Greetings from Monrovia, Liberia during the rainy season – for this update, I wish to remind myself and you all of God’s great faithfulness.  From Joshua 4, we see Joshua leading the people across the Jordan River.  On the other side, they assemble the stones taken from the river to create a memorial.  A memorial so when their children and others ask, “Why are these stones here?” – you can share the story and remember God is faithful, remember God’s promises, and always remember that God is good.  Here is the link to the bible project overview of the entire book of Joshua –   https://bibleproject.com/learn/joshua/

In the 21st century, we typically do not build a physical pile of stones to remind us of God’s faithfulness.  Especially for people like myself who lived most of the last 32 years in a cabin on one of our ships.  Space is limited and moving around with stones in checked luggage, takes up too much of the limited weight allowance.  Some write in their journals, some write blogs, but some do not write down anything.  Though from this story in Joshua we are reminded to not forget God’s faithfulness in our lives and in whatever we are going through right now, we can recall His faithfulness and promises in our lives.  Pause for a moment and remember some of His faithfulness in your life and thank Him.    

Currently, our Team is hosting a facilitator conducting biomedical technician training courses, a head and neck surgeon who is already provided free surgery here for Liberia in a local hospital and his wife.  We expect two nurses to come soon to provide mentoring and neonatal courses and our project manager for the nutritional agriculture training.  At the same time, we have been able to facilitate various donations – personal protective equipment, medical/hospital supplies, biomedical tool kits, portable oxygen concentrators, and anesthesia systems.  We continue to dream BIG for the partnership between Mercy Ships and Liberia. 
Photo Caption:  Unloading this 40′ container at a mission hospital on a Friday evening together with the Chief Medical Officer and CEO of the hospital.      

COVID-19  For the nation of Liberia, our numbers have increased over the last couple of months – nothing like the UK, USA, Brazil, and India – but significantly for Liberia: Our current numbers:  5,306 confirmed cases – 2,506 active cases – most all recovered – deaths at 148.  The Ministry of Health continues to remind the population to follow the COVID 19 precautions.  As for our team, we have limited our in-person meetings, but hope to restore those as the trend here improves.    

Prayer Requests: 
*Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia 
*COVID numbers to decrease 
*God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance