MERCY SHIPS http://www.mercyships.org/

From Mercy Ships - June 2011
Africa Mercy welcomes Sierra Leone:
President, Vice President, and Minister of Health

Freetown, Sierra Leone, June 02, 2011 - Top government officials from the Republic of Sierra Leone toured the Mercy Ships flagship, the Africa Mercy, on Friday, May 27, 2011. President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana, and the Honorable Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura received a warm reception from the 450 crew members serving onboard the hospital ship.

After being welcomed on the dock by Africa Mercy Managing Director Donovan Palmer, the dignitaries climbed the gangway and were greeted by members of Mercy Ships International Board of Directors.

The special guests were given a tour of the ship and the hospital wards. The dignitaries met several patients and learned about their life-changing surgeries first-hand. After the tour, a presentation was held in which Dr. Gary Parker showed before and after photos of patients treated onboard the Africa Mercy. The dramatic transformations moved President Koroma as he addressed the Mercy Ships board members and crew:

“You have given a lot of hope to a good number of our fellow Sierra Leoneans,” said President Koroma. “You have treated people with extreme difficulties. I know that as a nation that is committed to moving forward as a government, you have helped us to build up our capacity and provide a service. We thank you for what you have done.”

The President’s visit to the Africa Mercy comes at the same time that Mercy Ships President/Founder, Don Stephens, was presented with a Diamond Award from The Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. This prestigious award recognized his contribution to the development of Sierra Leone.

This is the fifth time that Mercy Ships has visited Sierra Leone. The country has made great strides to raise its level of health care, but it still ranks at the bottom of the 2010 United Nations Human Development Index (158 out of 169 countries). Mercy Ships has aligned its program offerings with the nation’s five-year National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP). The key objective of the plan is to strengthen the functions of the national health system.

Since the ship’s arrival in February 2011, Mercy Ships has performed over 750 surgeries, over 12,000 dental procedures, and trained over 500 individuals in either agriculture, mental health, or church leaders’ training. Mercy Ships will conclude its 10-month Field Service in Sierra Leone in December 2011.

As the presentation came to a close, President Koroma’s remarks to the crew showed a sincere appreciation for the work of Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone. “You have collaborated with us – worked very hard to help us provide smiles. You are willing to help people get back to a normal life. People who were not able to walk – they wobbled – they are now walking. It is a good gift to our country. On behalf of the government, once more, I thank the Director, the initiative and the leaders. God Bless you all.”

ABOUT MERCY SHIPS: Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $834 million, impacting more than 2.9 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,200 volunteers from over 40 nations. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the poor. For more information click on www.mercyships.org

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From Mercy Ships - May 2011

Can someone pass down a garbage bag, please?

Look closely -- can you find our two divers?  Yes, they are diving in this material.  Olly Peet and Dan Bergman on on of the AFM Dive teams dive to clear the cooling water intakes.  And this is just the tip of the "iceberg" -- that garbage is not just on the surface.

In Freetown, Sierra Leone (still considered a Third-World-Country), all trash and other items you don't want to mention  in mixed company is dumped into the bay, thus causing problems with the Africa Mercy. 

Our divers must clear the intakes once per day.  Please pray for them...we really don't know the long term affect of swimming around in this type of materials.

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From Mercy Ships - March 2011

The Africa Mercy has Arrived
Freetown, Sierra Leone

FOR A VIDEO OF HER ARRIVAL...PLEASE OPEN THE FOLLOWING LINK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNQjt2OiIOo&feature=player_embedded

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From Mercy Ships - February 2011

                Welcome to the February's edition of Mercy Ships Alumni Newsletter

In addition to this presentation, we want to offer the following

Washington D.C. Feb 1, 2011 The Ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United States, His Excellency Bockari Kortu Stevens received an eight-man delegation from the Mercy Ship at the Embassy’s 1701 19^th Street Washington DC premises.

The President of Mercy Ship, Donald K. Stephens, briefed the Ambassador on the pending arrival on February 25^th 2011, of the new Mercy Ship into the port of Freetown, where it will berth for 10 months to serve the medical needs of the people of Sierra Leone. He informed that the new ship, equipped with six operating rooms and eighty beds will also provide capacity building and training to Health Care professionals in Sierra Leone.

