20 Days and Counting...

This is an email that was sent last evening to my prayer supporters, but I think it is good to share with everyone...

Hey everyone!

I hope you all are having a great week. You all are on my mind and in my prayers. It is so hard to believe that I only have 6 weeks left here in Liberia- the feeling is bitter sweet. As I am writing this, our dear Dr. Parker, is walking around B deck this evening in his scrubs with camera in hand. Tomorrow will be the last day of surgeries on board the Anastasis. After tomorrow, the doors to the OR will be closed forever. Dr. Parker melts my heart. For 25 years, he and his family have faithfully served here. I can't even believe the thousands of people who have crossed through that OR door- the many stories that have been told- the lives that have changed. I'm sure it's with a heavy heart that he is taking his last few pictures of the B deck OR corridor.... So I'd ask that you all would keep the crew in your prayers tomorrow. For all the excitement of the Africa Mercy, there's also a lot of sadness among the long term crew.

In saying that, the Africa Mercy is coming in 20 days. We have a count down in the dining hall- it's a picture of one of our port holes with the Africa Mercy seen in the distance- each day getting closer- as we count down the days. The crew in Blyth is very tired and over worked. Although the ship is ready to sail- there are a lot of things on board that still need to be finished... below are just a couple of the specific prayer needs:

- papers certifying the AFM as a passenger vessel
- finishing the vacuum style toilet system ( huge prayer request definitely!! :) )
- stocking all donations on board
- currently the ship keeps having to move back and forth from dock to dock to allow other ships to come in to port. This is no easy task and is taking a toll on getting everything done on time
- the crew and their relationships with one another and their own families

And lastly, our major screening day will be on Thursday, May 3rd. Thousands of people will be lined up waiting at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia waiting to be seen by the Mercy Ships team. Please pray for:
- security (first time the UN has allowed such a large public meeting since the war)
- safety
- clarity with translators
- grace, wisdom and energy for the physicians
- organization as we move people from waiting, to get labs, history.... etc.
- enough water, and protection from the African heat for so many that will be waiting

I will be with the team taking patients' histories. I am so looking forward to this- please pray for sensitivity and understanding as we talk with patients and their families.

Transition time is upon us and we're getting ready to shortly welcome the Africa Mercy as it will be side by side the Anastasis till the end of June. Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers and wonderful words of encouragement on the blog, email, by phone etc.

- security (first time the UN has allowed such a large public meeting since the war)
- safety
- clarity with translators
- grace, wisdom and energy for the physicians
- organization as we move people from waiting, to get labs, history.... etc.
- enough water, and protection from the African heat for so many that will be waiting

I will be with the team taking patients' histories. I am so looking forward to this- please pray for sensitivity and understanding as we talk with patients and their families.

Transition time is upon us and we're getting ready to shortly welcome the Africa Mercy as it will be side by side the Anastasis till the end of June. Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers and wonderful words of encouragement on the blog, email, by phone etc.

Love you guys!!

~Kristen