Mercy Ships does more than just surgeries while in the countries they visit. They provide education and training for local doctors and nurses. They do agricultural projects. They do dental and eye screening. And they also partner with local schools and orphanages through a program called Mercy Ministries, in order to share Jesus with the children, do crafts, and play games. I visited a school with a deaf program with the Mercy Ministries team and they were the most welcoming children! The kids just mobbed us after we arrived, tackling us with hugs, and dragging us over to the chairs, where everyone wanted you to sit next to them. They kept grabbing my badge, absolutely delighted by the retractable lanyard, and taught me how to sign my name in French sign language, which is quite similar to American, but I learned that the H, among a few other letters, is different. The children shared with us what they had learned that week (Cameroonian history!) and then the Mercy Ministries team shared the story of Lazarus. The children were employed to help tell the story (Lazarus was literally carried to the tomb) and the children's instructor translated into sign language for them. They then colored a picture of Lazarus outside of the tomb and glued! the finished projects onto the walls. We danced (with no music!) and the children decided they wanted all of our names written down, so we signed many, many composition books. Such a blessing to be able to spend time and share Jesus with these joyful little people.
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| Signing an American H, ha! |
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| "Lazarus" being carried to the tomb |
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| The Mercy Ministries leader showing off the craft |
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| Crafting & Shenanigans |
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| Final product |
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| Super happy to be in charge of the glue |
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| Previous and current crafts glued to the wall |
Awesome! just one of those most important people to spend time with and learn with them..
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