Times of Change

As of today, I have been in Madagascar for 10 days. And a lot has happened since then! I left RDU on August 26 and made it to Antananarivo (Tana) on August 27 by way of Boston and Paris. A group of us serving with Mercy Ships, stayed in the capitol for a few days before making the long 11 hour bus ride to Tamatave where the ship is docked.

We arrived on the ship this past Monday, August 31 and have been in nursing orientation for the majority of the week. We got to hear from the different ward leaders, learn about the (paper) charting, and help clean and set up the wards. Patients start arriving on Monday and surgeries begin Tuesday! I know it will be a totally different kind of nursing than I am used to, but I am anxious and excited to get started!

In addition to starting a new kind of nursing, there are a ton of other changes/transitions that have taken place in these last 10 days. And I'm sure there is still much more to come! I am on the other side of the world from my home (for an extended about of time). I'm away from the family. I'm living on a ship! I share a room with 5 other girls. I'm limited to a 2 minute shower each day. I do not speak the slightest bit of French or Malagasy. I'm making new friends. And the list goes on...

With all this change at once, it is very easy for me to feel overwhelmed. But God has a way of reminding me that He has placed me here at this time for a purpose; and He has a way of reminding me at just the right time. One of those times was Thursday night at one of our weekly meetings. 

We reached a time when we were going to break off into groups and go throughout the different areas of the hospital and pray for that specific area. My group went to the lab. We got a little slip of paper of specific prayer requests for the lab when we arrived. One of the requests struck a chord with me. It read...

" [Pray that] We will have a surplus of blood donors-- that by this unique feature of crew members donating to patients, doors will open to talk about Jesus giving his blood for us."

The Africa Mercy is a VERY unique place to live and work. It is unlike any other hospital I have ever heard of or seen. One of it's many unique features is that it's blood bank is completely composed of volunteer crew members blood that they have donated. Drawing that comparison of crew members giving their blood to help save patient's lives to Jesus voluntarily shedding his blood on the cross to save our lives gave me goose bumps. I do pray that this unique feature would open doors to talk about Jesus with our patients. Would you also pray?

That prayer meeting did serve as a reminder to me that I am here for a purpose. It reminded me that I have such a privilege to serve people who otherwise would not receive medical care, amongst co-workers who share the same heart in service, in a hospital whose mission statement is "Mercy Ships follows the 2000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world's forgotten poor." It doesn't get much better than that. I am very, very thankful for this opportunity.

(P.S...I'm having a hard time downloading pictures on my blog using my ipad, so stay tuned to facebook and instagram for pictures!)

Departure Delay

I wanted to post a quick update as there has been a little delay in my departure!

Today was suppose to be the day that I began by journey over to Madagascar but it is looking like I will be in Durham for about another 2 weeks; my new departure date is now August 26th. The ship has been in South Africa for it's annual maintenance and they encountered an issue with the port propeller; so they will need some additional time for repairs and then to sail to Madagascar.

(photo credit: Mercy Ships)

Though a delay was not in the plans, it will allow me a little more time with my family and friends as well as a little more time to pack. Thank you for your continued prayers!

Lindsey

New Adventure

As many of you know, I will be embarking on a new adventure rather soon! I will be leaving on August 10, 2015 and will be returning June 4, 2016 for a 10 month field service in Tamatave, Madagascar with Mercy Ships. (Although I was notified today that there will more than likely be a delay in the start of our field service, so I may be departing a little later than planned.)

I will be volunteering as a nurse on the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world, the Africa Mercy. The Africa Mercy is a hospital ship operated by Mercy Ships, a non-profit organization that has converted an old cargo ship into a hospital ship to provide free surgical care in some of the poorest areas in the world. A variety of surgeries are performed including orthopedic, maxillofacial, plastics/skin repairs, women’s health/fistula repairs etc. While there, I will be working on a post-surgical adult ward. You can go to Mercy Ship’s website HERE to find out more about this organization and the great work that they do!

I am very excited about this opportunity that God has orchestrated! A friend of mine told me about Mercy Ships 6 years ago (before I even started nursing school), and it has been a dream and a prayer of mine to serve with this organization ever since.  It was tough leaving a job I loved with co-workers I loved working with even more, and it will be hard to leave my family, dogs, home, and comforts. But I am certain that this opportunity is the next step for me!

I will be using this blog to keep my family and friends updated with what I am doing while I am gone. Please keep me updated with what is going on with you too! My e-mail is: lindseymlang@gmail.com.

Lindsey

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

Hebrews 6:19