This is just a glimpse into the lives that are transformed by our surgeons and crew onboard the Africa Mercy. Abel just went home to his village this past week and our friend, Elaine Winn, traveled back to the village with him. She is a writer onboard and a team from Communications went to the village to document Abel's homecoming. Elaine told us that it was just like a movie....the village was far in the bush up north in Togo and the entire village welcomed Abel home. They couldn't believe that his legs were now straight! We are so privileged to be here and be a part of these transformed lives! Your prayers, encouragement and support all play a part, too! Thank you for your part in transforming these lives, too!
Happy Father's Day!
Click here to watch the video!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Part 2 of the iTV Video News Clip on the Africa Mercy
In this episode you'll see a story about a MaxFax Patient and Surgeon, Tony Giles. Also covered are Engineering, the Academy onboard and the Cole family. Please pray for the Coles as they had to go back unexpectedly to England last month.
Watch the video - here
Watch the video - here
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Greetings from Togo - May Newsletter
Great Response and Changes for our Newsletters
Thank you so much for the great response that we received from our short note on Mother’s Day! It was the best response that we’ve ever received from our friends and family! What a great encouragement! We must apologize for the “Dear” not actually making it into the note – it was a button that we wanted to try and I forgot to enter it before sending the note out! Oops! I’m (Denise) so sorry!
We have decided to change providers to send our Newsletters. After almost 8 years of using inJesus and going through changes with them as they've grown, their newest change to netatlantic is just not working for us! So we went looking for providers and we believe that iContact is going to work for us! We were very impressed that they gave us a call the day after we began a 15 day trial and offered us a 20% discount for being missionaries with Mercy Ships! If you've received this newsletter in your email...then you know it's working! Thank you for confirming your subscription to Mercy Watch!
Thank YOU! and Photos from the USA
A slideshow photo recap of the time in the US is available for those who would like to see it - here.
Unfortunately, we didn’t take pictures every where we went so in putting this together we did miss some photos of those we visited and regret that we didn’t take pictures! We do love and miss you all!
As you can see from this picture, we experienced some SNOW in Texas as we spent time there with friends and family during February! This is Rob in front of John and Ruth's home in Van, Texas.
We are very thankful for the time we had to reconnect with family and friends. Each of you holds a special place in our life! As we traveled some seventy-five hundred miles from January through April we were very blessed to share time with you in your homes. You all made us feel very special and reminded us again just how blessed we are to have family and friends like you!
We also were able to spend some time in Sunny Florida with our family, friends and our home church! This picture is of Rob and our leased car (Thank you M.A.T.S) on the beach in St. Augustine about 6 blocks from our son, Jason's, home during the month of March!
As we settle back into community life onboard the memories we carry back with us are priceless. Thank each of you for your love and friendship! It is a humbling experience to realize how much we are loved by so many. Thank you for your many expressions of this love!
This picture is of our leased car in Virgina as we experienced spring in the Mid-Atlantic during the month of April!
Information on Togo
We are now here in Lomé, Togo! The ship has been here since mid-February and will stay until mid August. It has been a busy time and many opportunities to share God’s love and care with the people of Togo. Screening has been done a bit differently here in Togo and there is much need for the services Mercy Ships can offer.
Togo has about 6 million people and just over 1 million reside in Lome. The country is about 100 miles wide at the widest part and about 360 miles stretching north from the Gulf of Guinea. The countryside is two savannah plains separated by hills from the southwest to the northeast. The per capita income is about $900 (US) or about $80 a month. The official language is French, however, many local languages are spoken (Ewe, Mina, Kabye).
Mercy Ships was last here in 2003 and Togo was the first African Nation that welcomed Mercy Ships in 1990. We plan to do about 2,000 surgeries during our field service from February to August 2010. These surgeries include; Cataract, Cleft Lip and Palate, Orthopedic, Maxillofacial, Reconstructive, Fistula, Hernia and Goiter. In addition to the surgeries, Our surgeons and nurses are training surgeons and nurses from Togo and other African countries to use our procedures.
Screenings in Togo
During the Togo Field Service, Mercy Ships is testing a new format for screening patients. Several pre-screenings were conducted from February until April - in multiple locations rather than one mass screening. This allowed our teams to reach multiple areas of need while hopefully reducing the size of the crowd that normally appears during large screenings. Our hope was that prospective patients would have less time to wait to be examined while also reducing security concerns that come with large groups.
In this photo, these people were waiting ever so patientlly. About 1500 people came to the first day of screening.
According to Rachel Dix, the screening coordinator for the Africa Mercy , the new screening process should enable Mercy Ships to accommodate more people. "We only schedule [surgeries] for two-week blocks of time," explains Rachel. "This will allow some flexibility in our surgical schedule. So if we have a very large case that comes at the end of the year, we'll still be able to accommodate it."
General medical screenings were held every week for ten weeks. The screenings took place at predetermined locations in Lomé. In previous field services, screenings were held dockside, adjacent to the Africa Mercy .
In addition to the Lomé screenings, Dr. Tony and Ann Giles, agreed to travel up-country for one month to conduct mobile screenings. All potential surgical patients then can be transported to the Mercy Ships Hospitality Center in Lomé for further evaluation.
The crew and staff are excited and optimistic about the new screening procedure. The method may vary somewhat, but the result remains the same - hope and healing for the people of Togo.
Written By: Joy Clary
Edited by Nancy Predaina
(Denise made tense changes since it was written prior to these screenings being held - the screenings are completed now)
We’d like to share a story of one of the patients who had surgery 15 years ago on a Mercy Ship, the Anastasis and hosted a team from Mercy Ships in her village this year – this was written by Elaine Winn, a Mercy Ships writer.
A Visit with Edoh
A sweet, gentle young woman walked forward, holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Thirty joyful family members joined her in welcoming the visitors from the Mercy Ship. This was Edoh - a life restored by mercy.
