Times of Change

My houseboat...nothing quite like being able to call this beauty home.

My time on the ship is coming to an end and of course whenever one chapter is closing you become very reflective. I forever will be thankful for these years with Mercy Ships and what they have shown me and taught me. I have made forever friends, traveled to places I never thought possible, met people from many walks of life, seen miracles and lives transformed. I do not think I will ever find the words appropriate to explain what these past years have meant to me.

Yaya and Yaya 2 hanging out at the Hope Center in Guinea.

The girls and I enjoying the beauty that is South Africa quickly jumped to the top of my favorite places ever. sidenote: when traveling through some of the most gorgeous landscapes it really pays to have a friend who is great with a camera. Thank you Josh for being our personal photographer that week.

It has been a wonderful adventure full of discovery of who I am in Christ, the truth in God's Word, and a lesson on living life with joy. Everyday no matter what is happening around you, you can look and see moments of pure joy. You can choose joy through the midst of your darkest days. There can be days that feel so full of happiness you could truly burst with joy. No matter what you can choose God over and over again and feel that love and joy he has promised each and every one of us. This ship and this life has shown me that everyone matters. That God loves each and every one of us. We are all worthy of his love, but we have choices and freedom in that. We must choose to accept that love and joy in every moment. It is not just a onetime choice and there are moments where I truly fall short, but that is what is so amazing about this life. When you do fall short you can reach out for help and ask for the grace of forgiveness and for guidance.

God spoiled me with love by bringing into my life some of the most amazingly wise and hilarious girlfriends. I cannot wait for the future reunions....when we buy the farm (girls that departed already I will need to fill you in on the plans).

Celebrating my 30th in the Congo with friends from around the world...who would have thought. Also, early mornings are okay when breakfast is ready on the table and presents surround you.

As a young child I had dreams and sometimes I thought they were crazy and then as I got older I thought I made too many wrong turns that for sure God would not want to help me see them come true. The lies I believed and the unworthiness I felt were heavy. They sucked the life and joy out of me at times and I was consumed with bitterness. It was not until the start of this journey with Mercy Ships that I truly realized how many burdens I was unnecessarily carrying around with me. I started finally choosing joy and that continues to be the theme of my life. I learned what it feels like to laugh with authenticity like I have not in many years. I have learned what it is to love with abandon. I have learned what it is to be confident in Christ and with who he has made me.

The lovely HR and hospitality ladies spent some time making cookies for the crew.

HR serving up ice cream to the fantabulous AFM crew. I think HR is guilty of some crew gaining "mercy hips".

Before you think "man she has it all together now" I still have my days where I wake up and just want to stay under the covers. I still have my days where I wish I had someone else’s life. I still wonder why am I single when God knows I long to be a wife and mother. But those lies are getting quieter. Those days are getting fewer. The fears, lies, and doubt are less and the courage, confidence, love, and trust are getting stronger.

Congo Youth Group Christmas Dinner

One of my dreams was to at some point live on a house boat. I of course thought small in a cute harbor somewhere, but hey how was I to know to envision a large retired train ferry turned hospital ship as home. So, I get to check that box on my crazy dream list. I also always wanted to go to Africa and that now gets to be a BIG check as well (granted I will want to come back at some point so maybe leave it unchecked). A dream of mine has always been to serve the Lord overseas and help those in need. I longed to be His hands in the field and to work His land near and far. Well, the joy in your heart while you work in the place God has designed for you is the ultimate feeling of peace. I also always dreamed of road tripping around Europe and well that too came true with some of the best girlfriends new and old.

The most amazing Advance Team in Benin. How I miss this wonderful country and long to one day return. So many wonderful new friendships were made there. You all are in my daily prayers.

When I first started I had no idea what I was getting into. I had no idea what working in HR was like. I had no experience working in an international setting. There were so many unknowns, so many fears. I did not even know if there was going to be one person I could connect with and if I would have friends. I left all the known behind and stepped on new ground. And that right there is what has built the confidence and trust. I have seen all those fears be wiped out and I have seen God lavish upon be in abundance the joys and gifts of this life. 

