m/v Africa Mercy update no. 3 - 03-09-05

m/v Africa Mercy update no. 3 - 03-09-05

Hey Peeps,

Hello and welcome to my third installment of what I am upto here in Newcastle. Don't worry this one will be alot shorter than issue two, which was an incredible size and I doubt many of you read all the way to the end. Let me know those that managed the trek the way through that email and survived.

I have been here 4 weeks now. it's been such a great time as those that have phoned us would have experienced when I rave about what I have been doing and how much I have been blessed living here.

One of the biggest blessings have been the group of friends I have been placed in. My first week was a bit of a struggle not know anyone. The second week was a little better. But since meeting some guys from Church two weeks ago it's been great. we have been going out at weekends, BBQs, going to the beach lots, been great. They seem completely on my wavelength - something of a miracle I hear some people say.

These last two weeks have been very exciting for the ship. Finished off installing the CT scanner and doing sample tests and everything seems to be working fine. This is the first major component to go in the hospital and you can really see the hospital section taking shape now.

Heard this week that the ship should be ready to leave dry dock late november to start sea trials. The techincal crew (including me) will be moving onto the ship around that date. The hospital installations should then be finished late December. And the ship itself should be ready for sail to London in April - where it will be officially opened by Queen Elizabeth and also a Danish Queen Margrethe II. Sail to Rotterdam for supplies late April. Then sail to Ghana in May for 10 months. At the moment it is still unsure on my role in everything, still think the Captians position would be pretty fun.

Right, a shortish email for a change.

Hope things are great with everyone back at home, and away.

Vaya Con Dios

Paulus