That is what Catherine Kelly of Keilor in Melbourne believes gave her the desire to offer herself for service among volunteers with Mercy Ships in the West African nation of Benin, one of the world's poorest nations. "I don't think it has anything to do with what skills we possess. It is more about how deeply we feel for those around us less fortunate than we are. I am simply a mum wanting to reach out and touch the lives of those who need help in whatever way God wants me to."
Catherine spent more than a month working as a dining room steward onboard the Africa Mercy, docked in the port of Cotonou for ten months. She was among more than 400 volunteers from around the world providing a range of free medical and community development services to the people of Benin. As with others onboard she paid her own way to and from Benin and paid crew fees while there to help offset the ship's running costs.
"As a teenager in Ireland where I grew up, my girlfriends and I would take part in charity walks for needy causes and raise funds for those in need. It was just part of who we were and we had a lot of fun doing it."
"I had never heard of the work being done by Mercy Ships until I was visiting New South Wales on holidays. I overheard a conversation in which a man was talking about the way he had served on the ship as a welder. That very day I made the decision to go and help out, no matter what! I went on the Internet, applied to go and counted the days anxiously to see if I was accepted or not. I was over the moon when the reply was positive and could hardly contain myself. I applied for long service leave and arranged for a replacement at work."
"My adult children were not that keen on my leaving for Africa. They had never heard of Mercy Ships, or of Benin for that matter. The principal of the school where I work encouraged me through the process, but I have to admit there were a few odd looks from some around me. There was not one person around the college who knew of Mercy Ships, but let me tell you that's about to change now that I have done what I have done."
Catherine says her experiences, being involved with others whose skills were really bringing hope and healing to the needy, have changed her life. "I don't think my life will ever be the same again," she says. "None of us can really make this journey alone through life. We need each other in so many different ways. Sometimes it takes us so long to dust ourselves down and get back on our bikes. Sometimes it's that helping hand that picks us up when we are least expecting it. That care, that compassion, comes from God through others."
In Benin, I could see that principle at work in what Mercy Ships volunteers are doing. "It was in responding to such great needs, in watching the pain of a mother struggling to find a helping hand for a child, in looking into the faces of those who displayed a hopeless and sinking feeling. Then I saw those expressions of hopelessness change to ones of hope as they realised the help that had come to this poor nation in the form of crew members on a huge white ship docked in port. Here there was a recognition that others had come to stay for a month or for years with Mercy Ships to share their blessings with others in need of receiving healing and hearing the message of hope."
"The whole experience was about reaching out to others. That is why I went. This has been a new journey in life for me. Twelve months ago I would never have believed I would have the opportunity to serve others as I have done in West Africa. This experience has humbled me. Such an experience for others may also change the journey they are on. We can make a difference in someone else's life if we are prepared to risk it," Catherine concludes.
Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilizing people and resources worldwide. More on www.mercyships.org.au