so please make a comment!)
Milestones
One of us recently turned 50, and another of us turns 21
shortly (any guesses?!). We've been busy with planning various themed celebrations,
having fun together, and enjoying the really special extended family visits that
have/will happen as part of it all.