Edoh is the youngest of six children. When she was about four years old, her eye became very red and began to swell. Her mother, Afua, desperately tried to find help, going from hospital to hospital in Togo and Ghana. But no one could help her little girl.
By the time Edoh was nine, a massive facial tumor had displaced her left eye, distorted her cheek and mouth, and left her teeth protruding at odd angles from the edges of the mass. She struggled to eat and breathe. The tumor was literally stealing the breath of life from her - she was slowly suffocating.
Then Afua heard about a hospital ship, a Mercy Ship, that had arrived in her country to offer free medical care. So, she took Edoh to the screening.
A huge crowd of six thousand crushed into the stadium in Togo, almost tearing off the gate. These desperate people were living lives of misery and rejection because of their abnormalities - viewed as a curse in their culture. Unable to work, or even live in society, they saw Mercy Ships as their only chance to have a normal life. They wanted a chance for a free surgery, the chance for a miracle.
But in the midst of all that suffering and desperate longing, mercy raised its head. A little girl's gasping struggle to breathe captured the attention of the crowd. Arms of compassion - some weak and some strong - lifted Edoh and passed her to the front of the long line.
Edoh remembers that moment - the moment that changed her life forever. She recalls, "I remember being lifted over the heads of the crowd and being passed along to the gate. A nurse saw me and said, 'This is the type of surgery we need to do.'"
And that day Edoh received an appointment card for surgery ... an appointment to receive life instead of death.
The doctors warned Afua that this was a difficult, risky case. But she wisely replied, "God gives children; God can take away. We will give it all to God and go ahead with the surgery."
And her faith was rewarded. Edoh returned home to a very surprised community. "It's a miracle!" they exclaimed. And they held a big party to celebrate.
A year later, Dr. Luer Koeper, a maxillofacial surgeon, who had helped to remove the tumor, took Edoh to Germany for a second surgery on her lip. Then in 2003, she had another surgery on her lower eyelid.
And now, 15 years after her first surgery, this "walking miracle" was welcoming Mercy Ships volunteers to her village.
Edoh happily described the transformation in her life. She recalled how she used to stay away from people. She couldn't go to school. She became very shy, hiding in her home. But now she can go everywhere - including school.
In fact, Edoh is a good student. After she completes her secondary education, she wants to become a nurse to help others - just like the dedicated Mercy Ships volunteers helped her.
The celebration arranged by the family continued at the "cascade," a beautiful waterfall that roars down the mountain behind Edoh's home. There, her brothers played their native drums, and everyone sang praises to God for His mercy toward Edoh.
A smiling Edoh added, " If it wasn't for the Mercy Ship, maybe I would be dead. Mercy Ships changed that. I used to look in the mirror and feel pity for myself. But now I think about what happened to me, and it's all about God. I put everything in God's hands."
Written by Elaine B. Winn
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Debra Bell
As we return to our roles onboard, there are many opportunities to excel. Several of the crew have been sick with various maladies which effects all of us spiritually and emotionally not to mention physically. We both have had a few days of adjusting and not feeling too well. Please pray for the continued health of our crew. Please continue to keep us up to date with events in your lives through your emails, phone calls, letters, and postings on FaceBook.
Please let us know what you'd like to see in these newsletters We try to find the right mix, so you are informed, yet at the same time feel a part of what is going on here. We would like to send a personal note to each of you. We use this vehicle of technology (email) for expediency, efficiency, and reliability. However we try very hard to ensure you don’t feel this is an impersonal tabloid. May we encourage you to take this opportunity to drop a note? Tell us what you like and what you don’t like. Tell us what you’d like to hear more about. Ask some questions that maybe we can answer for you and perhaps others have the same questions. We look forward to hearing from you…and for those of you who regularly reply…Thank You!! You encourage us greatly.
We’ve started a new website you might want to check out www.mercywatch.net. It is still a work in progress at this time. Our continued prayer for you is - May your life be as wonderful as it was in the mind of God the day He made you!
God’s Blessings,
Rob and Denise
currently in Lome, Togo Email us
Thank you so much for the great response that we received from our short note on Mother’s Day! It was the best response that we’ve ever received from our friends and family! What a great encouragement! We must apologize for the “Dear” not actually making it into the note – it was a button that we wanted to try and I forgot to enter it before sending the note out! Oops! I’m (Denise) so sorry!
We have decided to change providers to send our Newsletters. After almost 8 years of using inJesus and going through changes with them as they've grown, their newest change to netatlantic is just not working for us! So we went looking for providers and we believe that iContact is going to work for us! We were very impressed that they gave us a call the day after we began a 15 day trial and offered us a 20% discount for being missionaries with Mercy Ships! If you've received this newsletter in your email...then you know it's working! Thank you for confirming your subscription to Mercy Watch!
Thank YOU! and Photos from the USA
A slideshow photo recap of the time in the US is available for those who would like to see it - here.
Unfortunately, we didn’t take pictures every where we went so in putting this together we did miss some photos of those we visited and regret that we didn’t take pictures! We do love and miss you all!
As you can see from this picture, we experienced some SNOW in Texas as we spent time there with friends and family during February! This is Rob in front of John and Ruth's home in Van, Texas.
We are very thankful for the time we had to reconnect with family and friends. Each of you holds a special place in our life! As we traveled some seventy-five hundred miles from January through April we were very blessed to share time with you in your homes. You all made us feel very special and reminded us again just how blessed we are to have family and friends like you!
We also were able to spend some time in Sunny Florida with our family, friends and our home church! This picture is of Rob and our leased car (Thank you M.A.T.S) on the beach in St. Augustine about 6 blocks from our son, Jason's, home during the month of March!
As we settle back into community life onboard the memories we carry back with us are priceless. Thank each of you for your love and friendship! It is a humbling experience to realize how much we are loved by so many. Thank you for your many expressions of this love!
This picture is of our leased car in Virgina as we experienced spring in the Mid-Atlantic during the month of April!
