Written by Ruth Grendell, from the Village Church
A graduate nursing student of mine introduced me to a global medical care group—MERCY SHIPS–the goals are to follow Jesus to the world’s forgotten poor, and able to provide hope to those who have been praying for help. I learned that volunteer doctors, nurses and other medical personnel believed their own lives are transformed as they put their faith in action as they care for patients and families before surgeries, during recovery times and providing additional support, love, and health education. The ships are equipped with “state of the art” medical equipment on board including intensive care and recovery rooms. Families often stay with the patients and learn how to care for themselves as well. The countries’ own health care providers receive education, infrastructure, and tools to continue to care for their people when the ship and personnel move to another setting. I was very impressed with this information and learning the MERCY SHIPS have been in existence since 1978, I was ready to volunteer! I volunteered three months on the ship based in the Caribbean Islands. It was a great decision. Our goal was to care for children and young adults who need surgery to remove very large benign facial tumors that can eventually become life-threatening. Every year I receive a bulletin regarding the year’s activity. “Within a few short days two ships will be serving countries along the coast of Africa.”
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds [Hebrews 10:24]
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