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Saturday, December 08, 2007

Amazing Sand Sculptures at the Beach in Las Palmas!


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
There is an exibition of the Christmas story at the beach in Las Palmas. It is amazing and artists from Ireland, Denmark and Spain have carved these sculptures out of the sand! This one is of the Good Shepherd, Jesus!

The Angel announcing to Mary of the Coming of Jesus Birth


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
I love the face of Mary on this one! And I don't know why the angel is giving her tulips! But it is just incredible!

Sorry, no room at the Inn!


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.

Jesus, the baby, Mary and Joseph in the stable


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.

The Star over Bethlehem


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.

The Shepherds see the star!


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
The detail is just incredible!

The Three Kings


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.

And their camels


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.

People going through to see the sculptures!


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
What a wonderful witness these sand sculptures are! As this is a tourist island....people from all over will see them and learn of the story of Christmas! How God sent His son to us at Christmas. I wonder if they do similar sculptures at Easter?

Thursday, December 06, 2007

We have arrived in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
We arrived on schedule here in Las Palmas. The berth they had for us was too small and so we had to go back out to the sea and wait. Well.....the Lord had other plans and this beautiful berth came open and the port waived the fees! The berth is for cruise ships and is right downtown in Las Palmas. We'll be at this berth until Monday and then move to the Dry Dock. You can see the ship's reflection in the class in this photo!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

On BBC Look East tonight - a short clip on Mercy Ships


Tonight on BBC, there will be a short spotlight on one of the British Surgeons from Cambridge, Dr. Leo Cheng. Dr. Leo was on the Africa Mercy in August this year doing tumor removals here in Monrovia, Liberia.
If you miss this show or don't have access to the BBC you can click here (WATCH) for a short highlight of the show online. Most of this footage was filmed on the Africa Mercy. However, the ship they show in the beginning of the clip is of the Anastasis.

Monday, November 26, 2007

The last patients went home on Friday!


These are a few of the youngest patients playing with a couple nurses (Becky and Rachel) before they left the ward to go home on Friday!
We are packing up and getting ready to sail by the weekend! One of the dayworkers was trained to do wound care while we are away and until we arrive back in February! We gave her the supplies and she'll provide the dressings for the patients that need wound care! God is so good!
We look forward to see the Liberian people and all our friends here real soon! The screening for next outreach has been scheduled for February 18th in Samuel Doe Stadium (the big national soccer stadium) in Monrovia.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Nations join together to help Liberians debt load!

In February 2007, the United States cancelled nearly $400 million in debt for Liberia. Today, the International Monetary Fund began the process to cancel Liberia's debt. This will have a HUGE impact for Liberia. The country of Liberia was hard hit by the wars that ended in 2004. We have been privileged to be here and see for ourselves the incredible spirit of the Liberians to seek to bring their country back to what elder Liberians remember prior to the wars. It is a slow process, but it is happening. Roads are being improved, the port is getting busier. There are now a few street lights and a couple traffic lights in the capital city. We will be coming back here in 2008 and we are looking forward to more improvement and watching first hand the progress made by nations helping and the Liberians hard work and prayers answered!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

2007 Annual Lord Mayor's Show

In London, every year the Lord Mayor of London has a HUGE parade and it is quite an event! The parade participants were lined for over 3 miles and the parade route is just under 1.5 miles! Our friends in the UK know exactly what this is!



Mercy Ships took part in the festivities and also celebrated Mercy Ships' Dr. Gary Parker who was given a prestigious award by the Royal College of Surgeons and was interviewed on the BBC during the parade. Dr. Gary does Maxio-facial surgeries, including cleft-lip & palate and tumor removals.
You can click on the title of this post to learn more about the Lord Mayor's Show in London this year. It took place this past weekend .... so they have some great pictures there.
















Monday, November 12, 2007

We will be returning to Monrovia, Liberia in 2008!


Mercy Ships has received an invitation from the President of Liberia to return to serve the Liberian people in February 2008! According to correspondence to the crew from our Founder, Don Stephens, after considerable prayer and process, the decision was made to formally accept the invitation to return to Liberia. Although this is a shift to our previous plans, it is consistent with Mercy Ships long term strategy.

This is the official Press Release from our International Operations Center:

President Johnson Sirleaf invites Mercy Ships back to Liberia
Mercy Ships gives continued support for President’s goal to rebuildLiberia’s Health Care Sector

Garden Valley, Texas, November 12, 2007 - Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf announced this week that Mercy Ships has accepted her invitation for the Africa Mercy to return to Liberia again for 2008 following a short dry dock away from the nation at the end of this year. The Mercy Ship expects to leave port at the end of November and return from February through November 2008.

