AFM Commissioning

April 6 was a big event for us! We held a private ceremony here in Newcastle onboard the AFM hosting many of our donors and friends of Mercy Ships. The crew worked so hard getting everything onboard ready. They did a fantastic job! It was a tiring time, but well worth all the efforts of all those who made it happen. The deck crew even put the flags on the ship to celebrate the event

We had approx. 15o guests who joined us for an hour service that was presided over by Dame Norma Major and Lord Ian McColl. Special guests included the wife of the Vice President of Liberia, Mrs. Boakai, who gave a wonderful speech thanking Mercy Shps for being present in the country of Liberia; bringing hope and healing to so many, including her husband's family.

AFM Commissioning

This is the closest we come to getting to show you a finished cabin!! This is actually a guest cabin that sleeps two. We had the beds set up with duvets, coffee mugs, pillows, etc. It looked very cozy. Made all our crew even more excited to move into their own cabin in the next coming months! 

AFM Commissioning

Here is Jean Campbell (my housemate) giving a brief talk to some of our guests while standing in the middle of our Recovery Ward. The hospital deck is an amazing site to see... you'll just have to come see it to believe it! 

AFM Commissioning

Here's a sneak peak at one of our Ophthalmic Theatres. In the far distance are photos of two twins we recently treated onboard the Anastasis in Liberia. It's so exciting to be able to anticipate all of the people we'll be able to help once we get there! 

Here's a peak at our Dining Room that the crew worked so hard at getting ready. It didn't look like this a week earlier! And an hour after the event, everything was put back to its original place (meaning all of our chairs went back into their boxes, and all of the art work, etc. came down as well.