ripples

Amidst the close of the outreach-- the cleaning and tying down of the wards, the preparations for the sail... I didn't get a chance to record two significant events that took place.


Baby Wasti and his mama came with nothing. Their long journey to the ship left behind a village that shunned them, a father/husband that disowned them, and shattered dreams. Wasti had a cleft lip. Their small plot of land and cow for milk were but distant memories as his mama had to sell them for money in futile attempts for medical intervention.

The decision to operate was not easy as baby Wasti had a neurological condition that made his body fragile for surgery. Despite the risks, it was their last hope; A chance at a new life. Surgery was soon successful and mama was happy again. She began to claim her baby, marking him according to custom. After hours of preparing and teaching mama, their discharge was approaching. Her need for milk came up again. How much does a cow cost? 150,000 CFA, equivalent to about 300 U.S dollars. Guess what?! A collection was started so Wasti's mama could buy a cow. Yep, just like that. Nurses and others that heard Wasti's story wanted to help. That's just how God works. I was told that when they gave her the money, she was speechless. And then broke out in song and praises full of thanksgiving.

I especially like this story. Not because of the happy, feel good ending. Or because we gave her a means to a cow. I like it because I believe the story has but just begun. Wasti, in all his "wholeness," will return to the village and be accepted again. All that they saw and experienced here will be a testimony of God's love. They will surely ask, and she will eagerly tell. And the day that Wasti's mama comes home with a new cow, the care and generosity of so many will be told.

Like a ripple of water.

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John was one of our day volunteers who worked in the hospital laundry. He was the most punctual of them all, arriving fifteen to twenty minutes early. So contrary to typical "African time," he made an impression on me. John always arrived to work with a smile and a willing heart. You could just tell he wanted to be there. Whenever he saw me, he greeted me with the biggest smile, saying "Hello Miss Hannah!"

I share with you John because I will never forget our last conversation.

I asked him what's next. What will he do once the ship leaves Benin. He said he will go back home to Cameroon and share all that he has seen on the ship. The patients, the stories. Of what God has done. He said that his experience on the ship and the crew that he's interacted with have challenged his faith and relationship with God. He wants to continue to serve and help his people.

This pulled a heart-string for me. The surgeries are indeed meaningful and important. But its the personal impact that we have in individuals that make the work grow and continue on. The imprint we leave behind. Because even though the ship is now gone, John and other day volunteers, will carry on our work through their testimonies, fueled by their passion and desire to continue to serve and help their people.

Another ripple made.