Courage

Courage has been the theme of advent here on the ship. We looked at the different characters in the Christmas story and their courage.  What is courage? It is defined as the ability to do something that frightens you; strength in the face of pain or grief. 

We tell our patients daily to have courage. This often translates to not throwing a tantrum and screaming out of fear for a relatively simple procedure. As I was thinking about courage one day after telling a teenager they were indeed courageous, I was reminded of the large amount of faith and courage they have already just to be here on the ship. 

Although the medical treatment is free and meals and medicine and post operation care is provided for free, the patients pay a cost. A cost in time, transportation money, living away from family and friends for months, pain, and long road of rehabilitation.

The courageous steps begin when they decide to come to screening for the Africa Mercy. They have to step out, be seen in public, walk or travel for days sometimes, wait in long lines, coming with the hope of receiving hope and healing. 

Photo credit Mercy Ships

Photo Credit Mercy Ships

Courage continues when they agree to have the surgery.They have left all they have known to come stay on a big white ship. In the big white ship, they see locals and predominately different shades lighter skinned volunteers. Although communication and understanding of the procedure and rehabilitation is a priority here, it is sometimes not as clear as we English speakers think. It takes an incredible amount of courage to undergo surgery or have a loved one undergo surgery especially when you do not fully understand the ins and outs.

Photo Credit Mercy Ships

Photo Credit Mercy Ships

Photo cerdit Mercy Ships

Courage is also needed to get out of bed the first time, to move the involved extremity the first time, to have staples/stitches and pins taken out, to walk without crutches, have xrays taken, to walk with AFO, to negotiate stairs, to undergo painful stretching and dressing changes. 

Photo credit Mercy Ships

Courageous to return back home to a new life and place in town hierarchy. It is often months between when the surgery began when they return home for the final time. They have changed inside and outside. They are now able to step out and try new tasks and activities. 

Courage makes me think about Peter, one of Jesus 12 disciples, getting out of the boat to walk on water to meet Jesus who was walking on water. These past few years I have had several moments when I had to use courage. I am a weird mix. I enjoy and am comfortable with predictability, routine, knowns. I, however, get bored after awhile and need an adventure. I usually choose one that will require courage. It is not always easy. Circumstances do not always happen as predicted. I can say, I have grown, met wonderful people all over the world and United States, seen beautiful creation, learned new skills, tried new activities, tried new foods.  I could not do it alone.

In times of transition, like now on the ship, I find courage to face change, to meet new people, to try new activities and skills, to not be perfect at tasks by leaning on God. He is a rock, fortress, stronghold. He is unchanging. Leaning on Him (or clinging onto Him) gives us the courage necessary to get out of the boat of comfort zones.