Day 337 - A Miracle!

So...Today we were in the process of admitting a patient for surgery tomorrow.  He had a complication from his previous surgery which needed to be corrected, but today the doctors noticed that it was healed! No further surgeries needed! :) What a great start to the week!

Day 336

Isaiah 55: 8&9 

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

The last few weeks have been quite trying.  Several reasons: we are coming into rainy season, meaning that the number of cases of malaria is increasing, causing several surgeries to be rescheduled;  some patients are medically unfit for surgery and must be cancelled; some patients have given us phone numbers which no longer work; some patients, who do have working phones, say they don't have any money to get to the ship. (All patients were told at screening that they would need to provide their own transport.  If they are from far away or have other reasons in which they are unable to travel to the ship, we try to help them up-front.  The day before their surgery is a little too late to figure something out for them.)

Thursday was maybe one of the toughest days yet.  All the patients had been seen, and were mostly okay for surgery.  Only one patient had lab results which showed that having surgery could threaten her life.  Around 3 o'clock, as we were waiting for the confirming lab tests, two young parents dressed very handsomely in clothes made from almost-matching material brought their tiny three-month-old who had been born with cataracts in both eyes.  They were so young, cheerful, and cute together that I giggled with delight.  But the baby's BMI was well under the World Health Organization's standards for a little girl of her age and length.  She weighed 3.3 kg (7.26 pounds).  Her parents said she ate well, so they didn't understand why she wasn't gaining weight.  When the doctor came down to examine her, she noted a heart murmur.  In they went to the radiology department to have a look.  The results were awful.  Her heart was so enlarged that her surgery was immediately cancelled. 

While all that was going on, I received word a little after 5 o'clock that the lady whose lab results we were awaiting was also to be cancelled.  The surgery was elective, not something necessary to save her life, but her lab results showed that having surgery was potentially a very real threat to her life.  Having heard her tell of the situation at home with her husband, which culturally is pretty normal, made this news very sad.  One of her four children was with her, and he was so full of energy it was hilarious!  He was about to wear out the floor of our tent with his running.  He ran to me, then ran to the other side of the tent, then ran back to me, then to the other side... He sat on my lap for a bit, but wanted so badly to bang on the keyboard of the computer that it was a circus trying to keep him back but still get any work done.

Now comes the really hard part - telling the patients that there is nothing we are able to do for them.  Thankfully, we have a team called "Patient Life" which basically serves as hospital chaplaincy.  They counsel patients in situations like this, explaining the situation as best they can, praying with them, and just showing the love of Jesus.  I had called ahead and warned them that we needed someone to stay late in case the results showed what we feared.  Little did I know that we would have two patients cancelled almost simultaneously.  So dear Sam stayed until 7 o'clock that evening, bearing the sad news.  The doctor stayed as well, to help explain why we were unable to do the surgeries for these two patients. 

Why did those patients have to be unwell?  Especially the sweet little baby who had just shown up at 3 o'clock, and a mere 4 hours later was sent away with her parents who had just learned that they have a baby with more than just cataracts.  A baby who likely wouldn't live much longer.  Only by a miracle would she grow to be a healthy girl.  Why did it have to be to parents who actually seemed to love and care for their baby?  Maybe it was just to give them a chance to say good-bye to her?  A chance to have some closure?  And the lady who brought her energetic child.  How is she going to face her husband when she returns with the same condition she came to the ship with?  Is he going to accept her, or turn her out and say she's cursed?  What will become of her four children?

The only answer I know is that God is still in control.  The prayers that have been lifted up for those patients have been many.  The power in Jesus' name that Sam prayed with as he was counselling the patients was just that - very powerful.  Our God is a powerful God.  He knows far better than one little nurse why he allows certain things to happen.  Thankfully He is also a God full of grace as I stumble along asking all my questions. 

Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

Day 323

Here is a story which was on the front page of our intranet today.  Passing Papanie in the hallways or crossing paths during work is always a bright moment in my day-so glad to be able to share his story. Enjoy!! 

