Two Years...

It was on this day, two years ago, that I arrived in Cotonou, Benin, to begin my long-term service with Mercy Ships. During these two years I have had the great privilege of serving the Lord in Benin, Tenerife, Togo, Ghana, South Africa, and Sierra Leone. I have even sailed into my hometown, Cape Town, and shown my family my floating home!

It has been quite the adventure and I am so thankful for this opportunity God has given me with Mercy Ships. My journey is far from over, and thanks must go to my amazing supporters who have given so much of themselves over the years to make this all possible. This journey that God is leading me on is just as much your journey as it is mine! All glory to God!

Standing on the dock in Cotonou, Benin, on the day I arrived back. 3rd September 2009.

Sailing into Cape Town, 13th February 2011.

Rugby World Cup 2011...

Next Friday (9th September 2011), the IRB Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand. The world's biggest rugby tournament sees a total of 48 matches being played up until (and including) the final on 23rd October. Being a passionate South African sports supporter, I will be donning my South African rugby jersey and waving my flags, as the South African national team, the Springboks, look to defend their title as reigning World Champions. I won't be watching the World Cup alone, though. There are a number of ardent rugby fans represented on the ship - fans primarily from New Zealand, Australia, England, and South Africa. It'll be an amazing rugby spectacular - as long as the Sprinboks are crowned World Champions on 23rd October! :-p

Busiest week...

It's been a crazy last few weeks, but I can finally get back to my blogging! My time in the Purser's hot seat has been challenging, but good. I have certainly been stretched in many different ways, and the number one positive outcome from this time is that I have learned that I can actually do this role if I am called upon to do it.

This last week was perhaps one of my most challenging weeks. It all started on Monday afternoon when I was across the river at Lungi seeing the 15 departing crew check-in for their Brussels Airlines flight. I was at the airport having some passports re-stamped and I was also there to see a very good friend return to Mercy Ships.

I was able to do my Purser business and I was standing with Pastor Mark and Bridget when an overhead announcement was made that the incoming flight SN 225 from Brussels and Banjul was cancelled. A rock had hit the engine as the plane was taking off from Banjul to Freetown and they had to ground the plane. Long story short, our 15 departures had to head back to the ship that night and our arrivals - including my friend - were stranded in Banjul.

Having heard what had happened, I am so thankful that all on the plane in Banjul were all right. The plane was speeding along, about to take-off, when the incident occurred and could have been much worse, had they got even a little further down the runway. As it was, they were able to stop just before the very end of the tarmac. God was definitely watching over that plane! The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33: 27.)

We expected that the next day the flight would come again - after a technician was sent to fix the plane - but alas the plane was still deemed unsafe for flight and was grounded another night. This after we'd sent our departures across the river for a second time. They returned to the ship again in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Wednesday saw many of our departing crew switch to British Midland International - which flies direct to London Heathrow. A small number remained with SN Brussels and the plane in Banjul was repaired and finally landed in the early hours of Thursday morning. I was there at the ferry terminal to meet the arrivals and my good friend, whose arrival at the ship had been delayed over two days. They were very happy to finally make it to the ship!

So that was my busy week - trying to liaise with Brussels Airlines and keep our crew aware of the very fluid situation we were facing. It was a challenge, but praise God it all worked out. And now that the Staff Purser is back from his vacation, I can breathe again and settle back into the role of Assistant Purser - phew!

Africa Mercy Independent Film Festival...

The Africa Mercy Independent Film Festival happened in the International Lounge last night. This event occurs once a year and crew members are encouraged to make short films for the occasion. These are then entered into the competition, evaluated by a panel of judges, and premiered before the whole crew. Awards are presented in the categories of Best Comedy, Best Choreography, Best Drama and Best Picture, to name but a few.

The film festival is also one of those few events on the ship where crew can dress up in their most formal attire. We do have some amazingly good-looking people here on the Mercy Ship! :-)

Us boys put an entry into the competition, So You Think You Can Dance - Sierra Leone, which is a Mercy Ships take on the classic TV show. It involved a cast of over twenty dancers, all dancing to different styles of music. It was really fun to make and we were extremely happy to take the Best Picture award!

Beau - our amazing MC for the night!

AMIFF 2011

The crew await the screening in the packed International Lounge.

