Wednesday, June 28, 2006
A short video called "Beyond Tomorrow"
Click on the title above to open a window to view a 3 minute video aired on British TV during a show called, Beyond Tomorrow. This video was filmed over a year or two ago...now the operating rooms are almost complete and the equipment is being installed! This video also tells about how doctors will be able to give state of the art support to our doctors on location in West Africa to give the best care to those we serve!
Monday, June 26, 2006
First official lunch in the Dining Room of the Africa Mercy
Don and Deyon had an extended visit and joined the crew for the first official lunch (Brown Bag) in the Dining Room on the Africa Mercy. The chairs are borrowed from the International Lounge, as the Dining Room chairs are not yet in place. This picture is of Rodrigo (Brazil), Mathlida (South Africa), Anique (South Africa) and Rachel (UK) with Don Stephens (USA). (Left to Right)
Saturday, June 10, 2006
We celebrated our 33rd Anniversary with a trip to York!
Rob and I wanted to just spend the day together for our 33rd wedding anniversary. We decided to take a short trip to York for the day and we had a truely blessed day! York is about an hour from Newcastle. We had weather that was about 80 degrees Farenheit and no rain! Another summer day, here in England! God is so faithful and good!
We'd like to share some of the highlights with you! We hope you'll enjoy the sights and history as much as we did!
We'd like to share some of the highlights with you! We hope you'll enjoy the sights and history as much as we did!
The emblem of the City of York - depicts the symbol of a rose and reflects the city's more peaceful recent history.
The Wars of the Roses (1453-1487) took place when the armies of York and Lancaster fought each other on the battlefield. Then a war with France decimated exports and the city lost the wool trade that helped York become a centre of trade. When King Henry the VIII (1536-1539) confiscated and dissolved the monasteries, York's religious communities lost their power and many of the glorious buildings were sold and torn down or used for scrap.
Ironically, because of these changes in fortune, many of the city's most historic buildings were saved through the centuries due to the fact the city could not afford rebuilding programs that other towns were doing. Unlike in the United States where there are many styles of architechture used for buildings, the buildings here in England reflect the prominence of fortune during a specific period of history for the area.
Henry VIII established York as his seat of government in the north of England. Civil War erupted and in 1644, a Parliamentary army met the Royalist forces (York) at Marston Moor. The Parliamentarians won the battle and laid siege to Royalist York. When York fell, the intervention of Sir Thomas Fairfax prevented the city's fine buildings from destruction. As the 18th century came in, York was a peaceful and elegant city and the many beautiful Georgian buildings reflect that peace.
The Wars of the Roses (1453-1487) took place when the armies of York and Lancaster fought each other on the battlefield. Then a war with France decimated exports and the city lost the wool trade that helped York become a centre of trade. When King Henry the VIII (1536-1539) confiscated and dissolved the monasteries, York's religious communities lost their power and many of the glorious buildings were sold and torn down or used for scrap.
Ironically, because of these changes in fortune, many of the city's most historic buildings were saved through the centuries due to the fact the city could not afford rebuilding programs that other towns were doing. Unlike in the United States where there are many styles of architechture used for buildings, the buildings here in England reflect the prominence of fortune during a specific period of history for the area.
Henry VIII established York as his seat of government in the north of England. Civil War erupted and in 1644, a Parliamentary army met the Royalist forces (York) at Marston Moor. The Parliamentarians won the battle and laid siege to Royalist York. When York fell, the intervention of Sir Thomas Fairfax prevented the city's fine buildings from destruction. As the 18th century came in, York was a peaceful and elegant city and the many beautiful Georgian buildings reflect that peace.
The Bar Convent - York
We left early to catch the train at 7:49 am to York from Newcastle. We arrived in York just before 9:00 am and decided to have a full English Breakfast at the cafe inside "The Bar Convent - York".
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
A short visit to the Anastasis
Have you wondered what it would be like to be on the Anastasis for just a few weeks? Click on the title of this post (where the small lighthouse is) and you will visit with Erin. A young journalist on the Anastasis for five weeks, including the sail from Liberia to Ghana!