Responding Ambassador Stevens thanked the President and Board members of Mercy Ship for their complimentary role in efforts to improve on the health care delivery system in Sierra Leone. He noted that the Government of Sierra Leone is making great strides in addressing the challenges of the health sector and informed that free health care services were now being delivered to lactating mothers, pregnant women and children under five. Among other issues, the Ambassador briefed the delegation on the notable progress made by the Government in Energy, Infrastructure, and Agriculture.

Among the Board of Directors present was Ms. Rosa Whitaker, President of the Whitaker Group, a consultancy specializing in trade and investment in Africa, who congratulated Sierra Leone for its new image which she said was gaining recognition and accolades in Washington D.C. She pointed out that it was the result of the diligent work and good governance of President Koroma and also of the proactive role of Ambassador Stevens who understood and articulated the issues well for Sierra Leone in Washington. Ms. Whitaker previously served as the first Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa in the administration of President George W. Bush and is credited with developing and implementing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

The courtesy call climaxed with a presentation of a gift from the Mercy Ship to the People of Sierra Leone, a replica of a painting of the current and past vessels that have served the Mercy Ship’s charitable purpose. Ambassador Stevens thanked Mercy Ship on behalf of the President, Government and People of Sierra Leone, for the symbolic gift and also for the tremendous service the charitable organization has been rendering in Sierra Leone that has had profound impact on the lives of many Sierra Leoneans.

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From all of us at Mercy Ships

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 

                                                                                                    Luke 2:1-20

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With combine efforts...The Meskine Hospital of Cameroon and Mercy Ships (Africa Mercy) made the difference in the life of a six-year old girl -- Aissa.   Aissa arrived at the hospital with a terrible face-eating-infection (a noma).  The Meskine Hospital, who

undoubtedly saved her life...made the necessary arrangements to get her to the Africa Mercy in Lome, Togo; where she received reconstructive surgery. 

[submitted by: Olly Peet, M/V Africa Mercy and the Potts Family, Doncaster]

This is just one of many life savings surgeries done on the Africa Mercy annually!
Help us to help them.  If not you...who will?

Lomè, Togo, March 31, 2010 – President Faure Gnassingbe of the Republic of Togo visited the Africa Mercy to welcome the state-of-the-art hospital ship to his country.  He and his entourage were warmly greeted by Don and Deyon Stephens, Founders of Mercy Ships, He was also welcomed by the Vice Chairman of the International Board of Mercy Ships, Professor the Lord Ian McColl; the U.S.Ambassador to Togo, Madame Patricia Hawkins; U.S. Congressman, Louie Gohmert of Texas; Managing Director of the Africa Mercy, Donovan Palmer; Captain of the Africa Mercy, Tim Tretheway; and Director, Pierre Crist, of Mercy Ships Switzerland.

President Gnassingbe was taken on a tour of the hospital wards, and made a point of stopping to visit with five young patients who recently had surgery onboard the ship.  Dr. Gary Parker, Chief Medical Officer, provided an overview of some of the life-transforming surgical procedures that occur daily onboard.

In his opening remarks, Don Stephens noted that this is the fourth time Mercy Ships has delivered hope and healing to the people of Togo.  In fact, in 1991 Togo was the first country to welcome Mercy Ships to West Africa, and was received warmly by President Gnassingbe’s father who served as President at that time.  Stephens said, “Your father and your country and your people are the nation that opened Africa to Mercy Ships.  So now, tens of thousands of Africans, particularly in West Africa, have been the beneficiaries because of the willingness of your father, your nation, and your people to open Africa to us.”

So far, over 9800 Togolese have attended medical screenings hoping to receive treatment from the Africa Mercy Volunteers onboard while others have come to be treated by Mercy Ships Eye and Dental Teams that are conducting services onshore.  The Africa Mercy Field Service is scheduled to continue in Togo through August offering free medical care to the Togolese people.  Mercy Ships is committed to serving as many people as possible regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, or religious preference.

