November / December update

Yes another majorly delayed update but this one is missing one big thing, an attachment. I recently changed computer and I haven't had chance to install Corel on my new one so until I manage to get a copy of it you guys will just have to cope with a standard email update without all the colour photos and pictures of the ship. I'll try and add some coloured text to make it a bit less black and white

Right time to crack on with the update.

Wow the last few weeks have been definitely different from my last 15 months. In particular I now have to follow my own orders, I get to carry a radio and a notebook and I have many more keys!! Yes I have been "promoted". I am now the man on the scene to look after the rest of the hospital installation and also to get the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration working and operating correctly. I now report to the Chief Engineer and the Executive Director. It's cool and I am getting used to answering lots of questions and I am learning so much more about AC and Refer and how to fix problems and how the whole system runs.

The current date we have for the Ship leaving is the 15th December. For us (Mercy Ships) we could sail the ship out on that date, all the engine rooms is finished (well apart from the oil/water seperation system - I won't go into that though) and the Deck guys have got the two main Lifeboats onboard - which makes the ship look great and ready for sea. The shipyard work is still unfinished with some controls equipment still not installed and the sprinkler system in need of some major alteration - both systems cruicial to the running of the ship.
We are currently aiming towards the 15th December and are clearing all the scrap of the ship and equipment that has been sat around and is unrequired, this is mainly due to the Inclination Test due to be held on Tuesday - this Test will ascertain how the ship sails and how much cargo we can carry onboard - so it's pretty important. After the Inclination Test the next stage is actually to perform Sea Trails, so it is getting exciting now with the finishing line coming closer.

It is seems that that ship will not be sailing to Ghana now and instead will be meeting the Anastasis in Liberia instead, which is a shame as I have heard so much good stuff about Ghana and I would really like to visit there one day.

Life in general is great. My health is good - I mention this as everyone up here is coming down with colds and flu. I have started attending a new Church. It is a plant from Hillsongs, London and is so friendly and is very supportive about what I am doing and I am getting chance to get involved in the Church as well as recieving on a Sunday. I am recieving such abundant blessings at the moment, especially in terms of finances, so Praise God for that!

I hope you are all really good, and I hope to write once more before Christmas - which is only 5 weeks away, how crazy is that?!!?!

Thanks for reading,