This will be the fourth Mercy Ships visit to Liberia since the charity’s previous flagship, Anastasis, first called into the Port of Monrovia in 2005. Since that time, Mercy Ships volunteers have transformed the lives of the Liberian people by providing life-transforming surgeries, state of the art medical care, and community development projects throughout Liberia.

In May of 2007, the new flagship of the Mercy Ships Fleet, Africa Mercy, was placed into service in Monrovia and immediately more thandoubled the capacity of health care and services that could be provided. Conservative estimates state that the Africa Mercy’s volunteers will be able to provide over 7000 medical procedures during a standard 10 month deployment.

Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf commented, “As Liberia works to rebuild its health care system, the Africa Mercy offers an indispensable bridge by responding to the individual medical crises that have kept too many of our citizens on the sidelines. These are people who want an active role in the reconstruction of Liberia - the fulfillment of their dreams of a strong and stable country.”

The invitation to return to Liberia was discussed during meetings in Washington D.C. this past week when President Johnson Sirleaf was honoured at the AFRICARE Conference. Don Stephens, Founder/President of Mercy Ships was in attendance for this conference and enjoyed an audience with Her Excellency prior to her key note address.

“Part of Mercy Ships goal in returning again would be to strongly support momentum for Liberia’s national health policy and increase capacity for medical care by using the Africa Mercy as a platform for medical education and mentoring in administration/management infrastructure,” stated Don Stephens.

“Mercy Ships is committed to increasing the health care capacity of Liberia and our volunteer crew will also deliver selected small scale construction and renovation projects alongside the medical training and surgical services the ship provides,” Stephens said. All Mercy Ships services are provided free of charge to the nation, thanks to donors around the world who are passionate in their support of the volunteer professionals onboard the Africa Mercy.

This commitment also follows on the heels of a decision by Ann Gloag and the Balcraig Foundation whose generosity contributed to the refit of the Africa Mercy, to also agree to assist in the renovation of the JFK Hospital in Monrovia which has served as the on-land location for the ship’s medical and dental screenings. This and several other projects are planned to assist in establishing a long-term medical infrastructure within the nation after the ship concludes its service at the end of 2008.

Prior to arriving in Monrovia, the Africa Mercy will make a short courtesy stopover in Sierra Leone for a formal protocol signing for the ship’s next port of service in 2009. This signing represents the organizations’ ongoing commitment to help the people of West Africa emerge from the difficulties of war and subsequent disease related to the destroyed medical infrastructure in this area of the world.

Mercy Ships was originally invited to Liberia in 2004 by Jacques P. Klein, Special Assistant to United Nations General Secretary, the Liberian Council of Churches (LCC) and in partnership with Dr.Gwenigale of the Liberian Ministry of Health.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Thoughts from Liberia

Mercy Watch
Thoughts from Liberia
Rob and Denise Miller

Hello Friends,

How is it that the month of October has gone by so quickly. Sometimes it amazes us, when we realize it is time to send out another monthly newsletter that yet another month has passed. I wonder if we didn’t have this reminder, if we’d be as aware of the passing of the time, or if many months would go by before we realized we had not sent out any letters.

So, as we’ve been reminded of this passing, let us tell you a little of what has been happening in the past month. I (Rob) have been described as a “collector” of books and not a “reader”. Often times I’ll come across a book that captures my attention for one reason or another and I purchase the book, with intentions of reading it. Rob and Obele in the Rescue Boat - taking it out for a spin after fixing the engine. Before I know it, much time has passed by and I’ve not completed reading the book, although I may have started it or scanned it many times. Sometimes, this is because the author may be challenging me in an area I’m not ready to deal with, or other events seem to require my attention more. Recently, I’ve been challenged to read a series of books by an author I’ve not previously been familiar with, his name is Stu Weber, and the book which got my attention recently is titled Infinite Impact. I must confess, sometimes when selecting a book, I ask, what experience does this author have in this area? What experience does he have to speak concerning this subject? How can I relate to what he is saying in my life? And sometimes it may just be I don’t really like the author’s writing style even though the subject matter is valid and I could learn from it. I tend to like reading from authors who tell me a story and relate their story to biblical truths. (Sounds like Jesus’ parables :^)) So I was pleasantly surprised to find that Stu Weber has all of these qualities I was looking for. If you’d like to read the first chapter of this book you may do so at http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-0-8423-7441-5.pdf

