As the Global Mercy transitions to a new port in Tema, Ghana we are serving people coming in from all over the nation. It has been more than 20 years since Mercy Ships last served in this country and many are excited to see the ship. The beginning of a new mission gives us great anticipation for what God will do in this new setting. More than 2,000 life changing surgeries will be provided free of charge to people in need. All this will point people to Jesus whose model we are following.
A few weeks back we had a prayer walk where many crew walked through the hospital and prayed over specific needs in each department. Of course the prayers were for the complicated logistics of a surgical hospital operating in a cross cultural setting. But there were also many prayer focuses directed towards our patients. For some this will be the first time they have ever been in a hospital, let alone on a ship and the anxiety is real. Our prayers were not just for their physical healing but also, through this, that Jesus would transform their lives. Our mission is to “Follow the 2,000 year old model of Jesus by providing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.” While healing comes through surgery, hope comes through Jesus. Our prayer is that every patient and their care giver would see Jesus in how we serve them and how we treat one another. There are also many simple ways that patients will directly encounter the love of Jesus through us. Doctors, nurses, and others are offering prayer at every step along the way, and our hospital chaplains teach the stories of Jesus on a weekly basis.
There are creative little touches too, like the wall displays I saw in the hospital. In the Physical Therapy Department there is a set of wings made up of individual paper feathers. In between the two wings is the scripture from Isaiah 40:31, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” One at a time as orthopedic patients complete their rehab they will choose a feather, write their name on it, return it to the wall and then pose for pictures inside of the giant set of wings. I can’t wait to see the names begin to be filled in. Each will represent a life changed and a destiny altered, perhaps for all of eternity.
The second wall that I noticed was in the Outpatient Department. This is the last stop patients will have before they leave the ship and return home. On that wall Psalms 147:3 is posted in large letters. “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” The department gave each of us a paper heart to write a prayer on for our patients. Furthermore each patient will be given a heart to write their name on and add it to the wall representing the healing that God gives to them.
These are both simple but significant touches that remind both us and those we serve why we are here. We are not just doing humanitarian work, we are doing Jesus’ work. We are not just providing healing, we are bringing hope through Jesus. The first surgeries started a few weeks ago and things are going well. Thank you for your prayers and support and for following along with us on the journey here in Ghana.
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