It is official and announced last week.  Here is the link: https://www.mercyships.org/a-new-ship/ 
but I have copied and pasted all below.  Exciting Times !!!

Mercy Ships Announces Brand New Purpose-Built Hospital Ship

We are so excited to announce that we have joined forces with partners the MSC Foundation and the MSC Group to grow our fleet with another new, purpose-built hospital ship. This addition, to be built to similar specifications as the Global Mercy, will expand the impact of Mercy Ships’ life-changing surgeries, anesthetic care, and surgical education for future generations of patients and healthcare professionals in sub-Saharan Africa.

The agreement was finalized on April 8, 2024, during a meeting between the chairman of MSC Group and MSC Foundation, Captain Gianluigi Aponte, Diego Aponte, MSC Group President and Member of the MSC Foundation Board, and Mercy Ships Founder Don Stephens. This exciting new project is made possible by a generous anchor donation from MSC Foundation, reflecting the visionary leaders’ commitment to supporting access to critical healthcare for the generations to come.  

“I spent part of my childhood and early years in the shipping industry in the Horn of Africa, it is a region close to my heart,” Capt. Aponte, founder of the MSC Group. “I saw firsthand the challenges faced by many local communities there and this shaped my conviction that improving the availability of healthcare would bring real and lasting impact for them. It has been extremely gratifying to work with Don and provide this crucial support through his unique organization Mercy Ships, our partnership has reaped extraordinary results already and now we are on the verge of expanding their fleet to increase this support. I truly look forward to seeing this new ship set sail to help more communities across Africa.”  

Expanding Access to Safe Surgical Care and Education

The impact has already been significant.

Since Mercy Ships was founded in 1978, we have provided more than 117,000 transformational specialized surgical procedures. These surgeries include maxillofacial reconstructions, contracture release for severe burns, correction for orthopedic problems in children, cleft lip and palate repair, ophthalmology, and dental services.

Mercy Ships has also remained committed to boosting the capacities of its partnering healthcare systems through sustainably designed surgical education, training, and advocacy programs. Since 1978, our hardworking volunteers have provided additional training to more than 54,300 local professionals in their areas of expertise. 

With the addition of a new ship, which will be designed with a focus on designated training spaces, we will increase our capacity to collaborate with host nations in training and advocacy efforts.  

The need to accelerate access to surgical care and surgical education in sub-Saharan Africa remains very apparent. In his welcome speech at the recent West African College of Surgeons (WACS) conference in Freetown, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh of Sierra Leone stated that the country is still grappling with 91% unmet surgical needs. Highlighting the progress already made, he urged collaborative efforts to tackle surgical deficits. 

Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships, confirmed our vision for serving African nations with safe surgical care and education: “The investment of many around the world towards a fleet of hospital ships will be enhanced by the future of our new purpose-built vessel. The mission of Mercy Ships to bring Hope and Healing is only possible by the generosity of our partners, volunteer crew, and the provision of God. Today, I am grateful to MSC for their support.”

The Multiplying Impact of Partnership

Operating hospital ships involves transporting large quantities of essential supplies across oceans and seas to continuously support surgical and training activities. MSC and Mercy Ships have been partners since 2011, with the MSC Group ensuring logistical support and container delivery of supplies to all ports of service. The infrastructure support and logistical expertise provided by its teams in Africa ranges from MSC’s local shipping agency and MSC and TiL terminals handling cargo to MSC and MEDLOG logistics, storage, and inland transportation services. In addition to this, MSC have provided extensive technical advice and experience in preparation for the new vessel, working with Mercy Ships to develop a design that will improve efficiency for the organization’s needs. 

Diego Aponte, MSC Group President and a Member of the MSC Foundation Board, said: “I have always been passionate about Africa and I was struck by the extraordinary and honorable nature of Don’s initiative when it was first presented, and these made me want to be involved in a significant way. Mercy Ships brings tangible and concrete support to thousands of families across the region, and with MSC Group’s major presence there we have a duty to give back to the local communities. This vessel is yet another milestone in our vision to support the African continent with achieving a truly prosperous and sustainable destiny.” 

Daniela Picco, MSC Foundation Executive Director, said: “We are extremely proud of our support for Mercy Ships through grant-making and in-kind donations and of the transformative impacts their free services and training have had on 18,000 medical professionals and community leaders, and 30,300 patients of all ages through 33,200 surgeries since 2011. When the discussion started with Mercy Ships’ founder Don Stephens to build a new ship together, I was delighted to facilitate this game-changing commitment to accompany Mercy Ships into the coming decades.” 

