What I have learned about Mercy Ships…
What I have learned about Mercy Ships…
December 7th, 2009
Dear Friends,
I promised to write more about Mercy Ships and my new journey soon. Since I wrote my last entry, I have been mulling over options of words to use for this letter. How does one begin to describe something that hasn’t been seen yet? And yet through World Wide Web there is already a connection with a community of folks that are concerned for the vulnerable of this world too.
Ever since I submitted my application, I have researched much about Mercy Ships. The website (http://www.mercyships.org/) is filled with fabulous bits of information. The first page says, “bringing hope & healing” and beautiful bright photographs appear that gives us a small visual morsel of what Mercy Ships is doing right now. Please review the website and find those special tidbits that convinced me that this was indeed the next journey in my life. Please take a look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03qb6Bfrkn8&feature=player_embedded
It touched my heart beyond words.
A statistical quote from their mission statement reads,
“Since 1978, Mercy Ships has performed more than 1.7 million services, impacting more than 1.9 million people directly.Volunteers and staff with Mercy Ships have: - performed more than 32,500 surgeries like cleft lip and palate, cataract removal, straightening of crossed eyes, orthopedic and facial reconstruction.- treated more than 212,000 people in village medical clinics. - performed more than 183,000 dental treatments.- taught over 14,500 local health care and professional workers, who have in turn trained many others in primary health care.- taught 95,000 local people in primary health care.- trained local medical professionals in modern health care techniques.- delivered more than $60 million worth of medical equipment, hospital supplies and medicines.- completed more than 900 community development projects including construction of schools, clinics, orphanages, water wells and agriculture programs.- demonstrated the love of God to people in over 550 port visits in 70 different nations.More than 850 career crew from over 40 nations currently serve with Mercy Ships, and more than 1,600 short-term volunteers serve each year. "
I so very much look forward to being part of the 1600 crew members in 2010. If you decide to join the other 3,000 facebook fans of Mercy Ships http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/MercyShips?ref=ts
The paragraph description perfectly states,
“Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978, bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor by mobilizing people and resources worldwide, serving all people without regard for race or religion.”
This is an organization that has effectively existed to not only participate temporarily and bring some alleviation to a country, but has been around long enough to empower the local community with strategic policy changes in a multi-socially developmental level.
There are many bloggers in Mercy Ships program. Perhaps throughout my letters to you dear friends, I will share some of the blogs that have touched me. One in particular wrote that there was an instant simpatico kinship, and a recipe of words that stirred my adventurous appetite. Please read this amazing entry: http://alirae.net/blog/archives/329-that-Love.html
Please enjoy the visual samples presented to you and in my blogs to come, I will try to describe a bit more about what Mercy Ships has asked me to do while in Togo too.
Currently, there is a multitude in Togo that is in need of a physician. Mothers, fathers, and children, all seeking a solution to the current pain they are undergoing. When Mercy Ships dock and open the medical doors, people will have been standing in line wondering if they’ll have an opportunity to meet with a medical team that can potentially absolve some of their ailments and the emotional stigma diseases can bring.
Please pray for Togo. Pray for Mercy Ships. Please keep me in your prayers too.
December 7th, 2009
Dear Friends,
I promised to write more about Mercy Ships and my new journey soon. Since I wrote my last entry, I have been mulling over options of words to use for this letter. How does one begin to describe something that hasn’t been seen yet? And yet through World Wide Web there is already a connection with a community of folks that are concerned for the vulnerable of this world too.
Ever since I submitted my application, I have researched much about Mercy Ships. The website (http://www.mercyships.org/) is filled with fabulous bits of information. The first page says, “bringing hope & healing” and beautiful bright photographs appear that gives us a small visual morsel of what Mercy Ships is doing right now. Please review the website and find those special tidbits that convinced me that this was indeed the next journey in my life. Please take a look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03qb6Bfrkn8&feature=player_embedded
It touched my heart beyond words.
A statistical quote from their mission statement reads,
“Since 1978, Mercy Ships has performed more than 1.7 million services, impacting more than 1.9 million people directly.Volunteers and staff with Mercy Ships have: - performed more than 32,500 surgeries like cleft lip and palate, cataract removal, straightening of crossed eyes, orthopedic and facial reconstruction.- treated more than 212,000 people in village medical clinics. - performed more than 183,000 dental treatments.- taught over 14,500 local health care and professional workers, who have in turn trained many others in primary health care.- taught 95,000 local people in primary health care.- trained local medical professionals in modern health care techniques.- delivered more than $60 million worth of medical equipment, hospital supplies and medicines.- completed more than 900 community development projects including construction of schools, clinics, orphanages, water wells and agriculture programs.- demonstrated the love of God to people in over 550 port visits in 70 different nations.More than 850 career crew from over 40 nations currently serve with Mercy Ships, and more than 1,600 short-term volunteers serve each year. "
I so very much look forward to being part of the 1600 crew members in 2010. If you decide to join the other 3,000 facebook fans of Mercy Ships http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/MercyShips?ref=ts
The paragraph description perfectly states,
“Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978, bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor by mobilizing people and resources worldwide, serving all people without regard for race or religion.”
This is an organization that has effectively existed to not only participate temporarily and bring some alleviation to a country, but has been around long enough to empower the local community with strategic policy changes in a multi-socially developmental level.
There are many bloggers in Mercy Ships program. Perhaps throughout my letters to you dear friends, I will share some of the blogs that have touched me. One in particular wrote that there was an instant simpatico kinship, and a recipe of words that stirred my adventurous appetite. Please read this amazing entry: http://alirae.net/blog/archives/329-that-Love.html
Please enjoy the visual samples presented to you and in my blogs to come, I will try to describe a bit more about what Mercy Ships has asked me to do while in Togo too.
Currently, there is a multitude in Togo that is in need of a physician. Mothers, fathers, and children, all seeking a solution to the current pain they are undergoing. When Mercy Ships dock and open the medical doors, people will have been standing in line wondering if they’ll have an opportunity to meet with a medical team that can potentially absolve some of their ailments and the emotional stigma diseases can bring.
Please pray for Togo. Pray for Mercy Ships. Please keep me in your prayers too.
Comments
i have made a few e-mail pals...and they generally say...if you are staying for 3+ months (i'll be there for 6) to bring your own set of twin sheets...and to pack about 7-10 days worth of clothes. i was told that if you want to head off the ship...be sure to wear skirts or shorts that cover your knees (they are considered 'naughty bits' to those in togo)...and be sure to bring a nice dress or two for semi-formal evnets (example: dinner with the president of benin).
i hope that helps you!
if you need more...keep in touch, and hopefully i'll be able to tell you think that i wish i had brought just being freshly there on ship!