Marcos and Carla

Churrascaria

2011-11-06T02:01:00.000-08:00

Churrascaria is arestaurant specialized in grilled meat, churrasco.While in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul our cousins Maidi, Marlise and Aquilestook us to a churrascaria rodizio ou espeto corrido. At a churrascaria rodizio you can eat as muchas you are able to eat. The waiters come with skewers, slicing meat onto yourplate.

Churrasco

2011-11-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

Churrasco isa Portuguese and Spanish term for grilled meat. A typical Brazilian churrasco includes a variety of meatsfraudinha, picanha, chicken heart, sausages, and chicken legs. Almost everyhouse in South Brazil has a purpose-built "churrasqueira". The meat is alternatively cooked on largemetal skewers stuck into the churrasqueiraand roasted with the embers of charcoal or wood. Carla and I had a wonderful churrasco at her brother Reinaldo andRose’s house in Sao Leopoldo, picture bellow.

Best Friend

2011-10-31T04:42:00.000-07:00

One of the attributes of friendship is that it transcends timeand space. Friends may be apart half way around the world, but the instant theyget together it is like time and space never existed. This is not differentwith my friend Benoni and I. We became friends at seventeen and for a decadeparticipate in the most memorable events of each other lives. This time in Riowe had the opportunity to catch up again.

João Pessoa

2011-10-26T03:37:00.000-07:00

Founded in 1585 JoãoPessoa is the easternmost city in the Americas. Capital of theBrazilian state of Paraiba, João Pessoa has beautiful beaches. Sincemoving there five years ago, our friend Ana Santos has invited us tovisit her. Carla and I had a wonderful time enjoying the city, thebeach, the food and specially the people. Big thanks to Ana and hertwo daughters Astou and Kalla.

Ice Cream

2011-10-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

Ice cream is auniversal food that never made in any food pyramid, as far as I know;nevertheless, it is a favorite everywhere. The ice cream store inBelem, a city in the mount of the Amazon River, offered 33 differentflavors of ice cream, most from fruits that grow only in the Amazonforest. My favorite was a scoop of coconut and a scoop of anythingelse. In Saquarema we found an ice cream store with not as manyoptions as Belem, but as good. I had a scoop of coconut and a scoopof passion fruit.

Vocation and the Kingdom

2011-10-24T11:26:00.001-07:00

An important questionoften raised among young professionals and college students is therelation of vocation and the Kingdom. Not to escape from the norm, Istruggled with the issue myself because I was raised in a traditionwhere Kingdom was limited to Sundays and vocation in its proper placein the rest of the week.

The other day, myfriend Pr. Neander, asked me to preach in his church. I prepared aninspirational message with stories from the work of the Africa Mercyin Sierra Leon. I was also going to tell about how my vocation,marine engineer, plays a vital role in what I do today.

God does not see me asa Christian on Sunday and an engineer the rest of the week, but Inever understood in practical terms that there is not separationbetween sacred and secular until I joined the Anastasis where I couldbe a missionary and an engineer at the same time. Till then, workingwith ships and on the shipyard was a way to bring finances for theKingdom of God, almost like a necessary evil.

Just before I was tospeak, Neander leaned toward me and ask me to speak also on the roleof my vocation in what I do, as this is very important to the youngpeople today. To make things more interesting before the service Imet Heber Golveia.

Heber was a young adultat Meyer Baptist Church where I was an assistant youth leader. OneSunday he told me that he worked on Caneco Shipyard. I told him thatI had applied to work there. The next day he called me saying thatthere was an open position at the Warantee Department. To make thestory short I began to work in a week.

The two years I workedon the shipyard was essential to the work I did later as the SecondEngineer of the Mercy Ships Anastasis. God’s call in our livesinvolves everything we are, which include our vocation. Heber wasused by God on my preparation for what God had in mind for my life.My vocation as a marine engineer is a vital part in God’s calling.There is no separation between my vocation and the Kingdom of God.

Saquarema III

2011-10-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

Saquarema II

2011-10-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

Saquarema

2011-10-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

With my sisters Maristela and Marli, Carla and I enjoyed anice holiday in Bacaxa with my sister Marcia and brother in law Luiz. Wevisited Saquarema a beautiful place few minute from her house, pictures below.

Afternoon Carioca

2011-10-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Rio de Janeiro Sunday morning. The ten hour flight from Dallas was long and boring, but enough excitement was waiting for us. My sisters Marcia and Marli were waiting for Carla and me at the airport International Tom Jobim, the weather was just right, 24 centigrade. We drove to Barra da Tijuca were a delicious Sunday lunch was waiting for us.

In the afternoon we were too tired to go anywhere or to do any thing special, so we did what Carioca knows to do best, we just enjoyed the rest of the day. My soccer team, Flamengo, was playing against his archrival Fluminense. Flamengo won the 3x2.

Monday morning we joined our friend Marta at the beach, the air temperature was nice but the water was cold. We enjoyed catching up with Marta. We are enjoying our time here.

Connections: August 2011

2011-09-13T08:49:00.001-07:00

Home Sweet Home

2011-09-12T12:06:00.000-07:00

After a long flight, I arrived back in Van, Texas Friday evening. No problems with the airplane this time. The last day onboard the Africa Mercy was hectic, the Deck and Engineers devotion began 7:45 am, worship, a brief message, the Captain’s announcements and the certificates presentation.

Certificates were presented to the eight motorman successfully completed the course and certificates were presented to three Deck Ratings and six Engine Ratings who completed their Rating Record books.

When the meeting finished I went to my cabin to pack, the night before I had worked until nine in order to have everything ready for the next day. Most of the time the internet on board is very slow. We left the Africa Mercy at 12:15 pm in order to get the 2:30 pm ferry to the airport. The sail to the Island where the Lungi airport is located was good. We had a good look of the Africa Mercy as the ferry sailed by.

I arrived home safe but very tired. It seems that the sleep I get during the flight does not provide much rest, but it is nice to be back home.

Printing the Certificates

2011-09-07T16:06:00.000-07:00

The course finished yesterday and today I spent a good part of the day trying to print certificates. It is hard to believe how a simple task like printing a certificate could take so long, but find a color printer, get the IT guys to create a profile for that printer and find a key for the room where the printer is (the printer was on the Bridge) was a complex job. Everything was set right, but the printer would not print. The IT guys could not understand way it would not print because all settings were right. At the end an IT guy took me to his desk and printed the certificates from his computer. We finished just before diner.

Tomorrow morning we will present the certificates to the students at the Deck and Engineers devotions that happen every Thursday. I leave from the ship to for the airport at noon. This morning I went to the craft market to get few African things and have my last market experience. It is nice to bargain African style. Well, it is late and I am starting to get slow.

Mighty Ships

2011-09-04T03:17:00.000-07:00

Mighty Ships airing today, Sunday, September 4. The U.S. premier of Mighty Ships: Africa Mercy air today Sunday, September 4, on the Smithsonian Channel! It is worth watching - 9pm (EST) or click the link to find out times (also shown on Monday morning) – http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/show.do?episode=137194

Friday Night

2011-09-03T05:33:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to Waterloo with the Jesus Film team to show the Jesus Film. It took us one a half hour to get there and one hour to return. The traffic in Free Town, as most West African port cities, provides you with a lifetime experience. The road actually was not too bad. It is the amount of vehicles, in quite a bad shape, all the people walking and crossing the road and frequent potholes that keeps me at the edge of my seat as if I am watching an Indiana Jones movie.

The rain started to come down at diner time. I looked out of my cabin window (porthole) and though, “who in the world want to go out in a rain like this to show a video?” I have to say, that I was tired and would not mind not going out in that rain. The two Land Rovers were ready to leave the ship; rain was coming down like the flood. The whole time I was wandering how we were going to show the film with all that water coming down.

As per Divine design, Jeremy Garcia asked me to me to pray for the trip and for the rain to stop. Concerning rain, with the drought in Texas, my prayers have been for rain to fall, not for the rain to stop. To pray for safe trip was not a problem, but to pray for the “flood” to stop within one hour was a bit intimidating. Would my faith be enough to stop the rain? What if the rain would not stop? However, that moment was not about my faith. It had to do with the steep of faith the ten of us had taken to be willing to get in the cars, drive to Waterloo to show the Jesus Film to those that does not know him.