The Future Impact of a New Ship

Our new ship will feature living spaces to accommodate approximately 600 crewmembers and guests on board. Its hospital will span two decks and 7,000 square meters, featuring six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory, and state-of-the-art training spaces such as a simulation lab. This makes it possible for us to strengthen local surgical systems during our time in port, typically a 10-month field service. 

“This new hospital ship will bring state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to support the nations we serve,” Gert van de Weerdhof, CEO of Mercy Ships, shared. “This new vessel and her future crew will enable us to meet surgical needs while supporting host nations as they develop healthcare systems with their next generation of medical professionals.”  

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I will share more on the New Ship in future updates.

Plus I will have an updated KRB Update on me later this week.

God bless

Christos anesti | Χριστός ἀνέστη!  (Greek)
Alithos Anesti (Aληθώς ανέστη!)
‘He is Risen’ and in response, ‘Truly He is Risen’
On Sunday morning, in the International Lounge on the Africa Mercy here in Toamasina, Madagascar, the Chaplains started our service asking for our participation in sharing this proclamation: “He is Risen, Truly He is Risen.”  The crew spoke it out in over 25 different languages. I should have been quicker and shared it in Spanish/Espanol, as there was no crew from Spanish-speaking countries present.

Photo Caption:  Schedule for Holy Week on the Africa Mercy in Toamasina, Madagascar 

It is always an exceptional, impactful, and meaningful time of the year on one of the Mercy Ships for Holy Week / Easter —my last time was on board the Africa Mercy in 2019. Last week, I was grateful to stay in a guest cabin onboard for a few nights.  

On Thursday night, the “Interactive Walk-Through Experience for the Night Jesus was Betrayed” included entering a modified family cabin to hear the story of Passover, a time of Foot Washing ceremony out on deck 7, time at a table eating snacks – hearing readings from God’s word and prayer, then to the Crew Mess with Dr. Andrew Clark, our Senior Chaplain, for Holy Communion and then to a space created in the International Lounge to be the ‘Garden of Gethsemane,’ more Scripture reading and prayer.  This space was available Thursday night and all day Friday and Saturday for a quiet place.

Photo Caption:  Easter Morning in the International Lounge with my friend from Cameroon Kingsley

Following the Easter Service, an American missionary family here in Toamasina who are involved with us on the Africa Mercy conducted a baptism of his three children in the small swimming pool on board – so special to witness.  
Then an amazing feast was shared by all in the dining room – the best meal of the year.  

Photo Caption:  On Saturday, I hosted some dear friends, including AR, his wife, and his four-month-old baby boy – whom I got to spend time with on Christmas.  

The Search for Potential Surgical Patients for Madagascar 2024 has Started 
Surgical Patient Registration in twelve cities around Madagascar:  Antananarivo, Toamasina, Vavatenina, Brickaville, Amparafaravola, Miarinarivo, Itasy, Ambilobe, Sofia; Melaky, Ihorombe, and Fitovinany.   
All on the same dates: 11 – 29 March on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays = 12 days.  As I shared in my last update that since I returned in August 2023, I made promises to people to provide them with the necessary information, which I did through WhatsApp, Messenger, Email, text, and in person. 
Yesterday I had the opportunity to join the patient selection team working here in the port city.  Our day started at 1:30 am at the largest hospital.  One of their team members is my friend, and his neighbor is a tuk-tuk driver, and so we had transport to get there.  When we arrived, we found more than 200 people under the palm trees on the beach.  I joined my friend at the main entrance, handing out tickets to potential patients (my favorite location during the larger mass screenings Mercy Ships did in the past).  Then I switched over to the pre-screening – primarily just holding up a flashlight and umbrella as it continued to rain.  It was at this location the potential surgical patients shared details on their need for surgery.  Once we got the people inside the building, I helped with crowd control and getting people to the right locations.  I greeted each of them with a smile and the greeting here of: “Salama” and with the older ones, “Salama Tompoko,” which is more respectful.  Some wanted to hear more of my Malagasy language – I shared all I knew, and some laughed, but that’s fine with me.  With the young ones, I would demonstrate the fist bump and then see if they would fist bump with me – success with all except for one little guy who started to cry.  Parents brought their children needing surgery, including unilateral (one side of the lip) 

and bilateral (both sides of the lip) cleft lips, two sweet little girls with cleft palates, a boy with severely bowed legs whose papa was with him.  They both have the same look and amazing smile.  Many others came with facial tumors.  

