Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Sailing..
Hi all,
so the big news is.... we're sailing. I will update you all with more info about the end of the field service later this week.
This afternoon, just after midday, we set sail from Conakry, Guinea north towards the Canary Islands. It was as always a sad farewell, leaving the place that we have called home for the last 10 months.
To get us started on this sail I have added some pictures (those 3D ones again) that were taken around the ship today. Enjoy!
God bless,
Ben
ps To view just click on the picture and then it will let you move around :)
so the big news is.... we're sailing. I will update you all with more info about the end of the field service later this week.
This afternoon, just after midday, we set sail from Conakry, Guinea north towards the Canary Islands. It was as always a sad farewell, leaving the place that we have called home for the last 10 months.
To get us started on this sail I have added some pictures (those 3D ones again) that were taken around the ship today. Enjoy!
God bless,
Ben
ps To view just click on the picture and then it will let you move around :)
Friday, May 17, 2013
Just one of those days
Today was Thankful Thursday: a tradition we have on the ward of specifically thanking God, at handover prayer, for something He has blessed you with. I thanked God for the rain. Nine hours after that handover, I'm no less thankful for the rain pouring down, clearing the air and refreshing the earth. But my heart is bursting with gratitude for work-work that I love, work that brings hope, work that I'm glad to do.
You could say it was "one of those days". Usually that has a bad connotation, a "hand me a large glass of wine quickly" connotation. But not around here. I had "one of those days"-
One where a small, adorable, newly repaired lip baby was handed to me, just for a cuddle.
One where a seven-year-old patient kept "beeping" at me to move my foot out of the path so she could pass by on her tricycle, occasionally purposefully antagonizing me into tickling her.
Where a five-year-old with a disfigured face and a beautiful laugh wants to sit in my lap and do my work with me, occasionally picking up the mouse to chat in Sousu like it's a phone.
Where our gorgeous 18 year old long-term patient, whose face has been reconstructed slowly after Noma destroyed it, sits me down on a stool to give me a back rub and put my hair in a pony tail (I think she thinks my hair feels weird-it's a little different than hers).
Where you watch Shrek twice, by popular demand, and dubbed into French, no less.
Where your supervisor prays for you after your year end review.
Where the chief of anesthesia, teacup in hand, comes by at your request to check on a baby you're worried about.
But best of all, a shift where you go searching for a patient, only to find a group of them in the hall having an impromtu dance party. The sheer hilarity of 6 patients, ranging in age from mid 40's to 7 years, a doctor and two nurses standing around clapping and chanting "fote, dance, fote dance"(fote being local term for white person) or "Hannah, dance" or "Kadiatu dance"is something that should really have been caught on video-it evades adequate description. Suffice it to say, we gathered a crowd with our noise, we were a hot, sweaty mess by the end, and we just about laughed until we cried. Indeed, laughter is the best medicine, whether you're a patient or a medical professional.
Just another one of those days on the ward. Though another day on the ward is anything but normal-it is something truly special.
Written by Hannah
You could say it was "one of those days". Usually that has a bad connotation, a "hand me a large glass of wine quickly" connotation. But not around here. I had "one of those days"-
One where a small, adorable, newly repaired lip baby was handed to me, just for a cuddle.
One where a seven-year-old patient kept "beeping" at me to move my foot out of the path so she could pass by on her tricycle, occasionally purposefully antagonizing me into tickling her.
Where a five-year-old with a disfigured face and a beautiful laugh wants to sit in my lap and do my work with me, occasionally picking up the mouse to chat in Sousu like it's a phone.
Where our gorgeous 18 year old long-term patient, whose face has been reconstructed slowly after Noma destroyed it, sits me down on a stool to give me a back rub and put my hair in a pony tail (I think she thinks my hair feels weird-it's a little different than hers).
Where you watch Shrek twice, by popular demand, and dubbed into French, no less.
Where your supervisor prays for you after your year end review.
Where the chief of anesthesia, teacup in hand, comes by at your request to check on a baby you're worried about.
But best of all, a shift where you go searching for a patient, only to find a group of them in the hall having an impromtu dance party. The sheer hilarity of 6 patients, ranging in age from mid 40's to 7 years, a doctor and two nurses standing around clapping and chanting "fote, dance, fote dance"(fote being local term for white person) or "Hannah, dance" or "Kadiatu dance"is something that should really have been caught on video-it evades adequate description. Suffice it to say, we gathered a crowd with our noise, we were a hot, sweaty mess by the end, and we just about laughed until we cried. Indeed, laughter is the best medicine, whether you're a patient or a medical professional.
Just another one of those days on the ward. Though another day on the ward is anything but normal-it is something truly special.
Written by Hannah
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
A surprise visit
So a couple weeks back we suddenly got a overhead page that we were expecting an unplanned VIP... Below is the 'official story' didn't get to meet him but was kind of fun seeing him be welcomed onboard.
God bless,
Ben
A surprise visit
21.02.2013- FIFA President pays surprise visit to Africa Mercy
The FIFA President visits patients in the ward
Blatter signs in as a guest with Managing Director Donovan Palmer and Captain Tim Tretheway
Dr. Gary Parker explains his work to Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), paid a personal visit to the Africa Mercy to witness its life-transforming work with his own eyes.
“I was not only deeply impressed, but also touched by the care Mercy Ships is giving these poor people and how well you are organized. I am touched by the hope and courage given to those you are serving,” President Blatter remarked.
Africa Mercy Managing Director, Donovan Palmer, noted that, “Football is at the heart of many in Africa. So, to have the President of FIFA stop in and give his best wishes to crew and to see patients is an incredible blessing. It has been an extraordinary surprise visit.”
God bless,
Ben
A surprise visit
21.02.2013- FIFA President pays surprise visit to Africa Mercy
The FIFA President visits patients in the ward
Blatter signs in as a guest with Managing Director Donovan Palmer and Captain Tim Tretheway
Dr. Gary Parker explains his work to Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), paid a personal visit to the Africa Mercy to witness its life-transforming work with his own eyes.
“I was not only deeply impressed, but also touched by the care Mercy Ships is giving these poor people and how well you are organized. I am touched by the hope and courage given to those you are serving,” President Blatter remarked.
Africa Mercy Managing Director, Donovan Palmer, noted that, “Football is at the heart of many in Africa. So, to have the President of FIFA stop in and give his best wishes to crew and to see patients is an incredible blessing. It has been an extraordinary surprise visit.”
Monday, March 4, 2013
For Hannah
My dearest Hannah,
I explained (while handing out prizes) that you had never been to a Film Festival and that you were sad to have missed this one.. So this is for you:
(To explain to others: Hannah is currently back in California for a friends wedding; I was MC'ing the AMIFF (Africa Mercy International Film Festival), more to follow on this)
I explained (while handing out prizes) that you had never been to a Film Festival and that you were sad to have missed this one.. So this is for you:
(To explain to others: Hannah is currently back in California for a friends wedding; I was MC'ing the AMIFF (Africa Mercy International Film Festival), more to follow on this)
Friday, March 1, 2013
WAFFLES!!!!!
Just to let everyone know about the day to day sufferings of being on the Africa Mercy... On Fridays our cafe sells waffles. Makes for a good excuse to sleep for an extra half hour and skip breakfast. It's a tough life. :)
God bless,
Ben
God bless,
Ben
Sunday, February 24, 2013
For Dad
Recognize what the shirt says? Taken from my office window... Who would have thought it! In Guinea!
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