If an Anchor could Speak

PEOPLE MAY ASSUME THAT THE LARGE ANCHOR marking the entrance to the Mercy Ships International Operations Center came from a former Mercy Ship vessel. But the surprising origin of the anchor, now part of Mercy Ships lore, is made up of fact and mystery.

The story begins around 1989 when the M/V Good Samaritan was at anchor near Saint Marc, Haiti. Al Bennett was the Captain, and Tim Tretheway was the Chief Officer. The ship was delivering vital supplies to local ministries and churches.

Chief Officer Tretheway was on the bow having difficulty raising the ship's anchor. The windlass motor was working so hard that it was overheating. Captain Al finally decided to secure the brake and use the ship's engines to power out toward deeper water to see if the anchor would break free. He concluded the anchor was wrapped around a coral head or something similar.

In a short time, the murky water of the anchorage was replaced by that wonderful indigo blue which indicates deep water. Captain Al checked the depth sounder. They were already in 800 feet of water, much deeper than the anchor chain.

They started to raise the anchor with the windlass again, but it still strained. Finally, the Chief Officer saw a cloudy mass of mud washing off the rising anchor and reported that the anchor was in sight. Then he realized that there was still nearly 200 feet of chain left ... far more than he should be able to see. So, he corrected his report, saying, "I have an anchor in sight, but not our anchor in sight!"

After a two hour process of washing off the anchor, getting a wire cable on it, and doing some tricky seamanship, the "second" anchor was freed and lifted onto the deck. Captain Al says, "It was fascinating. Tim and I are both interested in maritime history. It was a fun exercise for us."

They discovered some unique marks on the anchor, including the initials of the craftsman who made it. Chief Officer Tretheway did a precise rendering of it in his journal. He later contacted the Maritime Museum in Norfolk, Virginia. They confirmed that the anchor was a French admiralty type, with a possible date of about 1802.

During 1802 was the year of the first Slave Uprising. The second uprising occurred in 1804 and was successful in driving the French military and slave owners out of the country.

So, if the anchor could speak, what story would it tell? It's a mystery that lends itself to imaginative speculation. Tim Tretheway, now Captain of the Africa Mercy , has his own theory. He believes the anchor came from a French military sailing vessel - a transport, a sloop, or possibly a frigate. The location of the anchor was in a good triangulation point for guns from the two main fortifications which stand above the town and protect the harbor. Perhaps the slaves managed to eventually take the forts, took command of the guns, and targeted any vessels in the harbor. Perhaps in a rush to escape, the ship's crew cut the rope and abandoned the anchor. And the anchor remained in the deep waters of the anchorage, well-set and slowly becoming buried deeper and deeper through the years.

Of course, there are other possibilities. Perhaps the ship simply couldn't escape the grip of a vicious storm.

Regardless of the reason for the French ship's demise, about 200 years later, the Mercy Ship Good Samaritan anchored in the same spot - carrying a cargo of hope and healing. Then the ship's anchor chain slowly wrapped around the ring and upper shank of the old anchor ... and a mystery was brought to the surface.

Further research could possibly reveal the exact type, name, and purpose of the mysterious vessel. On second thought, maybe it's more fun to let the anchor keep its secret, allowing our imaginations to write the script.                                                                         (Written by: Nancy Predaina, Mercy Ships)

Mercy Ships mobilizes to Aid in Haitian disaster

Garden Valley, Texas, January 13, 2010 -The most powerful earthquake to strike Haiti in more than 200 years has left parts of the impoverished Caribbean nation in ruins, destroying buildings and burying people in the rubble.  The earthquake measured 7.0 and buildings all across the capital of Part-au-Prince have collapsed, including the presidential palace and the headquarters of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

"We were in contact with our partners on the ground in Haiti within 2 hours after the earthquake had occurred.  Our Disaster Relief Mercy Team's response is mobilizing to address both medical and non-medical relief," says Sam Smith, CEO of Mercy Ships. "We have trained personnel and the systems in place to mobilize in these situations."  The biggest need right now is financial support.  Anyone interested in supporting the Mercy Ships disaster relief effort is encouraged to visit our website, www.mercyships.org  to make a donation.

 Mercy Ships

Meeting the needs of so many in West Africa