Leavin' On A Jet Plane

My last week on the ship was filled with precious moments and I didn't hesitate to soak up every last second. Conversations and laughing with friends over dinner. Visiting hidden sites of Tamatave. Snuggling with our pediatric patients, deck 7 time with all the patients, singing and walking with the ladies down the corridors of the ward. Dress ceremony celebration. In the end I couldn't have asked for a better time with Mercy Ships. I was a part of setting up and working in the OBF clinic, lived off ship, and then worked and lived on the ship. I didn't just work with the VVF ladies on the ship either I had opportunities to work on every ward which allowed me to care for maxofacial patients, orthopedic kids, plastics and reconstruction, and general surgical patients. They all had their own challenges but each one allowed me to learn something new and interact with patients from all walks of life. 

It is surreal that something I talked about and thought about for so long is now complete. Almost six months and my time with Mercy Ships and in Madagascar is over. When you think about all of this it really is an odd way of experiencing life. You leave your home, invest deeply in a foreign country, patients and a community of people and then a time comes to leave again. Sounds crazy but it goes to show that there is something contagious and completely rewarding about pouring yourself out in service to others and growing in community. The topic here though is leaving. Short and long term crew alike will leave. Crew members that have been there for 20 years will eventually leave. If working with Mercy Ships has taught me anything it is that things change constantly. 

"Goodbyes are not forever.

Goodbyes are not the end.

They simply mean I'll miss you

Until we meet again."

People every Saturday leave the ship and go back to their homes, families, sometimes a job and sometimes not a job. After awhile they will naturally return to "normal" life or a "normal" routine. I suppose you could be thinking what is bad about returning to a "normal" routine?!? Absolutely nothing. In the effort to balance the weight of the last six months with returning home, I wonder if I will forget all that I have seen, forget the patients, and forgot all that I have learned along the way.  I know you just spoke the words "that's impossible" out loud ;) The reality is that things will change, I will forget some things and life will continue to move on both at home and in Madagascar. I'm reminding myself that returning home in no way diminishes this experience, the things I have learned about myself and God, the friendships formed, or the interactions with patients. It has all challenged me, enlarged my heart, and has completely ruined me for living life in any way that is short of extraordinary and I wouldn't change one thing about it all. 

What does extraordinary living look like for me next? Not entirely sure but I know that I will continue to walk this journey one step at a time. I will choose to be thankful for all that God has done so far and choose to believe that this season of my life will continue to propel me forward into all the good plans God has in store for me. 

Would you join me in continuing to pray for the patients aboard the Africa Mercy and would you pray for strength and energy for every crew member as this field service comes to a close. 

I start my journey home in a couple of hours and I'm so looking forward to being home, and talking with you all face to face. Would you pray for safe travels and smooth flights. 

Just a sneak peak at some of the pictures from my recent travels around Madagascar.....

Lasting Impact

As I prepare myself to leave this floating hospital ship in two weeks I'm trying to reflect on and post about experiences that have really stood out to me and impacted me during this time.

One aspect that I truly admire about Mercy Ships is its dedication to making sure that certain programs are sustainable after the Africa Mercy departs from a country. Being in Madagascar for two field service has given them an unique opportunity to really find out what education and resources the healthcare system needs. Over the last two field services Mercy Ships has implemented many educational sessions for doctors, surgeons and nurses, a surgical checklist to ensure safety in operating rooms and renovated an operating room and two buildings at the local hospital here in Tamatave.The obstetric fistula clinic that I worked in is also part of this medical capacity program. I might have mentioned it before but this clinic will be employed by Malagasy nurses and supported by another organization called Freedom From Fistula after the Africa Mercy leaves.

