Sonja Frischknecht at work with Mercy Ships. PICTURE: Courtesy of Mercy Ships Australia.

1st December, 2004

“Mercy Ships is bringing hope and healing to countless numbers of people in the poorest nations on earth, and lives are changed physically and spiritually as we follow the example of Jesus in demonstrating the character of a loving God.”

That is what keeps Sydney nurse Sonja Frischknecht serving among 1600 volunteers each year with the global charity.

Frischknecht has worked as a nurse for more than a decade on the hospital ship Anastasis - the flagship of the growing fleet owned and operated by Mercy Ships.

As well as the Anastasis - which has three operating theatres, two hospital wards and a crew of more than 400, and is currently on outreach to Benin, Mercy Ship's fleet includes the Caribbean Mercy - which has specialist optical and dental clinics onboard and is currently serving communities in Honduras, and the Africa Mercy - which is currently being transformed in the UK into the world’s largest private hospital ship with six operating theatres. She will be launched in 2005.

Mercy Ships has operated since 1978. Highly skilled surgeons perform thousands of operations onboard each year to correct disability, disfigurement and blindness. Medical and dental teams travel the throughout countries and establish clinics to provide vaccination programs, dental treatment and basic health care.

Other volunteers build hospitals, clinics, training facilities and basic housing. Agricultural projects help replenish livestock in war-town areas and boost food production. Working in partnership with local people, Mercy Ships empowers communities to help themselves, providing vocational training as well as meeting immediate needs.

There are support offices and land-based projects in 17 nations. Ninety-seven per cent of those serving on the ships, in land-based programs and support offices are volunteers. From marine crew and medical personnel to galley staff and deck hands, all pay their own way to and from the ships, and pay weekly crew fees to offset running costs.

Frischknecht initially trained in Sydney and ended up on a hospital ship in Africa.

“It was very unexpected,” she says, “I was shocked at what I saw, but I knew God had been preparing me for such an experience, and I knew I could play a part in making a difference.”

She returned to Australia for a time in 2003 to complete her Masters in Nursing to enable her to better equip local nurses in West Africa where the hospital ship visits.

“That time back in Australia reminded me of the change in priorities and values responsible for my joining Mercy Ships. I am certain I don’t need what society tells me I need. I am so grateful for what I have. It’s difficult to appreciate the things we take for granted until we see people who don’t even have a pair of shoes.”

~ www.mercyships.org.au