Easter Events

Every person celebrates easter differently. On the Africa Mercy the multinational crew join together and celebrate it as one big family. There are services, a big breakfast and many more exciting things. The crew always grow closer to each other during this time. Since Mercyships follow the 2000 year old model of Jesus, Mercyships makes a big deal about Jesus's death and celebrating his Resurrection. This year perticularly the ship is also focusing on the anniversary of itself, the Africa mercy. 24/7 prayer has started as well to raise the whopping funds for South Africa. Here are some dates and times for the easter events.

28th March- Palm Sunday Evening service

29th, 30th, 31st March- Meditation at the cross

1st April- Evening Upper Room foot washing and fellowship (Queens Lounge)

Good Friday 2nd April- Morning Good Friday service
- Evening "Passion of the Christ" Movie

3rd April- Maybe a childrens program(painting, arts and crafts).

4th April- 5:30A.M Sunrise service
- 8:00A.M Easter service
- Easter BRUNCH
- Evening Open House.

New Academy Netbooks

At the end of the 2008 school year, the teachers asked the high school students what they would like in the academy. One of the things that the high school students said was personal laptops. They thought it was a far fetched dream, but now all the high school students have their own netbook.
On March 10th at 7:30 all the high school academy students received their netbook. After the 5 minute lecture and a parents signature, all the high school students walked out with their own netbook. The dream of the academy staff is that in the years to come the junior high students will also have their own netbook.
The hope for the netbooks is that it can be a new device to help and improve learning in the academy. The teachers hope that they can be just like a textbook and we can learn tons more! Before the students received their netbooks, Tommy Farrell (teacher) installed programs that would be useful to the students. They put on programs like Microsoft word and gimp. Programs the will help broadening their learning opportunities. There are also some fun programs to use with the web cam for the students spare time.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the whole process! We really appreciate it.

Random silly jokes

Since random silly jokes are well, random and silly, we have decided to have something funny, yet controversial, yet not stupid enough for people to hate us. If you have a random silly joke leave a comment.

Q: What do you get if you cross an artist with a policeman ?
A: A brush with the law !

Linde and I present (drumroll) the ninth mini comic of the Adventures of Furry Fury and Pon Pon! We hope you enjoy!

Boys will be Boys

John Palmer and I took to the liberty of interviewing the nursury and preschool lads just after their morning snack. We asked them five questions that each lad thought about. Some answered and some were to focused on drawing Aliens and Helicopters.


1) What would you do if God was right in front of you?

Daniel Yangas: "I would ask him what I want"

Josh Farrell: "He would touch us"

2) What would you do with 1 million Dollars?

Daniel Yangas: "I would give some to other people. Spend it on toys, eggs and cookie mix."

Zaiden Yangas: "More food if we all of our dinner."

Luke Davies: "Superjet."

Josh Farrell: "Buy Superman!"

Max Howard: "Big Breakfast."

3) If you could add something to the ship, what would you add?

Luke Davies: "We need some girls in our class."

Max: "Whales."

Zaiden: "Girls."

Daniel: "A Play structure"(Climbing frame).

4)If you could sail the ship anywhere, where would you go?

Daniel: "I would like to sail to Washington."

Luke: "To Washington to visit Daniel"

Josh: "To the Alligators."

5) What would you do if you were getting chased by a lion?

Daniel: "If I had a gun, I would shoot it, knife cut it and eat it!"

Zaiden: "He would swallow my Fire Truck."

Josh: "I would kill it with my magic wand and eat it."

Max: "Shoot the lion with Bubblegum."

Sherlock Holmes

Walking out of the theatre after watching this film, the first word out of my mouth was "wow". Going in I wasn't sure what to expect. The way out, now that was a different story. It turned out to be the type of movie that you can watch over and over again; seeing different things you missed the first time around. I have always been a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, and the portrayal of him in this movie was absolutely brilliant. He was perhaps a bit more violent than in the books, but still much the same character. The relationship between Holmes and Watson was also portrayed in a different, very entertaining and interesting way.

