So Much To Be Thankful For...

You may remember that since the beginning of September the m/v Africa Mercy has been in ship yard in Durban, South Africa undergoing Generator replacement.  The project has been called "Power the Vision" and will reduce unacceptable noise and vibration on the ship whilst improving fuel efficiency and reducing harmful emissions.  

So here's an update on how it's going:

This picture shows one of the new Gensets in place....

...and this pic above, shows the new Chiller Carrier Unit that will massively improve the A/C system on the ship...so necessary in the scorching heat of Africa.

Ken Berry, Project Manager reports from Durban that the work onboard the m/v Africa Mercy continues at a brisk pace by the two main contractors and 8 or their subcontractors, all of whom are busy with piping, electrical and support systems.

The two Generator Rooms and the Main Switchboard Room are crowded with electricians, pipe fitters, welders, fire watchmen and cleaners. Strength and tightness testing of tanks and piping systems has commenced on the portions of these systems that are now completed.  A big push is on to complete major system installation work by Christmas Day, in order that system commissioning can begin Christmas week. As soon as all support systems are checked out and proven to be reliable, the new Generators can be started up and run through their paces.

We are anxiously awaiting that day!  

Patient Story From Our Last Field Service in Togo

A Visit With Edoh

A sweet, gentle young woman walked forward, holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Thirty joyful family members joined her in welcoming the visitors from the Mercy Ship. This was Edoh - a life restored by mercy.
Edoh is the youngest of six children. When she was about four years old, her eye became very red and began to swell. Her mother, Afua, desperately tried to find help, going from hospital to hospital in Togo and Ghana. But no one could help her little girl.
By the time Edoh was nine, a massive facial tumor had displaced her left eye, distorted her cheek and mouth, and left her teeth protruding at odd angles from the edges of the mass. She struggled to eat and breathe. The tumor was literally stealing the breath of life from her - she was slowly suffocating.
 
Then Afua heard about a hospital ship, a Mercy Ship, that had arrived in her country to offer free medical care. So, she took Edoh to the screening.
A huge crowd of six thousand crushed into the stadium in Togo, almost tearing off the gate. These desperate people were living lives of misery and rejection because of their abnormalities - viewed as a curse in their culture. Unable to work, or even live in society, they saw Mercy Ships as their only chance to have a normal life. They wanted a chance for a free surgery, the chance for a miracle.
But in the midst of all that suffering and desperate longing, mercy raised its head. A little girl's gasping struggle to breathe captured the attention of the crowd. Arms of compassion - some weak and some strong - lifted Edoh and passed her to the front of the long line.
Edoh remembers that moment - the moment that changed her life forever. She recalls, "I remember being lifted over the heads of the crowd and being passed along to the gate. A nurse saw me and said, 'This is the type of surgery we need to do.'"
And that day Edoh received an appointment card for surgery ... an appointment to receive life instead of death.
The doctors warned Afua that this was a difficult, risky case. But she wisely replied, "God gives children; God can take away. We will give it all to God and go ahead with the surgery."
And her faith was rewarded. Edoh returned home to a very surprised community. "It's a miracle!" they exclaimed. And they held a big party to celebrate.
A year later, Dr. Luer Koeper, a maxillofacial surgeon, who had helped to remove the tumor, took Edoh to Germany for a second surgery on her lip. Then in 2003, she had another surgery on her lower eyelid.
And now, 15 years after her first surgery, this "walking miracle" was welcoming Mercy Ships volunteers to her village.

Edoh happily described the transformation in her life. She recalled how she used to stay away from people. She couldn't go to school. She became very shy, hiding in her home. But now she can go everywhere - including school.
In fact, Edoh is a good student. After she completes her secondary education, she wants to become a nurse to help others - just like the dedicated Mercy Ships volunteers helped her.
The celebration arranged by the family continued at the "cascade," a beautiful waterfall that roars down the mountain behind Edoh's home. There, her brothers played their native drums, and everyone sang praises to God for His mercy toward Edoh.

A smiling Edoh added, " If it wasn't for the Mercy Ship, maybe I would be dead. Mercy Ships changed that. I used to look in the mirror and feel pity for myself. But now I think about what happened to me, and it's all about God. I put everything in God's hands."  