Information on Togo
We are now here in Lomé, Togo! The ship has been here since mid-February and will stay until mid August. It has been a busy time and many opportunities to share God’s love and care with the people of Togo. Screening has been done a bit differently here in Togo and there is much need for the services Mercy Ships can offer.
Togo has about 6 million people and just over 1 million reside in Lome. The country is about 100 miles wide at the widest part and about 360 miles stretching north from the Gulf of Guinea. The countryside is two savannah plains separated by hills from the southwest to the northeast. The per capita income is about $900 (US) or about $80 a month. The official language is French, however, many local languages are spoken (Ewe, Mina, Kabye).
Mercy Ships was last here in 2003 and Togo was the first African Nation that welcomed Mercy Ships in 1990. We plan to do about 2,000 surgeries during our field service from February to August 2010. These surgeries include; Cataract, Cleft Lip and Palate, Orthopedic, Maxillofacial, Reconstructive, Fistula, Hernia and Goiter. In addition to the surgeries, Our surgeons and nurses are training surgeons and nurses from Togo and other African countries to use our procedures.
Screenings in Togo
During the Togo Field Service, Mercy Ships is testing a new format for screening patients. Several pre-screenings were conducted from February until April - in multiple locations rather than one mass screening. This allowed our teams to reach multiple areas of need while hopefully reducing the size of the crowd that normally appears during large screenings. Our hope was that prospective patients would have less time to wait to be examined while also reducing security concerns that come with large groups.
In this photo, these people were waiting ever so patientlly. About 1500 people came to the first day of screening.
According to Rachel Dix, the screening coordinator for the Africa Mercy , the new screening process should enable Mercy Ships to accommodate more people. "We only schedule [surgeries] for two-week blocks of time," explains Rachel. "This will allow some flexibility in our surgical schedule. So if we have a very large case that comes at the end of the year, we'll still be able to accommodate it."
General medical screenings were held every week for ten weeks. The screenings took place at predetermined locations in Lomé. In previous field services, screenings were held dockside, adjacent to the Africa Mercy .
In addition to the Lomé screenings, Dr. Tony and Ann Giles, agreed to travel up-country for one month to conduct mobile screenings. All potential surgical patients then can be transported to the Mercy Ships Hospitality Center in Lomé for further evaluation.
The crew and staff are excited and optimistic about the new screening procedure. The method may vary somewhat, but the result remains the same - hope and healing for the people of Togo.
Written By: Joy Clary
Edited by Nancy Predaina
(Denise made tense changes since it was written prior to these screenings being held - the screenings are completed now)
We’d like to share a story of one of the patients who had surgery 15 years ago on a Mercy Ship, the Anastasis and hosted a team from Mercy Ships in her village this year – this was written by Elaine Winn, a Mercy Ships writer.
A Visit with Edoh
A sweet, gentle young woman walked forward, holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Thirty joyful family members joined her in welcoming the visitors from the Mercy Ship. This was Edoh - a life restored by mercy.
Edoh is the youngest of six children. When she was about four years old, her eye became very red and began to swell. Her mother, Afua, desperately tried to find help, going from hospital to hospital in Togo and Ghana. But no one could help her little girl.
By the time Edoh was nine, a massive facial tumor had displaced her left eye, distorted her cheek and mouth, and left her teeth protruding at odd angles from the edges of the mass. She struggled to eat and breathe. The tumor was literally stealing the breath of life from her - she was slowly suffocating.
Then Afua heard about a hospital ship, a Mercy Ship, that had arrived in her country to offer free medical care. So, she took Edoh to the screening.
A huge crowd of six thousand crushed into the stadium in Togo, almost tearing off the gate. These desperate people were living lives of misery and rejection because of their abnormalities - viewed as a curse in their culture. Unable to work, or even live in society, they saw Mercy Ships as their only chance to have a normal life. They wanted a chance for a free surgery, the chance for a miracle.
But in the midst of all that suffering and desperate longing, mercy raised its head. A little girl's gasping struggle to breathe captured the attention of the crowd. Arms of compassion - some weak and some strong - lifted Edoh and passed her to the front of the long line.
Edoh remembers that moment - the moment that changed her life forever. She recalls, "I remember being lifted over the heads of the crowd and being passed along to the gate. A nurse saw me and said, 'This is the type of surgery we need to do.'"
And that day Edoh received an appointment card for surgery ... an appointment to receive life instead of death.
The doctors warned Afua that this was a difficult, risky case. But she wisely replied, "God gives children; God can take away. We will give it all to God and go ahead with the surgery."
And her faith was rewarded. Edoh returned home to a very surprised community. "It's a miracle!" they exclaimed. And they held a big party to celebrate.
A year later, Dr. Luer Koeper, a maxillofacial surgeon, who had helped to remove the tumor, took Edoh to Germany for a second surgery on her lip. Then in 2003, she had another surgery on her lower eyelid.
And now, 15 years after her first surgery, this "walking miracle" was welcoming Mercy Ships volunteers to her village.
Edoh happily described the transformation in her life. She recalled how she used to stay away from people. She couldn't go to school. She became very shy, hiding in her home. But now she can go everywhere - including school.
In fact, Edoh is a good student. After she completes her secondary education, she wants to become a nurse to help others - just like the dedicated Mercy Ships volunteers helped her.
The celebration arranged by the family continued at the "cascade," a beautiful waterfall that roars down the mountain behind Edoh's home. There, her brothers played their native drums, and everyone sang praises to God for His mercy toward Edoh.
A smiling Edoh added, " If it wasn't for the Mercy Ship, maybe I would be dead. Mercy Ships changed that. I used to look in the mirror and feel pity for myself. But now I think about what happened to me, and it's all about God. I put everything in God's hands."
