"On Our Way..."

This last Sunday was no ordinary Sunday.  Normally Sundays are days when we head out to a local church and enjoy the lively worship of a the local congregation we had come to know and love.  However, this Sunday began with Nissan's being loaded on to Deck 8.

After the vehicles were loaded, the dock looked very empty.  The tents were all taken down, vehicles on Deck 8, crew on the ship.  This means only one thing...we are prepared to leave Togo.

So, the day began with our regular departure check list...

Life boat drill...check...

Friends all on board...check...

Gangway raised...check...

Wave good-bye to friends...check...

Line up on Deck 7 with friends to see off Togo...check...

Play with friends on Deck 8 till we sail...check...

Slowly pull away from the dock, which was our home for 6 months...check...

Check the starboard side lifeboats...check...

Raise a new Malta flag...check...

Wave good-bye to Togo...sadly check...

Honored by the Togo navy's escort...

On our way...check...

The end of a very sad day...check...  We have thoroughly love the country of Togo, the people we met and ministered to.  We are thankful for the lives we have touched...for those who have touched our lives...

"Departing Honors..."

As we were making preparations for departing Togo, we received word that the President of the Republic of Togo desired to meet with our Senior Management Team.  Because of conflicting schedules, we were unable to meet with the President, but we were invited to lunch with the Minister of Health on Saturday the day before our scheduled departure.  We, the Senior Management Team and our spouses, donned our Sunday best and caravaned to one of the local hotels for what we thought was going to be lunch.  However, when we arrived, we were surprised that the President had decided  to formally recognize us with presenting honors to each member of the Team.

Each member of the team was humbled, and we all realize that in accepting these awards we are accepting them on behalf of the all those who served on board Africa Mercy during our period of service to the people of Togo.  It is because of the dedicated and faithful service of the whole crew, Africa Mercy made a lasting impact not only on all who were treated, but on the country of the Republic of Togo. 

There were three levels of honors presented.

Officer Mono presented to the Managing Director

Chevalier Mono presented to those who worked intimately with the people of Togo

Chevalier Merite presented to those who worked in direct support of of the ships mission.

Mike meeting Minister Malley, Minister of Health, Republic of Togo

Deb meeting Minister Malley

Mike being awarded the Chevalier Merite

Deb and Mike at the reception following the ceremony

Following the ceremony we were invited to lunch with the Minister of Health and many of his personal staff.  The lunch was traditional African food and a wonderful end to a surprising day.

This is a picture of the Senior Management Team following our return to the ship.  There is no order to the way we are standing.  The members are Captain Tim Tretheway; Peter Koontz, Chief Steward; Mae Palmer, Executive Assistant; Bill Martin, Hospital Director; PJ Hopkins, Senior Chaplin;  Donovan Palmer, Managing Director; Mike Jacobsen, Finance Director; Denice Miller; Human Resources Manager; Mark Palmer, Offship Program Director.

And the beautiful ladies who accompanied us.  Sharon Tretheway; Dara Koontz, Nari Palmer; Deb Jacobsen; Deniece Ingram,

"Jean Loko..."

“ Thank you, Mercy Ships. Now I came back to life ,” said a jubilant Jean Loko.

For 18 years, this 60-year-old tailor had been dealing with a tumor that grew in a double row, curling like an inflated collar around the back of his neck and down his back. It forced his neck and head to stretch forward, impairing his balance. He found it difficult to walk. With stark simplicity, he stated, “I was afraid I would die.”

In 1992, Jean was caught in a battle between opposition and government forces on the Cotonou Road in Benin. The soldiers began beating the people, and Jean tried to run away. But a soldier hit him on the back with a bat, causing a wound that began to swell. And the wound kept growing.

Medical care in Western Africa is limited. The local hospital told Jean that they could not help him.

Jean tried to continue working, but his range of movement became more and more limited. He could not cut and sew the fabric of the garments without constant pain. Soon, he could no longer run his business, so he had to abandon his only source of income.

Jean also had to battle the cultural aversion to deformities, which were seen as a curse. The father of seven, Jean was rejected by his two oldest sons because of the growth.

