Greetings from Monrovia, Liberia – for the month of May, I am sharing photos and captions with you – give you an idea of what it is like here in Liberia for me.

Surgical Care Systems Needs in Liberia Workshop – planned for over three months – three days with Ministry of Health representatives, eight government hospitals’ directors, two non-government hospital leaders, national and international organizations involved with surgery.  I was thankful for six Mercy Ships staff who came to Liberia to facilitate.  We wish to collaborate together with our host nation and to do that we need to hear what are their needs related to surgery and surgical-related training.  So we are now working on what is possible (next steps) – includes biomedical technician training which starts next week.

  
Presenting certificates – part of the responsibilities of a country director – the doctor in the photo is from Nigeria but living and working here in Liberia at Redemption Hospital – Head of the Operating Rooms.

The privilege of worshipping God in the local churches of Monrovia.  This photo taken from a Pentecostal church recommended to me by a Liberian I met in Indianapolis (my hometown) – his son is the pastor.  

Always ready to share at events we are invited to.  This was with Lifebox, one of our partners, who is working to make surgery and anesthesia safer on a global scale.

Enjoyed hosting the Mental Health team who came to continue their training for people in Liberia using the manual ‘Understanding People, Mental Health, and Trauma’ by Dr. Lyn Westman.  We look forward to their return next year as they go to two interior counties to train.

Taking a tour of CB Dunbar Maternity Hospital in Bong County with their Medical Director.  Learning what they have available and listening to needs to see if there are gaps Mercy Ships can assist with.  

I do spend many hours on Teams in video calls with Mercy Ships, partners, and others.  Thankful for the technology that makes this possible.  I am showing my age but at times the screen looks like the opening credits of the Brady Bunch television show.

COVID-19  For the continent of Africa, 3,495,726 confirmed cases – 222,190 active cases – most all recovered – deaths under 88,000.  In Liberia, we have 2,250 confirmed cases, 86 deaths, and only 115 current cases.  

Prayer Requests:  *Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia 
*For our leadership in Mercy Ships as there are some changes and transitions.  
*God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance 
 

Greetings from Monrovia, Liberia – I hope these updates give you a glimpse of life in Liberia, my life serving here, and Mercy Ships plans. 

I miss the amazing ways Mercy Ships celebrate Easter on the ships.  For Easter Sunday here, I joined a current crew member, Felix who is from Liberia and was here on vacation, at his older brother’s church.  Felix has been my friend for many years – we refer to each other as ‘FCM’ – Fellow Crew Member.  The pastor asked Felix and me to share briefly with the brothers and sisters who gathered for Easter.  The chorus they sing when greeting others is one of my favorites: ‘We Will Stand’ by Russ Taft – “Oh you’re my brother, you’re my sister.  So take me by the hand.  Together we will work until He comes.  There’s no foe that can defeat us when we’re walking side by side as long as there is love we will stand”

Since Mercy Ships visits to the nation of Liberia 2005 – 2008, there have been various Liberians who have served as crew.  Many of the former crew members live here in Monrovia and recently I hosted a reunion.  We enjoyed a meal together and I was able to share some updates on Mercy Ships, our timeline and plans.  People here know they were with Mercy Ships and people ask them and I want to ensure they have the latest information.  
 

I’m doing good, healthy, and trying to balance all aspects of life and living here.   So thankful to God for his mercies and grace each and every day.    

Liberia Facts:  Universal access to clean water and sanitation is one of the 17 global goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  In Liberia, most use hand pumps to get water for all their needs.  At our team apartment, we have piped water inside most of the time – though it is not water we can drink.     

Improved toilet facility Includes flush/pour flush toilets that flush water and waste to a piped sewer system, septic tank, pit latrine, ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines; pit latrines with slabs; or composting toilets. So many Liberian have no facility at all for a toilet and just use the bush/field.  

COVID-19  For the continent of Africa, over 4.3 million confirmed cases – with more than 3.8 million recoveries and 114,000 deaths cumulatively.  Liberia has had 2,066 confirmed cases and 85 deaths.  African nations are receiving some COVID 19 vaccines, Liberia received 96,000 doses and is administrating them now for healthcare workers and those who are high risk.  Though please know that malaria, a preventable, treatable, and curable disease, is endemic in Liberia and remains one of the foremost public health problems in the country, taking its greatest toll on children under age 5 and pregnant women. 

