Greetings from warm Liberia to you my family and friends around the world. I can relate more with those in the southern hemisphere as you are in the summer season – here we are in the dry season and it is hot and humid.
I find I am learning new things every day – from portable oxygen concentrators, anesthesia systems, filters, CO2 monitors, oxygen tanks, and surgical conditions. Also learned much from a recent port/pier survey as we prepare the ‘home’ for the Global Mercy (who is in Belgium being fitted) when she arrives in early 2023. After living over 25 years on one of our ships, it was nice being on the water once again – though in a small boat – as seen in the photo – as we approach the pier – the same one used by the Anastasis and the Africa Mercy. 
Our volunteer surgeon is leaving in a couple of days – so I am pleased to share with you the final grand totals (30 June – 09 December 2021): 216 surgeries for 208 unique patients (127 women and 81 men – 182 adults and 26 children). 208 patients who do not need to wait for their healing for the Global Mercy coming later. I continue to receive requests on potential patients who need surgical care – some I am able to say that may be possible and we will let you know when the patient selection team is in the country. I received an email from one of our former patients who had surgery when he was a boy of four years old, we were able to get him in and he received his surgery last week and he wrote to me via text “I just want to say thanks to you a lot and the team of Mercy Ships I’m so grateful that I’m becoming nice as I used to be, thanks a lot and God bless you” For most requests, they have a surgical or medical need that Mercy Ships cannot address. It is difficult to share that news with them as there are so few specialists in this country.
Training for nurses continues through next week with specific subjects requested by the Chief of Nursing at the Ministry of Health – see photo. So thankful for all that took place in 2021 – new relationships/partnerships, surgeries, strategic workshop, biomedical trainings, medical equipment donations, Mental Health training, and mentoring. I am currently working on an official Mercy Ships Liberia 2021 report. I continue to visit churches on Sundays – often given the opportunity to share a greeting and encouragement. 
I love Liberia and the people and I want to be a part of God’s love shared with them – receiving hope and healing. As the Christian population is higher here than in other countries we have been in the past years, more churches have Christmas programs that I am enjoying, and even this week while waiting to meet with the SIM Country Director – one of their preschool classes was nearby and I just listening to the children singing carols in their sweet voices.
Our Mercy Ships Liberia team is getting smaller as many have left and four leave next week as they return to their homes. In January, two team members are coming and a team of 12 coming in February. I will utilize the time to help strategize and prepare for 2022.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year
Prayer Requests: *Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia. *Wisdom and discernment and insight as I serve in this nation.