Saying Goodbye to our Congolese Partners

This post will be just a little different . . . it is devoted to honoring those who live here in the Republic of Congo who serve along side us.

Each year Mercy Ships employs over 200 local people.  They aren't paid much and perform a great variety of tasks from standing watch in the engine room to working with the deck crew to translating.  The three areas I was most familiar with were our dental crew, our eye team crew, and our security partner.  Allow me to tell you a little about these wonderful people:

Eye Team - These men and women moved around the city with us helping out at each screening activity. They translated from French and Lingala so that both provider and patient were comfortable.  They learned specific diagnostic tests from visual acuity exams to running the refractometer.  For me specifically, they came along side as I worked to control the lines at screening.  They would provide me cultural cues to assess the tension in the line, they taught me local phrases to gain acceptance among the people . . . Mbote, Wafaso? (that means good day, how are you?)

Dental Team - These people worked in several area of the dental clinic.  They helped control patient flow, they staffed the sterilization area, they became dental assistants, and as with everywhere else, they were our voice to the people.  Again, for me, these people were great help in my screening lines!

Security - We started with two men working security; however, neither worked out.  Soon, a man who was working in our reception department showed that he had what it took to work with us so he was transferred to our department.  I have great respect for him, he took in stride when I would yell at the contract guard service, when I would ask him to find the port security officer to sign a visitor request because the visit had abruptly changed time . . . and visitors . . . , when I would drag him with me to interpret at jails, police stations, and offices of police and military leaders.  He taught me a great deal about Congo and for that I am thankful!

So, yesterday, we had a celebration with our partners to commemorate many of their last day with us.  It is bittersweet . . . for us, we are moving on to the next country, Benin, where we will have the honor of meeting a whole new set of day crew, to develop relationships and to learn from . . . but we leave a piece of our hearts here in Congo with the people who have so honored us by being our partners, mentors and friends.

I pray God's blessing on my friends, Bona, Samy, Saul, Max, Jean-Paul, Guy Christian, Judicail . . . I could add 100 other names here!

Here are a couple of pictures from our celebration yesterday . . . we were honored that our day crew arrived in their finest dress . . . let me tell you, no one knows how to celebrate like a bunch of joyous Congolese men and women!!!!

This is Bona, our security partner

This is my friend, Samy, one of the eye team crew

This is the Congolese team of day crew who led our celebration.

See many of you in a few weeks!  Please pray for our safe travel and that it doesn't take too long to get past jet lag!

Counting Down

It seems that not very long ago we were writing about sailing to and from the Canary Islands . . . now here we are having almost completed the Congo field service.  In thinking about it, Denise has taught virtually a whole school year, Matt has overseen security at screening events over 100 times (surgical, dental, and eye clinic) in six different cities as far away from the ship as 1,000 miles.  Wow how time flies . . . while at the same time it can drag.  That sounds funny, but it is a challenge to miss our family and friends which can make it seem that time has stood still and that the time we will see them again will NEVER come!  But then we realize we will be home in a month and will have the opportunity to reconnect with many of those who are important to us. 

News Update:  As many of you know, there has been an epidemic of Ebola in Guinea.  We had previously announced that the 2014-2015 field service would again be based on Conakry, Guinea; however, due to the ongoing issues we have had to change locations for next field service.  In September Mercy Ships will begin a 10-month field service in Cotonou, Benin.  (For us, we will be there until March 2015)  This is a familiar location for the ship as we have been there before, most recently in 2009.  We look forward to learning a new country, our third African location.  We understand Benin is very different from either Guinea or Congo.  There is a strong voodoo presence in Benin so that will prove to be a challenge as we show our Christian faith through our actions. 

I am attaching three photos from our communications team (photo credit Josh Callow).  These are just a glimpse of life at the street level here in Congo.  These are also balanced by the "Western" main street where there are neon lights advertising casinos and western grocery stores, sorry don't have a picture of those.

Hope you have a great day, see you soon!