Prayer Requests:  *Health and Safety for me, my team and the people of Liberia  *For our leadership in Mercy Ships as there are some changes and transitions.  
*God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance 

Greetings from Monrovia, Liberia – I hope these updates give you a glimpse of life in Liberia, my life serving here, Mercy Ships plans, and the ship’s visit.  I enjoy when I meet someone who benefited from Mercy Ships services – whether they were patients or training participants.  There is a general awareness of Mercy Ships in this nation – from government officials, non-governmental organization staff, church members, business owners, and street vendors.  This is helpful for the team as we meet people – just this week with the immigration services officials (who previously provided me with my Residency Permit).  Our team increases this weekend as three Mercy Ships staff are coming to look at the port/berth/water scenarios, infrastructure projects, and a general security assessment – so we look forward to hosting them.    

Always good to hear/see how some of our former projects in Liberia (2005 – 2008) are doing.  One is a medical clinic in a remote community of Tenegar where their previous clinic had been destroyed during the civil war (1989-2003) and people had to walk/travel far to seek medical care.  There was a genuine need for the clinic to be rebuilt and our privilege to come alongside them.  It is still in operation 13 years later – as part of the Ministry of Health.  During our visit, we were able to walk around the compound, meet some of the workers, patients, and locals present.  

Photo: Driving in Monrovia – actually not even driving in this photo, but stuck in traffic so I took this photo – roads crowded with cars, trucks, motorcycle taxis, three-wheelers ‘keh-kehs’, and people walking.  A challenge.  In case you are wondering, I do have my Liberian driver’s license.  

I’m doing good, healthy, getting rest, and trying for a balance between all aspects of life and living here. 
So thankful to God for his mercies and grace each and every day.    

Liberia Facts:

Literacy:  48.3%  (62.8% male + 34.1% female)
Urbanization – 52.1%
Government – Executive Branch – President, Vice President, & Cabinet
Legislative Branch – Senate with 30 (2 for each county) & House of Representative 73
Judicial Branch – Chief Justice + 4 judges
Similar in many ways to the set up in the United States

COVID-19 in Liberia: as of March 4 = 2,024 tested positive, 47 active cases, 85 deaths (only 1 death this year) and 1,892 have already recovered – total of 75,504 PCR tests performed for those with symptoms and for those traveling – required for everyone to fly out and to fly in.  For the continent of Africa, 3,932,371 positive cases with 104,842 deaths were reported.  Vaccines have started to arrive on the African continent, primarily going for healthcare workers, but millions more are needed.  Unsure when COVID 19 vaccines will be available in Liberia.  
Ebola Virus Disease:  a few weeks ago, new cases of Ebola were found in our neighboring nation of Guinea, but none in the surrounding countries – current count of 17 with 8 deaths.  From 2014-2016, Ebola devasted Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia with over 12,000 deaths.  When talking with the people here – there is a greater fear of Ebola Virus than of COVID-19.      

Prayer Requests:  *Health and Safety for me, my team and the people of Liberia  *That Ebola will be contained and not spread any further 
*God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance 
 
Serving together, Kofa Keith 

Greetings from Liberia with the motto ‘The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here’.  January is my third month in Liberia and I am learning every day more about the people, relationships, processes, understandings, culture, and so much more.  I believe I will continue in a state of learning.  I do wish to share with you more about Liberia and Mercy Ships’ engagement/involvement in this nation.

On each Sunday, I am attending a new church and there are many churches here in the capital city.  My list is growing of ones where friends and partners attend and also as I meet new people here, they share about their church and extend an invitation to visit.  This Sunday, we will visit a church where one of our contacts at the Ministry of Health is the pastor.  One needs to be ready to greet or share a brief encouragement in case you are called upon during the service.    
Caption:  With my friend Bonda and his family following the church service.  Bonda was a maxillofacial patient in Guinea in 2019 who I befriended.

During 2007 and 2008 while serving on the Anastasis and the Africa Mercy, I often was invited by a friend to visit a children’s home in New Georgia.  So over those two years got to know the children and teens living there.  Now in 2021, they are no longer children but older teens and young adults.  I received a gift in 2008, a book with their photos and short notes, so when I first visited, I brought the book for them to find their page and then one of them took their photo. The last Sunday of January, I will attend the local methodist church where many of them attend and are active.

