Three-year-old Maurel sleeps in a hospital bed onboard the Africa Mercy. His mother, René, sits calmly next to him, gently stroking his hand. Recently, Maurel underwent surgery to correct an unnatural outward curvature of his legs, more commonly known as bowed legs.
When Maurel was two years old, his concerned mother took him to a local hospital for treatment, where he was correctly diagnosed and approved for surgery. However, when it was discovered that René had a distant, wealthy relative, the hospital decided to increase the initially affordable medical bill to a sum exceeding $100, 000. Unable to afford this unreasonable amount, René and her little boy had no choice but to leave the hospital.
Months went by, and René heard rumours that a ship would be coming to Benin – a ship that offered free medical care. Hopeful yet skeptical, René was convinced when she saw a flyer detailing information about Mercy Ships. She was excited to see a photo of a child whose bowed legs had been corrected by a free surgery!
René made certain she was in the queue with her son on Screening Day. To her delight, Maurel was accepted for surgery. This time René was not questioned about her relative’s finances, nor was any amount charged.
Unfortunately, other obstacles arose. A close family relative was not willing to allow Maurel to have his surgery. He thought the offer of medical treatment was too good to be true. He feared that the surgery would not be done correctly and that Maurel’s legs would be completely crippled as a result. Why would doctors work for free? Surely their lack of pay was due to incompetence.
Such thoughts are understandable. In countries where hardship and struggle are a way of life and where nothing is free, it is hard to grasp the concept of love in action. But René held onto the hope of seeing her son walk properly, so she defiantly took Maurel to the big white ship for an operation.
René has no regrets. “Everything here is so good. I am really happy,” she says. Maurel is recovering nicely after a successful operation. Though it will be some time before the casts come off, he will be able to walk normally.
René’s dearest hope is for her son to be happy, healthy, and prosperous. “He will have a great future; he is very intelligent,” she says. “I told him before we came that he had to come see the doctor so he could get better – so one day he will be able to be a successful businessman.”
Thanks to Mercy Ships, René’s dreams for Maurel are quite reachable.
Story by Richard Brock
Edited by IOC Editing Team
There are times when your own words are just not enough, and we are privileged to have gifted writer on board who put the stories into action!
When Maurel was two years old, his concerned mother took him to a local hospital for treatment, where he was correctly diagnosed and approved for surgery. However, when it was discovered that René had a distant, wealthy relative, the hospital decided to increase the initially affordable medical bill to a sum exceeding $100, 000. Unable to afford this unreasonable amount, René and her little boy had no choice but to leave the hospital.
Months went by, and René heard rumours that a ship would be coming to Benin – a ship that offered free medical care. Hopeful yet skeptical, René was convinced when she saw a flyer detailing information about Mercy Ships. She was excited to see a photo of a child whose bowed legs had been corrected by a free surgery!
René made certain she was in the queue with her son on Screening Day. To her delight, Maurel was accepted for surgery. This time René was not questioned about her relative’s finances, nor was any amount charged.
Unfortunately, other obstacles arose. A close family relative was not willing to allow Maurel to have his surgery. He thought the offer of medical treatment was too good to be true. He feared that the surgery would not be done correctly and that Maurel’s legs would be completely crippled as a result. Why would doctors work for free? Surely their lack of pay was due to incompetence.
Such thoughts are understandable. In countries where hardship and struggle are a way of life and where nothing is free, it is hard to grasp the concept of love in action. But René held onto the hope of seeing her son walk properly, so she defiantly took Maurel to the big white ship for an operation.
René has no regrets. “Everything here is so good. I am really happy,” she says. Maurel is recovering nicely after a successful operation. Though it will be some time before the casts come off, he will be able to walk normally.
René’s dearest hope is for her son to be happy, healthy, and prosperous. “He will have a great future; he is very intelligent,” she says. “I told him before we came that he had to come see the doctor so he could get better – so one day he will be able to be a successful businessman.”
Thanks to Mercy Ships, René’s dreams for Maurel are quite reachable.
Story by Richard Brock
Edited by IOC Editing Team
There are times when your own words are just not enough, and we are privileged to have gifted writer on board who put the stories into action!
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