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Writer's pictureDavid Kpakiwa

A Patient Story Helps Me Remember Why I am Still Doing What God Has Called Me to Do!

On the morning of his 20th birthday, Cire celebrated in an unusual way: being wheeled into the sterile operating room of the Africa Mercy.


The moment had been years in the making for Cire, who was just 16 when a parotid tumor started growing on the right side of his face. A familiar fear settled in his stomach; he had felt it three years earlier before an identical tumor was removed from the left side of is face. His parents were equally frustrated. The had no source of income and were worried they wouldn't be able to get Cire help this time. The medical expenses and surgery from the first tumor had exhausted their savings. In fact, most of the funds had come from friends and family in their village who fundraised to get Cire that surgery at a local hospital. This time, they could only wait and for hope for a miracle. And as they did, the tumor grew.


In 2019, his father heard about the floating hospitals of Mercy Ships from a friend and encouraged Cire to go for an appointment. "At this point, we had asked everyone we knew for financial support, they couldn't help, and we had run out of options. we were constantly praying for help," Cire says.


Covid-19 disruptions left Cire waiting for another two years before he could travel the seven hours from his home to the port of Dakar and board the Africa Mercy. His birthday gift awaited, as he finally received his life-changing surgery. A few days later, the nurses at the ward threw him a belated birthday part to mark the new year.

As an added gift, Cire experienced a smooth recovery. He stayed with his nearby uncle and aunt until he'd recovered enough to travel home. Hi aunt, Dienaba, believes the surgery has given Cire a new lease on life. "I notice after the surgery he is more motivated, he is stronger, he has more hope, and has more courage," she described. Video


It was on the 13th of June when I updated you on God's provision for Mercy Ships that made the organization launch it fleet of hospital ships. A lot of transformation has happened both on the Africa Mercy that is currently in field service (doing surgeries) and the Global Mercy that is currently in shipyard (equipping phase)


TRANSITION


Since I joined Mercy Ships, I have seen a few transition workshop on board the Africa Mercy. I wondered and always asked myself what is hard about transition that they had to make such a huge deal out of it. I kept wondering and asking myself until I had my own portion of the national cake.


At around 5:43 PM on May 31, 2022 I embarked the Global Mercy as a new crew member. A brand new ship exhibiting fashion everywhere, a new work environment, a new community and 98% new people. Climbing the gangway was with such a great excitement not only because I will be serving on the Global Mercy but also because the Global Mercy will at some point do a field service in Sierra Leone where I will get the opportunity to serve my country with Mercy Ships. Just a day after I embarked the ship, all the excitement I climbed the gangway with, completely disappeared and that started the journey of one of the hardest transitions I have experienced. It was very interesting to me because I actually left one Mercy Ships community and joined another Mercy Ships community but the difference between the community life on both ships was huge to the point that no one can dispute that fact.

I walked into my new office on Deck 10, it looked really fancy but for the first in 17 months as a Deck Administrator, I felt like I have never done a job like that. My workstation with two monitors in front of me, all work files ready for me but I still couldn't figure out where to start. That went on for two consecutive days, was it because it was a new environment? Was it because I was thinking about the fact that I left a workplace where I felt so comfortable? Was it because I was thinking about the friends and families I left on board the Africa Mercy? Definitely no, because I had left my family and everything else behind when I answered the call to join Mercy Ships.

Why that transition was extremely difficult for me, it is a mystery that is yet to be unfolded. It took me around three weeks to get settled into this new community where I have signed up to serve God and humanity for the next 2+ years. This place has in no doubt evolved to be a wonderful place that I enjoy so much but those three weeks taught me how hard transitions can become.


Equipping


When the Global Mercy sailed into Dakar in July this year, it immediately went into an equipping phase in order to get the ship ready for what is was built to do. The ship is fancy and the Chinese did a lot of work to build the ship to Mercy Ships specification but because Covid-19 broke out and travels were restricted, the presence of the organization was limited during the building phase and that resulted in a lot of areas going the other way. Since July 2022, a lot of work has been going down the hospital which still remains off limits for a lot of volunteers on board. New equipment are being installed in the hospital, electrical wirings, sockets are being inspected thoroughly. Other technical work are being carried out whilst the hospital is getting ready. The Deck department are working tirelessly to keep the ship has cleaned as possible.


Community Life


Work as we know is very important but as a typical African, community and people are very important resources to every day's life. It is by no doubt that the Global Mercy has built an amazing community of people all around the world. When I first joined the Global Mercy, one thing that really impressed me was the level on team work in my department and also in the entire community. What I was used to as a one man job became everybody's job in my new community. The everyone in the team is willing and available to help at anytime. The community life continues with our weekly activities (Bible study, daily devotional, singing, football, volleyball, card games, table tennis tournaments, etc.)


My most memorable highlight of October was when I shared a devotional to the Global Mercy community. I had prepared my devotional and then we experienced an unfortunate situation in the community, I wondered for a while if my message would be appropriate for the mood of the community but felt some peace inside that the mood is the perfect time for the community to hear that message. After my devotional, I was amazed by the number of people and messages that came my way

"Thank you David, that was exactly what the community needed in this moment. Thank you for reminding us of God's love for us."

Since I overcame the struggles of transition, I have been comfortably thriving in this community. There are high and low moments but when I reflect on patient's stories, I am reminded of why I am still here and doing what I am doing for the furtherance of God's kingdom. The story of a young gentleman Cire is an evidence of the amazing work God is doing through Mercy Ships. Now Cire has a reason to go back to school and feel comfortable like any other person. Cire has a reason to participate in community life and don't feel shy like every other person. I have a reason to continue doing what I am doing with Mercy Ships and you have a reason to continue supporting my journey in every way God has laid in your heart.


Prayers

Pray that God will continue to do his work through Mercy Ships. Pray for strength, peace, grace for me as sometimes it becomes extremely tough. Pray that God will provide the resources (people with the right attitude and expertise in critical positions) so that this mission can continue. And lastly, pray and ask God how you can support me or keep supporting me.
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