Medical Ships - Australia

news updateOctober 2011 edition

Incredible moments were still taking place, even on outreach eight, as the YWAM Medical Ship was wrapping up its time in PNG for the year. Onboard were a group of ten from Bowen, who had heard about the Medical Ship during the Australian tour last year. After 14 months of anticipation they were finally onboard and making the most of each day in the Western Province.

As their leader, Duane, assisted with clinic registration, he met a man named Albert who he instantly knew needed a few extra minutes of his attention. Putting his registration papers aside, Duane got to know Albert through the help of his brother who translated. He found that the previous year Albert had lost a thumb, due to some poor decisions, and that he was quite concerned it may not have healed correctly. After the clinic leader assessed the healing and assured Albert there were no further concerns, Duane went a step further.

G’day from KenI had such joy in my heart as I watched the M/V Pacific Link return to Australian waters. It’s been great to recount what has been achieved in the last 6 months and we are so grateful to have you on the journey with us! As we prepare for outreach next year, there are exciting improvements on the horizon that will expand our services to these incredibly isolated villages that are so poor in PNG. Thank you for contributing to these efforts and literally making these outreaches happen!

www.ywamships.org.au

Ken Mulligan - CEO YWAM Medical Ships - Australia

Finding Health and Hope in PNG

Members from the Bowen Team join other volunteers on the Optometry Team.

Story continued on back...

Primary Health Care Treatments - 6,253Dental Procedures - 4,303Optometry Services - 2,614Ophthalmology Procedures - 43Health Education Attendees - 8,237Preventative Health Resources Distributed - 14,226Immunisations Distributed - 3,778

So far this year, you’ve helped provide:

For more information:Address: PO Box 1959 Townsville QLD 4810 AustraliaPhone: +61 7 4771 2123 Fax: +61 7 4772 44144Email: info@ywamships.org Web: www.ywamships.org.au

Thanking our Sponsors:

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He could see that Albert was ashamed of the choices he had made, which had led to the injury. Duane began to encourage Albert, sharing that there was no reason to live in shame and that his past choices no longer needed to define him. Duane spoke truth over Albert’s life, and slowly but surely he began to see Albert’s head lift and a smile creep onto his face.

As Albert left the ship and boarded a canoe back to his village, he looked like a completely new man. His head was held high for the first time since his injury, and his hope, dignity, and perspective were renewed that day!

story continued...

Nurse Joy Millar, from NZ, helps a patient in the primary health care clinic.

John Sutherland enjoys his time on board handing out glasses.

PNG Dentist, Hilda Audubo, triages for the dental clinic.

Kate Griffiths, from 1300SMILES, assistis PNG Dentist Hilda Audubo.

Volunteer nurse, Jenny Sutherland, prepares another arm to receive life saving immunisations.

As the ship arrives at its desination, the whole village waits on the shores to welcome us!