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.
Mom Ghana Dress Christmas 06
Mom wearing her latest in Ghanaian dress – I took pictures of the tailor putting on the head piece so she knew how to put it on. I promised to take a photo and give to George and Judith who own the tailor shop in Community 1 in Tema. I had simplier shirts made for my brothers and nephews.
Visit to the city of Ganvie in Benin
Just north of Cotonou, Benin is Ganvié, a town of 18,500 inhabitants who live in bamboo huts on stilts several kilometres out on Lake Nokoué. In the 18th century, the Tofinu people built the village as protection against the aggression of the Fon and Dahomey kingdoms; religious custom forbade warriors from venturing into water. Now, houses, restaurants, shops and even a hotel are built 2m (6ft) above the water. It was an interesting boat ride to see their town on stilts.
Borders of Togo, Benin & Nigeria
On the 26th, I joined a few friends and we traveled to Togo and to Benin. We went to the border with Nigeria, but we did not cross over. It was my first time in French speaking West Africa and it was frustrating as I could not communicate myself. When the ship leadership decide we are going to a french speaking country, I will need to study and learn to be conversational in French. I was thankful for the hospitality of Daslin and her husband Ernest and for Clementine and her family.
Making Fufu @ Hearts of the Father
Helping with the main meal on Christmas day at the Hearts of the Father Children’s Home. We are making fufu – a mix between plantains (like bananas) and cassava. It took a while before Coko was trusting me not to mash her fingers as she rotate the dough.
ANA Crew Photo
Crew Photo for the m/v Anastasis – December 2006 – following one of our fire drills – I have a bright yellow vest on as I am part of the Emergency Medical Team – I am near the foot of the gangway. We are about 300 adults and children serving on board plus another 80 local Ghanaians who are serving with us.
Lifeboat Drills
Gripes, Catapult Wire, Winch Gear, Man rope, twicing pendant, frapping lines, davit and painters – all words I know need to know about and their function in the launching of our lifeboats. I have been assigned to lifeboat #1 as the Standby Breakman and at the same time I need to learn some of the other roles of Breakman and Communicator – we have training on Mondays. Always something new and an adventure here. This is needed as we will be sailing the m/v Anastasis to Liberia in February.
Our International Lounge
View of the International Lounge on board the m/v Anastasis. We meet regularly on Thursday evenings and Tuesday mornings as an entire community. I am in there somewhere at this our International Thanksgiving Service.
Sat Night Car Racing Game Jan
Usually after dinner on Saturday nights, Jan Kronester and I go to the office so he can have an hour of playing car racing games on the internet. We have a good time together. His favorite site is:
freeaddictinggames.com