Vanderslice Sets Sail with Mercy Ships
Mari Knehans - Staff Writer
November 17, 2009
Filed under Features
At this point in time, the typical ’09 graduates have just completed frantically studying for midterms and have probably visited family at least once since leaving for college. Most have finally settled into the routine of campus life; meanwhile, across the globe, Kendall Vanderslice, class of 2009, is experiencing God’s mercy first hand in Africa.
Vanderslice chose to make her post graduation experience about helping others, not self-focused like many of her peers. Vanderslice is currently volunteering with Mercy Ships, a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing countries for over 30 years, to bring hope and healing to forgotten poor citizens of under-developed nations. Mercy Ships provides modern medical attention to people who are outcasts due to deformities such as over-grown tumors or clef plates and gives them the opportunity to live a normal life. Also, the organization provides medical treatment for diseases and illnesses that go untreated in underprivileged communities.
According to the Mercy Ships official website, “Mercy Ships has chosen to follow the 2,000 year-old model of Jesus: the blind see, the lame walk, the mute speak, and the Good News is proclaimed and demonstrated among the poor.”
While Vanderslice’s job on the ship is not glamorous or supremely significant, she knows that her contribution does make a difference.
“My job is in the sales department. We are in charge of ship shop, snack bar, and Starbucks Café. The ship shop is kind of like a little mini WalMart/ Walgreens type store. The Starbucks is pretty much like a normal Starbucks, but way cheaper! Starbucks donates all of the espresso and flavors to Mercy Ships; we only have to pay for the shipping cost,” said Vanderslice.
These shops are in place to provide supplies for the doctors and medics employed by Mercy Ships. Vanderslice’s job does not directly impact the lives of the African people, but her efforts do energize the entire operation.
Vanderslice has the weekends off to explore the country where the ship has docked and touch citizens’ lives with her bountiful love. She shares with her family and friends back home the crazy experiences she undergoes with her crewmates over these jam-packed days through her blogspot account, http://www.hopetoafrica.blogspot.com/.
“The most memorable sight I have witnessed thus far was watching the people worship, it’s absolutely incredible,” said Vanderslice.
“I am constantly amazed at the place God has brought me to in my life right now. Every morning I wake up and go running on the streets of Africa, I then get to sit on a wall along the dock and watch the sun rise over the ocean, and then I go sit on the top deck of the ship and have a quiet time while watching the fishing boats go out for the morning. Every single day I wake up and think how crazy it is that I’m in Africa living on a ship!”
One of the personal benefits of this experience for Vanderslice is the time to reflect on life before her days with Mercy Ships.
“I feel like so many times people walk through each day and complain about little things, I remember hearing complaints all the time from people, including myself.”
Vanderslice looks back upon her days walking the Westminster halls and remembers times when ungratefulness and discord overshadowed the events of the day. After several months on Mercy Ships, Vanderslice believes this experience has altered her worldview.
“When we would have a fire drill, people would complain about having to stand outside for so long. When we would have to go to chapel, people would complain if the music was a bit off. People would complain about the supposed hypocrisy of other students at WCA or that by going to a Christian school they were being sheltered from the real world,” said Vanderslice.
“[On the Mercy Ship,] we are legally required to have a fire drill every other week — this does not just include the bells going off and everyone evacuating the building. This includes a full on scenario that must change every week. We have to evacuate the entire ship of all the crew, the fire team has to get out all of their equipment and practice what they would do in a real fire. The cabin checkers (of which I am one) have to go check every single cabin to make sure no one is left inside. The drill cannot be concluded until all 400 crew and 200 daily volunteers are accounted for outside of the ship. The whole process takes about an hour,” said Vanderslice.
“Also, the music is not always great. Microphones break, speakers blow, and since we’re in Africa we don’t really have access to get things fixed all the time, still we have worship roughly three times a week and no one complains,” said Vanderslice.
“There are plenty of instances where I could say the people I am with are hypocritical Christians. When you live in such close quarters with so many people, there is no hiding your character. You see people happy, sad, angry, depressed, excited, [the entire spectrum of emotion is presented]. You realize that these are not hypocritical Christians, [but rather,] people, human beings who make mistakes, just like everyone else,” said Vanderslice.
Vanderslice would like to pass on her newly acquired wisdom to her fellow members of the WCA community.
“Lastly, living in a community of 400 Christians, I have learned so much more about the real world than if I were to be at a secular university right now. I have learned how to make God a part of my every day life; He is involved with absolutely everything! I’ve seen more than ever that He is everywhere I go, and He has His hand in absolutely everything — every second of every day of every person’s life.”
“In reality, those who try and avoid Christianity or spending time surrounded by Christians, those are the people that are not learning about the REAL world. Because the real world is completely inhabited and controlled by the one and only Creator!”
“I know that the above are the most common complaints among WCA students because not only did I hear them regularly, but I also complained about the same things. But I’ve learned since being [at WCA] that I can either choose to be a complainer or I can just accept the facts of life and look past that and see the incredibleness of the situation I am in. I’m glad that I have been able to get past those frustrations here in order that I may enjoy all the amazing aspects of my experience now,” said Vanderslice.
“I am sure that if people could learn to overcome those complaints while still students at WCA they would be able to see so much more how blessed they are to be at Westminster and to be in the situation that they are right now.”
“You don’t have to be living on a ship in Africa to be able to see how amazing God’s creation is or to have an incredible experience. There is plenty to explore in St. Louis and plenty of ways to see God’s glory as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in high school. Do not just complain about your current situation and think ‘once I’m done with school, then the fun and adventure will start’ instead find God’s glory in your present situation.”
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