"Day Volunteers..."

The ships has become very quiet. On Friday we bid farewell to our 200 Day Volunteers. Many of the everyday things that we do aboard ship is dependent upon the Day Volunteers. They fill many rolls aboard the Africa Mercy from daily cleaning and laundry services, to working in the engineering department, to painting the ship, to working in the hospital as medical staff, disciplers, or translators, working in the galley and many other jobs. Many of the Day Volunteers, after working side by side with crew, become our friends. We have prayed for each other, encouraged each other, and supported each other, laughed...and cried with each other. We have learned from each other. I wanted to share with you just a few of the faces we are going to miss around the ship. Alahn and Olivier.

Bruno.

Edith.

Mary.

Terez.

Djeneba.

Denise.

Edith.

Blandine and Lea.

Edith.

Of course this is only 12 of the 200 Day Volunteers. They are so vital to our ministry. We are so thankful for the time they take to work with us. Many have put their lives on hold for the last 10 months to work with us. They will return to their businesses, schooling, their families, two (that I know of) will start a family, some will try to find another job, a few have joined us to become crew, some will try to meet us in Togo and work again with us. Whatever they do, I pray they have great memories of their time here. More so, I pray God will richly bless and guide them in all they do. "May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24

A Typical Alisia day... and more...

It is hard for me to explain what a typical day is, I have about three different school schedules according to the day. Monday and Wednesday I have Devotions, Bible, Math, break, PE (for two periods), lunch, Speech, English, and History. On Tuesday I have Devotions, Math, break, Physics (for two periods), lunch, IT or computers, English, and History. Thursdays I have Devotions, Bible, Math, break, Physics, lunch, IT, English, and History. Finally on Friday I have Worship, Bible, Math, break, PE, Physics, lunch, IT, English, and History. My days are filled with busy, yet fun-filled activities, for example, today my History teacher set up a Wheel of Fortune game using dice and facts from Ancient India and China.

In October the ship held the Benin Games. The Benin Games are when crew members make up teams, costumes, and a cheer then compete against each other. My team was a self absorbed group called Team Me, as you can see in the picture above we all had on a different colored tank top, our hair to one side, denim jean shorts, bright pink lipstick, blush, and a picture of ourself taped to the front. We won the award for the most unique team, and the most creative bribe.

At the beginning of this month my friend Linde turned 14 and she threw a murder mystery party called Cruising for Murder. We where on a cruse ship myself and two other of my friends where contestants for a fashion contest to become the spokes person for the cruse line, but one complication was I couldn't be married which I was married to the bartender Chris. We had to hide our marital status and continue as of we barley knew each other. One of the other crew members found out that we where married and I "killed" her. As a result in the picture you see I am keeling infront with handcuffs on.

At the end of October the Academy had a school formal day and this is my class grade 9 and 10: Mr. Calvert my PE/ mentor/ Bible teacher, me, Linde, Carys, John, and Chris.

One of the most funny thing of all was this picture on the youth room white board. There is Linde "the immature/ hyper one", Carys "the funny one", Josh (not my brother) "the goofy one", Kim Anna "the German", Emma "the rockstar", Chenell "the mischievous one", Alisia (me) "the mature one", Bess, Alanah, and John "the Christians" and Chris "the tower".

As you might have guessed we have alot of fun, we play pranks, we play blind-mans-bluff, we play capture the flag, we do skits, mess around, and most of all just be ourselves. One of the fun things about living on a ship in Africa is having friends or classmates from all over the world.

"Happy Thanksgiving..."

Three blogs in three days...a lot has been happening!


