We're Here!

6:30 am. I roll out of bed and take some breakfast and my Bible up to Promenade deck. It was still dark out but as I looked out, I could see small lights, almost like candles scattered throughout the water. I later learned that they were small fishing boats. We were at Monrovia.

We drifted out at sea until about 12:30 and then headed into port. It was an amazing experience to begin a new outreach. I half expected to see the familiar Tema port, but as I saw land approaching, I could tell I was definately in a different land.

We were first greeted with cheers from the tugboat that brought us in. "Mercyship! Welcome!!" The kids on the Anastasis had made Liberian flags and were waving them.

The pilot from the tugboat jumped onboard to help us navigate into the port.

Here on the dock, we were greeted by many friends and our Advance team. When we were close to the dock, we had a team playing drums and guitars as we all sang the Liberian National Anthem. Cheers went up from those on the dock.

The four ladies in red dresses are part of our amazing Advance team that left in early January to make preparations for our arrival to Liberia.

For some reason, the gangway is like our mascot. When they lowered it down, we knew we had arrived.

The following pics show some of the singing and dancing we got to enjoy before the Vice President's arrival.

Once the Vice President arrived, we met him at the dock, and the ceremony officially started.

God truly is good for His protection and favor. Praise Him that He has given us such direct access to the government officials to share with them all that the Lord has done. This is Mercy Ship's third visit to Liberia. In a land that is just starting to come out from under 14 years of civil war, the ship is a ray of hope.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:4-7