A red-carpet Premiere honouring some true unsung heroes. I
am soo excited about this extraordinary event.I am soo excited about this extraordinary
event a group of post-grad uni students is working with us to host on October 9th.
This totally impacting trailer is 4 minutes long and well worth the watch >>>
It is with immense heart-ache that we in Mercy Ships have
been watching and praying as the Ebola virus had ravaged the nations we serve,
and thrown the lives of many friends and their families into turmoil. Our hearts
desperately want to be there to help, but prayerful risk assessment tells us
that the presence of the hospital ship would be simply counterproductive in the
situation where people flock to any hope of help. The Africa Mercy has very limited isolation facilities and the crew is
not equipped to work in these kinds of conditions.
So what can we do? Mercy Ships is using our African channels
of relationship to send desperately needed equipment and supplies into the
affected areas. We’re praying, and we remain completely committed to serving
the people of this region. But we are unable to make a return visit until the
situation has stabilised. It is so very, very hard!
In a 12th-hour
contingency, a prayerful course correction has Mercy Ships returning to serve
the people of Madagascar, 18 years after the Anastasis’ visit. In early November the Africa Mercy will begin a seven-month field service on one of the
world’s largest islands, off Africa’s
east coast. Unlike the Disney depiction, this nation of 22 million suffers
under extreme poverty with over 90% of the population surviving on less than $NZ
2.50 per day.
I often lean into this verse
these days; “Man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Please pray
with us for an end to the Ebola epidemic, and for the Lord to bless our work
for the poorest of the Madagasky people.
On the home front, we are
preparing to step into a new season as Daniel, our youngest, finished high
school in a few weeks. Where did the years go? Chelsea’s nursing degree has
been held up a little this semester as she has been gaining perspective from
the other side of the hospital bed – she badly broke her ankle skateboarding.
The empathy gained will certainly make her a better nurse, and she has been
such a trooper ... but glad her cast will be off for the summer,
Graeme and I? Well, we have some
VERY exciting plans for 2015, but that will have to wait for another time!
Thank you for your encouragement,
financial support, and prayers as we serve the Kingdom through Mercy Ships.
Many blessings!
Graeme and Sharon
