KRB Update - Congo Overview 09 July 2013

Greetings from the Africa Mercy as we finish up our season in the shipyard in Gran Canaria - completing various projects including: replacing the flooring in the hospital on the ward side, converting the recovery room into a ward, creating a recovery room nearer to the operating rooms, refrigeration and galley projects and many others on the long list.  I worked on and completed the Guinea final project reports, summary reports, statistics, etc. and then took a short break.  I continue to support our large team in Congo already – those with the Advance Team and Off Ship Projects. 

I want to take this opportunity and share a bit more about Congo as we move into a new country and new region for Mercy Ships.  Back in 2012, I accompanied our managing director to Cotonou, Benin to meet with the president of the Republic of Congo as he was there for other meetings.  It has been a long process, but so thankful for this open door and opportunity for us – exciting to be a part of it.

When you hear ‘Congo’, many think of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is a large country in central Africa.  It is at the bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index and very needy, though regretfully their ports are not able to take a ship our size for a field service.  The nation we set sail for this month is the Republic of Congo – on the northern side of the Congo River.  Their port, Pointe-Noire on the western side of Africa is capable to take a ship like the Africa Mercy for ten months.  The Republic of Congo has many needy people who need our direct medical services and also healthcare professionals who we can mentor and can benefit from our courses – as together we bring hope and healing.



Map from one of my fellow crew members who does amazing graphic works.



The population is less than 4 million with their capital in Brazzaville and the port in the second city, Pointe-Noire.  The country ranks as number 142 on the Human Development Index (out of 187 countries) with life expectancy at birth 57 years.  Unlike Guinea which was over 85% Muslim, Congo is over 50% Roman Catholic, 40% Protestant and less than 2% Muslim.  As we have done in previous countries, we will conduct extensive surgical screenings throughout the country in cooperation with local non-government organizations, missionaries, churches and the government of the Republic of Congo.  This is a French speaking nation and unlike in Guinea where I found many of my patients didn’t speak French, they say the majority of people in Congo do, so I think I need to start my study of French again.  As I write future KRB Updates, I will include more information about the country and on our activities planned for August 2013 – June 2014. 

Please pray *Our team already in-country work on all the finalizations of a multitude of details, hiring over 200 day crew (local workers), arranging for the surgical screenings, dental clinic site, HOPE Center site, eye site and everything with the port.  *Finishing up everything in shipyard.  *Safety on our long sail to Congo.

KRB Update - Guinea 08 June 2013

Greetings from the Africa Mercy for my final update related to my time in the nation of Guinea.  Our time has come to an end, a verse I shared at our special event to express our thanks to our day workers was from Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” 

I want to take this opportunity to thank our great God for an amazing field service and to you all my friends and family who stand with me as I serve here, I am most grateful.  I greatly miss my patients, caregivers and friends in Guinea; it was emotionally hard to say so many goodbyes.  For some, there are ways to stay in touch via mobile phone, text message and email, but for others that is not possible.  I continue to pray for them and for their complete recovery and healing and for all God has purposed for them and their lives.

As Programs Administrator for the Africa Mercy, I prepare all of our statistical reports and assist with the final project reports and many others.  To the side, you see a small pie chart reflecting one area: surgeries during this field service and the surgical specialties.  As you see, it was a busy field service and many lives transformed.  In addition to the amazing life changing and in some cases lifesaving surgeries, this crew were involved with a dental clinic (providing care to over 10,000 people and basic oral health education), eye clinic (not just screening for surgery, but providing thousands of eye glasses and sun glasses for protection from the strong African sun), and palliative care (for 29 people in their final months of life).  Our hospital chaplaincy team members were available every day to minister and counsel our patients and caregivers.  Our mercy ministries teams had 315 site visits with local partners, from visiting the prisons, orphanages, schools for the disabled and sharing the Jesus Film in the local languages in partnership with Campus Crusade to over 10,000 and 1,800 responded with a request for prayer or to make a commitment to follow Jesus.  Training happened in some many areas including: surgeons (eyes, orthopaedic, VVF, maxillofacial and reconstructive); ward and operating room nurses, anesthesia providers, dental students, palliative care workers , agriculture trainers in organic agriculture who have already trained over 300 community farmers, health care and social workers and church leaders in mental health, and leadership conferences for church, community and government leaders.       

