Reflections from our Alumni…

Posted by Mercy Ships staff on Aug 22, 2010 at 04:51 pm

We ask a few of our Alumni how serving with Mercy Ships have impacted their lives and/or their career choices upon their return home. Here are some of the responses we got.

Vicki Thibault – British Columbia, Canada. I first heard of Mercy Ships when the Anastasis came to Victoria, BC way back in the 1980's for refit.  From that time on it was a strong desire to go onboard and serve.  In 1998 and then again in early 1999 I had my first "tastes" of life on board when the Caribbean Mercy came to Victoria and I was able to serve as local help with reception.  In September of 1999 I had the opportunity to join the Island Mercy for a 3 month outreach in the Philippines as part of the dental team.
 
From the first moment I stepped on board the Island Mercy, I felt as if I was home.  I felt a sense of purpose and welcome.  The thrill of being able to see the lives of the Filipino people touched by all the crew was goosebumpy.  Things like a simple game of pick up basketball, talking to the kids, to doing a dental filling but mostly just a smile of God's love towards them was such a joy.  I cherished every memory I have of that time I had on the ship.  I left feeling so refreshed, so fullfilled and most of all like I had another family.  It was hard to leave.
 
It's funny because this evening on TV I saw a program on the African Mercy and I felt homesick.  I feel my heart longing to share in that love and experience again.  I pray that the Lord will grant that desire.  In the meantime though I do have the most wonderful memories and am so blessed that I did have the opportunity to go.

Wendy Smith, South Africa - Anastasis 1981/1993-1994, Mercy Ships Switzerland and Mercy Ships Southern Africa. Serving with Mercy Ships broadened my horizons and helped me interact with 35 different nationalities and cultures within a VERY confined space and I had the great privilege and opportunity to witness to many people in many nations and reach out to the needy and poor.  Within the community on board I brought many a smile to people's faces as I tried to encourage them in whatever job they had on board the ship.  I have an amazing momento to remind of the encouragement I was to many who were struggling.  Most of all, what it meant to me to serve on the Anastasis was to see God glorified in everything He enabled us to do!  The miracles that transpired, the lives that were changed and many, many needs met.  God is an awesome God and He rules and reigns supreme!

Ben Hardy, USA - Anastasis/San Pedro 1982 to 1984 - When I was living in my car in San Pedro, CA back in 1982, I heard about a ship called the Anastasis from a Keith Green concert.  I had no direction in my life, but needed to know what God wanted for me.  Thankfully, I chose to visit the Anastasis as I was not far away.  Mercy Ships via YWAM back then changed my life as I finally had direction and the discipleship that helped me go from a teenager who was struggling in my faith, not knowing what to do or where to go, to someone much more confident, and more firm knowing God's love for me and others.  I was able to see beyond my small experiences and see a world of believers in different cultures who had a love for God like I never knew.  Now, after nearly 30 years, my most fond moments of my life often come from my time spent with other young people, reaching out and learning about the Lord on the Anastasis.
 
Dr. Karl Baird MD, Indiana - USA. I had the joy of being sent by Mercy Ships to work with a German NGO for three weeks in Port Au Prince this spring.  We had a small hospital of 30-40 orthopedic patients who needed help healing since the earthquake.   They were the leftovers after three months, living one day at a time in their tent-room hoping to heal their infected leg, unhealed fracture, or painful amputation stump… a little community of pain, and hope.

On arrival I could do very little to help other than care.  Some needed major orthopedic operations but we lacked the equipment, supplies, and anesthesia required.  God overcame so many complex and “impossible” obstacles so fast that our plans constantly changed.  We could not make things happen, but we tried to adjust to what God had happening.  He sent us what we needed: supplies from a closing hospital across the city, an anesthesiologist from Chicago, assistants from Colorado, Minnesota and Aruba, and an electric cautery machine from heaven.  We got to do everything that needed to be done before I had to leave. God sent healing to Hospital Espoir and I got to help… because Mercy Ships sent me there.  Thank you. Thank you for sharing your people.

Shirley Hemerling, Canada - I am an RN and have worked almost my entire career  of close to 40 years in the operating room, and had many years of a satisfying career.  But working on the Mercy Ships in their OR was the highlight of my nursing career, words cannot describe that experience, very humbling and also a great blessing to me, I am thankful to God for giving me that opportunity of service for Him. Working with Dr. Gary was incredible!! He is such a humble man that God is using for His Glory.

