That was the initial reaction from the family of Brisbane nurse Terry Culleton when she learned of the work done by volunteers serving with the international Christian charity Mercy Ships in the poorest nations of West Africa, and announced her desire to be a part of it.
"But they have been very supportive. That support has also been given by my friends and work colleagues once I explained my motivation for volunteering and the work of Mercy Ships."
Terry has returned after spending eight weeks on the Africa Mercy, the world's largest non-governmental hospital ship, in Liberia. As a Registered Nurse and Midwife with more than 30 years experience, she served in a variety of roles in the onboard hospital where free surgery is provided to correct disability, disfigurement and blindness.
"I see myself as being extremely blessed in my life. God has blessed me with four wonderful children and a great family. This was my way of saying 'thank you' to God for all that he has done for me and my children. God has brought us through some pretty rough times over the years," she says.
"I have always had a keen desire to use the skills and talents I have been given to help others. I have been involved in volunteer work in Vietnam with the Australian Vietnam Veterans Reconstruction Group, providing education and teaching to local midwives, obstetricians and paediatricians. I also had the opportunity of working in Banda Aceh following the 2005 Tsunami as part of a Queensland Health Team. That was a very humbling experience working with the local people who had suffered so much trauma. I am currently working as a Public Health Nurse with the Queensland Health Department, focussing on disease surveillance, prevention and management of all notifiable conditions."
Getting from Brisbane to Liberia was the first challenge inTerry's commitment. "I had to fly from to Bangkok, on to Nairobi and then to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. What should have taken two-and-a-half days ended up taking four-and-a-half days because of cancelled flights, delays and missed connections."
"I am certain that what I have done is exactly what God wanted me to do. It is my hope that through the work I did it will, in some small way, help to bring hope and healing to the people of Liberia. That is the aim of every member of the 400 crew onboard the AfricaMercy, seeking to follow the example of Jesus in providing a range of health and community development projects to people in the world's poorest nations.
"I was struck by the extreme poverty and lack of infrastructure. Liberia is a nation that was once thriving and prosperous, but now appears to be barely surviving. The problems faced daily by Liberians include poverty, loss of identity and pride, loss of family, loss of hope and trust, poor access to basic health care, poor living conditions, no power, no sanitation and no running water. Working with the local people reinforced to me the sheer tenacity and strength of the human spirit, even during times of adversity. I feel very humbled by the expressions of gratitude shown by the people for any help, big or small, that someone gives them. All of these things reinforce to me just how blessed I am in my life.
Terry describes her eight weeks in Liberia as a life changing experience, and one for the better. "Meeting and working with so many people from so many differing walks of life is just an awesome experience. There were so many highlights. The joy of seeing an eye patient able to read an eye chart when the bandages were removed following cataract surgery. The sounds and rhythm of the African human voice and accompanying music. It was pure magic. I am not sure what the future holds for me. I believe the doors will be opened for me as the time goes by," Terry concludes.
Mercy Ships is an international Christian charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilizing people and resources worldwide.
The emphasis is on the needs of the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the hospital ship Africa Mercy provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time. A permanent land-based program operates in Sierra Leone, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. Mercy Ships has 14 support offices around the world, including the Australian office at Caloundra, on the Queensland Sunshine Coast. www.mercyships.org.au