Written by Elaine B. Winn
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Debra Bell
As we return to our roles onboard, there are many opportunities to excel. Several of the crew have been sick with various maladies which effects all of us spiritually and emotionally not to mention physically. We both have had a few days of adjusting and not feeling too well. Please pray for the continued health of our crew. Please continue to keep us up to date with events in your lives through your emails, phone calls, letters, and postings on FaceBook.
Please let us know what you'd like to see in these newsletters We try to find the right mix, so you are informed, yet at the same time feel a part of what is going on here. We would like to send a personal note to each of you. We use this vehicle of technology (email) for expediency, efficiency, and reliability. However we try very hard to ensure you don’t feel this is an impersonal tabloid. May we encourage you to take this opportunity to drop a note? Tell us what you like and what you don’t like. Tell us what you’d like to hear more about. Ask some questions that maybe we can answer for you and perhaps others have the same questions. We look forward to hearing from you…and for those of you who regularly reply…Thank You!! You encourage us greatly.
We’ve started a new website you might want to check out www.mercywatch.net. It is still a work in progress at this time. Our continued prayer for you is - May your life be as wonderful as it was in the mind of God the day He made you!
God’s Blessings,
Rob and Denise
currently in Lome, Togo Email us
Thursday, May 27, 2010
1st in a series of 5 short news clips on the Africa Mercy
This is the first of five in a series of short news clips (about 5 minutes) describing what the Africa Mercy was doing on our mission in Benin last year. These clips come from iTV Tyne Tees in England near where the Africa Mercy was refit. We lived in this area for about 1.5 years (from Nov 2005 until May 2007) while the ship was in shipyard prior to being operational.
In this clip there is a short ship tour and some everyday life in Benin shots. Also, a shot of when the ship left Blyth and the townspeople there that welcomed us so much as we prepared the ship for service in Africa! Watch closely, you can see Denise in a blue shirt walking down the passageway while they are talking about the ship shop.
Watch the movie
In this clip there is a short ship tour and some everyday life in Benin shots. Also, a shot of when the ship left Blyth and the townspeople there that welcomed us so much as we prepared the ship for service in Africa! Watch closely, you can see Denise in a blue shirt walking down the passageway while they are talking about the ship shop.
Watch the movie
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day! We have arrived in Togo on the 29th of April! We are settling in and are working on a newsletter. We wanted to send a short message to let you know that we arrived safely and found out when we got back that the injesus email system that we have always used to send messages has changed a lot! So we are in process of learning how to use it and will hopefully get out a newsletter in the next week! This is sort of a test message - in addition to letting you know where we are and that we are well.
Above is our son, Jason and his daughter, Kendall. Please let us know if you receive this email and if your name appears after the Dear above. This too is different and we just want to know if it works well or if we need to do this another way with possibly another provider. We've always been happy with injesus and have used this system since we first began writing newsletters back in 2002, so we wanted to try to use it first!
Above is our son, Jeff and his children; Ryan, Chloie and Averi. We enjoyed our time back in the US! We are really glad to be back in Africa!!! Thank you to all who have prayed for us, met with us, hosted us in your home and supported us in many many ways! We love you and miss you all! God is so faithful and He had our time back in the US planned and arranged. We felt as though we were in just the right place at just the right time in each and every place we traveled! May God bless you abundantly as you trust in Him!
God's blessings,
Denise and Rob
| You are currently subscribed to mercywatch as: mercywatch.robndee@blogger.com Add rdmiller@gowebway.com to your email address book to ensure delivery. Forward to a Friend | Manage Subscription | Subscribe | Unsubscribe |  |
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Maternity Centre opens in Sierra Leone!
The Aberdeen West Africa Fistula Centre (founded by Mercy Ships) in Sierra Leone is now the Aberdeen Women's Centre (managed by the Gloag Foundation)! The Maternity Clinic was recently opened and the First Lady of Sierra Leone attended the Grand Opening. The Centre now has a Fistula Clinic, the Maternity Clinic and a Children's Clinic to serve the women of Sierra Leone! To read more about it.....click here.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Happy Easter!
Just a quick note to let you know where we are and wish you a Happy Easter! We'll be posting some pictures of our journey and relating some stories soon. We have had a wonderful time here in the US and are continuing to visit our family and friends in the Washington DC area. We are spending Easter with Denise's sister and her family in Delaware. One quick story....we hope to see a friend that we haven't seen in years, David Burke! David was the youth leader at our church when our sons were in youth group at LakeShore UMC (Jacksonville, FL) in the 1980/90's. David is now serving as staff at my sister's church in Delaware! May the power of the resurrection be real in your life as you celebrate the sacrifice Jesus, our Lord and Savior made for us! Our prayer for you this Easter is Ephesians 1:17-23. God's blessings, Denise and Rob |
Monday, March 08, 2010
Connections - A Mercy Ship Update about the Togo Field Service
We are in the United States (currently in St. Augustine, FL - visiting family). Our granddaughter, Kendall, turned 7 years old last Tuesday! We enjoyed celebrating her birthday with her. The following video is of the Africa Mercy's arrival in Togo! We will join the ship in Togo at the end of April. Included in this video is also some information about the UK Africa Ball hosted by Lord Ian McCall, a new Mercy Ships International Board Member from the DR Congo (we happened to be at the International Operations Center during this meeting) and a new song written for Mercy Ships introduced at the New Zealand benefit for Haitian Relief Variety Event.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Hello from Texas!
Good Morning from Texas,
We are enjoying the first week of our time back home with family and friends. We had a very safe trip home, with all of the connections on time and our luggage at the terminal when we arrived. God took care of all of the details. It seems a little strange as we read postings from our friends sailing aboard the Africa Mercy as she sails to Togo. This is the first sail she has made since 2007 which we have not been aboard for. We are excited about watching American football "Superbowl" today. Rob is enjoying his new hearing aids and we are enjoying him hearing better. The past few days have been special with long time friend Lorraine visiting from Kentucky. Tomorrow we travel to the home of Ruth and John. What a blessing to have good friends and time to enjoy their company.