Anastasis Update
Our Advance Team in Ghana, began screening patients for Ophthalmic Surgery, together with a local partner Christian Eye Mission. The screening date for surgeries has been set for June 26. The surgeries will begin on the Anastasis, as the Africa Mercy will not be sailing until later this year. The Anastasis will continue in service until the Africa Mercy arrives in Ghana and is ready for service. The Anastasis will be retired after our arrival in Ghana.
Many of the Africa Mercy crew will transfer to the Anastasis and our first transfers of crew went to Liberia earlier this week. They arrived safely on board yesterday. Penny, one of our receptionists, was in this first group and is training to be the Head Receptionist in about a month's time.
This is a picture of Penny and Denise as the Reception Desk on the Africa Mercy was being installed. Here is a picture of the Reception Desk about a week later during the Commissioning service. It's beautiful!
Many of the Africa Mercy crew will transfer to the Anastasis and our first transfers of crew went to Liberia earlier this week. They arrived safely on board yesterday. Penny, one of our receptionists, was in this first group and is training to be the Head Receptionist in about a month's time.
This is a picture of Penny and Denise as the Reception Desk on the Africa Mercy was being installed. Here is a picture of the Reception Desk about a week later during the Commissioning service. It's beautiful!
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Summer was here - Yesterday - for most of the day!
The British folks here tell us that summer comes for one day a year! Well...I must say that had to be yesterday! The weather was beautiful for most of the day! It was the first day we didn't have to wear a jacket in the middle of the day! Rob had on a short sleeve shirt and it was in the low 70's....just beautiful! Here's the official recap from the BBC:
"It was a dry day with sunny skies. Some patchy cloud did develop and high cloud made the sunshine hazy at times.... However,generally it was very warm or hot across the UK."
We went out walking about getting acquainted with living in a new location in Hebburn. We walked over and found the Gateway, a local Christian coffee shop. We also walked back over where near where we were living before in Jarrow and walked around the Viking Centre. We came across an outdoor display of "Country Line Dancing!" We could hardly believe it! The British people do have a fasination with anything "Western" or "Texan." We've included a couple short clips of the line dancing! Enjoy!!!
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
"It was a dry day with sunny skies. Some patchy cloud did develop and high cloud made the sunshine hazy at times.... However,generally it was very warm or hot across the UK."
We went out walking about getting acquainted with living in a new location in Hebburn. We walked over and found the Gateway, a local Christian coffee shop. We also walked back over where near where we were living before in Jarrow and walked around the Viking Centre. We came across an outdoor display of "Country Line Dancing!" We could hardly believe it! The British people do have a fasination with anything "Western" or "Texan." We've included a couple short clips of the line dancing! Enjoy!!!
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing
Friday, June 02, 2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
President of Liberia comes to the Anastasis
Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, came to visit the Anastasis about a week before the ship left Liberia on 22 May 2006. The Anastasis sailed to Ghana on 29 May 2006. The Africa Mercy plans to arrive in Liberia in March 2007. She wanted to say Thank you for the service Mercy Ships provided to her country for the past 7 months. Here is a transcript of her speech.
"Dr. Barr and officials of government, prelates and members of the Liberian Council of Churches, Executive Director Quist, and staff of the Mercy Ship, visiting team coming with Dr. Bernard to help us, colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen.
I could no less than be here. This is not my first trip to the Mercy Ship.
I had the opportunity to come several weeks ago and to tour the ship, and to walk through the areas where our young people are being treated, and to just be awed by what is happening in their lives. I was overfilled with gratitude and appreciation to those who have given so much to be able to share with us.
There are three things that come from the service of the Mercy Ship,well-stated in all of the statements that have been made this afternoon. First is the blessings that come from those who walk in the path of Jesus Christ – the blessings that come from those who walk the talk, and those who benefit from those that make the walk. They're both blessed – the giver and the receiver. And I think those who are on the Mercy Ship will be blessed by God as those who they have served leave the ship also blessed. So we thank them for walking in the path of Jesus Christ.
