But the time was more special than that for Aseye.
"I left Ghana, a neighbouring country to Togo, when I was 10. I am aware of the struggles people endure in Africa, and know that my life has been very blessed. So my 'motherland' Africa has also been a place I've desired to return to and give something back to my people," she says.
"When I read about the work being done by volunteers serving with Mercy Ships I knew it was an invitation from God, so I said 'yes' to the invitation. Being Ghanaian born, I felt I had enough exposure to African culture, and I was ready and excited about what lay ahead. There was also great support from family, friends and workmates. I think some may even have been a little jealous of my decision."
Aseye says there were many highlights from the time spent onboard the Africa Mercy with its six operating theatres, 78-bed hospital and a crew of 450 volunteers from around the world. "What a wonderful thing it was to see people who have nothing and who have gone through so much being so happy with what we consider to be the smallest things in life. They are so grateful for what they have, and they don't worry about what they don't have."
"Many of the patients who had come for free surgeries to correct disability, deformity and blindness had nothing. Some had also suffered through embarrassment, rejection by family and community, or had been cursed and cast out of their villages because of their condition. It was amazing to see the change that came about in the days following surgery. Their lives and their personalities had changed. From low self esteem on arrival, they left smiling, rejoicing and singing praises.
"A real highlight always was to enter the hospital wards where there was music. There was always someone singing, dancing, drumming, clapping or laughing. It was wonderful and heart warming to see people praising God knowing they had been healed and transformed. I cared for so many people who had gone through many years of difficulties. It was always a problem for me to hold back the tears as I sat and talked with them. There tears for the struggles the people of Togo had endured, and tears for the joys that had come to them through the efforts of so many people making up the Mercy Ships team providing a wide range of medical and development services, all without charge.
"It was an eye-opening experience that has changed me in so many ways, personally, professionally and spiritually," Aseye 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. Working in partnership with local people, Mercy Ships empowers communities to help themselves. The result is a way out of poverty.
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, with a crew of more than 450 volunteer, provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time. Mercy Ships works on land-based projects in Sierra Leone in partnership with other organisations, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. Mercy Ships Australia, one of 14 international support offices is based on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.
On the web: www.mercyships.org.au