Carpenter shares his time, skills to help Mercy Ships bring healing to world’s needy
Many are people are familiar with the doctors and nurses who serve the needy around the globe through the ministry of Mercy Ships. Behind the scenes, however, people such as carpenter Will Ballantyne also give tirelessly of themselves to advance God’s kingdom.
The world’s largest civilian hospital ship recently docked in the port of Tema in the West African country of Ghana. The volunteer crew onboard the Global Mercy will be there for the next 10 months, providing vital surgeries and dental procedures as well as offering medical training. Ballantyne, who is from England, is happy to contribute his skills.
“That’s one of the most pleasing aspects of the work, when we get into surgery particularly orthopedic surgery for children,” he said. “They sometimes require adjustments to their shoes. They have a leg length discrepancy, so we need to build up one shoe so that their pelvis is stable. So, it helps them through their rehabilitation program. For me, it’s just a real privilege to be here to be able to add something to the ship and the work of Mercy Ships.”
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The Global Mercy medical crew expects to complete more than 2,500 free surgeries and 2,000 dental procedures during the next 10 months. Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health-care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those with little access in the developing world.
Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 developing countries, providing services valued at more than $1.7 billion and directly benefitting more than 2.8 million people. The ships are staffed by volunteers from more than 60 nations, with an average of more than 1,200 volunteers each year. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses and health-care trainers. Teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers and agriculturalists donate their time and skills. With 16 national offices and an Africa bureau, Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time.
For more information, visit www.mercyships.org.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice
