World Maritime Day

Today is World Maritime Day

To celebrate this day, Mercy Ships ran an article featuring Tim.

(Click on each picture to enlarge)

Nathanael Shares a Song

Nathanael wants to share a song with you this week, he continues to share it with us EVERY meal time so we thought it would be nice for others to listen to him for a bit.

Hevie Dormitory Opens

Located about 35km (22 miles) west from the port of Cotonou in a village called Hieve It is a piece of land that belongs to Bethesda, a local faith-based organization engaged in programs of health and social development. By coming alongside and partnering with Bethesda during this year’s outreach in Benin, Mercy Ships has helped develop this land into an agricultural training center called “Food for Life.” The purpose of the center is to train local workers in farming skills, teaching biblical organic agriculture skills in nutrition and crop production. Before the agricultural aspect of the project could begin, the construction of a training centre was needed, containing a lecture room for classes and an on-site dormitory to house 30 people where participants could reside whilst attending the “Food for Life” program. Both construction and agriculture fall under supplemental programs of the Health Care Development Department of Mercy Ships. The Construction Supervisor, was responsible for overseeing the entirety of the dormitory’s construction process. He went out to the site about three times a week, making sure that the site managers had everything they needed and that things were running smoothly, along with a bit of financial bookwork to make sure that the bills were paid. The main resources that were used, were all readily available in Benin, including cement, sand, gravel, steel, and timber. The dormitory is shielded by a zinc roof and glass windows. Bricks for the construction of the walls were made on-site, formed from sand and cement, and were moulded within seconds and then took about 3 days to dry.

Labour for the construction was contracted for a daily wage. There were 16 workers involved, 4 of which were skilled in carpentry and masonry. There was no difficulty in finding willing labourers, and most of them came from nearby churches. Mercy Ships tries to use people from the community to do as much of the work as possible, thereby empowering them to help themselves. But it's more than just providing job opportunities, Mercy Ships helps to train the labourers in new and unfamiliar building skills. For example, some of the workers who were doing steel bending had not necessarily done it before. Two of them were shown how to do it then they would go and show the others. The hope is that at the end, the workers would have sufficient skills to be able to go and work as carpenters or masons. During a project like this, challenges are inevitable, and time was the most pressing factor. The building needed to be finished within two months so that two agricultural programs could be conducted before the end of the outreach. Keeping the project within its budget was hugely important and the threat of flooding from the rainy season was a concern. Heavy rains could damage roads, limiting access to the site, and if the soil became too wet, digging would become difficult.

Last week a ceremony was hosted by Bethesda to commemorate the official opening of the Agriculture Training Center. The ceremony included performances from local choirs, as well as speeches from several notable guests, including the General Coordinator for Bethesda NGO, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and Managing Director of the Africa Mercy, Ken Berry. The opening was attended by Mercy Ships crew, additional members of Bethesda NGO, and current “Food for Life” participants.

As you can see below the first session of the three-month program is already underway.

Our Hospitality Centre

"Who practices hospitality entertains God himself"

Approximately two blocks from the port of Cotonou, where the Africa Mercy is currently docked, is a warehouse. Since the early months from when we arrived in Benin, it has undergone a tremendous transformation. Now it is our Hospitality Centre (HC), it functions primarily as a non-medical, temporary housing unit for pre-and-post-op patients and their caregivers. It consists of two air-conditioned wards with room for 76 beds, as well as bathroom facilities containing showers and flushing toilets! The center also houses the Dockside OP Eye and Physical Therapy Units. Once patients have been screened and approved, they are generally admitted onto the ship the day before their surgery. However, sometimes patients are not strong enough or healthy enough to undergo a complex medical procedure. If this is the case, patients are admitted to the Hospitality Centre to stay until deemed fit for surgery. During this time, they will be given three healthy meals a day, clean drinking water, and a comfortable bed – complete with a mosquito net.

Likewise, once patients are stabilized after surgery and no longer need immediate care, they are moved to the Hospitality Center. They are able to return to the ship for daily or weekly treatment and follow-ups. Mercy Ships provides the transportation – a ship vehicle fitted with a light and siren and with sufficient space to carry a stretcher and five seated patients. It is on constant standby in case of an emergency. The major benefit of the Hospitality Center is that the beds in the ship’s hospital wards become available more quickly. This means that surgeons can perform more surgeries – and, ultimately, more people are helped. In other words, our impact is greatly increased! To construct the warehouse to its current state, walls were erected, roofs were constructed, and plumbing for bathrooms and toilets was installed. To make the area secure, a fence with security gates was put up around the property. Electrical wiring was laid for lights and air-conditioning. Because of regular power cuts in Cotonou, it was imperative to install a generator as a backup power supply. All this was achieved with the combined help of the Electrical and Construction Departments of the Africa Mercy, as well as the hard work of Mercy Teams that come from churches all around the world to work with the Ship for a few weeks. Everyday running involves the management of 8 day volunteers, 4 generator operators, and 4 security guards, as well as the coordination of patients and supplies to and from the ship. Teaching on basic nursing skills, as well as the overall care of the patients is also given to our day volunteers. This is a relatively new concept for Mercy Ships and so far it seems to be working well. The Hospitality Centre has already proved its effectiveness by accommodating women suffering with VVF who travelled from the north of Benin. Their recovery involves bed rest and before would take a bed up in the ward for 1-2 weeks. Also, little babies gain weight on a feeding program before they undergo corrective surgery, for example, a cleft lip. The Hospitality Center is already proving to be a valuable tool in delivering hope and healing to the world’s poor, and, if possible, will be implemented in future fields of service.

International Night of Worship

For our church service tonight we had an international worship night, where groups of crew brought something from their different countries. So we thought we'd share bits of this service with you.

Sharon ended up being in the group from Wales-6 of us considered Cardiff as home, but only 1 was actually Welsh speaking. Another was half Canadian and half Welsh and was born in Bridgend. We read Psalm 23 in welsh and sang the great hymn "Guide Me O Thy Great Jehovah". (as a footnote we apologise to any Welsh speakers out there who might cringe at the pronounciation of some of the words...we gave it our best shot....must admit we don't think we will be taking up Welsh in the near future....we'll stick to French!)

We also had music from Ghana, which got everybody up and dancing.

....and even this baby slept through the whole thing whilst tied to her mothers back.

Then we had the South African's

Followed by a contingent from Poland who sang a very lively version of Hallelujah.

It was all finished off by the German speaking countries.

It's great to be a part of such a big International Crew and share worship together.

Hitting the Bottle

Yesterday we finally gave in and hit the bottle. We needed to take a little walk to get what we were looking for, but it wasn't too long before we found a little stall in town at the side of the road that sold just what we needed, plus the storeholder even knew how to say the price in English as we frantically searched our brains for a translation of prices from French to English. Why is it we ask what the price is in French then get surprised when the response is also in French and then we're stuck!

So after surveying all different kinds of labels and their contents we settled on the African Queen and Shayo Dry Gin bottles. We thought this would go down very well for a lazy afternoon in the cabin.

In case you're thinking we've gone nuts.....that's exactly what has happened:

In the African Queen we have sweet peanuts:

....and in the Shayo Dry Gin bottle we have cashews.

This is quite a normal way to sell nuts and it's not bad for $2-3 each and if you take your bottle back you might even get a discount (we'd best learn the French for that first!)

Nathanael's Unusual Sleep Pattern

Nathanael seemed to develop some funny sleeping positions yesterday. As Sharon was out playing being "Mr Kipling" in the crew galley, having been inspired to make some viennese fingers for a surprise birthday party, she returned to find that Nathanael had fallen asleep in the middle of his "choo choo" game.

Then he fell asleep in the middle of his "Winnie the Pooh" book last night.

and in case you were wondering......the viennese fingers tasted really good!

Norwegian Soccer Team Profile Mercy Ships

Kristiansaand’s Start players who played against Fredrikstad in the Premier League last Sunday wore the charity’s logo on their jerseys. The goal was to promote the charity in Norway and the promotion was donated free of charge. This special arrangement was due to a collaboration between Mercy Ships, IK Start, and the soccer team’s main national bank sponsor, Sparebanken Sør. Board chairman for Mercy Ships Norge, Erling Natvig, was very pleased with the opportunity. In his opinion this was important in the organization’s work to help even more people.

“We are thankful that IK Start and Sparebanken Sør wanted to do this for us. Having Mercy Ships promoted in this manner is very valuable. We wish to help the poorest of the poor, but to do so, we need to be better known in Norway,” said Natvig.

