Flashback to Cameroon... and the party continues!

I actually started this post quite a while ago, but many of the same programs are being run in Senegal, so I hope it will give a good picture of the projects being run outside of the operating theater.

This isn't a photo from the same event, but gives you a feel for our beloved International Lounge.
(Photo credit: Lara Arkinstall)

It starts with a memory from working as one of the ship's Media Liaisons in Cameroon. I was helping coordinate the local media at an on-ship meeting in the International Lounge with the Cameroonian Minister of Health, and I got to listen to a presentation by members of the OR team on board as he affirmed the skill he sees in the Cameroonian surgeons he works with, performing surgeries side-by-side.

The healthcare professionals we encounter are talented, capable, and dedicated, and they are able to do everything our "western" surgeons do in far from optimal conditions.

If Mercy Ships want to do its work with excellence, that means they are constantly on a mission to work themselves out of a job. The goal is not just to help individuals who cannot access safe, affordable medical care, but also to leave a country's leadership better equipped to serve the health of its people than when we arrived...

To this end, Mercy Ships doctors and surgeons partner with local healthcare professionals as part of Mercy Ships' mentoring programs in the operating theaters and at the Ponseti Clinic. Many others have participated in "Train the Trainer" courses, which cover everything from "Essential Surgical Skills" and the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist, to farming techniques that will nourish communities using readily available resources.

These course participants were here before us, and they will stay around after the ship leaves. We're proud to work alongside them for the short time we are there, and you can join us in praying that these programs will have a positive impact on their effectiveness as healthcare professionals.

Below are two videos on Mercy Ships' Medical Capacity Building programs. The first is about a Beninese plastic surgeon who was mentored on the ship. The second follows the WHO Checklist team as they run a training program in a Cameroonian Hospital.

A Beninese volunteer named Eliphaz has been working with Mercy Ships for seven years developing, experimenting, and training others in organic, sustainable farming techniques designed to bolster the health of communities using ready available resources. One Friday, I had the chance to go with a small group from the ship to visit and explore the projects going on. The site was nestled in the backyard of the Archdiocese in a village about an hour outside of Douala called Edéa. Eliphaz greeted his students with the Latin phrase Coram Deo--"In the presence of God".

(Photo: Shawn Thompson)

Under one shady structure were neat piles of compost. They then opened up the barn-style doors of a nearby shed to reveal a forest of fast-growing, nutritious mushrooms, planted in bags that hung from the ceiling to protect them from insects.

The aquaponics setup at the Ag Site. The underground fish tank is to the right of the photographer. (Photo: Shawn Thompson)

If you haven't heard of aquaponics, you can read more about it here.) Aside from being totally mesmerizing to watch, it's a really knock-your-socks-off cool model for sustainable food production.

The Ag Site Students presenting AFM Managing Director, Warrie Blackburn, with a lovely bouquet made entirely of lettuce. Have you ever seen a more genuine gift! (Photo: Shawn Thompson)

It was, in my memory, a completely lovely day. And as Lawrence, one of our Ghanaian Seamen, would say, "The party continues!" Eliphaz is at it again, and this Thursday, a number of crew will travel from the ship to the city called M'bour, about 1.5 hours away, for the opening ceremony of the Food For Life Agricultural Program in Senegal. Participants have been interviewed and selected from 10 of Senegal's 14 regions to follow the 22-week training course. Two of the main criteria? A love of agricultural entrepreneurship, and a willingness to pass on their training to others after they graduate. Sweet. :)

Agriculture Program Manager Eliphaz Essah (Photo: Shawn Thompson)

Inside one of the greenhouses

Photo op with the Agriculture Project students (Photo: Shawn Thompson)

Welcome to Senegal

There is a lot that goes on during the ship's first month in a new country before we even welcome our first patients. Here is a snapshot of what's got us buzzing around like an beehive and asking ourselves, "Where have the last 30 days GONE??"

First of all, have you ever tried herding 416 cats and getting them all to look at a camera at the same time? Our Communications team has! Every couple of years they organize an all-crew photo. How'd they do?