Christian in the Dining RoomIn our last newsletter we spoke some of Christian and his father, Anthony. This month they have been back several times for follow-up, dressing changes and physical therapy on Christian’s foot. ChristianHe is healing wonderfully. We and the nursing staff that cares for Christian are so pleased with Anthony who so lovingly encourages Christian to do the painful exercises and also does daily massage on Christian’s foot to help it heal. Anthony asked that we take several pictures as he is going home this weekend to visit with his family, and to harvest the rice that he grows. Christian will stay here in Monrovia with his Uncle and await his father’s return. We enjoyed a meal together this past week after Christian had come for one of his appointments. It is a privilege to be able to become friends with Christian and his father, and we look forward to Anthony’s return so we can hear about the harvest and how the remainder of his family is doing. The picture above is Christian in the dining room with us. We surprised him with a new outfit and he was so happy to wear it when he came to eat lunch with us. The photo on the right is Christian getting his bandages changed. (One of the nurses shared this picture with us) You can see the upper part of his leg where the skin was taken to use for grafting the top of his right foot. Bee Boxes delivered at Graduation! You can also see that he has 5 toes now on his right foot! Praise the Lord!

Denise was privileged to go out with the Women's Empowerment Team to one of the local villages called Bernard's Farm. You may remember that she went there with a Vision Trip a couple months ago to see the agriculture program. This time she was able to see the women's graduation for the Beekeeping classes! The picture to the left is of the Bee Boxes that were delivered for their graduation. Each woman receives two bee boxes. A couple of weeks ago, I heard that some of the boxes already have bees! I took several pictures and put them together to tell the story...you can see it at http://www.mercywatch.org/ (our new website). It was an incredible day and the ladies were very happy to see me, again. I couldn't believe that they would remember me.

Peter and Tommy from the Orphanage looking out of the bridge floor window.094Several Saturdays ago we were able to visit one of the orphanages locally and spend some time with the children. I (Rob) was able to talk with some of the older boys at length and learn more about them as they shared their stories with me. I’m humbled by the degree of suffering these young men have endured, and touched by their gentle spirit. It wasn’t until after I’d answered some of their questions about my childhood, and challenges growing up, that they shared their stories with me. I felt I knew a little about having a turbulent childhood, but quickly realized how truly blessed mine was. The picture to the right is of Tommy, one of these older boys, showing the window in the floor of the bridge on the Africa Mercy to Peter, one of the younger boys at the orphanage. The children and the staff of the orphanage came to visit the ship last weekend. The picture on the left is of the children and the staff.

DSC04270This past Sunday, Denise was privileged to preach at church, and had been asked by the Pastor to bring a message which would encourage and challenge the woman of our congregation. She did an excellent job, as she recounted God’s early call on her life and how she has lived out that call, as a young woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grand-mother, friend, and business-woman. She shared of her heart and her successes and challenges. She spoke of submission and provided some insight for the women as to how her submission was unto the Lord. Additionally, she spoke of providing a Christian witness through obedience to God and how through this witness over a period of seven years brought her unbelieving husband to true faith in the Lord. (Rob snapped this picture as we were finishing the song prior to the preaching.)

Denise is going through a little transition period in her job. She has completed the two year commitment in Reception and is transferring into the Staff Development department, tomorrow. She is excited about the planning that is ongoing in Staff Development and her new role within this team.

Rob climbing down the rope ladder to the rescue boat, 5 decks down!The crew has just passed our external audit for our Lloyd’s Surveyor in the areas of International Safety Management (ISM) and International Ships Port and Facility Security (ISPS). We have a system in place to adhere to the international policies governing the Safety and Security of our ship and that there is an atmosphere aboard that fosters the understanding and utilization of these systems by our crew. This is quite an accomplishment, considering the frequent rotation of our crew. The surveyor engaged the crew randomly asking questions concerning their understanding of the ISM and ISPS codes, and their authority and responsibilities under these codes. This is surely another blessing from God and an outpouring of His amazing wisdom and unity. Only God could bring together a crew of over 350 people from all over the world (about 40 nations on board currently) and just a 10th of them experienced or trained in the operations of ships prior to their time with Mercy Ships and have a Lloyd’s Surveyor leave impressed with the crew’s knowledge of these essential systems!