“Our humanitarian efforts are primarily directed to local and regional activities. However, as a central bank in connection with the annual TV fund raising action, we have also contributed beyond our national borders for many years,” says Gry Moen, Marketing Director for Sparebanken Sør, whose logo normally decorates the Start jersey. “When local enthusiasts in Mercy Ships asked to borrow our advertising spot on the Start uniform for a game, it was easy for us to say yes. We know that Mercy Ships gives many people new opportunities for a better life. In addition, we are impressed by the volunteer effort and enthusiasm of the individuals who operate these hospital ships. We cheer on Start and Mercy Ships and wish them the best of luck in their future work,” she stated. IK Start channels its community service through its daughter company Start Life Support AS, and supports projects both nationally and internationally. “Start Life Support is Start Football’s community service program, and has a goal of helping those less fortunate locally, nationally, and internationally. We already have many ongoing projects, but when the request from Mercy Ships came, we thought the dedication and work was so exciting, that it was not difficult for us to promote the project. Mercy Ships efforts on behalf of the poor is unique, and for us to have the opportunity to use our own stadium to tell about this wonderful work feels very right” said Director Helge Josdal, Start Life Support AS.

...and the score?

Start beat Fredrikstad 1-0!

Our Beloved Ship Shop

At 12:30pm every weekday the doors of the ship shop open and there is a rush to get there before the crowds. You enter the shop and begin the one way loop of the two aisle super store. Grab your basket. Walk past the cleaning and stationery supplies. Pass the water bottle carriers on their stands. Make a left at the baking supply section. Grab your eggs & juice from the fridge. Turn left at the gummies (grab one, if you must). Saunter down the back aisle and dilemma over which type of cookie you might crave that evening (Dutch, English, American?). Then resign to chat with people as you hit the ship shop rush hour traffic. At this point, you are only halfway through the store, but have reached the far end of the check out line.

Then there it is....my find of the day, never have we seen it on the shelves before. To some, you might not feel it's a big deal, but to a Brit on a ship without access to their normal home supermarkets...it is heaven, and news soon spreads fast amongst the Brits as they join the rush to grab a jar. Yes it's.........

BRANSTON PICKLE

(Chutney to others, enjoyed with cheese on a sandwich)

It is easy to stay cool from here on in. The line moves at a mellow pace and allows you to browse any toiletries you may be running low on. Skim a chapter of a book, if you like. Try to find a shirt above size small. Examine all the hand made local crafts.

Okay, you are nearing the checkout. Stay calm. Keep relaxed. Shoulders back. Head up. Mentally scan your memory to see if you have forgotten anything. Choose your favourite pringles flavour and place everything on the counter in front of our dear shopkeepers. Not forgetting the 2 toilet rolls that Nathanael always picks up for you whether you want it or not!

Your items are being scanned in. At this point you hold your name tag up so the cashier can punch in your name to charge to your account. Done. If all has gone well, you will have remembered everything and won't need to repeat the circuit. You are good to go....CONGRATULATIONS you survived the ship shop rush hour!......just another glimpse of our lives on board

How About this for a Day Job

We often sit and watch in amazement at how many fisherman, like this, catch their fish and haul it in each day. It is hefty work!

Then at the end of their trip they all sail past our cabin window displaying a variety of flags, colourful sails and paintwork.

Farewell Edele Family

One hard thing about being on the ship are the goodbyes and somehow they never seem to get any easier as crew gather on the dock to wave people off. Today we said goodbye to dear friends, the Edele Family. Wolfgang has worked his socks off as one of the doctors on board and Andrea worked in the hospital, but she was also Sharon's nursery partner. Together with their two kids, David and Amy, they are a very special family and will be missed greatly on board here. Have a save trip back to Germany!

Anyone for French Fries Pizza

We've just been out for dinner to say goodbye to some friends....we just love ordering food in Benin and not know what we're going to end up with after attempting to translate or even guess what the French means. Ever tried chips/fries or an egg on a pizza?...yes it was on the menu. We all wanted to make sure we got it right as somebody had been before and ate in the dark and was convinced that they were eating snake!...we figured it was the beef tongue!

Goodbye Patti and Kevin, we're going to miss you...come back and visit one day.

