"As a physiotherapist for the ship's hospital, with its six operating theatres, I was involved in post-operative rehabilitation for orthopaedic and burns/plastic surgery cases. This year in Sierra Leone I was also involved in setting up clubfoot clinics around the country. That work is part of what Mercy Ships does in empowering local clinicians to help themselves when the ship leaves."
"Seeing the whole journey of patients from admission to discharge is one of the great things. When you see young children taking their first steps on new straight legs, when you see a parent start crying when they see their little boy putting on his first pair of shoes, or when one of the little kids runs up to give you a warm hug, it is hard not to want to return to Africa and do it all again."
"One of the most rewarding experiences is to see parents smiling proudly as their child's progress, knowing you had a small part to play in helping them have a vastly different and brighter future. It is sometimes just a simple smile from a parent that paints the picture of a thousand words of gratitude," Nick says.
"One story in particular stands out. It really spoke of what true forgiveness and grace look like. A doctor came across a father whose daughter's arms had been cut off by rebels during Sierra Leone's long civil war. The father has to feed his daughter every day and is reminded constantly of what was done to her. What makes it worse for him is that the person who did this act, lives just down the street. Every day he sees that person and needs to ask for God's strength to forgive the man and not go and harm him."
"When I step outside of my world for a second and think about what I have done in Africa, I feel truly blessed to be part of something small that is helping to bring healing to so many lives. I know this kind of work is not for everyone, but I am glad it is for me. I do see myself as serving with Mercy Ships again," Nick concludes.
Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978 providing free health care and community development services to the forgotten poor. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor.
The emphasis is on the needs of the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the world's largest charity hospital ship Africa Mercy provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time. Mercy Ships Australia, one of 15 international support offices is based on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.
For more information, visit: www.mercyships.org.au
