So I am curious, I would love to hear you the reader trying to pronounce the below words and phrases in Krio – the primary language in Sierra Leone, though many also speak British English.  Give it a try out loud, no one is listening:  

Trust me, I don’t know all the above expressions in Krio, but I will learn more while back in Sierra Leone also known by ‘Salone’.

As Port Liaison I move between the vessels and the time with the Africa Mercy in Madagascar finished for this season and I return to Sierra Leone, West Africa. 
I come alongside our Country Engagement Team members already in country and the leaders on the Global Mercy to assist for their upcoming departure after ten months here.  As you can imagine some things have changed over the ten months, some things have continued to stay the same and there are some things we wish to change for our next field service if possible.  I work primarily with the technical teams: Deck, Marine Operations, Engineering, Purser, Transportation, Maintenance, Security, and some in Operations.

While the Global Mercy is away for annual maintenance period, I will continue to stay in country and work on things to prepare for their return in mid-August, regular visits and meetings with port officials and others, continuing to build relationships, and documenting everything in reports and photos.  Plus I will help the Country Engagement Team in whatever ways possible.  We are excited as the Global Mercy is returning for an additional ten months in Sierra Leone – dates from mid-August 2025 to mid-June 2026.  Mercy Ships has committed more field services days to the nation of Sierra Leone than to any other nation – utilizing three of our vessels over the decades: the Anastasis, Africa Mercy and Global Mercy.  

Personally, since I was there last year, I have been able to connect via social media with a couple more of the dear surgical patients and their caregivers I knew from 2011.  I look forward to a couple trips to cities outside the capital to see these former patient and hear what has happened in their lives since 2011.  I am so looking forward to these opportunity.  If they give permission, I will share a bit in future KRB Updates.  

Praise:  * Lives Transformed in Sierra Leone over the past 10 months  * Crew on the Africa Mercy continue to serve faithfully in Madagascar 

Prayers: * Safety for the departure of the Global Mercy
*  Life Changing Surgeries continue on the Africa Mercy  * Continued safety for all  * Good health