August 14/2011 – Anna

As I have mentioned in previous postings, Anna Vines is my bunkmate. Anna is 31 years old, and lives in Oxford. She is a physiotherapist, and is the Rehab Coordinator here on the Africa Mercy. Anna was one of the first people I met at IMS (Introduction to Mercy Ships) way back in January, in Texas. We were not roommates, but did tend to spend quite a bit of time together. In Gateway, we were challenged to choose someone from the group that we could confide in once we were on board the ship. I chose Anna. We were not supposed to be bunkmates; in fact I had been given a room where I knew no one from our group. Upon boarding the ship, I was elated to discover that my room assignment had been changed, and in fact I was bunking with Anna.

Anna and I were destined to be perfect roommates. Although Anna typically goes to bed earlier than I do, she wears ear plugs and a sleeping mask…so my late entrances into our pod do not usually disturb her. She is therefore also able to leave on a small light, which reduces my regular feelings of claustrophobia in the darkness. Even our laundry is well balanced. Anna wears mostly darks, and I frequently wear light colors. This allows us two perfectly balanced loads of laundry a week – our quota. (Oh my, you are thinking…do these two have nothing else in their lives on the ship?)

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July 3/11 – Atamin Avon

Greetings from onboard the Africa Mercy. Time is flying by, and July has already arrived. We had a great Canada Day on the ship. My sister Judy sent a variety of Canadian items to share with others, and as a result, I became one of the most popular people on the ship (well for a few hours). I made sure to give stickers, pins or pencils to the Gateway group…as well as to Stephen, Juan, George and Frank in the Sterilizing Room. Soon staff in the OR wanted theirs…then the OR Day Workers…the guard at the gangway…kitchen staff etc. etc. Being a good Canadian, I tore off my last sticker from my scrub hat, and undid my lapel pin in order to have enough to share.

At lunch time, the Canadians sat together as a group. We rang the ship’s bell to get attention in the dining room, as we sang O Canada and waved the flag. One girl made a cake -Red Velvet, had never heard of it…delicious! It seemed that everyone on Mercy Ships wanted to be Canadian…at least for a day!
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Atamin’s Story

Mariama was fifteen years old when her sister died giving birth to a baby daughter named Atamin. Mariama left school to take care of Atamin, her sister and two brothers. There was simply no one else to help. This was a big responsibility for such a young girl, and the job was made even more difficult since Atamin was born with a crossed eye.

Little Atamin became the target of taunts from the neighborhood children, which would bring on a torrent of tears. This wounding of her soul provoked this usually gentle child to act out. It was nothing short of a miracle to the family when they learned that Atamin could be helped through Mercy Ships.

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Last weekend, parents Senaa Enam, and children Qods (9), Ali (7), and baby Omar Al Azaizeh were moved into their furnished apartment in Burnaby close to Middlegate Mall, and not far from where other family members live who have also come as sponsored refugees. The whole family have SIN cards now as well as their completed landing documents all of which ensure that their Landed Immigrant status as Convention Refugees is documented and that the path to becoming citizens of a country is finally, for the first time in their lives, established.

Thanks to Margaret Currie who has lovingly hand-made quilts for each of the 3 children, and to Ellie Boudreau who has acquired an English/Arab dictionary for them. Thanks also to all of you who have made donations of funds, gift cards and furniture, as well as your prayers.

Becky and Ellie will be visiting the family and offering friendship and support next week. If you are interested in extending your friendship and hospitality with a visit, please email or phone Becky Knapton at becky@canken.net or 604.980.0891 to make arrangements.
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