Veronique- a story from Benin

A Fresh Start for Veronique

• Created by Nancy Predaina on 18 May, 2017

 “I remember one of the worst days,” says Veronique. “I was in so much pain, I could not even get out of bed.”
Six years ago, a tumor started to grow on Veronique’s chin. What began as a small bump slowly gained momentum until it took over her jaw, weighing down her face and causing her great agony. But what was worse than the tumor was the fact that her family could not help.  “My sister could not, my children could not, even my own husband could not,” she recounts. “I cried over that many times.”
Her family’s powerlessness was not for lack of trying. “A few years ago my husband went to the national hospital, but we didn’t have the money,” Veronique recalls. She spreads her hands on her lap, as if to show the family’s empty pockets. “He pleaded with them, said he would pay them in installments, anything – but the doctors just shook their heads.” Veronique bows her head, looking at the ground, perhaps reliving that time.  “After that, things got worse.”          
The tumor greatly affected her family life. Veronique continued to sell beans and rice at a roadside stand, but she hadn’t expanded her wares in years. She continued to serve at church, but she hadn’t been able to give to her full potential. And she continued to care for her five children, but she hadn’t been able to consistently provide for them for years.  Her husband would often cut his own work short so he could step in. “He did as much as he could,” recalls Veronique. “He would help them with their homework, take care of the house, anything.” But because of that, his own work suffered.
But Veronique was not completely powerless. Her pastor was the family’s stalwart ally. He never stopped praying for Veronique and her family. Veronique smiles, remembering, “He had hope. I had hope. We all still had hope, that one day God would bring us a solution.”
One Sunday at church, that very pastor approached the family and told them about Mercy Ships. She brightened at the suggestion. “I’ll go,” she thought to herself. “Then we can be rid of this and start again.” Soon after, Veronique left her family, tried to ignore her pain, and made the three-hour trek to the screening center.
Screening led to testing, testing led to approval, and approval led to Veronique’s sitting in a hospital bed onboard the Africa Mercy, waiting for surgery the next morning. “When this is gone, when this is done, things can start fresh,” she declared, echoing her thoughts from that first day her pastor mentioned the ship.
Three days after surgery, Veronique’s patient ID card hangs over her bed, a relic of the past. Today she points to the photo – the tumor prominent on her chin. She smiles, claps her hands together, and points back to her face, showing with a wide sweep of her arms that it’s done. “The pain is gone, completely gone,” she says as she shakes her head. “When my pastor finally sees me, he will be jumping for joy,” she declares. “He prayed for me, and now I am healed!”

Story by Anna Psiaki
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Miguel Ottaviano and Timmy Baskerville



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Veronique waits inside the Africa Mercy screening center. She’s traveled three hours alone to make it here today. She hopes she’ll be able to have a free surgery to remove the tumor that’s been taking over her life for the past six years.


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Veronique waits the night before surgery to remove her tumor. “Pray for me,” she asks a nurse.


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“When this is over, things can start fresh,” Veronique says. She is sitting in a quiet corner of a hospital ward on board the Africa Mercy, waiting for surgery the next day. 


BEE170505_VERONIQUE_PAT08399_POST_TB0001
“When my pastor sees me, he’ll be jumping for joy!” says Veronique the day she’s set to return home. “He prayed for me, and now I’m healed!”

Story and article provided by Mercy Ships writers and photographers and used with permission.