Daily life in Liberia is difficult – different for those in the city versus those in the countryside.  As with many of the neighboring nations, subsistence farming is the main occupation.  Plant, care for, harvest, sell for cash and save what you need to feed your family.  Parents are concerned for their children’s health and schooling – paying school fees, supplies so that their children have a better future/opportunity than what they have.  As I build relationships, people share more about their lives, their circumstances, dreams, prayers, and wishes.  I pray that I can and my team can love and serve others here in Liberia – living out Mercy Ships’ Core Value #2.  

As part of my responsibilities as Country Director, I have the privilege to facilitate the donation of PPE – Personal Protective Equipment to the Ministry of Health – 14 pallets – 74,300 pieces, N95 masks, gloves, gowns, caps, googles, and shoe covers for distribution by the Ministry of Health for their nation’s ongoing battle to continue medical care and keep healthcare workers safe.   I also have the opportunity to meet with other missionary organizations and non-government organizations serving short-term and long term in this nation – here in the capital and those working in one of the other 14 counties of Liberia.

Liberia Facts:
Employment:  Labor Force by Occupation – 70% Agriculture, 8% Industry and 22% in Service.  In Agriculture beyond fruit and vegetables, their main products are: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava, palm oil, and sugar cane.
COVID-19: as of January 19 = 1,901 tested positive, 103 active cases, 84 deaths and 1,714 have already recovered – total of 61,954 PCR tests performed.  Most cases are here in Monsterrado County which contains the capital and port city and the largest population (+1 million).  Some are following the advice about wearing masks and hand washing and social distancing but others are not.  We wear our masks, and when entering a building, wash our hands, and often someone is there to take your temperature.      

Prayer Requests:  *God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance  *Facility we can renovate and use for off-ship housing for patients and caregivers coming from outside the port city – the pre-COVID potential site is no longer available, so we need to find other options.  *Health and Safety 
 

Kofa Keith 

06 December 2020 – Ya Hello-o – common greeting in Liberia.  “Ha yu been keeping?” = “How have you been doing?” as ‘keeping’ is used often rather than feeling or doing in inquiries about one’s health.  Liberia has their handshake, in which two people shake hands in the conventional Western way, but end the handshake with a mutual press of the fingers that creates a “snap” sound.  I tried in previous years but not always successfully – though due to social distancing, I have not had the chance to practice.  

I am encouraged to be back in Liberia.  The people here are excited that Mercy Ships is returning.  Thankful to be at the Mercy Ships Team Apartment in Monrovia and for those who have been here before it is located in Sinkor – just down from Royal Hotel – actually between 14th and 15th Street and a fun fact I grew up on 14th Street on the West Side of Indianapolis.  We have electricity most of the time and running water, though not safe to drink, and security in the complex.  I feel safe and secure here, though I am aware of our surroundings.  Plus we have three Mercy Ships vehicles already in country.

As Country Director, I lead and oversee all of Mercy Ships activities in Liberia.  We are already working with the government (Ministry of Health, Offices of the President and Vice President, Immigration, Foreign Affairs, Transport + Port / Airport), church and missionary communities, and non-governmental organizations.  I am in contact with former patients, crew, day crew, and partners.  I won’t be alone but will have a team, but the number of team members will vary over time.  In 2021 we will host medical capacity building training teams, have infrastructure projects, work with the port and water company, relationship building, and everything needed in advance of the ship coming in January 2022.  So I have moved to Liberia, I don’t have an apartment at the Mercy Ships base in Texas neither do I have a cabin currently on a ship.        

Liberia Facts:
Money:  Use United States dollars and Liberian dollars also known as ‘LD’ or ‘Liberty’
Ethnic Composition: many people groups Kpelle, Bassa, Grebo, Grebo, Mano, Kru, Loma, Kissi, Mandingo and others
Languages:  English, Liberian English  (though there are words an English speaker has not heard before or recognizes the word but used in different ways) and over 16 local languages
Religious Affiliations:  Christian, Muslim, and Traditional Beliefs
COVID-19: as of December 3rd = 1,676 tested positive, 83 deaths and 1,358 have already recovered.  I came with my negative COVID test results.  Masks and hand washing and social distancing when possible.  Last week, they have put in some new regulations to avoid a second wave and now all incoming travelers are required to be tested at the airport and self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor symtoms via an app.  This did mean that the four experts I had coming for December, I had postponed them to another time.  We are thinking creatively about how to proceed.  

