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. 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

In 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. He 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. 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.

Several 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.

This 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.

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 10^th 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!

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