A Fleet of Two Hospital Ships Together (More Than Double the Impact)

The 27th of May 2022 will forever be an unforgettable day in the history of Mercy Ship’s dream of having a fleet of hospital ships that will expand and more than double the hope, healing, and lasting positive impact on the continent of Africa (Click here to see a video of the Global Mercy's arrival). Mercy Ship’s newest hospital purpose-built ship the Global Mercy which happens to be the world’s largest civilian hospital ship was docked alongside all aging but strong old lady the Africa Mercy in the port of Dakar, Senegal, West Africa.

Volunteers, day workers, and patients of the Africa Mercy were all lined up on the top decks of the Africa Mercy in celebrations of hope as the giant Global Mercy sailed into the port. The smile, laughter, joy and happiness that was displayed by these amazing crew members in their beautifully made African costumes was beyond any explanation. The Senegalese day workers who also experienced this historic moment were far beyond happy having their country host both ships for the first time in the history of the organization. Ibrahima a Marine Deck Senegalese day crew said “I can’t believe the joy and happiness I am seeing in people who left everything behind to come and work for an organization that does not pay them and they care for and treat the patients and us as a family. My heart is filled with tears, tears of joy as I am fortunate to see and experience this, tears of hope as I look forward to love and care like the Christians do.” On the other side of the dock were local media teams, local partners, government officials, and diplomatic corps waiting to welcome the big white lady. The Global Mercy entering the port of Dakar on the 27th of March was just the beginning of an historic two weeks that were filled with events like the Dakar Declaration, the National Order of the Lion, the Christening of the Global Mercy, the Celebration of Hope, and a joint Sunday worship service that had unforgettable moments.

Following the arrival of the Global Mercy in the port of Dakar, the Global Mercy on the 30th of May 2022 hosted (from left to right - front three) the president of Senegal Macky Sall, the president of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani, the president of Guinea Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the first ladies of Senegal and the Union of the Comoros (back of the front three), presidential representatives and health ministers from Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Senegal, and Togo, diplomatic corps, local and international medias. All these delegates met with Mercy Ships most top leadership in the Global Mercy’s 650-seater auditorium to discuss and commit to the Dakar Declaration that is tailored in the line of accelerating safer surgical, obstetric, and anesthetic care. The Dakar Declaration was hosted by President Macky Sall who has been working tirelessly to engage his fellow African leaders in transforming the health care system in Africa. President Macky Sall who is also the current chairperson of the Africa Union promised to submit the Dakar Declaration at the Africa Union’s next summit. The Africa Union (AU) is a continental Union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The AU endorsing the Dakar Declaration will be a major boost for the health care system on the continent of Africa. The ceremony that followed the Dakar Declaration and the Global Mercy’s Inauguration was jampacked with heart whelming speeches by the health minister of the Gambia, President Umaro Sissoco, President Azali Assoumani, Mercy Ship’s Chief Executive Officer Gert van de Weerdhof, Mercy Ship’s founder Don Stephens, and president Macky Sall.

One of my highlights from these speeches was a statement by President Macky Sall that had only 27 words “I want to say how deeply the words from Don Stepehns about what drove him to dedicate his life to serve those in need have impacted me”. President Macky Sall is not the only person who has been impacted by Don’s words. President Macky Sall was said “I would like to express our thanks to Don Stephens and Mercy Ships volunteers and give the recognition that they deserve for their work since 1990. In recognition of its 30 years of service to the beneficiary populations, Mercy Ships deserves to be supported and encouraged. I therefore appeal to bilateral and multilateral partners to support Mercy Ships’ humanitarian drive by contributing to the mobilization of human, technical and financial resources to enable them to successfully pursue their mission”.

The Dakar Declaration ceremony was climaxed with a presidential dinner at the presidential palace in Dakar that saw Mercy Ships Founder Don Stephens received Senegal’s highest possible honor. A 30-year partnership with Africa and a partnership with Senegal was honored and acknowledged that afternoon as His Excellency President Macky Sall awarded Don Stephens with Senegal’s highest honor – Ordre national du Lion du Senegal. The National Order of the Lion is the highest order of Senegal. It was officially instituted on 22 October 1960 is only awarded for distinguished contributions both civil and military and it is awarded only sparingly to keep it in high esteem. The President of Senegal is the Grand Master of the order and chairs the Council of the Order composed of ten people. The insignia, manufactured by Arthus-Bertrand in Paris, bear the words “Republique du Senegal (“Republic of Senegal”) and the Senegalese national motto in French: “Un Peuple, Un But, Une Foi” (“One People, One Goal, One Faith”). The ribbon is green. In bestowing this honor for exceptional merit and service to the nation, President Macky Sall recognized Don’s tireless commitment and dedication serving those in need of surgical care on the continent of Africa through his vision of hospital ships.