Prayer Requests:  * Safety and Health *Relationships and Connections with People *Improvements for Port and Water Situation  *Our Team *Best Strategy to identify surgical patients and training participants *God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance
 

Kofa – my Liberian name, from the Kru people group, name given to me by two pastors in 2007 and is the same people group as His Excellency President George Weah.  Many Kru make their living on the sea as fishermen.

Dear Friends and Family,

I have exciting news to share with you – I am returning to Africa with Mercy Ships – though not to a ship, but to the nation of Liberia to serve in a new position as Country Director.  I first visited Liberia in 2006, lived in Liberia all of 2007 and 2008 on the Anastasis, Africa Mercy and ashore with Advance and returned in 2010 for three weeks with the Evaluation Team. 
We are working on the timeline – probably leaving in November.  For people in Indiana, I do plan to visit before I leave the country.  I will let you know and share more about the nation of Liberia in future KRB Updates. 
A few brief details – over 5 million people call Liberia home, one of the world’s most worst for maternal mortality, a young population with median age of 18, life expectancy is about 64 years old, and concerns for infectious disease is very high.  

Below is the message shared with the Mercy Ships community and I asked permission to share it here with you all:

I am excited to share with you the promotion of Keith Brinkman to Country Director. Keith will start this new position on 16 October. In this important position, Keith will be responsible for the coordination of all programmatic and support activities in Liberia, from the signing of the protocol, up to the point that an active protocol with a host nation expires, which is typically after five years.

As the Country Director, Keith will continue to establish and deepen government and diplomatic relations, and will lead and support all preparatory activities before ships arrival in Monrovia. Keith will play a key role in external representation, external and internal stakeholder alignment, and team leadership on the ground.

Keith’s servant-hearted leadership and unwavering dedication to excellence is an example to all. Keith’s life is perhaps best characterized by his love for others – our partners, his fellow crew, our day crew and especially the citizens of the host nations we serve. He has ‘joined the families’ of patients and Mercy Ministry partners, being christened with local names like Kofi in Ghana (‘born on a Friday’), Lahi (‘first born son’) in Madagascar, Keita in Guinea, Kofa in Liberia, and Lamin in Gambia.

Corné Blom
VP International Programs

More to follow from me in future KRB Updates

Press Release for the new Mercy Ship

Mercy Ships announces its second hospital ship: the Global Mercy

The international humanitarian non-governmental organization strives to increase access to safe and quality surgical care in Africa 

Mercy Ships (https://MercyShips.Africa) unveils its new hospital ship, the Global Mercy, which will join the Africa Mercy, in service in Africa since 2007.  Dr. Pierre M’Pelé, Director of the Mercy Ships Africa Bureau, announces that the Global Mercy is scheduled to begin service in Africa in 2021 and relays the cry from the hearts of Africans who say “Thank you to Mercy Ships.”

Every year, 16.9 million people around the world die due to lack of access to surgical care and 93% of sub-Saharan Africa still lack this access. Between 1990 and 2020, Mercy Ships has performed more than 100,000 free surgical procedures, trained more than 40,000 medical professionals, renovated more than 100 health facilities, and implemented more than 1,000 community projects in Africa. The Global Mercy will more than double the impact of Mercy Ships on the African continent.

Since 1990, Mercy Ships has been bringing hope and healing to the African people and has conducted more than 30 humanitarian missions in 14 African countries (Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Senegal, South Africa, Togo).

The Global Mercy is a modern, state-of-the-art hospital ship, equipped with six surgical operating rooms. She will also provide a specialized training platform for African surgeons, obstetricians, dentists and anesthesiologists, including a simulation laboratory for surgical and post-operative care. “As COVID-19 threatens the stability of already fragile healthcare systems globally, the need to provide accessible, life-saving surgical care is greater than ever. The Global Mercy represents a unique call to support the strengthening of healthcare systems in Africa on behalf of the most vulnerable,” comments Rosa Whitaker, President for Mercy Ships.