Screening Day 1 in Tamatave-Madagascar

He gave me the skills and talents needed to do my job and to do my job well as HR Assistant Manager. I was able to spend two years loving on the most amazing crew members. I was able to go around the world and serve those that are in turn serving those in great need in Guinea, Congo, and Madagascar. I have been able to serve some of my most favorite people on board as a youth leader for the Jr. High and High School students who are serving on board with their families. He brought me to Benin on the Advance Team where the job and skills I preformed fit perfectly with my dream of heading up youth ministry somewhere internationally. I was able to rest and relax in-between field service in some of the most beautiful destinations where my soul and tired bones were rejuvenated. Seriously, if you can you have to get yourself to the Northern Coast of Spain or to Cape Town, South Africa. There was a stint of doing PR tours in Cape Town, working with a team of fabulous tour guides, and meeting many wonderful people whose hearts were touched by what the hospital onboard does (seeing some of those faces now onboard is the cherry on top). And to wrap it all up I have been asked to spend my last month here helping in the Communications Dept. as a Media Liaison. Which if you do not know this department is one of the most fabulous teams to work with and their creativity and work ethic is top notch.

Cape Town Public Tours

I have learned to be open and willing to try anything, to remain flexible, and to realize God has so much more in store than I could possibly believe. Who knows what is next, but I do know I have dreams. I want to spend quality time with my family, friends, and supporters that I have missed greatly while serving. Christmas in Northern California has been very much missed and doing that for a third year in a row just seems impossible, so I will be home for Christmas. I will be home to love on all those I missed. I dream of one day road tripping around the states. I dream of serving in youth ministry, I dream of living on a ranch, I dream of riding horses all day, and most of all I dream of having my own family one day. I believe in time I will see some if not all and more dreams come true. I trust my heavenly Father with the future and I will keep taking the steps required for this journey to continue.

First getaway in Madagascar and it was just what my weary soul needed.

Also, it is not too late to still support me financially. I am still needing to pay off the cost of my tickets and some other last minute expenses. I was not planning on staying into December so to say I am short on funds is a bit of an understatement. One of the hardest things about doing volunteer work for years is sucking up your pride and asking for financial support. So, if you think you can spare a couple dollars I would love for you to hit the support button on the side of this page. 

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

On that same note though, I must say I have been well supported through the years and I have seen great miracles and provision. There is nothing like having to trust God and others to pay your living expenses. It is humbling and makes me realize how deeply I am loved. Thank you for listening, supporting, praying, and helping any way you can. You have been a large part in who I am today and what I have learned and experienced. I am forever thankful for you and your kind heart.

I will be home for Christmas :)....but a bit of a heads up....I am tired, and well I will probably be very cold. So, whoever picks me up at the airport bring me a jacket and blankets and for you music and coffee to keep you up while I sleep on the drive home.

Where I have been and where I am going

Today I can finally say I am sailing to Madagascar!

Where have I been?

Well, I was in Cotonou, Benin for 3 months living in a house with an amazing team of 10 people that made up the Advance Team, preparing for the ship to arrive. As you can probably figure out the ship has changed directions J

Advance Team Benin 2014

It was clear that at the time I would be best used for the organization back on board the ship in my role as HR Assistant Manager so they flew me home. I arrived on the ship while it was in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria and was blessed with 3 weeks of sun and beaches (of course all in my off work hours). I landed and was put straight to work the next morning. Thank goodness for good friends, good food, and good beaches. They all got me through my not so easy transition and my crazy busy work weeks. That is right, it has not been that easy and I believe it is a small taste at what moving back state side will be like. I have felt alone, tired, frustrated, unheard, emotional, and plum crazy from time to time. It has gotten better, but I also have become more real with how hard it is to adjust to life where no one understands what you just lived through. I could not imagine what it would be like to be doing this work without the knowledge that I have a strong and all powerful God to lean on and that showers me with love. It is a real comfort and I need him more than ever when I have my hard days. Him and I are real tight and have gone through some hard times before, so He’s got this in the pocket yo (that’s for you Remy) and He’s got me.

Where am I going?

We left the beautiful Canary Islands Saturday afternoon and our first destination is Cape Town, South Africa. This is going to be the longest sail of my sailing career as well as the longest sail for this ship, the Africa Mercy. We will be sailing for the next few weeks hoping to make land fail 29 Sept – 02 Oct. Who knows how long we will be in Cape Town but I hope long enough to explore because I have always dreamed of going to South Africa and I would love to catch up with some of my lovely friends that call it home.