Papanie Turay – A Joy To Work With!

Mention the name of Papanie Turay around the Africa Mercy, and the response is immediate: “Perpetually happy!” These two words sum up the wonderful joy that Papanie shares wherever he is working onboard.

Papanie’s kind and buoyant disposition is especially amazing when you consider the trials he has faced in his life. Prior to joining Mercy Ships as a day-worker in Sierra Leone in 2011, Papanie endured incredible hardship. Yet, he never abandoned hope nor his mission to “serve with all of my heart.”

Two of his brothers died in infancy before Papanie was born. Then, when he was two years old, his father died. People said that Papanie’s mother was cursed and that she would kill her infant son, Papanie, too. She believed the superstitious gossip. To save her son, she gave him to her sister Fatu, who did not have any children.

Life with his aunt was harsh. Papanie began work as a laborer at a very early age to help feed the family. The extremely heavy loads he carried caused excessive strain on his growing joints, particularly in his right hip. But Papanie could not afford to stop working, and the pain in his hip grew worse.

The remedies from the traditional doctor in his village offered no relief. Wrapping his legs in steamed leaves made no difference. In desperation, Papanie spent precious resources to get advice from the nearest clinic. The news was distressing. Papanie would have a permanent limp, and he must stop carrying any heavy loads to keep from completely losing his ability to walk.

At age fifteen, Papanie came to a Mercy Ships patient screening. The sad news Papanie had received from the clinic was confirmed. There was no treatment that could heal Papanie’s hip or limp.

Because he could no longer earn money as a laborer, Papanie knew he would be an unwelcome burden on his aunt and her family. He left their village and began living on the streets in Freetown.

With his visible limp, Papanie bore the brunt of ridicule and discrimination in addition to continuing physical pain. He said, “My life was survival of the fittest. Any money I earned I had to spend right away or bury. Otherwise it would be stolen from me. I went to school, but I had no lunch, and I could not afford to buy the uniform.”

The only family that Papanie had during these dark years was a group of teenagers who lived in Victoria Park in Freetown. While many street kids turned to theft to survive or to drugs to escape, Papanie did not choose that path. “I wanted a good way for my life, not one that was wrong or would cause the harm I had seen done in others who went this way,” he explained.

When Papanie was first approached by a Christian organization called Word Made Flesh_,_ he resisted the invitation to join their support program for street youth. “I was from a Muslim family and was taught to mistrust Christians,” he stated.

Cami, a warm-hearted Word Made Flesh volunteer, caused Papanie to have a change in heart. “Cami showed me so much love and care. My family never gave me love, and when Cami, who did not know me, gave me what I had missed so much in my childhood, I began to feel differently. I watched how everyone at Word Made Flesh gave love to others, and I decided I would be a Christian, too.”

In 2011, Papanie had his second encounter with Mercy Ships, thanks to his involvement with his local church. His youth pastor suggested that Papanie become a day-worker onboard the Africa Mercy. “I wanted to become a missionary, and I didn’t think I would have time for a full-time job. But I listened to my mentor’s advice, and, after working with the hospital housekeeping team, I was so glad. I discovered that the mission of Mercy Ships is also my mission. The work is hard, but I am able to serve with all of my heart,” he said.

Papanie’s family thinks that it is a great blessing for Papanie to be part of the Mercy Ships team. He agrees. “I have learned to serve others, and I have so many good friends in my life. I have put down my pride for a new way – I help others get up.”

A wonderful step in Papanie’s missionary journey was completing the Mercy Ships Gateway training in Ghana. “I learned a lot about leadership, God’s Word and how to work cross-culturally,” he remarked.

Papanie is now working diligently to raise the support needed to continue his service as a volunteer crew member onboard the Africa Mercy. He welcomes the opportunity to serve and to grow in his ability to be a servant leader.

“In my community, I help young children, especially girls, with their education. I led a Good News Club, and every Saturday morning children came from everywhere to worship, sing and share food. Now, I am talking to others to also start Good News Clubs in their communities. Everything I gain as a volunteer with Mercy Ships will help me be of more help to others,” he said.

