THIS WAS ME

In 2006, I was diagnosed with stage II  renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). As a result, I endured multiple surgeries (related/unrelated) and a whole lot of grief. My body owns a road map of scars: abdomen, flank, and spine to name a few. The largest healed and grew a grotesque keloid  which I followed-up with cosmetic surgery. Not so much because of pain, but because I am a vain woman who hated her body image. A cyclic clinical life followed my cancer including an array of infections, so thank God, I am  an American who was fully insured. I accessed the best medical care from Mayo to Wake Forest to Duke, Baptist & Shands. Additionally, I was afforded excellent consult, procedures and cancer surveillance by gifted surgeons. My accommodations often included lavish rooms with a river view. Roses were delivered; deacons visited and served communion, and my dearest friends blessed me with a surprise 50th birthday party. On the road to recovery, a team of social workers visited my home to help piece my life back together. I am an American, in remission, and these are just a few of my travails. I am lucky.

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THIS IS THEM

They are youth and adults both before and after life-changing surgery that transformed their lives and restored hope. Their medical conditions and lives are a stark contrast to my own. Invasive, but usually benign tumors were removed; limbs were surgically corrected; sight was restored, and dignity was redeemed. They are among many in African countries who received free surgical care aboard the Africa Mercy — the world’s largest, non-governmental hospital ship dedicated to “bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor for more than 40 years.”  None are insured. They withstand unforgivable heat  for hours and wait in long lines to be screened. They are impoverished, but rich with hope and thousands are turned away. Vanity eludes them, and they likely never complain. Only a mere fraction are among the lucky.

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THIS IS US

We are ordinary people from more than 80 countries who have left the comforts of familiar life to do something extraordinary. Mercy Ships delivers free, world-class healthcare services to the forgotten poor in developing nations. More than 1,500 crew members from around the globe serve annually. Each one volunteers his/her services to help fulfill the mission of Mercy Ships. We are volunteer surgeons, nurses, technicians, educators, administrators, maritime professionals, media personnel, and more. Following an indepth screening that began December 11, 2018, I have been selected to serve as one of two writers on the communications team of the Africa Mercy which will be docked in Senegal. My one-year of service begins August 2019 following a six-week training that kicks off June 10th in Texas. I recently shared with my dear friend Alicia that  at varied intervals, “I feel like I’m living like I am dying.” Healed, in remission, but anxiously awaiting a new health crisis. Subconsciously, I may have been speaking one into existence. This experience was handpicked for me by God. The pre-training alone fosters invaluable personal growth and I am in a season of bold spiritual service. Last year, I asked God to change the trajectory of my writing life…and He did. Who better than me to pen the surgical journeys of the poor? I have a heart for the human condition. I am ready, and I feel both lucky and blessed.

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Click link to support my missions trip: 

https://www.gofundme.com/address-africa-i039m-moving-to-senegal

Visit mercyships.org

Our hospital ship provides free lifesaving surgeries for people where medical care is nearly non-existent.

Our Mission.
We follow the 2000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor.

Our Vision.
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to transform lives and serve nations, one at a time.

Our Core Values.
Desiring to follow the model of Jesus, we seek to:

• We love God.
• We love and serve others.
• We are people of integrity.
• We strive for excellence in all we say and do.

A quick glance at my upcoming training!

Onboarding does take place at our International Support Center in Lindale, Texas for the first 4 weeks.  The remaining two weeks are field service in Africa.  Your weeks of Onboarding would look something like this (please note the exact format and topics discussed is open to change):

Week 1– Preparing for Service with Mercy Ships: Foundations of Mercy Ships (FMS) and Support Raising Seminar

• Learning about Mercy Ships’ history, mission, core values, discussions of living on the ship and in community with others, and Fundraising principles

Week 2– Faith Foundations

• Exploration of the following themes/topics: The God we serve, Communicating with God, Silent Retreater, Prayer, Kingdom Principles, discussed amidst times of corporate worship

Week 3– Personal/Interpersonal Development

• Exploring our personal purpose and passion, reviewing DISC Profile (Personality assessment), Conflict Resolution, and Living and Working in Harmony in a cross-cultural context

Week 4– Working with Those We Serve

• Topics of World Views, the Potential of the Poor, Transformation Development, Cross-Cultural Dynamics and Communication, Tensions in working with those we serve

Week 5 & 6– Field Practice

• Field practice in Africa gives the opportunity to adapt and adjust to internal and external challenges of working with the poor prior to taking your place on the ship

At the end of week 6 field service, volunteers join the ship.