Cape Town, South Africe

After our time there we will set sail for Madagascar (I know I gave you that answer at the very beginning, but I was just too excited). Now I know it is not really the way the movie depicts it and I know many challenges may lie ahead. It will not always be smooth sailing (yea I just did that), but that is what has me excited. I am full of that “anything can happen” feeling and I know without a doubt God has a plan and a purpose for this ship and for me. I cannot wait to see how the country of Madigascar and the ship will partner together to help the people and to train up local professionals to continue the work once we depart. If you want more from the Press Release click the link below.

 http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014_09_MercyShipsSailsto/Madagascar/prweb12168463.htm

What does this mean for me?

To say my plans have changed is an understatement. I am still trying to wrap my head around that only a little over 3 weeks ago I was in Benin. It seems as if I blinked and my time in the Canary Islands passed. Now I am sitting on a boat with nothing but deep blue water surrounding me and I soon will be in South Africa. My time was to end with Mercy Ships at the end of October, but well that would leave me with departing the boat in the Indian Ocean via a floatation device of some kind or flying out the moment we arrive. I need to see a lemur first J (kidding, well sort of). There are so many changes and there is so excitement in my life right now that I feel I need to stay a bit longer to see some of it out. I am praying what that means entirely, but I do know that it means I have extended at least until 20 Nov.

I promised my fun and sassy grandma that I would be home for her birthday this year and I miss holidays back home something fierce, so I know that I need to come home to California. That is all I am planning now. I do not know much past that. I am continuing in the application process for potentially doing International Young Life and my heart still dreams of staying here with Mercy Ships. So, prayer and thinking, and discussing will continue to happen until I can see clearly what my next step is. No matter what I know I will be serving God somewhere around the world reaching out to those needing love and healing. Both organizations are ones I am passionate about and love being a part of.

What do I need?

What I need though is a break, I am tired. It has been a 1.5 years since I have been stateside or taken a break from work, so it is long overdue. I need to hug some babies, share wine with friends, and laugh with family. My soul longs to reconnect with loved ones far and wide.

Here comes the part I dread but need to do. I need help. I am staying about a month longer than I had planned two years ago, so I need a little more funding. I also am looking at a pretty hefty increase in ticket fare to fly home from Madagascar. Yes, it is exciting and I am so thankful I get this opportunity to serve the people of the island nation of Madagascar, but I also sit here praying for God to show me how I can do it. I know he always has seen me through and I have had the most amazing supporters for 2 years now (seriously, you all rock).

If you are feeling a tug on your heart to help it would be so greatly appreciated. I am looking at needing around $5000. If all you can do is $5 that helps greatly or if you cannot donate but you know someone who might love to, please feel free to share. I know this is a lot, but I also know it can be done. You click the link below or to the link I just posted on my facebook to donate.

http://mercyships-us.donorpages.com/crewmates/pughn/

As always I could also greatly use prayer:

• Pray for strength, rest, and peace. I am tired and at times still battling with the adjustment of being back from Advance and on this ship.
• Pray I can enjoy and rest in South Africa a bit
• Pray for unity and support at work.  
• Pray that I can get connected and make new friends considering some of mine have gone home or not returned yet.
• Pray for my fundraising and the cost to return home.
• Pray for my grandma’s health and that she stays sassy and cool while awaiting for our wonderful birthday party reunion
• Pray for my future and for the direction my path is to take
• Pray for my sister, Danielle, as she starts college (UCLA)

Danielle, my beautiful and unbelievably smart and talented sister.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for helping me feel loved and supported. You have been such a gift to me and have helped me see how loved and taken care of I am by God and those he has put in my life.

Blessings,

Nicole

So....time for my YEARLY UPDATE!

 

My amazing ship sisters.

Well, it has been almost a year since my last post and oh what a year it has been. Looking back I really wish I was better at keeping people up to date with all that goes on, but I think it is hard for me to pause and leave the here and now. I find I handle this life style sometimes better by compartmentalizing it. I have no idea if that makes sense or if you will understand.

There are so many highs and lows to living abroad and serving. I absolutely feel blessed with my lifestyle, but if I am honest there are times where I am absolutely homesick. I cannot even think about the weddings, birthdays, holidays, births, friends and family I am missing sometimes because my FOMO (fear of missing out) is too great. The funny thing is that when I am away from the ship I have those same feelings about my life on the Africa Mercy. I am constantly torn between my two loves. So, I think that is part of the reason for my lack of updates. The other reason is this....I struggle to even find the words to explain my life and how I am feeling sometimes.

