Nathaniel Baker 14Apr08
Originally uploaded by keith.brinkman

I met Nathaniel Baker last year through the Adopt-A-Patient program and have spent much time with him while in the hospital wards. He is from Harper, Maryland, Liberia which is far from Monrovia. He had a large tumour in his jaw and so they removed the tumour and the front of his jaw. He came back two weeks ago for his final maxillo-facial surgery – taking bone chips from his hip and places the bone chips in his jaw around the previously inserted metal bar, which will regrow and re-establish his jaw bone. I prayed with him today as he prepared to leave – he said ‘I am happy and thankful.’

VFM Group Photo AFM Apr08
Originally uploaded by keith.brinkman

This is the group photo of the children/teens and staff of Victorious Faith Refuge Home taken out on Deck 7 of the ship. For most of them it was their first time on a ship, except for Emmanuel to the right in the photo, front row, as he had club foot surgery last year and for his second photo just two weeks ago.

VFM kids onboard AFM Apr08
Originally uploaded by keith.brinkman

After having refreshments, we took the children/teens and staff of Victorious Faith Refuge Home for a tour, followed by watching a Veggie Tale movie – the story of David & Goliath on the big screen.

VFM Game Time onboard AFM Apr08
Originally uploaded by keith.brinkman

Last Saturday, we hosted the children/teens and staff of Victorious Faith Refuge Home – one of our mercy ministry sites. After shuttling them to the ship, we started with some games in the dining room followed by some special refreshments prepared by Albert, our German baker.

MoHSWOPS Visit 05Apr08
Originally uploaded by keith.brinkman

One of our best partners here in Liberia is the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare. I was able to host the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Health and some of his great office staff on board the m/v Africa Mercy last weekend. They were and are of great assistance to us in many ways and I wanted to show my appreciation.

CBM Reunion Photo Mar08
Originally uploaded by keith.brinkman

Former Caribbean Mercy Crew Members Reunion on board the m/v Africa Mercy. Group photo from March ’08

Emmanuel Apr08 R Club Foot
Originally uploaded by keith.brinkman

Thank you for praying for Emmanuel – he had a successful club foot surgery. He has a cast on and is smiling and doing well. Since the children’s home where he lives is close, he will be able to go home on Monday and then will return for outpatient care. The children at the home on Thursday each drew pictures for him and sent them to the ship for Emmanuel. As I was looking at them, I said, ‘Emmanuel, you are truly loved by these and by our Heavenly Father God.’.

Emmanuel & Pastor Andrew
Originally uploaded by keith.brinkman

Emmanuel Cole who is pictured with his pastor is going into surgery on Wednesday afternoon Liberia time – which is early morning Wednesday in the US. I just visited him in the ward as he was admitted today. The orthopaedic surgeons will be corrected his club foot. He had his other club foot fixed last year and now they are doing the other. Please pray for him, for the surgeon and all the health care professionals. Emmanuel lives in a children’s home that the crew visit regularly, I have been there several times myself.