KRB Update - Community

14 May 2013


Greetings from the nation of Guinea, West Africa. One of the very unique and powerful aspects to life serving in world missions with Mercy Ships is our community. Our community is both trans-generational (from newborn babies to those in their retirement years) and trans-cultural (crew coming from up to 40 different nations and so many different cultures). Some other traits of our community are: people chose to belong to the community, community is constantly changing (up to 100 new crew arrive monthly on field service – and as you can imagine not really possible to know everyone by name, we have the added assistance as you are required at all times to wear your identification badge), a group of people with common goals, there is a sense of belonging and being a safe place, a place where everyone has his or her place, working side by side, a place where we can be real, agree to disagree, participate in things you’d rather not do for the good of the whole, and a place of supportive growth and learning. Our community’s foundation is Jesus, faith in God, God as our focal point, a place where spiritual growth takes place, a group of people expressing who Jesus is, focusing on the Kingdom culture versus the individual cultures, we need to each be all that God created us to be so we can help one another to become all God intended, coming together as one body of Christ. We have our regular times of prayer, praise and worship and hearing from God’s word. At Easter and Christmas, we celebrate these two holidays in amazing and special ways on board – they are the only two holidays recognized on board officially. We celebrate birthdays and we also cry with friends during times of loss. Please note that most but not all of our crew are followers of Jesus. I also do not want to forget our amazing day crew (local workers who serve with us in many aspects on board).

Celebrating Josie's birthday - I have known
her since she was 18 months old.

As a community, we have a Crew Handbook which details many different aspects about life in this community. These range from maritime matters and law as we all are crew members to our chaplaincy department who also look out for our community. You might be surprised to know that we have a curfew for safety and security reasons – usually around 10:30pm everyone has to be on board the ship unless you have special permission from the captain. Our Code of Conduct includes details related to alcohol, dancing, smoking and the favorite of many our dress code.

There are various areas on the ship for our community – common areas/lounges, dining room, and Starbuck’s Café (area sponsored by Starbuck’s and yes there is Starbuck’s coffee available , though since I don’t drink coffee doesn’t excite me much except for my friends). There are services available from our library, hair salon, laundry room (which is open 24 hours a day – but you only are allowed one load per week due to water restrictions), ship shop, academy (for the children of our long term families – with 50 + in attendance), crew bank, and post office.

Hopefully you have a bit more of an idea of the community here. I have been living in community since I joined Mercy Ships in 1989, on the ships: m/v Good Samaritan, m/v Anastasis, m/v Caribbean Mercy and now the m/v Africa Mercy and at our office locations in Texas and England. I am very thankful for this community.

Please pray * All of our patients heal and are ok for discharge from the hospital

Serving Together, Keith

KRB Update - Education

06 April 2013
Greetings from the nation of Guinea, West Africa. I wish to focus in this update on some of our education/training type projects. Many of you already know of our direct medical services provided to the people of the host country – with no regard to nationality, gender, religion, age – as we bring hope and healing.


So many times when I have traveled ahead of the ship and our team has met with the Minister of Health and the President, one of their main requests is for training for their people. Mercy Ships has provided education in many different aspects for years both here in Africa and earlier including my time on the Caribbean Mercy. Our education (mentoring and courses) projects include: Mentoring: specialized surgeons, ward and operating room nurses, anesthesia providers, mental health professionals, laboratory technicians, and sterilize processing technicians

Courses: Ponseti casting, palliative care, agriculture and nutrition, leadership conferences, radiology, disease control, mental health, primary trauma care, etc. Our ability to be able to provide the mentoring and courses rest in large part on the availability of highly skills professionals coming from over 30 different nations. There is also much work done in order to coordinate these opportunities, some of which take place on the Africa Mercy and others happen ashore and in local hospitals. The amount of time invested in the participants depends on each project and needs. The outcomes vary but involve the increase in knowledge, improvement in skills and in Jesus-like attitude.

Dr. Michelle at one of the workshops

Most recently, I assisted with our Anaesthesia Conference held here in Conakry with 49 anesthesia providers and 11 midwives. The focus of the conference was on maternal health, trauma, World Health Organization Safer Surgery checklists and Lifebox (pulse oximeters). My role was coordination and logistics; it was a lot of work and began back in October. We believe that the participants learned through the lectures, workshops and interaction with the 12 facilitators who came from Europe and some of our own hospital professionals. The hope is that lives will be saved during their times in surgery from what they have learned.

Please pray * for all those involved in our education projects here in Guinea – may they take what they have learned and share with others and may the training aid in their care for the people

Serving Together, Keith

KRB Update - Noma



KRB Update #2185 – Noma

Keith R. Brinkman 02 March 2013

Greetings from the nation of Guinea, West Africa. Noma – as you read the header subject line, you think what is Noma and why is Keith writing about it. Noma is a disease of poverty – here is the link to Wikipedia with more details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noma_(disease). Noma (cancrum oris) is an acute and ravaging gangrenous infection affecting the face. The victims of Noma are mainly children under the age of 6, caught in a vicious circle of extreme poverty and chronic malnutrition. We see them come to our screenings with the effects of Noma.

