Heartbroken and Hope-filled

My heart felt heartbroken and tears streamed down my face to hear the news of the disaster that struck New Zealand just over a week ago. An earthquake located in the business section of the city Christchurch caused buildings and houses all over the city to callapse leaving hundreds trapped and many lives taken at one o'clock in the afternoon. I spend five years in Dunedin (which neighbours Christchurch) so I have many good friends who live there and as I heard grim reports and I felt desperate to find out they were safe. With limited (African) internet access I waited until I was able to finally find out information and hear out about whereabouts of friends. During this time of waiting and hearing news from New Zealand it has been so hard to be so far away. It dawns on me the price that is paid to be so far away from your “home country” when such a tragedy hits so close to home. Despite the thoughts of Christchurch and the suffering of the people there and the many prayers I have prayed for them; I know this is where I am supposed to be and feel peace in that knowledge.

It is so hard to believe that I have been back onboard the Africa Mercy for a week now. What a magical feeling it was to stand and watch the ship emerge through the fog on the horizon. The atmosphere on the dock was electric as the African marching band passionately played and the ship continued to come closer towards us, revealing hundreds of crew gathered on deck waving down at us. It was exciting to see so many familiar faces and a sense of peace and joy settled upon me.

Dr Gary Parker with a boy he operated on ten years ago who had a cleft lip and palate repair.

The Port workers were striking so some of our boys (including my fiance Michel) had to help dock and tie down the lines of the ship. Once all was secure and the gangway was down the managing director and his wife descended down the gangway to greet Sierra Leone officials on the dock and welcome speeches were given. My heart was touched with hope and joy as a young Sierra Leonian boy, aged ten took part in the ceremony and his story was shared. He was born with a cleft lip (facial deformity which prevents infants feeding properly and results in malnutrition) and this was repaired onboard the ship when he was four months old. It was wonderful to see the tangible results of a life changed and an encouragement in our purpose here.

It was awesome to come onboard the ship and instantly feel a peace and settled. After living on land for the past three weeks the luxury of a warm shower, electricity and good food was heavenly.

We are currently working (scrubbing) hard to clean and prepare the hospital for surgery and patients. The ship has been in dry dock for the last six months in hot, humid conditons so there is a lot of cleaning to be done. On Monday we will hold the big screening at the National Stadium for the people of Sierra Leone, where thousands will queue in hopes of surgery and medical care they could never afford or hope for. I know this day will be charged with hope and also emotion as not every person can be seen and treated. I will be apart of the Plastic Surgery team who will screen those with disfigurement and many cases will be bad burns that have caused contractures.

Thankyou for reading:)