STRESS!....well not now

So to say this week has been stressful would be a bit of an understatement. I have no one to blame but myself. I finally got things in order Thursday at bible study. You see, we are still waiting for our container that left the states in September. Unfortunately it has been delayed several times due to hurricanes in Texas and Florida and then additional delays on this side of the Atlantic. As a result we are low on many supplies and several of them are quite important. As one on the 3 people in the medical supply department I take it very personal when someone comes and asks for something and I can not provide it. As the week progressed I felt like a constricting snake was wrapped around me and slowly squeezing tighter and tighter. By Thursday afternoon I felt like my head was ready to pop off.
     Thursday evening  I headed to bible study feeling like I was wound pretty tight. It was just what I needed. We started with a time of music and just  resting in God. I realized as I poured out my feelings to the Lord that I had been picking up things this week that were not my own. Burdens He did not ask me to bare. My misery was brought on myself by trying to take care of things that I could not and was not asked to. After repenting of this behavior the Lord lifted the weight from my shoulders and I felt the squeezing leave.
    Friday was a much better day. The container still did not come and the shortages still exist. However each time I was tempted to worry or be anxious about it, instead I prayed. I asked God to help me not pick it back up. To leave it in His capable hands.  He is so faithful. It also helped that a co-worker brought their Ipod and we had praise music playing all day in the department. What a different day it was. I  am  so thankful to the Lord for helping me release this. And for being  there time and time again when I try to do things in my own strength. He graciously reminds me that he is there. That he is more than willing to help me and all I need to do is let go.
     So as of today the container is still not here, but I know that God's time is perfect even when I forget. That He is sitting on  the throne and  I can  trust him with today.

So pray for the container to come, and pray for me to stay in a place of release and trust. Pray for the patients. Most of all pray that the Lord of all will be lifted high and become known to the people of Cameroon.

Four men in a canoe

This week has been very busy. We received one of the containers we had been waiting for. (Thanks for praying) So in addition to my regular work I was processing items from that. Add to that being a person short for a couple days and it has been a challenging week. It has been good though and the Lord has met our needs day by day. Each time I thought we might run out of something or be short, the Lord has provided just enough for that day. From needles to bandages and everything in between he has sustained our needs day by day.

My coolest moment of the week was sitting in the dining room. I was having lunch and sitting by the window overlooking the river. I sat and watched for quite a while as a story from the bible came to life before my eyes. Just below my window were four men in a canoe. This is not a canoe like we have in America. I was not made of plastic but of wood. hollowed out from a tree, it was all one piece. It appeared to be very old and the paint  once on it has mostly weathered away and left bare wood showing.The water was just up to the top edge and fishing nets drooped over one side and vanished into the muddy water flowing out to sea.

Inside the canoe were four local men along with their fishing nets. I watched closely as they motored their canoe toward the ship while setting out the nets. At the very last moment they would turn and run next to the ship and then go back out in the river away from the ship. They would then circle back and do it again. This time slapping the water along the way with a paddle. This would help to drive any fish into the area of the net they had previously laid out. They did this multiple times as I sat watching. All the while the tide coming in, rocking the boat as the water lapped at the sides. Always threatening to over take the boat or tip it at any moment. As they pulled in the nets only a few fish here and there came as a reward for their hard work. I thought of the men I know here on the ship, most of them have never be taught to swim. I wondered if any of those men know how to swim. Most do not, and therefore risk their lives each day they go out . It seemed to me a very difficult and dangerous way to make a living.

And then the Lord spoke to my heart. Suddenly in my heart I heard...."Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men."(Matthew 4:18) I thought of how the first disciples Jesus called were men just like these here in this boat. Simple fishermen. Another group of 4 fishermen. James, John, Peter and Andrew.  Men who knew about hard work. And by a simple act of faith, well maybe not simple, lets say a giant leap of faith, he  they left their nets to follow Him. He used them along with 8 others to completely transform the world as we know it. I was struck by just how amazing that moment was. A moment not unlike the one unfolding in front of me during my meal. Just men out fishing. Men who had grown up hearing stories of one who would come to save them. Of Messiah. And then in the blink of an eye, a choice set before them. Walk away from every thing they know. From what is comfortable and familiar, from what is socially acceptable and expected and leap into the unknown. To put all their hope in this man, Jesus from Nazareth. I'm so thankful they did.

Today we are all faced with the same choice. Are we willing to follow Jesus? The one sent from God to redeem us and restore us back to a right relationship with God. Are we willing to leave our families and our fishing boats and walk into the unknown? Are we willing to risk it all?