Koto and his uncle - while at the HOPE Center -
prior to his 1st surgery





Noma begins with ulcers in the mouth. If the condition is detected in the early stage, progression can be prevented with the use of mild antibiotics and immediate nutritional rehabilitation. If left untreated, as happens in most cases, the ulcers progress to Noma at an alarming pace. The next stage is extremely painful when the cheeks or lips begin to swell and the victim's general condition deteriorates. Within a few days, the swelling increases and a blackish furrow (trench) appears and the gangrenous process sets in and, after the scab falls away and a gaping hole is left in the face. It is estimated that the mortality rate reaches up to an alarming 90%. So the ones we are seeing are those who have survived this horrible disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 140,000 new cases of Noma occur each year and of these, a mere 10% survive. That means that 126,000 die each year, mainly in sub-Saharan countries from Senegal to Ethiopia, a region known as "the Noma belt". Reconstructive facial surgery needs to be carried out in a well-equipped and well-staffed hospital. The facial reconstruction of a Noma victim is both complex and time consuming and requires very special skills. As we have specialized surgical units in our hospital on board, we are able to assist with surgeries for these survivors. Most of this paragraph came from the web site: www.facingafrica.org, though I am not familiar with them, but they had the best written description on Noma.

I learned more about this disease from meeting patients in our hospital and more recently during a Hospital In-Service training class on a Wednesday evening – conducted by our Chief Medical Officer Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Gary.

Alpha Oumar at the HOPE Center - prior to his 1st surgery

I currently visit two patients – one a child named ‘Koto’ and one young adult, ‘Alpha Oumar’, both from different areas of the nation of Guinea. Last month, they had their first of multiple surgeries which they will need. Please pray * for our patients, particularly for those suffering with the effects of Noma. * for our healthcare professionals as they care for them. * transformation of lives

Serving Together, Keith

Email: keith.brinkman@yahoo.com              www.KeithBrinkman.com  

60 Minutes

A message about the report on Mercy Ships on 60 Minutes and CBS Evening News - please read below from Don Stephens:

Last Sunday evening (February 17, 2013), Mercy Ships was featured in a wonderful segment produced by the CBS television news broadcast 60 Minutes. I hope you had the chance to watch! We are grateful for the opportunity to reach millions with the message of hope and healing for the world’s forgotten poor. If you didn’t have a chance to watch the program, please take a few minutes to view it online!


As a follow-up to this story, please help us continue to spread information about Mercy Ships and its mission. Here are a few ideas that take only a few minutes:

Communicate your passion for Mercy Ships by introducing us to those in your circle of influence. Tell them how you personally support Mercy Ships and ask them to get involved. There are several other things that you can do as well – each that takes as little as 60 seconds;

• Tweet or email a link (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50141230n ) to the 60 Minutes segment online.

• Post a link to the segment on your Facebook page.

• Send an email – to people you think might be interested in learning more about Mercy Ships.

Transform lives by giving regularly and encouraging your friends and colleagues to do the same. You can donate online at www.mercyships.org/give.

Pray for those we serve around the world - for our staff, crew and volunteers; and for the mission of bringing hope and healing to the world’s poor.

Continue to pray that the millions of people who watched this important story – and those who will watch online – will learn about the work of Mercy Ships and decide to let their mercy make a difference, just as you have.

Thank you, again, for your commitment to Mercy Ships and to serving others.

Your Mercy Makes a Difference!

Don Stephens

President/Founder

KRB Update - Dental

KRB Update #2184 – Dental

Keith R. Brinkman    26 January 2013



Serving as Dr. Denny's Translator in El Salvador



Greetings from the nation of Guinea, West Africa. While serving as a bookkeeper at the International Office in Texas back in 1991, I had the great opportunity to meet up with the Good Samaritan ship in Guyana in South America. I worked as a dental assistant with the dental team (with Dr. Bud and Dr. Denny) in Alboystown – it was an amazing experience. In later years with the Caribbean Mercy in Central America, I assisted with screenings – please see the photo with Dr. Denny in the nation of El Salvador, where I was serving as his translator.

