Mercy Ships in THREE West African nations!

I've blogged before about finding the Africa Mercy in Togo on Google Earth. And so, inspired by a friend's post on Facebook (who posted a Google Maps image of the ship in Conakry, Guinea), I did some research and found the Africa Mercy docked in THREE different West African nations! Here she is in Lome, Togo (pictured); Conakry, Guinea; and the present Field Service location of Pointe-Noire, Congo! :-)

A closer view of the AFM in Togo. 2012.

Conakry, Guinea. 2012 - 2013.

A closer view of the AFM in Guinea.

Pointe-Noire, Congo. 2013 - 2014.

A closer view of the AFM in the Congo.

January Newsletter...

Well, another month has come and gone. So what have we been up to this first month of 2014.

Murray was on the Africa Mercy docked in Pointe-Noire, Congo, for another short stint with Mercy Ships. We figured that since he didn't have any short-term plans in Cape Town it would make sense to go back to the ship for a bit - while we wait on our paperwork to come through. He had a wonderful time serving in the Reception department onboard, as well as exploring some of the culture of the Congo and reconnecting with old friends. It was a lovely time.

Candace continues her job as a float pool nurse at Daviess Community Hospital in Daviess County, Indiana. She is enjoying the challenge of nursing in a hospital setting, and has worked in the Med-Surg, Rehab, and Behavioural units. She has enjoyed being back in the USA for Thanksgiving and Christmas time, but we have both missed each other over these special times of the year. Candace will be coming to South Africa towards the end of February so that we can be together for our two-year anniversary. We're very excited to see each other again! :-)

Regarding our visa application process, we have heard that our paperwork has now reached the National Visa Center for visa processing. :-) They will determine which US Consulate Murray will have his interview at (most likely Johannesburg, since the Cape Town consulate doesn't deal with immigration visas). Once he has his interview he will be able to join Candace in the USA. It will probably still be a few months waiting though, as there is a lot more paperwork and application fees to be done, so please keep us in prayers as we continue to wait on the Lord.

Thank you for your continued prayers and may God bless you wherever you may be!

Much love from Cape Town and Indiana, Murray and Candace

30th Birthday...

I celebrated my 30th birthday last Wednesday, 5th February. (Cake here in Cape Town pictured.) Now having turned 30, I can look back on my 20s and see all that God did from 2004 till today. I was able to finish two university degrees in the first few years of the decade. But the thing that stands out strongly during this time is my association with Mercy Ships. God led me into Mercy Ships at the age of 23 and has been faithful as I have served with Mercy Ships for at least a part of every year from 2007 until 2014.

And while with Mercy Ships, He brought two lives together when I met my bride-to-be Candace in Sierra Leone in 2011. I am very thankful and extremely blessed. The 5th February 2014 not only marks my 30th birthday, but it also marks three months since I last saw Candace. But more importantly it is three weeks till I see Candace again! She's coming to visit me in Cape Town while we wait on our visa paperwork so that we can be permanently reunited in Indiana. The best birthday present ever is the thought of seeing my beautiful bride soon! :-)

The cake Candace made for me in Indiana. :-)

With my nephews as we celebrate my birthday together. Note the Mercy Ships patches on their t-shirts. :-)

Farewell Congo...

After a month that absolutely flew by, it was my time to leave the Africa Mercy docked in Pointe-Noire, Congo, last Monday. (27th January.) I had a wonderful time serving on the vessel again, and this made saying farewell quite difficult. But that being said I am excited for all that lies ahead for Candace and I this year. We know that God has great things in store for us!

And on saying goodbye to the Africa Mercy, I don't think that God is finished with our Mercy Ships story just yet. I'm sure that one day we'll be back. But for now, it's goodbye and thanks for everything Mercy Ship family! I'll definitely miss all of you! The posts will continue from Cape Town! :-) Photos here thanks to Ruben Plomp of the AFM Communications team.

Candace-on-a-Stick had to make an appearance! :-)