I prayed for a safe trip, for God’s grace for those that were going to watch the film and for the rain to stop. Well, rain came down most of the way. However, when we arrived there was not raining. Actually, it was dry as if it had not rain for few days. We set the screen, showed the film and people came forward. Some times, we lack courage not faith.

Floating Maritime Training Center

2011-09-01T23:25:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, eight Engine Rating crewmembers began the watchkeeping course. The 20-hour class covers mandatory STCW training for Rating forming part of engineering watch. There are seven crewmembers from West Africa Togo, Ghana, Sierra Leone and one crewmember from Ukraine. The Africa Mercy is a floating Maritime Training Center who provides training to Mercy Ships crewmembers from the Deck, Engineer and Steward departments.

Isaiah 40

2011-08-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

My Bible reading this morning was Isaiah 40:9-11. The pictures bellow are from the church we visited Sunday in the hills of Free Town.

9 You who bring good news to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,[c]
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young. (NIV)

Sunday Morning

2011-08-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning Ananda, Montez and I drove to a church in the hills of Free Town here in Sierra Leone. The rain was coming down with intensity only seem in the days of Noah, so I thought. It rained every day since I arrived here last week. I wish the rain were in Texas, which is in a drought. Ananda asked me to preach, but in the morning I told him that I felt that I was not supposed to preach and Montez, who is from Liberia was going to bring the main message and I was to give a testimony.

Pastor Nathaniel was waiting in the main road at the bottom of the hill. From there we drove the land rover through a narrow road up the hill with the rain continuously. We parked the car when we could go no more and walked the rest of the way to the small house where the church meets.

The rain did not stop the people that arrived and took their sit on the wooden bench at the main room. A door led to a side room where the drums were located. By the time, the service started there were more than 40 people in the house temple. Few meters down the hill, a new building is being built to accommodate the church.

I gave a testimony and Montez brought the main message. He told this remarkable story of a preacher who was teaching the people of his village in Liberia about God. The story involved a turtle and several animals of the forest. As he narrated tale the chronicle absorbed men, women and children. In seminary, we learn the importance of contextualizing the message. However, what I witnessed was beyond contextualization, it was incarnation, the word of God became alive, as the Apostle John says; the word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Montez is a refrigeration technician on the Africa Mercy and has become the Jesus Film coordinator. Since February, the Film Jesus was shown 41 times here in Sierra Leone to 12,000 people and 3,000 people came forward know more about Jesus.

Second Day in Paradise

2011-08-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

The next day I woke up at nine in the morning, quite unusual for my normal routine of being out of bed at six, had breakfast and went back to my room for more rest. The last months have been quite intense for me. Projects and deadlines have not allowed much time for brain and body recovery. Two weeks ago, I arranged to go to my friends’ place, the Menefee, south of Van for two days of rest. However, I could not find the keys for the gate and ended up staying at home mowing the lawn and doing other chores. I can remember a time when I had two full days of rest. Therefore, I took fully advantage of the opportunity.

Following the repair to the damage caused by a stone strike to the airplane engine Brussels airlines schedule a new flight, SN1226, was set to Wednesday, August 24 at 23:30 from Banjul to Free Town. We left the Ocean View Hotel at 22:00 and left to our destination. We arrived in Free Town two o’clock in the morning. The Lungi airport is located in an island and Free Town in the other side of the river, a ferry took us close to the dock where crew members were waiting for us.

An Extra Day in Paradise

2011-08-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

SN Brussels arranged fly into Lungi (Freetown) at 23h00 what would get us there 12h30 Wednesday morning. A Mercy Ships representative, Pr Mark, arranged for seven passengers arriving on that flight to stay in the guest accommodation overnight near the airport before going to the ship in the morning.

We had diner around seven in the evening. The bus to the airport was to leave at nine. I went to my room, close my bags and lay dawn in bed waiting to go to the hotel lob quarter to nine. At eight thirty, somebody banged at my door. The bus is here and the first group is getting ready to go. I got my suitcase that was waiting at the door and headed to the hotel lobby. Only to find out that the flight was canceled, the technicians who were working to fix the problem caused by the bird were not ready.

The disappointment in everyone’s face was evident. I was luck enough not to have my luggage in side the bus. Some passengers took their frustration on the staff that did not have any thing to do with the delay. It was eleven o'clock when I received a new room key. I slept through the night, woke up at the noise of my alarm at six third in the morning and slept again until nine. I have just been awarded an extra day in paradise.

Stranded in Banjul

2011-08-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

Although it is not always easy to travel, I enjoy it. Some time, just the planning and organization of the trip is enough to get me excited. It was not different for this trip to Sierra Leone. I knew it would be a long trip, Tyler, Dallas, Chicago, Brussels, a quick stop in Banjul (Gambia) and finally Free Town, Sierra Leone. The flight went well until the last leg of the trip, Banjul to Free Town. As the airplane accelerated to take off a bird, I am not sure what kind, decided to flight in front of the plane and hit, the turbine maybe sucked. I felt an engine noise, acceleration immediately reduced, and few minutes lather the breaks stopped the airplane just before the end of the runway. The plane returned and we were sent to the Ocean View Hotel. So far, I enjoy the amenities. We received a message around lunchtime that we depart 11pm this evening. In a way, it is nice to have a day of rest before all the activities waiting for me on board the Africa Mercy.

Lesson Number Three – Be Patient until the End

2011-04-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Three o’clock in the afternoon was the set time to leave the ship. I went to reception, turned in the cabin keys, received back my passport and walked down the gangway. At the bottom of the gangway many crew members were waiting for me, so I thought. Well, there was a long-term crew leaving at the same time and their friends came to say farewell to them.

The ship’s vehicle drove us to the water taxi, or should I say dodged forklifts, trucks and marine containers, we reached the place to board the water taxi, but it was not there waiting for us. Therefore, we waited and waited. After two hours under the West-African sun, we boarded the launch for the 50 minutes cross to the airport. We checked in twenty minutes before boarding the flight to Brussels.

I sat down on my seat, the rush of adrenaline finally started to subside and I felt relived that we had made. I closed my eyes and said, Lord, you are good in reinforcing the lessons you are teaching me about patience and I have done good. However, it seems that God has a Brazilian sense of humor. He was not done with me.

When I arrived in Chicago from Brussels, the flight Chicago Dallas was late due to weather. In Dallas, the flight to Tyler was also late. I sat on my seat and slept the 50 minutes flight. When we landed in Tyler, the woman seated on the other side of the alley told me, “I was afraid you would not wake up”.

I got my luggage went to the passengers waiting area in front of the airport but no one was there to pick me up. The airport door closed, everyone was gone and I was standing there by myself. At that moment, my patience that was good so far was also gone. I call my daughter and she said I am on my way. When she finally arrived, I was fuming. I learned lesson number three: “Be Patient until the End”.

Praying for the Africa Mercy

2011-04-16T15:13:00.001-07:00

We had just come down the Africa Mercy gangway when Pr. Nathaniel Komba introduced himself. He learned that I came from Brazil, his eyes lightened and he said that his Discipleship Training School (DTS) leader in Guinea was a Brazilian. Pr. Nathaniel coordinates the Jesus Film. He told that the pastors are praying for the ministry of the Ship during her stay in Sierra Leone. The Ship Chaplain hears the pastors are praying invited them to come pray onboard each week. This field service has been difficult from the beginning problems on the screening day, lack of fuel and lack of water. We sure need many prayers.

Contentment

2011-04-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to the hospital in deck three looking for Clementine Tengue, the patient Chaplain. Nurses and patients walked up and down and in and out of doors in the port side hallway of the hospital. As I moved aft I faced a boy, twelve to thirteen years old, in a wheel chair, cast in his two legs from uncle to above his knees. He had a big smile in his face as if he was having the time of his life. I stopped and asked his name. I could barely understand “Mohamed”. I continue and asked, “How old are you?” He looked at me with a negative expression that I interpreted as if he did not understand the question. To my salvation, a passing by translator asked him in Creole, “He is asking how old you are?” The boy said something that I could not comprehend. The translator said: “He doesn’t know how old he is.” The boy who did not know how old he is, but his contentment shown in his face was contagious. I did not find Clementine; however, I left the hospital wandering the reasons for a boy in cast to be in such a state of satisfaction and contentment with life. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Another Busy Day in Paradise

2011-04-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Today was another busy day onboard the Africa Mercy. Life onboard runs 24/7, there is always someone working in the Engine Room, Deck or in the Hospital of course. Breakfast begins 6:30 AM, by 7:30 the dental teams are leaving the ship for the clinic off the ship. I think I am eating too much bread. There is a German backer that backer different kind of delicious bread for breakfast that I cannot resist. To compensate I go up and down three flat of stairs at least 10 times a day. The classroom is on deck seven and both my room and the dining room are on deck five. Today the ship received enough water for the Captain to release the laundry, but showers are still cold.