Darkness Lifting

For seven years, Genevieve has been the eyes for others. She gave birth to three children – two boys separated by a girl – all with cataracts in both eyes, preventing them from seeing anything but the most subtle shifts in light and shadow. Going anywhere has been an exercise in patience and strength for Genevieve – tying one-year-old Ricardo on her back with a piece of brightly-patterned cloth, taking seven-year-old Alexis by the hand, holding three-year-old Nadege by the arm – then guiding them up steps, through thresholds, and around potholes. For years, her eyes have been vigilant guards against danger – coal stoves sitting in the corners of rooms, containers of liquid that could scald or poison, and all the daily threats that could harm her children. “Because of the blindness, I must be with them all the day,” Genevieve said. “Even if they are playing, I have to watch them. In everything, I have to be right beside them.” Genevieve and her husband tried to get help for their children. They visited the hospital in Glazoue, the nearest city, but they had no means to pay for the expensive cataract surgeries. The physical toll of her children’s blindness was heavy for Genevieve to bear. But the emotional strain was even more difficult, for Genevieve wondered what would become of her children in a country that makes no accommodations for blindness. Genevieve also struggled spiritually. “Why is it that all my children are blind?” she thought constantly. “What did I do to God for this to happen?” To make matters even worse, she heard people cruelly whisper, “It must be witchcraft or a curse – because three blind children in one family is too unlucky.” Then hope surfaced when a man in their village offered to help. André Affedjou, a civil servant in Benin, and his friends sometimes assist people who cannot afford medical treatment. When they heard about Genevieve and her children, their hearts were touched. “Usually we find one blind child in one family or one handicapped child in one family, but three blind children for one family was too much,” André said. He knew that if they did not get help, they would have a very bleak future and would be dependent on others for their entire lives. André said, “They will not have a chance to go to school because there is no blind school in the village. But if they receive their sight, it will be a great happiness.”

André heard about Mercy Ships on the radio and arranged for transportation to Cotonou and for housing for the family. They came to the ship the week before Easter – three happy children, laughing, using their fingers to “see” the toys the nurses handed them, and mimicking the foreign noises of the ship. Genevieve looked pensive – daring to hope, yet unsure that her solution had finally arrived.

“I hope that the children will recover their sight,” Genevieve said, “and they can go to school. I will be so happy if my children can see my face and my husband’s face.”

Kim Strauss, Eye Team Coordinator and wife of eye surgeon Dr. Glenn Strauss, said that the children arrived in very good health – good enough to be operated on immediately. Often, children have to be nursed for a few days before their operations, usually due to dehydration or fevers or infections. She gave Genevieve credit for the children’s good health and spirits. “She is such a wonderful mother,” said Kim. “The kids are so happy. Even when they were blind, they were such happy little children.” And their innate joy was evident in their infectious laughter, their giggling chatter, and their dimpled smiles that wandered the room without focus. They seemed to be designed to experience life and happiness to the fullest extent.

The expectation for a successful surgery was highest for three-year-old Nadege. She hadn’t been blind long enough for permanent damage, yet her eyes were developed enough for the new lens to fit well. For congenital cataract procedures, children over the age of seven often have permanent damage because the optic nerve never develops, and the brain adjusts to blindness. This was a worry especially for Alexis. For baby Ricardo, the concern was that his eyes were not developed enough for the procedure and that the lens wouldn’t fit correctly. The children all received their operations on the Thursday before Easter and spent a night with their eyes patched. The next morning, the surgeons, operating room nurses, and Kim assembled for the exciting moment – it was time to remove the bandages. First they removed Nadege’s. “When we got the bandages off,” Kim recalls, smiling, “she grabbed the doll we were holding in front of her and said, ‘Bebe, bebe.’ So she knew what it was, and we knew she could see.” Next was Alexis, who they feared wouldn’t see as well. They put the toys on the floor. He looked around, walked straight up to Dr.Glenn, and took something he had in his hand. Finally, they removed Ricardo’s bandages, and then promptly returned him to his mother’s arms to calm him. For some time, he lay with his eyes squeezed shut. Finally he opened one eye and glanced around. Suddenly he saw something on his mother’s shirt, and he reached up and grabbed it. “When he did that, we knew he could see, too,” Kim says. “It’s just a miracle! Even to Dr. Glenn, to see their vision come back is still a miracle. For him, every operation is a prayer that their sight will improve, for them to be able to function, to get around and get into things, like kids are supposed to do. And when it happens, it’s just fantastic.” Now Genevieve’s hopes are realized. Her children will see her face, and they will know their father by sight. They will go to school. She will see them holding hands and walking outside to play on their own. The burden she carried so faithfully and lovingly is gone! The darkness has lifted!