The second thought that comes to mind is the humanity of sacrificial service. How many of us would be willing to leave all that we have – our family, our friends, our fortune, our profession, our occupation, and to go out and serve, bringing new life to others? How many of you, in your community, are willing to do likewise – to look around you in the community and to gather those who have the capacity and the capability to say, "Yes, we can do something"? About the garbage; about the children on the streets; about the old, abandoned people? That we, too, with what we have, can serve them. We can connect to humanity by the little that we do, and we want to thank the Mercy Ship for what they have done, for this sacrificial service. They have given up everything they have to come to a faraway place and to be able to render to those in need. We do thankyou.
And the third thing, that lesson that comes to me from their service, is the potential of transformation. We look at the examples that they showed – young people, ostracized, unaccepted in their community, ashamed to go around because of their disfigurement, because of their disability. And see the difference after this service – they can walk out, proud; they can once again regain their self-confidence; they can once again become a part of their community, their church, their school, their work. The transformation that comes from their potential.
And I sometimes see this as a microcosm of the transformation of our nation. Because there is pain in transformation, because you take something that looks one way and you mold it into something else. And in that period, there's no escaping the difficulties. I'm sure those young children, when they have to take anaesthesia, when they have to go through and watch a surgeon's knife, that they were afraid. But then look at the potential of their lives recreated. And I say it's a microcosm because I know that in our transforming our country, that there will be pain and sorrow, there will be difficulties. But look at tomorrow, when the bright lights come on.
And so we each and every one of us in this room need to capture the spirit of these three things: walking in the path of Jesus Christ; making sacrificial service, as the Bible says, "Cast your buckets where you are"; and recognizing, extolling, the potential of transformation.
To all of you Mercy Ships, we want to thank you. It's sad that you are leaving, we are going to miss you, the community, those you have served, the country, the government; but we take hope that as the Africa Mercy ship comes back next year, some of you – as many as could make it – will once again remember this great land of liberty, this place of a friendly people, with all its problems – that you will come back and once again join hands and bond with us. Give us an opportunity to work with you, to appreciate you, to thank you, and to share God's blessings with you. "
"Dr. Barr and officials of government, prelates and members of the Liberian Council of Churches, Executive Director Quist, and staff of the Mercy Ship, visiting team coming with Dr. Bernard to help us, colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen.
I could no less than be here. This is not my first trip to the Mercy Ship.
I had the opportunity to come several weeks ago and to tour the ship, and to walk through the areas where our young people are being treated, and to just be awed by what is happening in their lives. I was overfilled with gratitude and appreciation to those who have given so much to be able to share with us.
There are three things that come from the service of the Mercy Ship,well-stated in all of the statements that have been made this afternoon. First is the blessings that come from those who walk in the path of Jesus Christ – the blessings that come from those who walk the talk, and those who benefit from those that make the walk. They're both blessed – the giver and the receiver. And I think those who are on the Mercy Ship will be blessed by God as those who they have served leave the ship also blessed. So we thank them for walking in the path of Jesus Christ.
The second thought that comes to mind is the humanity of sacrificial service. How many of us would be willing to leave all that we have – our family, our friends, our fortune, our profession, our occupation, and to go out and serve, bringing new life to others? How many of you, in your community, are willing to do likewise – to look around you in the community and to gather those who have the capacity and the capability to say, "Yes, we can do something"? About the garbage; about the children on the streets; about the old, abandoned people? That we, too, with what we have, can serve them. We can connect to humanity by the little that we do, and we want to thank the Mercy Ship for what they have done, for this sacrificial service. They have given up everything they have to come to a faraway place and to be able to render to those in need. We do thankyou.
