HAPPY EASTER

Yes we are still onboard the Africa Mercy and still in Benin. Plenty has been going on in the last few weeks. Rachel had a tooth taken out by our Norwegian dentist (and friend) Dag Tvedt as it was hindering the new tooth underneath it. She also performed a dance with some friends at our Easter service on Sunday which was received very well. I'll post pictures in the next day or so of that. Nathaniel and Rachel both won first prize in their classes for the fancy dress day. Nathaniel was a Roman soldier and Rachel was an Egyption Queen. We think Iona should have won as well but next time all our efforts will be concentrated on her (for Pirate Day). We had school reports which were excellent for all three kiddies, and they continue to work hard at all they do.

Anne took the plunge and led the community devotional meeting last week (Tuesday). She managed to combine two songs and a video clip from Lord of the Rings (Smeagol's identity crises) in a way that truly blessed and spoke to the crew. She is now joining Toastmasters to help her beat her nervouseness when doing public speaking. I've been eating a lot of chocolate (stress relief) and trying to keep work in perspective. I had the privilige of speaking at our Easter Thursday meeting onboard and God was gracious in finally giving me something to say at 4pm the same afternoon. Up to then I'd had no real idea what I was going to say to the 380 crew onboard!

Enough talk - here is a picture of the Easter Sunrise Service (06:30) held on the upper deck of the ship. I'll stick some more pics up of other stuff when I get them off the camera.