Another thing that made this movie so good was that many of the scenes were filmed in a very unique way, different from other action movies. The whole mood and setting of the movie was very fresh and unique, making it very captivating. For example, on two different occasions when Holmes comes fist to fist with his opponents, the movie goes into slow motion as Holmes thinks through every blow and the effect that it will have, showing his knowledge. The opening voice-over of the movie is "First point of attack, right ear. Two, throat, to muffle his scream. Three, cracked ribs. Four, sweep under right knee. In summary: neutralized. Chance of recovery: small". The plot is intricate and enthralling. In the famous words of Holmes himself, "The game is afoot." Sherlock Holmes fans will be thrilled by the clever clues he picks up on, and how he uses those clues to crack the case conerning the seemily ressurected sorcerer Lord Blackwood, who threatens all of England. Along with the action, Sherlock Holmes offers comedy and a hint of romance. Some of my favorite funny parts are centered around Holmes' dog, and Watson's remarks about Holmes' violin playing, messy room and overall lack of hygiene.

This movie is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material. The storyline does come across as dark and slightly demonic. However--in typical Holmes form--the cover is blown and the truth is found. There are only 3 mild obscenities in the whole movie. The violence is probably what merits most of the rating; it includes multiple fist fights, explosions, two hangings and one man drowning in his bathtub (he is seen after the event). The suggestive scenes are also mild. Irene kisses a drugged Holmes, then leaves him laying handcuffed to the bed in her room, naked, with only a pillow covering him. It was actually quite comical.

Overall this movie was very enjoyable and quite suitable for children over the age of 13. I would highly recommend it and hope to buy it on DVD as soon as it comes out.

Answer to the Spot the Difference

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Review: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

“A home is not a building or a street or a city or something so artificial as bricks and mortar. A home is where one’s family is, isn’t that right?” “Yes, but—“
“And our family is here, Bruno. At Out-With ergo, this must be our home.” This part is very true, I have lived in a number of places in the States and I find that all the places that I have live was with my parents and my brother.

This is an excerpt from The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas between Bruno and his father after they moved from their house in Berlin on very short notice leaving their life style, home, family, and friends behind not knowing why.

Bruno was a normal nine year old boy living in Berlin, Germany during World War Two. He was perfectly happy with his friends until his parents decide to move out of the city to the country. One day Bruno looked out of his bedroom window and sees all of these fathers, sons, uncles, and grandfathers in an area that was fenced in with wire turned in at the top as if some of the people where afraid that someone might escape. There was no grass, trees, or flowers, all of the people wearing the same outfit, striped pyjamas. The people were so dirty it looks like they have never had or seen a bath. The houses where one floor and they looked really small and possibly cramped as though it was the new modern buildings. When I first read this section I knew immediately that it was a concentration camp. At first Bruno and his sister Gretel thought that it was a farming community but later realized that there were no gardens or farm animals around the area. When Bruno asked his father about these people he said: “Ah, those people, those people… well, they’re not people at all, Bruno… Well, at least not as we understand the term.” His dad dismissed him by standing at attention saying “Heil Hitler”. Once I read this part about Heil Hitler I immediately knew that Bruno's father was a Nazi.

Living at their new house Out-With wasn’t very fun, Bruno and his sister where still unhappy. Driven from boredom Bruno decides to explore the grounds around his house, but the warning that his parents gave him about going near the fenced in area larked in the back of his head, that area is out of bounds with no exceptions. Bruno walked toward the fence and two hours later he saw a blob then it turned into a figure and then it turned into a person. The person’s name is Shmuel. He is wearing the striped pyjamas, has on a matching striped cap, and is barefoot. As they got talking Bruno found out that Shmuel has the same birthday he has, April 15, 1934. When I read this part my first reaction was they must be twins but then again it was just a coincidence, but then again who knows.

As Bruno kept going to visit Shmuel their friendship grew, and slowly Shmuel opened up and told him his story. They found out that their families had different symbols, Shmuel and his family's symbol was the Star of David and Bruno’s father had the Swastica. They had no idea what the symbols where for, or how different they are, but they still became friends.

Now it’s been almost a year since Bruno and his family left Berlin. Bruno’s memories where starting to fade with every day he spent at Out-With just as mine do with every time I spend away from the States. Bruno’s mother decided that Out-With was no place to raise children and she decided that it was time to go back to Berlin. Just like my parents felt about living in LA. Bruno does not want to say good-bye to Shmuel and he will miss but Bruno must go home with his mother and sister. As the time to leave grows near, Bruno and Shmuel wonder what to do. There is a very surprising ending only you can find out if you read the book. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

When I read the book I found it very enjoyable and good. The ending was both interesting and surprising but I did learn that things like that probably did happen during World War Two. If you like history and World War Two then you would probably like the book.

*This book is also a movie*

In This Hole of Salvation...

a poem from the mind of Emma Cole

How I feel about living in this hole of salvation?
It’s all so diverse—difficult to express in few words.

