In early June, several of us moved from the Africa Mercy to the Anastasis in Tema, Ghana. Much of Bev’s and my preparation work for the Africa Mercy, in terms of identifying equipment was already done, and many of the personnel who were scheduled for the Africa Mercy were instead redirected to the Anastasis.

When I began this newsletter two months ago (it’s been a crazy two months, but no excuses), we anticipated a November/December delivery of the Africa Mercy. Since that does not seem to be forthcoming, the decision has been made to begin the Liberia field service with the Anastasis (haven’t we heard this before????) Those who have seen the ship recently tell me that the Africa Mercy looks like you could move aboard and start serving the people of Africa today, but some of the systems remain incomplete. Once the shipyard has completed its work, there will still be sea trials to test all the systems andn orientation for crew. Please pray for the staff in Newcastle and for the completion and delivery of the Africa Mercy. Many of the crew have moved to the Anastasis over the past several months, leaving a faithful remnant to see the project through to completion. I know that it was easy for me to become discouraged while I was with the Africa Mercy, so I can only imagine what it must be like for those who remain.

This has been and continues to be a season of learning for me, as I resumed a role I left in 2003 when I transferred to the Africa Mercy.  We’ve experienced the growing pains that come with a turnover of 70% of a department’s staff, including most of the team leaders. Many of the Anastasis crew in HealthCare Services had elected to leave rather than transfer to the Africa Mercy and many who stayed changed positions within the department. Would you please pray that I would have wisdom and sensitivity as I lead this team? That I would know what to communicate and when and how? That I would know when and how to best encourage my staff?

Since we first explored the possibility of adding VVF surgery to our repertoire on the Anastasis, this program has been close to my heart. When I first learned of VVF more than seventeen years ago, as a young missionary nurse living in Sierra Leone, I didn’t fully understand the implications of the condition. Can you imagine what it would be like to be a young woman who has just lost her first baby after a prolonged labor and suddenly realizes that she can no longer control her urine? Instead she is continually wet and others find it unpleasant to be around her. In July we operated on nearly 30 women with VVF or similar conditions. At a dress ceremony I listened as some of them told their stories…”I lived alone in a hut behind my parents’ house. I thought I was the only woman with this problem. I will tell others about this and that there is help.” Speaking through interpreters, some spoke of the hope they had found in Christ. Nurses who came and translated remarked that they had learned a great deal about caring and wanted to emulate what they had observed on the ship. In January we will be able to assist 40 women and also provide training for two surgeons and 4-8 nurses. Would you pray with us for spiritual, physical, and emotional healing for the women who will come in January? And pray that their families will release them to come. Often they can’t decide for themselves, but it must be a family or community decision. This was a problem in July, so we treated fewer women than we could have helped. We’re working closely with a doctor in northern region to identify and transport patients to the ship.

Today, I still love screening. The days are long and can be frustrating, but overall there is a sense of anticipation. Those who receive appointment cards will be people we meet again, days, weeks or months later, as they come to the ship. We have the privilege of being part of their lives and bringing the message of hope and healing that comes only through Christ. So the next time you read about a screening day, would you please pray for strength, compassion and wisdom for the staff?

With the delay in the arrival of the Africa Mercy, I was able to schedule my vacation this year for five weeks starting October 7. This meant I could surprise my brother and sister-in-law when they had Patrick & Libby christened and was also around to celebrate Patrick’s second birthday. I’m also grateful I was able to make a whirlwind trip to Michigan with my father to see my grandmother about 10 days before she died. My apologies to those of you I did not get to visit during this trip home. It was planned on relatively short notice. Next year I should be home for a longer leave of absence and will try to fit in more visits.