******************************

 Cole Family Update
It's hard to believe that we have been in Texas 4 months already.  It's been amazing to see how much happens here at the International Office to keep the Africa Mercy supplied with all that is needed to keep her in Africa serving the poorest of the poor.  It's wonderful to be involved from this end now, after all our years in Africa and to know that though we aren't right there in Africa, what we do is still so much apart of "making it happen"  We are so thankful to God for this opportunity.

Our family has really settled well into life here in Texas.  What has been especially good so far, are the many opportunities our kids have to be involved in things they really enjoy.
Here's a few examples:

• Josh loves Drama and is now in the Advanced Theatre Group of Van High School.  The School recently performed Godspell and Josh had several parts.  He is in his element and is really growing and developing in this area.  He has just passed his audition for a part in the state wide competitive One Act performance of Shakespeare's "Mid Summer Nights Dream".  The pics show him in Godspell (this year all characters where in clown costumes).  It was a witty, yet very moving performance, brilliantly acted by all.   Josh is shown below, centre stage in the red  & white  polka dot outfit.

•  Chris is thoroughly enjoying being involved in the basketball team and was recently promoted to the Varsity Team.  He can be seen in the pic below during a game.  However, he works hard for the privilege.  He plays every morning for over an hour when he first gets into school and then every evening straight after school till around 6 - 6:30pm.  The competitive season has started so games happen weekly on evenings and weekends.  I have really enjoyed going to watch him play.  It's an exciting and fast paced game. He is also on the School Soccer Team. 

•  Emma is loving being here and is doing really well.  In September she finally graduated, finishing all her Mercy Ships Academy school work.  This was a huge achievement after all she went through.  On a recent visit to Texas, Donovan Palmer (Africa Mercy-Managing Director) presented Emma with her MS Academy High School Diploma.  It was a special moment.  She will have the full graduation ceremony at the end of this repeated Grade 12 year which she is doing here at Van High School.  She is taking additional (not repeat) subjects this year to give her extra College credits in readiness for Nursing.

 Making lots of new friends has been a highlight of our time here especially for Emma Chris & Josh.  The pic below is a shot taken during a camping trip in September.  We camped in Tyler State Park and had lots of fun.  We also had frequent visits from Raccoons and Armadillos!

This Armadillo foraging close to where our tent was pitched.                                                               

 

We have enjoyed immersing ourselves into the Texan culture and way of life.  Most recently in November, we celebrated American Thanksgiving.  I cooked my first Thanksgiving Meal, which was enjoyed by all, including a visiting Canadian friend.  The meal consisted of Roast Turkey, Roast and Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean and Fried Onion Bake, Sweet Potato Casserole, Stuffing and Gravy and for dessert home made Pumpkin Pie with Cream or Ice Cream.  Yum.  A couple of days before Thanksgiving I got to carve my very first pumpkin which proudly sat on our porch!!

 

Now preparations are well underway for Christmas.  We have our tree up - the tradition here is to put your Christmas tree up right after Thanksgiving.  We eagerly await the arrival of Matt & Steve who are coming out on 20th Dec to join us over Christmas and New Year.  We are so excited to be re-united with them as a family.

 Sadly Andy won't be with us over Christmas as he is currently on a ship in the Carribean, an oil tanker, delivering oil between the Islands of Barbados, Suriname, Curriso & Trinidad.  He is doing some commercial work to help with the Finances after an expensive few months, getting the family moved over here and settled.  Please pray for him during this time away from the family.

As we reflect on this last year, we recognise that there have been major changes for our family.  It has been a difficult year in many ways as we have walked through the challenges of Emma's emotional breakdown and leaving the ship, but our loving Heavenly Father has been so faithful and has carried us through into new things.  His healing Power and Redemptive and Restorative work have been incredible and we are in awe of Him.  We are so thankful to the many of you who have loved and supported us and prayed us through this time.  We are excited as we look ahead into all He has for us in 2011 and beyond.  What a Mighty God we serve.

We pray His richest blessings on you this Christmas and Peace & Joy in 2011.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  Isa 9: 6