Enjoying the Present

Nurses, Dietitians, Physical Therapists and Screening Nurses

It´s been 4 weeks since we arrived to Conakry. Four weeks that seem so much more time!!

The first two weeks here, were the last weeks of preparations to welcome and train 36 new nurses and 54 hospital day crew (local translators), meet and encourage 14 charge nurses (alumni nurses that oversee and lead every shift), train 5 of them for the first time; and also opening the hospital to the crew so they could learn and enjoy all the fun things we do there.

Then the big week started, the New Nurses Orientation Week. 36 new smiles and hearts full of excitement for becoming "mercy shippers" were finally meeting the names that we knew and prayed for. My own doubts and fears about leading this event faded away by God's voice telling me: "Push it forward, you can do this", my friend and partner in crime brought peace and amazing ideas every time we needed to "improvise, adapt, overcome", and the wonderful team of nurses (team leaders, new nurses and alumni) made it a fun and memorable time. 

Meanwhile, the Screening Team met 6000 people (potential patients), and 1,135 of them were offered follow-up appointments to return for a more in-depth health assessment. My admiration for this team is real, my only way to help was praying while working, stopping to pray after every update we had, and hugging them every time I could. 

D Ward Team: Nurses and Day Crew!

And finally, after three weeks of cleaning and preparing the hospital (alumni nurses are my super heroes!!!), 6 patients were admitted on Monday the 3rd of September, and the next day the Africa Mercy stopped to pray before the first surgeries in Guinea's 2018-2019 Field Service started. 

Here we are, the ship is "complete and alive" again, the reason for more than 400 people to be here is finally available to see and touch and call by name. 

So what comes to my mind now? It's funny how during and after amazing events you think you will enjoy all of it and even spend time reminiscing and giving thanks, but for me, my tendency is to start thinking and even worrying about the future. 

Despite of only having one week of surgeries and being extremely happy for finally meeting my own patients, the questions that come to my mind are: What will happen after this field service? How will I fund the next field service? Does God want me to come back? For how long? How much time should I spend back home in Colombia? Will I ever get married? (yes, that question comes too!). 

And just like that, thousands of questions come and steal my joy. And I start praying with fear and uncertainty. But every time I pray, God's still and calm voice comes to my heart, warming it up and saying: "Enjoy the present, it's my gift for you". And He brings to my mind the memories of the last three months, of how through Onboarding he made me stronger and braver, He brings the smiles and hugs from my old friends and new friends on the ship, He brings the brilliant ideas other people have given to improve and make every event I'm planning so much better, He brings every quiet moment we have spent together, all the tears He has saved in His special treasure, and all the miracles He has done over my life in the last year. 

It was this month a year ago when I was accepted to come and serve on the Africa Mercy, and if I try to remember every miracle (little, big and massive), my heart skips a beat and I hold my breath, because God's love and grace are and always will be overwhelming. 

So I have decided to actively concentrate and enjoy today, for my future is in His hands, safe and secure. 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?"

Psalms 27:1