A is for Africa

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Togo Unrest

Protesting by the opposition party has followed the re-election of president Faure Gnassingbe. Please continue to keep the nation of Togo in your prayers.

Riot police have employed the use of tear gas several times

Crew members are safe as we continue to remain on the ship on a well guarded dock. We are concerned for the safety of patients, translators and African volunteers as they travel to and from the ship.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8553955.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8559049.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8555210.stm

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Today is Presidential Election Day. Togo needs your prayers for a fair election and for peace following the result. Violence and hundreds of deaths marked the presidential election in 2005 in response to suspected rigging of votes. Today and through the weekend, Mercy Ships crew are to remain aboard the ship as a safety precaution. We are praying for justice and peace for this nation during and following the election process.

For further information on the history of Togo:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8548787.stm
Togo hopes for a peaceful election

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8543973.stm
The different political parties

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1064470.stm
An overview of the history of Togo

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Surgery Begins!

The Nursing Crew of the Africa Mercy

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Screening Days

Screening individuals to determine if they are candidates for surgery has begun. These are difficult, exhausting and trying days. While I have not yet participated in the screening process in Togo, I wanted to share some striking images that capture the raw joy, suffering, sorrow and hope these days present for both potential patients and screeners.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Dirty Jobs 2

Today the ship underwent a scheduled blackout. Electricity was turned off (including air conditioning) and volunteers were recruited to assist with the cleaning of the pipes which carry seawater onto the ship to cool fresh water which cools the engines.

Periodically these pipes need to be cleaned as they become clogged with shells and barnacles. Embracing another opportunity to work in the engine room, we headed down to Deck 2 and suited up. Conditions were hot and humid, and the aroma one of a clam bake. We painstakingly inserted long wire bristle brushes into each of 1500 metal intake pipes which carry sea water onto the ship to dislodge any marine life.

Jeff the Welder

with the cooler panel of 1500 pipes

to be cleaned

Ginger, Dennis the Welder and myself hard at work

The moment the entire ship has been waiting for: Ginger restarts the Harbour Generator and electricity returns

Thursday, February 11, 2010

A Ship with a View

The Front Yard

(Starboard)

Lome is quite the bustling port city. Gazing over the top deck of the starboard side of the ship I see a flurry of activity all through the day and night. The scene reminds me of a sort of "Lego Land" with cranes and vehicles of all kinds, lifting and lowering heavy sacks of grain in nets onto other little Lego vehicles for transport. Little Lego people are busy at work wearing little Lego helmets. The nightscape features big Lego rats and big Lego cockroaches cleaning the dock of any spilled grain.

The Back Yard
(Port)

Ahhhhhhh....the backyard. Definitely the place to be, with views of crashing waves, farmers watering their crops and members of the Togolese Navy participating in early morning swimming exercises. This is Africa. (TIA!)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

T is for Togo!

This morning we arrived in Togo and as the ship pulled into port, we were greeted by a welcoming reception on the dock, complete with Togolese marching band and African dancing.

The Africa Mercy Ship will be docked in the capital port city of Lome for the next 6 months.