Jesus Give Me That Water

2011-04-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

Friday the Captain restricted the use of water by closing the laundry and showers, cloth bath is permitted. Water consumption was higher that what is been supplied to the ship. Showers were liberated today, but just with cold water, hot water is off and the laundry is still closed. My two minutes shower today will be a cold one. Please keep the water situation in your prayers as the shortage of water can seriously affect the surgeries in the hospital. It takes between 24 to 48 hours to treat the water that goes into the ship’s tanks.

Celebrating God

2011-04-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Friday evening I went with the Jesus Film team to a place not too far from where the Africa Mercy is docked called Gongowater. While we set up the equipment and the scream to show the film few people and children gathered around the place. When the film began, there was a crowd of about 400 people watching.

One old man approach us to say that he had a cataract surgery onboard and had a follow up appointment next week. He had a big green on his face as he told us, “Now I can see”. Those who receives free surgery onboard the ship, many time want to show their appreciation, but do not know how. When they see us, they offer the most gratifying smile you can ever see.

Today I went to the Word of Life church with Lawrence Adjei and a group from the ship. I preach about “God’s purpose for the family”. The church was in a nice building for the neighborhood standards. The worship songs are in Creole the day-to-day language in Free Town. The worship is a celebration. It is amazing to see how the Africans celebrate the presence of God through singing and dancing.

Week in Review

2011-04-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

Today is Saturday, for the second time I walked down the gangway. Yesterday evening I went with the Jesus Film team to show the film at Congowater. I will talk about that experience lather.

On Tuesday, we prepared for the Crowd Management classes that started on Wednesday morning. The curriculum approved by Malta limit the number of students to 10 students per class. The first class was Wednesday 8 to 12 in the morning, Thursday 1 to 5 in the afternoon and yesterday 8 to 12 in the morning. Classes will resume Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

A distinguished characteristic of cities in the tropics is that people spend a good deal of time outside their home. Everyday there are many people on the streets of Free Town, but on Saturday, it seems that everyone come to the streets to buy and sell or just hung around.

We left the ship at noon and could barely navigate through the sea of people. We stop first at the Cotton Tree that is one of the symbols on the establishment of the country. Then we went to the Craft Market for a lesson in African economics. We market entered trough the fabric/clothing area. I was overwhelmed by the color, pattern, and beauty displayed in the small boots, and even more overwhelmed by the resolve of the vendors in offering me the best deal of my life.

Lawrence the ship’s Boson came to my cabin last Wednesday to talk about training. When he was leaving, I asked which church he was going Sunday. He replied, “Yes you will preach. The service will on family and you will be the preacher. Praise God!” So tomorrow, Sunday, I will preach in Lawrence Adjei’s church.

Lesson Number Two – Continue To Be Patient

2011-04-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

The Free Town airport is located one side of the mount of a river and the Africa Mercy is docked in the port of Aberdeen in the other side. Normally it would take 15 minutes by shuttle and 50 minutes across the river by the water taxi. Well, we waited half hours for the shuttle. At the dock, the water taxi was too small for all of us, so a group went first and we waited for its return. We waited and waited.

By now you already guessed what lesson number two is? Continue to be patient. After three hours another water taxi arrived, but had engine troubles. We waited for another taxi who took us to another dock where we switch to a smaller water taxi arriving on board around 11PM. However, the hospitality person was waiting for us with a nice meal, my cabin was nice and cold and I could take a warm shower. Therefore, it pays to be patient.

Patience is a virtue that we exercised when things do not work according to our desires. James urges us, “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming”.

Lesson Number One – Be Patient

2011-04-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

After four flights (Tyler – Dallas – New York – Brussels – Free Town) we arrived Sierra Leone, West Africa. Going through immigration was easy compared to getting our luggage in the baggage claim area. The baggage claim area soon became packed full after all passengers rightfully decided to pick up their luggage. With so many bodies together, the heat could not be left out and decided to join the party giving us a warm African welcome.
At first, for a moment, I managed to get closer to the carrousel, but was pushed out further and further until I could no longue see what was going on the other side of the sea of people. At that point, I said to myself, “Why not be patient and wait for most people to get their bags, and then when things clear up and I get mine, my luggage is probably with the last batch”. Guess what? My luggage was one of the last one to show up. Lesson number one for a successful trip to Africa: be patient.

AMOS Training

2011-04-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

Mercy Ships partnership with SpecTec features on The Marine Executive web site. Click on this link to read the article. Mercy Ships uses SpecTec’s Asset Management Operating System – AMOS program the management of technical maintenance and administration of consumable, parts, and equipments. Since Monday, two SpecTec instructors are providing training to the Marine Operations staff here at the IOC in Texas.

Connections:February 2011

2011-03-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

Sierra Leoneans Welcome Mercy Ship into Port of Freetown

2011-03-01T06:41:00.000-08:00

Press Release

Freetown, Sierra Leone, February 28, 2011- This week marks the fifth time in 18 years that Freetown has welcomed a Mercy Ship; this time it is the Africa Mercy – the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship. For the next ten months, Mercy Ships is offering its state-of-the-art hospital ship – with six operating theaters, lab, pharmacy, 78 beds, and an outpatient clinic – to partner alongside the Sierra Leonean government. The ship will provide free health care to the people of Sierra Leone and training for health care workers until November 2011.
In response to an invitation from the President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, Mercy Ships program strategy has been carefully aligned with the country’s current five year health care plan.
Life-changing surgeries such as tumor removal, cleft lip and palate correction, cataract removal, orthopedics and plastics will be offered onboard the ship for individuals that qualify with these conditions. Potential patients have been encouraged to attend specific screening days to receive appointments for their specific medical needs. Advance teams have already conducted screenings in six locations upcountry, seeing more than 5,000 patients prior to the ship’s arrival.
Sierra Leone has made a significant effort to address health care concerns in their country, but still faces challenges. Last year, the nation implemented a free health care policy for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under the age of five. This initiative is very positive, but the nation still ranks at the bottom of the 2010 United Nations Human Development Index (at 158 out of 169). The infant mortality rate in Sierra Leone is 123 per 1,000 births. And with only one dentist for every one million people in Sierra Leone, as compared to 6,000 dentists per million people in the U.S., Mercy Ships investment in the health sector is welcome.
The Mercy Ships Eye Team will partner with the Kissy Eye Clinic to screen and schedule qualified individuals for surgeries. Cataract surgeries are performed in a simple 15-minute procedure, restoring sight for hundreds of vision-impaired individuals. Last year, the Mercy Ships Eye Team performed 2,512 eye surgeries on 2,331 patients. In 2009, Mercy Ships trained six ophthalmologists from Benin, West Africa, in the cataract correction technique. After training, the surgeons increased the number of procedures in their local clinics from 320 surgeries per year to 2000 surgeries per year (combined).
In partnership with other international organizations the Mercy Ship has been invited to provide training for local medical personnel who will add capacity long after the ship leaves. The training/mentoring programs will include, but are not limited to, surgeons, nurses, biomedical technicians, hospital leadership, and lab technicians. In addition, agriculture specialists onboard ship will be involved with training of local partners who will in turn train farmers in aspects of sustainable, organic farming techniques to increase nutrition.
Since 1978, Mercy Ships has mobilized people and resources worldwide to provide free health care and sustainable development in the developing world. Each year volunteers from over 40 nations bring their own unique skill sets onboard the Africa Mercy. Positions include physicians, medical personnel, engineers, maritime crew, galley cooks, hospitality workers and teachers. All professional volunteers pay their own airfare as well room and board for the privilege of serving in Sierra Leone, helping to keep the provision of services free to the recipients.

Mercy Ships on the way to Sierra Leone

2011-02-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

The Africa Mercy arrives this Sunday in Sierra Leone. It is the fifth time Mercy Ships visit the West Africa country whose eleven-year civil war ended in 2002. Sierra Leone ranks 158 by the United Nations human index. The Africa Mercy will be docked in Free Town, the capital of the country ten months.