I wonder constantly how do I tell people back home what it is like to live on a ship and work there. What it is like to live with people from 35 different nations; the different cultures, languages, ideas of how to live and work. How do I tell people what it is like to constantly be with people; to constantly see those that you work with, live with, go to church with, shop with, stand at line at the bank with. Then of course the sights I see; the patients that make you jump for joy or break your heart, the lives changed, the hope found, or those that hear we cannot help and the despair in their eyes.

Then there is my heart and the journey it has been on these past two years. How do I explain the work that has been done there and the changes in who I am. I am still the loud, crazy, unique Nicole, don't worry. These past two years though have been almost like living with a giant magnifying glass revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly of me. I am not the same person I was the summer of 2012 when this journey began. In many ways I was a very broken person at that time seeking for answers and joy.

My heart has been shown how to truly forgive and love. Often in life I would choose to play the victim and make the excuse "well life hasn't been easy, so things are owed to me." Or I would go to the other extreme of acting strong and as if no one could touch me. I would roll my eyes at people's attempts and laugh them off. Of course later I would hide away with tears in my eyes, but to show weakness was something I did not respect in myself or other people. I quickly would look down on people or see them as unworthy of love due to my not respecting them. Yes, I know these are ugly traits, but they are the truth of where my heart was at.

The Lord these past two years has slowly chipped away at the pain, the bitterness, the pride, that resided in my heart. I have spent many hours in intense prayer working on true and complete forgiveness. I have sought out forgiveness from those I have hurt. I have seen relationships restored and the power of God's redemption. My heart is full of more compassion and love. I look back at the past and it no longer has the hold it use to. I see everyone was just trying their best in a broken world and family. None of us knew what we were doing, we all had broken hearts and were just trying to get to the next day.

I have also seen my strengths and weaknesses in the working world more than ever before. Working in an organization and community like this is actually what I was made for. I thrive here and have a joy and energy that others can see. I have grown as a leader and have learned that I actually feel alive when preaching or public speaking. I love teaching and coaching. And it has become very apparent that I love youth work. I get super excited for youth group every week and if anyone asks a question somehow I am telling them about the organization Young Life or other youth activities.

So, that all being said here is the update on Nicole's life:
My work with Mercy Ships will be coming to an end early November. I have loved every second and I could not imagine life or my heart without this experience, but I just know with my whole heart that the Lord is asking me to return home for now. There is other work for me to do. This is for sure not closing the door completely, I could see myself coming back at some point. Never say never.

My heart loves youth work and misses it. I feel the Lord is wanting to direct me back, and maybe even go further with it and with more responsibilities. Who knows where exactly and in what way, but I am trusting Him with all of that. I have been applying to some organizations and we will see what will come. I do feel that my life is meant to be served in ministry/missions in one way or another. So, this will not be the end of a crazy adventurous life.

 

The wonderful, beautiful, and talented Hannah Palmer graduated from the Academy on board and I am so proud of her, who she is, and the amazing things she will do. It was a blessing to be her youth leader and friend. I loved out dance parties and girl talks, can't wait for some more stateside.

 

The Africa Mercy youth group enjoying some worship time on Deck 7

However, I miss my family and friends greatly. I have missed many celebrations and holidays over the years and I am eager to do some much needed catching up. Come November I will be happily reunited with them all and making up for lost time. I will be busy and also...well....dealing with coming home and all the changes of being back in the western world so, I am already planning the holiday season to be work free. I want to be able to concentrate on relationships that I have missed and sharing the stories of these past years. Also, just a heads up family and friends, you have the next few months to great ready for the emotional roller-coaster I will be. Yes, I already know it will not be easy to come home in some ways. I will miss the work I have been doing, the people I have been living with, and people who understand me and what I have seen. I will be so happy to be home, but I will be torn and going through good ole culture shock. Just a heads up :)

So, I am going to live up these last couple months. Currently I am enjoying the unique privilege of living in country, Cotonou-Benin. I live in a house with a team of 10 of us (3 Dutch, 2 American, 1 English, 1 Togolese, 1 Sierra Leone/Guinean, 2 Beninese+their cute daughter) as the Advance Team. We are here preparing the way for the ship to arrive late August. I have been doing many interviews for 200 local workers to be hired as part of the HR element. Along with that comes other meetings, searching for sites for our clinics, building up info for a crew book, meeting other missionaries who live in country, and learning the culture. The days are long, the work is hard, but do not worry we have our fun. This country is wonderfully welcoming and has so many amazing places to visit and check out.

