Final Thoughts

Right now it is early morning here in Africa. I woke up early this morning with so much already going on in my mind... today at 2:20 I will say goodbye to dear dear friends here at Mercy Ships and board a plane to head home to the states. What an experience these last six and a half months have been. In every way, God exceeded all expectations and deepened a love within me for the poor and needy in West Africa.



These are the precious faces that I will miss seeing. Yesterday was my last day at Fatima Orphanage, and I tried to soak up every moment, every hug, every sound, as I knew I would not see most of these little ones again. What an amazing God we serve. Yesterday I was thinking of what great love God has for each of us and these little ones here, to send His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our stead, for our sins to provide abundant and eternal life with Him. It is that love that spurred me to come here to West Africa to give of time and resources to serve with Mercy Ships. It is that love that gives me LIFE. It is that love that I share with you.


So with my final thoughts, I want to share with you all a passage of Scripture in John. One that has been on my mind these last few weeks. It is a prayer Jesus prayed before He was betrayed and crucified...

" ...I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent Me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am to see my glory that you have given me before the foundation of the world. Oh righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
~ John 17:20-26


It is my deepest desire that you know that love of the Father. I hope that you have seen a glimpse of it in the stories I have shared these past few months.... it is yours for the taking. Thank you so very much for walking this journey with me in Ghana and Liberia. I will see you soon.

Farewell dear Africa, I will greatly miss you...

~Kristen Nicole Shaffer

A Week of Lasts...

I can hardly believe that in just two short days I will be saying farewell to so many that I have come to love here in Africa. I will board a plane in a little Liberian airport to begin the long road home... to finally see so many people I love and have missed in the States. As I started my week on Monday... a strange sense came over me as I knew I had started my "week of lasts"...





*Monday- Last movie night with Bluckster and Vern. Today I began the process of officially disembarking from the ship.





*Tuesday- Last Tues morning crew meeting. As they read off the list of people that were leaving, it was now my time to stand. Last day on my beloved G5 team (well I won't miss carrying boxes so much ;) )...





*Wednesday- Last time hanging out with the missionary kids on the Ana.... last time to study 2 Kings in Ben's fabulous Bible study...





*Thursday- Last Community mtg and sharing in praise and worship with the entire crew... last crew ice cream party...





*Friday- Tonight is my farewell party- Last time to spend dinner and an evening at Monalisa with everyone here...





*Saturday- Last time at Fatima Orphanage with Bowie, Lucy-lu and Vern... Last evening on the ship... last full day in Africa....





What a privilege to have so many things that I am going to miss. Isn't God so good, that He could call a daughter of His to go to Africa for 6 short months, and above & beyond great ministry opportunities, has provided a home that I have come to love and will greatly miss...

Passing the Torch

One of my favorite days during this outreach was the Passing the Torch ceremony. A very symbolic and momentous day, we were to officially retire the beloved Anastasis from her service and commission the Africa Mercy for many more years of service inWest Africa.


Everyone was lined up from the gangway of the Anastasis to the doorway of the Africa Mercy. Dr. Gary Parker and his family, who have served on the Ana for over 20 years, were on the Ana. Don Stephens and his wife, founders of Mercy Ships, were in the doorway of the AFM.


Probably the most beloved piece of the Ana is the cross that was on the bow- symbolic of the God we serve and the fact that His cross will always go before us. It was that cross that was removed and would make its way to its new home on the AFM bow. As it was passed from crew member to crew member, we all said something of praise to our God for His faithfulness in times past and His faithfulness to come.



Next was the torch- made from pieces of the three previous ships in the Mercy Ship fleet- the Anastasis, the Caribbean Mercy and the Island Mercy. Although decommissioned, their spirit and memories live on. "For His fame and for His glory" was was Dr. Gary shouted over the crowd as he held up the torch with his family and began to pass it on.

"Choose this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord." Joshua 24: 15

"For the Lord is good, his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."

Psalm 100:5

"And Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'." John 8:12

"I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." Isaiah 49:6b

President Ellen Johnson

I remember sitting in Pennsylvania one morning and hearing the NBC report on the first female president in Africa that had just been elected. What an amazing woman of courage and faith-- a woman who stepped in during an extremely unstable time of her country to pick up the pieces and begin the long road of restoration. From that day on, I always remembered the story of that incredible lady. Little did I know that long before I would ever walk down the roads of war torn Liberia, the Lord had already stirred in my heart a love for this land and for her President. What a joy then, to welcome President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her second visit to Mercy Ships- this time to welcome the new ship and it's crew.

