"Easter on the AFM..."

Easter on the AFM is always a precious time.  We begin the morning at 5:30am with sunrise worship on Deck 8.  I love looking out over the dock and seeing some of the neighbouring ship workers stop and listen to our singing. 

 The worship team...

Then we are treated to incredible delicacies in the Cafe before we have a time of worship in the International Lounge at the 8:30 Easter Service.

All the crew members are handed a flower, which they then place on the cross.  Alisia placing her flower on the cross.  At the start of the service, the AFM has a tradition that was started back when the Anastasis was in Greece.  The leader would say:  "Christos Anesti"  the crew then replies three times:  "Alithos Anesti".

Being served communion.

This year Chaplaincy had arranged for all the nationalities to say "Christ is risen" in their native language.  It really gave a taste of what heaven would be like with all the different languages...what a precious time!

Deb playing handbells...The Easter Song

Mike and Deb by the flowered cross....HE IS RISEN!!!

Tropical flowers as our table decorations.

 The galley going all out again with a great Easter brunch.

And of course...desserts...

The rest of the day is a time of relaxation-spending time with friends and family.  May you find the peace and salvation that Jesus offers through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.  Where you can shout from the top of your lungs... "HE IS RISEN...HE IS RISEN INDEED!"

"Godspell..."

On Friday night, the crew of the Africa Mercy was given a real treat.  For about three weeks, some of the crew have been putting together their version of Godspell. The International Lounge was transformed into a theatre environment, and they did an amazing presentation of Godspell.  Godspell is a musical based on the Gospel of Matthew (and some of Luke) telling the parables of Jesus interspersed with music from the 1970's.

Opening Scene-Tower of Babel.

Dan is John the Baptist-Preparing the way of the Lord

 Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord..."

 Baptism of Jesus

 O Bless the Lord..."

 Bless the the Lord...

 Bless the the Lord...

 Parable of the Unmerciful Servant-Alisia as the King

Joshua, the unmerciful servant, in jail

Parable of the Sheep and the Goats-these are the goats...

These are the sheep...

 All good gifts...

The woman caught in adultery...

Passover dinner...

Crucifixion...

Jesus is risen...

Finale!

Thank you to all the cast and crew and the amazing job you did blessing the crew with Godspell!

"Trip to the OR pt.1..."

One of the neat things about living on the Africa Mercy is the opportunity to observe surgeries.  While my best friend from Canada came to visit the ship, we took advantage of the opportunity to observe a couple surgeries.  One was an eye surgery and the other was an "ankylosis" (lock jaw).

Part One is the part where we were able to observe the removal of a cataract. 

Barbara and I outside the OR doors.

Inside the OR, watching the removal of a cataract.

Magnified on a TV screen for viewing of the operation.

ALCON donates all of the supplies need for the cataract surgery.  Not only the lenses for the eyes, but the ALCON workers donate their time.  Every Saturday workers come into their distribution center USA, a make special packets of only the instruments we need for use on the ship. 

"Run Across Togo..."

Early Saturday morning, a group of dedicated runners from the ship, embarked on a remarkable run....a run across Togo-boarder to boarder.  Togo is only 52 km wide-it's neighbouring countries are Ghana and Benin.  So, for the fun of it, they decided to run from Ghana to Benin. 

The Togolese navy also joined in on the run.  They averaged about 18km/hour...it was more like a sprint for them! 

Joshua was one of the people who decided to run...the only Academy student.  Joshua ran about 20km of the 52kms....GREAT JOB!!!

5:00 am-getting ready to drive to the Benin boarder.

Lined up...ready to go...

And they're off...

Running past Lake Togo.

The Gendarmes escorted all of the runners and bikers.

The thrill of the run!

Cheering on at the finish-the boarder of Ghana.

Joshua at Ghana's boarder....we are so proud of him!

"Off Ship...Hope Centre..."

The last off ship site is the Hope Centre.  The Hope Centre is one of the favorite places for the crew to visit patients.  The purpose of the Hope Centre is to provide housing for patients coming from further distances.  The patients can arrive pre-surgery and until they need to be transferred to the ship for surgery.  Most of the patients though stay for post surgery follow up.  Several surgeries require daily dressing changes or wound care.  If they do not live in the Lome area, it can be too much of a burden to return to the ship for continual care.   



During the 2010 Togo Field Service, Mercy Ships renovated and used the front half of this building.  After the field service ended, the building was released back to the Ministry of Health and it is currently is use as a maternity ward and a health clinic.

In November/December when the Advance Team was looking for a building, the Ministry of Health offered us the back half of the building we used before.  Mercy Ships, once again, renovated the building and is using it for the current Hope Centre.  When we leave Togo, it will once again be turned back to the Ministry of Health.

Barry (above) and Cheryl (below) are the Hope Centre co-ordinators.  They do a fantastic job juggling patients, educating day workers, and manage the overall running of the Hope Centre.

Inside the Hope Centre.

Kids having a relaxing time playing with Playdough.

The kitchen area where the meals are prepared three times a day.

Lunch...yummm...

Many of the patients and care givers prefer to be at the Hope Centre than on the ship wards.  It is a more relaxing and relational area.  Barry and Cheryl and their team do an incredible job!  Thanks team!!



"Off Ship...Dental Clinic"

Continuing on our Off Ship Sites tour, this blog will focus on the Dental Clinic.  According to the World Health Organization, there are about 18 dentists in Togo for a population of 6 million people (that is about one dentist for every 333 333 persons).  Where many of the nation live on about $1.25 per day.  The opportunities for most people to go to a dentist is almost zero.

The goal of the Dental Program is to reduce the incidence of dental disease by providing dental education and treatments such as restorations, extractions, and cleaning.  In our 2010 field service in Togo over 6 000 people received dental services with almost 13 000 procedures being performed.

 The Dental Clinic occupies the top two levels of a government building, which the government allows us to use at no cost.

A sign advertising the free services.

Sieh, Dental Team Coordinator, is explaining to the group the basic over all view of the dental program and some of the unique challenges they have faced.

Comfort and her translator are explaining to the waiting patients how to properly care for their teeth.

Joyce registers all the patients.

All the dental instruments and supplies.

Robbie, one of the dental hygienists, cleans a patients teeth.

Simon, a dentist, taking care of a patient.

Abdulai helps sterilize the instruments.

In a few weeks, the Dental Team will also embark on a mission of "Extreme Dentistry".  The team will go for a few days to two different sites-one of the local prisons and a refuge camp with displaced person from the Ivory Coast.  They will face many challenges, please keep them in your prayers.