22 February 2020
International – yes Mercy Ships is International – being founded in Switzerland in 1978 as a ministry of Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and now with an International Support Center in Texas, Africa Bureau in Benin and Global Association based out of Switzerland and national offices in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. All of those at the support locations/office are working hard every day so that together we can bring hope and healing in Africa – I am so thankful to be a part of this. Amazing crew members coming from over 50 different nations and donors/supporters from around the world and our international board and church/business partners – Thank You.
“When I heard about the ship’s arrival, I was relieved,” shared by a cleft lip boy’s grandmother. “Then, I made the decision to stop everything and bring him because this will impact his future!” Ndaine’s heart swelled with joy and gratitude after Saliou’s operation – her grandson was finally healed! Now the young boy’s future looks brighter than never. “I’m giving thanks to God and the people at Mercy Ships,” Ndaine said. “I didn’t have anywhere to get surgery for Saliou, and they did that for me.”
Liberia is our next designation with the Africa Mercy – Mercy Ships has had our ships in Liberia for 907 days over four field services – the last being in 2008 – number two on the list with only Benin having more days with a ship in port. It was also the site of the first field service for the Africa Mercy in Africa in 2007. I lived there all of 2007 and 2008 and in between serving on land with the Advance Team and Evaluation Team in 2010. I enjoy being in contact with friends there over Messengers and WhatsApp – exciting times. After all they have been through with ebola in 2014/2015, it is the right time for us to return. A quote from the former president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf “For all the things that we have done to ourselves as a people, your response is one of love, one that helps us to see a different way, to look at ourselves with a different value. You enable many of our people to live again to become part of society in a normal way – no longer an object of pity, no longer silenced by their handicap, no longer ashamed of their condition. We thank you.”
Prayer Requests:
* to be able to finish strong and without accidents or illness in Senegal with our surgical patients and with all the training participants as we empower them to continue to train others and our amazing local workers/day crew who we have poured ourselves in, new skills and relationships built.
* countries and people impacted by COVID 19 – coronavirus – that all those involved can solve this for all those infected and countries impacted. Our ship the Global Mercy is still in China as the work continues till all finished on her before she is able to sail from there and head to Africa. Our leaders are tracking everything and making appropriate decisions related to our staff and our ship.
* preparations for Liberia and that we are able to get word out and reach to those forgotten and hidden who need love and surgical care.
Serving together,
Keith