Another distinguished man of admiration who also received an award was Dr. Gary Parker. Dr. Gary was awarded the rank of Officer of the Order of the Lion by the President in gratitude for over 30 years of dedicated service to providing maxilla-facial surgery to those in most need in Senegal and West Africa. Pierre Christ and Gert van de Weerdhof were also awarded the rank of Officer of the Order of the Lion. These unexpected honors are deeply a significant gesture that shows the deep ties that the organization has built with the Republic of Senegal.

Remarkable moments like seeing the two-ship fleet coming together to more than double the impact on those without access to safe surgery, African nations coming together to commit to accelerating safer surgical, obstetric, and anesthetic care was followed by seeing the organization meeting globally online and in person to witness the Global Mercy Blessing Ceremony and the Celebration of Hope. This event was an opportunity to consecrate the newest ship as we double our impact and spread the light of God’s love through our ministry of hope and healing. Spiritual leaders from Senegal came together and prayed for the Global Mercy as it officially got it name. This ceremony also saw a speech of Senegal’s health minister on behalf of President Macky Sall who committed as a support to Mercy Ships work; 30 cows to the ship every month, free fuel for the ship and all its operations, and salary for the local Senegalese workers. After the Blessing Ceremony of the Global Mercy, crew from both ships, as well as visiting staff and community members, joined for an exclusive Mercy Ships-only event: the Celebration of Hope. The celebration of Hope included several powerful speeches, including a message from a former patient, Pastor Mignane. Pastor Mignane shared how an encounter with mercy Ships years ago when he was recovering from the Noma virus led him to pursue a life of reaching others with the gospel.

Part of the Celebration of Hope was the passing of the torch from the Africa mercy to the Global Mercy. This comes 15 years after the torch passed between over 400 crewmembers from the Anastasis to the Africa Mercy. Larry Mast, who has faithfully served with Mercy Ships for decades, made this torch from decking from the Anastasis before it was retired. As he made it, he reflected on how it reminds him of our walk with Jesus. Like the wood of the torch at the beginning of its formation, we start rough, and Jesus works on us to make us more beautiful, more like Him

We celebrated in a unique way: the torch ceremony. This was last performed 15 years ago in Liberia, when the Anastasis and the Africa Mercy joined side by side for the first time. Today, we marked this new chapter in our history by lighting a torch “the same torch that was lit on the Anastasis 15 years ago) and passing the flame through a line of crew, all the way from the Africa Mercy to the Global Mercy, where a new torch (handcrafted by Larry Mast using wood from the Anastasis) was lit. The brightness of the flame against a sky thick with dust was an incredible sight. As everyone gathered behind both torches, it was a poignant reminder that we are all united in hope by the light (Jesus) who leads us. This moment symbolizes the sharing of the flame from one ship to another, and the unifying of our fleet – and our organization as a whole – in our mission to bring hope and healing. And all of this happened with a particularly memorable tune – the children of the Academy singing “This Little Light of Mine”!

If you weren’t able to catch the livestream of the Celebration of Hope, you can watch the recording here.

To wrap up these historic events, both ships came together on Sunday, 5th June 2022 for a joint worship service on the Africa Mercy dock space. It was the very first-time crew from both ships came together to praise and thank the Lord for always being there for the organization, its crew and activities. What can we do individually and organizationally without God? Where would the organization have been after 30 years without the intervention of the Lord we carry to the world? The Lord who has been there for the organization all these years was continually praised in an African style. The word of God was brought to us by the Managing Director of the Global Mercy Joff Williams and Reverend Lere Olupayimo and his worship team led us into songs of celebration: Bambelela ku Jesus Bambelela (Hold onto Jesus), Jabulani Africa (Rejoice Africa) among others. This joint service that wrapped up an historic week demonstrated that we as Mercy Shippers redirects all praise to God because to only Him that all glory, honor and adoration are due.

On a more personal note, I had the opportunity to visit the Village of Hope orphanage when I was on vacation in April. I have been with this orphanage since 2013 when I went to Conakry. I also served this orphanage with Mercy Ships under the Mercy Ministries department and continued serving even when the ship left Guinea in 2019. Being back with these kids was awesome beyond description. Having my favorite Mamusu in my arms felt so good. I am grateful knowing and working with these kids as you will never for a single minutes get bored when they are around you.

Everything that we have achieved individually and organizationally would never have been met without the help of those who supports us spiritually and financially. Thank you for your undying love and dedication towards supporting us in every aspect God has laid in your hearts. Your energies and resources are definitely yielding positive results. God bless you as you continue to partner with me in bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor.

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