Today was a busy and productive day for both of us. Peggy is still having to do a lot of sitting which doesn't help her back and I didn't have to do the stair marathon like yesterday so I feel a lot better. Still not adjusting to the time change but I am sure it will come and I should start waking up at 3:30 in the morning like I do all over the world and at home.
Spent most of my day uncrateing and moving 2 new sterilizers for the hospital. We were scheduled to remove 2 existing sanitizors but they contracted with the shipyard to do it and am I glad. They had to take out walls and remove doors and it was a massive undertaking. The good news is they got moved, the bad news is they have to be put back in after new flooring is done. Whoever buys 80" tall equipment should know that we have 80 1/2" ceilings....do the math and that ain't much wiggle room...I have pictures attached of the old ones coming out and the new ones that will be going in....
Tomorrow begins the dry dock experience where the ship will be picked up out of the water and placed on wheels and moved onto land. We are talking a 500'+ship that weighs massive tons and I can't wait to watch the process. We do not know yet if we will be off ship or on ship during this process but I do know they are trying to lighten the weight as much as possible by letting us take long showers to use up the water stored onboard. They will probably ask me to leave, no use in having extra weight onboard but I am sure they will let Peggy stay onboard since....well you know... We will be without A/C till the middle of July when it will be placed back in the water...Looks like we will be looking to buy a fan this weekend...
Attached below are random shots around the hospital area including the OR rooms which are now empty and filled with equipment as well as some underwater shots of the hull of the ship. It is amazing what grows on the bottom while sitting for 10 months in the warm African water. There is also a shot of our onboard Starbucks coffee shop which Starbucks donates all the coffee for, free of charge, so our coffee and specialty drinks only cost from .50 to $3.00,,what a blessing to the ship and crew.
We have met so many people serving on board and their "God" stories of how He is providing their needs while serving. So many families and couples who come by faith every year and just depend on faithful friends to support them. One lady said they were to a point where all their bills were paid except they had to have $96 more to pay their mortgage. She said in her mind she was questioning God and saying "Do I really believe what I say and truly trust Him to provide or do we go under and not be able to pay her mortgage?" She went to bed praying "God I trust you for everything" and in the morning someone had transferred $106.00 dollars into her account. She said from then on, there has been enough for them to stay and continue their service. This is just one of several testimonies we have heard about the faithfulness of the Lord.
Will close for now, thanks to everyone for the prayers and the support. We truly appreciate everyone who is thinking about us.
Love
Ken and Peggy
Ken and Peggy, Enjoy your serve on the ship and keep us updated with pictures. Our (grand)father is also on the Africa Mercy (Arie Roest) for a six weeks period started this week. We are happy to be able to follow him, you and other volunteers serving on the Africa Mercy. Keep up the good spirit and know many people around the world do respect you.
ReplyDeleteKlaas-Willem, Angelique and Kevin