Final VVF Dress Ceremony

Today was the final Dress Ceremony for the Madagascar 2014-15 VVF program on Mercy Ships. For those women finally healed, dry after years of struggle this is a wonderful occasion to mark a new beginning. Our crew pampers and tries to help showcase the beauty and joy hidden for years. 

But not all are healed. Despite our best efforts some will not get a new dress, or be honored on a special ceremony. It must be profoundly disappointing to watch your ward mates successfully transition to a new life while you wait. Unhealed. Still Leaking.

One of these women had to cancel her appearance at today's ceremony. Though not leaking, complications brought her back to the OR this afternoon. She will not be one of those able to turn the page and embrace a bright future. Her struggle continues.

And yet she is not alone. She has been covered in prayer by each shift of nurses working on A ward. The VVF team cover her in prayer. She is loved and encouraged and supported continuously. A hospital ward now vacant has been turned into a 24/7 prayer room for staff and crew to pray for patients still remaining; waiting for their healing. 

It is possible that all may not return home healed. And yet every patient that took the risk, made the journey, asked for help - each has been loved, welcomed, blessed, accepted, covered in prayer, befriended, and encouraged. They may not all leave with the healing they sought, but they will not return home empty handed.

An Encouraging Report

We occasionally receive reports from unexpected sources. This note, posted today, was an encouragement that we are having an impact in Madagascar beyond the brief time we see patients on the ship.

While following up our medical training programs in Mahajanga, on the northwest coast of Madagascar last week, Dr. Michelle White and I met, somewhat by accident, a long-time missionary from the area named Jamie. Jamie was thrilled to meet us and eagerly told us story after story of how Mercy Ships' presence and mission has affected the people of his region, several days' travel away.

He had several stories to share but there were two patients in particular who found not only physical healing but experienced Jesus in a way they could not keep to themselves. These stories encapsulate beautifully the heart of our mission, to share the Good News through the incarnational model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing.

One woman was plagued for years by intense abdominal pain, trying time after time to get help from the local physicians and healers who were never able to ease her suffering.  She bravely made her way to the ship and had surgery thanks to our incredible volunteer women's health team of surgical and nursing staff, and has now returned home to Mahajanga. Jamie told us not only is she now pain free, but she has a newfound joy for life; a new level of compassion for others she has never had before.  She was loved and cared for on the ship in a way she had never experienced; not only did our medical teams heal her body but they healed her heart, and from that healing she is now eager and able to love others, to show compassion where she once had nothing to give.

Jamie told us another story of a man he had heard of way down in Toliara, the far south of Madagascar. He was a patient on the ship and upon returning to Toliara he could not keep silent. "I heard of Jesus my whole life," he said.  "I read in the bible that He came to love people and to heal people, but I've never seen it.  I'd never experienced that here on earth, until I was on the Mercy Ship."  His experience of Jesus, lived through the incarnational ministry of our crew, has changed his entire life and has given him the desire to speak out and bless others.  It's a remarkable story that spans the entire country; from the far north in Mahajanga we heard word of this man form the far south in Toliara who was healed on the ship over in the east in Toamasina.

The Good News cannot be kept silent!  Praise God for these and the hundreds of other stories of hope and healing spreading across this incredible country and impacting her beautiful people.  Jamie told us that many of the potential patients who were too afraid to travel to the ship for their first appointment are now eagerly awaiting the ships' return so they too can experience the hope and the healing and the Good News for themselves.

--Krissy Close, Medical Capacity Building Manager AFM

Sambany

Each field service has one or two remarkable stories that are woven into the fabric that is Mercy Ships. This January, Sambany heard on the radio that there might be help in Tamatave. Six people carried him on their backs for 2 days as they walked from his village to find transportation to the Africa Mercy. He presented with the largest tumor that they had ever encountered in their history.

What might have been a relatively simple procedure years earlier, was now a very high risk endeavor. He presented with a very low hemoglobin and the compression of surrounding structures suggested that there was a significant chance that he might not survive the surgery. He felt that he had no future. He was willing to risk everything for a chance to rid himself of this tumor that now isolated him from any sort of life. He wanted the chance to be treated as "human" once again. 

