|PIC1|"It was such an interesting experience, with amazing things being done by medical teams. But I realised that they could not do their job without the support of the rest us."

Those are the words of Christine Crook of Newstead, Brisbane in Australia, summing up her six week experience as a volunteer onboard the world's largest private hospital ship Africa Mercy, currently on assignment in the West African nation of Liberia.

Christine read in her church's newspaper of the experiences of an Australian volunteer who had spent time with the international Christian charity Mercy Ships. She says she was seeking some sense of meaning in her life. She offered herself for voluntary service and paid her way to and from Liberia, along with crew fees during her time onboard, to work in the ship's laundry.

"I have worked as a volunteer for ten years with Karuna Hospice Services in Brisbane, and felt I could be involved in the work of Mercy Ships as it seeks to serve people in the world's poorest nations," she said.

"All volunteers are given the opportunity of 'adopting a patient' in addition to their regular duties on the hospital ship. Each evening I was able to go to the wards with several others and spend time with patients, giving them encouragement along with well appreciated foot and hand massages.

"Many of the women I visited were recovering from life changing surgery to correct obstetric fistulas resulting from prolonged or obstructed childbirth. The women were so beautiful and so appreciative. Some had been outcasts from family and community for many years. Yet their faith was so strong and it was lovely to be able to help them.

"I was privileged to attend special dress ceremonies for several of the women leaving the ship following successful surgery. The women are given a new set of clothing as a symbol of their new start in life. The bongo drums played and we all gathered around for wonderful songs of praise and to hear the women's stories, stories of such sadness but now about lives changed through the free surgery provided. It was very moving, and so wonderful to be a part of it all."

Christine says it was hard to say goodbye to patients she had adopted during their time of recovery.

"One little patient had several operations and was so brave with each one. She enjoyed playing Snakes and Ladders and colouring pictures. She did not speak English and I could not speak her language. But we had lots of fun and plenty of laughs.

"She had travelled from neighbouring Guinea to the Liberian capital Monrovia for surgery, and did not see any of her family for at least two months. She became the darling of the ward. The girl was 14 and had the most beautiful smile. I believe her medical condition will shorten her life, but I felt privileged to have shared time with her."

There were also opportunities to visit an orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity. The orphanage cares for the poorest of the poor. Babies born to mothers with HIV/AIDS and TB are also looked after there.

"The Sisters are an amazing group of women, displaying such love and compassion under very difficult conditions," says Christine.

At another refuge for older children, one of the women from the ship told the story of Noah to the children who acted out the story, playing the roles of the family of Noah and the animals.

"They sang and danced for us, and proudly showed us around their humble home. We also visited a new health clinic built by local people trained by Mercy Ships."

The clinic is surrounded by a farm where agricultural techniques are taught to local people from 11 surrounding villages, helping such people to become self-sufficient in the future.

Christine said it was wonderful seeing what is being achieved as volunteers seek to bring hope and healing to the poor.

"I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity of being a part of what is happening in Liberia. I know I have learnt the true value of life, and have seen what it is to have nothing and yet to have everything. It is my hope and prayer that the people of this country will go from strength to strength, and these people will regain the dignity they serve."

Mercy Ships is an international Christian charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. The emphasis is on the needs of the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the hospital ship Africa Mercy provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time. A permanent land-based program operates in Sierra Leone, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean.