a hospital floating in the Indian ocean off the coast of Madagascar, Africa, may not be the usual response you get when you ask someone for their ideal home. But for Keith Brinkman, Mercy Ships (or near temporary accommodation) have served as his "Home Sweet Home" for almost 27 years. In this second installment of my unique locations for the Live series, you will encounter people like him who dare to live outside of the box.
"my house is a cabin on the ship of the world's largest private hospital," said Brinkman, who taught Mercy Ships in 1985 after the founder of the Hospital went to his college campus to Texas to recruit volunteers. "Most of my family still lives in the metropolitan area of Indianapolis. I get leave to visit my family and friends or just get off the ship for a bit. "
, he currently lives on the ship 'The Africa Mercy," home to about 400 people from some 45 countries. Through donations, floating hospital provides free surgeries and medical training that changes the lives of thousands of people around the world who live in poverty.
mercy Ships, an international charity founded in 1978, has an impact on the lives of more than 15.2 million people around the world. Critical surgeries and dental procedures are performed aboard the fleet of ships charity by hundreds of volunteers. Volunteers must pay for their food and housing, the opportunity to work and to serve as a global community.
the 49-year-old has held various positions over the years, including accountant, finance officer and Chief Financial Officer. He currently serves as Executive Director of programs, where he works with host countries to develop project plans, budget, training, tracking expenditures related to the project, among many other responsibilities.
, "I love the variety in my life", he said, "of life and service in an international community on board a hospital ship, hope and healing is amazing."
thanks to his service, visits to Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, Haiti and the Dominican Republic El resulted in a ready-out cabin with gifts he has collected over the years of his travels. Beautifully painted elephants, giraffes and other beloved objects are exposed. Since the cabin walls are metal, it uses magnets to display decorations and photos of family and friends.
"the size of my home are about 13 feet by 8 feet. It's bigger than any of my old cabins on the ships in the past. The size and configuration of the cabins vary,"admitted Brinkman. «I am very grateful for a simple cabin with shower and shared toilet with my neighbour of Saul, who is our lead of the Peru dentist.»
Brinkman said sitting in her chair style IKEA to relax after work one day, he loves her. His houseplant doubles as a Christmas tree, with decorations during the holiday season. The crew enjoys public spaces on the ship, like fairs, Starbucks coffee, and the small pool to relax. But her favorite place is the bow of the ship.
' when our job is done, many of us go there to monitor the whales, dolphins and flying fish and enjoy the beautiful sunsets on the water, "he said. "My most memorable experiences are with patients in the hospital on board and those of our facilities ashore," he recalls. "After working, I like to spend time with [patients] in the hospital and to the HOPE Center rooms, is a moment very hard."
he described some patients that he has learned to know, including 16-year-old Berthelin, who had sailed two days on a small boat to join the mercy ship. The teenager has desperately needed surgery on his feet and after amputation and two surgeries, he has recovered successfully. Through a translator, Berthelin described how happy he was to have received treatment. The budding artist drew Brinkman a picture as a gift.
"the best thing about living on a boat is an incredible opportunity to live, work, have fun, worship, laugh and cry together in our unique floating home," he said. "The biggest challenge is that we live and work in the same boat of 152 metres long, it is sometimes difficult to maintain the boundaries and healthy work-life balance."
when asked, Brinkman admits that he predicted his life and home to look very different than they do today.
"I thought I would have a job related to computing, a wife, two kids, a dog and the white picket fence in my front yard; a 'normal' life,"says. "But I think that God had other thoughts and plans for my life, and it has been an amazing adventure." I have friends all over the world now from the countries we visit and we serve and crew members who came and returned home. "
Brinkman said that many others have given up a traditional house and the way of life for a life of volunteerism. It has not estimated that about half of the positions on the ship are medical associates and the other half are of technical, engineering, management and support roles, among others.
"to make this possible charity, it takes a lot of willing hearts and hands to come and to serve on board and also those who support us as crew individually and the Organization," said. "Together, we are having an impact on people that will affect their families, communities and countries."
to learn more about Brinkman and other work on Mercy Ships, visit their volunteer Web site or check out this video to see how they impact lives every day of presentation. If you plan to move into a unique home, there are a number of things to consider, so take the time to know what to expect to live in a non-traditional space.