Papanie has absolute confidence that his path with Mercy Ships is what God has in mind for him. “God has given me a lifetime supply of joy and the will to help raise others up through education, through mentorship, and through showing love. I am blessed to be His servant, and I know I will be blessed with the support to do the work He calls me to,” he said with great assurance.

SLE1111_DWORKER_HOUSEKPG_TURAY_DB2_LO
“Perpetually happy!” is the way that Papanie Turay’s co-workers and friends onboard
the Africa Mercy describe his joyful disposition.

SLE1111_DWORKER_HOUSEKPG_TURAY_DB3_LO
Papanie Turay is a diligent worker and takes great pride in a job well done.

SLE1111_DWORKER_HOUSEKPG_TURAY_DB5_LO
Hospital laundry services are critical to keep the busy Africa Mercy wards and
operating theaters fully stocked with clean linens. Papanie Turay ensures that his work
is done – above and beyond the call of duty.

SLE1111_DWORKER_HOUSEKPG_TURAY_DB6_LO
Papanie Turay sets and maintains an excellent standard that is so important for ensuring
a clean hospital environment.

March 13, 2012
Story by Joanne Thibault
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Debra Bell

Day 316 Easter Monday

A few times a year, crew members are given the opportunity to participate in an evening of Open Cabins.  Murray and I were asked to participate, so we agreed.  It turned out to be quite a lot of work preparing for, but lots of fun visiting with everyone who came around.  And yes, you could say we made it more work than it needed to be.  I personally had never participated in Open Cabins so wasn't sure what to expect.
Murray made his speciality, Chocolate Fridge Things.  I made a long-time favorite, Lemon Cake Mix Cookies.  We each made way more than enough, part of why it was more work than it needed to be. :)

Snacks

Our cabin (and me) :)

Murray and the Librarian, Robin, looking at wedding photos.





To be continued once pictures of other cabins are placed on the Transfer Drive.  I looked just now and there are none.  Murray tried to sneak away once to visit other cabins for a few minutes, but was caught by Captain Tim, so we have no pictures of our own :)

Day 310

01 April 2012. Our first evening of playing host and hostess on the ship :)  Left to right: Valerie (Edem's fiance), Edem, Emmanuel, and Joseph (Emmanuel's brother).

We gave them a tour of the ship and our cabin, enjoyed dinner in the dining room, then everyone enjoyed 2 pieces each of my favorite dessert-Chocolate Sheet Cake! :)



Day 300!!

Today is the 300th day of this adventure with Mercy Ships!! :)  What a blessing this time has been.  I never imagined when I left my family home in Indiana nearly 10 months ago what all God had in store for me here.  Now I feel like I have two new homes-one in Cape Town and one that floats! 

Tomorrow will be 4 weeks since I married the man of my dreams :)  We had a wonderful 3 weeks together in Cape Town.  I arrived on the 29th of February and we were married that weekend, Sunday the 4th of March.   Click here to go to Murray's blog to see more photos from the wedding. 

Coming back to the ship, we have received such a warm welcome!  We are busy settling into our new cabin, and plan to host our first visitors tomorrow afternoon-two of the Day Workers from Admissions.  Our plan is to host the other three the weekend after Easter.  What a wonderful translating team the five of them make! 

Monday starts week 9 of a total 17 weeks of surgery for this field service.  How crazy to think that our time in Togo is halfway over.  Please pray for the patients currently here, and those who are coming, that they will recover quickly and that infection rates will stay low.  Pray also as we strive to show them the love of Jesus through our lives.

<>< Day 266

Admissions!! :)

Left to right, back row: Cheryl, Eva, Autumn, Ruth, Dr Peter, Esther, Dr Fiona, Emmanuel.

Left to right, front row: Annika, Edem, Me.

Last week we discovered that we have admitted at least 100 patients! Yay for what God is doing :)