Keith R. Brinkman serving with Mercy Ships. This is another way for me to communicate with you all what is happening. I hope you enjoy seeing the photos and entries.

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Evans 7th Birthday


Evans 7th Birthday
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Blowing out his seven candles - my nephew Evan is celebrating his birthday. This was the first time I was able to be with him for his birthday.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

IN Christmas 05


IN Christmas 05
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
As with many other gatherings for our family, we were playing Aggravation. Felicia, Evan, Mom, Aunt Barb, Dustin and Jeremy (clockwise)

IN Christmas 05


IN Christmas 05
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Dustin and Evan helping Uncle Jay find the 'Dora' carry on suitcase for little Jaylie.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Lowering American Flag


Lowering American Flag
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Final lowering of the United States flag in Chickasaw, Alabama on board the Caribbean Mercy on 12/10/05. Folding the flag with Joy and Ciaran Holden.

Lowering of the Panama Flag

Final lowering of the Panama Flag on Aft Deck of the Caribbean Mercy. I was there with Ciaran and Joy (seen in the photo), Lilian and Tom. 12/10/05

Friday, December 09, 2005

w/ Larry Mast E Biloxi, MS

Visiting with Larry Mast, long term Mercy Ships staff member as he and a team from New Hampshire are working on a family's home in East Biloxi, MS - our continued involvement to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

w/ Janet Gillingham Long Beach, MS

Visiting with Janet Gillingham of Long Beach, MS - a former short term crew member and friend. Even with damage to her home, she has been hosting some of our relief and response teams on the Gulf Coast as they serve those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

CBM Hosting Relief Team Article

Caribbean Mercy hosts Relief Team from Tyler, Texas
This article is from a local TV story by Molly Reuter, reporting on KLTVMercy Ships is doing it's part to help in the hurricane relief effort. It's Caribbean Mercy ship is down in Mobile, Alabama housing volunteers working in the disaster areas, and the ship was just at the right place at the right time.Jerry, Sam, Craig and Jeff are a diverse group of guys. One's a judge, the other a construction worker, but they all had the same goal, to get to the Gulf Coast."We were trying to go down to New Orleans because there was just so much media on New Orleans and our hearts were just breaking for these people," said Craig Carter, volunteer. "We tried for like two weeks, but the door just kept getting closed." But as they always say, when one door closes another one opens."One of the guys in the group called me and said Mercy Ships is looking for a team from Tyler, so we jumped right on it," said Carter. Mercy Ships docked their Caribbean Mercy ship in Mobile, Alabama last January for repairs. That's where it was when Hurricane Katrina came rushing in."We evacuated the crew and it was actually eleven days after the hurricane came that the water subsided," said Ciaran Holden, Chief Engineer of Caribbean Mercy ship. When it did, the ship's crew saw an opportunity to help."It was ideal because on board the ship we have a lot of diesel on board, so we can generate our own electricity and we have fresh water," said Holden. "We could use the Caribean Mercy more or less immediately to house relief teams coming into the area." The crew from Tyler took advantage of that option."The beds were comfortable and we had hot water and the meals were good at night," said Sam Griffith."Ships are built for shorter people," said Carter. "We bumped our heads a few times and I have no padding, so we had a few knocks." It's not the living conditions they say they will remember the most. It's the time spent cutting trees and building houses for those that needed help."You go down there to help people, but you come away like they helped you," said Carter. "They just made your life better through the experience." Now these four guys are not done helping.
Molly Reuter, reporting. mreuter@kltv.com

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Charisma Magazine


Charisma Magazine
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
There is an article in Charisma on Pastor Dan - we have been partnering together with him in Alabama to assist the people affected by Hurricane Katrina. The web address is: http://charismanow.com/11-22-05/

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Dustin & Evan in their rockers


Dustin Evan 1105
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
My nephews - Dustin & Evan - sons of Mark and Lisa. They are in the custom made rockers I had made for them while in El Viejo, Nicaragua. I enjoy talking with them on the telephone and hear about what they are involved with. Evan has just finished flag football and Dustin with Cub Scouts.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Fusion Missions Conference

Representing Mercy Ships at a missions conference near the Dallas Forth Worth Airport. Put on by rightnow.org targeting the 20 and 30 somethings who are interested in missions. Great to share with many of our mission & personal experiences. I remember well that the time I heard about YWAM Mercy Ships was at my bible college in '85. I pray that the time will bear fruit in the lives of those interested in serving in world missions.