 

Most of the Advance Team enjoying the lovely African treat of FanIce in our lovely home.

In August when the ship arrives I will return to my old post for a couple months as the Human Resource Assisstant Manager, Housing Coordinator, and General Crew Facilitator. I love my work and I love the crew. The Lord brought me to the ship to the serve the crew members from around the world. I have the wonderful privilege of meeting all those that come on board. Housing does come with it fun share of hardships, but it is a challenge I enjoy taking on. I have learned I am good with people. I love listening to them, counseling, and working on solutions with the crew members and the others I work with. I also am very much ready to start the youth group back up for the new academic year and all the fun times we will have. And I really hope to play some soccer with the younger kids like last year.

I am just really hoping to live every moment I have left on the ship to the fullest. It is a joy and blessing to be living this life and to be a part of this wonderful and loving community.

Thank you to all you that have helped support me. You are all ROCK STARS and I could not do this with out your amazing hearts.

If you are feeling the pull on your heart to help support me financially I am in need of some support for these last few months. Any donation you can send will help. I still need to pay my crew fees and insurance these next 3 months, plus purchase a ticket home to California. You can click on the link to donate located on the right hand side of this blog, under my profile. Thank you so very much. Honestly it humbles me how generous people are. You support me, so I can in turn support the crew with my work, who then in turn support and love on our patients through surgical services. Mercy Ships cannot do the work with out you being a part of our international team :)

No matter what I would love to ask you to come alongside me and join me in prayer support. Pray for the ships time in Benin. For the patients we will meet and the hope and healing they will receive. Pray for our medical staff and wisdom. Pray for all the crew from around the world that will be serving this year. Pray for my future and that I listen to the Lord's guidance and that I really enjoy all the oppotunities he gives me. May I be able to live completely in the moment and not be too focused on what is next. May I find balance. Also, pray for safe travels and my heart upon my return to California in November.

(Grandma, I will be home in time for your birthday like I promised!)

Thank you all and I love you bunches.

 

My lovely roommates for the Congo field service. Remy (Holland) & Leigh (South Africa) have been amazing friends and have really walked alongside me through the thick and thin. Forever will be my sisters and I will never be able to express how thankful I am for their love and support.

 

Exploring the Congo and all it's wonderful beauty. Love using ropes to hike and knives to cut through giant jungle plants. Makes you feel like a real explored and survivor :) I do believe one hike all I had was a plastic butter knife...did not help much, so we just army crawled up a hill. Elza was a trooper.

 

One of the best moments this past year was having the lovely Danielle Greenacre come spend two months on the ship as a nurse. It is always great for old friends to meet new ones and share in life together. She has to be one of the best people in the world and is always ready for a good laugh. I miss seeing her on the couch or the floor of the cabin and telling ridiculous and embarrassing stories. Come back to me and the ship pronto!

 

Nightly meetings with MEN. Almost every night Moriah (San Jose, CA), Esther (England), & I, Nicole, would have a meeting of the minds to debrief the day, our hearts, and well any sort of ridiculous topic we wanted. Life is just not the same without our nightly tea time, but for now Facebook chats are getting us through being that we are all on a different continent. That's the great thing about the ship, you have friends all over the world, but that is also the worst thing about the ship you have friends that are separated from you by many miles. Thank goodness at least one of them will be near when I move home to help me with the adjustment back.

 

And last but for sure not least my shout out to the one and only Krystal. She is a Rock Star best friend and has been my friend from the beginning of this journey back in Texas. She puts up with all my antics and craziness with laughter and a shake of her head. When starting this journey I was fearful of leaving friends and wondering if I would ever find some just as awesome....well the Lord provided me with the perfect partner in crime. She has taught me so much, called me out on my crap, and is loyal and loving. Also there is always an adventure just around the corner with her...I mean at the start of the day above I never thought I would be kissing a crocodile....so that says something about this woman's adventurous spirit. Oh and we both turned 30 this year, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH YOU OLD LADY YOU!

