Courage to live differently

A few weeks ago, the world celebrated Nelson Mandela’s 95^th birthday. It took courage for him change the destiny of a nation. Many thought peaceful transformation was impossible, but when one man stepped out, it changed the climate around him. Others dared to believe. Courage inspires because it brings hope. I find myself wondering what would have happened if Nelson Mandela hadn't had the courage to follow his dream?

This summer over beers and a curry, someone asked me, ‘Tell me Michelle, what really made you give up your consultant job?’ I think the question they were really asking is: What does it take to follow your dreams? I think it takes courage, passion and a healthy dose of humility.

I share a bedroom with 3 people, I share an internet connection with 400 people at a bandwidth usually reserved for a family of 4, I can’t go out alone, and I don’t earn a salary. It took courage to resign my consultant job, face financial insecurity, and live like this. It takes humility to rely on others and to admit when I have made mistakes. I may not be ‘the best’  or ‘the most qualified’  person for the job, but I am the one that is here. And I am passionate about what I am doing.

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to transform individuals and serve nations, one at a time. In Guinea, the 10^th poorest country in the world we performed approximately 2,500 operations and treated over 12,000 dental patients in just under 9 months. Initiating sustainable agriculture programs and leadership training for community / government leaders are also examples of how we serve the host nation.  In Congo I have met with officials from the WHO and the Ministry of Health, conducted surveys of the hospital facilities, collated requests for training and presented a Healthcare Education plan to the government for the next 10 months. This is all part of Mercy Ships aim to ‘Follow the 2000 year old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor’. I am passionate about being a part of this dream of helping low income countries improve their healthcare services.

In Sierra Leone, 2 year old Josephine needed life-saving airway and thoracic surgery which no-one in Sierra Leone could provide. Luckily we could provide what Josephine needed so she survived. In Togo, 10 month old Chara was not so lucky, we did what we could but the ship was leaving. Chara went to a public hospital for further treatment but no anaesthetist was prepared to anesthetise such a small baby. I have a dream that ‘luck’ is eliminated and instead, that we can help low income countries improve their anaesthesia services so they can care for children.

Ozzy Osbourne said, ‘any fool can get drunk and trash his hotel room but it takes courage to live differently.’ It takes courage to leave work on time so you get home to say goodnight to your kids, it takes humility to say sorry to your kids or your partner when you put your job before them; it takes courage to press through difficulties in your marriage or relationships with your children, it takes courage to admit you need debt counselling or help with alcohol addiction. It takes humility to ask for help and a passion to overcome difficulties to see your dream become reality.  Dreams start by making a difference to the person right next to you, in your own family, in your job, or the sports club.

Transformed people, transform nations.