We are enjoying the first week of our time back home with family and friends. We had a very safe trip home, with all of the connections on time and our luggage at the terminal when we arrived. God took care of all of the details. It seems a little strange as we read postings from our friends sailing aboard the Africa Mercy as she sails to Togo. This is the first sail she has made since 2007 which we have not been aboard for. We are excited about watching American football "Superbowl" today. Rob is enjoying his new hearing aids and we are enjoying him hearing better. The past few days have been special with long time friend Lorraine visiting from Kentucky. Tomorrow we travel to the home of Ruth and John. What a blessing to have good friends and time to enjoy their company.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Encouraging email received today!
Just today we received an encouraging email from a lady who is filling out her application to come serve on the Africa Mercy! Our pastor at Lakeshore UMC met this lady while in the Emergency Room with a family member. She was one of the ER nurses and he happened to talk about Mercy Ships. God is incredible and uses us when we least expect to be used to accomplish his will! She wrote to us back in July asking some questions about serving with Mercy Ships and today sent us an email to let us know she is ready to come and is working on her application! We hope to meet her when we get back to Florida in March! Unless of course...she is serving on the Africa Mercy!
This is an article about another nurse that served with us in 2009 for 10 weeks. Her hometown newspaper, Pochahontas Times, published the following article.
Wednesday December 02, 2009
Henry sails to serve those in need
Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
Serving 10 weeks on the Africa Mercy, of Mercy Ships, Ginger Henry helped several patients of Benin, Africa, with their surgical needs. Photos courtesy of Ginger Henry
Most adventures are embarked on to gain fame or fortune. But Ginger Henry’s adventure on the Africa Mercy was to serve those in need.
The Africa Mercy is a former Danish rail ferry that was converted into the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship by global charity
Mercy Ships. Since its inception in 1978, Mercy Ships has served in more than 150 ports in developing nations, providing surgical needs and community
development.
Henry first heard about Mercy Ships through former classmate Jessica Walkup who served on the Anastasis, another ship in the Mercy Ships
fleet. “I followed along with her stories through email and always knew I wanted to go myself someday,” Henry said. “As a Christian, I want to use
the skills and talents I have to serve others. I think Mercy Ships is a great organization that combines my skills as an operating nurse, my desire
to serve people that don’t otherwise have access to healthcare and my faith in a way that brings hope and lasting change.”
Henry began her journey on the Africa Mercy in January 2009 and spent 10 weeks on the ship in Benin, West Africa. She volunteers her time as an operating room nurse and must raise $500 a month to live on the ship.
According to the Mercy Ships website, the on board hospital consists of six operating rooms, recovery/intensive care and low dependency wards
with 78 patient beds. The Africa Mercy boasts an on board school to serve the children of its volunteers and a soccer team. Typically, the ship docks for nine months and takes three months for repairs. It houses 484 volunteers from more than 30 countries.
In her 10 weeks on the ship, Henry said she embarked on experiences she will carry with her forever. “The experience was unlike any other,” she said. “Each day was an adventure. Whether it is in the operating room straightening a child’s bowed legs or removing an enormous tumor from a person’s face, celebrating on the ward with patients who are in various stages of healing, or simply walking to the market to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Africa, the experience of serving with Mercy Ships is life-changing. I would recommend it to anyone.”
Ginger Henry assists with a surgery during her time on the Africa Mercy ship. The work is balanced with times of celebration with those who are healing.
Henry is returning to Mercy Ships in 2010 to serve Togo and South Africa. In order to prepare to serve long-term on the ship, she attended a training program at the International Operations Center for Mercy Ships in Green Valley, Texas. “This training included personal development classes, team building exercises and faith and values classes,” she said. “It also included basic safety training to learn fire-fighting skills and water survival skills.”
Armed with her former experiences and new training, Henry is excited to return to the sea.
“I am very much looking forward to serving the people of Togo and South Africa,” she said. “I also look forward to reuniting with friends I’ve met on the ship and in training.”
Henry is a 2000 graduate of Pocahontas County High School and is a member of New Hope Lutheran Church.
This is an article about another nurse that served with us in 2009 for 10 weeks. Her hometown newspaper, Pochahontas Times, published the following article.
Wednesday December 02, 2009
Henry sails to serve those in need
Suzanne StewartStaff Writer
Serving 10 weeks on the Africa Mercy, of Mercy Ships, Ginger Henry helped several patients of Benin, Africa, with their surgical needs. Photos courtesy of Ginger Henry
Most adventures are embarked on to gain fame or fortune. But Ginger Henry’s adventure on the Africa Mercy was to serve those in need.
The Africa Mercy is a former Danish rail ferry that was converted into the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship by global charity
Mercy Ships. Since its inception in 1978, Mercy Ships has served in more than 150 ports in developing nations, providing surgical needs and community
development.
Henry first heard about Mercy Ships through former classmate Jessica Walkup who served on the Anastasis, another ship in the Mercy Ships
fleet. “I followed along with her stories through email and always knew I wanted to go myself someday,” Henry said. “As a Christian, I want to use
the skills and talents I have to serve others. I think Mercy Ships is a great organization that combines my skills as an operating nurse, my desire
to serve people that don’t otherwise have access to healthcare and my faith in a way that brings hope and lasting change.”
Henry began her journey on the Africa Mercy in January 2009 and spent 10 weeks on the ship in Benin, West Africa. She volunteers her time as an operating room nurse and must raise $500 a month to live on the ship.
According to the Mercy Ships website, the on board hospital consists of six operating rooms, recovery/intensive care and low dependency wards
with 78 patient beds. The Africa Mercy boasts an on board school to serve the children of its volunteers and a soccer team. Typically, the ship docks for nine months and takes three months for repairs. It houses 484 volunteers from more than 30 countries.