The Africa Mercy leaving Cape Town

Africa Mercy Dry Dock Time Lapse - 2.5 Hrs Reduced to 90 Sec

2011-02-18T14:56:00.000-08:00

Africa Mercy Departs South Africa for 2011 Field Service in Sierra Leone

2011-02-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

The Africa Mercy set sail yesterday for Sierra Leone after more than four months of retrofitting in the Southern Africa Shipyard in Durban. Four new 5L21/31 type MAN generators have replaced the old diesel generators.

Mercy Ships expects the new generators to increase productivity by 32%, reduce CO2 emissions by 20% and reduce fuel-running costs by more than 600 US dollar per year.

Between February and December this year, the Africa Mercy plans to support the Sierra Leone health care system by providing more than 3000 direct surgical services to the poor as well as building capacity in the local healthcare community

Basic Safety Training - STCW95

2011-02-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

It was a hectic week, as usual. In five days last week, twenty students experienced through the Basic Safety Training the thrill that few seasoned seaman experience in a lifetime. To make the exercises real, the weather provided rain, ice and snow to the mix.

Six Inches of Snow

2011-02-06T17:05:00.000-08:00

Six inch of snow fell in East Texas Friday morning. Even though we are not prepare snow at all I manager to go to work for the last day of the BST. Here are few pictures.

Sub-zero Temperature and Snow

2011-02-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

Twenty students eagerly waited for the pool exercise at the Cain Center in Athens, Texas. The unusual weather that brought sub-zero temperatures during the fire fighting exercises on Wednesday, this time brought six inch of snow to North and East Texas. The students will have to wait until tomorrow when the roads should be drivable.

Praxis: reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it.

2010-12-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

Inspired on the great Brazilian educator Paulo Freire’s "Praxis: reflection and action" I am taken few moments on the outset of 2010 to reflect on the year soon to be over. Post-Modern life is characterized by many actions (multi-tasking), but very little time for reflection on what was done. I can honest say that my routine fits quite well in the Post-Modern habits. Nevertheless, I do take time to reflect, not as much as I want to.
On my year-end reflection two prominent focuses emerges: relationships and accomplished results. It is easy to begin with the later because many things was accomplished in my ministry with Mercy Ships: thousands of lives being transformed, the Jesus Film and birthday in Africa, ISO 9001 certification and the training provided to our staff and crew.
To reflect on relationships, which are hard to measure, we have to take in consideration the process, because relationships are not a task to be accomplished. Relationships are the result of the process of doing and accomplishing things with others. In doing what we do, do relationships are built and come up stronger or resulted in broken relationships?
No matter if the answer to this question is A, B, or all of the above, Freire’s contention lays on Praxis, reflection followed by action. It is a continuum where action is the result of reflection. This to say that as a result of my year-end reflection I will pay close attention to the process of what I do in order to build and strength the relationships with the people involved. I hope you will also take few moments to reflect on the year that is coming to the end, and the reflection will result in action.

Cool

2010-11-12T13:05:00.000-08:00

Last June the guest cabin on deck 5 of the Africa Mercy was hot than usual. The 30 years old AC unity that serves the area was operating in its lowest capacity. I would not notice it if the instructor I brought onboard was not housed there. I felt bad because my cabin on a different section of the ships was cooler. A new AC unity is being installed in place of the old one; it will improve the overall cooling of the ship, use less fuel and be environment friendly.

Teamwork

2010-10-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

Teamwork is one of the most important component in accomplish Mercy Ships' mission to bring hope and healing to poor and needy of Africa. Volunteers from around the world joined the crew of the Africa Mercy for the Power the Vision project.

There is Something Unique About Training

2010-10-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

There is something unique about running a Basic Safety Training (BST) here in Texas. It is an aura of expectation and excitement on the crew preparing to join the Africa Mercy. For many of them it will be the first time they will work onboard a hospital ship serving the poor and needy in Africa. As an instructor I see first hand the fear of what an emergency may bring transformed into confidence. The safety training prepares them to face emergencies with knowledge of the equipment and procedures, and confidence in each other.

Survival at Sea

2010-10-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

Survival at sea is known as Personal Survival Techniques (PST) training. This training includes donning a lifejacket, donning an immersion suit, boarding a life raft and flipping over a life raft. The PST is part of the Basic Safety Training – BST (STCW95).

Training in Texas

2010-10-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

On Monday, October 11, seventeen students began the Basic Safety Training – BST course here in Texas. Bellow are pictures of the Basic Fire Fighting (BFF).

ISO 9001 Certification

2010-10-11T15:53:00.001-07:00

On August 31, 2010, the Mercy Ships Maritime Training Center was awarded by Lloyd’s Register ISO 9001-2008 Certification. The Quality Management System (QMS) is a requirement for providing training and certification according to international maritime code Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping – STCW-95.
Achieving ISO 9001 Certification is the result of Marine Operations’ commitment to provide quality training and certification to our crew members. The training provides unskilled crew members the opportunity to become skilled professionals and Licensed Officers the chance to receive further training.

Power the Vision

2010-10-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

In order to maximize long term performance and to impact the vessel’s hospital, Mercy Ships is replacing the aging diesel generators of the Africa Mercy. The new generators will improve the services provided onboard and continue to help more people who do not have access to health care structure. The new generators will reduce emissions helping the environment and will have better fuel efficiency.

Jesus Film

2010-06-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

For years Mercy Ships crew has utilized the Jesus film to support local pastors to plant new churches. It is not different here in Togo. Twice a week the Jesus film team goes to different villages to bring the message of Christ in the local language.
Friday evening I went with the team to a village where Campus Crusade is planting a new church. Before we left we where advised by the Ships’ Captain that there were a huge traffic jam outside the port if in one hour we could not go through we were to return to the ship.
So we prayed for God to clear the way for us. Indeed the road was totally blocked. We could not go forward or return. But someone signed for us to detour through the other lane as no car were coming and we crossed to the road we need to take. It took us only fifteen minutes to get on our way.
When, one and a half hours lather, we arrived at our destination there was a crowd of about 200 people waiting for us. By the time the film was concluded 300 people had gathered to watch the Jesus film in their own language Ewe.

Lives Being Transformed

2010-06-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

When I’m onboard the Africa Mercy, I’m so focused with the training of our crew that I don’t realize that lives are being transformed few decks bellow in the ships’ hospital. I had a glimpse of this when I went to the dock to take a picture and a group of patients walked the gangway to board the ship. One of the nurses told me that 20 patients received eye surgery that day.

A Memorable Birthday

2010-06-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

The glamour of comfortable flights is far gone. Seated like sardine in a tin can, I managed to get some sleep, but I arrived onboard the Africa Mercy totally tired. The six hours difference between Texas and Togo was not enough to keep me awake. I lay down around 11PM and slept straight until 7AM. It was raining when I woke up; it is the beginning of the raining season in Togo. It rained for almost four hours.
At breakfast familiar faces welcomed me; most of them received training at the International Operation Center (IOC) in Texas. It was hard to link names to faces in the morning. Ananda Samarawera, the Second Engineer, greeted me and said: Happy Birthday. Yes, it is my birthday and I’m commemorating it in Africa. Then he invited to a Sri Lanka meal in the evening in his cabin. He prepared five different dishes, all very hot, I mean spice hot. Hot enough to give you hiccups and make tears to roll down your face, but it was good.
Ananda invited eight people to celebrate my birthday. They were old and new friends, from Germany, Holland, USA, Canada, England and Sri Lanka. After diner I went to the lounge to watch Brazil play the Ivory Coast in the World Cup. Brazil won 3 to1. This will be a memorable Birthday!

Comunidade Jesus Vive

2010-05-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

Back in 1980, Carla and I, spent two years in Rio de Janeiro working with a youth organization called Clubes Biblicos. Our house in the barrio of Tijuca offered refuge to teenagers and young adults searching for a deep connection with God and fellowship with other Christians. It was during that time that we were exposed to Francis Schaffer’s idea of “L’Abri” and the concept of community. If we were not sharing the love of God through dramas, music and speaking one on one, we were engaged in deep theological discussion on the relevant topics of our time. Otherwise use the fellowship to talk about our favorite subject, football (soccer).
After Carla and I left Rio to work with Mercy Ships, the Clube Biblicos ministry continued to grow and became a church called Comunidade Jesus Vive. Last April Comunidade Jesus Vive commemorated the church’s 23rd anniversary. My best friend Benoni, the church’s pastor, invited me to preach to a congregation of 400 or more. Overwhelmed by emotion, I could hardly deliver my message; I was in awe of God’s power. He transformed a group of radical seekers into to a thriving body of worshipers.