One of the most challenging and yet rewarding part of my time here has been training those local nurses. I have oriented nurses at home but this was very different. We don't speak the same language. Our training and education as nurses was different. Our culture is different. Add the fact that I don't have any women's health background and was learning about obstetric fistulas myself and it sounds like a recipe for disaster huh?!? They had classroom sessions with our Mercy Ships crew educator and then worked 12 hr. shifts at the clinic and on the ward at the ship. At first these local nurses were shy, and not really giving us much indication that they were learning anything. Over the weeks we slowly passed on the knowledge and skills we were learning about caring for obstetric fistula patients. We were learning and growing together and I think as time passed they started trusting us. They started asking questions, critically thinking and taking initiative with their patients. It was such a joy to see the look on there face when they finally put the pieces together, realized the significance of what they were doing and why they were performing a procedure a certain way. All the skills, knowledge, and facts that we instill in them can't compare to the fact that we are also showing them how to love patients like Jesus would. Showing compassion, loving the least of these is all completely counter-intuitive to the culture of nursing here in Madagascar. These local nurses are taught that not only can they medically care for their patients differently, more effectively and with best practices but that they also can holistically, compassionately and lovingly care for their own people.

I don't say all this to boast or pat myself on that back but to say how completely humbled and thankful I am for the opportunity to work together with these local nurse and to play a small part in teaching and molding them. Nurses who can change the culture of nursing in Madagascar, who will care for the thousands of other obstetric  fistula patients that I can't care for and will continue to compassionately and lovingly care for the poorest of poor, the least of these and some of the strongest and most beautiful ladies of Madagascar.

This video will give you more details about the medical capacity programs. Enoy!  

Although I am currently serving with Mercy Ships, everything communicated here strictly reflects my personal opinions and is neither reviewed nor endorsed by Mercy Ships. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships. 

The Least Of These

In every nurses career there are patients and family members you simply will never forget. If you are a nurse reading this you know what I'm talking about...the difficult patient, the baby that despite so many obstacles survived, that one code in the ER, the patient that passed away or the family members that faithfully stood by their loved one. I have said it before but these ladies will forever be etched in my heart and mind. Their stories, faces, the joys and the sorrows. Their stories all have a running theme. Pregnancy. Days of labor without access to any kind of medical care and the nearest hospital is a days walk away or further. If they never make it to the hospital the baby will die and the body will instinctively begin the process of expelling the baby. If they make it to the hospital and can actually afford the cesarean they need it is often still too late. After enduring this traumatic labor that results in the loss of a child they now have a hole in between their bladder and birth canal causing them to constantly leak urine. What once was supposed to be a time of joy and bringing forth new life results in death. Death of a child, death of a women's identity, hope, joy and future.

’‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?" Matthew 25:37-39

I have not written about specific patients because at this point accurately portraying their story seems like a daunting task and one that I will never give full justice too.I must have sat down a dozen times trying to describe this one patients story. She is fourteen years old. She embodies Mercy Ships line "poorest of poor." Her name is Minette and I will never forget her. 

Her story is very similar to what I just described. Another mercy ships crew nurse that works closely with the local hospital in Tamatave found Minette. The nurses at the local hospital were begging her to help Minette claiming she was the poorest patient they have ever seen. To get an accurate picture of the local hospital and the condition Minette was found in I strongly recommend you read the following post by the lovely Amy Jones https://throughaporthole.wordpress.com/2016/01/05/all-she-wanted-was-chicken/ Amy, team leaders and surgeons advocated to transfer Minette from the local hospital to the clinic which is not part of Mercy Ships normal screening process. They did not have to fight too hard. The committee saw the poorest of the poor sitting right in front of them and could not delay action. 

I"ll never forget the look on her face the first night Minette came to the clinic. Eyes wide, scared, fearful and full of pain. We started from the basics. We gave her a bath. Lovingly and gently nurses cleaned her skinny, boney, sore body that had been sitting in urine for days. We took all the appropriate steps to care for her medically but we first started with loving her. Looking her in the eye. Telling her we wanted to help her. Slowly explaining everything we were going to do. Gently holding her hand. Giving her tough love through the difficult times of not wanting to take medications, deliberately throwing nutritional supplements on the floor and not even wanting to get out of bed on some days. It was emotionally and mentally tiring care for her at times. The more strength she gained the more her feisty, stubborn fourteen year old self emerged. She would lay quietly in bed while everybody else was singing around her, she would sleep late, miss breakfast and often stayed up late hanging out and chatting with the night shift nurses. She was a typical teenager but none of her life experiences reflected that of a normal fourteen year old. Her total stay at the clinic spanned about three months with many ups and downs, joys and sorrows.  I can't even begin to describe the emotional, spiritual and physical healing we saw over those three months. This loving, smart, fun and humorous fourteen year old slowly started making appearances over the weeks. She would pat our heads, grin and say something in Malagasy, give us a smirk when she was doing something she shouldn't be doing, always wanted to braid the nurses hair or paint their nails, admire our watches and sneakily ask to wear it for a shift. Turns out she knew the songs we were singing the whole time. The day I watched her singing, clapping, smiling and interacting with the other patients was the day I knew that Minette would never be the same and that she in turn had captured the hearts of every nurse and patient that she came in contact with. 