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you about the Dental Team with the Africa Mercy. Dental is an extension of the hospital department and part of Programs overall. They set up their clinic in a location ashore in town and provide screenings twice a week for up to 450 waiting patients. We have equipped our clinic with 8 dental chairs based on having 4 dentists and each dentist having two chairs – as one patient is being prepped the dentist is taking care of the other patients. Currently, we have three long term dentists which has been great for the team. We also have a dental chair for the dental hygienist.

Most of the people have not been to a dentist in their life, including one of my patients, Mamadou, that I visit regularly. He ended up needing five extractions and five fillings performed over two appointments by my Aussie friend, Dr. Toni.

Our Guinea Smiles Dental Team with their 4,000th Patient

To date since late August, over 5,300 patient encounters with those receiving over 20,500 procedures – over 400 to the dental hygienist and 500 dentures have been provided. All are provided with basic oral health education (to date over 4,000 patients) and the teams have gone into local schools to teach the children and their teachers. One of the chaplains shares with them about Mercy Ships and why we are here and are available to pray with anyone as they await to receive their treatment.

Sometimes the team head out for extreme dentistry as in the recent case to the Men and Women’s Prison here in Conakry – these are the same prisons that our Mercy Ministries teams visit on Saturday mornings. Our Dental Team treated all those with dental needs, 325 men, women and young people. Next month, the team will be going to the village of Ouéndé-Kénéma, outside of Guéckédou, a day and half drive from here. In addition to dental services for four days, we will be screening for facial tumors, cleft lip, cleft palate, and lipomas.

Please pray for our Guinea Smiles Dental Team for the rest of this field service as they care for the people of Guinea.

KRB Update - Mercy Ministries

Greetings from the nation of Guinea, West Africa. In this issue of KRB Update, I wish to share with you about Mercy Ministries. Mercy Ministries provides off ship ministry opportunities for crew and guests working alongside existing long term national organizations, demonstrating Mercy Ships vision of “Love in Action”. Mercy Ships Vision Statement – “Mercy Ships seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the poor.”


Mercy Ministries is part of Programs (Hospital, Off Ship Projects and Mercy Ministries) and I have the privilege to oversee this exciting area and so grateful for our Mercy Ministries Coordinator, Site Team Leaders, Day Workers and crew who sign up and join us. I also enjoy participating and being a part at the sites myself. Here are our partners for our Guinea 2012/2013 field service:

Mercy Ministries Partners

CASO Lazare’s Orphanage – 27 orphans from babies to early teenager – many with special needs, including those who are HIV positive - Visits twice a week

AFEG Baby Rescue Center – orphanage for abandoned infants – 12 babies – Visit once a week – time to love on little ones.

Snuggle/Hug time with little ones at
the Baby Rescue Center

Ecole des Sourds – School for the Deaf – government school for 200 deaf students – their school is the neighbor to our dental clinic site here in town – Visit once a week – with triple translation from English to French to sign language

City of Solidarity – School for the Blind and Handicapped Village – about 600 handicapped people live here with the spouses and children – about 35 blind students in the school – visits once a week to the school and once a month on Friday evenings with the those of the village.

Jean Paul II Hospital Day Care Center – about 300 children - ages babies to 5 years old – Visit once a week – short program with the children

Ignace Deen Hospital Visitation – to the pediatric ward at the hospital – Visit once a week in the evening – time with the patients and their caregivers

Prison Fellowship – Men and Women’s Prison in Conakry – working with the women at this prison is new for Prison Fellowship – Visits on Saturday mornings – great teams involved with this activity.

Jesus Film – in partnership with Campus Crusade for Christ Guinea – sharing the film based on the book of Luke in French or the local languages – working with local churches.

HOPE Center – Visits twice a week to those Mercy Ships patients and caregivers at the center while they continue to receive outpatient care – primarily for the interior or out-of-country patients.



Students at the Deaf School as they receive a
basic oral health education from our Dental Team



KRB Update - Befriend-a-Patient

Greetings from the nation of Guinea, West Africa. In this issue of KRB Update, I am excited to share with you more about the Befriend-a-Patient project. Befriend-a-Patient visits provide interested crewmembers a practical and unique opportunity to demonstrate Mercy Ships’ second core value: to love and serve others. A genuine friendship from the heart communicates volumes. Friendships between crew and patients enrich the on board experience of crew and patient alike. We believe that transformation happens one person at a time. As us crew members are being transformed by the love of God we are able to share this love with patients through time spent together. Activities will depend on the patient though may include crafts, watching a DVD together in the ward, coloring, drawing, bible study, games, cards, going outside on deck 7 and taking a walk.

I have been involved with visiting the patients from the beginning of my time on the Anastasis in 2006 and over the last six years have befriended many patients. Most of my local friends in a country are former patients, day workers and partners.