The blood bank for surgical patients consists of the crew on board at that time. As the call for donors is announced, a line of volunteers forms almost immediately outside the lab. Sambany was in surgey for more than 12 hours and required more than 15 units of blood. These are the blood donors that shared their life so that Sambany might have a chance to get home.

One of the most remarkable moments is when the patient emerges post-operatively and is provided a mirror to view their transformation. Each time a patient looks in that mirror we feel truly honored that we could deliver such a gift, and saddened that they have had to suffer rejection, and isolation for so long.

Not every case appears as dramatic as Sambany to those observing from the bedside, but the impact upon their lives and future is no less powerful. 

VVF Dress Ceremony

Obstetric fistula is such a problem not only in Africa, but Madagascar as well. Mercy Ships has provided surgery for these patients in each of their field services but the numbers are staggering. It is estimated that almost 1 million women in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 20-50,000 women in Madagascar now constantly leak urine following an injury during childbirth. Mercy Ships has provided surgery for scores of women and helped to train local surgeons  but the problem is immense. Next field service, the Africa Mercy will return to Madagascar with plans to establish a free-standing VVF surgical facility on the site of the current HOPE Center, leaving a permanent legacy of their visit to the Malagasy people.

Post-operatively, once they have been "dry" and can be declared "cured" the Africa Mercy holds a Dress Ceremony to celebrate a new life and a new future. Each of the women share a brief story with nurses, staff, day workers, and family as we cheer them on and bless them as they return home. Most have been leaking for several years, a few more than 20 years. Most are abandoned by their husbands and families and struggle with their condition. It was such an encouragement to have one husband in attendance at the ceremony who had chosen to stay with his wife as they sought help for more than 10 years. They are such a beautiful people and their joy is contagious.

You Just Can't Stop the Music...

We joined ourselves to a small group of crew from the ship traveling to the concert. It is said that "Madagascar is not Africa" but this afternoon had me wondering. We arrived at 2:45 pm. The hall held a few dozen of other Mercy Ships crew and a handful of locals. The concert started right on time - about 3:40 pm. We heard from a local choir, a choir of children from a local orphanage, a very long greeting from the assistant community administrator, then a spectacular choir formed from members of the Day Crew serving aboard the ship. these workers are local Malagasy that serve as translators, kitchen and housekeeping help.

I thought the concert was over. It was now 5 pm and we were to have another in a special series presented by a speaker from California. However, the feature group now took the stage. the TGC - Tana Gospel Choir, started to sing and their music and presentation was incredible. Here is a YouTube link to one of their songs. www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7MXziL-Ne8   If this doesn't work just search TGC Madagascar.

Halfway through their first song a thunderstorm knocked out the power in the entire city. Gone was the sound system - microphones, synthesizer, electric guitar, bass guitar and piano. In the dark, by the light of a few cellphones, they carried on with an incredible acapella presentation. From there, they added drums, saxophone, trombone and accordion and carried on for almost an hour. By then, someone had found a generator and the concert (party) carried on with all the sound but no lights. Not long afterwards a portable light was found for the stage.

The local Malagasy knew this group well. They sang, danced, clapped as the improvised concert unfolded It was an incredible blessing to be a part of their excitement and exuberance. Money raised from this concert was to be used to assist those from remote parts of the country to be able to travel to the ship for surgery. The Africa Mercy will leave Madagascar in early June but is set to return August 10th for another 10 months.

Now almost 7:30pm, black outside, huge puddles everywhere we journeyed back to the ship. Supper was long over, but there was some leftover pizza and a few molasses cookies from dinner. An amazing experience! the highlight of my journey so far.

Saturday at the Market

The three "old guys" ventured out to the market today. Wedging ourselves into a small scooter driven cart, "Tuc Tuc" we traveled to the market for about 35 cents each. Most of these markets are the same. A collection of local crafts; some spices and vanilla; a collection of imported shoes and clothing; together some local produce and meat; with a blend of aggressive sellers, children begging, and babies sleeping.

Kurt made the mistake of giving one of the children a dollar. We soon had a great following of small friends each looking for similar generosity. Continued shopping was hopeless at this point so we hailed another "Tuc Tuc" and headed for the Ocean 501 restaurant.

 Bicycles, pedestrians,, pedal powered taxis, cars and animals all share the road and yet traffic flows with a rhythm that appears effortless. With our few treasures from the market, a jacket to provide some protection from a predicted downpour we found a table overlooking a quiet sandy beach. Dugout boats sat idly on the beach as waves crashed beach .

