A Dream Becoming Reality

It has been almost a decade since I toured Mercy Ship in Wilmington, NC. That fateful day a dream sparked which would continue to grow over the years. As I have traveled to Mexico, Zambia, and Honduras on missions trips, I have realized the vast need of people all around the world. My desire grew to not only provide physical healing for people but to share the hope of Jesus Christ.  

Being motivated by this dream, I remember studying in nursing school hoping that one day I could use my knowledge overseas. Over the past three years, I have gained a variety of pediatric nursing experiences while working at Duke Hospital. The dream to travel overseas as a nurse has remained, and if anything it has grown with each passing year. I finally decided to apply to Mercy Ships in August. Things have come about quickly, and I have been officially accepted to be a Pediatric ICU & Ward Nurse aboard the Africa Mercy.

On November 16^th I fly to Africa where the Mercy ship is already in the port of Conakry, Guinea. I will be living and working on the “floating” hospital ship for four and a half months. I am excited to be a part of a team of over 400 volunteers who work together aboard the ship to bring hope and healing to people both physically and spiritually.  Since 1978 Mercy Ships has been operating a fleet of hospital ships in developing countries.

Mercy Ships relies on a team of volunteer crew members who pay their own room and board, travel and personal expenses while serving.  This allows general Mercy Ships donations to be used for direct patient care, community development programs and other costs associated with its Field Service initiatives. From doctors to nurses, engineers to deck hands, housekeepers and teachers, everyone serves as a volunteer. If you would like to partner with me financially in this endeavor you can give a tax deductible gift online at http://mercyships-us.donorpages.com/crewmates/seamone

Of course, I will definitely appreciate all of your prayers while I am traveling and living in Africa. I pray that I will do more than just provide medical care for people’s physical needs; I’m praying for opportunities to live out and share the gospel too!

So…I’m off to Africa in six weeks to finally make a dream a reality!

 

Africa Mercy: This is where I will be living and working while in Guinea