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Saturday, January 15, 2011

Africa Mercy Shipyard

You've probably picked up by now that we are still in South Africa waiting for the remainder of the work on the Africa Mercy to be finished in the shipyard in Durban. The main reason for the work is to install some new generators. The old ones were proving too noisey for the hospital and even the surgeons were finding it hard to hear each other when in surgery. Click on the "power the vision" picture below to see the work that has gone on.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Mercy Teddies

Some of you may have remembered the post I wrote about a lady who was knitting teddies for the hospital ward on the Africa Mercy (click here to read again if you don't).
Well it seemed to inspire others and the ladies in my Mum's church at Roundswell church got inspired and started knitting. Last week, 3 boxes full of teddies were sent off to Rebecca. Here are some of the results.
(Sharons Mum with some of the teddies)

Thank you all so much for taking part in this - we are sure that each teddy will go to a good home and will have lots of love!
If you haven't had a go yet and are interested in taking part you can download the pattern from here and it also gives you details of where to send them

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Christmas

With us being the USA we couldn't pass the opportunity to fly home to Tim's family for Christmas. It was almost 10 years since Tim had spent Christmas with his sister and brother and the first for Sharon and Nathanael so as you can guess we were really excited. It was quite a quick trip so we are sorry if we didn't catch up with some of you. Nathanael got to help Uncle Terry with chopping down the christmas tree with his toy saw.
which followed with decorating the tree with the Tretheway family
Nathanael got to make cookies with dear friends
and somehow we went mad with the stocking which overflowed onto the floor!
all in all it was a special Christmas.

Monday, January 03, 2011

At the Headquarters

In November we spent time at the Mercy Ships Headquarters in Texas where Tim was able to be part of the International Programs & Operations Conference. It's been the first opportunity for all the senior leadership from the Head office and the ship to meet together in one place. With the ship being in dry dock it was ideal time to do it.
 
It was also a good time for us to see what people do to support us on the ship and put a few faces to names that we have heard of for so long. It's amazing what it takes to keep us afloat, without all those that work so hard at our international offices, the ship could not operate. We were able to visit the newly built warehouse that sorts through all the supplies that come through our doors and pack the containers that we receive on the ship. Plus it was a nice opportunity to catch up with friends that have left the ship and moved to work there.
Tim also spent time with Marine Operations as they plan for the next outreach. Tim reports directly to Marine Operations and they run all the technical side of the ship. Meanwhile Nathanael and Sharon were able to go run through the autumn leaves in the grounds, visit the nearby farm and enjoy the space and fresh air for Nathanael to have a good run around.