"In everything give thanks..." Today for the Americans, it is Thanksgiving. Aboard the Africa Mercy Jesse, our chef, and his wonderful staff treated us to an amazing thanksgiving celebration. For some of the crew from other nations, it was their first thanksgiving celebration. As you can see we had turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, casserole, yams even pumpkin pie and REAL whipped cream! It is not a very intimate time as you can see everyone getting appetizers...scallops wrapped in bacon, deviled eggs, chicken kabobs, and other wonderful finger foods... (no we don't eat like this all the time...the appetizers happen to be left over from a reception, given in honor of the people of Benin who helped us throughout this last year, earlier in the day)...but the crew reaped the benefits of the leftovers!
It is really a unique way to celebrate a time of thankfulness at the end of the field service. There are so many things we are thankful for. We as a family are truly thankful for the opportunity we have had to be involved with Mercy Ships. For us it has been a life changing experience. We are also thankful to God and the salvation He has provided to us through His Son Jesus.
I (Deb) am thankful for my family. My wonderful, supportive husband...who endures my crazy ideas and ups and downs. My incredible son, who brings so much laughter and joy to the family.
And my precious daughter who is daily growing into an amazing young woman who never ceases to surprise me. I(Mike) am also blessed with a wonderful and flexible wife who is the glue that holds our family together.

Happy Thanksgiving...To God Be all the Glory.

This is a very sad/strange/exciting time for the crew of the Africa Mercy. We have completed the 2009 Field Service in Benin...and the people helped and ministered to, since the middle of February, is overwhelming.

*Mercy Visions (Eye team) performed over 4 000 surgeries, the main portion of the surgeries was cataract removal...Sight restored. They also did over 33 ooo eye evaluations and treatments.
*The Outlook of Hope team (Maxillofacial surgery/Plastic surgery/and Cleft lip-palette surgeries) was able to help over 2 200 people...Life restored.
*Our Hope Reborn program (for the VVF Women - see earlier blog) restored hope to 154 women...Life returned
*Benin Smile (Dental program) did over 21 000 procedures-helping just over 10 000 patients...Health restored

As I look at these numbers I am stunned. Each number represents a person...a life changed...given hope...given some kind of healing...it overwhelms me. But at the same time for each person helped there is one out there who still needs help....who still need hope....who still needs healing. This is why we do what we do...to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor of West Africa.

But now as I walk around the ship...it is strangely quiet at times. The cargo hold, that once had our eye patients and outpatients waiting is now void of people and being loaded with shipping containers to prepare for the sail to Tenerife.
The room we use for Admissions is now being emptied and cleaned.

The wards that once held our patients now become areas for storage. Everything has been cleaned and sterilized and packed away.

The recovery room which is normally full of patients is empty. It too will be cleaned out, washed down, and sterilized. All the instruments used to help patients has to be secured for the sail. It is a lot of work for the remaining crew. As I said at the beginning of the blog it is a sad/strange/exciting time for us here. We are sad our time here in Benin has come to an end...because we say good-bye to some crew members...because we say good-bye to the Day Volunteers that have become friends. It is strange because our normal routine of helping patients has ended, and exciting because we are heading to a much needed Christmas break in the Canary Islands. It is also exciting because we know the next field service is not far off where we, once again, can bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor.

"Typhoid Clinic..."

Mercy Ships has wonderful donors. For example, ALCON is an company that make tools and items needed for eye surgery. The company donates all the surgical tools, etc that we need. The employees of the company, on their own time, package everything into surgery kits. That saves us a lot of time and worry. Without them we would not be able to do the 3500+ eye surgeries we did this service period in Benin.


Now, we can't show you these surgical kits in action, but we can show you how we used a recent donation.


We received a donation of Typhoid Vaccinations. They blessed us with enough doses of vaccine, that after the crew was taken care of, we were able to pass the blessing onto our Day Volunteers from Benin by offering them a free Typhoid vaccination. Many of the Day Volunteers have never had any type of immunizations. Here are a couple of picture of the over 140 vaccinations we administered. Deb, while filling in as the administrative crew nurse, checks in a day volunteer.
Dr. Craig, the crew doctor, administers a shot to a Beninoise.