Meet Ernest

This is Ernest. He was one of our first patients. He ended up having to come early because his tumor had begun to bleed and he was in danger.
He had lived with this tumor for years. His before pictures say it all. His body language and his eyes reveal the pain of living with a tumor for so long without access to safe or affordable surgical care.  It effected every aspect of his life. His surgery was preformed and he received several pints of blood from crew members.

Our Mercy ship photographer was there they day his bandages came off and he got his first look at his  new face. Clearly he was pleased and commented on  how handsome he now looked.

His life has forever changed. I share a cabin with one of the nurses who cared for this man. She said that after  his surgery  he came out of his shell. He has a great sense of humor and enjoyed joking with her. He would often pretend that he was not  going to do what she was asking of him, like drinking his protein drink or getting  up to exercise. But he always did.

Even though I am working in supply I did have opportunity to interact with Ernest several times.
My days take me in and out of the wards and the OR and allow me to interact with most of the patients. I too can attest to the joy evident in  Ernest, that seemed to grow  daily. I am hoping to make it out to see him at the hope center soon.

As of today he is staying at our hope center and continuing in his recovery. The hope center is a 200 bed facility off the ship that allows continued care for those who no longer need to be hospitalized but are not yet ready to return home. My cabin mate reports that the extra skin that remains after such a major surgery is slowly returning to its original state. Much the way a woman's stomach does following child birth. He may end up needing another surgery after a few months for any remaining extra skin but his recovery is going remarkably well. Please continue to pray for Ernest that he will be healed in his heart and spirit and well as his physical body.

 Thank you all for your prayers  and encouragement. Thank you also for your continued financial support that makes it possible for me to serve here. It is such a privilege to be here and be part of what the Lord is doing here. I do not take it for granted. I am aware of the sacrifice that many of you make to help me stay here. I can not thank you enough. I pray that the Lord will return it to you tenfold. You are in my prayers.

For King and Kingdom
Jennifer

French Korean?

Hi there,
I know it has been a while since I wrote. I have been posting blogs most of the time and not using email. I guess I should be doing both so no one gets left out. I have been doing well and am amazed at how quickly time is passing. We have just completed our Orthopedic section of surgery today. That means all the crooked legs are fixed for this year and they will now spend the remainder of their time here healing. Other surgeries continue and I will write more about those soon. Sadly that means a fairly large chunk of crew will be leaving. One surgeon and one of the nurses I have been friends with left this morning. It is the one really difficult part of life here. Really great people come but often only for a couple of months. The come for what ever surgery specialty they are trained in.  They may return again year after year to be part of what happens here. It is always hard to  say farewell.

I have had some fun times including a nice dinner out at a Korean restaurant a few nights ago. The food was amazing but it was strange to be in a Korean restaurant with a menu only in French. A fun memory.

I am also writing to ask for prayer on the following points:
1) Several good friends of mine are struggling through very challenging times right now. I am far away and it makes it hard for me to feel helpful. I am praying but ask that you would too. Especially for Lori who has still not been able to find a new roommate. She really needs a break though soon.
2) On the ship we have several crew members that have had to fly home for medical reasons.  We are hoping they will not be gone long but it has caused families to be separated which is never easy.

3) For the health of the ship. We have had several nasty viruses going through the ship. I had one already and am very hopeful to not get the other. It has been hard on the sick and on the healthy who must work harder while the others are down. After all the show must go on. :)
4) Continued prayer for my Mom who is doing well at this time. Praise God!

5) For the love and light of God to continue to be lifted up not only on the ship but all across the country of Cameroon.

6) For peace and cool heads for Cameroonians demonstrated in other parts of the country. It has not effected us here at the ship other than restricting travel, but has been bad in other areas and lives have been lost. Pray for it to stop and for the love of Christ to become known.

7) For personal finances. My crew finances are doing well but my personal are a bit lacking if I am hoping to come home this summer.