Currently, I am assigned to a seven year old boy named Ibrahim, he is actually from Sierra Leone. This is his third visit to the hospital ship due to his leg bone problems. He has recently had orthopaedic surgery on both legs and so can’t really move much while in his bed except for his upper body. At a recent Sunday service in the ward, he was clapping and moving his shoulders as we had praise and worship together. Since he has been to school, he does speak some English which helps in our communications. I will post photos of Ibrahim as they are available – though for this update I have included three patients from Togo – Dodji, Florent and Cyril. Though in African culture, I never just visit one patient, but those in the beds next to him as the wards are like a small community especially with the children. All children under 15 years old need a caregiver to be with them. My visits to the wards are great highlights.

To answer a follow up question related to screening that a friend asked and others may be wondering about - "Does it get easier having to turn people away that need services?" No it does not get easier, but when I turn away people explaining in a caring way that we don't have doctors/surgeons that can help them. I know I am being honest with them and they respect and appreciate that. Though the ones that break my heart are children and especially when someone comes too late and the surgeries are already finished but if they came earlier there may have been a chance as it is one of our specialties - those are awful hard and you feel like crying with them as the parents are usually at that stage. Even though it is hard on me, I can't imagine the parent's heart as for many there is no other option. I had this with an orthopaedic kid with bilateral club feet and I still grieve that we can't help him. I think many times if it was my child, I would ask and ask again in hopes to get help.

Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support as I serve.

KRB Update - Screening

KRB Update #2181 – Screening


Keith R. Brinkman 10 September 2012

Greetings from the nation of Guinea, port and capital city of Conakry. In one day alone over 4,300 people came to the People’s Palace, site of our surgical screening. Most of the entire crew were involved in this our largest event for the field service. I had the privilege to be the main gate keeper for the patients and caregivers. I tried to greet everyone who came in and with the assistance of my dayworker inquired how many cards they need. In total 3,454 cards were given to potential patients. Though, once they shared their medical situation, only 852 continued through the process for possible surgery on the Africa Mercy and an additional 527 for possible eye surgery. It was a long day but so fulfilling, everything went peaceful and the weather cooperated as we are in the midst of rainy season here. I did not try to greet people in the local languages (as I can’t identify the differences yet of the three major tribes), but primarily used my French (and English for those who greeted me in English). After the gates were closed, I went up to the area of the surgeon screening for maxillofacial and plastics/reconstructive. I sat with one of the surgeons and a fellow crew member as they further inquired to see if we could assist with surgery.

Hundreds were scheduled for surgery and others still require testing or further screening prior to being confirmed as good candidates for surgery on board. Last week, the wards opened on Wednesday and the first surgeries on Thursday. It is great to walk the hallways and see and hear patients back in our wards. Lives being transformed. I look forward to the start of the Befriend-a-Patient project and spending time with patients like Ousamne who I met on the first screening day.

Our Guinea Smiles Dental Team also started their screenings which happen twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays all throughout the field service. I served the first couple times to assist with crowd control and to answer questions.

Our Mercy Vision Eye Team will start their screenings primarily for cataract cases for adults and children, but also for pterygium and strabismus for children. A great start to this new field service!!!

KRB Update - Guinea

KRB Update #2180 – Guinea

Keith R. Brinkman 18 August 2012

Greetings from the Africa Mercy en route to Conakry, Guinea. All of the required ship repairs, drydocking (see the photo below), and inspections were completed in the Canary Islands (just off the coast of North Africa, but part of Spain). This is the closest location we can take the ship to accomplish these activities. I spent most of my time finishing up work on the Togo 2012 field service, preparing for the Guinea 2012-2013 field service and supporting our teams already in the nation of Guinea. I also visited and had the opportunity to share in a local church who is praying for us and be a tour guide of the ship on one Sunday - it was good to use my Español once again. Our field service will be from our arrival 22 August 2012 till 15 June 2013.

In 2008 while docked in Monrovia, Liberia, we received an invitation, obtained permissions and went over across the border from Liberia into Guinea for surgical screening. For those who remember, one of my patients, Alimou, that is when I first met him. I look forward to seeing him shortly after we arrive in country. My second time in Guinea was last year as part of the Assessment Team doing the initial relationship building, logistics, and preparations. This will be the third time Mercy Ships has visited the port of Conakry, first in 1992 and again in 1998-1999 – these first two visits were with the Anastasis.

