Our new AFM Cabin

Views of our Lounge taken from both sides...

For more photos check out the Photo Link, Here's a first glimpse of our new home. The Kitchenette, and Bathroom beyond that.

We Welcome the AFM to Monrovia, Liberia

This picture shows our first glimpses of Andy & Steve and much loved friends on the AFM. Andy is the one in the red coveralls up above the bridge. The Captain is directly below him.

Steve is the lone figure in the picture on the right standing on the crane stack!!

The kids welcome them.

We moved down to the dock as the ship pulled alongside and Andy & Steve look down to the waiting crowd of ANA crew anticipating our family reunion.

This was the banner we made for Andy & Steve towelcome them. They spotted it from a long way out as they approached the dock.

THE AFRICA MERCY IS IN AFRICA!!

On Wednesday morning at around 9am the AFM pulled alongside the Anastasis admidst much emotion. The reality of what we had worked & waited for, for so long finally was before us. I had set my alarm for 5am. The family was up and dressed and on the Aft deck of ANA with our chairs and breakfast ready and waiting to catch our first glimpse of AFM approaching. Of course at that time it was still dark but there were 4 ships we could see in the distance by their lights alone and for an hour or more, with the help of binoculars we discussed with others..."Is it that one?"...The lights on that are the wrong formation...so I think it's that one!!" As the sun rose we finally got our first glimpse of the big white ship - The Africa Mercy. She was doing some manoeuvres while waiting for the Port Pilot who was scheduled for 7am. Then we learnt there was an hour delay due to another ship needing the Pilot for leaving the Harbour. The pic shows the first picture I was able to take of the AFM in the distance - centre in the picture.

The following series of pictures where also taken from the ANA as the AFM approached the entrance of the harbour.

Africa Mercy Liberia Screening 3rd May

On the 3rd of May I was up at 4:30am and we left the ship at 5am to be at the local Soccer Stadium to set up for a day of screening for the Africa Mercy's first patients. Last year for the Ghana screening I had been on the prayer station, where those who are told that we can't help them are sent to receive prayer and words of comfort. This year I was very happy to be on one of the registration desks. There were 4 of us and we were the first to greet each person patiently waiting to be seen. We took down all their details and weighed them, then at the next station they were asked their medical history and then on to be examined by one of our Drs/Surgeons. The prospective patients had lined the street outside the stadium and then filled the stalls at the side of the pitch. This picture shows me at the foot of the stalls taking details with a translator to help me. There is a short video which was taken, which I am on. Click on "Upload Video" below.

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AFM in Tenerife

AFM in Tenerife
Originally uploaded by brencole7

The AFM is pictured in Tenerife just prior to the last leg of her sail to Liberia. Whilst in Tenerife she underwent an underwater hull inspection. The crew were able to have two days of well earned rest & relaxation. We pray for a calmer sail than the previous one from Rotterdam!

Andy Enjoying the Sail - The Calm After The Storm

This picture shows a beautiful sunny day with calm seas, but it was taken after the ship had sailed through a very heavy storm in the Bay of Biscay. The ship was hit by force 10 gales and 10 metre waves. It was a scary and very rough passage for the crew, with little sleep for two nights, but they came through it and the ship did really well. There were those on board who at times thought she was going to roll right over, but she is an incredibly stable ship. The Africa Mercy arrived safely in Tenerife on Monday 14th May and will bunker fuel, have an underwater survey, a two day break for the crew and then sail for Monrovia on Thursday 17th. Her scheduled arrival now to Monrovia is early morning of next Wednesday 23rd May.

Centre for the Aged, Orphaned and Abandoned Children

This is the name of the Orphanage that I am involved with. I lead a team of 18 crew who go out every Saturday morning - 9am till 1pm. There are 6 Core group Members which include me as Team Leader and then I have a Co-Leader and 4 helpers who come with me every week. Emma is a Core Group member. The other 12 places are filled by crew who can sign up to come, so they are different every week, except Chris 7 Josh also come weekly with me.

There are 65+ children and the place is run by a couple - Dennis & Comfort, who do a wonderful job with very basic resources. Comfort runs the home with 4 helpers and Dennis runs a school a 10 minute walk away from the home.

Our team have the priviliege of getting alongside Dennis and Comfort and giving some support and encouragement. Our weekly sessions start at around 9:30 am. We start with an hour of team games and races, followed by a story or message with a Biblical principle (see pic....)

After this we usually spend time on a related craft. There is usually a song time - action songs. These are often a mix of Christian songs like Father Abraham had Many Sons, Dig a little Deeper, If you're happy & you know it clap your hands & other songs such a Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and the Hokey Cokey!! They love it!!

SONG TIME

The last 45 minutes is spent doing what we call "free-play" This is the time when we get to interract more individually with the children, playing skipping games, painting the girls nails, blowing bubbles, the boys play soccer etc...

It is wonderful to have this time with these precious children, chatting, loving them and getting to know them. Not all of them are orphans, some have been abandoned, some were separated from their parents during the years of war, some have parents who are just unable to care for them. Every child has a sad story.

My prayer is that we can show compassion and communicate the love of Jesus through our words and our actions in some small way.

We will be bringing out our Dental Team to do a Dental Screening on all the children and provide free treatment where necessary in the coming weeks.

Life Boat Race

Saturday 5th was a beautiful, very hot and sunny day. It was also a fun day. The Deck Departmnent under the Leadership of our Captain Jonhard Joensen organised a life boat race. They lowered 2 of our 6o man lifeboats into the water. We had to disembark the ship down a rope ladder down the side - Very Scary for me!! The kids loved it!!

The Captain then towed the lifeboats out to the marker buoy with the Zodiak power boat and then we raced back to the ship. It was great fun, very tiring for those rowing. Fortunately we were passengers so we got to enjoy the ride and pelt our opposing team with water balloons! Unfortunately however, we were not on the winning Team.

The Africa Mercy Sails at Last!

At 9 am this morning the Africa Mercy pulled away from the Dock finally to leave UK waters after 8 years in shipyard. As a family we have served for almost 7 of those years! It's hard to convey what we feel today. The excitement level is very high as we look ahead to see her arrive in Monrovia, Liberia on 21st May. I can only imagine the emtotion of the moment when we see her appear on the horizon and then pull into the Dock beside the M/V Anastasis. There will be much celebrating, singing and dancing, of that I'm sure.
As I reflect over the last 7 years, I am so thankful to God for all He has done in us during this time. It has certainly been a time of growth. It has for sure had its challenges, but it has also been a wonderful journey and we look ahead with anticipation and excitement at all that He will accomplish through us as a family and as a Ministry as we use this wonderful tool He has given us - the Africa Mercy, with it's much greater capacity to serve the world's forgotten poor even more effectively!

What an awesome God we serve!

View from the bow of the Africa Mercy as it sails out of Blythe harbor to Rotterdam this morning. Thank you Lord!

Matt & Steve meet up on the Dock this morning before the sail to say their goodbyes.