Catch Up

As usual I neglected this blog for far too long. For that I apologize and hope to catch you up. I also say sorry now for the horrible grammar, the run on sentences, and the scattered thoughts. I am just proud of myself for posting something. I want to give you more information and answer questions and I just terrible at putting it into writing, especially blog form :)

The start of June marked the end of our field service in Guinea, Africa and the start of a sail up north to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. It was so surreal to be waiving goodbye to a country I had so many memories and great friends and within hours only seeing water for miles and miles. I have to say moving your home without packing has to be one of the greatest things. I also must say I love sailing. There is nothing quite like the peace I find floating on top of the ocean.

The difference a day makes with the view out my window.

 

The highlight of sailing!

 

The wonderful thing about Las Palmas is that the sun doesn't set until around 9pm, so what this means is that we get to work hard until 5 and then go out with friends and grab Sangria and watch the sunset while sitting on a beautiful white beach. It was quite the life I must say.

Sangria time.

The HR office does not really slow down much, it is a year round gig, but because the hospital shuts down while we are in dock yard we got some awesome amazing people reassigned to help us out. They brought fun with them and also I chance for me to get away for a little rest.

 My lovely office/home

Summertime in HR - Hat Day

I had the privileged to spend a few days in the south of France with some of my wonderful girlfriends from the ship.

Then I headed south and met up with the fabulous Kali for a road trip through Spain with some other lovely friends.

 

Our map at the end. (Tarragona and Somo are some favies)

 

I feel so blessed for this life and the time I had to regroup before heading into another busy and fabulous field service in the Republic of Congo. I even made it all the way to California for some much needed family and friend time with my dearest loved ones. It was speedy and packed, I know I missed some people and places, but it was just what I needed.

 

Nothing like some Old Town Pizza and good friends.

 

My lovely mom and beautiful sisters :)

 

I absolutely love living this life the Lord blessed me with, but it is waring on a person. To say it is emotional is an understatement. Everyday you are surrounded by stories that grab your heart stings, community living (it's the best and the worst), being away from those back home, making new friends, working crazy hours (you do not drive away at the end of a long day, actually you sit across from it at the dinner table), the heat, and the sounds (the constant humming of generators). When June rolled around I was in great need of this summer vacation, but the best thing that came out of it...finding myself ready (impatiently so) to get back to the ship at the end of it . I missed the community that can drive me crazy, I missed working and having a purpose, I missed Africa. Africa is so much a part of me now, it's in my blood. This life feels normal now. This is where I want to be, how I want to live, and it is home..

After two weeks and some 3,000 miles we arrived in Pointe-Noire, Congo. YAY!!! To be on African soil again is refreshing, rejuvenating. These next few weeks my office and coworkers will be busy welcoming 100+ more crew members, 200+ local Day Crew, and gearing up for the next 10 months here. The hours will be long, there will be housing stresses (I am the blessed Housing Coordinator), there will be little crisis fires to be put out and I will be tired. But all that is minor when you look at the lives that will be changed, those that will be loved and valued for the first time in years, and many locals will be trained up and encouraged through health care education. I am lucky enough to be in the front row, watching the greatest scenes take place, I get to see Jesus in action.

 

Pulling into port. Our new home - Pointe Noire, Congo

If you ever have any questions or want to know more feel free to email me anytime: nicoledeypugh@gmail.com

Yaya Relies on a Grandmother's Love

Today I share with you a story about one of my loves here in Guinea. This little guy is one of the reasons I love spending time at the Hope Center. Yaya is now there continuing to get stronger and stronger since his surgery in the fall. He has come such a long way and has a bright future ahead. I hope you enjoy his story.

 I love that he has nicknamed me Yaya 2. It is such an honor.

Yaya Relies on a Grandmother’s Love

Rather than joyous celebration, the reaction to Yaya’s birth was broken family ties. Yaya’s mother, Salematou, and his father, Abdulaye, were not married when their son was born. The tradition that Salematou’s father lived by did not make room for a child born out of wedlock. Despite Salematou’s pleading with her father to allow her to keep her child, his decision was final. As soon as Yaya could leave his mother’s breast, he was sent to live with Kadiatou, his grandmother on his father’s side.

Living with his grandmother turned out to be a wonderful blessing for Yaya. Kadiatou personifies the bottomless heart and limitless space that African grandmothers offer their children and their children’s children. She assumes whatever responsibility comes her way, no matter the burden. Kadiatou explains, “There are many mouths that I feed in my family. In addition to Yaya, five of my children and their nine children need my support too. Everyone shares in the work of the household, but earning income in Conakry is very difficult. My husband now, Mamadouba, is very old. He gives what money he can, but he has family to support too.”