All Jean could do was sit in his house. There was no joy in his life.

Then he heard a radio ad that brought a glimmer of hope. A Mercy Ships team was coming to hold a medical screening near his home. Although he was a little fearful that he would meet disappointment again, he went to the screening anyway. “But I was chosen!” he said with a combination of surprise, disbelief and elation.

The volunteer doctors aboard the Africa Mercy successfully removed the tumor that had caused him so much misery. When he realized the growth was gone, his usual sombre expression turned to a brilliant smile. “I just thank Mercy Ships for what they have done for me. They gave me my life back.”
Story by Elaine B. Winn
Edited by Nancy Predaina

Photos by Liz Cantu

"Swimming Anyone?..."

Over the weekend, we tried to take advantage of our last weekend before the vehicles got loaded on the ship.  We went on an adventure looking for Hotel Le Lac.  The friends we were with had tried to find it two times before, but had no success.  So, we thought "third time is a charm..."  We stopped at a local artisan to look at some of his wood carvings and then venture onto the hotel.    We did arrive about an hour and a half later at the hotel.  And not one other vehicle to be seen!  Feeling pretty good about our success at finding the hotel and the absence of other Mercy Ship vehicles, we unloaded all the swim gear in anticipation of a quiet relaxing time by the pool looking over Togo lake and Togoville on the other side. 

We were greeted by a wonderful looking area.

But when you look a little closer.......a VERY green pool! No it is not green jello...grass...or any other green item...

Needless to say we were really disappointed.  We loaded back into the vehicle and went to plan B...Hotel Novella Star...

and a BLUE pool!

It had been overcast all day...and for everyone who knows me (Deb) I am a wimp when the temperature drops below 85...

Yes, I am still in Africa...with a hoodie on outside...

But one thing...I'm not the only one...

Like mother like daughter...Alisia did not even go into the pool! 

Overall is was one really wonderful day with a unique memory to top.

"Pink Sheets..."

Last week I was walking down the corridor of the hospital and walked past the recovery room.  Every bed there was covered in pink sheets... six hundred pink sheets. 

Crew members were standing beside the beds holding pink sheets in their hands and praying.  "Why?"  you may ask.  Each one of these pink sheet represents a life.  A person.  A story.  A hope- shattered.  Each pink sheet is a person who waited in line only to hear the words "No, sorry we are unable to help you." 

As I continued to walk, I prayed:  "God you know each face, each story, each name...be with them, speak to their hearts, let them know that you are there and that you love them.  Give them a miracle"  For the rest of the afternoon, as I walked back and forth past the recovery room, I continued to pray. 

One of the nurses, Ali, put out a call for people to email her and request a  person to pray for, here is her link.  click here  If you feel burdened to pray, please send a note to her.  She only needs about forty more people to have six hundred praying for the six hundred.....

(Thanks Ali for the pictures)

"Crew..."

One of the many amazing things about serving with Mercy Ships is that a person has the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.  Last Thursday, after our regular fire drill, the crew gathered together for the monumental task of taking a group photo.  It is an honour to serve with such talented and incredible people.

Togo 2010.

"First and Last Things..."

These last few days have been full of a lot of  "last things".  We are at the time of the outreach when surgery has stopped, there are a few patients left of the ward, short term crew is departing, and we say farewell to our day volunteers-who have become like family.  We are getting ready to sail to South Africa.

Esther, a patient came to see me last week to say good-bye.

Packing up and cleaning the hospital.

 

Saying good-bye to the Patient Life family...

 

Mike preached his last Sunday at the church we have been attending.  Saying good-bye to his translator.

But, in the midst of all the good-bye's we have had a first.  Yesterday, the Academy had their first day of school.  Now the first day of school on the ship is a little different.  I remember growing up, the first day of school was always full of "newness".  Who will be my teacher?   Who will be in my class?  Who is new to the school?  Who left the school?  Will I be with my friends?  Here the kids already know their teachers, their friends, who is in their class etc.  I think it takes a lot of tension out of the first day of school.  One thing remains the same, is the excitement.  There is always something exciting about the first day of school...even mom taking pictures!

Alisia grade 10.

 

Joshua grade 6.