Know that I miss you and think of you often. Time Zones often mess up my plans to call. I try to write when I can but the list is long for sure.
I am keeping you in prayer as I ask you to pray for me.

for King and Kingdom,
Jennifer

October 1st

Time is a funny thing. Sometimes it seems to pass so quickly and other times it seems to drag on and on. Today is the first of October. I have been here aboard the Africa Mercy again for nearly 10 weeks. The same amount of time as my first visit here. Only this time I am not leaving. I am committed to the full field service. That means I am here at least until July. It is not hard to imagine my time here extending far beyond that. Only God knows at this point.
     So far most of my days have been filled with a feeling of being blessed beyond belief. There is something quite indescribable about being here that leaves me feeling ....I don't even know the right words. Fulfilled, whole, in the place I'm made to be. There is joy in being witness to what God is doing here. And blessing in somehow being a small part of it. A spoke in the wheel. United with others that feel the same draw. Witness to healing, not just in physical bodies, but in hearts, in souls, Smiles found sometimes for the first time ever. Lives restored. Relationships healed. And in the midst of it all, what truly drives it, eternal souls having the opportunity to be introduced and restored to the God who created them. The God who loves them. The God who has come looking for his lost sheep.
     And then there are the hard parts. That which had to be left behind. The cost. Anything worth doing always comes at a cost. My cost is my people. The lost connections. The distance so far, the time zones so inconvenient.  It is amazing to me that living on a ship with up to 700 people at times I can experience loneliness. But yet it is there from time to time raising its ugly head. The people here are wonderful but they are not the ones who know me well. Who know my scars, who know my secrets, who know what makes me laugh and what brings me joy. At least not yet. Those people are far across an ocean and caught up in their own lives . Do not misunderstand, we are still in touch from time to time, but not in the day to day. It leaves a void. So what can I do. The only thing I know. Run to throne. Run to one who knows it all. Who made me who I am. He who knit me together and knows my deepest needs. It is in His shelter I will rest.
    This week as I waded through all of these feelings and tried to sort through this thing called life, I cried out to God. He is so gracious, and so loving. So faithful. He responded by showing me a beautiful example of a daughter and her Father in loving relationship. He showed me how her focus was only on her father and not on the other things around them. How they were connected.How she reached out to touch his face.It was such a sacred moment. It was a picture of tenderness and love. Intimacy and trust. Joy. He used it to remind me of the relationship He desires to have with me. For my focus to be solely on Him. That I can jump up in His arms and look to Him for all I need. To feel secure, to feel loved, to feel safe and to know I am cared for.That I can rely on Him alone to guide and direct me. To protect me from things I do not understand. To teach me.  Though this world is filled with both joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, it is in Him where I will ultimately find all that I need.
     I am also reminded this morning of how fortunate I am to be in the community that God has placed me in. I am surrounded by a majority of Christ following believers. We come from different countries with varied traditions and customs. However , we are all part of one body. At least twice a week we come together to worship the same King. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is our Saviour and we his flock. We are equal under the blood. As we come together and read in His word, sing praises to He who sits on the throne, our differences vanish and we are reminded that collectively we are the bride of Christ. He has called us out, and gathered us together to serve Him and point others to Him. All around the world their are others like us. Many are isolated and alone in a sea of those who have not heard, or choose not to believe. They are isolated and alone. Longing for community and communion with others who share their faith. How they long to have fellowship with others that believe as they do. Some are underground and some are persecuted for what they believe. Others are tortured and martyred. How fortunate we are here, on this floating hospital to be yoked together with others who desire to lift high our King. Just last night we spent nearly two hours sitting, standing and kneeling in His presence. Singing praises to His name. Worshiping Him for who he is and for what He has done.We are so blessed. May I never take it for granted.
 He has conquered sin and death. He has revealed Himself to us and invited us in. He has made a way. A way to be restored and redeemed.. A way to once again have relationship with Him that knows us best. He who made us. The maker and creator of all, who calls us by name.
Can I ever be thankful enough?

Isaiah 43.1
But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.


Is He calling you today? How will you respond?

Hebrews 4:7
God again set a certain day, calling it "Today." This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."