Madagascar!

The ship from the water as we pull into the port in Tamatave!

We made it to Madagascar!!! After many changes in location and timing, we made it to Toamasina (Tamatave), Madagascar.  I can’t believe I left the states a whole month ago! So what have I been up to? Quite a lot, actually! It’s been a whirlwind… I flew to South Africa, explored for a couple days, sailed a very choppy ocean from Cape Town, South Africa to Toamasina (Tamatave), Madagascar, started exploring our new port city, worked at cleaning the whole hospital, doing loads and loads of laundry, went on a weekend adventure, and met some amazing people along the way!

Table mountain in Cape Town, from the water

Our sail from Cape Town to Tamatave was 9 days long. This was my very first sail with the ship, and guess what? From what I’ve been told, it was one of the roughest sails this ship has ever had.  We had up to 30 degree tilts from one side to another.  At times it was entertaining, walking sideways down the hallways, our chairs sliding one way and then the other during meals, holding onto all of our silverware, plates, and cups so they don’t crash to the ground or in our laps with each big swell.  It also got a little exhausting as sleep was hard to come by for a few extremely rocky nights due to noise and continuous sliding up and down in bed! Regardless, I must say I loved to be on this amazing hospital ship as we were sailing (and, bonus: I learned I don't get sea sick!). I got to stand outside and watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean down into the horizon, lighting up the sky with amazing colors. I saw a couple whales and dolphins. I saw some amazing stars in the sky. I could stand outside and stare at the giant ocean swells for hours. It was really beautiful.

The president of Madagascar welcomes us!

  This country is amazing, and I'm so excited that I will be here for 8 months with Mercy Ships!  The culture is a beautiful mixture of Asian and Polynesian influences mixed with West and East African influences. This is reflected in the colors, the people, the food, the music.  I have found the people to be extremely welcoming and friendly.

Streets of Tamatave

Everyone tells us they are so happy we are here, and that our timing could not be more perfect.  Local Malagasy people and various NGO's alike tell us we are here at exactly the right time. Only about 2 months earlier would have been bad due to political unrest, but we are told the need here is huge.  It’s just amazing to hear that, although we as crew had no idea we would be here at this time (just a few months ago, I had my ticket ready to meet the ship in Benin, which of course never happened!), God knew and had a plan for us. His timing really is perfect, and we get to see this firsthand. 

During the sail, all of the nurses got our orientation. Once we arrived, we quickly got to work to clean and double clean the hospital and get all the wards ready to receive patients. Our whole team of nurses donned our work gear and unpacked and cleaned everything, top to bottom. We did (and are still doing) loads upon loads of hospital laundry. We set up the medication cabinets and the carts full of medical supplies. Plumbing issues are resolved, curtains are hung, and beds are made, ready to receive patients.

beautiful Mohambo beach

Over the last weekend, I got to take an overnight trip a couple hours north to a town called Mohambo. We somehow navigated the bus system and made it to a beautiful beach town. We found a bungalow to stay in for the night, found the beach, got to swim in the Indian Ocean (we cannot do this near the ship due to high shark population!), and found some great food. Not to mention, we saw our first lemurs when having a drink at a restaurant in town, hopping from tree to tree! In the evening we watched the sun set over the beach, an incredibly beautiful sight, followed by amazing star gazing (no electricity really helps amplify the glorious stars in the sky), complete with shooting stars. It was a wonderful, relaxed weekend with great friends.

Patient screening started this week. We have a site set up here in Tamatave, and this field service, screening will occur Monday through Friday for a few weeks here in town, and then continue at other sites throughout the country while we are here.  

I got to help with security on Wednesday, which is to help with crowd control, but mostly I got to play with kids in the line, drawing pictures in the dirt and blowing bubbles. It is both exciting and hard at the same time, to see people we may be able to help, but also those who we cannot. The screening team does such an amazing job, and it is so hard. I'm so thankful for their work and for the way they share God's love with each person they come into contact with, regardless of their "yes" or "no" status...

We have already booked some appointments for surgeries! I cannot wait to welcome our first patients onto the ship on Monday, with surgeries starting Tuesday! On B ward (the ward I will be primarily be working on), we will start with orthopedic surgeries, fixing club feet, knocked knees, bowed legs, and more! I am so excited to get started and have the wards full of patients, caregivers, and day crew from this beautiful country I am already coming to love.  

Thanks for bearing with my long, sporadic post! I can't wait to share more stories as the field service continues. In the meantime, I would ask for prayer requests for the screening team, that the people who show up are people who Mercy Ships can help, that they have joy in the "yeses" and strength in the "no's". For our orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Frank, as he starts surgeries this week. For great outcomes, better than we could imagine, and minimal pain for our patients. For continued energy and excitement for all of the nurses as we start this amazing journey together.  Thank you! I can't wait to share soon about some of our amazing patients!