Saul Loubassa Bighonda
Yida Zou has volunteered as an audio-visual technician with Mercy Ships.
Church Production Magazine covers a lot of church tech, but a lot of what “the church” is doing in the world does not necessarily happen in a church. And a lot of what those in the mission field are doing involves tech. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, which is why CPM works to support AVL in churches. But many ministry-minded techs are also needed in the mission field. One such need involves the global faith-based charity called Mercy Ships, which is not only being the hands and feet of Christ – it is literally giving the world’s poorest people hands, feet, legs, arms, faces and more. The pictures in this video about the organization’s work are worth ten-thousand words. https://vimeo.com/107254559
According to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery five billion people worldwide do not have access to safe and affordable surgery and anesthesia and last year 16.5 million people died from conditions requiring surgery. Mercy Ships was founded over 40 years ago to address this global surgery crisis. The Africa Mercy and soon to launch Global Mercy floating hospitals dock and deliver free surgeries including tumor removal, cleft lip and palate, orthopedic leg and foot conditions, women’s health, cataracts, reconstructive surgeries and more to mostly African nations.
Of course, Mercy Ships depends on volunteer doctors, nurses and aestheticians, but the ministry also relies heavily on volunteer technical staff. “When I found out that Mercy Ships didn’t only need doctors and nurses, but they were also very much in need of engineers and IT people, I applied and got involved,” says Yida Zou, who has volunteered as an audio visual technician onboard.
Mercy Ships’ AV Tech job description says they are responsible for the operation and maintenance of audio and visual equipment for meetings and events on the ship and ashore, including the recruitment and training of volunteer AV operators from the crew. Mercy Ships’ General Recruiter Brian Arfmann says, “We have some incredible AV engineers onboard that perform their job in a very unique environment. They are the ones that hold together all global communication while surgeries are happening simultaneously. It’s incredible- talk about life or death.”
“While handling audio on a ship can be particularly tricky, big tin can and all, it's also been very rewarding,” says Philip Gustafson, a former Mercy Ship audio-visual engineer. “For the most part you're cut off from any modern resource, using just the tools already on board. If a cable breaks, you better have a spare, otherwise it'll be a month until you can replace it. If your equipment fails, you better know how to repair it, or make do without it. Most of the day-to-day is routine, but there are unique challenges to doing AV on a ship that I enjoyed, like moving our sound system out onto the dock for a holiday, or doing joint services that include worship with our home base half way around the globe. It's a good learning experience that pushes you in your skill and knowledge in all areas of AV.”
Lara Arkinstall
James Townsend, AV Tech Volunteer, Mercy Ships
Volunteers commit to a specific amount of time to spend on the ship and also need to raise missionary-type funding for their stay. James Townsend, an AV Tech volunteer says that piece of the puzzle shouldn’t stop anyone from volunteering. “For those wanting to volunteer but concerned about leaving their jobs, I would say that they will be very surprised to see where the funding comes from – especially if they are part of a church. There are a lot of people who are wanting to help support Mercy Ships, even if they can’t serve themselves.”
And volunteering with Mercy Ships doesn’t necessarily mean jumping on a boat. Tim Ramosis an audio-visual engineer at the International Support Center (ISC) in Lindale, Texas. He says, “The AV team on board helps to provide Audio/Visual support for the entire ship. This includes using our audio, lighting, video and production skills to help support our events on the Africa Mercy. We have two weekly services that we provide full production in our International lounge (audio, lights, cameras, projection, etc). We also support all meetings that take place in there. Any special events that take place around the ship, we also set-up and support. There are five conference/meeting rooms on the AFM, that we provide support for, making sure we are able to communicate via video calls and other media platforms. Over all, our AV team helps to make sure Mercy Ships is connected with one another on the ship and around the world using AV technology.”
A typical service commitment is 4-12 months and volunteers should have at least two years of experience in the operation of AV for events and meetings, preferably in an organizational setting. Those with Bachelor's degrees in sound engineering, or the equivalent combination of education and experience are needed as well.
Those who have sailed say it’s very rewarding work. Benjamin Cook is a former audio-visual technician on the Africa Mercy. “It’s been amazing to be able to use the skills I’ve learned in the industry to help the work Mercy Ships does. Running the AV at the meetings that bring together the onboard community every week is super rewarding, as is training up the other volunteer crew to assist us. My favorite moments are the outdoor gatherings on the top deck, where we meet and sing together as the sun goes down over the Atlantic.”
Tech James Townsend concludes, “It’s a progression, and it’s mostly a way of trying to serve God. I’m not particular fussy as to how I do it. I can see God’s work in this. If you want a challenge - if you want anything that feels like it means something - this is an excellent place to be.”
For more information about volunteering or donating, please visit www.mercyships.org.
Do you know a tech working in a unique mission field? Email us at editorial@pmipub.com!
