Hello and Greeting from Liberia!


Hello family and friends! Sorry for the Long delay in getting out a message. I Pray that this message finds each of you Well in Christ!


I am well here in Liberia and coming up on my final 2 weeks before leaving! It has truly been a journey with the Lord! I never imagined when I was first packing to come here that it would be 15 months. Our Lord is always full of surprises! As November 16 is approaching I have many mixed emotions!


I am just so Thankful for this time having served the Lord in Tema, Ghana and Monrovia, Liberia. I have met some of the most beautiful people and now have friends from literally all over the World. It is just amazing that no Matter how many Languages or different cultures are on this Ship- The Word of the LORD Remains the Same. So I have enjoyed it and I Praise God for this Chapter and Time in my Life.


I am so thankful to each of you for your love and support of me to be here in Africa! I AM FOREVER CHANGED! When I look back over the last 15 months and the challenges the Lord has remained Faithful and has opened my eyes and sustained me through…

- changing roommates several times- I currently have roommates from South Africa, New Zealand and United Kingdom

-learning to Respect Nurses from different cultures- with different ways of doing Medicine and seeing Medicine outside of the US

- learning to live in Community and have 400 people around you ALL the time

-having to Plan and Find time and places for my Time alone with the Lord

- not being able to just walk around outside alone

- not being able to jump in my car and go when I want

- and Most of All That it is NOT ALL about ME!!!!!! IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM- MY JESUS


My most recent patients - as all of them come with so many stories! One of our most hardening stories is one of our VVF ladies that for40 YEARS she suffered with leaking urine- after having her baby TORN from her during delivery!!! I have attached her story to the email. For 40 years she suffered being an OUTCAST for smelling of urine- BY THE GRACE of God- at the age of 60 SHE IS NEW by the Blood of Christ!

VVF ladies- Just Gorgeous!!!

I continue to see God's Grace as many of our patients with facial tumors and cleft lip/palate leave with Healing from the inside out. It is so evident that Before the Physical healing- Christ and the inner healing must come for our patients to truly be Healed. It is amazing to see the transformation and to see how some of their Faith Grows and even more Amazing to see those who did not Know Christ before coming to the Ship accept Him as their Personal SAVIOR. In Jesus they leave with Hope in the Mist of living in a War torn nation! In Jesus they learn that All things are Possible- Even the Healing of a Nation that was once Rich!

Children from the Ward- suffered from club foot, burn, and cleft lip

I have also continued to spend time at the Orphanage- God’s Children! They were able to come to the ship to visit. The children had an Awesome time. They went on a tour of the ship and then members of our group did a play for them on the Book of Esther followed by a picture presentation from our visits at their home, and then we had snacks. It was truly a Blessing to have them visit our home. They were so excited- especially to ride in the Big Blue Mercy Ships van as most of them had never been in one before. So it was an Awesome day!

But more exciting news is that a couple has on their heart from the Lord to return to Liberia to build a New Orphanage. We are really excited about this and are so LOOKING forward to see God's Hand in the Mist of their Ministry to the children. They have already started to build and will hopefully finish the first building before the ship leaves Monrovia at the end of the month. They will return in February to complete the building!






The country of Liberia is still in great demands for assistance-At this time the UN (United Nations) has extended their stay in Liberia. This is a huge Victory for the country as their is still some unrest and it is not fully stable. Here in Liberia- 75% of the population live below the poverty line which is less $1/day and DO NOT have access to health care- most do Not have electricity or running water! God is opening many doors with the new President Helen Sirleaf Johnson but it will take many years of healing to recover from the War!

As I read the facts and see what is outside the Ship on the street of Monrovia... I always come back to the fact that...........

We Serve a God that DOES NOT create sickness, illness, poverty, or suffering- BUT HE IS A GOD WHO CAN HEAL AND REDEEM ALL THINGS!! To God Be All the Glory!!


Their is so much need in this World. But each day I Pray to keep my focus on JESUS the ONE and ONLY that can direct my steps and show me My Place in His Kingdom here on Earth!


The more that I read the Word- everyday it is a reminder of my home churches' (Grace Bible Fellowship) theme is TO KNOW HIM and to Make HIM KNOWN- that is the reason for Life here on EARTH! So I am excited about coming home and even more to continue on this journey with the Lord!

It has been a Privilege to Serve here in Liberia- This Nation will forever be in Prayers!

On to the future- Gert Jan and I will marry on December 14, 2007 in Holland and have a ceremony in America on January 19, 2008. We are really excited to see what God has for us. At this time we have been in Prayer and have a huge burden on our Hearts for street children- so we are at this time going to Brazil in June 2008 to work with a street kids ministry within Youth With a Mission (Ywam). More details to come!!!

Gert Jan and Batha- suffered from burns


MANY MANY Blessings to each of you and I so look forward to seeing everyone and just hanging out!! I love you and Pray the Peace of God with Each of You!!!

FOR HIS GLORY

STEPHANIE and Gert Jan