Sunday, February 25th – departure day from Tema Ghana – we have been here since June 2nd (I came on the 6th of June) and now it was time to leave. Hard to leave one country but excitement to start another field service and this time in Liberia.
Liberia Flag
We are en route to Monrovia, Liberia even as I write this entry. Thankful it has been smooth so far. At our community meeting this morning, we started to learn the national anthem of Liberia as we wish to sing on our arrival on Thursday.
All hail, Liberia, hail!
All hail, Liberia, hail!
This glorious land of liberty
Shall long be ours.
Though new her name,
Green be her fame,
And mighty be her powers,
And mighty be her powers,
In joy and gladness
With our hearts united,
We’ll shout the freedom
Of a race benighted,
Long live Liberia, happy land!
A home of glorious liberty,
By God’s command!
A home of glorious liberty,
By God’s command!
All hail, Liberia, hail!
All hail, Liberia, hail!
In union strong success is sure
We cannot fail!
With God above
Our rights to prove
We will o’er all prevail,
We will o’er all prevail,
With heart and hand
Our country’s cause defending
We’ll meet the foe
With valour unpretending.
Long live Liberia, happy land!
A home of glorious liberty,
By God’s command!
A home of glorious liberty,
By God’s command!
Farewell from Save Them Young
Yesterday, I went with the Kronester’s as we said our goodbyes to the staff and children of the Save Them Young Children’s Home. I first went there in July and then pretty regularly on Saturdays. I will miss them. We are sailing at 16:00 today and so we are just finishing our emergency and abandon ship drills now.
George Fashions
Last day to visit our friends in Tema Community One – George and Judith and their family at their tailor business. I have had them make various outfits for myself and my friends and family.
Avorwianu Wedding
Wedding of Grow & Hannah occured yesterday. He is one of the young leaders in the church I attend in Ashaiman. They have been planning their wedding for many months. One day I came home to my cabin and there was an invitation to attend. This is my first Ghanaian/African wedding. It was great to celebrate with them.
Avorwianu Wedding
Worship team from my church here in Ghana as they sang during our brother Grow’s wedding yesterday. One of the songs was, ‘This is my desire…’ It was a great four hours of celebration.
Robert’s Leaving Day
After 70 days on board the m/v Anastasis and in our ward, Robert has been able to go home. Due to the type of burns and the surgeries done, his recovery took a long time. He was picked up by one of his uncles and he was able to leave the ship. He will come back for a few days in February, but he is doing better. I visited him and my friend Jonas and Robert taught Jonas how to play UNO. When a friend came from the US, I asked him to pick up a set of UNO cards and I was able to give that to him today at his departure – you should have seen his face when I gave it to him.
Cabin Inspection
One of the responsibilities of the captain is to ensure that the cabins of the crew are clean and do not have fire or other hazards. Here on the m/v Anastasis the captain offers an award for the Best Cabin during that day’s inspection. I won the award and was surprised as I didn’t do a lot to really clean up the place. They do warn you and let you know what section of the ship he is inspected that week. My award, $1.00 coupon for the snack bar.
Kee Thapa
Statement Regarding Mr Kee Thapa from Mercy Ships
At 16:45 on Tuesday 9th of January, Mr Kee Thapa, a 47 year old security guard on board the m/v Anastasis was found in his bed without pulse or breathing. He was last seen alive, responsive, eating and drinking at 13:45. The emergency medical team was called immediately and full cardiopulmonary resuscitation was carried out for 35 minutes without response. He was pronounced dead at 17:20. Specific cause of death is medically unknown.
All of us at Mercy Ships are deeply saddened by this loss. Please keep Mr. Thapa’s family in your prayers. In His service with you,
Cal Huge, CEO, Mercy Ships
Keith’s note – We have made contact with his family, he leaves behind a wife and a 6 year old daughter back home in Nepal. Just on Monday, I was getting my hair cut and he came by as he wanted a quick trim to look good for his trip home as his 6 months was up and he was leaving on Wednesday for home. We visited while Rosie was finishing my haircut. Please join us in prayer for his family.
Christmas Door 06
Here on the m/v Anastasis we decorate our cabin doors for Christmas, I am using last years Christmas cards along with a couple other items from my small Christmas box. We also follow the dutch tradition and place a shoe outside our cabin door and on the evening of the 24th, we place small gifts in our friend’s shoes – I gave cookies and pineapples this year.
