Reluctant donor... But definitely worth it!

Last week - and for the second time this Field Service - I was called upon to donate blood for a patient with a low haemoglobin count. I made my way - rather reluctantly, I'll be honest - down to the Hospital, where I gave my donation. I'm always nervous about donating because I have a fear of those large, nasty needles! But the pain is all worth it knowing that it is a way you can be of service to someone in need.

As I've said before, it is always such a great privilege as a non-medical crew member to serve in this way. It is another way you can connect to the mission of Mercy Ships by giving a literal, life-saving part of yourself to the people we serve.

Resting up having given my unit of blood.

AFM Airport Drivers...

The Africa Mercy's Purser's office employs a couple of day workers other than Pastor Mark and Bridget over at Lungi. Meet Patrick (centre left) and Santigie (centre right), in this photo with Tim and I. (Photo thanks to David Peterson.)

They often work late to ensure that our arrivals or departures are taken safely to their destination - either the ship for arriving crew or Government Wharf Ferry Terminal for departing crew. They spend many hours fighting the Freetown traffic for Mercy Ships. Thank you Patrick and Santigie!

A wedding... Sierra Leone-style!

Last Saturday (29th October) a small group of us had the privilege of attending the wedding of one of our day workers here. The wedding ceremony was conducted in a small church 30 or so minutes drive from the ship. It was a long service, lasting some three hours, but it was a privilege to witness how a wedding ceremony is conducted in Sierra Leone. It certainly is different from weddings back home. A wedding in West Africa is very-much an event in which the whole community comes together to celebrate the happy couple's joy. Here are some photos from our day. Most of these images are courtesy of Candace Miller.

Candace and I.

The front of the church.

Children's choir performs.

The happy couple having their wedding photos taken.

Phil and Ali return...

October saw two of my closest Mercy Ships friends return to the Africa Mercy. Phil and Ali had been away for over a year and the last time I saw them was in Cape Town in September 2010. It's awesome to have them back onboard. Phil will continue serving as an Electrician, and Ali initially as a Ward Nurse. As per my tradition, I made sure I was across at the airport to meet them when they arrived. Welcome home, my amazing friends!

Phil's Air France flight on the tarmac at Lungi International Airport. Ali arrived two weeks ahead of him.

With Phil on the ferry...

And with Ali on the ferry!

Mercy Ships Ultimate: Sierra Leone

One of the enduring traditions on Mercy Ships is a Friday night game of Ultimate Frisbee. I've been playing Ultimate Frisbee since the end of 2007, and our games of Frisbee have happened throughout many nations in Africa, including Liberia, Benin, Togo, South Africa and now Sierra Leone. Frisbee is a great way to stay fit and attracts a large crowd of enthusiastic players each week. The skills may vary, but everyone is there to have fun and enjoy being outside. It's also often just what's needed after a busy week in the Purser's office!

Here are some more photos from one of our recent games.

Nathan unleashes the disc!

Good to run around, chasing after a disc!

Good Frisbee times!

Forklift fishing...

There was an accident on the dock last week, which unfortunately culminated in one of our two forklifts coming to rest on the ocean floor. Thankfully no one was hurt, and that must remain our main focus at this time.

The very next day a large crane arrived to fish out our forklift. It was quite the process, involving our divers and deck hands, as well as the outside contract workers. But after a couple of hours our waterlogged forklift appeared from the murky depths of Freetown's natural harbour.

Here are some photos from the morning's events.

The forklift being lowered back onto the dock.

The damage is clearly visible...

... As is the mud from Freetown's seafloor!

University Trek...

This past Tuesday, after work, I joined a friend in hiking up to the University, perched high above Cline Town (a suburb of Freetown) and the harbour. It was a pretty steep climb, but the view at the top was fantastic. We could see all the way across the river to Targrin Ferry Terminal and the airport at Lungi. It made me appreciate more the bustling city of Freetown and the kaleidoscope of colour that one finds here. It made me appreciate more being able to serve here with Mercy Ships.

Looking down towards the port area - the Africa Mercy is towards the left of shot.

This is Kissi Dockyard below, and the point jutting out across the bay is Targrin Ferry Terminal.

Close-up of the Africa Mercy.

Yep, down there and just out of shot on the left is my home!