Mercy Ships: love in action for needy patients
WINNIPEG, MB—At a time in life when many people her age are trying to spend as much time with their grandchildren as possible, Cheryl Macfarlane is half a world away from hers.
While she dearly loves her grandchildren, the registered nurse is finishing up a three-month volunteer term in Togo, Africa on Africa Mercy, the world's largest charity hospital ship. Working alongside 450 other international volunteers who all pay their own way to be there, Macfarlane helps the ship's medical staff relieve the physical suffering of some of the most impoverished people on Earth.
Macfarlane started the process of applying to volunteer with Mercy Ships, the organization that operates Africa Mercy, in early 2011.
"Now here I am, in the most amazing of circumstances," the 60-year-old, who is a member of Grant Memorial Baptist Church, says via e-mail. "I say 'amazing' because everything about the Mercy Ship experience is a testament to God's love and His presence in our lives."
A typical day on the ship begins with prayer and devotion. Shortly after, the first patients are admitted. Massive goiters, cleft lips and palates, cataracts, bowed legs and fistulas are some of the common issues seen by Macfarlane and her colleagues as they move from port to port in West Africa.
"To me, the work of Mercy Ships is important because it is love in action, providing hope and healing to body and spirit to some of the world's poorest people," Macfarlane says. "The love is shown to all people from all walks of life, through kindness, gentleness, sincerity, service, truth, action and prayer."
She says approximately 3,500 people with all sorts of afflictions and ailments line up for hours overnight and well into the scorching heat of the day with the hope that there may be some help for them.
"The whole process runs smoothly without any chaos or confusion," Macfarlane says. "The people humbly and peacefully await their turn to be seen. Throughout the whole day, you feel you are all enveloped in a bubble of protection and peace."
Those who cannot be helped gratefully accept the medical staff's prayers, whether they are Christian or not.
"[Imagine] the delight in walking down the outer corridor of hospital wards and listening to the wonderful sound of an acoustic guitar, and the happy sounds of the patients—adults and children together—singing hymns of praise," Macfarlane says. "This is a normal part of every day in the Mercy Ship hospital."
Macfarlane found out about Mercy Ships eight years ago when she was researching humanitarian organizations with the intent of possibly working or volunteering for one of them. She says she was attracted to the organization for many reasons: she had spent some years on ships working with and administering to international crews; they minister to the poor and needy; and a chart comparison of charity organizations had Mercy Ships at the top of the list with a 4.5 out of 5 rating in how its funds were utilized.
Macfarlane returns to Manitoba in April to spend some quality time with her three daughters and 12 grandchildren. She wants to serve with Mercy Ships again at some point.
"My life has been very blessed," Macfarlane says. "I hope to repeat this experience, God willing."
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