Yaya stole his grandmother’s heart from day one. His ready smile and eagerness to be close to her formed a thick bond. When tragedy struck Yaya, Kadiatou was distraught. “Yaya started walking when he was one year old, but after taking a few steps he would fall. We tried many traditional medicines, but his condition grew worse. At eighteen months, his legs started to twist and curl up. They failed him entirely.”

Yaya’s uncle, also named Yaya, remembers this as a time of many trials for his mother.  “Kadiatou was so afraid for Yaya. He often had a high fever, and his legs would cramp up terribly. He would cry for hours from the pain. Kadiatou tried everything to soothe him. She held him for hours. Then my father and sister died very close together. My mother’s heart was broken into so many pieces.”

Kadiatou, who had taken in her daughter’s five children, decided that moving the family to Conakry, the capital of Guinea, was best for Yaya. “I hoped that the medical care Yaya needed was in a big city. As well, I knew that Conakry had schools for handicapped children that Yaya could attend.” Another important reason for the move was that Kadiatou was protecting Yaya from the villagers who thought that children with disabilities were cursed. She would not stand for her grandson being tormented, ridiculed, or forced into hiding.

When Yaya reached five years of age, he started attending the school for handicapped children. “I was so happy for Yaya. He started to learn his letters and bring home things he made,” Kadiatou says. Although there were no school fees and transportation was provided, Kadiatou still had expenses to cover, like school supplies. She made ends meet by going to the Grand Mosque daily and helping with cleaning and cooking. After a full year of being a volunteer, she was finally included in the group that received a weekly stipend, plus donations of money and food from appreciative people attending the Mosque.

Yaya often joined Kadiatou at the Mosque after school, and he soon became a favorite with everyone. In the Muslim faith, people are eager to help the needy as a way of observing sadaqah, the duty to overcome miserliness. Many Muslims wanted Yaya to join the group of handicapped people who begged, so that people could give to him. Kadiatou was against Yaya’s doing this, regardless of the enormous struggle she had to support the family. “I faced so much pressure to allow Yaya, in such obvious need, to help people fulfill their duty to sadaqah. I finally relented,” she explains.

Kadiatou continued to be distressed with Yaya’s participating in sadaqah. She prayed that Yaya would get his education and find an occupation where he could use his sharp mind and very able hands. Kadiatou had many doubts about her prayer being answered, but she remained faithful, clutching that thin bit of hope to her heart.

Yaya himself dared not hope. But then an incredible set of circumstances unfolded around him. Nick Veltjens, who worked with orthopedic patients, saw Yaya at the patient screening location the day before consultations began. “I waited all screening day for Yaya to come because I thought we could help him. We didn’t see him that day, so I sent an email around asking if anyone knew where he was.”

According to Yaya, “I did go to the screening with my friend, but I lost my courage.” Yaya left without being examined.

The next day, Dan Bergman, a long-term hospital volunteer, came to Nick with a video of a possible orthopedic patient that he had just seen outside the Mercy Ships Dental Clinic. According to Nick, “What a coincidence that Dan found the same little guy that I was looking for!”

For Dan, this series of events said loud and clear that, “God wanted Yaya to find Mercy Ships. He kept putting him in front of us!” Dan tracked Yaya down at the Mosque and delivered the news that he had an appointment at the hospital ship.

But Yaya missed his appointment. As he says, “I did not believe I could be healed, and so I did not want to tell my grandmother to bring me. She would be too disappointed.” But another divine coincidence occurred that finally put Yaya and Mercy Ships together. A government official, Cellou, who had befriended Yaya at the Mosque, was at the Mercy Ships Dental Clinic that same week. He casually asked what a young boy with deformed legs needed to do to get an appointment. It was quickly realized that the boy in question was Yaya and that he just needed someone to bring him to his appointment.

Cellou immediately went to Yaya’s grandmother with the news about Yaya’s appointment. They agreed that Cellou would go to the hospital ship with the boy. When Kadiatou received the telephone call from Cellou telling her that Yaya was accepted for surgery, she experienced a mixture of emotions. “I was so grateful that Yaya could be helped. It was all that I had prayed for. But I was also very uncertain and afraid. I wondered how it would be possible to fix Yaya’s legs and what he would go through.”