In her 10 weeks on the ship, Henry said she embarked on experiences she will carry with her forever. “The experience was unlike any other,” she said. “Each day was an adventure. Whether it is in the operating room straightening a child’s bowed legs or removing an enormous tumor from a person’s face, celebrating on the ward with patients who are in various stages of healing, or simply walking to the market to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Africa, the experience of serving with Mercy Ships is life-changing. I would recommend it to anyone.”
Ginger Henry assists with a surgery during her time on the Africa Mercy ship. The work is balanced with times of celebration with those who are healing.
Henry is returning to Mercy Ships in 2010 to serve Togo and South Africa. In order to prepare to serve long-term on the ship, she attended a training program at the International Operations Center for Mercy Ships in Green Valley, Texas. “This training included personal development classes, team building exercises and faith and values classes,” she said. “It also included basic safety training to learn fire-fighting skills and water survival skills.”
Armed with her former experiences and new training, Henry is excited to return to the sea.
“I am very much looking forward to serving the people of Togo and South Africa,” she said. “I also look forward to reuniting with friends I’ve met on the ship and in training.”
Henry is a 2000 graduate of Pocahontas County High School and is a member of New Hope Lutheran Church.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Election Date set in Togo for 28 Feb 2010
Just read the linked article where it says "Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe on Wednesday signed a decree to set the election date on Feb. 28." Please pray for a peaceful election. The Africa Mercy plans to arrive in Togo mid-February and our advance team is there now preparing for the field service and the ship's arrival.
There is loads to accomplish prior to the ship's arrival and it is difficult as the focus of the nation is the election process. The Togo government officials came to visit the ship while we were in Benin and they are looking forward to the ship coming to Togo to help their people. Thanks for your prayers for the elections in Togo and for our advance team!
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year! May God bless you abundantly in 2010!
Please click on the card below for our New Year's greeting!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
We're sailing and enjoying the beauty of God's creation!
Tonight, the sunset was beautiful! The seas were calm, even after a brief storm earlier. We sailed from Cotonou, Benin on Tuesday and have been at sea for over 4 days! The sail has been absolutely great! We've seen dolphins, pilot whales, a water spout and flying fish! Rob and I have been plenty busy during the day with our jobs, but the atmosphere around the ship is more relaxed and we are enjoying many Christmas activities.
click here!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
The beach road in Benin
We took a lovely ride along the beach road, today, going to Casa de Papa. Our engineers needed to turn the power off on the ship (Blackout Saturday), so we took a group to Casa de Papa for the day. We took a gentle enjoyable ride down the beach road and had a wonderful day! We had a great group with us from the ship and had a very relaxing day! When we returned this evening, the power was back on and the engineers had finished in record time! We hope they will get a rest tomorrow!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
| |||||
Happy Thanksgiving! We are writing you from the Port of Cotonou, Benin (West Africa) onboard the Mercy Ships vessel, Africa Mercy. Just a couple more weeks before we’ll be sailing and leaving Benin. We have been here in Benin for almost 10 months! The Benin 2009 Field Service continues into the month December. We still have some patients in the wards that are needing care. Please pray for them. We are fortunate this year to have Daslin (a former Anastasis Executive Director) and her husband, Ernest, living here in Benin and running their NGO, Miers. They will continue to care for the patients that may need dressing changes and other care after we sail.
Since our last newsletter in which we shared with you about our wedding anniversary, we’ve had occasion to celebrate another anniversary. This anniversary is celebrating seven years of service with Mercy Ships! You are an important part of this celebration! Thank you so much for making this anniversary possible!
We celebrated by going to dinner with one of our Crossroads classmates, Don Wolven. Don was onboard to complete some safety audits and to provide some technical training for our crew. We have been very blessed to serve and are just as excited about serving with Mercy Ships now as when we began in 2002! You are also a part of changing lives! We hope you are blessed as you read about the differences that you make in so many lives! Thank you for your support! We are so blessed! The picture below is the Engineering Department when we were on the Caribbean Mercy taken in June 2003. We continue to serve with three of the thirteen crew! Ciaran (5th from the left) serves at the International Operations Center (IOC) in Texas; Tom (to his right in the blue bandana) and Joe (4th from the right) serve on the Africa Mercy.
The next picture was taken just a couple weeks ago of the Engineering Department here on the Africa Mercy. Tom and Joe are in the back row 3rd and 4th from the right. Rob is right under the anchor! It's an honor to serve with such a great group of guys!
We want to take this opportunity to express our appreciation and love for all of you, our family, friends and supporters that have stood with us all these years. We are here serving with Mercy Ships and are able to continue to serve because of your support. Thank you so much! It is because of your prayers, tears, laughter, encouragement, understanding, love, discernment, and financial support we are able to continue serving here in Africa! We picked the name MercyWatch for our newsletter, blog and website early along. We are privileged to Watch God’s Mercy being poured out on His people in so many ways. We hope that as you read you will know that you are part of God’s hands, just as we are!
Last Tuesday (Nov 17th), we (the entire Africa Mercy crew) were invited to the President of Benin’s Palace for dinner. It was incredible! The picture above is the hall in which we ate dinner. If you look closely you may be able to see us! Approximately 320 crew had dinner with President Yayi Boni. The President even sent food to the ship for the 80 crew that had work duties on the ship and couldn't attend! The government honored 5 Mercy Ships Leaders for all the work that Mercy Ships has accomplished in Benin. Those honored were Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships Founders; Ken Berry, Africa Mercy Managing Directior; Dr. Gary Parker, Africa Mercy Chief Medical Officer and Maxiofacial Surgeon; Dr. Glenn Strauss, Sr. VP of Healthcare Initiatives and Eye Surgeon; and Daslin Small Oueounou, Mercy Ships Benin Representative (former Mercy Ships, Anastasis, Executive Director). We know without the Lord's help and support from many, many people this work could not be done! We depend on Him daily! Thank you for your part in what has been accomplished!