Photo Caption:  Surgical Patient Selection Poster – try and see if you understand the Malagasy language.  
One aspect that is new to me is that this same team handles selection for all surgical patients —including ophthalmic (eye) surgeries. In previous seasons of Mercy Ships, the Eye Team made their own selection separately. So yesterday, we had a good number of older people blind from cataracts, and getting them from station to station takes a bit more, though most all came with a caregiver. 
I have really missed being a part of the patient selection process. 
Still while in Liberia in 2022, I was invited and was on the patient selection team in Senegal and for the planning for patient selection in The Gambia.  While I was the Country Director in Liberia, we already began discussing how we would reach out for surgical patient selection to 15 counties of Liberia.    

I found great joy in being a part of this activity and found myself smiling. 
Since August, all that I have been doing in getting containers with medical and non medical supplies cleared through customs, arrangements for the hospital ship at the port and all the required services, and some with immigration for our incoming volunteers, is for patients in Madagascar so they may receive the hope and healing.   Please pray as the team continues – they have eight more days in 12 locations around Madagascar.  

May we continue to Love God and Love and Serve Others. 

KRB Update 2268 Arrival of the Africa Mercy in Madagascar Keith Robert Brinkman                                    04 February 2024  Photo Caption:  The Africa Mercy arriving in Toamasina, Madagascar on this past Thursday – 01 February  Photo Caption:  Arrival Day with our Country Director, Esperant Mulumba Photo Caption:  The day before the arrival of the Africa Mercy.  I told the officials I would not leave until all the other vessels at our location had been moved. Short 34 second video available on Facebook  Thankful for the smooth transition for the immigration process and arrival day formalities.    Prayer Requests:  *Smooth Activities with customs clearance of our incoming containers   *Plus for our Patient Selection Team as they work with the Ministry of Public Health for the dozen sites around the country to identify surgical patients.

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Keith Brinkman

c/o Mercy Ships P.O. Box 2020
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“The Mercy Ship is returning to Madagascar” 
Ever since I arrived in Madagascar in early August after leaving Liberia in July, many people have expressed their great excitement that the hospital ship is returning.  The Africa Mercy will arrive on 01 February for a ten-month field service. 

So, I have been on the ships most of the times when one of the Mercy Ships vessels arrives into a country.  Though, I have also been on land to welcome the ship and that is exciting also. 
In the Malagasy language, ‘Welcome’ = ‘Tonga Soa’ – so in between coordinating with the ship technical teams and our shipping agent and our partners of the Port of Toamasina, I will be welcoming the Africa Mercy with Tonga Soa.

As Port Liaison here in Madagascar, I have been working with the port officials related to the berth for the ship – same berth as 2014-2016 – use of the same warehouse as before but it needs some repairs, confirmations on the fresh water, arrangements for fuel deliveries, garbage removal and other activities. 
Plus learning the process for how Customs Clearance will take place for our incoming shipping containers and air freight – the paperwork and the required signatures needed from the capital and then the process here in the port city.  The ship relies heavily on incoming supplies, medications, food, equipment, and parts via containers.   

Prayer Requests:  *For the ship’s safe journey from East London, South Africa to Toamasina Madagascar, *Safe docking of the vessel, *Smooth Activities with customs and immigration.  *For the Mercy Ship team interviewing potential local workers, that they would have clarity on who is the best to serve with us and in what positions. *Plus for our Patient Selection Team as they work with the Ministry of Public Health for the dozen sites around the country to identify surgical patients.  May we continue to Love God and Love and Serve Others. 

PS – This a fulfilling time as the Global Mercy is in Freetown, Sierra Leone – providing specialized surgeries and education/training for healthcare professionals in Sierra Leone.  Our last visit to Sierra Leone was in 2011 and was one of my favorite field services – connection with patients – visit to their homes.  

Photo Caption:  Enjoyable Visit with my friend and former local worker, Pierrot. While serving on the ship, our local workers (day crew) and patients were the ones I got to know the best.  Here in Madagascar, I have been reuniting with many of these and making new contacts also.

Photo Caption:  Connecting with new friends from a friend’s church – who want to serve with the ship as day crew.

