"We follow the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus to provide hope and healing to the forgotten poor." That's how Mercy Ships (a non-governmental organization or NGO) describes their mission on the front page of their website.
Founder Don Stephens dreamed of a hospital ship that could come anywhere that a government invited them. After years of preparation, raising funds, recruiting staff, Mercy got started in 1978, and has so far done over 80,000 surgeries.
"Actions speak loudest on a Mercy Ship. A respect for others—wherever they are, whatever their culture—is a guiding tenet of every port visit, during screening day and throughout each individual’s stay onboard." (p. 96)
After working among the Muslim people of Gambia for several months, they received a letter from the Gambian president:
"We cannot thank you enough,” he wrote.“Not only have you treated my people and taken care of them, but you have also taught them valuable lessons, the most important being love and respect.” (p. 111)
(cont'd tomorrow - the stories)
No comments:
Post a Comment