Ghana – I’m so excited to be back in Ghana, as I mentioned in my last update. Ghana was my first country in Africa, way back in June 2006, and it’s a blessing to be able to return. 
Our Mercy Ships Ghana office is located in Accra, the capital city, not the port city.  Though the port city is Tema, which is about an hour east of Accra.  Our Team House is only a 20-minute walk from the Mercy Ships Ghana office, so I get good exercise in the morning and in the evening going back and forth.  I am using ‘Kofi’ as my name, as it is the Ghanaian naming tradition for a boy born on a Friday.  I am practising my limited Twi language, though I know I need to learn more.  

For Mercy Ships to operate a hospital on a ship, the port is a critical partner, as the port hosts our ship.  Without their cooperation, our hospital ship model cannot operate.  So I am so thankful for the confirmation by the Port Official on the berth location – see the photos below during our site visit following a meeting with the Port Management Team.  There is much work to be done before the Global Mercy arrives, but we have started and will work diligently to ensure success.  

Photo: Hosting a visit of Dr. Wetzig with G4 Alliance, his wife, and two representatives from the Ghana Baptist Health Service at our office in Accra.

At the same time, I have enjoyed reconnecting with partners and friends from 2006-2007.  Plus, the opportunity to visit various churches in Accra and Tema on Sunday mornings. 
While Captain Djurre was in Ghana, we organized a mini-reunion at a food court with current technical crew on leave, former crew, and retired crew. We had such great fellowship for over three hours – sharing memories, experiences, and fellow crew members we knew in common.  

Prayers:  * Africa Mercy – final surgeries for this year have been completed, prayers for those recovering.  * Safe preparations and upcoming sail  * Global Mercy – continues with their field service with the surgeries on board the hospital ship, and for the training and mentoring on board and at the primary government hospital for Sierra Leone.  * Health and Safety for all involved. 
May we continue to follow the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus bringing hope and healing.

I have traveled to Madagascar and am assisting the Africa Mercy as they prepare to leave on the 30th of December for drydock in Durban, South Africa.  So I will spend my fifth Christmas and New Year in Madagascar.