Sunday night we had the last supper on the m/v Anastasis. Our menu included roast beef, gravy, roasted potatoes, broccoli, carrots and dessert of chocolate cake or upside down pineapple cake. They had various old pictures of the m/v Anastasis, the Victoria when she was a cruise ship to Asia in the 60’s and 70’s. Starting tomorrow, all meals will be on the Africa Mercy even for those who still live on the Anastasis. Clementine (Ghana/Togo), Brenda (South Africa) and Sherry (US) are in the photo.
Gaye Town Medical Clinic
Children Around the Medical Clinic
Photo of some of the children who live nearby to the medical clinic. I sat with them during lunch and afterwards – the game was how many kids can sit on my lap – some were grapping my t-shirt to avoid falling off. We had fun and they wanted their picture taken.
Gaye Town Medical Clinic Work Day
I spent Saturday with Rene Tolno, our project team leader, working at the medical clinic we are constructing in Gaye Town. This project is in partnership with Gracie Reeves Memorial Baptist Church who has been operating a basic medical clinic one day a week from their church building. This clinic will allow more services to the people in the community. We are anticipating completion later this month. Rene was my boss man and had me painting, cleaning flooring and driving to the hardware store for more paint, tiles and screws.
Cross from the ANA and Deyon
At the beginning the Passing the Torch ceremony from the gangway of the m/v Anastasis, Dr Gary Parker raised the cross from the Anastasis bow high above his head. Forever going before us, the cross is passed from one hand to the next; it too will lead us at the front of the Africa Mercy. The photo shows Deyon Stephens, one of our co-founders, receiving the cross on the m/v Africa Mercy.
Passing the Torch from the ANA
The torch started on the m/v Anastasis with our longest serving crew member on the m/v Anastasis, Dr. Gary Parker. I am about 5 people back on the gangway between my friends Joyce Samuels and Oliver as we pass the torch from one ship to the next. Special time.
Passing of the Torch
We just had the special Passing of the Torch ceremony between the m/v Anastasis and the m/v Africa Mercy here in Monrovia, Liberia. The torch was beautifully crafted and burning brightly in the morning sun it is a symbol of past and future; teak from the Caribbean Mercy, Oil separator sleeve from the Anastasis and a small wooden cross from the bearing on the Good Samaritan.
Fredene’s Party
Photo of Fredene and her ‘boys’ as we celebrated together with her as she prepared to leave and return home to marry. The guys are from Ghana, Togo, Benin, Kenya, Sierra Leone and maybe I have missed a nation. This was taken at the end of her party which we had in the ‘family room’ on the m/v Anastasis.
Fredene’s Party
In Mercy Ships, you have many welcomes and also good-byes. Yvonne and I hosted a party for our dear friend Fredene as she left the m/v Anastasis to return home to get married. She is in the bright blue on the far right. The special part was the opportunity to share an experience and/or what she has meant to us and so everyone shared and it was a great evening together.
President of Liberia waves Goodbye
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf waving goodbye after her visit and tour on the m/v Africa Mercy. The visit occured on Tuesday, May 29th. She was elected and installed as the first female elected president on the continent of Africa. Her election happened during the second visit of Mercy Ships to the nation of Liberia. She has visited the m/v Anastasis in the past and shared with the crew just prior to our departure from Liberia last year in May.
President of Liberia in the International Lounge
We hosted the President of Liberia in the International Lounge of the m/v Africa Mercy. She is seated between our co-founders, Don and Deyon Stephens. We have many of our International Board with us also for the welcoming of the Africa Mercy and the visit of the President.