Christian and Anthony in front of the ShipChristian catching a ride!Denise and I are getting more and more excited about our upcoming holiday. In approximately six weeks, we’ll be back in Florida, USA. We look forward to seeing many of you. We’ll be staying with our oldest son, Jason and his family in St. Augustine, Florida. You may not realize, but our ships phone number is a Florida number, so when you are in the USA and would like to call us, it is not an international call and for many who have free nationwide weekend calling it would be free. So…we’d look forward to hearing from you. You may call us at 954 538-6110.

May you be blessed abundantly, and your cup filled to overflowing, may the Lord bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you and give you rest!

God's blessings,

Rob and Denise

Mercy Ships, M/V Africa Mercy

currently in Monrovia, Liberia

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Disney's decision on "Ten Commandments"


As many of you know, inJesus.com is honored to partner with Promenade Pictures, in the release of "The Ten Commandments." I have had the opportunity to view the film in it's entirety several weeks ago prior to its release on inJesus.com. My children and I thoroughly enjoyed the film for its content and the superb animation. It is exciting to finally have a animated Christian film that is done with excellence.

Below you will find a email from one of the executives of Promenade Pictures and a link to Disney's response to the film. Please show your support as we strive to bring quality Christian alternatives to the families. Share this trailer and link with you friends and church.

-Thank you,

Dave Moore

inJesus.com

From: Ron Booth [mailto:mailto:rbooth@promenadepictures.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:49 PM
Subject: The Ten Commandments/ Fox News

Please check out this from Fox News that came out today regarding our film, The Ten Commandments.Disney Radio made us take out "chosen by God" in the ads. So who told Moses what to do, Tinkerbell? We open on Friday and please feel free to send this email to everyone! http://www.vmsdigital.com/MyFiles.aspx?Onum=53EC8A06-DB86-455C-AEF5-331A68B6EFD2

Ron

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Suah's Story and we 'Celebrate Sight'


Sometimes we are not able to restore sight, but a prosthestic eye helps restore self confidence and dignity. Suah is no longer rejected and denied employment due to her blindness in one eye.


We recently held another Celebration of Sight with over 200 eye patients attending. An article and the story of Suah is included in the link below.


Liberians 'Celebrate Sight'


Here is a video of the Celebration of Sight!



Sunday, September 30, 2007

Stories to Share

Mercy Watch
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September 2007

Hello Friends,

We would like to thank you for the opportunity each month to share with you a little of what is happening in our lives aboard the Mercy Ships’ Africa Mercy and in general here in Liberia. This month has seemed to go by rather quickly. We are including pictures taken by our Communication’s Department as well as some of our own. LIC0707_MEDXRAYJSAIH_SARGENT02A_DB_LOWe are asked while here to limit our picture taking … so the Communication’s Department shares pictures with the crew. We thank them for allowing us to share these to help tell the stories of what Mercy Ships is doing here in Liberia and how God is working here through us!

This first picture is of the young girl we told you about last time…she seems to walk sideways as she walks…amazing that she can walk. We look forward to sharing an after picture with you later! There has been much activity onboard and off ship in many different areas. We’ll try and give to a brief update of some of these ministries:

Eye Surgeries continue and two operating theatres are dedicated to continuing them. LIC0707_SIGHTDAY_EB309_LWe had another Celebration of Sight, recently. During the Celebration of Sight, the eye surgery patients return to the ship for possible laser treatment, if needed, to prevent the re-occurrence of the cataract. 100 patients were invited to come participate in this day of celebration and they may bring a family member or friend to accompany them. This is the second Celebration of Sight since our arrival in May. This picture is one taken at the first Celebration of Sight. Denise was able to help serve the patients after they had their treatments. They were given a Bible before they went home.

DSC_9735Reconstructive Surgeries - Plastics and Maxillofacial surgeries have begun a few weeks ago with Dr. Gary, Dr. Terius and Dr. Tony’s return to the Africa Mercy. These surgeries include tumor removals, cleft-lip and palate repairs, burn scar contracture releases and to correct complications of injury or infection. These patients receive counseling to help them cope and heal from emotional scars and also rehabilitation in physical and occupational therapy as needed.