(Above is Mr. and Mrs. Don Stephens, founders of Mercy Ships. To the left is Solfrid Quist, our executive director on the Africa Mercy)

(President Ellen Johnson touring the new hospital ward.)

Just before President Ellen Johnson gave her address, Esther Biney did and amazing song performance. We are all sitting in our new International Lounge.

SHE'S HERE!!!

"Be on the dock by 7 if you don't want to miss her!!" Solfrid, our Executive Director on the Anastais gave us solemn warning to be up, ready and presentable that Wednesday morning. The day we had had been fasting, praying and working for, dreaming of, wishing to become a reality, was about to. After 8 years of hard labor, earnest prayer, persistant faith and diligence from thousands of individuals, the Africa Mercy was about to find her new home along the shoreline of West Africa.

Over the last few months, a couple Mercy Shippers have become friends with the guys that run the tugboat for the port. One has been to our Bible study a couple times- so they were really excited when a couple of us wanted to ride the tug to bring in the AFM-- and so we did!!

The Ana was decorated in all her splendor and the decks and dock was packed with people and flags rejoicing for her arrival.

It was so wonderful to be one of the first ones to welcome her and her crew. Many of our Ana crew had flown to Newcastle to help with finalizing details and the sail, so there were many familiar faces excited to see us.

Song and dance greeted the AFM crew along with our flags, symbolizing the many nations that are represented throughout the crew members. It was a beautiful day- a gift from our Heavenly Father, all praise goes to Him.

*Check out http://www.mercyships.org/ to see video of the ship's arrival & passing the torch ceremony*

Super Saturday

Well... on May 12th, my buddy Ben Cubbage and I had the privilege of planning and hosting the games of the M/V Anastasis' Super Saturday. It was definitely an Olympic worthy event. With both of us having been involved with Young Life previously.... the day was sure to be packed with crazy, weird, disgusting games in order to bond our already close crew even closer! What a blast we had!

Sign up sheets went up where people could sign up their team. Next they had to come up with a costume and theme song for their team. I was giving out their points.. and boy did I expect hard time and creativity to be put into them!! We had major events such as.... the three legged race... bean spitting... human sculptures (team style)... face painting... just to get them started.

The real fun started though when I pulled out the game that requires both speed, skill and courage. As you can see above, teams elected two members. One was to make a PB&J sandwich with their feet and then feed it (with their feet) to their team mate that was lying on the ground. (As seen above). The first one to finish eating the WHOLE thing won. I was amazed at what great sports everyone was. For it is one thing to make kids you don't know do this... it's another when they are all the family you live and work with. ;) No one has held a grudge as of yet.



The fun continued with eating mystery meals, putting shaving cream on your head and seeing how many fruit loops your team mates could throw and stick to it, etc... The day was packed full of fun.


We wanted to do a Land Rover pull but ran out of time because of this next game... Splish and Splash. At first different teams competed, trying to knock their opponent into the water with a pillow. But then, as the fun went on, we had everyone joining in including the captain against his son, husband against wife, roommate against roommate (all done in love I'm sure ;)).

What a great day to cherish our last few moments as just the Ana crew, for soon we were to meet a couple hundred new friends on the AFM. And just so you all know, we rewarded everyone for their hard work and sportsmanship. ;)

Closing the Ward

(Escorting our last patients home)

Soon after screening, our last patients were discharged or transferred and the ward on the Anastasis closed for forever. It was a great day as we were able to rejoice over all that the Lord has done these many years... but also sad as it was the last time a patient would grace these halls.

During the last couple weeks of the ward, two of our patients had some post op complications and were transferred to nearby hospitals. Yet, praise our Heavenly Father that they had stabilized and just needed a couple more days of hospital supervision.

Little Victoria had a large tumor that was removed and she has since gone home and is doing very well. Solomon required further surgery during our time here and was a patient we were very concerned for during his time here. Our Lord decided to take little Solomon to be with Him, as Solomon died about a week after leaving Mercy Ships. A hard time for our medical staff... Many of us were able to go to little Solomon's funeral in his home village. Please keep his family in your prayers during this dark time...

(Here is our crazy and amazing medical team. To God be the glory for all the great things He has done...)