The Desires of your Heart

2010-05-20T06:09:00.000-07:00

I’m impressed by the words of King David in Psalm 37, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your hearth.” David’s statement is conditional, one needs to delight. Delight being a condition of contentment pleasure and enjoyment, a tough assignment. The point here is not one being capable to fulfill the condition, but of God being able and willing to give what we desire.
I was faced by God’s willingness to give the desire of my heart in our recent trip to Brazil. One of the many wishes on my heart for this trip was to have a “churrasco”, Brazilian barbecue. South Brazil, our first stop, is known as the birth place of the “churrasco”. We stayed there over two week, but we had no chance to eat a churrasco. On our trip from South to Rio I confided to Carla that I was disappointed.
In Rio I called my friend Dalmo who invited us for lunch Saturday afternoon. As we got together he asked me: What do I liked to do, I said that I didn’t had anything in mind. He then said: I’m thinking of a churrasco! So God gave me the desire of my heart.

Help From Above

2010-04-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

In the March issue of the AmericanWay Magazine, Gerald J. Arpay, American Airlines CEO, in an editorial entitled “Help From Above” describes how America Airlines and its employs have responded to the Haitian earthquake. “Within hours of the quake, we flew multiples relief missions into Pot-au-Prince. And since then, we have continued to transport relief workers, critical supplies and evacuees.” He says.

Tragedies like the earthquake in Haiti, awakens peoples’ conscious to the misfortune of others. Horrific images shown on the TV, the internet and other means of communication confront to a reality beyond ones imagination. Awaken by this reality people want to know: How to give? How to help? How to donate?

Like many other organizations Mercy Ships is also helping in Haiti http://www.mercyships.org/content/home. Jesus said that it is better to give than to receive. Each one of us should be a channel in providing “Help From Above”. May the Lord continue to awaken people to the needs of those who suffer?

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T18:27:00.001-07:00

Today Christians everywhere commemorated Easter, Passover, Pascoa in Portuguese. I have many Easter memories growing up with bolt catholic and protestant influence, that ranged from not eating meet on Good Friday, which was not a problem because we expected to eat bacalhau (cod fish) to early Sunday mass or service. An Easter egg was a must, Brazilian chocolate taste really good. In the midst of all this the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus was never lost. So this Easter week here in south Brazil we ate fish on Good Friday, attended an Easter Sunday service with our relatives, got a big Easter egg and celebrated the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Happy Easter!

We are in Brazil

2010-04-03T15:00:00.001-07:00

After a long flight that began in Tyler, Texas we arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “O Rio de Janeiro continua lindo” (Rio de Janeiro continues to be beautiful) says the Cariocas, people from Rio. My sister Marli was waiting for us. We had lunch together; however, Rio was not our final destination, at least not for now. The next flight took us to Porto Alegre where Reinaldo, Carla’s brother, was waiting for us with uncle Urbano, and cousins Marlise e Maidi. Reinaldo drove us to Sao Leopoldo where his wife Rose was waiting for us with Felippe e Vitor.

At the airport in Rio de Janeiro

At the airport in Porto Alegre

Marine Operations Picture

2010-03-11T14:30:00.001-08:00

This is the most recent picture of the Mercy Ships Marine Operations Department here in Texas. Beside me, in the center, is my daughter Cassia who is the Marine Operations Admistrative Assistant.

Togo

2010-02-18T13:06:00.000-08:00

On February 10 the Africa Mercy arrived in Togo. Togo is a small country wedged between Benin and Ghana in West Africa. My family and I were onboard the Anastasis in the first visit of a Mercy Ships to Africa in 1990. We love our first experience in the African continent. I even learned some Eve, language spoken in the capital Lome. I look forward to go to Togo in June/July.

Snow in Texas

2010-02-16T12:48:00.001-08:00

Normally we get few flakes of snow during the winter here in East Texas that by the time it reaches the ground has already changed to the liquid state. Last Friday the white staff fell in abundance, six inches. It was beautful.

Love your Neighbor as Yourself

2010-02-02T04:11:00.000-08:00

Fourteen students attended the January Basic Safety Training (BST) in preparation for joining the Africa Mercy in Togo, West Africa. The Africa Mercy crew is required to receive training in accordance to international maritime standards. I teach on the subject of Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. This course stresses each crew member's duty to work in a safety manner and their responsibility for the safety of others. Jesus articulates this concept well when he said: "Love your neighbor as yourself".

It takes faith to face the challenges of the new decade

2010-01-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

As we enter a new decade there is always danger of looking at the new and unknown with fear. In contrast to faith fear is a filter who distorts reality. One becomes afraid of something that didn’t happen yet. An example of looking at live through a lens of fear is told by Jesus in the parable of the talents. In fear, a servant, bury the talent he was given to invest choosing to do nothing instead of acting in faith.

The challenges of this new decade require faith; faith that God is in control of our lives, and his plans humanity are good. This was the problem with the servant who dug the whole to hide what his master gave him. He saw his master as mean and insensitive person, ready to punish him for his failures. His vision of God affected his choice and actions.

How in a world driven by fear do we move from fear to faith? A good place to start is by looking at the evidence of God’s faithfulness. The psalmist, in Psalm 8, reflected on the works of God’s hands. Like the Psalmist we too need reflect on what God has done to us. By reflecting in God’s goodness our faith increases and we are free to invest the talents given to us.

2009 Benin Field Service Results

2010-01-03T21:57:00.000-08:00

The 2009 Mercy Ships Benin Field Service served 67,219 people. It is amazing, a total of 97,625 procedures done. Bellow is how it happened:

33,851 eye evaluations and other treatments;
13,174 oral health education;
10,175 dental patients seen;
7,083 pairs of sunglasses distributed;
5,689 pairs of reading glasses distributed;
3,521 cataracts removed;
1,161 general surgeries;
996 reconstructive and plastic surgeries;
794 dental hygiene patients;
570 other eye surgeries (pterygia and stabismus);
231 orthopedic operations;
154 obstetric fistulas repaired;
185 cleft lip and palate repairs;
119 church & community leaders trained in mental health;
50 prison officers and workers trained in mental health;
28 patients received palliative home care;
25 oral health teachers trained;
23 local agricultural trainees;
19 mental health workers trained;
19 families trained in wound care;
18 community eye field workers trained;
10 agricultural staff trained;
6 Burkett's Lymphoma patients received palliative support;
2 local surgeons trained;
2 local eye surgeons trained;
4 local surgeons trained in fistula repair;
2 dental assistants trained;
1 hostel constructed for agricultural college;
2 church leaders conferences attended by 602 attendants;
12,000 people watched the Jesus Film

Happy 2010

2009-12-31T18:33:00.000-08:00

In few hours, here in Texas, will be a new year. This morning I was meditating on what was 2009. Many things good and bad happenned, but what is important is that God was faithful all the way. I'm convinced that God has a special purpose for everything that happenned in our lives. As I look back I realise how blessed I am. This gives me hope that God has even better things for 2010. It will be a busy year again and I'm excited the see what the Lord has in store. May God's blessing be on us as we enter a new decade.

Pictures of the Week (2)

2009-08-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

Dental Team

Marcos with Jean Claude, Agriculture specialist

Building Bethesda Agriculture School

Bethesda Agriculture School

Jesus Film setup

Jesus Film

The Church in Agla

2009-08-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

On the second visit of the Anastasis to Benin in 2001 Lawrence Adjei was a discipler at the construction of a clinic building in Agla. While visiting a house in the community Lawrence noticed that the daughter of the man he was sharing with had a high fever. He asked the father if he could pray for the girl. The father replayed, yes, who don’t need prayer.
The next day Lawrence went back and found that the girl had been healed. With permission of the man of he began a weekly Bible study with the family, few weeks lather 20 people were attending and within three months 100 people from the community were gathering together
to worship God. With the covering of a church in the region a church was established.
Lawrence Adjei, now the Africa Mercy boatswain, was one of the students of the Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) course on board last week. He invited me to preach at the church in Agla on Sunday. The expression of worship through singing, dance and a willful act of celebration is indescribable. Singing in French and Fon, the local language, men, women and children never misses the bit.

