I’ve arrived safely in Madagascar!

Please forgive the delayed post. I arrived late Thursday night in the capital city (Antananarivo). Unfortunately, the guesthouse internet was spotty and I was unable to update everyone. I arrived with 5 other Mercy Ship nurses and we had two lovely days in the Antananarivo before heading to the Africa Mercy Ship. During the two days in Antananarivo we spent time getting to know each other, explored one of the local markets and visited a lemur park. Before we knew it, it was time to go to the ship. There were a total of 21 Mercy Ship crew members traveling to the ship. Some were first timers and others this was their 7^th or 8^th time serving with Mercy Ships. Many were nurses, but others had jobs such as dining services, communications/media team and ship officer. It was so neat to hear where everyone was from, hear their stories of how God brought them to Mercy Ships and learn their different positions aboard the ship.

After a 10hr bus ride we finally arrived to the ship Sunday evening around 5pm. Since then it has been a whirlwind of hospital orientation and then I jumped right into my first shift at work! I cannot even begin to describe the amazing infrastructure and community aboard Africa Mercy. The ship is like a small town. It has everything from a bank, HR department, Starbucks, and of course a hospital! J It is an incredible privilege to be a part of something so unique and transforming.

At the heart of Mercy Ships ministry the goal is to exemplify Jesus and transform lives, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. The goal of nursing care here is so very different from nursing in the States. In the states the focus is physical care and being able to know everything about your patient from a medical standpoint. Here on Mercy Ships we still care for our patients’ physical needs, but the emotional and spiritual needs are seen as the biggest priority. We get to know our patients, their stories; how we can meet their emotional/spiritual needs and pray for them.

We could give you the best surgery; you could have the best outcome and the physical transformation could be perfect, but if we haven’t exemplified Jesus and opened the door for His transforming power to work in your heart, then we’ve missed the point of ministry and serving.

It is definitely not by accident that God has brought me to Madagascar and surrounded me with a ministry community to remind me again how important it is to make emotional and spiritual care the main priorities!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and pray for me. It is a privilege to be an extension of you in Madagascar!

Enjoy the pictures below!