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Spindrift*Tonna News fromSierra Leone November 2001
FREETOWN, SL.
The Anastasis glided smoothly through the waters of the entrance to the port that we would call home for the next four months. Without the aid of tugs, the Captain and pilot took 4 tries to get us docked safely. Groups of the crew from 40 different nationalities with heads bowed and flags of worship raised, could be seen dotting the decks of the ship asking God’s favour and wisdom on the Captain to safely negotiate our vessel to shore.
Nothing could have prepared us for our walk up from the dock to the centre of town. Makeshift market stalls lined the road and added to the congestion of people, piles of garbage, young men pushing trolleys for carrying goods, vehicles being unloaded, steamy heat, and flaring tempers from store owners put out by the trucks blocking their entrances.
Masses of people have flocked to the safety of Freetown in the aftermath of coup after coup and rebel activity causing a bulging, bustling dynamic. Added to the numbers are also 3000 different NGO’s (non-government organizations) who have come to bring help and hope back into the shattered lives of the people of Sierra Leone.
The 400 or so crew of the Anastasis have now been released into this mix and will begin our work of screening patients for our surgeries next week. Eddie will be out with his department R&DS (relief and development) to check out possible sites for clinic and house construction sites.
Carolyn will be helping out at the screening for patients and then will be joining the Community Health Teams as a Teacher/Counsellor. We are targeting three village areas outside of Freetown to support and encourage local medical staff, train health motivators within the communities and work along side the local church to share the gospel.
We will be interacting with groups working with IDP refugee camps for those who have been internally displaced because of the wars and rebel activity.
It is a general consensus amongst the crew that we are overwhelmed with the physical requirements and spiritual nature of what we are engaged in presently. We can do nothing of significant value without the direct guidance, intervention, empowering and wisdom of an all powerful, all knowing, sovereign God to whom nothing is impossible.
PLEASE remember us in your prayers as we daily walk and work in this poorest nation of the world in heath, in peace, in safety, in the abiding rest of God, and in JOY!!!
We continually thank God for his provision to supply all our needs. As Mercy Ships crew we all must raise our own support for monthly crew fees. Because of our last visit to Canada in April and May and our time working on the Advance Team for the ship’s arrival to Glasgow, we have more faithful supporters on our growing donor list. We still do not, however, have enough to cover our expenses each month. Although, we are almost 2/3 of the way!
Tn Canada you are able to receive a tax receipt if you forward your donation to our Mercy Ships Office at Box 5125, Victoria, BC V8R 6N4.
Tn the UK you can directly deposit to our account at the
Lloyds TSB bank, sort code : 77 09 23 acct number: 18704568 Plymstock Branch, 3 The Broadway, Plymstock, Devon PL9 7AD OR contact the Mercy Ships UK office in Stevenage 01438 727 800 and ask them to help you set up a regular monthly support account for us.
With our new Satellite gear installed on the Anastasis recently, you can actually phone us direct to the ship anytime 24 hours a day. If calling from Canada start with 011. If calling from UK start with 001.
954 538 4258 or email: carolyneddie@yahoo.com
The Lord bless you richly this Christmas and New Year 2002 with much JOY and PEACE!!!!!
Eddie and Carolyn