Pictures of the Week

2009-08-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

Worship on Deck Seven of the Africa Mercy

Splicing wires

Ropes and knots

Instruction on the Africa Mercy Deck

Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) Students and instructors

Training is an Investment

2009-08-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

Training is an investment, said an article in a magazine devoted to training and education. It is an investment because it requires time, dedication, energy and resources. It entails the crew to stop normal activities to receive instruction. Now, if training is an investment, what is the return? The return is a crew better prepared to do their work, with renewed knowledge and skill, a new attitude toward what they do and a safety culture so needed when working on ships..
This has been an intense week of training for the deck crew of the Africa Mercy. Nine Rating crew attended a one week Efficient Deck Hand course that finished today. I’m convinced that the skills they learned will make them more confident and efficient on the job they do.

In His Time

2009-08-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

I flew into Cotonou, Benin, on August 16, on an Air France flight from Paris. Three other crew members joined me at the airport Charles de Gaulle, a young lady from North Caroline, who will work in the dining room for 9 months, a nurse from Norway, who will work in the Hospital until December and a dentist from Germany, who came for three weeks.
By divine design the dentist from Germany, sat beside me in the airplane. A dentist of the German Navy, Marco Ritter, is using his vacation to serve with the Africa Mercy dental team. I asked him how he heard about Mercy Ships. He said that when he was 19 years old he visited the Mercy Ships Anastasis docked is Hamburg, Germany. He got a poster from the Anastasis that he hanged in the wall of his bed room, dreaming of one day to work in that ship.
He said the poster is still hanging at a closet door at his parent’s house. Meanwhile, he joined the German navy, studied to be a dentist. Now after many years the dream of helping the poor and needy has become reality.
As I hear his story I remember the song that says: “In his time, in His time. He makes all things beautiful in His time.” Marco’s story is evidence that God is not in a hurry.

From Thailand

2009-05-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

My daughter Queila is in Thailand. Bellow is an account of what she is doing there:

“Life has been so busy these last few days. Leaving Cambodia and the life we set up there in the month we worked there was hard. It isn't until you leave something, that you understand the true weight of the relationship. The affection either grows because it was healthy and good, or loses importance as we invest elsewhere. Cambodia=heartstrings.

Thailand has been phenomenal, though. Our ministries here have been almost completely different. We are now doing a lot of open-airs in market places, outside of factories during lunch breaks and on the beaches. In one day we did 3 open-airs in all different locations, doing our skits and worships 5+ times. We handed out over 1500 New Testament study bibles in that day, plus thousands of testimony books from famous people in Thailand as well as magazines for children and teens. It's funny to see our team have to step out of comfort zones and really remind ourselves that if we love these people, offering a life of freedom from the lies of polytheism is worth our looking foolish for a bit. I'll look like a fool to love Him a little deeper. :) Getting to walk back past a place where we've just been handing out the literature and seeing them earnestly reading them makes my heart swell in ways i never thought it could. These are seeds of truth. Please pray that they are protected and get watered by others. :)

Today we went to a Buddhist temple on the top of a mountain overlooking Rachaburry, and our Thai guide led us in worship and intercession in the temple. It was so powerful. I keep wanting to share all these experiences with everyone, and tell you all the stories and the smells, but we are so busy. And internet cafes here are much more scarce than in Cambodia.

I have so many legit pics though. We've done temple tours, street kids ministries, prisons, done sermons on boats, hung with kids at youth centers, done open airs, visited the floating market, bugs, frogs, elephants, monkeys; I have no clue how you'll get to see all of them.

We leave for Pattya in two days. Please pray for me and my team. It's a dark place. It's the hub of the sex-trafficking in Thailand, and we're going to be working in the bars with the girls in prostitution with the Tamar House. It's the last two weeks and the last couple evaluations for the city by other teams have said it was an exhausting and hard place to work. Thanks!” Queila

Give us a break

2009-02-08T18:17:00.000-08:00

It was on the 8th grade, the third floor supervisor escorted us to the Vice-Principal’s office. The Vice-Principal had a reputation of being a strict disciplinarian. We trembled at his laud drill-sergeant voice. As we walked the long corridor and stairway to the second floor, my mind rushed ahead thinking on the consequences the three of us would suffer for being naughty during recess and what explanation I was going to come up with to explain the sure detention to my parents.
We were not assiduous visitors at the Vice-Principal’s office, but had had our share of encounters with the floor supervisor. This time was it, we were doomed; there was no way we could get away. The Vice-Principal sat behind his desk looking not too happy to have to deal with not just one, but with three troublemakers.
My legs were shaken and my knees began to hit each other, and my head moved up and down agreeing with the charges pressed against us. The Vice-Principal pause before the final verdict, but in a moment of brilliance, thinking totally outside the box, Jose Luiz, which we nicknamed Galego, because he was from a Portuguese family, politely addressed the Vice-Principal: “Sir, give us a chance?” For my amazement he said: “Well, I will give you a break this time”, and sent us out of his office.
Now, why am I writing this story? God always wants to give us a chance; He is ready to give us a break if we dare to ask.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-06T18:34:00.000-08:00

A new year, a new month, and a new day offer the possibility of a new beginning. A new beginning means to commence again, to start a fresh, to initiate once more. At the stroke of midnight on the last day of the year we tell each other ‘Happy New Year’; we are wishing a happy new beginning in this New Year. It is exciting to be given the chance to have a bight new beginning. God’s mercy is new every morning. Therefore in this New Year I plan to experience God’s mercy a new every morning. Happy 2009!

Satza

2008-12-03T14:46:00.000-08:00

Carla and I were invited for a delicious Zimbabwe meal at my friends Vincent and Samantha Luwizhi. It was a feast that only special people have the opportunity to enjoy; at least this was how I felt. Vincent told us that the Satza, corn meal porridge, topped with meat and vegetables grave, is an everyday meal in his country. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country once known as the bread basked for Africa; today the people are in the blink of starvation. On top of this there is a Cholera outbreak. Following is a link to a BBC article sent to me by Vincent. Let’s pray for the people in Zimbabwe.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7763397.stm

That is not where you want to go?

2008-12-01T18:57:00.000-08:00

After the long drive I was tired and lost. I pulled into a gas station, walked in, and before I could open my mount the clerk, a young and pleasant guy, began to give me directions: “You go straight, at the first light turn left, and then you will see the Country Club”. I was amazed that he was given me direction before I asked for it; maybe he was able to read people mind, creep! The only problem was that the direction he gave me was not to where I needed to go. When he noticed that he had made a foul of himself he said: “That is not where you want to go?” I said no, it is not, but you impressed me. This experience illustrates my visit to North Caroline, good food, good hospitality and great fellowship with the people of Neuse River Baptist Church, Smyrna Baptist Church, and the Atlantic Baptist Association. Thanks!

Transformers

2008-10-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

Three summers ago the movie ‘Transformers’ was a blockbuster in the theaters. I had the chance to see it on a long airplane trip. The move is about alien machines that come to earth disguised as cars, trucks, and buses. They are able to transform themselves into flying robots that battle evil transformers to save the planet earth; quite intriguing. It never crossed my mind that I would see such thing in real life; however I realized that it happens every time the Africa Mercy crew goes out to show the film Jesus. The Land Rover is transformed from a car into a mobile theater, although it can’t fly! The Apostle Paul urges us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2.

Jesus Film

2008-09-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

Cheesmanburg is about 50 minute’s drive from the port of Monrovia where the Africa Mercy is docked. Five of us began the 26 kilometers journey short after diner; two Liberian pastors joined the group on the way, which made 7 people on the Land Rover plus the equipment to show the film Jesus.

When Ananda Samaraweera told me he was going out with the film Jesus I immediately asked if I could come along. Ananda and I go way back when he joined the Good Samaritan as an engineer. He attended the Good Sam Discipleship Training School in Brazil and was baptized on the Amazon River. It was on the Good Sam that Ananda got involved with the film Jesus and the passion of sharing the message of Jesus’ life to others.

When I woke up Saturday morning, I had no doubt we were in the raining season. It poured rain all day long, however late afternoon there was a break; the clouds were still there, and time to time letting down a sprinkle or two, but the heavy rain was gone.

The Land Rovers handles well the road conditions
in Liberia. In the city limits pot roles dominate the scene; they get bold with the help of the heavy rains. The road between the city and the dirty road to Cheesmanburg has nice new asphalt. The last stretch of the trip was on a narrow dirt road with many craters like roles. Each time we passed one of them I wandered if we were going to be able to return.

