Screening Day.

Mercy Ships press release, 7th March:

Mercy Ships is deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred today during medical screening at the Freetown National Stadium when a crowd stormed the gate resulting in several injuries and one life lost.

Mercy Ships personnel working at the site attended the injured and accompanied them to local hospitals.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the individuals and families of those affected by today's events. The occurrence of this incident in the course of activities intended to restore lives is tragic. We move forward with tremendous sadness, but great determination, to assist as many people as possible in the next ten months," stated Mercy Ships Founder, Don Stephens.

Mercy Ships exists to serve the forgotten poor and has served Sierra Leone five times over the past two decades, also helping establish two land-based health care facilities. For the next ten months, Mercy Ships will be providing surgeries for qualified patients while working alongside the Sierra Leonean Government to support its five-year healthcare plan and strengthen the functions of the national health system.

Please pray for us and the whole crew during this time.

Freetown.

We arrived in Sierra Leone a week ago today. We were met by a huge crowd on the dock of our Advance and Gateway teams, as well as a marching band. It was a beautiful sight; old friends waving at us, the music in the air, the mountains in the distance...it is wonderful to be back in West Africa, the land of fresh mangoes and pineapple :)




We took a walk out in the town yesterday. It was hot and crowded; we were pressed against the side of the road, squeezing between people on one side and vendors on the other as cars and trucks rolled down the narrow streets. At one point, we even had to crouch down and cross the street walking underneath a truck blocking the road!

Despite the sweltering heat and the immense crowds, it was amazing how comfortable I felt. No one hounded us; if we decided not to buy from one vendor, they didn't chase after us trying to change our minds. No one asked us for money. Children didn't cry at the sight of us - instead, they all shouted "Hello!" and many wanted to give us high fives or hold our hands; one even gave me a big hug! Everyone was incredibly friendly and we both have a feeling we're going to love Sierra Leone :)

Of course, Samuel's already found his football shirts, so he's on an all-new high! Unfortunately it's not the official shirt that he desperately wanted (see it here - definitely worth looking at! http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/na/national-teams-hummel-2010-11-sierra-leone-home-hummel-football-shirt.jpg), but it didn't stop him from making sure his nephews supported their new home team :)

Our God.

"Our God" by Chris Tomlin

Water You turned into wine
Open the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like You
None like You
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

Into the darkness you shining
Out of the ashes we Rise
There’s no One like You
None like You.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?