“I am so happy,” Genevieve simply says. “I am so happy, I cannot tell you how happy I am.”

Story by: Carmen Radley

Edited by: IOC Editing Team

Photos by: Esther Biney and Debra Bell

Nathanael In The Summer Program

Since we have been back on board Nathanael has been able to participate in the last 2 weeks of the summer program that they hold on board for all the kids. During their school summer holidays we have a team that apply to come and run a summer program for 6 weeks. This is Sam & Bethany who have been running the pre-schoolers group. They have lots of energy and enthusiasm.

It has been a time packed full of fun stuff, whether it's stories, songs, crafts, baking, messy play, treasure hunts, field trips, you name it, it's probably done. Each morning Nathanael stands at our door asking to go, usually he needs to wait at least an hour before it starts and he doesn't like to wait because he loves it so much.

(Craft time)

(Baking with his friend Zaden)

(How to eat a cup cake by Nathanael Tretheway)

Today we sailed. Or maybe I should say we did a harbour tour. We moved the ship over to the other side of the harbour to the fuel terminal so we could take on some more fuel for 24 hours and then move back. This is the view from our window!

Nothing like the smell of fuel to start your day.

We're Back on Board

Sorry for the the quietness on our blog over the last few months, we were finding that the dial up connection that we had in the USA was not up to speed for blogger, but we're back on board now and so hopefully we will be back with more regular news.

This label seemed to be a common theme on our luggage when we flew to Benin, we just couldn't help stocking up on some of those little luxuries in life: teabags, Nathanael's clothes up to age 4, DVD's, toys and of course that one essential in life, glycerine, so some of our friends here can make a Christmas cake in December with icing that doesn't need a sledge hammer to cut it like last year (and you think I'm joking!)

Meanwhile, thank you for all your prayers concerning Tim's license. It arrived the morning we left the USA so we were able to pick it up on the way to the airport. How about that for timing. So he is now qualified for another 5 years...Thank you GOD!!!

We're On Facebook!

We've finally joined facebook!...Look us up, we'd love to connect with you all.

There is also a box on our facebook profile which will have our blog posts so you can view our blog entries and keep up with our blog news whilst facebooking, how great is that.

Our Little African Boy

We just had to share this photo of Nathanael wearing his African outfit for a church talk we were doing.........he is such a good sport!

Nathanael is 2

This year Nathanael got to celebrate his birthday twice in two different countries with all of his family

UK Birthday-with a Thomas Cake!

USA Birthday-with a Winnie the Pooh Cake!

Happy birthday Nathanael

(Click play to sing along)

Our Handsome Pageboy

At the moment we are currently in the UK to enjoy Sharon sister's wedding. Nathanael was also the ringbearer/pageboy and he looked so cute in his outfit, alongside his Aunty Sally who also looked stunning. It was a beautiful day, with some even taking shade to avoid burning in the sun. For Sally it was a day of tears, getting your hair done, more tears, dressing up, and again more tears as her and Dave said their vows to each other, fortunately they were tears of joy! The reception was held in the beautiful location of Lakeside Manor at Dunkerswell and a good time was had by all. It was great to connect again with all our family. Here are a few photo's from the day as there are many out there dying to see little Nathanael in his outfit.

Welcome to the family Dave!

From Hot to Cold

Sorry for the brief silence in our blog. We were busy packing up the cabin so it could be made available to crew whilst we are home for a short while and then we were travelling etc. The trip is mainly for Tim to renew his masters licence in the USA with a stop off on the way through in the UK to attend Sharon's sister's wedding. We figured they were pretty important!

Sharon and Nathanael embarked on the trip a little earlier than Tim so Nathanael could be fitted out for his wedding suit as he will be a page boy. Tim followed the week of the wedding, just in time to fly in, buy a suit and throw confetti!

After enjoying the hot heat of 106 degrees in Benin it was quite a contrast to have snow on the following day of our arrival in the UK. We just couldn't let the chance go by for Nathanael to build his first snowman. We must, however, thank Lena and Andrea from the ship who had both given Nathanael clothes that came in extra handy to keep him warm (THANK YOU!!)