Two ORs in One

We will have 6 Operating Rooms onboards (they call them 'theatres' here in the UK). The one you see above is actually two ORs in one...In the center of the picture (back wall) is a white folding door that divides the OR into two ORs, but on occasion we may need to open up the door to make one room allowing for an extensive Orthopaedic surgery, or perhaps a film team, or if we are teaching other physicians...it has great flexibility for us. I can't wait for the day when I can show a picture of this same room, but filled with doctors, nurses, and a patient! Soon...very soon! 

It's Hard Work Here!

I figured since most of you probably think I'm living a 'cush' life that I should throw in a pic of me working a 'hard day's work'...yes, I get to make the fashion statement of the year by donning these 'cute' overalls, steel-toed boots, and a hard hat. I'm in the midst of setting up the furniture in the classrooms, as well as loading on some of the two-seater sofas. I'll put up some pics when I'm done with those rooms. Although it feels great to do physical labor, it doesn't feel so great being all sweaty in hot overalls, plus aching feet after going up and down stairs all day (don't you feel sorry for me??). But more than not, I enjoy it! Can't wait to show you the finished product...coming soon to my blog near you! 

Contemplating Life

I think we all, at times, just need to 'sit' and contemplate life. It's good to stop and take 'toll' of where we've been, where we are, and where we are going. I have recently spent some time reflecting on my last 6 1/2 years in Mercy Ships. I am amazed at how time has flown. I am grateful for the people with whom my life has become entwined. And I am in awe of a God who has led and directed me even during times when I, myself, wasn't sure where I was headed. I have seen much - I've seen poverty, I've seen sickness, I've seen diseases that are horrendous, but I've also seen happiness from a child who has nothing; I've seen hope in the eyes of someone who once was blind, but now can see; I've seen people rejoice over the gift of a hug. I am forever changed by what I have seen and witnessed. And I am grateful to those that help me in experiencing this journey - my family, my friends, churches, my fellow crew members, and of course, the people we serve - the world's poor and needy. 

Medical Gas Piping

Our hospital is really looking like a hospital! We have the CT Scanner as well as other x-ray machines in place. This picture is of the Medical Gas Piping ... since I'm not a medical person, I can't explain to you all that it does, other than...It's Important!! :-) Actually, the O2 System takes the oxygen out of the air by separting the oxygen from the nitrogen which will then be used in the hospital for patient usage.

Books, books, and more books!

The library is looking good! The shelves all went in yesterday. Today I spent the morning unloading school (Mercy Ships Academy) furniture. The little chairs for the children are just so cute (and little!!!). We are already getting quite a collection of books (and I've probably already read a ton of them as that's one of my favorite pastimes!). It'll be a great place to relax and enjoy a good book! 

Spring is here

One of the things that I have grown to love here in England is SPRING TIME...the local councils take such great pride in their gardens. This is a beautiful garden that shows off how flowers grow so easily here in England. 

Loading the Real Thing

After having just completed my Basic Safety Training, we soon had the arrival of our life raft. On our BST course, we used 12 person rafts. The one you see here is a 35 person raft. This will be of our safety equipment onboard the Africa Mercy. Just aft of the life raft, you will see the davits (painted white) that will hold one of our life boats. Much work has gone into this part of our ship by our own deck crew who are doing a great job! 

Basic Safety Training at its BEST!

I just spent a week getting training in Basic Safety Training (see several pictures below). This consisted of Fire Fighting - going into a container on fire, putting out different classes of fire, learning how to put on fire gear, etc. I learned that I hate things up around my face and neck, but fighting the fires was actually pretty cool! We also had a day learning first aid and cpr, then we moved on to Water Safety techniques - getting into these beautiful red gumby suits (see below!) - not my idea of being fashion-conscious, but it gets the job done! All in all, it was a great time of bonding for the 16 of us that participated. The Africa Mercy has to have a lot of us trained in this so I'm sure those of you are coming to join us will get your chance one day soon! 

Here I am in my 'fire-fighter suit'. I realized after having done all this, I absolutely HATE things up around my face and neck. I felt claustrophobic! Fighting fires would have been fun if you didn't have to wear all the equipment, but of course, that's what keeps you safe! 

The Fire Hat's Cool - but that was about it!

I have a whole new appreciation for my brother-in-law, Steve, the Fireman!! It may 'look cute' but once I got the mask on, I couldn't breathe!! Fire fighting is definitely not my 'cup of tea' 

Fashion Statement of the Month!!

Here I am in my 'Gumby Suit' ... this is what you wear if you ever have to end up in the ocean (for survival purposes)...although this one is so big on me, I'd probably drown wearing it (but don't worry, Mom, they make smaller suits). They were great for floating! And by the way, I did get to switch to a smaller suit. 

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. 

The Carpet's are Going Down...

The carpet is being laid in many areas of the ship...this is one corner for our International Lounge which is where we will meet as a crew for our weekly Community Meetings. It's sometimes difficult to get pictures because as soon as they finish laying the carpet, they quickly cover it up with a type of cardboard product to protect it (and rightly so!!). It's nice to be seeing progress in these areas!

A View from the Kitchen

This is the Kitchen View (a continuation of the picture you see below which shows you the living room area). As you can see, in this particular family cabin, they will have a nice window view. We're getting there!! 

A Family Cabin a bit further along...

Hello All,

Thought you might enjoy a pic of one of the family cabins that has actual furniture in it as well as the carpets! All that's left in this particular cabin is lighting, the PA system installation and LAN sockets; then a final cleaning and sign-off and it's good to go!! This particular view is of the living area, although where you see the table, there will actually be a couch... 

World's Most Expensive Washing Machine!

More medical equipment has been installed in our hospital. This picture is the Washer Disinfectant. It is used to wash and disinfect instruments before they are wrapped and sterilized in the autoclaves. In other words, it's the initial clean that removes debri from the instruments.