Monday, October 31, 2005

New CD - Live Recording

This morning at Community Christian Fellowship (the church right next to the Mercy Ships base here in Texas) we had a LIVE recording with Paul Baloche for a new CD. We have been learning the various new songs over the weeks and together we worshipped God as they recorded the live worship. They are thinking the title of the CD will be 'To Sing a Greater Song', it will come out next year. I was here when he did his first recording, 'He is Faithful'. Most of you know I don't sing very well and so you will be pleased that I seriously doubt if they heard me at all.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Motorcross Swan MX


Motorcross Swan MX
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Attending a local event - Swan Motorcross - motorcycle. Took the Kronester children - Jan, Jana, Ken and Kim Anna. For each race we would go to a new location to watch. They spent most of the time flying through the sky - it was exciting to watch for all of us. I had not been to a similar event since going with my brothers and Dad.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Well Drilling Rig


Well Drilling Bob 1021
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Checking out the well drilling rig with Bob Atkinson - his wife Maggie and him donated the funds for the purchase of the rig in honor of their parents. We used the rig with our well drilling programs for a couple years and haven't used the last year or so. We had a time of re-dedication as the rig will be placed in a container and sent to the Africa Mercy and will be heading to Ghana, West Africa to provide fresh water in some already identified 38 sites.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Pupusa Grande


Pupusas Grande
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
What is a pupusa? It is to the El Salvadorians what hamburgers are to the Americans. Made from MASECA corn mill, it will have cheeses, vegetables and sometimes chicken in the middle. My friend Lilian and her husband invited us to dinner at her house. She is El Salvadorian by birth and raised in California. She is married to Ciaran and they have one daughter. We all enjoyed the time together. Lilian is teaching Alicia how to make them. Reminds me of our time in La Union, El Salvador in '99 and '00.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Desk Location in Education


Desk Location in Education
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
My work station where I serve with Udo and Alicia as we are finalizing the proposals for the Caribbean Mercy. Sometimes it can be a little loud and so I put my headphones and listen to the radio over the internet - something I just learned about in the past couple months - as on the ship this is not possible due to our satellite connection.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Jeremy Birthday '05


Jeremy B'day 1005crop
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Look who's 6 years old - my nephew Jeremy - son of Jay and Julie.
Uncle Keith sent a Veggie Tales paint and coloring book. I called him and talked with him on the telephone and he was sure to tell me 'I'm 6 years old'. Miss not being there with him and others for their celebrations, but I do what I can.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

Jaylie Birthday 05


Jaylie Birthday 05 my gift
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
My niece opening her gift from Uncle Keith - a soft and lovable stuffed dog - Julie said that when she opened the box she said 'Hi Dog'. She is the daughter of my brother Jay and his wife Julie.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Jan Kronester


Jan Kronester 014
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Saturday morning is soccer game morning in the town of Van, TX. Udo's son is in the middle of the picture #9. While Udo was away on the ship in Mobile-Gulf Coast, I took Jan to his practises and game.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Former CBM Crew, now on the Africa Mercy

Photo of dear friends who used to be on the Caribbean Mercy, but who are now following the Lord's will to serve on the Africa Mercy. Taken while my friends, Paulina & Lene were visiting.

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Hurricane Rita

Hurricane Rita – we have found ourselves in the path of this strong storm. I have recently learned how to listen to a radio station over the internet – so I found KSBJ Christian Radio from Houston. As I watched on the television the response of the Texan people to those evacuees from Louisiana and heard of the hospitality of Houston in particular, I heard the same over the radio. Then just this week, the communities of Galveston, Houston and others have evacuated out of the area themselves, many have come up to North East Texas (for those who were not sure where Lindale, TX is located). The entire community living on the base gathered together and we reviewed our disaster preparedness plan so we know what to do in situations of flooding, loss of power & water, wind damage, and medical injuries. We do not know at this time what type of response we will have to the Texas Gulf Coast, we will evaluate on Monday, depending on the local affect.

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Food Bank


Food Bank 1
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Sept 16 - Spent the day as a volunteer at the local food bank - which serves locals and also those evacuees from the Gulf Coast.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Mesquite Rodeo


Rodeo 039
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Our first Friday night in Texas, we took a large group to a real Texan rodeo - first time for most of the former CBM crew members.

TLAndersonDabneyAlicia


TLAndersonDabneyAlicia
Originally uploaded by keithrbrinkman.
Visit of Terri Lynn and the small reunion we had together.

First Entry

My First Entry in my First BLOG - for the purpose of additional and not as formal communication to you all as my friends and family around the world.