A perfect day...

Some days are just amazing. My day started relatively early as I took my chair out onto the bow and sat there with my Bible and journal. As I sat, I prayed a silent prayer to myself. Lord God, please send us some dolphins. I really wanted to see them up close. I said that prayer not knowing that earlier in the morning some of our nurses, doing devotions on the bow, were greeted by countless dolphins swimming and playing in the waves by the bow.

So I sat and read my Bible and then a voice from over my shoulder said, "There are dolphins on this side!" I got up and saw a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the Africa Mercy, and then a handful of them came and swam right under the bow, racing and jumping as the ship cut through the waves.

I had my camera on me and snapped a few photos. If those had been the only dolphins I saw I would have still gone to bed a happy man. But God had more in store later that day. Much more.

And sometimes, to use an old cliche, pictures and video can relate this more than words ever can...








What an awesome God we serve!

Magic moments...

This is what it is like to be on the bow of the Africa Mercy as we sail through the seas... Magical is a word that comes to mind...

A Gateway Christmas Reunion...

Last night my Gateway friends and I had a small reunion as well as a Secret Santa present exchange. On a ship with many people and many friendship groups, it can be easy to go days without seeing (or hanging out with) other friends. So it was great to spend time with these special people who all met in Texas way back in June this year. We had a fun time swapping gifts and reliving some memories from our Gateway course. Thanks to Becca for organising!

Why I love sailing...

Here are some reasons I love sailing. Beautiful weather, calm seas, lovely people and amazing sunsets! But last night God had something special in store for Mercy Ships crew. A spectacular meteor shower in the heavens above! It was the Geminids Meteor Shower, which is at its peak between December 13th and 14th in the skies to the east near the Gemini constellation.

Being many, many miles out to sea and far from the light pollution from big cities made our setting, a ship sailing on the high seas, a perfect experience for watching the stars. It was amazing lying on the deck watching the clear skies above as countless meteors sped through the heavens. It reminded me of what an awesome God we serve - and how thankful I am to be right here, right now.

Unfortunately my camera couldn't pick up these meteors... But I do include some photos here of why I love sailing. God bless!

The bow cuts through the waves of the Atlantic.

Looking aft at the name of the Africa Mercy.

With a little imagination this sunset almost looks like a face - with two eyes above the sun (being the nose) and the mouth just below. I love these Atlantic sunsets!

Winter Wonderland...

Last Saturday (12th December), as the Africa Mercy ploughed through the waves of the Atlantic, the Town Square area of the ship played host to the Winter Wonderland. This is an annual Mercy Ships event on the Christmas calendar and sees crew sharing their talents with the community. Some sell Christmas cards and crafts; others snow cones and other delicious goodies.

It is a lovely time to do some Christmas shopping before the busyness of the season really hits us - and with it the real expense of shopping in Euros in Tenerife! But more importantly the Winter Wonderland is a great event that showcases a community united in celebrating the birth of our Saviour. And that's what it's all about.

Stay posted over the next few weeks for more photos and posts about Christmas on the Mercy Ship. God bless you all!

Sailing at sea...

It is now day four of our ten-day sail from Benin to Tenerife. The first three days have seen smooth seas and some spectacular sights - although today we are rocking much more than the first few days at sea. It's almost a relief in a sense. The first few days felt as if we were still docked. It was unreal. At least now it feels as if we're at sea! That being said here are some photos of what we have seen so far on our journey... from a waterspout to whales and much more! God is good!

The waterspout reaching down to touch the water! More on waterspouts click here.

Dolphins swimming alongside the Africa Mercy!

They are such graceful creatures!

Sperm whales in the waters off the ship.

More whales.

Passing the Atwood Hunter oil platform, drilling oil for Ghana!

The Bridge of the Africa Mercy.

Looking aft from the port-side bridge wing.

Sailing on a course a little south of west.

Nothing beats an Atlantic sunset!

Departing Cotonou...

Shortly after 10h00 yesterday morning (Tuesday, 8th December) the M/V Africa Mercy departed Cotonou, Benin, bound for Tenerife. I was amazed how swiftly we left the Port. One moment we were docked; the next moment we're sailing along the open seas!

The day of our departure we had an At-Sea lifeboat drill and muster (to ensure that all those sailing with us were indeed onboard) as well as a stowaway search. Shortly thereafter we sailed out of Cotonou's Port, passing the breakwater and the small crowd of waving well-wishers, including the Togo Advance team and a number of our faithful, dedicated day volunteers. They will certainly be missed, and it is the hardworking day volunteers that are often overlooked. They did much to make the ship ready for sailing - and for this we are thankful.

Sailing along the open seas, I slept the afternoon away - the steady rocking motion of the ship really puts me to sleep, like a baby in a crib. This drowsiness is my only symptom of seasickness. I really do enjoy sailing. And then after supper a large contingent of the crew made it out onto the bow from where we watched the sun slowly set beneath the waves. It was the perfect first day at sea.

With that being said we are now sailing a ten-day voyage to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. Please continue to pray for safe travels and smooth seas. Thanks and God bless!

Deck department secure the main gangway.

More hardworking deckies on the aft mooring deck.


Tug Cauris stands by.

Pilot boat Emergence awaits our departure.

Cauris takes the strain...

... And our stern is pulled away from the dock!

Crew watch as the Africa Mercy clears the dock.

The now empty berth where we were docked for ten-months.

Passing the breakwater and entering open seas!

The pilot boat approaches us...

... Takes the pilot onboard...

... And speeds back to the harbour!

Leaving the Africa Mercy sailing out on the Atlantic Ocean bound for Tenerife! Farewell Benin... We love you and will miss you!