[Coles Chronicles] We're Back In Africa

Liberia Field Service 2008

On February 5^th 2008 at around 9am we sailed back into the port of Monrovia in Liberia. Already people were gathering on the dock and there were 2 African choirs singing (different songs!) to welcome us back. The atmosphere was one of excitement. It really felt like “coming home”.

The process of arriving, mooring the ship, lowering the gangway etc… always takes some time. It was therefore close to 11am by the time the Welcome Ceremony began.

Our Executive Director – Solfrid Quist who has since left Mercy Ships on 27^th February after completing her 2 year commitment was accompanied down to the dock by the new incoming Managing Director (new title) Ken Berry. Ken is no stranger to the Africa Mercy as he served in the dual role of Technical Superintendent and ED for 4 of our shipyard years in Newcastle.

The last few weeks since arrival have been a time of preparation for the start of the next season of programs within Liberia. The Dock side units have been set up in readiness to receive patients for their Health Care procedures and admissions to the Hospital. Our Construction, Agriculture & Water/Sanitation teams are out in the communities they will be working in, making assessments and preparing for the start of their programs and our Eye & Dental teams have begun their daily clinics in the local communities and hospitals.

Medical Screening Day

On 18^th February we held our Medical Screening in the big Samuel K. Doe stadium in Elwa after much advertising done by our Advance Team and also radio and television broadcasts. We set off early in the morning (6am), for the 30 minute drive and arrived at the stadium while it was still dark. Already, even at that time, there were several hundred people in lines waiting to be seen. I would estimate around 1500 – 1800 people came throughout the day. Of course we cannot possibly see so many people in one day, therefore we have a pre-screening team of medical professionals that walk the lines and pull out those that appear to be those we can help. Those we cannot help are then not left standing in the heat of the sun unnecessarily for long hours.

It was great for Emma and 3 other high-schoolers to be able to come along this year and help. Emma spent her time escorting patients from one area to another as they went through the different stations.

Mercy Ships screening days run like a well oiled machine. They are so well planned and organised. The patients first stop is at the Registration desk were basic details are taken (as last year, Brenda was at this station) from there they see nurses who take BP, Pulse etc and note medical history, then on to a consultation with the Surgeon who makes a determination whether we can intervene with surgery or other procedure. From there they go and have blood taken, then onto the Pharmacy for any vitamin supplements or other medications determined necessary to help in preparing the patient for surgery. Last stop they go and receive their appointment card.

If the Surgeon decides that we are unable to help then the patient is escorted to the prayer station. It is often times heartbreaking. For so many people who come to screening, Mercy Ships is seen as their only hope and to be told that we cannot help can be devastating. We pray that whatever the outcome, every person who comes along receives the Love & Compassion of our Heavenly Father through those of us they meet.

For Andy this was his first ever experience of screening and he was part of the security team managing the large crowds of people. It was a physically and emotionally exhausting day, very long hours out in the sun, temperatures around 40 degrees.

Don & Deyon Stephens (President & Founders of Mercy Ships) were staying on board at the time of the screening and came along and chatted with many of those waiting in line.

Family Update

Andy – Engineering have faced their fair share of challenges during our ship maintenance time in the Canaries however, the sail back to Africa went very smoothly and was technically without incident. He will be flying back to England mid April to study and take the final papers for his Chief’s License. Please pray for a time of focused study and success. His previous attempts have been difficult because of the demands of either family or ship duties. This time he will have neither of these distractions.

Brenda – Human Resources is surfacing from a challenging time due to staff shortages. Thankfully, February saw some improvements; however these challenges have been at our busiest time, with the ramp up for a new field service and a huge percentage of new short term crew arriving. In addition, we hired around 130 local day workers to work in many of our Departments on board, but particularly in our Hospital. They work as Translators, Hospital Cleaners and Hospital Launderers etc.

Matt – He enjoyed his time with the family over Christmas and New Year. He continues to work and focuses much of his spare time on his band. He is in the process of applying for an Electrical Engineering apprenticeship to start in September.

Steve – Left Australia after 5 weeks with Heather & Dave and family. They were wonderful to him and he so enjoyed his time with them all, as well as with granddad, who was also out there visiting, and not to mention Bruno the dog! From Aus he went to New Zealand visiting Andy’s family there and friends from his DTS. He did some exploring of the North Island and has some amazing tales to tell. One of the highlights for him was visiting “The Shire” & “Hobbiton” where scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed. He is now in L.A. and flies to Toronto this week.

Both Matt & Steve will be joining us on the ship in the summer for a few months which is exciting.

Emma, Chris & Josh – Just before we left Tenerife Emma & Chris enjoyed a school retreat with the rest of the High School & Junior High to Barcelona for 4 days which was a lot of fun.

Since arrival to Liberia they have settled back into school routines. Our dear friends – the Walls family, left the Africa Mercy at the beginning of February to go back to New Zealand and lead the Mercy Ships New Zealand Office. This family arrived in Newcastle in 2000, one week before us and each of our children were best friends with each of theirs. It has been a difficult time for our children.

Despite the challenges we face and the friends and family we miss and have left behind, we know God’s faithfulness on a daily basis. We see His provision not only financially but in so many ways, in the people and the support He brings into our lives. We thank you for continuing to support us and particularly for your prayers. We assure your that we pray for you regularly, we thank God for you continually and we would ask that you please us know how we can improve in our communication to you and if there are specific things that we can lift before God on your behalf as we partner together.

I finish this latest communication with a picture that makes me smile. Chris & Josh both made the huge decision this week that it was about time they had their hair cut. (Hallelujah’s all round from Mum & Dad!!)

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