“As we get older,” Doug says, “we will have to evaluate whether we have the energy to keep up the pace. It is 36 years since Sandy worked as a full time dental assistant and it has been a challenging time for her. She does very well, and acknowledges God’s provision in this. Again, we have been very impressed with the way the whole of this outreach to the people of this nation, one of the world’s poorest, is conducted. It is superior to that of other organisations we have worked with. This is obviously more than the efforts of man, and the working of God’s spirit is very clear.”
“Once having that first experience in Benin and seeing the enormous need, it was clear to us that we could offer more of our time. The need in Sierra Leone appears to be even greater than what we saw in Benin. On our first morning, there was a line up at the dental clinic that must have exceeded 500. I have worked in private dental practice for almost 40 years, but that only partly prepares you for the challenge of service in Africa. The dental situations are quite different to those in Australia. Oral surgery skills are an asset, and there is a need for more oral surgeons to work with Mercy Ships.
“The work has been mostly extractions done in a clinic established onshore within walking distance of where the ship is docked. There are nine chairs in one large air-conditioned room. The dental service is very efficient in handling the big number of patients treated each day.”
The couple say working and living onboard the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest charity hospital ship, is also a time of personal spiritual growth. “The opportunities of sharing with other Christians from more than 30 nations and taking part in worship times are both uplifting and encouraging. We will take much with us into life after Mercy Ships as a result of the experience.”
Doug and Sandy first heard of the work of Mercy Ships at a world Rotary Conference in Brisbane a number of years ago. On his return home, Doug hopes to continue telling others of the way volunteers from around the world seek to follow the example of Jesus in bringing hope and healing to the world’s poor.
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. 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 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