Few facts about the Global Mercy  

– Length: 174 meters

– Weight: 37,000 tons

– 6 operating rooms

– Capacity: Over 600 professional volunteers from around the world representing a variety of disciplines, including surgeons, mariners, cooks, teachers, electricians, reception staff and many more.

– Spaces have been designed to host up to 950 crew and guests, including a 682-seat auditorium, a school, a gymnasium, a pool, a café, a store and a library when the ship is docked.

Dear Family and Friends around the world,

Greetings from the Mercy Ships International Support Center in rural East Texas.  

So can you find me in the below photo?

No stress, I am the third one back on the hose team.

You may ask why are you dressed as a firefighter and what are you doing in a field in Texas? 

Part of our training for long term crew on board one of our ships encourages that they have completed ‘Basic Training’ which is offered by Marine Training here in Texas which is approved by the US Coast Guard and satisfies the Standard of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping which contains: 
**basic fight fighting with fire prevention, how to fight a fire, safety equipment with lecture and tests, and practical assessment   **elementary first aid with CPR  **personal survival sea techniques  **personal safety and social responsibility  **security awareness and crowd control. 
I am thankful for the training and having all my certificates current once again.

Back in the office, I have been able to finalize some of our past statistical reports including our direct beneficiaries which we have tracked since 1987 to current and it is over 2.84 million – these include and related to: surgical and dental patients, medical consultations for screening and past community clinics, training participants, basic oral health instruction, and spiritual services from Mercy Ministries, Outreach Teams and Hospital Chaplaincy.  I have had the privilege to be a part of Mercy Ships since 1989 so have experienced much of these activities on the ships where I served – Good Samaritan, Anastasis, Caribbean Mercy, and Africa Mercy.  May we continue to follow the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.

Africa Mercy is still undergoing inspections and repairs while still in the water at a berth on the Canary Island of Tenerife.  The crew numbers are low as many have been able to return home including friends who were able to return to Ghana as that is now possible. 

Back here in Texas, I was able to join others here to assist a dear family who I have known for over 20 years to get their son situated at a university in Dallas.  It was the highlight of my month.  

COMING SOON – we will have some new news about the Global Mercy coming out in October – so please watch social media and I will share more in my next KRB Update.

Prayers:  Plans to return to Africa, health and safety for all involved in this COVID season and its impact on us physically and economically, wisdom and guidance for our leaders.  

Serving Together,

Keith

“Desiring to follow the model of Jesus, Keith seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor, by loving God, loving and serving others and by being a person of integrity and excellence in all that he says and does.”

I have this posted at my workstation as a reminder – a combination of the Mercy Ships mission and vision statements and four core values.  I want my life to be one expressed in my love for God and living a life of service and love for others.  

We continue to pray, plan, and prepare to bring the Africa Mercy back to Africa in 2021 – though there are many unknowns.  Our crew who remain on the the ship are assisting with our required annual repairs and inspections, though we do not need to take the ship out of water this year.

The crew who left went on one-way tickets as we do not know when it will be possible for them to return. There are others on the ship for whom it is not possible to return to their home countries as their borders and airports remain closed. I keep watching the updates I receive on the African nations and their restrictions, etc. and talking with my brothers and sisters who are impacted by this.

“A man can plan anything, but the Lord determines the course of events.” Proverbs 16:1

I have so enjoyed listening to ‘The Blessing’ sung by so many different nations/language groups – English, Latin America, Ghana, Hebrew, Swahili, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa, and many others.  Just type in ‘The Blessing’ in Youtube and enjoy this amazing song inspired by Exodus 20:6, Deuteronomy 7:9, and Psalm 103:17-18 – singing God’s word.   

Please join me and continue to pray for those on the African continent as there is a great fear of the coronavirus.  They have seen the great numbers of people infected and thousands of deaths from this virus in Europe and the Americas.  They worry about when it hits their communities with less access to healthcare.  Pray for their protection, for those working on a vaccine, and health.

I am working on compiling our past statistical and narrative reports in order to have better clarity with our reporting numbers.  It is often a trip down memory lane as I served on all the ships except the Pacific Ruby.  Though it is not just the ships, years ago Mercy Ships had land bases in Sierra Leone, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  Plus working on improvements in our processes as in 2021, we will have both the Africa Mercy and our new ship, the Global Mercy – more to follow in future KRB Updates on the Global Mercy.    

