sunday afternoons

how i love Sunday afternoons; time to sit and reflect, nap, read and completely chill out. Last African church this morning as African as ever - loud, joyous and spirit filled. Twas a sweaty affair too - i honestly felt that i was wetting myself with the sweat dripping down my legs, drank a litre water and still had an empty bladder!

the wards are now lying in darkness, clean - having had every surface from floor to ceiling bleached twice and all items disinfected too - everything is bolted to the floor on giant crates, cling film surround and cardboard beneath, in preparation for the sail next week. the last two weeks have been a time of reflection and debrief too. all the nurses have sat on a few spare mattresses and have discussed the good, the bad and the indifferent; things have been picked apart, suggestions have been made, but in all we have given thanks for all that has been done, we have encouraged and built up.

this next two weeks - apart from sailing and attempting to avoid seasickness, we will be continuing with the scanning of all of the patient notes before they're incinerated, and I believe i'll also be involved with analysing the current and writing more Intensive Care Unit policies and procedures. I'm sure this will be confirmed tomorrow morning!

last week we also had a big farewell too all of the 150+ day volunteers that tirelessly work alongside the crew in nearly all of the departments onboard. I know in the hospital these wonderful Beninese people are our voice to our patients and the patients voice to us; I know that none of the nurses could do what they do without the translators standing with us, speaking and listening for us. I extend my own massive thank you for everything that you do, your commitment and willingness to serve. thankyou.

this week has also had its challenges for the deck and engineering departments - to ready the Africa Mercy for a voyage to new waters; after sitting still for over 10 months. this has been no easy task, with a good number of technical issues, but by God's provision we will pull out this port on time. the dock is emptying fast, all that remains now is the gangway. half of the vehicles have been driven to Togo, the other half are now on deck 8, strapped down safely. containers have been moved, engine cooler tanks stripped and cleaned; the ship has had two blackouts, so work can be done.

we are almost on our way.

Prince Eddie Daniels - one of over six thousand patients that have stepped foot on this ship during this outreach - is a gifted poet and has written a fitting piece for this time....

FARE WELL MY GREAT WHITE WHALE.

Alas the centre’s candle is blown out

Soon the signs that points to the Port are broken

The paths that leads to the shore is blocked

They that make their wage in convoy to Novou are stilled and stopped

The days of the white whale’s rest are o’er

The time of your docking is spent

The season of your breeding is halted

Your coming, to some was heaven sent

To others it was a wish granted

But too soon it is to those who knows your worth and work

So sudden it is to those who wish in you to be healed

Soon the mouth that feeds from you will sing your fare well song

The hand that lend you help will wave you on

The soul that depended on you will wish you back

And the heart that stayed with you, only on your memories will stay and feed

But you, like any farer of the deep, your voyage must continue

Your search for souls to cut and heal lingers on

For many more awaits your coming

Many shores awaits the day of your rest

But now it’s time bid you fare well

It’s time to sing your departing song

It’s yet another time for your sons and daughters to go home

Some, never to be seen again

Some, never to walk the shores of the black pearls

Yet to others, a time to rest and regroup

All the souls you touched and healed

All the souls you cut and mend

Stands along the Novou shores

Visible and invisible

To wave and wish you well

In the still small voice of the shore wave

Hear their voices rise saying THANK YOU

For your time and toil

For your care and cause

For your mind and money

But most of all, for being a tool in the father’s hands

Through which He showed His love and care

To a world so lost and dark

Without love or hope

We those you touched and healed are eternally grateful

Thank you and fare thee well my great white whale.

From: Prince Eddie Daniels

To : The Mercy Ships