I love the ministry, the smiles on the faces of the forgotten now redeemed.
I love the cackling laughter and joy when the transformation takes place.
I love the excited sprints of bow-legged children who swarm our white land rovers.
I love the ‘we will survive through anything’ attitude which I find hard to possess.

I love the youth, the sarcasm and jokes made in a fun yet loving way.
I love the authority figures who bring themselves to our level of maturity—yet still set examples.
I love the prayer of our generation—feeling the influence that this youth have on others.
I love the lessons of love set out to expand our knowledge of God and His kingdom.

I love the uniqueness of our school and the close-knit community that the school is in itself.
I love the teachers, for their willingness and enthusiasm to help us learn the ways of life.
I love the sight of the high-school teen taking the hand of the pre-school toddler in aid of a fire drill.
I love that the rest of the ship knows deep down that without us youngsters, they wouldn’t enjoy this life as much.


I love the diversity of the people on board this small yet huge steel-white box.
I love the experience of the different cultural languages, music, actions, and mannerisms.
I love the united hands and hearts in prayer from the thirty-odd nations of this world we live in.
I love nature of God’s international people all coming together in peace.

I love the sister relationships I have built up with the friends I have made.
I love the comfort in being able to get a hug from any friend at any time.
I love the silly banter and hot gossip in the conversations with amazing cabin mates.
I love the excitement of looking to the future and seeing myself with those life-long friends.

But the one thing that I really dislike about this hole of salvation,
Are the endless number of goodbyes, tears, and sorrows for those who leave you behind in this hole.

However, there is the hope of a future—a time of happiness when we see each other again.
A time of rejoicing when we meet again outside this plastic bubble of a ship that we live in.

Togo Resturants

Another popular destination for crew on weekends are restaurants. Here are a few of the restaurants that have been tried by the Advance Team and Off ship Programs Team, and have been found highly enjoyable.

Festival Du Glace—Many people probably will remember this restaurant from Benin. Togo has two different locations. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner—burgers, pizza, omelette's, some African and Chinese dishes, sandwiches and salads—and a variety of different flavours of ice cream. It is large, with lots of tables for large groups and is very affordable. It is air conditioned and has wifi.

Le Triskells—This restaurant is a beautiful outdoor French eatery situated in the middle of a garden under a large gazebo. It has a wide variety of dishes ranging from pizza and french fries, steak and salads to fish and French desserts. The staff are friendly and attentive, but not overbearing.

Hotel Clementine - This is a small, cosy restaurant with good food, air conditioning and TV.

Greenfields—This is another outdoor restaurant with a lunch and dinner menu. What makes this restaurant special is the fact that on Tuesday nights they show movies projected on the wall. Sometimes they are in English, other times in French. They serve pizza, burgers, pasta salads, and many other entrees.

Le Oceane—This is a French restaurant with high end prices, serving delicious food, as well as desserts. It is a bright, clean restaurant with excellent service.

Ghis Palace - This restaurant is another with a more formal setting. Everything on the menu is excellent, and the service is friendly and personal.

Alt Munchen - A German restaurant with a warm, friendly atmosphere. The service is great, as is the food, especially their sausage and potato salad.

Karim - This Indian restaurant had a small inside eating area with air conditioning, and a big spacious outside area. Good service but the food was disappointing when you've been to the Indian restaurant in Benin.

A couple people have said that they also found the Lebanese restaurant quite enjoyable. The stewards were pleasant and the service was typical of an African restaurant.

The Chinese Restaurant is good and even has private rooms for groups.

All of the crew members should be able to find a restaurant to their liking, where they can eat, relax, and have fun with friends.

MX vs ATV REFLEX.

MX vs ATV Reflex is video game for x-box 360, PlayStation 3, PSP and Nintendo DS. In the game you can have MX Bikes, ATV's, Sports Buggy's or Sport Trucks.

The game has very good graphics, when you drive on the track your vehicle leaves tire tracks and makes it harder for the people behind you to balance. It also makes the game look, and feel very realistic.



The game has many different modes, that you can play in campaign and in free play, multiplayer or single. One of my favourite modes is called omnicross. It is a game mode that can have any vehicle in the game in the same race. It makes it hard when your a MX bike racing against a big Sport Truck and the Sport Truck runs you over. Another funny thing to do is to do a free ride and play tag or a smash em' war with your friend!

Over all I would give this game a 4 out of five stars. One thing that could be better is better stability for the ATV's. There are times when a MX Bike will run into a ATV and the ATV falls over. That is one thing I would change.