The coolness of the day made for a relaxing lunch as we enjoyed Margherita pizzas and grenadine juice in this outdoor restaurant.

We walked to the main road and negotiated a price for our return trip to the port.

We held tickets to a local concert that was organized as a fundraiser for Mercy Ships by the community. It was scheduled to start at 3pm and details about where to catch the shuttle were sketchy. It could be easy to be left behind.

Lemurs

Madagascar has its own set of interesting creatures.Many crew members will book a weekend journey to the Lemur Zoo and stay overnight camping alongside lemurs and other creatures.

The Road to Toamasina

I arrived in Madagascar one week ago. After a long series of flights we arrived at a Guest house in the capital, Antananarivo. None of the names here are short. Not for the towns, not for the people, not for the shops. Early Sunday morning we boarded a small bus and were "shuttled" to the Africa Mercy. Docked in the largest port in the country, the Africa Mercy has been in Toamasina since September.

The 356 km journey took more than 9 hours as we traveled the main highway between the port and the capital. This winding twisting road took us past much of the countryside, markets, and villages as we followed all manner of vehicles and transportation. Most of it moved slowly. We passed vehicles constantly on this winding, pothole filled highway. There was evidence of some unsuccessful travelers with trucks overturned on the curves, and many vehicles abandoned or under repair by the side of the road,

 A lush green countryside was evidence of the long rainy season that has just ended. Most days are 30C and humid. We have experienced 2 major rainstorms this week. The first delayed our flight from landing and the second dampened the spirits of those looking to walk to town after work was finished Friday afternoon.

The blessing

Despite a limited scope of surgical procedures and fewer than usual patients in Congo, how come some will have the opportunity to freely receive surgery while others miss theirs? Today is quiet. We had to cancel 2 children for cleft surgery because they were developing symptoms of influenza. After waiting so long, and now so close to changing their futures, we had to send them away. We tried to fill the OR time with a young woman with a facial tumor that was to require surgery tomorrow only to find she was now pregnant.

Yesterday we had a young woman booked for a tonsillectomy. This seemed like an unusual choice for a hospital ship able to offer care for much more complex problems. She has struggled for years with recurrent tonsillitis and is looking forward to finally being free of this problem. When she arrived in our room this beautiful, well-spoken, gentle African woman was settled into the OR theatre. A Canadian nurse fluent in French asked her if we could pray before her surgery. Our patient offered to pray and proceeded to offer eloquent thanks to God for the presence of Mercy Ships in her country and asking for His guidance and blessing upon all members of the team. Her heartfelt prayer had our nurse in tears. As she shared this with the rest of our team we all felt that God had really encouraged and blessed us through one of those we had come to help.

Just before she finished praying our patient asked hat she would awaken from surgery with a "smile on her face". It was a special reminder of His care for each of us as she emerged from her anesthetic smiling and contented.

There is not one group "giving" and another "receiving". We all contribute our part, medical staff, crew, and patients, and each of us senses blessing in being here.

And the lame walk...

Today I worked with the orthopedic team caring for children with legs that that would well be described as "weak and feeble". In their world physical ability is one of the keys to success and independence. These children struggle with an awkward gait trying in earnest to encourage weak limbs to keep up with their peers. Born with appears to be normal legs, far too soon they curve and twist while parents watch helplessly.

With severe curves of both legs, our first young girl usually walked with her toes facing each other. She was unable to face her feet forward but could turn them inwards to point directly backwards. We made several cuts to her lower legs and was able to fully correct the alignment of her legs. There is a long road of recovery ahead, with many casts and adjustments, but the change is dramatic.

We see such a small part of their story and rarely do those on the ship get to follow them years into their future. We can't care for everyone that needs help, but we can change the world one patient at a time. We will never know the impact of the care we provide. We pray over each one as we begin their surgery that God would use their life for Him. We will likely never know until heaven the impact we have had on others that He has brought into our path. For some it is the new life that comes with a new face, or straight legs, or eyes that see clearly. For others it is the kindness of a cold cup of water, a meal when hungry, encouragement when overwhelmed, or a shoulder to share their struggles.

May we all be sensitive to those that He places in our path.