Suki Hoffman, Florida, USA - I often use the experience with Mercy Ships to impress upon the youth around here as to what they have.  I think that they should see the poverty of other nations for them to appreciate what is available for them.  I myself did not know what needy worlds didn't have in way of surgery and medicine until I experienced it.   Working with doctors, nurses, other people of various experiences helped me adapt to "other" ways of living.  Having worked with people from all over the world has opened my heart and eyes to others.  Thank you for this experience!


Neil Louwrens, MD, USA -  served on the Caribbean Mercy in 1994. I completed my DTS then, and enjoyed putting my fair share of hours in the engine room, installing the jet effluent propulsion system, and welding the floor of the eye surgery unit, but all the time dreaming I could be the physician on the ship.

I survived as did we all the storm off the East coast on our PR trip, and I remember well attending to the Ghanaian seaman who was nearly washed overboard trying to secure some of the vehicles on deck. Ah, the carnage after the storm was simply unbelievable. Well, guess what... I'm coming back to my roots. Took me 16 years of study and practice, but I will arrive on May 1st to help cover the position of Crew Physician for one month until you get some luckier soul than I, somebody to take the baton and run with the vision.

The only thing stopping me from coming longer term... well, I don't know (there just doesn't seem to be a plausible, sane, justified or faithful rebuttal to that question (maybe the size of the cabins would suffice as an excuse... you see, I now have 5 kids, and that would be a tight fit and likely a restriction in itself!) I still remember spending time in the Berry's family cabin on the Caribbean Mercy and thinking how large it was compared to my four to a cabin lodging; and how I longed to have kids then. Well, I got most of my dreams, Praise God!

Eunok Lee, Korea. I have served with Mercy Ships for 10 years, beginning in 1998.  I have had the wonderful experience of serving on the Island Mercy, the Caribbean Mercy, the Anastasis, and the Africa Mercy.

My responsibilities included working with “Cross Tide," a team that presented the Gospel through drama, puppet
shows, worship, and testimonies. Later I became an HIV/AIDS educator, which included training leaders from local churches.

One of the most touching moments for me was when the Africa Mercy, after long years of preparation, arrived in Liberia to take on the mantle of service from the retiring Anastasis. I have so many warm memories of the countries and people who became a part of my life during the 10 years of service with Mercy Ships – moments provided by God’s mercy and grace.

My work with the HIV/AIDS education motivated me to return to my native Korea to further my education. I am completing a master's degree in Christian Counseling. Afterward, I hope to rejoin Mercy Ships.

Chaplain (Captain) Steve Satterfield, US Army, Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Serving with Mercy Ships changed my life.  It gave me the foundation I needed before I went to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for 3 years, working in churches to balance the academic work. 

Following this I was a Young Adult / Youth Director for a year at a 900 member church, then I was a hospital Chaplain for a year. 

After this I became a US Army Chaplain, which I've been doing for 9 years.  By May I will have spent 28 months in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.  Thanks for giving me the experience I have to be a success!

Marilyn Reichert, Canada. I served with Mercy Ships from January 2003 until January 2006. I joined the Anastasis in Lomé, Togo, as Reception Manager and after 1-1/2 years I became the Human Resources Director and a member of the ship’s Management Team. While my tenure with the Anastasis took me to several West African countries, I knew before hand that I was to eventually go to the Arabian Peninsula to learn Arabic.

While I worked in Human Resources, my good German friend Orla joined me. I knew her long enough that she had mastered the English as a second language, so I wasn’t concerned about any language barriers in our office. I was shocked to see her struggle with the simple office procedures and terminology like “files, file cabinet, stapler…” etc. and I mentioned to her, hopefully gently, “I’m just surprised you’re having trouble with English” and her response was “I’m an operating room nurse, I can run an operating room and do brain surgery in English…. I’ve just never run an office in English!”

That’s only one of many stories I could tell of how that adventure prepared me for what laid ahead. After leaving Mercy Ships, I left for language school in the Arabian Gulf. Suddenly I had a much greater appreciation for my multi-national Anastasis crew of second language speakers, trying to cope in an English world with an English speaking boss!

After finishing my Arabic language studies, I reported to my new country of assignment, obtaining a job as an office manager in a language school, in a nation that barely speaks English, working alongside nationals who speak little or no English. The first day I drove into my new home city – I couldn’t believe how much it reminded me of my time with Mercy Ships in West Africa… it all now made sense!

As I took on my new role, all I could think of was my German friend Orla, and how I now appreciated what she put herself through - learning ‘office terms’ in English while I do the same now in Arabic. Yes, my time with Mercy Ships definitely prepared me for all that I’ve experienced and will continue to experience here on the Arabian Peninsula.

We would love to tell your story of change! Email it to us at alumni@mercyships.org

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