The timing of my arrival in Sierra Leone was towards the end of the first full field service for Global Mercy.  I have been able to join many great events taking place onboard the ship, which I have thoroughly enjoyed:

 * Field Service Report by Hospital and Education and Training – successes and challenges

 * Celebration including the blowing of the ship horn when the last patient was discharged from outpatient care
 * Celebration of our amazing Day Crew (local workers) – big lunch, gathering in the international lounge, a big dinner, and then a party on the dock; many of the day crew have applied to serve again when the ship returns,

Photo:  Day Crew Celebration in the International Lounge of the Global Mercy 
Curious about the Day Crew – click here for a YouTube video  5:37 in length
Mercy Ships Daycrew Sierra Leone 2023 – 2024 (youtube.com) 
 *  Farewell to many long-term crew who are departing – including the managing director and his family 

 *  First 12th Grade Academy Graduation Ceremony on the Global Mercy – one student
 *  Final visits to one of the Mercy Ministries partners – Divine Heritage House, a children’s home outside of Waterloo, and others.

Photo:  Walking with the children to the area where we sang, heard a Bible story and played some games.  Including the song:  Bambelela – ‘Hold on to Jesus’ a chorus from South Africa with all the movements.  

I started driving Mercy Ships vehicles the day after I arrived (a vehicle we had in Liberia that we sent over when we closed down last year).  There are challenges with keke (tuk tuk), motorbike taxis (okada), large trucks and buses, pedestrians & only one functioning signal light – but we safely move about as needed.

Onboard, I am thankful to be able to use a visiting staff office for meetings with those on the Global Mercy, and reviewing previous reports and setting up meetings and making arrangements with our shipping agent and others for the vessel to depart. 

I am so grateful for the time reconnecting with friends who I have served with in the past on the Africa Mercy who are faithfully serving here.  I am meeting others face-to-face for the first time.  I enjoy sitting in the dining room on the ship and hearing people share their stories.  One day crew shared that he had been a maxillofacial surgical patient and now serves as a translator in Ward D where our maxillofacial patients stay.  He said he has been able to share his story and encourage the patients and their caregivers.  He is applying to return when the ship arrives back in Freetown.

Our surgical patient selection is in process here in Sierra Leone at 12 locations: eight locations in the interior and four locations around the capital city of Freetown. The dates are  18 – 28 June for registration, then field consultation, and then a schedule to visit the vessel in Freetown for nurse diagnostics, any lab work, or radiology, and finally, the surgeon selection for the hopeful ‘Yes’ for their surgery.

All the arrangements for departures took place, and the Global Mercy successfully left Freetown safely this morning. The Country Engagement Team and others were on the dock to wave good–bye, though we know the vessel will be returning in August.  

Sahr Keith

Greetings from the beautiful nation of Sierra Leone, West Africa

The m/v Global Mercy is finishing her first ever full 10-month field service.
This is the sixth visit of a Mercy Ship to Sierra Leone – the m/v Anastasis, m/v Africa Mercy (I was on board for this visit in 2011) and now with the m/v Global Mercy.  For time in Africa, when you add up all the days a Mercy Ship has been in a country, Sierra Leone now has the most days. 
I first visited the m/v Global Mercy when she was in Dakar, Senegal next to the m/v Africa Mercy.  Some current impressions: large, new, modern, shiny, clean, at times cold floating hospital.  The total crew capacity with our children is 641 – when in full operation they serve over 3,000 meals a day, dining room can seat 660 people, hospital on two decks with six operating rooms, 109 ward beds, 90 low care beds, simulator lab for effective training, 682 seat auditorium, 125 student Academy, gym, small pool, library, and so much more.
Check out my web site at www.keithbrinkman.com for the fact sheet with much details including technical details and about the Azipod propoulsion units on the m/v Global Mercy – available in English, Español and français.
Exciting News!!!  The m/v Global Mercy will return to Freetown, Sierra Leone in mid August after their annual maintenance in Tenerife, Canary Islands for another ten- month period.  

Photo:  With guests from the Aberdeen Women’s Clinic hosted by our Country Director, Dr. Sanda Lako

As I shared in my last update, I am in Sierra Leone on the Country Engagement Team serving as the Port Liaison.  So I am learning about the m/v Global Mercy and my responsibilities and duties as in some aspect it is different than for the m/v Africa Mercy and thus different needs and assistance.

As my role is off ship, I am living in a short-term apartment in a compound where Mercy Ships has two apartments.  I am with those from Global Patient Selection Team and the Education and Training team.  Others from Country Engagement are at the Team House about 10 minutes drive away.  Always hopeful at the apartment that we will have electricity and water and only a few mosquitos.  

Praise and Prayer:  ETA = Education, Training and Advocacy

Another update will come soon

Sahr Keith