We prayerfully started on this journey in 2001 - 2002, some thought it was a mistake and thought we were being reckless and fool hearty with our future. They saw it as stepping away from jobs, home, friends, family and church home. How could we expect to survive in such a setting? We fully believed and still do believe we were following the will of God for our lives. We weren’t experienced in trusting God to this degree, but we wanted to be. God knows our hearts and honors our prayers to allow our hearts to be broken by the things that break His heart. He heard our prayers asking him to allow us to see His people as He sees them. Not to be scared of their deformities, physically, emotionally or spiritually but to meet them where they are and show them His love. This little girl is Alba and she had a huge tumor growing out of her mouth. She covered it with a cloth and couldn't eat around other people. She is just 8 years old and has struggled with this tumor for 2 years. Alba's mother said, "When the tumor first appeared, my husband and I took Alba to the hospital, but we didn’t have money to pay for it, so they wouldn’t treat her. We had to use traditional medicine.” Alba was taken out of school so her mother could give her the traditional medicine daily. After her surgery, Alba looked down into a handheld mirror, paused in a state of bewilderment, and began touching the empty space on her mouth. The tumor was gone. After 20 seconds of staring, a single tear rolled down her cheek. Alba will now be able to go back to school and live life again as a little girl! She is beautiful and her mother is so happy!
We continue on this journey, not without challenges. There are days when we feel defeated and wonder if we are really making a difference. The needy seem to exceed our abilities to help … yes they always will, we have to stop and remember where our strength comes from. Then we are reminded as we were recently. We were hosting a good friend’s parents on the ship. As we were talking with them, they came to realize that the people that Mercy Ships helps are actually people just like them and not witches or a cursed person. They had previously thought that a baby with a cleft lip and palate or a person with a tumor was a witch. They were amazed and it was a revelation to them.
We pray for you today and everyday that God is Lord of All your life!
May you wake each day, excited about the possibilities that the new day brings. For surely… “This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps 118:24 Happy Thanksgiving! and a huge Thank you from us and those we are able to serve due to your prayer support and generousity! God’s abundant blessings, Denise and Rob Phone: 954 538-6110 ext. 4423 email: denise.miller@mercyships.org and rob.miller@mercyships.org | |||||
|
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Making a Difference
The primary purpose of the Mercy Ships Hospitality Center is to provide a comfortable setting in which patients can regain their strength and health before, after, and in-between surgeries. The results have been extremely positive, resulting in the highest turnover of surgeries to date. But the Hospitality Center (HC) is proving to be more than just a temporary medical facility.
Recently, Ellen de Pagter of the Netherlands took on the role of Mercy Ships Disciple, which has resulted in patients having the opportunity to receive counseling and basic education. "Half of the time I try to be one-on-one with the patients. The other half of the time I try to do group teachings on things like the alphabet, French, English, and basic mathematics," said Ellen. "It's mostly about helping them regain their confidence by being in a group again and to be more secure about themselves."
Ellen, who worked as a primary-school teacher for five-years in her home country, has her own classroom - an unused therapy tent - in which she conducts her classes at the HC. As there are patients of various ages always coming and going, her class is forever changing. "It can be difficult because some patients stay for eight weeks, while others for only a few days," she explained. "The type of teaching depends on who is there."
Ellen encourages classroom participation, as she believes this is the key for patients to regain their self-confidence and reintegrate themselves back into community once their disfiguring ailments have been surgically corrected. "It makes them believe in themselves again; it gives them confidence to speak up in a group. Nobody here is laughing at them because everyone has a problem," she said.
But sometimes the humiliation and pain suffered can be so severe that some patients have difficulty even adjusting to the HC community. Fortunately, this is why Ellen is on hand to counsel such individuals.
"We had a patient some time ago named Christina. She had a hole in her face, and she would just sit in the corner by herself all the time. It took me a few days to realize it because she would always hide in the dark where nobody could see her.
"I began to sit with her and slowly began to ask her why she wasn't participating or attending the classes. 'People think I smell bad, that I look ugly, and they are not happy to be around me,' she told me. It was very sad. I encouraged her and prayed with her. It was the start of the weekend, so after that I didn't see her for two days. But when I came back, I saw her happily sitting with the other people, and I thought, 'Wow! It takes just thirty minutes to speak with someone, and it can make such a difference to them.'"
There are always opportunities for Ellen to minister and educate. Recently, twenty ladies suffering with VVF (vesico-vaginal fistula) arrived at the HC from the north of Benin. Their surgeries and recoveries will require them to remain for up to three weeks in the care of Mercy Ships. Ellen hopes to be able to impact their lives in some way. "I think about eighty percent of them never went to school. I'm going to teach them to read and write," she said. "That's something important I can give them."
With the Hospitality Center having proved its worth during the course of this year, the concept will continue to be implemented in future Mercy Ships field services.
"The Hospitality Center is an environment where you can see a change occur in someone within a week," Ellen said. "I don't think anybody leaves the same as when they arrived. I see this change in parents and the way they treat their children - they become more gentle, more caring, more friendly."
"I do feel like I am making a difference. At first I was just doing what I could and trying things out, but last week I took time to observe the people, and I could see in some that they were learning something," she added.
Ellen's work is helping to bring hope and healing of another level to the people of Benin. As she continues her valuable ministry into next year's field service in Togo, she is already thinking of ways to improve her effectiveness - which, no doubt, she will achieve. "It's about healing the inside by serving from the outside. I think they have a lot of pain inside. This is a way to solve it."
Written & Photographed by Richard Brock
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Two new Steam Kettles installed on the Africa Mercy
It is difficult to explain Rob's job on the Africa Mercy. The crew usually never see all the parts and equipment that Rob orders for the ship. This is due to the fact that most of it goes into the engine room or somewhere around the ship, so that the ship can continue to function properly. When the Procurement/Logistics team works seamlessly (which is how they prefer) the crew may not even be aware of anything being different. Sometimes it is not cost effective to replace parts and our team at the International Operations Center and at the office in the Netherlands work hard to support the ship in every thing they do! Some of the newest items received onboard have a definite impact on the crew morale...cause it has to do with FOOD!
