Limits

Nigel writes:
I know one of the hardest things I have seen and been involved in is saying no. Turning people away from a modern hospital ship. Of course to them, we can treat anything and why shouldn’t they queue for hours? They are desperate.
I can see the difference between those working here for a short time and the approach of those that have been here many years. As healthcare providers, we are not used to turning people away. If we can treat someone, then we do. As a short-termer, the instinct is to treat anybody that can be helped. Both Cure and Mercy Ships could treat more conditions; trauma in the case of Cure, infection (abscesses, osteomyelitis) along with some medical conditions in the case of Mercy Ships.

Those that have built up the services and programmes offered by these organisations have done so after several years of living and working in Africa. They have had their many successes and failures. They know what works well and what doesn’t. They too find it hard to say no and they are always trying to push boundaries and see who else can be helped. However, they also have a bigger picture of their surroundings and realise their limitations and what impact, for example, accepting one patient with an abscess might do if that infection spreads to the many patients with healing wounds, implants and skin grafts.

In my first week on the Africa Mercy, we received some insights on bringing hope and healing to the poor and needy. Two things amongst many stood out in my mind. Both were insights Mother Teresa had.

The first was, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed one”.

The second was, “God has not called me to be successful, He called me to be faithful”.

Finally, Micah 6:8, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.