Minette's journey isn't over just yet. She will return to Mercy Ships in April for further surgery. Sadly, I won't be here in April to see her return...add that to the compiling list of reasons it will be difficult to leave this place in a few short weeks. At the same time though I'm joyful knowing that one greater than me loves her and holds her in the palms of His hands. I'm at peace knowing that He who began a good work in her will be faithful to complete all the things in her heart I witnessed begin to grow and blossom. I'm confident that we fed, clothed and loved the poorest of poor all for Gods glory and so that she may know the goodness, love and faithfulness of our God. 

 Minette's story is not completely uncommon here in Madagascar. There are thousands more just like her. Fourteen, sixteen, eighteen all the way up to sixty year old women suffering from obstetric fistulas. Although, the task of caring for these ladies and telling their stories feels overwhelming at times I know it must be done. As with all of our patients telling their stories gives you all a glimpse of what is going on around the world. It gives you knowledge and awareness which at some point will lead to action. That action will look different for each person. It could be as simple as stopping and saying a prayer for these ladies and all the patients Mercy Ships cares for. In this season of my life it looks like volunteering my time with Mercy Ships. Even more simple than all of this would be to just be aware of and reach out to the poorest of poor, the least of these that are surrounding you everyday.  

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The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40


Shared this video before but I think its worth another share. Enjoy! 

Along with the joy of pregnancy comes worry. In Canada, mother's can be comforted in knowing that skilled healthcare for moms and their babies is available if needed. This is severely lacking in Madagascar. Thousands of women who survive the complications related to pregnancy and childbirth suffer from a terrible injury called obstetric fistula. It is estimated that 2,000 Malagasy women develop fistula each year.Thousands of women have a story like Gisele's and Mercy Ships is working to alleviate their suffering and to bring hope and healing.Learn more: www.mercyships.ca/obstetric-fistula-surgeries/
Posted by Mercy Ships Canada on Thursday, January 22, 2015

Although I am currently serving with Mercy Ships, everything communicated here strictly reflects my personal opinions and is neither reviewed nor endorsed by Mercy Ships. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships. 

Good Gifts

December 31st officially marked 4 months since I arrived on the Africa Mercy. Cue the mixed emotions, lots of feelings and reflections on 2015 and all the good gifts the Lord has bestowed upon me. Little gifts like internet and video chat to stay connected with you all even when we are thousands of miles apart, life-long friendships that are forming, biking in good weather, good team work on a busy work day, and a simple interaction with a patient that makes them smile. Big gifts like losing my cellphone which was an inconvenience but also taught me that yes I can survive without a cellular device attached to me at all times. I know shocking. Bigger gifts like so much love and support from family and friends and my mom's ability to know me better than myself. (Sorry Dad, love you too!) This opportunity to serve the people of Madagascar with Mercy Ships that daily forces me to stand in awe of how good His timing is and how evident His goodness is in people's lives by restoring hope and healing. Being away from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season this year allowed me to really reflect on God's greatest gift of His one and only Son. However, I have found myself at times still doubting His goodness. Sometimes I think could it all really be this good? There must be a catch. It can't be this simple. It's all too good to be true. Then I hear God whisper it is this good and yes it can get even better than this. I heard a pastor once say that a gift isn't a gift unless it is received. God can and longs to pour out all of these blessings but more often than not I find myself coming to him with my hands closed, holding on to what I deem best and in a sense preventing myself from receiving all of His goodness. This year God is challenging me to open up my hands, let go of my agenda, doubts, fears, bitterness and worries and receive the more than enough, over abundant and more then I can ask for or imagine good gifts that He has in store for me in 2016. 