A few facts about the nation of Guinea:

United Nations Human Development Index: Rank of #178 out of 187 countries listed. The only country lower that we have visited was Sierra Leone in 2011 at #180

Independent from France since 1958 – currently a Republic

President: Alpha Conde since 2010

Life Expectancy: 58 years

Population: over 10 million people with over 1.5 million living in the capital and port city of Conakry

Area: 245,857 square kilometers (size of the state of Oregon).

Income: $863 per year

Population under the age of 15 years: 43%

Religion: Muslim 85%, Christian 8% and Indigenous Beliefs 7%

Prayer Request: For those we can help to hear about and to attend our upcoming surgical screening – to be held on Monday 3rd of September. We will use the People’s Palace, a three-story building that should provide good protection from rain (as they are in the rainy season) or sun during the day. All of us crew (both medical and non-medical) will be involved in this event as well as more than 100 local day workers who are essential in the translation process. I will work as the gate keeper at the main gate to the compound. Set up and around the clock security will begin the afternoon prior. We are anticipating crowds of 3,000-5,000, and we will hold a secondary day of screening if necessary to attend to all those waiting for care. For those on Facebook I will post a reminder as the date gets closer. We have already conducted remote surgical screening in ten locations as you can see from the map that the country is large.

Serving Together, Keith

KRB Update - Training

KRB Update #2178 – Training


Keith R. Brinkman
June 14, 2012

Greetings from Lomé, Togo, for one last time. One of the things I hear often when doing assessment or talking with governmental officials is that they wish to have more training for their health care professionals. One difficulty here in West Africa is that if nationals go abroad to study many times they never return home to serve. So if Mercy Ships is able to provide hands-on training and mentoring on board, the health care professionals do not leave their home country.

One success has been with our eye project. In 2010 when we were here in Togo, our ophthalmic surgeon Dr. Glenn Strauss accepted Dr. Abram Wodome for a three month fellowship in eye surgery. This year, it was Dr. Abram who trained three Togolese eye surgeons. He also received some additional training related to pediatric cases with Dr. Glenn in May.

In our operating rooms/theatres, our surgical staff are involved with providing training and mentoring for surgeons and nurses. Here in Togo, they have worked with three maxillofacial surgeons, surgical nurse, and one surgeon in learning more about VVF surgery.

One of our international board members, Dr. Keith Thomson, has a passion to conduct workshops/conferences in anaesthesia for the professionals of our host nations. For the last several years, I have had the responsibility to assist in facilitating the conferences on behalf of Mercy Ships. Here at the largest government and university hospital, CHU, we had 139 anaesthesists, nurse technicians, and midwives with a focus on obstetrics anaesthesia and maternal health. The Ministry of Health brought in their people from all over the nation. They also trained on the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist. Pray that what they have learned will be applied to save lives of women and children in particular.

Other training occurred with our three Leadership Conferences – with community, church and government leaders, Agriculture – training of trainers, local Day Workers, Basic Oral Health to patients at the dental clinic and in schools, Community Health Education, and Mental Health.

Prayer Requests: 1) For each of the participants who received training and mentoring, to apply what they learned and share with others 2) Health for all of our patients 3) Our patients’ transition back into their communities and families 4) Our sail from Togo to the Canary Islands and the shipyard and technical work.

Serving Together, Keith

Email: keith.brinkman@yahoo.com www.KeithBrinkman.com

Mail: Keith R. Brinkman, Mercy Ships, P.O. Box 2020, Lindale, TX 75771 USA

Triplets at Local Hospital

While visiting the largest hospital in Togo - CHU with some of our anaesthesia team members, we were asked if we wish to observe a c-section.  We agreed.  The mother came in and was so extended, they thought maybe twins, though as the deliveries happened - the doctor raised 3 fingers - triplets.  Not a very common occurance at the hospital.  This was my first c-section to observe and then to have three healthy babies - what an amazing time.  The parents - Koamivi and Amivi are doing well.  She gave birth and named their children:  Elohne. 2.8 kg.    Erine 2.7 kg.    Eric 2.7 kg.

KRB Update - Mercy Ministries

Greetings from Lomé, Togo, West Africa. Mercy Ministries provide off ship ministry opportunities for Africa Mercy crew (long and short term and guests) working alongside existing ministries demonstrating hope and healing. Our highest goal is to demonstrate God’s love, care and concern for those we come to serve through listening, praying, counseling, teaching, spending time, playing, interacting and if suitable through practical assistance. I have a Mercy Ministries Coordinator who works full time and I am responsible for leadership over this area within Programs here on the Africa Mercy (Hospital, Off Ship Projects and Mercy Ministries). I love this aspect of my role here on board and going out myself and being part of the teams. Most of my local friends have been patients, caregivers, dayworkers and our local partners. Here are our mercy ministries partners for the:


Togo 2012 Field Service (most are ones we served with back in 2010 also)

Missionaries of Charity in Kpalime – we continue to partner with the sisters at Missionaries of Charity in the countries we visit – though this time the site is 2 ½ hour drive from the ship. Their care is focused on HIV/AIDS, a hospice setting.

