Getting into the Christmas Spirit

There are many traditions on a ship with 35 different countries represented . . . and then there are the traditions that are uniquely Mercy Ships. Every year around this time, the door decorating contest begins. The last few years it seems to have begun just before we sailed and then the judging occurs sometime during the sail, usually just before we get to the Canary Islands. The rules are simple - have the best decorated door (in categories of both office and personal cabins) using what you have around you, decoration can only be as big as the door, all materials can only be stuck up with sticky tack or magnets and cannot come more than 4 inches into the passage (I think this is new one - must have been some interesting decorating last year to make this necessary). I went around tonight to get some pictures.
Everyone gets involved: traditional, non-traditional, crazy creative, simple . . .

some multi-berth cabins (3, 4, 6 people):

family and couples cabins:

departments:

hostpital

HR and Ship Sales

Finance and Laundry Room

Even the Acadmey got involved!

High School and Office

Grade 2 and Grade 3

Grade 1 and Preschool

Oscar's Story

Here is a story about a young patient named Oscar who came to the Africa Mercy to have a cleft lip repaired. He is one of hundred of people in West Africa living with this very visible birth defect. Thank you to the communications department here onboard for the story!

Oscar Madohona: A New Smile
Cleft lip and palate abnormalities occur in approximately 1 in 700 live births. In developed countries, children typically receive corrective surgery before 18 months of age. Many medical professionals are involved in the child’s care – including surgeons, dentists, audiologists (hearing specialists), and speech therapists. Oscar Madohona had a cleft lip that remained unrepaired for ten years. He was born in West Africa, where a cleft abnormality can be a life-threatening condition. It is commonly believed that people with clefts are possessed by evil spirits. They are often discarded or abandoned by their families and communities.



Caring for a child with a cleft can be difficult. Emotionally, parents face rejection of themselves and the child by their community. Practically, they often aren’t equipped with the tools needed to assure that the baby is adequately fed. Oscar’s mother, Florentine, experienced these struggles. “When Oscar was born, some people thought the child was a bad spirit and said I should abandon him,” she said. “I thought he would die because I could not take care of him. I was scared I would not be able to feed him. But others encouraged me to try, so I gave everything to God. I trusted Him to help me take care of Oscar.” Florentine succeeded in meeting Oscar’s physical needs, but she could not protect him from emotional pain and rejection. “The other kids would tease and insult me. When they teased me, I felt very bad,” said Oscar. “Kids teased him to the point where he didn’t want to go to school,” added Florentine. “For a while, he stopped going. I felt a very, very big pain in my heart when people teased him.”
While living in Côte d'Ivoire, Florentine’s husband heard the Africa Mercy was performing free surgeries in Benin. At first, he was skeptical. But after further inquires, he realized it was true; there really was a hospital ship performing free surgeries. He sent Florentine and Oscar to meet the ship in Benin. Florentine, originally from Benin, remained skeptical. “Before I came to the ship, I was quarreling with my husband, saying, ‘No, because it’s a ship, because it’s free, it cannot be real.’ I was worried and scared,” she said. But when they came to the Africa Mercy, Florentine’s fears were relieved. What her husband had heard was actually true. Oscar received a free surgery and now has a restored smile. He no longer has to worry about being teased at school. “I am very happy now. I will tell the other kids at school what God has done for me,” said Oscar. Florentine is very grateful to everyone who helped in bringing healing to her son. “I am very happy; I cannot say enough. I hope that God blesses the nurses and the doctors for the work they have done. They have done a very great job for me and others. Thank you very much.”



Story by Megan Petock Edited by Nancy Predaina

Reflections

As we sailed away from Benin, I realized that writing on the blog has now become something of a need more than a desire. Sorry to anyone checking for updates that I have been so horrible with writing the last few months. I know I say it so often, but time has seemed to fly past since school started back up again. I now need to share some of the many things that have happened this year, both with Marcel and I and with Mercy Ships and patients, as soon we will have stories of different countries and friends.
Standing on the deck and watching the dock slowly slide away, it was one of those moments that is both exciting and sad. When looking through some stories and pictures tonight, I found a poem that a patient from Ghana had written about the Africa Mercy leaving Benin. Hope you enjoy. More stories to follow!

FARE WELL MY GREAT WHITE WHALE.
Alas the center’s candle is blown out
Soon the signs that points to the Port are broken
The paths that leads to the shore is blocked
They that make their wage in convoy to Novou are stilled and stopped
The days of the white whale’s rest are o’er
The time of your docking is spent
The season of your breeding is halted
Your coming, to some was heaven sent
To others it was a wish granted
But too soon it is to those who knows your worth and work
So sudden it is to those who wish in you to be healed
Soon the mouth that feeds from you will sing your fare well song
The hand that lend you help will wave you on
The soul that depended on you will wish you back
And the heart that stayed with you, only on your memories will stay and feed
But you, like any farer of the deep, your voyage must continue
Your search for souls to cut and heal lingers on
For many more awaits your coming
Many shores awaits the day of your rest
But now it’s time bid you fare well
It’s time to sing your departing song
It’s yet another time for your sons and daughters to go home
Some, never to be seen again
Some, never to walk the shores of the black pearls
Yet to others, a time to rest and regroup
All the souls you touched and healed
All the souls you cut and mend
Stands along the Novou shores
Visible and invisible
To wave and wish you well
In the still small voice of the shore wave
Hear their voices rise saying THANK YOU
For your time and toil
For your care and cause
For your mind and money
But most of all, for being a tool in the father’s hands
Through which He showed His love and care
To a world so lost and dark
Without love or hope
We those you touched and healed are eternally grateful
Thank you and fare thee well my great white whale.
From: Prince Eddie Daniels
To : The Mercy Ships