"When you are overwhelmed with the goodness of God to you-you overflow with the goodness of God to others" Ann Voskamp

I write this all with a little hesitancy. I don't want to sound repetitive. I don't want to make it sound like everything is rainbows, butterfly's and fairy tales all the time. However, sometimes you have to take a moment to step back from all the nonsense and confusion swirling around you and stand on the promise  that "goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life." He comes to bring life and life abundantly if we would only open our hands and hearts to receive it all. I'm challenging myself and you this year to put aside all that hinders you, trust that His ways are always perfect and with a willing heart receive all the good gifts God has in store for you this year. I don't know what those good gifts will look like for you. Maybe it's trusting Christ and allowing Him into your life, situation and heart for the first time (Ephesians 2:8-10). Maybe it's letting go of anger and bitterness and stepping into peace and joy. Perhaps it's putting the past behind you and confidently walking into the destiny and purpose he has for your life.                                                

                                            Praying that 2016 is the best one yet for all of you!

Taking care of these ladies is one of the best gifts of 2015! 

Another great gift. Building friendships and exploring this beautiful country of Madagascar:

Before 2015 ended I had the chance to go to another city in Madagascar called Antsirbe. The journey was long but in Madagascar traveling is all part of the fun and the scenery was breathtaking. Antisarbe is colorful, and busy with a lot of different shops and markets. The main attraction was a volcanic lake called Lake Tritriva. We walked around the lake and apparently some people go cliff diving here. The water is cold with no living thing due to the high levels of phosphate and sulfur. Don't worry we decided not to jump or swim :) 

My great traveling buddy Irene! 

This railway operates between the capital city of Tana and Tamatave but only for freight train use. 

Local post office

Capital city of Antananarivo

Finally, thanks to your generous support I have the full amount of my crew fees covered for the months that I extended! Another great gift :) If you still wish to donate I suggest you check out the Mercy Ships website, do some research for yourself and consider donating to the organization. Once again without supporters like you Mercy Ships can not bring this level of care to the poorest of the poor.  

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

 Although I am currently serving with Mercy Ships, everything communicated here strictly reflects my personal opinions and is neither reviewed nor endorsed by Mercy Ships. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships.

Provision

By now most of you know that The Journal News did an article about Mercy Ships and my service here in Madagascar. I did a phone interview for the article and I admit it was difficult to answer the questions the reporter was asking. Questions like: What has it been like working as a nurse on the Africa Mercy? What is the healthcare system like in Madagascar? What are the patients like? I mean cause it's so easy to describe these patients and what it's like to care for them in a short, succinct, professional manner.... NOT lol! I hope by the time I get home I'll have figured out a way to sum up this time in Madagascar but in the end this environment and taking care of these patients is such a unique experience and one that you can't fully understand until you experience it for yourself. None the less I'll continue to do my best and hope that you all feel involved and a part of this journey. 

There was one question that I had no problem answering. I had a feeling something would come up about how I was doing this financially and what my job status was. Sure enough towards the end of the interview the reporter asked about my financial status. I wonder if he could sense that I was grinning on the other side of the phone. I mean what an opportunity to share about God's provision and faithfulness in my life. I proceeded to give him my honest answer that I knew God opened the doors for this opportunity, that he had a plan and purpose for me serving with Mercy Ships and that he would provide for all my needs including my financial needs. When I first considered applying to volunteer with Mercy Ships I knew that I was going to have to pay my own way, I knew that I was going to have to put my job on hold or potentially quit. Believe me all of these thoughts ran through my mind but none of them seemed like legitimate concerns when I thought about his faithfulness and how He has never failed to provide for my every need. Reading passages that said "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" and  "Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than the birds" just solidified my thoughts that financial fears should not hold me back from the great and mighty things God was going to do in and through me. 

God has also exceedingly blessed me with people like you..... friends and family that have been so supportive of my service here with Mercy Ships and have encouraged me through kind words, cards, prayers and financial gifts. I continue to be overwhelmed by all of your support and thanks to your generosity in the beginning of the field service I actually have some money left towards my crew fees for the next 2 months. The remaining balance of my crew fees is about $800.00. If you are thinking about contributing even a small amount towards my crew fees see the link at the bottom of this post.  

