Hospitality Centre

The Hospitality Center, situated about 3 ½ km. (two miles) from where the Africa Mercy is, opened its doors the first week in March. The 40-bed facility offers overnight provision for up to 90 patients awaiting surgeries and other procedures. It also provides on-land office space for eye services and other programs.

During its first week of operation, the Center handled pre-op and post-op services for 240 eye patients. 80 of those patients were receiving cataract surgery. Eye Specialist Woody Hopper, who heads the eye services office, estimates that 1600 eye patients will utilize the facility during this field service. The Center also housed 88 patients and caregivers overnight to prevent travel problems during Togo's recent national election. Surrounded by a gated cement wall, the Hospitality Center is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the tumultuous city of Lomé. It is housed in a government-owned clinic that is being transformed into a hospital. The Togolese government is allowing Mercy Ships to use one wing of the clinic for the duration of the Togo Field Service. Mercy Ships workers have replaced the leaky roof, installed electricity and air-conditioning, and done a thorough cleaning. The result is a sanitary, up-to-date, and pleasant environment for patients awaiting medical services.

The Hospitality Center is under the supervision of our Land-Based Programs Manager and a management team who share the workload. They are assisted by 22 day-volunteers, divided into teams to do maintenance, drive the shuttles, and assist guests. On the Centre's opening day, 30 patients received pre-op services before receiving their eye surgeries onboard the Africa Mercy . They returned to the Center for post-op care, including instructions and eye care products. Assistants translated instructions into French, Togo's official language, and Ewe, one of the country's most prevalent tribal languages.

You can often here the native drum and celebrated singing of people giving thanks to God. Faces glow with smiles, and arms rise in praise, as patients sing and move with the beat of the music. One eye patient, Kossi Diabo, smiled widely "I am very happy to be here this morning to get a healing from God " he said "and would thank Mercy Ships for what they are doing. First , I can't see anything. Now, I can see! May God encourage you and give you strength." Patients who undergo cataract surgery return for a laser procedure 6 weeks after surgery. When those treatments begin, a Celebration of Sight will be held every Friday for up to 120 patients, a wonderful opportunity to join together in thanking God for His goodness.

A Glimpse Into Our Screening Days

In Togo we have been taking a different approach by holding more smaller screenings. Here is a video which gives you a glimpse into the lives of the screening team and what it takes to assess if somebody is suitable for surgery.

New Legs!

Patients like 11 year old Abel Dalome experience life changing surgeries thanks to the dedicated volunteers on our ship! This young man's life will never be the same.

School Photos

This week we received Nathanael's school photo's. Isn't he a cutie? Apparently it was quite an interesting morning for the photographer and 7 pre-schoolers!

This is Nathanael with his nursery class. As you can see, getting them all to look the same way and smile at the same time just didn't happen.

.....and this is our academy (school) on board. Ages range from 2-18 years.

Would You Be a Deckie

Let us introduce you to our deck department. They are amazing hard working guys and girls. Whether it needs painting, lifting, securing, moving, fixing, purifying your water, fire extinguishers, steering the ship etc, there is so much that they do and to write it all here would take forever. A lot could even go unnoticed by many.

But there is always one job that I don't think I (Sharon) could ever bring myself to do. During our field service our deckies and day volunteers take on the task of painting the outside of the ship. Now we're not sophisticated enough to have running platforms that run round the ship like they do on the posh cruise ships. Instead we use the old fashioned bosun chair. Old fashioned? you say....oh yes, some rope and a plank and it works, along with a safety line!

First, it can be a long way down that rope ladder.

Then you get on your plank, along with your friend and lifejacket.

You chip away the rust spots and spruce it up with some paint.

You can even do it in teams!

So if you like to live life on the edge, come be a deckie for a few weeks.

Thank you Deckies you do an amazing job.

A Busy Week

A week of challenges and surprises, typical for us...?

It began last weekend with a wonderful dinner with new friends, Glotin family, working with the French Navy in Togo. The US Ambassador turned up and we learned a lot about Africa Art, politics and other interesting subjects.

Of course there were the usual demands of work and preparations for surveys and other business of operating a ship, Mercy or otherwise.

On Tuesday morning, we received word that the President of Togo, Mr. Gnassingbe, would be visiting the ship. It is an interesting challenge to make all the preparations for a visit of a Head of State in less than 24 hours, but our great team pulled it all together, from Security arrangements to special arrangements of chairs and so much more. I believe that the President's visit was a meaningful experience for him as well as an honor for us. It is part of the amazing ministry we have.....to be able to touch the hearts of the poorest of the poor, and a President, on the same day.

Life quickly returned (for Tim) to the other important tasks, like trying to confirm some permits for the ship, arranging for the delivery of 600 metric tons of fuel, sharing with a local businessman that we were following the example of Jesus in coming to bring Hope and Healing in his country. We plan to meet again.

Mercy Ships Founders Don and Deyon Stephens were back on board, with friends of Mercy Ships US Congressman and Mrs L. Gohmert. Later, I met Former VP of DR Congo visiting on board for two days as well.