And the third thing, that lesson that comes to me from their service, is the potential of transformation. We look at the examples that they showed – young people, ostracized, unaccepted in their community, ashamed to go around because of their disfigurement, because of their disability. And see the difference after this service – they can walk out, proud; they can once again regain their self-confidence; they can once again become a part of their community, their church, their school, their work. The transformation that comes from their potential.
And I sometimes see this as a microcosm of the transformation of our nation. Because there is pain in transformation, because you take something that looks one way and you mold it into something else. And in that period, there's no escaping the difficulties. I'm sure those young children, when they have to take anaesthesia, when they have to go through and watch a surgeon's knife, that they were afraid. But then look at the potential of their lives recreated. And I say it's a microcosm because I know that in our transforming our country, that there will be pain and sorrow, there will be difficulties. But look at tomorrow, when the bright lights come on.
And so we each and every one of us in this room need to capture the spirit of these three things: walking in the path of Jesus Christ; making sacrificial service, as the Bible says, "Cast your buckets where you are"; and recognizing, extolling, the potential of transformation.
To all of you Mercy Ships, we want to thank you. It's sad that you are leaving, we are going to miss you, the community, those you have served, the country, the government; but we take hope that as the Africa Mercy ship comes back next year, some of you – as many as could make it – will once again remember this great land of liberty, this place of a friendly people, with all its problems – that you will come back and once again join hands and bond with us. Give us an opportunity to work with you, to appreciate you, to thank you, and to share God's blessings with you. "
Monday, May 22, 2006
Africa Mercy Commissioning Video (8 min.)
Please click on the link above to go to the Mercy Ships Video of the Commissioning Service. Get your tissues ready....it's very moving!
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Update from Rob and Denise
Hello Friends,
The saying is, “time flies when you’re having fun”. We are REALLY having fun, and it would appear time is really flying. The past couple months have FLOWN by and the weather has improved….and we are enjoying it!
There has been a flurry of activity both on the ship and off. If you’ve been looking at our website (http://www.mercywatch.com/) and/or blog (http://mercywatch.blogspot.com/) you will have an idea of the changes and excitement going on here at the Africa Mercy! If not…here are some of the highlights:
We had the commissioning service on April 6th….here in Northeast England rather than in London as the ship was not yet ready to sail.
The saying is, “time flies when you’re having fun”. We are REALLY having fun, and it would appear time is really flying. The past couple months have FLOWN by and the weather has improved….and we are enjoying it!
There has been a flurry of activity both on the ship and off. If you’ve been looking at our website (http://www.mercywatch.com/) and/or blog (http://mercywatch.blogspot.com/) you will have an idea of the changes and excitement going on here at the Africa Mercy! If not…here are some of the highlights:
We had the commissioning service on April 6th….here in Northeast England rather than in London as the ship was not yet ready to sail.
Much preparation went into getting parts of the ship sparkling for the ceremony and tour. The guests (about 200 total) came from all over the world (US, UK, Liberia, Korea, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, etc) to attend the ceremony and tour a small portion of the ship. A number of our International Board Members attended the event and had a Board Meeting in London the day after. The Mercy Ships UK office hosted the event and worked out the logistics of getting everyone by train and bus to the ship!
Reception, the Dining Room, a guest cabin, a family cabin, an operating room and the recovery room all were set up and cleaned thoroughly for the event! It was a glorious day and gave the guests, our crew and the shipyard workers a glimpse of how the Africa Mercy will be a magnificent tool to serve the poor and needy in Africa when she is completed!
First Ghana Pre-Screening
This picture is of the 1st Optical Pre -Screening day held in Ghana at the end of April for this upcoming field service. The Advance Team is on site there and working towards having everything ready when the Anastasis arrives.
First AFM Screening B005[1], originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
First AFM Screening B005[1], originally uploaded by MercyWatch.
Mercy Ships announced that the Ghana outreach will begin as planned in June 2006. Since the Africa Mercy will not be ready to sail down as planned, the Anastasis will begin the outreach after she finishes the outreach in Liberia in May instead of retiring. So….what this means is extended service of the Anastasis until probably November 2006.
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