Each year Mercy Ships employs over 200 local people. They aren't paid much and perform a great variety of tasks from standing watch in the engine room to working with the deck crew to translating. The three areas I was most familiar with were our dental crew, our eye team crew, and our security partner. Allow me to tell you a little about these wonderful people:
Eye Team - These men and women moved around the city with us helping out at each screening activity. They translated from French and Lingala so that both provider and patient were comfortable. They learned specific diagnostic tests from visual acuity exams to running the refractometer. For me specifically, they came along side as I worked to control the lines at screening. They would provide me cultural cues to assess the tension in the line, they taught me local phrases to gain acceptance among the people . . . Mbote, Wafaso? (that means good day, how are you?)
Dental Team - These people worked in several area of the dental clinic. They helped control patient flow, they staffed the sterilization area, they became dental assistants, and as with everywhere else, they were our voice to the people. Again, for me, these people were great help in my screening lines!
Security - We started with two men working security; however, neither worked out. Soon, a man who was working in our reception department showed that he had what it took to work with us so he was transferred to our department. I have great respect for him, he took in stride when I would yell at the contract guard service, when I would ask him to find the port security officer to sign a visitor request because the visit had abruptly changed time . . . and visitors . . . , when I would drag him with me to interpret at jails, police stations, and offices of police and military leaders. He taught me a great deal about Congo and for that I am thankful!
So, yesterday, we had a celebration with our partners to commemorate many of their last day with us. It is bittersweet . . . for us, we are moving on to the next country, Benin, where we will have the honor of meeting a whole new set of day crew, to develop relationships and to learn from . . . but we leave a piece of our hearts here in Congo with the people who have so honored us by being our partners, mentors and friends.
I pray God's blessing on my friends, Bona, Samy, Saul, Max, Jean-Paul, Guy Christian, Judicail . . . I could add 100 other names here!
Here are a couple of pictures from our celebration yesterday . . . we were honored that our day crew arrived in their finest dress . . . let me tell you, no one knows how to celebrate like a bunch of joyous Congolese men and women!!!!
This is Bona, our security partner
This is my friend, Samy, one of the eye team crew
This is the Congolese team of day crew who led our celebration.
See many of you in a few weeks! Please pray for our safe travel and that it doesn't take too long to get past jet lag!
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