Dr. Frank Haydon, volunteer orthopedic surgeon, was able to fix Yaya’s legs. According to Dr. Frank, “The condition that Yaya was born with caused his bones to be very brittle. As he started to walk, the pressure on the bones caused multiple fractures. The surgery he had aligned his leg bones properly, and the two rods I installed will give his legs the needed strength and structure so he can walk.”

Each day Yaya does grow stronger. He is starting to take his own steps with the help of a walker, and he has progressed to simple below-the-knee leg casts. But at the same time, each day wears on Kadiatou. She shows the strain of being away from family and being indebted to more and more neighbors. She has borrowed money from them for food and malaria medication. However, regardless of the hardship, Kadiatou’s commitment to see Yaya through his healing journey is unwavering. “I would endure anything so Yaya can do what he longs to do more than anything else – play football. By suffering for Yaya and my family now, I know that there will be great happiness in the future,” she says.

According to his uncle, Yaya’s journey to hope and healing is summed up in a few words: “Yaya is so loved by everyone on Mercy Ships.” And, still, even with so many kind hearts embracing Yaya, there is one who continues to occupy the most special place in his heart. As clear as a bell, Yaya declares, “I love my Grandmother so much! She has done everything for me.”



Yaya was born with a condition that caused his bones to be very brittle. When Yaya started to walk, the pressure on the bones in his legs caused multiple fractures. As a result, Yaya’s legs twisted and curled. By eighteen months of age, he was unable to walk at all.


Yaya is blessed with a grandmother who is devoted to his well-being and healing. Kadiatou and her eldest son, also named Yaya, talk with volunteer Hospital Chaplain Clementine Tengue about the sometimes challenging journey to healing that brought Yaya to Mercy Ships.


Yaya’s warm heart and precocious nature have earned him many friends in the Mercy Ships hospital. The kind hearts embracing Yaya have encouraged him to practice his reading, his exercises and to learn some English.


Immediately following surgery, Yaya was given a body cast to support his newly aligned bones as they strengthened around the rods placed to provide permanent support. Yaya displayed much courage and bravery throughout his surgery and the regular physiotherapy sessions. His grandmother was always at his side to comfort and encourage him.


When Yaya’s body cast was replaced with leg casts, he was able to see his now straight legs for the first time. While Yaya, at first, did not dare to hope that he could be healed, he is now full of hope to play football and return to school to learn to read and write.


According to Yaya, his grandmother occupies the most special place in his heart. As he says, “I love my Grandmother so much! She has done everything for me.”


Written by Joanne Thibault
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Debra Bell and Michelle Murrey

Conquering Fears

First off I know, I know. It has been far too long. I am terrible at blogging. I will try to improve, 

I promise.

Okay so now to the story at hand.

This may be hard for some to imagine, or maybe not, but I am horrible at handling anything medical. Well,  mainly anything that has to do with, large needles, x-rays, blood, scars, scabs, internal organs, etc...in picture form, story form or in just good ole real life situations. I know, why am I on a floating hospital? I ask that question from time to time and so far I think the answer is, God has a great sense of humor...oh and maybe He wants to stretch me and help me conquer fears. Due to the latter I decided to view my first surgery on Friday and here is how it went.

 I was so excited, confident, and a tad nervous...mainly confident that at this time in my life I can totally handle blood. So, here is me giving the OR two thumbs up.

 

 I stood strong for 5 minutes, but then an incredible amount of heat radiated through my body and a lump appeared in my throat. I booked it out of the room...

And found a chair and my water. I guzzled water like never before (sadly I actually missed my mouth at first and dumped half of it down the front of me...it did cool me off a bit though so Yay!)

After a bit I began to feel confident again and so, is said "take two" and walked myself back into the room.

 But then that same feeling hit me and I quickly excused myself from the room again. This time water wasn't going to do the trick...I needed sweets. So, I ignored that for lent I gave up sweets and devoured some sweets. That and a quick prayer seemed to do the trick...also I can be a tad stubborn and was determined to finish watching this surgery.

The third times the charm. This time around my mind set was completely different and I found myself intrigued and in awe. I wanted to know every little procedure performed and get up close. I was no longer afraid or sick. I was able to watch an 8 year old boy's life be transformed through a surgery repairing his bi-lateral cleft lip. The care of the doctors and nurses was astounding. I still find myself amazed daily at the amazing work and love volunteers from around the world bring to the ship and the country of Guinea.

Okay so more updates to soon come...like I said, I promise.

Thank you all for your love and support.