Duncan Couple has Heart for Mercy

Nicolette and eight-year-old Sia

Derek carries baby after recovery from surgery

HRH Princess Ann greets patients in the ship's ward

In November this year, Derek and Nicolette Pearce of Duncan traveled for 24 hours through nine time zones to reach the world’s largest charity hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, in Sierra Leone. When they finally arrived, they were greeted by warm hugs and a late-night cup of tea onboard.

It was the third time since 2008 the medical couple had made the journey to volunteer their time and skills with Mercy Ships and they were no less excited to be there than the first time.

The trip meant one month onboard for the Pearces – an anaesthetist and a hospital physician, where they lived and worked to provide free surgeries and medical care for some of the most impoverished people on earth. The Africa Mercy houses an average of 450 international volunteers and spends about 10 months in each country it visits along the coast of West Africa - its mission: to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor.

What has motivated the Pearces to leave work and home on multiple occasions to pursue these life-saving efforts in Africa?

“It’s a very different thing to experience another country, culture, and community than to read about it,” Nicolette says. “Realizing how much of life is spent surviving – getting water, food, and necessities – is humbling.” She adds, “Serving [with Mercy Ships], we receive as much or more love than we give – it’s one of the things that keeps us going back!”

The couple’s moving (and often amusing) travel log depicts their experience as they faced Sierra Leone’s extreme medical conditions and post-civil war poverty. In a short time the couple grew close to patients such as eight-year-old Sia, who suffered from an “angry red tumour” where her left eye should have been. They watched the little one go from the verge of death to giggles and grins as the tumour shrunk in response to medical treatment onboard the Africa Mercy.

“She went from having a pained expression on her face to being able to laugh and love,” the Pearces say.

The couple was also privy to a special royal visit while onboard. HRH Princess Anne took a tour of the Africa Mercy, visiting crew and patients and observing how the ship operates.

“The whole thing, having a royal visitor in our floating world, just seemed so surreal,” the Pearces say. “She was gentle and friendly.”

“Her hairstyle hasn’t changed from what I remember about 20 years ago,” Nicolette jokes.

On the same day as crew members were thrilled by the Princess Royal, they also said goodbye to a small boy who was well enough to head home after recovering from a surgery.

“With much more energy and fun than pomp and ceremony for royalty, the entire cafeteria broke into applause for this little fellow,” Nicolette says. “Whether we’re performing for princesses or sitting in the dark at the bedside of a confused old man, we are part of the [healing] of all things.”

The volunteers celebrated the ship’s last surgery of the year at the end of November – before the vessel headed to dry dock for maintenance – with an onboard party, or “padi” as the locals call it. The Pearces danced and sang with the patients. One was lovingly referred to as “Grandma Groundnut” because of her age and affinity for a peanut-flavoured supplement she was taking to heal from a wound.

“Part of me stayed in [Sierra Leone] when we left there. Just like the pieces I left in Liberia and Benin, and so many other countries around the world [where I have volunteered]. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” says Nicolette.

The couple is settling back into life in Duncan after their journey home from West Africa, and is looking forward to Christmas. However, their adventures overseas aren’t finished yet – they are set to join Mercy Ships onboard the Africa Mercy for a fourth time next summer in Guinea.