On Saturday, August 9th, while visiting the Liberia Children’s Rescue Education Foundation Orphanage (one that I visit regularly), we brought Dr. Toni who is one of the ship’s short term dentist. She was willing to come on her day off to do some screening of the children. None of the children, teens or staff have ever been to a dentist. Mercy Ships has a dental clinic set up at a local hospital providing free dental care for the people of Liberia. In this photo is Owin, who just turned five years old.
Sharing at Chapel @ Alfred & Agnes
During our visit to the Alfred & Agnes orphanage, the director, Jerome, had gathered the children and teens and some of the staff together at the Chapel. I shared briefly about why we were here and introductions and shared regards from Dr. Keith in the UK. My friend and our photographer Esther shared a song with them, but I told them they should be thankful that I don’t sing – would not be a pleasant sound!
Visit to an orphanage with our interin CEO and family
I had the privilege of taking our interin CEO and his family, who are visiting with us on the ship for three weeks, to one of the local orphanages – Alfred & Agnes Memorial Orphanage in Brewerville. This is an orphanage that one of our board members from the UK is heavily involved with and I have been there many times myself.
Programs Team Dinner
Our Programs Team Leaders from the Africa Mercy went out for our appreciation meal to a newly opened restaurant in Monrovia. From 12 o’clock it is Winston Myers, Church Empowerment Manager, myself, Brenda van Straten, Advance Team Leader, Jean Campbell, Healthcare Manager and then to the other side is Jeff King, Community Development Manager and then Udo Kronester, Programs Manager.
Blood Bank on the ship
For some of our patients due to the nature of their surgery, they need blood. Our blood bank is ‘walking’ as it is the crew – we volunteer – are tested and prepared to donate. Last Friday afternoon, I received an urgent call from the lab asking if I would donate a unit. A woman with a large tumor protruding from her neck was in the operating room, but she was needing blood and we have the same type A +. In the photo is my friend Mike O. as he donates.
Deck 4 being added
On the Dronning Ingrid the train deck was high and so for the renovations of the ship we divided it in half. Deck 3 being what is now the hospital and deck 4 (you see the photos of the plates/deck being added) is accomodations. I live on deck 4 in cabin 4236 a single cabin with a shared toilet and shower. My home!
Railroad Tracks in the D. Ingrid
Prior to us purchasing the Dronning Ingrid, she had been used to transport people, vehicles and trains from one side to the other in Denmark – the train tracks are in this photo. In this space now is the hospital on Deck 3 and accomodations for singles and couples on Deck 4.
Seattle – Caribbean Mercy
The former captain of the Caribbean Mercy just received this photo from a visitor who came to the Caribbean Mercy in ’98 and in ’99 while the ship was in Seattle, Washington. He sent it around to various ones of us as a reminder of a decade ago, where we were.
Reunion in NC July 08
Some of my friends who are former Caribbean Mercy crew had a reunion in North Carolina this month and took this photo. For everyone’s benefit, the husbands stood behind their wives and together they are holding their children.
Malcolm Kelly with Yvonne & I
Malcolm Kelly was with us recently on board the ship. He shared that a highlight of the trip came as Malcolm and his father Moses Kelly were received by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who personally thanked Malcolm for providing a positive role model for young people in Liberia. “More than anything, our youth need someone to look up to who has excelled, not only in athletics, but in life. Understanding the importance of discipline, work-ethic and education, as well as nutrition and physical well-being is critical in our efforts to rebuild Liberia,” noted President Sirleaf. “Malcolm’s willingness to come here to Liberia, a nation founded by freed American slaves, builds on the natural kinship between Americans and Liberians. Having a young African-American athlete who has achieved so much in life at such a young age reach out to our young people in this way is priceless. We need more of that. Our young people need that kind of encouragement at this critical time in our nation’s history,” Sirleaf stated. Kelly was obviously moved by his experience in Liberia. “Everywhere we went, people ran up to me to shake my hand and hug me, saying ‘Thank you! Thank you!’ I was a hero, but not because I’m a football player; it was because I was wearing a Mercy Ships Crew shirt. I don’t think I’ve ever been more humbled and honored than to be considered a part of the Mercy Ships team,” he said. Kelly stayed onboard the Africa Mercy during the trip, observing surgeries, and visiting with dozens of patients on the recovery wards. The group also visited a clinic under construction by a Mercy Ships Field Service Team some 20 miles inland in the rural community of Tenegar.