Orthopedics have finished their 2nd group of surgeries on the Africa Mercy and the rehabilitation team continues physical and occupational therapies both on the ship and in the patient’s homes.LIC0707_MEDORTH_0806B_MENKOAH_DB60_LO This picture is of Benedict coming down the gangway after screening and before his surgery on his right foot. He was born with club feet. He has learned to walk using his feet as best he can. It is so amazing to see how the Liberians adjust to their limitations and press through even in the face of great pain and suffering! The surgery on his right foot was successful and he will be brought to Sierra Leone next year for surgery on his left foot as well. LIC0707_MEDORTH_0806B_MENKOAH_DB41_LOWe are so blessed in developed nations to be able to go to the doctor and have these conditions fixed as soon as possible where our children will not need to suffer for years or possibly their entire lives with a condition that is so readily fixed with surgery.

A Palliative Care team goes to visit and help those terminally ill that were unable to receive surgeries to help them and show the love of Christ to those suffering and their families. Some of these patients have wounds that need to be dressed and cleaned weekly or even more often. The palliative care team helps the family care for the terminally ill and then continues to visit and care for the family after the patient has passed on.

The Church Empowerment team heads up the Mercy Ministries for the crew to get involved with various ministries such as orphanages, disabled homes, prison ministry, the local pediatric hospital, etc. They also oversee the relationships with various churches and hold a pastor’s conference in October. A follow-up on the previous Pastor and Church Leader’s conference held earlier in the year in Buchannan, Liberia was held this past month and was well received with many of the pastors continuing to meet together and bring unity across denominational barriers.

LIC0706_MEDVVF0701_JCHEA_DB21_LO VVF surgeries have been put on hold for now. The VVF wards are now being used for the other surgery patients. The VVF surgeries will continue in October for 3 more weeks. These 2 pictures shows you the women in the ward recovering from their surgeries and then just before they go home to their villages, the Dress Ceremony! The Dress Ceremony is a celebration of their new lives without constantly leaking urine and usually acceptance back into their communities. These ladies stay on the ship recovering for at least 2 weeks and many have not been in an environment where love is shown to them unconditionally. You may notice the handmade crocheted Teddy Bears....some of these are the ones some of you made! Thank you so much!!! Almost 100 VVF surgeries have been performed since we began the end of June! LIC0707_MED0700A_1STVVFDRESS_DB23_LO

Adopt-a-Patient – We have adopted another patient and his father, Christian and Anthony. Christian is a 7 year old boy and his dad is his caregiver, staying with him and sleeping under Christian’s bed in the ward. They are from Grand Bassa, Liberia and walked 3 days to come for the surgery appointment for Christian’s foot. Christian was about a year old when he stepped into a pot of boiling water on the fire. His Dad said he thought it was a bath. Christian’s right foot was severely burned and as it healed the skin constricted, limiting the movement and also deforming his foot. Christian had to walk on the outside of his right foot and his little toe was completely covered in scar tissue, making it look like a knuckle.

Anthony asked us the first day, if the Doctor would be able to make a toe again for Christian. We explained that the Doctor would do everything possible to make Christian’s foot functional and normal looking, but we didn’t know if he’d be able to make a toe!

After the surgery, we talked with the Doctor and he was able to give Christian back his toe! We have found the parents here in Liberia to be so much like us, caring very much for their children, wanting the best for them, proud of them as they do their schoolwork, so happy when you take the time to say what a beautiful child they have and they even want to be able to count all their fingers and toes! Anthony told us that he cried when the accident happened and he is so happy that we are able to help Christian.

015Dental clinic continues to serve the Liberian people, who have no dentist to help them. Throughout the field service 3-4 dentists are daily pulling, filling and restoring teeth! Basic dental education, opportunities for prayer and salvation are also offered through the dental clinic and the counselor on site with the team. Denise was privileged to go to the clinic to serve as a dental sterilizer for a day this past month!

Jesus Film – three times a week a team and crew members go out into the villages to set up and show the Jesus Film. About 15-20 crew members set up the screen, generator and equipment, play with the kids, talk to the villagers and then show the movie.Jesus Movie After the movie, a time of prayer and an opportunity to ask Jesus into your heart is given. The crew enjoy meeting with the people and sharing one on one with them.

So as you can see from a small glimpse into the life both on and off the ship, you are having a huge impact upon the lives of the people of Liberia. God is doing incredible things here!

Recently, we were discussing some of the items we wanted to include in this month’s newsletter and thought we’d take this opportunity to look back over the past five years, as it is this month that we celebrate five years of service with Mercy Ships, so a little chronological recap.

The CDTS team at Old Leon

We started with Mercy by attending a three month Crossroads Class at Mercy Ships International Operations Center in Texas and our class outreach in Nicaragua. This picture is of our class in 2002 when we were in Nicaragua. Yes, that is a volcano in the background!