The panel of judges gets introduced.

Our film took Best Picture - thanks to all who put in such amazing hard work!

The four Creative Consultants - Jeff, Me, Christoph and Nick - with our trophy.

With Jay - our Editor.

New month, new responsibility...

Apologies for the infrequent posting, but things have been really busy lately. The Purser left last Monday for a well-deserved break and I am filling in as the acting Staff Purser of the M/V Africa Mercy while he is on holiday.

I have spent most of my days down at our shipping agent working on clearance paperwork for our incoming containers, as well as signing for crew mail, and overseeing the Reception Team on the ship. I am also still retaining some of my Assistant Purser responsibilities, such as liaising with Pastor Mark and Bridget over at Lungi regarding the arrivals and departures.

This past Thursday I had my first Fire Drill as the first-in-charge of Muster Control and that, for the most part, went well. There were a few minor issues, but that is why we drill - so that we can learn from our mistakes. And, of course, be better prepared should a real emergency situation arise.

So that's a little slice of what I've been up to in my role on the ship this last week. Quite busy, but I am enjoying this opportunity that I have to gain some valuable experience for the future!

Another farewell...

Almost a week ago my friend Jamie, who had served in the Academy as a Summer Programme Assistant, left the Africa Mercy. It was very sad saying goodbye to her, but I am thankful for the time we had getting to know each other. I had some purser business to do at the airport, and so I was able to accompany the departures all the way across.

That's the one thing I'll never get comfortable with serving on Mercy Ships - the constant stream of farewells. But then again we aren't really called to lead a comfortable life as missionaries, are we?

The AFM is caught in a ray of light as the sun slips behind the clouds.

Sunset from Targrin Ferry Terminal.

Bunce Island...

This past Saturday a small group of us headed out to one of the most significant historical sites in Sierra Leone: Bunce Island. This is the location of an old 18th-Century British slave castle, perched on a strategic wooded island at the limit of navigation for ships sailing up the river. It was here that ocean-going slave ships met the traders from the hinterland to collect their cargo of men, women and children.

Although a crumbling ruin now, many parts of the castle are still visible and as we clambered out of our canoe and onto the island, I could really feel the dark history of the past. We were given a tour and as we walked in amongst the ruins it was easy to picture how this place looked some 250 years ago.

I could see the soldiers standing next to the cannon on the battlements, in readiness to prevent any attack from the sea. I could see many African men and women being marched into the castle, never to taste freedom again. I could hear the cries as families were torn apart - separated into male and female sections of the fortress. I could see the men and women getting flogged and beaten. I could hear the shouts and calls of traders, as they prepared slaves for an arduous - and devastating - voyage across the seas. I could smell the stench of death wafting across the waters from the waiting slave ships. I could see death and despair. Indeed, the people torn from their homes and loaded onto the ships had only a 1 in three chance of surviving the journey to (primarily) America.

But I could also see hope on the horizon. In 1807 the British Parliament made the slave trade illegal, and in the following years the Royal Navy sent out regular patrols from Freetown to intercept illegal slave ships and free their precious cargo. The tide had turned against slavery.

The ruined castle is in much need of preservation and I believe it should be renovated and saved before the decay becomes too great. The trees (pictured here) are already becoming intertwined with the structure of the buildings. Bunce Island must stand as a lasting reminder that such an ugly, destructive trade should never happen again. And as the sign welcoming you to Bunce Island puts it,

"With gratitude to God we wish to honour the brave African Men and Women who endured the Cruelty of Slavery..... This island stands as a testament to their memory and to the triumph of the human spirit."

Looking back towards the mainland and our Land Rover as we head off across the waters to Bunce Island.

The canoe (with an outboard motor) that transported us to the island.

Although having been partly submerged for centuries, a cannon is still easily recognisable on the shore.

A cannon, its carriage long since disintegrated, sits guarding the battlements.

Inside the castle grounds...

... You have to be careful of spiderwebs!

Peering out from inside the castle's powder magazine.

The island also has a couple of old cemeteries. This is the African cemetery...

... And this is one of the graves in the European cemetery. The graves date from the 1750s.

Jamie walks along a pretty path.

Heading back towards the mainland...

... Where we were met by a crowd of sweet local children!