The Taxes were finished (hurray) and we ran errands in the city (accidentally meeting the Glotins on the way) and dodging a large "political rally." Nathanael got a fever last night. This morning a good turnout for the sunrise service on Deck 8 and a wonderful Resurrection Service later. With Nathanael sick, we'll have Brunch in the cabin, and, we hope, an afternoon of rest and joy in the Resurrection of our Savior.

Oceane-A Story from Benin

Whilst Megan was working in the communications office, one of the photographers, grabbed her attention, saying, "You need to have a look at this pre-operative photo." She spun her chair around and was horrified by the image on his computer screen. There was one-year-old Oceane. Tears were streaming from her eyes. Her little face grimaced in pain. A grotesque mass, larger than her head, hung from the back of her neck. The photo made her uncomfortable. Instinctively, she turned away. "Children aren't supposed to experience that kind of pain," she thought.

Oceane had an encephalocele - a rare neural tube defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of neural tissue through openings in the skull. A small gap in the back of her head, only 1.4 cm wide, was the root of her problems. It allowed cerebrospinal fluid to escape from her brain and collect in the ballooning skin on the back of her neck, which formed the disturbing "second head."

Oceane's mother, Philomen, had brought her baby to a Mercy Ships medical screening day in February 2009. Upon evaluation, surgeons planned on removing the mass and placing a small tube in her brain. The tube, called a shunt, would drain excessive fluid from her head into her abdomen. However, the earliest surgical opening wasn't until October.

During the seven months of waiting for the surgery, Philomen faced great discouragement. As the bulge continued to swell, simple things, like bathing Oceane, began to scare Philomen. "When I gave her a bath, I never washed her head. I was scared the tumor would explode, and the baby would die."

To make life even more miserable, others began to mock Philomen, saying, "Look at the horrible baby she has."

Philomen said, "I never replied. I felt very ashamed and always stayed in the house." Friends and family increased the tension by saying that Mercy Ships was making her wait because they couldn't perform the surgery.

Despite the discouraging voices around her, Philomen never lost hope that Oceane could be helped. On Sunday, October 14, she brought the child to the Africa Mercy . That evening, Megan walked down to the hospital to meet them. Oceane was helplessly lying on the bed, unable to sit up from the weight of the mass. "There is no way they are going to be able to remove that," she thought to myself. Cautiously, she introduced herself. She knew it was still uncertain that she'd receive her surgery. She was scheduled for a neurosurgical procedure that normally required multiple surgeons, expensive equipment, and a follow-up stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. It would be high-risk, even with the boundless resources of Western medicine. We were on a hospital ship with half of those resources. The surgeons weren't certain the operation would be safe. Already, Megan could see high hopes and expectations in Philomen's eyes. Oceane was wearing a hospital ID band and sleeping on an Africa Mercy bed . This was the moment she had dreamed about for seven months. But the odds were still against Oceane. Megan didn't want to act too excited for Philomen - not yet. She held Oceane's hand, told Philomen it was nice to meet her, and walked away praying, "God, please help that baby." The next day, a CT Scan of Oceane's head was taken. The results spawned further discussions among the medical staff as they weighed the risks/benefits of her surgery. Finally, the medical team decided Oceane would receive surgery. Her big day was Friday. Thursday afternoon, Megan walked onto D ward looking for her, but the bed was empty. "Where is Oceane?" she asked one of the nurses. "She's in the recovery room. She had her surgery today." Five minutes later, a recovery room nurse walked into the ward holding a small baby with a white turban of bandages. It was Oceane. Again, Megan was shocked. The mass was completely gone. While the nurses listened to her lungs and connected her to a heart monitor, Philomen came to the bedside. When she realized the mass was gone, she was speechless. All she could do was stand by the bed and hold Oceane's tiny hand. For fifteen minutes, she stared at her daughter, oscillating between contented smiles and joyful tears. Megan couldn't hold back her own tears. Throughout the next week, she continued to visit D ward. For the first time, Philomen could see the back of Oceane's neck. Proudly, she tied Oceane to her back like other African mothers and walked up and down the hospital corridor. Philomen was glowing. "When I saw the baby in the surgery room, she was laughing. God has done something great in my life that has lifted me. I have to thank God and ask Him to bless Mercy Ships," she declared. Three weeks after surgery, Oceane came to the Africa Mercy for her final post-op appointment. Megan came down to the hospital to say goodbye. Smiling and laughing as she held Oceane in one arm, Philomen greeted her with an enthusiastic, " Merci, merci, merci beaucoup , " - French for, " Thank you, thank you, thank you very much ."

She handed Megan Oceane, who stared into her eyes and reached out her small hand to grab her hair. All Megan could think was, "God has done a miracle."

