The crew of the Africa Mercy enjoyed a Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration on November 6th. The children and teens from the Academy were different fruits and vegetables. They sang some songs, quoted scriptures and make declarations of thanks. There are 46 children in the Academy, all children of long term crew members.
I Love You in Sign Language
Since learning some sign language at Bible college in ’84, I have taught various ones how to do the sign ‘I Love You’ and here Owen, Jordie, Princess and Matalina are doing it – all from the Liberia Children’s Rescue Education Foundation Orphanage in New Georgia.
Visit Sept 6
One of the things we bring when we visit the orphanage is the colorful parachute – the children hold on to straps on the sides and then bounce a small or large ball on it – fun for all and thankfully it is real strong and does not tear.
Family Night w Victorious Faith Ministries
On Sunday evening for our community meeting, it was Family Night. Ines was able to invite 12 of the children from Victorious Faith Ministries Refuge Home and they shared a few songs and dance with us. In the photo they are doing the dance aspect. They did real well and we are real proud of them. On one of the songs, we the audience were able to participate with the actions also – fun!!
Visit of new children
Isaiah is one of the new children at the orphanage in New Georgia. Both his mother and father died from illness earlier this year. He is having a difficult time adjusting to life in the orphanage. We brought him and the other two new children to the ship for a visit. As seen in the photo, he was playing with some toys we have on the dock for our kids to play with.
Princess
Princess is new to the orphanage I visit in New Georgia. Her father was killed in an accident and something happened to her mother and so she is now in the orphanage. We brought her and the other two new children to the ship for dinner (which there was not much food that she liked) and a visit (including playing on Deck 7 as seen in the photo).
Birthday 42
My ‘birthday card’ from the children at Liberia Children Rescue Education Foundation Orphanage in New Georgia. They also sang at the top of their lungs ‘Happy Birthday’. All helping to make it a special celebration.
Site Visits Tenegar Aug 26 Well Tenegar
During our visit to the off ship ministry sites, I stopped and we visited with Paul Waldron who is our leader for Water and Sanitation. They are working currently on finishing up some new wells and some rehabilitation of water wells in Royesville and Tenegar. A friend who was with our group this day took a few photos and so I am posting a couple here.
Site Visits Tenegar Aug 26 Well Site
As part of my role on board, I host some groups of guests to see some of our activities at our off ship ministry sites. We also try to offer this for the general crew and I hosted the group this last week. We are near Tenegar at a community where Paul (in the blue) and Boakai are working with the community for a new water well. The kids I am talking to are ones I have met previously.
Visit Aug 9 Dental
While at the orphanage, we were able to do some dental screening. My last time serving with the dental clinic was years ago, but I have the trust of the children and so I had the flashlight (torch) and would reassure the child and then write down anything that Dr. Toni saw that needs to be addressed. Out of 47, 12 of them need some care – restorations (fillings) and some extractions. There are only two or three dentists in the entire nation of Liberia – through our dental clinic – we are hoping to serve over 6,000 adults and children.