With this KRB Update, I would like to share some experiences now that I am back in Madagascar and alongside the Africa Mercy in Toamasina.

* As I left Madagascar in mid-April, our hospital on the ship and the HOPE Center had not opened yet, so since my return, I have experienced great joy in seeing surgical patients and caregivers in the hospital to receive their healing.
* Able to join patients, caregivers, and local workers on Sunday mornings at the HOPE Center – the Bible story in the Malagasy language using the Simply the Story method with interaction with the patients.  Last Sunday, there was a time for those willing to share testimonies, which were translated into English for the crew attending.

* Attending a Celebration of Sight with ophthalmic patients as they return for their 6-week appointment – hearing some of their experiences and testimonies.  In 2024, a total of 157 patients received life-changing surgeries – adults and children.

* Hosting business partners and personal guests for visits to the Africa Mercy – usually a tour and the evening meal.  I have four groups visiting this weekend.
* Attending Malagasy Language classes – with 21 letters, only three tenses – past, present and future, no ‘to be’ verb, transportation, numbers which are read from right to left, and currency.

* Spending time with the crew who I knew from my 13 years on the Africa Mercy and new volunteers – I left my full-time life on the ship five years ago – November 2019.
*Spending time with local workers/day crew

* For my role as Port Liaison on the Country Engagement Team, I am meeting with the various leaders on the Africa Mercy to learn how things are, any changes that took place, whether other areas need changes, and coming alongside the crew on the Africa Mercy to coordinate services and activities.  I am also meeting with our local partners to ensure a smooth transition for the ship’s departure and time away, and then the vessel will return in early February 2025.  

Photo: the studio apartment at La Creole, where the Country Engagement Team is based in Toamasina.  Next weekend, I will move into a two-bedroom apartment.

Photo:  assisting our hospital with customs and logistics for donations to local partners – delivering a heavy operating room table to Bethany Hospital

Last Sunday morning, while at the HOPE Center, I observed an older woman with a cleft lip, a birth defect, so she has lived her entire life with this deformity.  Though just right in front of her was a mama holding a little baby boy – maybe around six months with a cleft lip also.  I tried to imagine what she was thinking and feeling in her heart – seeing this little one who won’t have the same life situation she had for decades, but he will get his surgery while so little, won’t have any memory, though his mama will remember all that took place.  The little boy is on the infant feeding program as he was underweight for surgery.  The older woman had her successful surgery on Friday and will soon be able to return home.  There is a no-photo policy, so hopefully, you can imagine what I observed on Sunday.   

Even though Mercy Ships is an international organization, a good number of crew are from the United States.  So, for Thanksgiving next week, it is not a holiday or day off.  However, the galley will serve everyone some traditional dinner food (turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, etc.).  Then afterward, there will be a gathering for those from the USA, and if we wish to invite other non-American good friends, they are most welcome.  We will have desserts and then a time to share and express our great gratitude as we gather together.

The Africa Mercy will depart in mid-December for its annual maintenance period in South Africa.  I will remain here in the port city working, making arrangements, checking on assets the ship is leaving behind.  Thankful that I will have a vehicle to use as I didn’t have one from last August when I first returned. 
I will spend Christmas and New Year’s here in Toamasina with local friends as I did last year.  After the ship departs, I will return to attending a few local churches.  

Praise:  * My Safe Return to Madagascar  * Surgeries ongoing on both ships  *  Training happening on both ships  * Lives being impacted  * Hope being restored

Prayers: * Recovery of surgical patients with the Africa Mercy before returning home
* Continued safety for all involved * Good health