---------------------------------------- Taken from a story written by Megan Petock Photos by Mercy Ships photographers, Megan Petock, PJ Accetturo and Esther Biney

Academy Arts Fair

Last night the Academy held an arts fair so the children on board could let others see some of the things they do in school. It's amazing to see so much talent in such a small school of about 50 students. Reciting poetry, playing recorders and a karate display (including karate chops, breaking planks of wood!) were part of the entertainment for the evening and lots of art was displayed on the walls.

Display that has been turned into beautiful cards and sold to the crew.

Nathanael's "art" display, obviously having a green day!

Musical Instruments made by the Kindergarten's that Sharon helps teach.

Music lesson display.

US Ambassador Visit

This week has been a busy week as Togo holds it's elections. Tim has been kept busy putting many security measures in place so we are ready for any problems. Please pray for peace as the votes are counted and the result is announced in the coming days.

We also had a visit from the US Ambassador. She spent time touring the ship and was moved to tears when she saw God's love in action in the wards.

As with many that come to visit, the Starbucks coffee hit a spot and was a real treat. They were presented with Mercy Ships mugs so for the next time that they come they can "bring their own mug" like everybody else does.

Tim was also able to show his area on the bridge

We love it how Mercy Ships can connect with people of all walks of life, we pray God's love is evident in all that we do and say.

Nathanael Completes the Potty Training Program

Today, Nathanael completed his star chart for his potty training. He's done really well and is dry. We started adding Bob the Builder stickers when he told us he needed the potty and was able to get to the potty on time!

WELL DONE NATHANAEL!

If An Anchor Could Speak

Here is a copy of an article that was recently written by Mercy Ships which involves Tim in his younger days!

Click Here to read article

Screenings Begin

Here are some of our medical crew who do such an amazing job. Over these coming months they will be joined by many others as we seek to bring hope and healing to the country of Togo.

Over these last weeks the first of many screenings have started to take place with many people attending with a hope of an appointment card. This year we are doing things a little different due to the coming elections in Togo. We have been asked not to have big gatherings so we are doing lots of smaller screenings to minimise crowding. Although if you heard that you could have a life-changing surgery, free of charge, it's not going to stop you queueing up for that hope, as we saw about a 1000 turn up for some.

This is Dr Gary (Our Chief Medical Officer) performing a ultra sound. This can tell what the tumour could contain, certain ones could cause the patient to bleed to death if the operation took place.

Many came with different afflictions

Here you can see the diagram drawing of the shape of her legs.

For many it is a day of rejoicing as they receive their appointment card for surgery. For others, we find it so hard to say we can't help and have to send them on there way. Each of those have crew members spend time with them, who pray for them, praying that the new hope of Jesus Christ will fill their lives.

Pray that God will bless all those that we come in contact with.

Let the surgeries begin!

Hospital Open Evening

Things all seem to be happening all at once in Togo and it's difficult to keep up with the amount of work that is needed to get ready for patients. All this last week the medical staff have been cleaning the hospital from top to bottom, they are just amazing! Last Friday they had an open evening for the crew, so we can have an inside peek of what goes on. We enjoyed it so much last year that we went again. Nathanael got to throw the toothbrushes and floss in a tin can.

Tim got to play the stirrup game, which seemed to amuse a big crowd.

Kids got to operate on a monkey ?!

we met the pirates that pass gas

others tried to feed a dummy

and some even got to play at being a nurse.

It was a great evening and gives us a bigger appreciation for the medical staff have to do.

Pancake Day

Happy Pancake Day / Shrove Tuesday to everyone. Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving, when the faithful confessed their sins to the local priest and recieved forgiveness before the Lenten season began. It also marked the beginning of the 40-day Lenten fasting period when the faithful were forbidden by the church to consume meat, butter, eggs or milk. However, if a family had these foods in the cupboard they would all go bad by the time the fast ended on Easter Sunday. So what did they do.....with the addition of flour, they made pancakes! Today, the Shrove Tuesday pancake tradition lives on and in the UK it is simply known as Pancake Day.

So what do you do when you have a crowd of Brits on a ship in Africa......you got it, make pancakes. Around 50 Brits got together to enjoy the tradition of lemon juice and sugar on pancakes (crepes to some countries!). Plus we even sang the national anthem to make it really British!

Sharon helping to cook the pancakes - 4 Stoves on the go

Sharon's pancake station!

Brits getting together

Easter Breakfast

Do you like food? Like to eat with friends, church , work etc? Why not consider holding an Easter breakfast for Mercy Ships.

Mercy ships UK is again running it's Easter Breakfast Fundraising Campaign. Click the link below for more details if you would like to get involved and sign up to receive a fundraising pack.

http://www.mercyships.org.uk/easter-breakfast-2010-0

Togo Arrival

Nathanael has been saying this to everybody on the ship, which has been quite funny.

We have arrived in Togo and there was an amazing welcome, with a band playing, drummers and dancers.

Many of the crew turned out in their best African Dress and sang along to the African tunes that were being played on the dock. Click play on the video below to have a taste of what we saw.

This was the moment we had been waiting for, when Clementine, a crew member from Togo, carried her national flag down the gangway for the welcoming ceremony, followed by our interim managing director.