Great excitement and expectation in Nevis;
as Friend Ships’ volunteers and TBN’s massive medical outreach kicks off today

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com

CHARLESTOWN VILLA: The centre of the state-of-the-art medical outreach programme

The medical team arrived aboard the MV Hope, one of the four vessels owned by the Friend Ships Unlimited, working in conjunction with the world renowned Christian organisation, Trinity Broadcasting Network [TBN].

The MV Hope arrived at Port Charlestown at approximately 10 a.m. last Wednesday and the crew immediately began preparing the venue for their medical outreach programme. 

The medical team commenced seeing patients today [Tuesday, May 20] from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will continue doing so until Saturday, May 24 at the Villa’s field located below the Charlestown Secondary School’s Technical Wing in Nevis.

Shortly after the ship’s arrival, a meeting took place at the TBN Studios to greet local volunteers who have since joined the Friend Ships’ volunteers in the medical outreach programme.

Nevis’ Premier Joseph Parry officially launched the programme at this morning’s opening ceremony.

According to information made available by Andre Gilbert, General Manager TBN branch, Nevis, the island’s television and radio stations were the first stations to be established by the religious organisation outside of the US.

Plastic bracelets are being used as admission tickets to the clinic and were earlier distributed to potential patients through the church leaders of Nevis and sister island St. Kitts.

Patients were cautioned not to eat in the morning before they visit the doctor, as it interferes with tests. Meals will be provided if patients have to wait for long periods before or after seeing the doctor.

The visiting medical team and TBN officials have called on potential volunteers to contact TBN in Nevis at 469-5425 or Radio Paradise at 469-1994 and request volunteer applications. Volunteers are needed to pray with patients before and after treatment, to provide security and to keep people organised (preferably men), as well as to serve water, talk with people and help direct them, and also to participate in the children’s ministry teams.

Local medical practitioners, who would also like to volunteer, will be appreciated as the local doctors, dentists and chiropractors would be referred so as to provide follow-up check and treatment to patients.

The medical outreach and accompanying evening services have been well publicised through the Christian organisation’s popular network. Pastor Norman Thomas, Dr. Debbie Thomas, Dr. Roger Sirratt and Hunter Lundy are scheduled speakers at the evening services.

Friend Ships, “Spirit” and “Spirit of Grace”, have sailed to many nations including Africa, Eastern Europe, Central America, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union and the Caribbean, delivering tens of millions of pounds of relief commodities during times of war, famine, natural disaster and economic hardship. The two ships carry 5000 tons of aid each on every voyage.

~~Adz:Right~~ Each year, natural disasters occur throughout the world killing thousands and leaving multitudes homeless and hungry. During the 2005 Hurricane Season, Friend Ships responded to three major hurricanes - Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

The two vessels and the mission’s Bell Jet Helicopter are equipped to respond quickly in times of disaster, taking in teams of medical and relief personnel as well as a mobile medical village, food and other urgently needed items.

Port Mercy in Lake Charles, Louisiana is the Friend Ships home base. It is from this port that Friend Ships’ vessels Spirit, Spirit of Grace, Hope and Mersea begin their mission voyages to many nations around the world. Volunteers with a wide range of skills are needed, including skills in cooking, housekeeping, grounds-keeping, office and ship repair.

This facility provides support operations for “The Village” in Roatán, conducts all main office functions of the organisation and is a base of operations for the Friend Ships’ US food outreach, “Storehouse One”.

Short and long-term volunteers, along with volunteering work teams, provide the manpower to facilitate life support programmes to developing nations in an unprecedented, highly cost effective way. Private donations, corporate gifts, free of charge services and use of government facilities are the tools that make it possible to collect, transport and disperse relief commodities on a massive scale.