We have hosted the First Lady of Senegal during the arrival ceremony, and two subsequent receptions to say thank you to all of our partners in-country who want to help Mercy Ships. Our guests included the company that will be delivering our fuel (payed for by the Senegalese government), the company processing our supply containers for free, the farm that will put our organic waste to good use (yay for compost!), the companies providing our SIM cards and supplemental internet service, the company that provides and services port-a-potties for the dockside waiting areas, hospitals that will partner with us for Capacity Building projects, the company that oversaw renovations of our HOPE Center and Dental sites, missions organizations who are praying for us, and many, many more. When I start to list them, I am always blown away at the amount of logistical support we receive in-country from so many places. We are feeling the love!

Our amazing setup team has erected 4 tents on the dock, plus multiple canopies that serve as waiting areas, a hand-washing tent, a sheltered prayer area for our Muslim patients and Day Crew, and workshop shelters. Our IT team worked like crazy to get a land-based internet connection added to our satellite connection, all while preparing SIM cards to distribute as soon as possible after arrival in country as quickly as humanly possible!

Two empty shipping containers ready to be picked up
and carried from our dock space by a "T Rex"

We have welcomed 260 new Senegalese Day Crew who now work side-by-side with the crew on board. There Day Crew all needed orientation in their respective departments, and there was a separate mass orientation for the many, many nurses (both new and alumni) that have flown in from all over the world as the hospital opens.

Supplies needed to be transported from container on the dock to the Dental Clinic and HOPE Center, and set up in time to welcome the first patients!

Vehicles lined up at the HOPE Center when a good chunk of the crew visited to pray over it--the drivers each took two trips!

... but we all got there eventually :). Here the crew is worshiping at the HOPE Center. After worship, we broke out for a prayer walk around the facility.

Some of the crew went back to the HOPE Center the next weekend to help put together beds.

Members of ship management were able to take a field trip to the Dental Clinic to pray over it and get a tour from our lead dentist (who is also from Minnesota!)

Phew! It's been a whirlwind. Good thing the start of the field service is also saturated in lots and lots of prayer. Last week wrapped up what is known as the "21-day setup plan", and with the receptions behind us, there is one more exciting beginning...

On Tuesday morning this past week, everyone paused where they were, leaned back, and rested their hands as Dr. Gary, a maxillo-facial surgeon who has volunteered with Mercy Ships for over 30 years, came on over the PA system and led the crew in prayer. This is our annual tradition to mark the start of the first surgeries.

May the healing work of the surgical teams be holistic and complete, in the powerful name of our resurrected King!

Last month, I posted a request for prayer that we would find a replacement for our Safe Surgery Course Coordinator after our first one had to cancel last minute--we found someone. Thank you to everyone that prayed!

One week of surgeries down. I'll keep you posted. Sending big hugs! :)

P.S. Below is a second-a-day from June through August--from departure in Guinea, time-off back in the States, and up through our arrival in Senegal. Some photos from weekend adventures in Dakar are also below.

P.P.S. If you are not currently on my email list but want to be (I send a message whenever I update my blog), just post a comment here or send me an email. :) Thanks for reading!

We fond our way to the beach below the lighthouse (on top of that hill)
It was the first time I had cooled off in the ocean since arrival, and it felt A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

"Bissap" (hibiscus juice) mixed with baobab juice. Both are more or less ubiquitous in West Africa. Yum!

The view from the Mamelles lighthouse, the highest point in Dakar. Our tour guide who took us to the top was fantastic!

Dakar here we come! (and my first VLOG)

Hello from the Atlantic Ocean! We are on course to arrive in Dakar on Wednesday, but I thought I'd try something new for an update--my first vlog! (Does it count as a vlog if it's just me talking to my phone?) I'll have to experiment to make these more exciting. A few more photos are below. Be blessed this week!

Home sweet office ^_^

The AFM in drydock

It's weird to see her soooo high up!

Watching the ship come out of drydock.

From Las Palmas to Tenerife (yay, no more shipyard!)

Deck 7 with the hospital team leads.

On a hike while exploring Tenerife, we walked through a huge banana plantation.

Dirty, sweaty, happy!

Catching one last sunrise in Spain.