Many don't know about the extra ministries that we do while we visit a country. The exceptional quality of people that come to serve on board Africa Mercy from all over the world are not content in "just doing their job". They want to get involved in other aspects of ministry. We have people who visit the local prison every week; others are deeply involved in local churches; some visit the local mental health facility every week, still others visit orphanages. We have a group that every week leave about dusk, set up a screen on one of our land rovers and show the "Jesus" film. We have not taken advantage of the opportunity to go to a "Jesus" film yet, but it sounds like they have a "packed house" every week.

Things are hopping on board Africa Mercy. As the medical aspect of our outreach draw to a close, the ORs are quiet, the wards started closing down as patients, now healed, have gone home. The technical crew (maritime crew members) have gone into high gear preparing for our sail to Tenerife, Canary Island where ship will get some much needed work. We will be participating in drills to prepare us for possible emergencies at sea. They are also responsible for preparing the topside areas for sea. Everyone will be going around the ship making sure that we are "secured for sea" that is everything tied down so it won't go flying when we start rolling.

For the families who worry about the ship sinking (it won't) but we have lifeboat drills so everyone knows what to do if needed.

This is truly an exciting time as we prepare to get underway. Mike can't wait to back to sea and was elated to find out his at sea emergency station is on the bridge. Well enough for tonight.

As we look at our flag counter, I pray for and think of all our unknown friends throughout the world. We would love to hear from you, drop us an email - we will answer back.

"Dental Update..."

A week or so ago, I posted a blog about the awesome team that serves here in Mercy Ships. Well...on Thursday Nov. 19th they treated their 10 000 patient. Jessica is standing with the 10 000 patient. Just to clairify...that is 10 000 patients from last February...2009. AWESOME!!! Congratulations Dental Team for a job well done!
"Well done good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge fo many things; enter into the joy of your master." (Matt. 25:23 NASB)

"Our Trip to the Presidential Palace" by Alisia

On Tuesday of this week we had an amazing night. We went to the Presidential Palace here in Benin. Benin's current president Dr. Thomas Yayi Boni gave Don Stephens (founder of Mercy Ships) and his wife Deyon Stephens(co-founder of Mercy Ships) the highest award in Benin. Dr. Gary Parker, who got an award when the Anastasis was last in Benin, was recognized again. Ken Berry and Daslin Oueunou were also presented with awards. Dr. Glenn Strauss was also given an award. The menu was, two different type of fish, lamb, rabbit (which I tried for the first time), chicken, french fries, two different styles of rice, salad, and for dessert we had a pyramid of fruit that was currently in season.
Mom and Dad both dressed up in their finest.... mom in her nicest African wear and dad in his suit and tie... or as dad likes to call it "our Sunday go to meetings"

And of course Josh and me all dressed up... and just to say so, if I had my way I would have put on something a little more comfortable like a black skirt and a nice shirt but as you can see I am in my African outfit. Josh is very comfortable in his African clothing or what reminds us of "pajamas".

After the award ceremony Don Stephens gave the President this picture which is a collage made up of Beninois (beninwa), people of Benin, who where patients aboard the ship. This is where the ship is currently located.

These are some traditional African dancers preforming for us after the award ceremony was finished.

Don Stephens and the President of Benin shaking hands as about five different photographers take millions of pictures.

This is the Dining hall where we ate. As you can see, it is all decorated as if it was a wedding reception. Both pictures clearly show the 400 and some crew members of the Africa Mercy. This is the only time you can see all of the crew members in one place... and we are not all there, there are some people who had to stay behind at the ship working. The President's dining staff sent some food back to the ship to feed the 80 some people who where there.

It was a fun night once you got past all of the security checks and waiting around in a hall for like three hours then to be lead to the dining hall and stand for like 10 maybe 20 minutes as the award ceremony was going on. By the time we got back to the ship it was about 10:30 at night and Josh and I had to get up early for school the next morning. It was fun and tiring at the same time, but I did learn something.... before I go to a state dinner eat something before hand that way I won't be so hungry all night. This is going to be the start of Alisia's Friday blogging!!!