Just this past week, we were able to have dinner with two of our classmates Don Wolven and Marleene Keefler. Don was here as the Company Safety and Security Officer to help us prepare for an audit that we will have later in the year with our insurer, Lloyd’s of London. Marleene is here on the ship with us and serves as the Technical Administrator for Deck and Engineering Departments.

004One week after we graduated from our Crossroads Discipleship Training School (CDTS), we were crew on the Caribbean Mercy. We were privileged to serve in Engineering and Human Resources. In June of 2005, Mercy Ships laid the Caribbean Mercy aside and we went to the International Operations Center (IOC) to serve for 5 months in Engineering and in Information Technology. We joined the Africa Mercy during refit in Northeast England during November 2005. During the last 5 years, we have served in 10 nations and 10 cities in the United States!

As we look back at all of the various places and people we have had the privilege to meet , serve with and serve over these past five years we are very thankful for each experience. Each person has added a little more to our lives, made wonderful memories and helped us to grow.

We could write chapters on each area and tell of the many wonderful experiences we’ve enjoyed. We’ve tried to do some of this as we’ve gone along to keep you informed. You may at times wonder how you are a part of all of this…simply… you carry us in your hearts and we carry you in ours. We believe that as we share love and stories with those we meet and often times you are part of God’s love tapestry (His Story) as your stories are shared with others. The stories we tell are of our continued journey in following Jesus, and how each of you has been part of this journey. We share different parts of His Story as they seem appropriate.

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We hope that as we share with you, that this to will give you different stories to tell as God brings those needing to hear into your lives. Please send us an email, card or phone call to share a story of your lives with us! We love to hear from you! 1Peter 3:15 says “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give reason for the hope that you have.”

As the sun goes down here in Monrovia…the day continues in the west and so we pass our love and blessings on to you in each new day!

God’s abundant blessings,

Denise and Rob Miller

M/V Africa Mercy

Mercy Ships

Friday, September 21, 2007

Sunset in Monrovia


DSC03643
Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
It has been raining and raining...too cloudy for a beautiful sunset....so we haven't seen one in too many days. But tonight...it was amazing! Beautiful! So we wanted to share it with you!

Beautiful Sunset in Monrovia
Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
And the sun goes down....

The entire sky is a pink hue
Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
The entire sky is a lovely pink hue! This is looking to the east!

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Hurricane Felix and Central America

Our friends in Central America are dealing again with a hurricane which could cause potential disaster and Mercy Ships has it's eyes open for potential needs in the area. In 2004, we were in an area of Honduras with the Caribbean Mercy Ship that was hard hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, six years prior. The devastation was still quite evident. Mitch to was downgraded, but lingered over the area dumping much rain and causing flooding and mudslides. We pray that Hurricane Felix will pass on by and not be a storm of note. To read more about this, click on this News story from a Tyler, Texas newspaper.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

"Who am I?"

This video was sent to us by a friend and it really speaks to us as we were a part of a drama group who did black light at our home church in Jacksonville, Florida, years ago! We know all the practice that this takes and how much it is an example of the Body of Christ --- each of us have our part to do and if one is missing.... the picture in God's mind is not complete without that one! So... we hope this short video and song from Casting Crowns will speak to you and how you too are an important part and God loves you so much!



Casting Crowns - Who Am I lyrics LyricsMode.com

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

British TV Coverage of the Africa Mercy in Liberia

For our UK friends in the North East of England:

The Africa Mercy video coverage filmed onboard the Africa Mercy
in Liberia last month will be broadcast on Northern Eye
Friday, 31 August on ITV Tyne Tees at 8pm.
We wish we could see it as well! Please let us know your thoughts about it after viewing!
Thanks!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Rainy season travel in Liberia


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Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
We were going down the road to Bernard's Farm and it seemed to be more like a small river .... making driving a real challenge!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Some of the Reception Team


Some of the Reception Team
Originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
Training two new receptionists and two more come into Reception! This is from the left.... DJ (the Netherlands), Leena (South Africa), Jenni (USA) and Paris (USA). the rest of the team include Cindy (South Africa), Ann (UK) and me (USA). Unfortunately, Ann is on vacation for a few more weeks and DJ is going home this coming week! So we'll be still one receptionist short! It isn't easy to get us all in one place at one time since we serve at this desk 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! I think Cindy was on night's and sleeping when we took this picture.