PS – a note on Liberia – after the second round of elections, they have voted for a new President – the former Vice President will now be the President for the six year term – Mr. Joseph Boakai.  We know him from the previous visits to Liberia from 2005 – 2008. 
On the sad side, after Christmas in Liberia there was a tanker explosion and over 50 people died and over 90 to the hospital due to burns and their injuries.  

Misaotra, Veloma, Tonga Soa, Salama, Fitahiana, Azafady – are all examples of words in the Malagasy language.  Malagasy is the national language of Madagascar.  The other official language is French, though it is considered to be the language of the colonizers.  Wikipedia tells us that Malagasy is the westernmost Malayo-Polynesian language brought to the island in or around the 5th century AD.  There are some words in common with the African continent                                                                     
Bantu languages and some Arabic expressions were brought here by the traders.  Around 25 million people speak Malagasy.  There are some major dialects from the Western Coast, Central, and Eastern Coast – I am living in and calling Toamasina ‘home’, so on the Eastern Coast.  However, I am trying to learn phrases in the standard language and not get involved with dialects.  When you try to speak some Malagasy, the people appreciate the efforts as they know their language is only spoken here vs. French, English, Espanol, etc.  Not many know English, but some will know some phrases as there are tourists who come through this area.  Malagasy is a beautiful-sounding language, I especially enjoy hearing it in praise and worship when I visit local churches.  I came prior to the ship in 2014 and was here for almost 2 years, so now I am enjoying reconnecting with people here – thankful for Messenger and WhatsApp and friends who know our other friends and have helped me reconnect.    
The Christian population here are Catholics (brought to the country by French missionaries in the 19th century), Presbyterians, Anglicans, Lutherans, and the ‘new’ churches – like the Baptist, Assembly of God, Pentecostal, and others.  The proportion of Muslims is small, though there is a mosque near our team apartment, so I hear the calls for prayer.  Often, when I visit a church on a Sunday morning, I am given the opportunity to share briefly on Mercy Ships.  When I ask ‘how many remember the Africa Mercy in 2014 – 2016′ many of the hands are raised.  I share a bit about the ship’s return in 2024 and that maybe they would know someone who would know someone who needs healing with one of the surgeries we can provide on the ship.  Plus for those here in the port city if they know of ones who may wish to serve with us as local workers (day crew) and to pray for us as we make the preparations.      

Photo Caption:  Visited a friend’s church – she was day crew in 2014 – 2016 with our hospital chaplaincy team and wishes to rejoin in 2024.
Last week, I was invited to a meeting of the Federation of Church Leaders for the area of Toamasina.  The Federation is primarily the ‘new’ churches.
I was given time to share about our plans to return, how the Body of Christ in Toamasina can be involved with referring surgical patients, identifying locals who would be able to join and serve with us, and for God’s will.  During the meeting, one of the pastors shared part of his testimony on how he received eye surgery on the Anastasis when the ship was in Madagascar in 1996 and how he gave his heart to Jesus and is now serving as a pastor today.  Two others shared how they had been local workers also back in 1996 and are now pastors.  I left the meeting with my heart so full of blessing and wishing to share with the Mercy Shippers from that time that their labor of love and sharing the two hands of the gospel have impacted people here and they are impacting others.   

Serving together,

PS.  Last weekend, I had my third birthday in Madagascar (2014, 2015, 2023) – a  celebration over the weekend – dinner out with friends, a home-cooked meal with a missionary family, day off, and visited First Love Church – as I was walking the last kilometer to the church, they were playing ‘Goodness of God’ song in French and this part of the chorus is so true <And all my life, You have been faithful.  And all my life You have been so so good>.   

The above is in Malagasy, the language of Madagascar, where I am currently serving.  I figured out the translation of ‘Jesus Christ’ but was unsure about the other two words – a friend shared the translation:  “Jesus Christ is the Center”  Amen.

I spent two Christmases in Madagascar in 2014 and 2015, but those were Christmases with the Africa Mercy and all the fantastic opportunities available onboard the hospital ship.  This year, I celebrate Christmas ‘on land’ in Madagascar. 

I received an invitation from a local ministry here where their children and teens shared the Story of Jesus’ birth and served the community children lunch and gave them a gift.  Till today, which was their Christmas celebration, the staff and I served them as they performed the drama of the birth of Jesus and time of singing and dancing and eating rice, zebu (beef), and carrots and receiving their gift.  
Christmas Eve, a group of us Mercy Shippers will attend a friend’s church for their Christmas program – available in Malagasy and English.  Then, on Monday, Christmas Day, I will join a missionary family here in the area.  I wish all of you a special Christmas season, wherever you may be.   
 