We arrived at dusk and the Land Drover was quick transformed into a mobile theater. The projector, housed inside the vehicle, projected the film image into a scream hanging over the back of the vehicle; people could watch the film from both side of the scream, while the generator was set under the car provided the power to run the VCR and projector.

Ananda takes the Jesus film three evenings a week to villages surrounding Monrovia. Pr. Jumah Colli, the director of church planting with the Wesleyan Church coordinates the events. Hat evening 234 villagers watched the film Jesus in the Gola language, their own language. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14)

Return to Tenegar

2008-08-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

The restoration of the old building is complete; the transformation is remarkable, new roof, electrical wires, doors and windows in place. Village workers assisted by the Africa Mercy team worked on the construction of a new building that will be the new clinic while the renovated old building will serve as a ward. At the same time in the community garden that last April was just empty vegetable beds, now produces pees, peanut, corn, lettuce, and tomatoes. The good news is being preached to the poor.

Before & After

The Papaya Story

2008-08-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

A privilege of being onboard the Africa Mercy in Liberia is the fresh tropical fruits served during the meals. One of the fruits being served this week is papaya. The suit taste comes because the fruit stays on the tree until it is almost ripe, which allows it to develop a natural suitness. Growing up in Rio we ate papaya several ways; unripe papaya cooked on coconut, papayas shake, and the best of all was papaya topped with sugar.

One summer, in my grand mother’s house in tall papaya tree, between the papayas, one particular papaya catches my attention. That papaya was yellow while the others were green. On a tropical fruit tree green means stop it is not ripped yet, but yellow means go for it. Didn’t take me long to find a bamboo to knock the yellow papaya down. There was only one problem; I was not supposed to take fruit from the trees without my grand mother’s permission, so I came up with a plan.

I walked around the house, as if I was minding my own business, returning to the same place where I found a papaya on laying the ground; right way I brought it to my grand mother: “Here grandma”, I said, “I found this papaya on the ground.” She calmly took the papaya. “Interesting, she said, while putting the papaya in a fruit basket, “papayas don’t fall from the tree by themselves”. Surely that was not the first time a city sleeker grand child had tried to fool grandma.

Back in Africa

2008-08-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

Dinner onboard for tired travelers

The trip from Texas to West Africa was long, but good. All flights were on time and my luggage arrived without problems. Two other crew members were not so fortunate; they had a delay in Chicago missing the fight from Brussels to Liberia. It doesn’t take much for things to go wrong on international flights.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the end of the civil war in Liberia. The 14 years war killed 200,000 people and displaced many others. The new pavement on the road from RobertsInternational Airport to the Africa Mercy in the port of Monrovia stopped half way; from that point on the ride is not as pleasant as it was before that point.

A Chinese firm has a contract to repair the road, but much of the work stopped because the raining season. I thing the Chinese are watching the Olympics Games like everyone onboard the ship. There are four TV scream spread in the public lounge of the ship. With more than 35 different nations represented onboard each one is tuned in a different competition event.

We planned two courses for the engineers; one on diesel engines for the Engine Ratings, and a refrigeration course for the Engineers. An instructor from MEBA School in Maryland came with me to conduct the classes. It is a great opportunity to provide training to the technical crew onboard the Africa Mercy.

25 Things I’m Thankful For

2008-08-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

Previously I wrote 25 things I learned, following are top 25 things I’m thankful for since we joined Mercy Ships in no particular order:

I’m thankful for God, who entrusted me with the expansion of his Kingdom.
I’m thankful for Carla, my wife who has followed me to the ends of the earth, when the only reasonable explanation was that God had told me to go.
I’m thankful for my daughters, Cassia, Tamar and Queila who lived onboard a ship for the first 10 years of their lives and think they had a great childhood.
I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness in supplying all we needed.
I’m thankful because God’s power is perfect in our weakness.
I’m thankful for those who supported us in prayer and giving.
I’m thankful because God restored my toe after a 4 ton piece of generator ran over my foot.
I’m thankful for the person who prayed for my toe, when the doctor told that it needed to be amputated after the 4 ton generator ran over my foot.
I’m thankful for the church that gave me expensive safety shoes that saved my toe when the 4 ton generator ran over my foot.
I’m thankful that I can play football (soccer) with my restored toe.
I’m thankful for friends we made in different parts of the world.
I’m thankful for the many coworkers I worked with throughout the years.
I’m thankful for the circumstances that encouraged growth in my life
I’m thankful for the spiritual discipline (quiet time, worship, intercession) I acquired during my Discipleship Training School (DTS), that sustained me in this journey.
I’m thankful for the physical discipline I acquired at the Marine Academy that keeps me physically fit in this journey.
I’m thankful that there is always something new for me to learn in my journey.
I’m thankful that God reveals himself to me in most unexpected ways.
I’m thankful for correction; it keeps me on course.
I’m thankful for forgiveness; it gives me a second chance.
I’m thankful that my work depends on others, keeping me from selfishness.
I’m thankful for community; it gives us the identity of the Kingdom.
I’m thankful for counseling; like breathing it provides opportunity for internal struggles to come out while allowing a fresh perspective to come in.
I’m thankful for rest; it is vital to restore my body, soul and mind.
I’m thankful for celebration (weddings, birthday parties, or just getting together); they bring the perspective that life is not just work
I'm thankful for ice cream; it always brings people together, even when they are not in good standing with each other.

Message from Don and Deyon Stephens

2008-07-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

25 Years of Service with Mercy Ships

It hardly seems like 25 years ago that Marcos & Carla arrived onboard the Anastasis with two little girls in tow. It was a joy to have them join us then, and it continues to be a quarter of a century later. Marcos & Carla have served faithfully and spent time on each of the ships over the years. Marcos, thank you for the many different roles you have filled, as varied as 2nd Engineer on Anastasis, Executive Director on Good Samaritan, and now Marine Training Manager. Carla, you too have served in many capacities. We appreciate the persistent pursuit of excellence with which you have taken on each task. Marcos has not only served diligently, but has applied himself to education and obtained a Masters Degree in Religious Education.
Well done, Marcos and Carla!

Don and Deyon

Pictures From The Beginning

2008-07-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

Lessons Learned in 25 Years

2008-07-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

This week, twenty-five years ago, Carla and I arrived onboard the Anastasis in New Zealand. A question I’ve been asking myself is what did I lean along the way? Here are the top 25 things I have learned since we joined Mercy Ships in no particular order:

It pays to trust God, he is faithful.
Obedience to the Lord is costly.
Your family is your ministry.
When the enemy is unable to impede you, he attacks your family.
Accountability is one of the greatest tools at our disposal.
Treat those working under you fairly; they may become your boss one day.
Sometimes it is important to fight for your rights.
Other times getting what you think is your right does not matter a hill of beans in the long run.
Get your relationships right; unresolved relationship issues have a tendency to hurt you down the road.
In the pursuit of perfection leave room for mistakes.
Correction is good; it helps to bring us back on course.
People have a tendency to forget the things you do right, but remember the things you did wrong.
Always believe the best in people.
Everyone deserves a second chance; even you.
God put me where I’m to love people and own things, not to own people and love things.
I don’t have staff working for me, but co-workers laboring in the same field.
Resting is the most important thing to do when you are tired.
I can not add a single minute to a 24 hours day.
Worship restores spirit, soul and body.
Personal devotion time is one of the cornerstones of ministry.
Repentance needs to be a daily habit in my life.
Forgiveness is a sign of maturity, not a weakness.
The most exiting place to be is where the Lord called you.
If you have been called by God to a place stay there until he tells otherwise
I am not irreplaceable.

Fellowship

2008-06-14T18:55:00.000-07:00

The friendly, pleasant and relaxing atmosphere of the men’s breakfast at my church led me to think about fellowship. Everyone longs for meaningful associations which nurture solidarity, camaraderie and companionship. There are three basic needs universal to man the need to fell safe, the need to fell important and the need to belong. Fellowship meets man’s deep need of belonging. Jesus’ encounter with Zaccheus offers three clues about fellowship. First, Jesus interrupted his own schedule; many times our agenda is a hindrance to fellowship. Second, was initiative; Jesus took the initiative for fellowship, he didn’t wait for an invitation, on the contrary he invited himself, which is the third clue. Jesus invited himself to have fellowship in Zaccheus’ house; yes, he invited himself to Zaccheus’ house. The result of this encounter (fellowship) was a radical change in Zaccheus’ life and the community.

