Hello from Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The below photo shows the m/v Global Mercy in her first ever drydocking, which took place in Cadiz, Spain.  All was successful and the vessel is sailing her back to Sierra Leone as I write this update.The sailing crew on board the Global Mercy are 301 adults and children from 38 nations.  Ranging from the most represented country with 74 persons and 12 countries with only one person on board from their country.  The top five nations represent 60% of the crew – they are: United States, Netherlands, Nigeria, Great Britain, and Sierra Leone.  For Sierra Leone, those are long term crew members, as no local workers or as we call them day crew are sailing.

So I am not the best photographer, but behind me in the above photo is Berth #3 which has been empty almost the entire time the Global Mercy has been away.  As part of my work in this season has been going to the port and checking on the containers and water tanks we left behind, walking the dock area to see if anything has changed (ie. sinkholes), and report on other activity. 
Though while at the dock area I need to wear my vest and hard hat.  The hard hat is not required when the vessel is in berth. 
I enjoy the walking, observing, praying, and believing for all that will happen when the vessel and the international crew return.  I also go to meetings with the Port authorities, our agents and others in the area.  Even while Mercy Ships wishes to plan well ahead of time, I am learning that in the Maritime world, sometimes activity and responses are delayed as they wait till closer to the arrival of the vessel.  So I choose not to worry or stress.

As I serve with the Country Engagement Team, weekly we write something down on a post it note of ‘Thanksfulness’ and share with the others and put on the wall as good reminders of our Thanksfulness to God during this season.  This past Friday, I wrote I am thankful ‘for local partners we know and they know us and sincerely wish the best for the upcoming field service‘ – I was referring primarily to the port and our agents who I had just met with.  

In my next update, I will report on the arrival of the Global Mercy.  The Global Mercy will remain in Freetown, Sierra Leone for 10 months – till mid June 2026.

Praise:  *Successful Drydock of the Global Mercy  * Crew on the Africa Mercy continue to serve faithfully in Madagascar, I will rejoin them in November

Prayers: * Continued Safety for the sail for the Global Mercy * for Patient Selection as pre-select the surgical patients *  Life Changing Surgeries continue on the Africa Mercy  * Safety for all  * Good health

Serving together,