The hope, healing and transformation that is happening aboard the Africa Mercy both in the patients lives and in every crew member is not possible without people like you that support crew members and the organization as a whole. Here is a quick overview of all that was done in the month of November:

 

 

 

 

Celebrating with these ladies never gets old!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 "I thank my God every time I remember you.

 In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy because of your partnership

in the gospel from the first day until now.....

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you,

since I have you in my heart."

Philippians 1:3-5,7

http://mercyships-us.donorpages.com/crewmates/DeborahMascia

 Although I am currently serving with Mercy Ships, everything communicated here strictly reflects my personal opinions and is neither reviewed nor endorsed by Mercy Ships. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships.
 

Capturing The Moments

 

A couple weeks ago I went with Mercy Ministries to Les Enfants de Soleis which is an orphanage run by a French association. We played games, told a short bible story, sang songs and did a craft. I certainly miss all of my nieces and nephews and this was a great time to just to interact and play with some kids. Kids behavior is pretty universal....they all had a ton of energy, loved playing and just wanted some attention and love.   

 

 

This kid is 15 and already knows
Malagasy, French and is
learning English. So incredible!

All photo cred to Mercy Ministries
 

   
My engineering, and mechanically savoy readers will be excited to know that I took a tour of the engine room of the Africa Mercy! So cool to see how this large ship really operates and stays afloat. All of the people that work in the engine room are also volunteers and work pretty hard to make sure that all systems are working properly.

Top Left: One of the four main engines

Top Right: With 400 people on the ship this is an important system to be working haha

Bottom Left: Water filtration system

Bottom Right: This is the part of the ship that needed to be removed for repairs delaying the ships arrival to Madagascar for two weeks.

 

 

We also are really enjoying spending some time locally exploring Tamatave. Tamatave does have the hustle and bustle of a big city due to the large port and beaches but also has beautiful scenery and quiet places that we are discovering. One of those places is the Prune Island. It is about 9.9 miles northeast of Tamatave which was about an hour and a half boat ride from the port. It is home to the tallest Lighthouse in Africa called Nosy Alañaña Light, also known as Île aux Prunes Light. The island kind of reminded me of something out of a Jurassic park movie with a lot of green forestry areas but also a beautiful beach. We went with a tour guide who took us walking around the island and of course to the top of the lighthouse. The lighthouse is 197 feet tall and has over 300 steps so it was a workout but the view was worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is also lychee season here in Madagascar. This fruit is very sweet and kind of has the consistency of a grape with a large pit in the center. It is delicious and very popular around here!   

 

 

While I am enjoying all of these adventures and forming so many great friendships what is most important are the patients. Peoples lives are being changed everyday here aboard the Africa Mercy. These ladies continue to challenge me and bring so much joy to my heart. I wish you could meet one of these ladies, sit down and talk with them and hear their story. It is hard to describe how it feels to see a patient who was isolated, depressed and abandoned smiling, laughing and filled with joy knowing that they are starting a new life. It's hard to describe how happy and yet sad you feel when you say goodbye to these ladies knowing that they may forget you but that they will forever be apart of your life. If you are feeling so inclined to learn even more about obstetric fistula's I would encourage you to watch the documentary " A Walk To Beautiful" which follows five woman in Ethiopia as they journey towards Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital for surgery. This documentary gives a very accurate picture of what life is like for these ladies, their struggles, triumphs and journeys towards healing. I will give you fair warning you will most definitely need tissues :)

 

 

The lady I am praying for in the blue hat was a patient who we named as our  'Malagasy grandmother'. She was 60 years old and suffered from her fistula for over 20 years. She had a beautiful smile and was always wearing really cute earrings. What a pleasure it was to take care of her!

 

 

 

 

 

As always I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I might be celebrating Thanksgiving this year very far away from home but none the less I'm thankful for each and every one of you and for your support, love, kindness, wisdom and prayers. I will continue to soak up every minute of this journey trying to capture each moment as best as I can. I hope that you will continue to follow along!

 

 

Lot of love,

Deborah

Although I am currently serving with Mercy Ships, everything communicated here strictly reflects my personal opinions and is neither reviewed nor endorsed by Mercy Ships. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships