US Coast Guard in Sierra Leone...

While I was taking the ferry over to Lungi last week I noticed a ship pretty far out of its own territorial waters. It was the US Coast Guard Cutter Forward, docked along the port from the Africa Mercy. I'm not sure what mission she is on, but I was certainly excited to see a US Coast Guard vessel in real life since I've only ever seen them in the movies or on documentaries. I think these cutters, although rather old, are some of the prettiest ships afloat.

US Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911)

Bye-Bye Ben!

This past Thursday my friend and cabinmate for the last two-years, Ben Calvert, departed. Ben served in the Academy as a High School Teacher and PE Specialist and did an amazing job in all that he did. It was sad to see him go but I am excited for all that God has in store for him and his future wife Hannah! (Photo: Ben removes his name tag off the door of cabin 4330.)

I had to do some purser business at the airport so I accompanied Ben all the way across the river on the ferry. Here we are as we pass the AFM.

Quiz Night!

The last two Tuesdays have seen a new tradition emerge on the Africa Mercy - Quiz Night! Teams of four compete in a general knowledge-based quiz on topics such as Science, Name the Movie, Name the City, Music, as well as a round entitled "What part of the AFM is this photo from?" and many others.

It's really fun and competitive too, as teams battle each other in some pretty impressive costumes. I did not take part in the first Quiz Night, but last week a group of us formed a team, the Mercy Parsnips, and came in a respectable second that night.

As you can see, this was a popular event!

The Facebooks definitely had the most innovative, impressive outfit!

4 Nations... 5 Blood Donations!

This past Sunday I got a message on my pager - "1734". I knew who it was without having to check. It was the lab, and they needed my blood. A patient scheduled for surgery the next day had a rather low haemoglobin count of 7.3, and it can be risky performing surgery on someone with such a low count.

My one unit (450 mls) flowed out in four minutes and, after the customary photo of me holding my blood, was taken to the patient. And after the unit of my blood, his haemoglobin count jumped up nearly three points to 10.2 - much healthier!

It's always a privilege and so fulfilling - especially as a non-medical person - to be able to donate blood and serve the Hospital in this way. This was my 5th blood donation on the Africa Mercy. I donated twice in Liberia in 2008, once in Benin (2009), once in Togo (2010) and once now in Sierra Leone! Here's to many more blood donations into the future!

With my unit of O-Pos blood.

Have you seen a smaller bottle of Coke?

I was browsing through one of the supermarkets here in Freetown and came across this bottle of Coke.

It's glass and holds 200 mls of Coca-Cola, and is manufactured in the UK. I've never seen such a miniature bottle of Coke!

Scotland The Brave!

This last Friday was my cabinmate Ben's final game of poker (we have a group that meet every Friday for a friendly game) and, being from Scotland, he decided on the dress-up theme of Scotland for the tournament. It was good fun as many of us wore "kilts" and donned face paint in the blue and white of Saint Andrew's Cross. I decided to paint my face for my good friend.

I thought about going for the "Braveheart" look, but decided the flag was easier.

Ben wore his Scotland rugby jersey and his large Scottish flag draped over his shoulders.

Full circle...

It is a season of farewells here on the Mercy Ship and this last week many of my closest friends departed. These were friendships forged back in Gateway of June-July 2009 and from my initial time back on the ship in September 2009. There are too many to name, but if you are one of those who have left in the last week - or more - know that you are loved and missed! The photo here is of me with Amy and Sam - who head home to Chicago.

With Estelle, Danae and Christina - three of my Gateway sisters who left.

This time next week it'll be just the two in uniforms left. Sam left this last Thursday and Ben leaves this coming Thursday. Tim and I remain.