Kick Off

Welcome back, my friends & family! It's been quite a long hiatus on this blog as I've been traveling around the globe and back again. The time away from the ship was refreshing - seeing my friends and family at home was such a balm to my heart after being away for so long. I also had the opportunity to travel, with friends and family, around France, Ireland, Botswana, and Namibia. Add to that a final stay in Durban, South Africa as the ship was still in dry dock, and I think I've met my traveling quota for the year! That special time with loved ones has given me the energy and passion to come back to the Africa Mercy for "Mada 2" and get to work! There is still much to be done here, and I'm excited to be a part of it for the next few months.

After a delayed start from Durban, we made quick time sailing back to Tamatave, Madagascar. It was a beautiful sail, much easier than last year. There was a seemingly endless supply of wildlife to watch, calm seas, and lots of sunshine. At one point we were able to set up our hammocks on the deck and enjoy the view. Here are a couple of photos from our sail and arrival in Tamatave. The advance team and other crew members who came ahead were anxiously waiting for us on the dock.

We arrived here in Tamatave only a little over a week ago... and things are already in full swing. The Land Rovers are all prepped for service. Over 100 new crew have boarded. New nurses and hospital day crew are being oriented. The ORs officially opened with a prayer to start surgery for the service. It is all starting to come together! My role looks a little different this year, as a "returner". This means I get to help more with set up, patient selection, and training the 60-some new nurses that arrived on the ship last week. In the past few days we have been reviewing previous surgical cases from last service and screening our new patients for admission. It is so wonderful to see so many familiar faces; patients and their families who have touched my heart. So many of our plastics patients returned (Lixia, Dyllan, Rosa, Hosni, Landrino), and we had a sweet time visting with one another. At the same time, there is a lot of excitement to meet our new patients and begin forming relationships with the people we will treat this service! Patients have started walking up the gangway to begin their journey here on the Africa Mercy, and today will be my first day back on the ward! I'm thrilled to get to work with the patients once again, hear their stories, and start building new friendships as they heal.

Here's our entire hospital team! Ready to kick off the surgical season for Mada 2!

I also want to mention some very special people who do not get nearly as much recognition as they deserve: our advance team. They are the ones who set everything up and make it possible for us all to be here and do the work we do.  This summer, while the ship was in Durban for dry dock, they remained behind in Madagascar working on new buildings, signing contracts with the government, arranging for crew to arrive and be transported to the ship, dealing with visas, visiting patients, and maintaining important contacts for our service. Last week they gave us an update on how the advance went and what they were able to accomplish. One of the team members was in charge of renovating buildings for our new fistula clinic and for educational purposes. I wish I had a photo to show you of the buildings before and after renovations. A dilapidated building from 1904 was completely transformed! Now, maybe it's just because I'm a girl who grew up in a construction family and can appreciate a good renovation, but the visuals of these buildings brought a tear to my eye. Here is something that will last, something that will be left behind to benefit the people of Madagascar. It is such a tangible gift. Our patients come to this ship and leave looking, and hopefully feeling, different. We hope that they are better able to perform daily activities, that they find acceptance that they did not have before. We hope that they are healed and know that they are valued; and that this makes a permanent change in their lives and how they contribute to community. These buildings, similarly transformed by the loving hands of many people, will hopefully do the same thing for the people of Madagascar. They will continue to provide a safe place for the treatment of patients and the education of healthcare professionals. They will remain, even when the ship is gone. They will help to make a difference in the lives of so many Malagasy, here in Tamatave, and beyond. Simply put, they are a beautiful example of what Mercy Ships is all about. When the pictures from communications are loaded up, I will post some for you.

Don't worry - I won't leave you waiting so long next time for another post! I'll be sure to write again in the next couple weeks as we settle into the surgical service!