The Africa Mercy has been in the port of Douala, Cameroon since August, and is well underway doing mission by providing free surgeries, training, and many other ways of blessing the people of Cameroon.
But why Cameroon? Cameroon is a country of over 275 ethnic groups and languages. It has many climate zones and great biodiversity. There are rainforests, savannas, active volcanoes, and many reserves to protect animals. Cameroon has one of the best economies in that part of Africa, with oil a primary export.
But Cameroon is also rated 153/188 on the UN Human Development Index. For every 100,000 people in Cameroon, there is 1.15 surgical specialists. Do you need a C-section? Or hernia surgery? How about orthopedic care? Care for burn victims? In our world of 7.6 billion, over 5 billion lack access to timely, safe and affordable surgical care.
That's a lot of suffering, and the statistics seem overwhelming. What I love is Mercy Ships response to global surgical need. This quote is from Ann Voskamp.
"For such a time as now, we eradicate divisions and incarnate passion.
For such a time as now, we show up even when it seems small because this is how we love large.
For such a time as now, we love just one, like we'd absolutely love to love everyone. Like we would love to be loved.
For such a time as now, we live shaped like a cross, reaching right out, because this is how He begins to shape the world."
Wow.
God willing, we join the ship on January 7.
Debbie
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