Ephata School for the Deaf – our mercy ministries team visit weekly and work with the deaf students who are boarders from elsewhere in Togo (using American Sign Language).

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) – King’s Kids – we join YWAM with their monthly community children’s outreach with around 200 children.

Jesus Film – the team heads out with a local evangelist twice a week to different locations around Lomé sharing the Jesus Film in French or Ewe (local language)–based on the Gospel of Luke.

Hospital CHU Visitation – in partnership with YWAM and a local Assembly of God church, we join them in visiting the pediatric wards at the largest hospital in the nation.

Brigade Mineur Youth Detention Center – weekly scheduled visit for 90 minutes to share with primarily young men but also a few ladies in the youth detention center.

Maison Bethany Orphanage – a very popular site on Saturday mornings to visit, spend time with, share a Bible story, craft with the orphans at this home.

APEHM (Association pour la Promotion de l’Enfant Handicape Mental) – only facility in the nation of Togo to care for children with mental disabilities (autistic, cerebral palsy, down syndrome). Time of sharing simple Bible stories, crafts, lots of dancing and games.

HOPE Center – our mercy ministries teams visit our outpatient housing unit for patients and caregivers coming from far away – we go twice a week for the afternoon.

Prison Fellowship – Men & Women’s Prison in Tsevie – in partnership with Prison Fellowship, every other week our men and women make the hour drive north to this prison – they are able to share from God’s word, share testimonies and listen to the inmates.

Prayer Requests: 1) Each of the participants at our various sites as our time here is coming soon to an end. 2) Each of the above partners for their continued minister to these people.

Matthew 25 “I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited. Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help? He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.'

Serving Together, Keith

Hopes Comes - Blind See

Below was written by my friend Glenn and Kim Strauss and I wish to share with you all also.  I met some of the children mentioned at our screening on Tuesday morning.  Great to hear has hope and healing has come.

"Now, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, " Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." John 9:1-3

To all Mothers,

Imagine having 6 children. For some of you, that was 2 children ago; for others, it's just overwhelming to think about! But in Africa, eight is a rather small family. The family I want to tell you about is unique. As farmers, they had children so they could work their farm (not unusual here OR abroad just for survival), but something went wrong. Five.....yes....FIVE of them were born with cataracts! Five of them---are blind! We were all stunned to find a family with so many children blind! Unbelievable!

Allow me to introduce you to the family. Momma (and Pappa, of course) are poor farmers.

Adjo is the oldest, about 16 years old (although the parents are not sure), and born with cataracts, but could see minimally at least in her younger years. She is obviously the "mother" of the children and tries to watch out for the others (although being blind made this tough!).

Kokou and Kossi are 11. We thought these boys are twins, but turns out they are cousins! BOTH were born blind.. and now.living in the same family.

Komi is probably 7 (momma thinks he is 5), and shy, but loves to be teased even though he can only see light.

Yawa is 6, quiet and a fearful girl who just sits quietly in her own darkness due to the cataracts.

Abba is a 6 month old girl and the only seeing child in this family! Spends most of her time being carried on momma's back.

For 16 years, Momma has been taking care of her blind children. Now, they have come, afraid, unsure and ashamed of their own poverty, asking for hope. Glenn and Dr. Wodome examined them and discussed their prognosis. You see, children born with cataracts must be operated on BEFORE they are 7 to have a good result, because by then the brain will "not turn the eyes on" anymore after having so many years of no visual stimulation. But......they decided to do them ALL! 10 eyes! There was enough evidence that their eyes were working on some level all this time....so there was a chance! There was hope.

Surgery went well. We unpatched each child and watched. Kokou, the cousin, was first. I showed him a book and pointed to a tiny bee. Kokou looked with his new eyes and exclaimed," It's a bee!" He was now excited about the possibility of finally going to school! Yawa, so quiet, was next. She showed no signs of seeing at first, but suddenly her baby sister dropped her toy. And to our surprise, Yawa quickly retrieved it and handed it back! She COULD see! Now it was Kossi's turn.. He's the artist! He could see colors and delighted in coloring the day before surgery, but held his paper an inch away and to one side to see. After unpatching, I held out a red crayon. He perked up, took the color and began furiously coloring a new picture...this time, on his lap! He was so happy! Then came Adjo. She had had a lot of pain, because she is older, and her eyes were swollen. But, she seemed so pleased with her sight. Her brother, Komi, looked all around intently. He seemed confused. I tested his sight, and he was seeing double! When I covered his left eye, he then brightened and saw clearly (this should clear up in time)!