Adam and Tamar's wedding photo

2008-06-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

Adam & Tamar
May 25, 2008

The mango had no flavor

2008-05-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the post “Arrival in Liberia” that I was given a mango? It looked so good and big that I took a picture; I put the mango on the refrigerator to cool down and took it to my friends Rodrigo and Tatiana’s cabin to share with them. Tatyana skillfully pilled the mango and cut in squares before serving it to us. Well, to make the story short, the mango had no flavor; it had been harvested without being fully ripe. It had the color, but not the taste; maybe, I set my expectations too high. Nevertheless, there ware other mangos that didn’t look as good, but taste just the way they are supposed to taste.

I was looking for coffee instead I found a chapel

2008-05-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

The flight back from Liberia arrived in Dallas on time, but nobody was waiting for me. I called my friend Dan who told me, “I though you where coming tomorrow; grab a cup of coffee, I will be there in one and half hour”. I got my luggage and walked the airport looking for a place where I could get a late or a cappuccino. I saw a door open and a sign who said, Chapel. I though, hum I’m looking for coffee instead found a chapel, so I entered to pray. I was there less than five minutes when an airport employee, probably in his break, entered the room, set a mat on the floor and began to pray. A similar thing happened on my wait to Africa, three Jewish men were praying close to me as I waited for my flight from Dallas to New York. They read the scriptures while moving their body back and forth, not worried about those around them. Without doubt, their faith was not limited to a private place of worship, they had an integrated faith; a lesson to be learned and practiced. Jesus said in John 4:23-24 “Yet a time is coming and has now come when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father is seeking. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.”

Tenegar is a model of community development project

2008-04-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I went to the village of Tenegar, where Mercy Ships is rebuilding a health clinic. Fourteen years of war left many structures like this rural clinic in disrepair; only the walls were left of a building that prior to its destruction provided health care to the communities in the area. An adjacent building had to be leveled dawn, it was beyond repair, a new one will be built in it place. In my view Tenegar is a model of community development project. It is based on the partnership of three parties: The government, Mercy Ships, and the people of the community working together to address health needs of the people. The Liberian government, who asked Mercy ships to rebuild the clinic, will provide health care staff to run the clinic after it is finished; Mercy Ships is providing materials supplies, planning and management for the project, and the community provides the labor (the work is being done by the people of the community). A well will be dig to provide water for the clinic. Mercy Ship’s staff is helping to improve the existing community garden. They already grow rice, banana, cassava, and corn. The goal is to introduce new techniques to improve the harvest; slash and burn which depletes the soil of important nutrients is a common practice. Composting, double digging plots and other practices are being moduled. It is encouraging to see the dynamic at work here; the Africa Mercy crew is only a catalyst in the process of bringing God’s intentions for the lives of the people living in the communities around Tenegar. God desires that they have life in abundance: care for their health, clean water, food and to know Him the only true God and his son Jesus. Please, continue to pray for the Africa Mercy Project team leaders in the village of Tenegar, Charles Awagah with the construction project and Marcel Eveleens with the agriculture project.

I tried to give a helping hand to the village workers

The nursery

Composting

Vegetable beds

Negotiating is a basic aspect of life in Africa

2008-04-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

Small shops lined up one beside the other at the side of the street. At the entrance collars and bracelets made of bits, seeds, shells and different stones hanged neatly to create a center of attention to income buyer. Inside carvings in different shapes and sizes filled every inch of space which was not designated for three or four person to stand. The owner was busy attending another western looking lady, suddenly their voices lowered to almost a whisper; they were negotiating the price of what she wanted to buy. His assistant, I presume, asked if there were anything we like. I pointed to a carving and asked how much? He prompt replied, forty five dollar. I said nothing and continued looking other things. When the other lady left I asked the owner how much for the same carving, he replied, eighteen dollar, which was a more reasonable price. Negotiating is a basic aspect of life in Africa. I’m thankful because God did not bargain; he paid a highest price for our lives. I’m grateful the surgeries the Liberians receive on the Africa Mercy is offered free of charge. Continue to pray for the medical personnel who work long hours taking care of the patients.

Photos of Bong Mine Bridge Church

2008-04-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Worship at Bong Mine Bridge Church

Leaving the ship to go to church

Vincent Luwishi driving the vehicle to church

In front of Bang Mine Bridge Church
Church members on the background

Bong Mine Bridge Church

2008-04-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

The Bong Mine Bridge Church is a typical church here in Monrovia, a rectangular tin roofed building with walls made of bamboo. The construction mingles well with the houses in the community. Inside there were wooden pews for the people who came to the morning service. Outside the back door, a small generator provided power for sound system; no lights were needed as the cracks between the bamboo walls were enough to let the sun light inside the sanctuary. Bong Mine is a poor community close to where the ship is docked; sharp right turn into a narrow unpaved path with huts, houses and small shops on each side. Few times we barely missed them. The service started short after we arrived; announcements, worship, offering, more worship and a message by Vincent Luwishi, the guest preacher. During the worship those who don’t have a drum clap their hands, but like the drummers they never miss the beat. The whole congregation danced and worshiped the Lord freely. Vincent’s message was right to the point challenging the congregation to see the value they have in God. After the service the people of the church thanked us for coming to fellowship in their church. Please continue to pray for the church in Liberia.

Arrival in Liberia

2008-04-19T02:09:00.000-07:00

I arrived onboard the Africa Mercy Wednesday evening. Captain Jon Fadely picked me and a Nigerian Bishop who came to be seen by Dr. McDaniel. The rain made the hour driving to Monrovia almost two hours. At the ship, after the arrival paper work was done, the hospitality lady served our diner and showed the cabin I’m staying.

Captain Jon reminded me that I was to bring devotions to the technical staff (deck and engineers) quarter to eight next morning. The alarm clock went off 6 AM. I felt as my mind was awake, but my body at sleep; by 7 AM I forced both mind and body to be at the same pace and got out of bed.

Worship at deck seven was amazing; contemporary songs blend with African songs were enough to wake me up. I spoke on II Corinthians 13:11, where we are encouraged to aim to perfection, and the life style of a learner.

Between meetings, my friend Vincent Luwizhi gave me a mango, the biggest mango I have seen for a long time. Mango is my favorite fruit; I pan to each it when I have time to enjoy it in a relaxing and enjoyable manner.

Last night we had Community Meeting and this morning I went to the Program’s Reporting, again at quarter to eight; is exciting to hear first hand what God is doing here in Liberia.

Travel Season

2008-04-12T04:35:00.000-07:00

Travel season is here; I leave to Monrovia, Liberia on Tuesday, April 15^th. I appreciate your prayers for safe travel and that I will be able to accomplish all I need to do on the Africa Mercy.

You may have seen in the news that many flights have been canceled in recent days due to airplane maintenance. I’m grateful for this, but the unplanned delays are a problem to travelers. Pray that by Tuesday the situation will be normal.

Please Pray for:

For safe travel: to and from Liberia, no delays at the airports.

For the training audit and assessment I have to conduct on board the Africa Mercy.

Protection for Carla and the girls (unusual things happens when I’m away).

For the preparation of Adam and Tamar’s wedding in May.

About Us

2008-03-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

Carla and I have been with Mercy Ships since 1983 when we joined the Anastasis in New Zealand. Since then we have ministered in more than 30 different countries. We have three daughters, Cassia, Tamar and Queila.

Since my childhood I was fascinated by the sea, a popular Brazilian song states “the sea is my level ground”. I think this was the foundation for the 10 years we lived as a family on the Mercy Ships, 8 years on the Anastasis and 2 years on the Good Samaritan. We sailed the South Pacific Islands, Caribbean, and North and South Atlantic.

We have been blessed by being on the receiving end of hospitality from people in Africa Europe, North and South America and the Pacific Islands. In a recent trip to Ireland I was treated with roasted lamb at a typical Irish home, what a treat. In the Amazon we ate alligator tale.

Well, by now you know that we are originally from Brazil, we love the Lord, we love people and to minister to their needs, we enjoy fellowshipping around the table, and we like to entertain. But it is better that I stop now; you will know more as we go.

Hello world!

2008-03-30T21:01:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the Marcos and Carla Blog! I wish to communicate through this blog what the Lord is doing in our lives as we work to expand the Kingdom of God through our ministry with Mercy Ships. This space will be used to share what is going on in our lives, our pictures, prayer requests, and praise reports. I love to hear from you; by clicking on the email link you are able to give us feed back.