Thank you to all the Procurement/Logistics Team and the company who provided a great discount on these wonderful additions to the Galley - New Steam Kettles!
Here is an article written by our Communications Team recently:
Every day onboard the Africa Mercy, a staff of twenty daily prepares nine hundred meals for crew and patients. Previously, the galley had only one operational steam kettle, which was difficult to use.
“We were working with only one operational steam kettle, which was old and often stopped working,” said galley manager, Jesse Mitchell.
Two new steam kettles, sold to Mercy Ships at a greatly discounted price, were recently installed in the Africa Mercy galley. The new steam kettles will allow the staff to prepare meals more efficiently.
“We use the steam kettles for many different things – including stews, pastas, and soups. They are really multi-purposeful. We are cooking for so many people on the ship, and we don’t have the space on the stove for pots. Instead, we can use the steam kettles. They are fast and make cooking much more convenient,” said Mitchell.
Currently in use, the steam kettles are making it easier for the galley staff to perform their jobs. “We really needed the steam kettles. Everyone is happy to have them,” said Mitchell.
Friday, October 09, 2009
New Video - October Alumni Report
We hope you'll enjoy this video - Click here to view it. We are not able to watch videos from the ship, so please let me know if the link is not working properly. Also, let me know how you like the content! Email me at denise.miller@mercyships.org! Thanks!
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Today is World Sight Day!
Mercy Ships Surgeon Addresses Blindness Through Sutureless Technique
Patients onboard Mercy Ship, Africa Mercy “Celebrate Sight” and World Sight Day
Cotonou, Benin, West Africa, October 8, 2009 – Four-year-old Celine was born with congenital cataracts in both eyes. Her father, a tailor, wanted the best for her. However, he could not afford the $180 (US) for surgery for each eye, plus the money required for hospital supplies in his country. Unable to begin school because she could not see, Celine faced an uncertain future.
A free five-minute cataract operation onboard the Mercy Ship has restored hope for Celine and more than 3,000 others. They are receiving cataract surgery onboard the Mercy Ship during the hospital ship’s 10-month stay in the port of Cotonou from February through December of this year.
Not only do approximately 150 patients each week participate in a “Celebrate Sight” event, but many more Africans are set to benefit from a new training program onboard the floating hospital. African ophthalmologists receive training in the specialized procedure to remove the very dense cataracts that are common in Africa.
According to Vision 2020, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness, and 80% of blindness is treatable, curable or preventable.* Simple and effective strategies could address this inequity, claims Dr. Glenn Strauss. He gave up his eye practice in the US to serve fulltime with Mercy Ships as Senior VP of Health Care Initiatives with the charity.
Since 2004, Dr. Strauss has fine-tuned a procedure of cataract removal called MSICS (Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery). The technique, which has been developed in Nepal, India, and onboard the Mercy Ship, requires no sutures. It is also cost-effective and efficient, and it allows for a high-volume turnover of patients. Strauss says he can serve approximately 40 patients per day.
South African ophthalmologist Dr. Gcobane Tuswa has recently returned to Sabona Eye Hospital in Queenstown, East Cape to implement the new techniques learned from Dr. Strauss onboard the Africa Mercy. He states, “The knowledge he [Dr. Strauss] has to share is invaluable and will increase capacity to address blindness.”
Mercy Ships will also continue to run remote eye clinics throughout the year in Benin. Volunteer professionals will see more than 200 patients a day, thus expanding their service throughout local communities.
Watch a recent Mercy Ships “Celebration of Sight,” held for patients who have completed their final checkups in Cotonou, Benin: Click Here
Celine’s story can be seen by a Click Here.
Patients onboard Mercy Ship, Africa Mercy “Celebrate Sight” and World Sight Day
Cotonou, Benin, West Africa, October 8, 2009 – Four-year-old Celine was born with congenital cataracts in both eyes. Her father, a tailor, wanted the best for her. However, he could not afford the $180 (US) for surgery for each eye, plus the money required for hospital supplies in his country. Unable to begin school because she could not see, Celine faced an uncertain future.
A free five-minute cataract operation onboard the Mercy Ship has restored hope for Celine and more than 3,000 others. They are receiving cataract surgery onboard the Mercy Ship during the hospital ship’s 10-month stay in the port of Cotonou from February through December of this year.
Not only do approximately 150 patients each week participate in a “Celebrate Sight” event, but many more Africans are set to benefit from a new training program onboard the floating hospital. African ophthalmologists receive training in the specialized procedure to remove the very dense cataracts that are common in Africa.
According to Vision 2020, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness, and 80% of blindness is treatable, curable or preventable.* Simple and effective strategies could address this inequity, claims Dr. Glenn Strauss. He gave up his eye practice in the US to serve fulltime with Mercy Ships as Senior VP of Health Care Initiatives with the charity.
Since 2004, Dr. Strauss has fine-tuned a procedure of cataract removal called MSICS (Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery). The technique, which has been developed in Nepal, India, and onboard the Mercy Ship, requires no sutures. It is also cost-effective and efficient, and it allows for a high-volume turnover of patients. Strauss says he can serve approximately 40 patients per day.
South African ophthalmologist Dr. Gcobane Tuswa has recently returned to Sabona Eye Hospital in Queenstown, East Cape to implement the new techniques learned from Dr. Strauss onboard the Africa Mercy. He states, “The knowledge he [Dr. Strauss] has to share is invaluable and will increase capacity to address blindness.”
Mercy Ships will also continue to run remote eye clinics throughout the year in Benin. Volunteer professionals will see more than 200 patients a day, thus expanding their service throughout local communities.
Watch a recent Mercy Ships “Celebration of Sight,” held for patients who have completed their final checkups in Cotonou, Benin: Click Here
Celine’s story can be seen by a Click Here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