Here are links for two Christmas songs you may recognize but probably have not heard in this language.  

Hobiana – Feliz Navidad  – fun video with pom poms at a party

O Holy Night – sung in Malagasy – lyrics in English – this same church has a congregation near Toamasina, which I visited.  
 

Merry Christmas

Dear friends and family,

SALAMA – a greeting in Madagascar of hello, good morning, good day, good afternoon, and even good evening – so a great word to know often here.

As mentioned in my last update, we closed down Mercy Ships activities in Liberia, I have moved over to serve on the team in Madagascar.

Some of you may remember Mercy Ships served in Madagascar for almost two years (2014 – 2016) when the Ebola disease was in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, West Africa.  I went ahead of the ship and served on the assessment/advance teams there.

In my new role as Port Liaison for Mercy Ships Africa Service Center, I am in Madagascar and am focusing on the arrangements for the ship in the port (I will share more details later), the customs and immigration arrangements which can be a challenge due to the uniqueness of Mercy Ships and our agreements with the host nation’s government, and any other arrangements and activities needed for the team.  Last week, I hosted a team from our Marine Operations department, and so we spent many hours at the Port.  In our big meeting <see first photo>, the port officials remember Mercy Ships, though some of them were in different positions than what they have currently.  The Port Director is the same man as before, and he remembers me from 2014.  They are encouraged to work with us once again.

For Madagascar, I am living in the port city of Toamasina (also known in French as Tamatave) – Mercy Ships has two Team Apartments in the same building.  Apartments with two bedrooms, an open living and kitchen area, and a covered balcony.  The apartment I am in, its balcony looks to the south, but not high enough above the trees to see the port and the ocean.  In the Southern Hemisphere, it is winter, so the temperatures are pleasant now – currently with high temperatures averaging around 80 degrees F (26 degrees C).  

    Photos:  part of the Port of Toamasina and a Group Photo after the Initial Survey

I flew into the capital, Antananarivo which is located in the middle of the country at a higher elevation. I will return to the capital for higher-level government meetings as needed.  Though the journey was difficult when Mercy Ships was here from 2014 – 2016 via the road, it is worse now than then and takes much longer.  The Country Director and Operations Director for Mercy Ships in Madagascar are living in the capital with their families.  Other Mercy Ships team members will join us here in Tamatave.  

The Africa Mercy‘s upcoming field service is scheduled for February 1 to December 14, 2024.  The Africa Mercy is undergoing some major renovation projects in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa (where I spent most of 2010) and will also be in East London – soon to be known as KuGompo in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and then will travel to Madagascar.

I feel great reconnecting with former local workers, crew, and partners here in town, walking the streets, attending Sunday church service, and visiting the restaurants, barber shop, and grocery and local markets – re-establishing myself now in Madagascar.  I will be sharing more with you about Madagascar and Mercy Ships plans in this beautiful country through these KRB Updates.

As the firstborn son, my Malagasy name is Lahimatao – abbreviated to ‘Lahi’ – so that is the name I use here.

Serving together,

Dear friends and family,
As the outgoing Country Director assigned to Liberia, I wish to celebrate what has happened. Still, only some of what has happened in Liberia can go into this update about Liberia.  I have said my goodbyes to Liberia and the dear people I call friends there with the phrase shared with me from a senior Mercy Ships leader ‘for the time being.’    

Liberia had anticipated hosting the Global Mercy in Monrovia. However, we shared with the Minister of Health in Dakar, Senegal last year in May that a ship deployment would not be possible for various reasons.  In late May of this year, we shared with the same Minister of Health that all of Mercy Ships activities would finish by the end of June 2023.  Mercy Ships wishes to focus more on the countries where the ships will be visiting in the upcoming years.  A meeting followed and even with disappointment, the Minister was thankful and keenly interested in all that was still to take place, especially the strategic donation of eight more anesthesia systems for her hospitals and the user training.    

With this update, I wish to celebrate what has happened and rejoice with this phrase from the hymn ‘To God be the Glory, Great Things He hath done.’ 
I have a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of this for the past 33 months of my life. 
The below was also shared with the Minister for her to share with the President George Weah.

