Two Verses – Thanksgiving – Training – 31 October 2021

This morning, I attended a local church in our community – Monrovia Christian Fellowship.  The associate pastor shared a couple of verses that are great reminders for me personally.  I wish to share with you also – Micah 6:8

Plus from Matthew 25:35-40
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.  Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?  The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Liberia has a national holiday this coming Thursday 04 November for ‘Thanksgiving‘ – all of the Mercy Shippers here in Liberia will join me to share some patient and participant stories, highlights, experiences keeping the theme of thanksgiving.  Our sharing will be at the Mercy Ships Global Gathering which is broadcast to both ships and staff and teams around the world.  Currently, we are 11 people in the country and some are leaving in November and others are coming.  May we always live with thankful and grateful hearts.  

Surgeries continue here in Liberia with one of our volunteer surgeons at a partner hospital. As of last Friday, 169 patients (100 women + 69 men) received their healing and all in-hospital costs paid for by Mercy Ships.  They do not need to wait for the ship’s arrival but so many others I am meeting are waiting for the hospital on the Mercy Ships to open in early 2023. 
Our training with healthcare professionals continue.  We are in the midst of our second Biomedical Technicians training and once finished in two weeks, all of the technicians in Liberia will be trained and equipped to do their important work.  Through our partnership with CURE International, we have welcomed three of their English-speaking biomedical technicians to come and receive this vital training also. 
From the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, “Universal access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia care when needed saves lives, prevents disability, and promotes economic growth.”  By training these biomedical technicians they can be a vital part of safety in the operating rooms by having the equipment serviced, maintained, and ready for use in the provision of safe care for Liberians.   

Prayer Requests: 

*Patients recovering from their surgeries and those on schedule to come that they don’t miss this opportunity.  We have some upcoming complex mandible surgeries, pray that all would go well and without complications – all of these surgeries are life-changing and for some, they are life-saving.  
*Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia.
*Wisdom and discernment and insight as I serve in this nation.