As many of you know my Mom, I wish to give you an update.  She continues at a nursing home in Greenwood, Indiana as she is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.  Prior to coronavirus, my brother would visit her every Tuesday night and the highlight was when he was holding her hand and she would hold his hand back.  He would often send us a photo.  As she is not verbal, that little bit of holding is special.  I have experienced the same when visiting her.  Sadly the nursing home has been struggling with the COVID 19 virus with employees and the residents.  Mom has remained negative and in a separate wing with others who are negative.  Though with the restrictions, she does not leave her room for meals or any activities and we are not able to visit.  The staff do send us updates via text and email and at times also a photo.  As we approach Father’s Day in the US, this is my second without Dad – I miss him.  Though my prayers are with two families for whom it is the first Father’s Day without their dads as they are no longer here but walking with Jesus now.

I continue in good health, enjoying some long walks for exercise, and reading more books than normal.  The Mercy Ships base is still closed and so I limit my interactions with others and when with others the six feet (2 meters) social distance. I am taking the Rosetta Stone course in French online to increase and not loose what I learned previously.  Though my brain can get confused as at the same time I am enjoying listening to a new Christian radio station Fuzion en Espanol (Spanish).  

Greetings from East Texas.  I hope this update finds you safe, well and healthy as our world struggles with the corona virus – COVID 19.  I have seen updates on Facebook about friends who have/are struggling with the virus.  I hear from my African former patients and former local workers and the great concerns and fears in their nations.  Almost all the nations on the continent of Africa have put in place restrictions.  I receive updates daily from World Aware and track what particular countries are doing.  This has a great impact on them individually and as nations of the world. 

The Africa Mercy left Senegal prior to our planned departure date.  She sailed for Tenerife one of the Canary Islands and continued a time of isolation.  The Canary Islands are a territory of Spain, though at a great distance from Madrid and much less cases of the virus on the island.  I am thankful to report that with the quarantine in Dakar, the sail and two weeks of isolation in Tenerife – we are clear of any signs of the virus.  Thus the crew on board are able to live as a community, though watching for any symptoms.  Holy Week / Easter is always an amazing time on board one of our ships, the Chaplaincy department provide such great meaningful opportunities for the crew.  I really miss this time now not being on board  We have ship repairs scheduled as required for our certificates and so they are working on those plans.  We don’t have dates for the return to Africa and exactly where that will be – though Liberia scheduled for August this year is postponed. 

I do think of the Biney family as their son is finishing his senior year of high school and I have known him since he was a baby.  The other two in his senior class are no longer on board and so he will graduate on his own.  I have hopes to be able to watch the graduation over the internet.  Also for Shelby in Martinsville, Ken in Bavaria and many others missing all or part of their last year of high school.   

I listen to the news and read articles about COVID 19 and there is a lot out there.  Recently I read an article from a missionary doctor working in Congo and she shares that there are limited ICU beds and ventilators in Africa and fewer healthcare professionals.  “While I wholeheartedly believe that God hears our prayers, math and science advise me that the transmission and mortality rates in Africa are bound to be much higher; and that the poorest of the poor will be hit the hardest by the economy free-fall. If developed countries are not coping, what will it be like for communities like ours?”  Dr. Joyce Samoutou-Wong.  When you think about the preventive measures recommended – in many homes in Sub-Saharan Africa, lack of running water, crowded housing, lack of disinfection supplies, and malnutrition affecting a person’s immunity are great challenges.  I can attest to that from my experiences in Africa since 2006.  

I continue to shelter in place and maintain a similar routine.  As I am renting an apartment from Mercy Ships on the base, I do have permission to walk up to the building and my work station.  Though almost all other Mercy Ships staff here are working from home.  I do visit at a distance with the maintenance crew who do continue their work on the base.  For Easter, I watched Good Friday and Easter Sunday services online from my apartment.  I continue to work on the projects planned for 2020 including our past statistics/reporting, present, and planning for the future when both the Africa Mercy and Global Mercy are both serving in Africa.  So I have plenty of work to do which is helpful.  I leave the base only for groceries and I wear my mask.    

Photo:  My workstation in International Programs

Prayer Requests:

*  countries, healthcare workers and people impacted by COVID 19 

*  wisdom and guidance for our leaders  

*  health and protection