"Getting Ready..."

We have truly come to appreciate the simple things in life...anything that is out of our normal everyday routine. We had been waiting all week for this event... the along side fueling of Africa Mercy.
The ship that pulled next to us was very appropriately name..."Energizer". Just the pulling along side us took over an hour. I have learned, when dealing with ships this large...you don't do anything quick. It does not take long for momentum to take over.
Alisia even came up to view the events. She was mesmerized by the whole situation and even was able to put some of her most recent physics lesson into practise...force, momentum...
The Energizer, I was told, off loads at maximum 150 tons a fuel an hour. We needed over 800 tons of fuel to prepare us for our trip to Tenerife. (We leave Dec 8).
This is the aft of our ship, and there are two areas underneath the deck where they ran hoses to fill the fuel tanks. I did not stay to watch the whole refueling, since in ran late into the night...and the only thing then to watch was a large green hose!

The whole process reminded me how when God refuels us, it is not an instantaneous process. Refueling sometimes happens when we are unaware. It sometimes happens when we are deeply involved in life...But God knows the timing, exactly what we need, when we need it, and how long it needs to take.

Ps. 23 (From the Message)

God, My Shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty Shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in from of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (A Psalm of David)

"Dental Clinic..."

One of the many programs that Mercy Ships provides is a dental program. I would like to give you a tour of our semi-portable clinic. This clinic is located at the Avotrou Medical Clinic in part of Cotonou called Akpakpa. The facility that houses the semi-portable clinic was built about a year before we arrived and had not been used. When we leave in December, one of our partners Daslin Small, will open a proper medical clinic at the site. Our dental team is headed by Dr. Dag. For all our friends in Montana and North Dakota, you will be pleased to know Dr. Dag and his family are from Norway. (pictures and information by Dr. Dag) The first picture is the dental team arriving early in the morning.

The line of people waiting for free dental care. I have been told many will arrive before or by 6:00 am and some will even stay over night to have a place in line.
The main waiting area for patients.
Basic oral health education taught in this area.The Reception Area.

Main operating room with room for six dental stations for the dentists, each with a Pac-1 unit, a Porta-a-chair and a light.
Dr. Dag working with the recently donated digital x-ray.Sterilization.
Dust covers for night time.

Since Feb, the Dental Team has helped over 9 200 people and has performed over 19 000 procedures! They have also provided Basic Health Education to about 3 000 students. They are providing a valuable service to the country on Benin. They work very hard and we are very proud to have them as part of our team!

"French LPD..."

This is one crazy week for the Africa Mercy. We have the founders of Mercy Ships aboard, plus the CEO, and 2 vision teams (one from the USA and one from Switzerland). Vision teams are people who come to visit and tour the ship and are interested in supporting Mercy Ships in a substantial way. Mike has been busy this week, and it's only Tuesday, with Sr. Management luncheons and dinners. Tonight's dinner, for Mike, is with Rotary International. However...

Last night we were given another special treat...ten of us from the Africa Mercy were given an invitation to a French LPD for a cocktail party. It was very different walking onto a functioning military ship to our "homey" ship. The ladders (stairs) are very steep-to the point when going down the ladders, Deb took off her dress shoes. They have functioning hatches (doorways) that, as Deb discovered, are very easy to bang your head on when climbing up the ladder.
The name of the LPD was the "Siroco". We were given a tour of the hospital area and part of the group was given a tour of the bridge. This next picture is a view of our home-the Africa Mercy-at night.
The cocktail party was held on the flight deck of the Siroco. Fortunately there was a bit of a breeze that cut the African humidity. It was a very lovely night being treated to different French delicacies. Mike and Deb on the flight deck with the Africa Mercy to the right and a helicopter to the left. It is very awesome all the experiences that God is giving us. We are truly thankful for all the ways were are able to communicate our mission to other people.