Momma now confessed to our translator that she was overwhelmed and worried she would not be able to control them...especially the boys! Ha! Poor mother. Don't we all feel that way as our boys get older! (much less all suddenly being able to see!)

A week later, they all came back for their checkup. What a change! (Take a look a the pictures to see the difference). Adjo RAN up to me and flung herself into me for a big hug! She looked beautiful! All dressed up and walking confidently on her own! She was now determined and independent. The older boys jibber-jabbered together all the way up and down the stairs hardly paying attention, as if they had done this all their lives! Yawa was still quiet but still taking charge of Abba. And Komi had adapted to one eye, and was smiling and joking around for all the cameras! They not only received their sight, but now their personalities really came to life!

And Momma? She was all dressed up, proud and ready to show off her 'new" children!

Hope had come.  Happy Mother's Day!

KRB Update – 1st Projects in Africa

KRB Update #2176 – 1st Projects in Africa

Keith R. Brinkman                                                                                             April 21, 2012

Greetings from Lomé, Togo, West Africa. When the leadership of Mercy Ships felt that we were to come to the continent of Africa, inquiries were made with the nation of Ghana and an invitation was extended in 1990. Though as the Anastasis readied to sail, the invitation was revoked. The crew and staff all gathered to pray and seek God. It was revoked on the basis of false reports about who we are. During this time period of time, I was serving at the home office in Texas. With the closed door in Ghana, God was so faithful and opened the door wide for us in the neighboring nation of Togo. We are now in Togo for our fifth visit of a Mercy Ship.

During that first outreach to the continent of Africa to the nation of Togo in 1990, some of our projects ashore included construction of a school, agriculture and animal husbandry training, water and sanitation projects along with dental and medical clinics in Djegbakodji. During all this time, surgeries were held in the hospital on the Anastasis.

Due to my long friendship with John who led our work in the village of Djegbakodji and his desire to know how they are doing 22 years later, I have been in contact with a Togolese church planter/pastor who knows the people of the village. I visited in 2010 and just recently I was able to visit again.

When Mercy Ships crew came to the village in 1990, there were no known Christians in the entire area. Now there are three vibrant churches. I was very warmly received by the people of the village and able to share in their churches. I brought greetings from John personally and overall from Mercy Ships. As I was driving back to Lomé, my thoughts went to the New Testament (Colossians) related to a letter written for a certain area and how the letter was entrusted to a friend and read in that area (Ephesians 6:21-22). The people of Djegbakodji all expressed their gratefulness to God and with our efforts in their area and it was a great privilege to speak to them.

One of my maxillofacial patients (Florent, 15 years old who had a large tumor removed from his neck) heard I was going and requested to join me along with his father and older brother. That was great as he is a patient who we have cared for this year in our hospital on board.

Prayer Requests: People of Djegbakodji, Togo and for all the people from our former outreaches and field services especially here in West Africa – for their lives – physically and spiritually.

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.”

Serving Together, Keith
Email: keith.brinkman@yahoo.com
http://www.keithbrinkman.com/  

Mail: Keith R. Brinkman, Mercy Ships, P.O. Box 2020, Lindale, TX 75771 USA

Degla Discharge Day

Degla Discharge Day, a photo by keith.brinkman on Flickr.

Degla was one of my patients that I be-friended while we was with us in our hospital and at the HOPE Center. On Easter afternoon, he was excited as he was discharged and started his journey home to the nation of Benin.

Ken Fish eyes Seaman's Center

Ken Fisheyes Seaman's Center, a photo by keith.brinkman on Flickr.

We had lunch at the Seaman's Center and Ken ordered the grilled fish - though he wasn't too certain about the eyes still be in there.

Innocent Glasses at EEPT

Innocent Glasses at EEPT , a photo by keith.brinkman on Flickr.

Innocent is from Benin and works with our Eye Team - previously as a day worker and now as a full time crew. He calls me Uncle and so I call him Nephew. Great serving together with him.

Easter Kronester Family

Easter Kronester Family, a photo by keith.brinkman on Flickr.

Great having the Kronester family back with us especially at this time of the year with Easter. This photo was taken Easter morning in our International Lounge.