In preparation for the crew to pack and move to the new ship, the Anastasis had their ‘Yard’ sale in our main dining room as we have no yard. Some people are leaving and so they had many things from their cabin to sell or give away. In the photo is Ines Kronester at her table.
Joseph & Jerome on the Ward
Another ward photo – Jerome is on my right and Joseph on my life. Through our Adopt-A-Patient program, I have ‘adopted’ Joseph and would visit him regularly and Jerome was in the bed next to him and we would also regularly talk. Both of them have returned home and I was able to pray for them before their departures.
Boys on the ward playing the drum
Here are some of the younger boys who were on the hospital ward recovering from their surgeries. Rueben is the one you had face surgery and the other two with surgeries on their hands from burns. It was great to see the difference from their initial days on board and here to this photo as all three were ready to go home. They were playing the african drum for the staff photographer.
Patients on Aft Deck
Over the last month through my visits to the hospital ward, I have gotten to know Elijah (who had cleft lip repair surgery done) and Joseph (sitted; who had plastic surgery on his chest and stomach due to keloids). The photo is taken on Sunday when we came outside for some fresh air on aft deck. Both boys have left and gone home now.
Last Eye Patient on the Anastasis
Our last eye surgical patient walks off the m/v Anastasis – more Liberians will receive their life changing surgeries on the m/v Africa Mercy once the transition is completed.
Dr. Glenn & Last Eye Patient on ANA
An era has come to an end – on Wednesday, they conducted their last eye surgery on board the m/v Anastasis. In the photo is Dr. Glenn Strauss our eye surgeon and our VP of International Programs and his team in the operating room. All surgeries will be started up once again after the Africa Mercy arrives and is set up for patients.
Surgical Screening
Thank you for those who prayed for our surgical screening days. The night before and the entire day was peaceful. Since we are doing the eye surgical patient screening separately at four locations weekly, we did not have the large crowd. We were able to focus on the surgical patients for maxillofacial, plastics and orthopaedics. Our schedule is almost full through our time here, though there are some slots still available for those referred to us by others and/or for those located later on. My role was escorting patients from outside the stadium (see the photo) inside to the correct station – so I had a bit of time to greet and talk with them.
Song Time with the children
Song time with the children at the orphanage – though it is not just singing the song but singing and all the actions that go along with the song – just think back on Sunday School or Vacation Bible School – at times in the heat it feels like aerobics.
Team #4 Games Centre for Orphaned
We are cheering on team #4 at the orphanage we visit on Saturdays. The crew visit this orphanage and others, plus the pediatric hospital, home for the disabled, prison and rehabilition centres.
Relay Games @ Centre for Orphaned
Garrit and I are encouraging our team – the game consists of passing the ball over your head and then the next person under the legs and you try to do it as quickly as possible.