Screening Day

*Thank you all who have been so patient with waiting for new updates. But I hope you enjoy these reflections on events during the month of May...*

SCREENING DAY

Late at night on May 4th, a group of Mercy Shippers trekked out to Harriet- Tubman Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia. Already, hundreds had gathered waiting in line to see our physicians the next morning. This late night team had the unlikeable task of beginning to turn away those we could not help. The rains came that night, but no one went for shelter. All stayed and waited for the morning light....

Potential patients were escorted into the stadium and waited for registration. But boy did they enjoy the wait!! Drums, guitars and African music were heard throughout the stadium all day. One of our guys made animal shaped balloons for the young and the young at heart. Stickers, face painting, silly songs... all apart of the waiting process. From registration, they came to my history team where we documented their chief complaint and reviewed their health history. Next was assessment by our physicians... lab... pharmacy.... prayer station. By lunch, the YWAM team had come and helped us distribute small lunches and drinks to everyone.

It had rained in the morning, and so we were lucky regarding the heat- honestly, it was only hot around lunch time- then cooled back down. God cares about the little things. After I was done with reviewing health histories I worked at the prayer station. This offered prayer and counseling for those who were denied and for those who wanted someone to talk to. I really appreciated the relaxed atmosphere and getting to hear the hearts of those who had come. It was a long day and we were all very tired by the end :) But not too tired to miss out on going downtown for ice cream. ;)

So thank you to all of you at home that held us in prayer. God is to be praised.

Fishing with the Boys

(Two of my favorite boys- Garrett from Canada and Tom from Holland. The fish is Liberian.)

Tuesday evening- after working my four night shifts- I was ready for a non-nursing, relaxing evening. So at dinner I asked Garret, "so Garret, what's going on tonight?"

His reply: "Wanna go fishing?"

Sure! :) I was interested to see where and with what...

Off the side of the dock it was with some makeshift fishing line and lures. Bait used? Lamb and bread from dinner. Hey whatever works, you know?

So enjoy pictures from our little adventure. It's random moments like this that I will truly miss...

Here is one of many fish that Garret caught. He has some weird magical touch. It took him approximately 3 seconds to catch a fish- in total he probably caught about 15. Here he is proudly displaying one of his catches.

(The picture below shows how we were really putting our backsides into our work.)

There was quite a crowd that formed on the decks above as cheers went up as a fish was caught. We are easily entertained.

And just for the record, I caught two little fishies :)

Sunset that very evening. This is the first sunset I've seen here where the sun set on the water. Beautiful...

"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" - Matthew 4:19

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

Dear Friends... Precious Memories

This week has been busy as we are preparing to close the OR and ward. But before we say a final goodbye to our patients on the Anastasis- as always- I wanted to introduce you to a few more :)

Below is baby Victorya. She was born with a teratome... if you are not familiar with what this is, it's worth Googling, trust me. This is her beautiful mama holding her. Victorya is in need of your prayers as she has quite a ways to go before she is healed. Pray that the Lord gives our doctors wisdom in knowing how to care for her before she is discharged home.

We have also had quite a few patients from Sierra Leone- below are a couple of the cleft lip and palate babies and their precious mamas. They are all traveling home today and many have a long journey ahead.


Ahh!! Hey Marissa and Eleni!! These are two very special buds of mine. Marissa (on the left) is from Idaho and served here for nearly 8 months doing many many jobs. OR sterilization was her final job before she went home. Oh how we miss her and the amazing lattes she would make at the Sala Victoria! Eleni is to the right- my Yale grad that is on her way to med school. Eleni is such a blast and a great sister in Christ. She played soccer in the Olympics and is now playing for the Liberian national team during her time here. Go Eleni go!!

Eleni- hard at work :)

During this outreach, the Red Cross has been a huge help flying patients from the interior into Monrovia for treatment with Mercy Ships. This is one of the photos of some of our patients on their way home.

Below is little Fomba and his mother with a ward translator. He is my little Bible scholar and loves to quote Bible verses... while I am doing his wound care. His other favorite thing is to make fish faces!

Here is Chris (right) and James (left). Two of our burn contracture release patients that have been on the ward for a number of weeks. These are my two favorite UNO players- and boy they get very competitive. Little James was my UNO partner until he understood the game... then he didn't want any bit of my help. He was completely self-sufficient. I was astonished as he looked at his cards one time, placed the stack under his thigh bandage and would pull out precisely the card he needed at the proper time. He was crazy! "Ooh!!!"s would go up as the boys would discover the meaning of "skip" or "draw four". I've never played such a heated game of UNO in my life- and probably never will again. (smile)

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ~ Ephesians 5:1-2