Photo Caption:  Final Day of Training – User on the Diamedica Glostavent Anesthesia System at a hospital in Monrovia (I am in the background on the right-hand side)

Mercy Ships Key Achievements 2021 – 2023

Based on assessment visits, the Surgical Care System Needs in Liberia Workshop held in May 2021, and in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Mercy Ships came alongside the healthcare system in Liberia in the following areas:

• Training & Strategic Donations
  • Anesthesia:
    • 24 Diamedica Glostavent Anesthesia Systems with Patient Monitors donated and user training provided for 15 hospitals in 10 counties of Liberia.
    • Anesthesia Training – SAFE Obstetric Anesthesia Courses and Anesthesia Provider Mentoring in two hospitals.
  • Biomedical:
    • Two Training Courses for all Liberian Biomedical Technicians in 2021 – Mentoring conducted in all 15 counties.
    • Equipping the Workshop at the Healthcare Technology Management Unit at the Ministry of Health. Continuous support to biomedical technicians on various equipment.
  • Leadership Development Training & Mentoring
    • Four Hospitals over Two Years – Jackson F. Doe, JJ Dossen, Redemption, and Emirates hospitals.
  • Training Courses
    • Safe Surgery, Neonatal Resuscitation, Primary Trauma Care, Nurses, Nutritional Agriculture, and Mental Health.

                      = 685 training participants in 2022 + 335 training participants in 2023

• Nurse Assessment Kits
  • 3,002 nurses and midwives in all 15 counties received the kit to assist them in caring for their patients at their facilities.
• Donations: 40’ container of PPE, portable oxygen concentrators during Covid, new blue scrubs, 70 Nursing Drug Handbooks, face masks, exam gloves, audiovisual equipment, notebook computers, 120 new hospital beds, and other items
• Surgeries: 216 head and neck surgeries were provided free of charge for 208 Liberians, with Mercy Ships personnel at a partner hospital and mentoring simultaneously.
   

Some kind responses are posted below – they were received after notifying our friends and partners about our departure as I wanted them to hear from me about the closing of our activities and not for people to hear via rumors in the market, workplace, church, or mosque. 

• From Professor Robert M. Kpoto: “Mercy Ships during your tenure have done remarkably very well in Liberia.  It’s sad that Mercy Ships have to end all activities in Liberia.  I pray that in the not too distant future Mercy Ships will return to Liberia because the country and people of Liberia really need the critical humanitarian services they provide.”
   
• From Dr. Ponnie Robertslee Dolo, Medical Director “We are sincerely humbled by your dedication and commitment to helping improve healthcare in Liberia. May your next assignment be fruitful. Thank you from all of us here at the Jackson F Doe Hospital.”
   
• From Dr. Wiyatta Diggs, Physician Anesthesia Provider, shared over WhatsApp, “Mercy Ships have always been there for the people of Liberia. You’ve made a lot of sacrifices ensuring safe health care delivery. You’ve conducted workshops, trainings, and immense donations. Look around the entire country and see how many Glostavent Anesthesia System machines have been donated for safe surgeries.”

Photo Caption:  Convoy of Four Vehicles from Liberia picked up at the border with Sierra Leone and on the road to Freetown for use by the teams there and the soon arrival of the Global Mercy into Sierra Leone in three weeks.

We genuinely hope that with the strategic donations of anesthesia equipment and training, there is now better anesthesia in Liberia and, thus, safer surgery for the population.

I want to thank all the Mercy Shippers worldwide who have participated in what has occurred in Liberia.  From those who came to conduct the trainings, organize the trainings, purchased the specific equipment needed for the healthcare professionals here, shipped 40’ containers with donations. 
Huge thanks to all my friends, family, and church for your prayers and financial support, and encouragement.   

So many good seeds of hope and healing my Team and I have sown in faith in Liberia.

To God Be the Glory

So ‘for the time being’, bye bye to Liberia,

Keith “Kofa” R. Brinkman

PS – I will continue to serve full-time with Mercy Ships with the Africa Service Center on the Country Engagement Teams, next opportunity as Port Liaison, heading to Madagascar in just over a week – more to follow in my next KRB Update.   

Photo Caption:  Day of Departure with Yahyah, who has been on the team since 2021 and ensured that I got to the airport safely.  It may look like I am traveling light, but that is not true. I already checked in my luggage and Mercy Ships luggage at the airline’s office in the city the day before.