Rumors

A few weeks ago a local newspaper released an article making extreme and ridiculously false accusations directed toward Mercy Ships. The security situation around Monrovia is better than it has been in years, but nonetheless a baseline level of crime exists. There have been a number of tragic murders lately. All the victims have been found with their kidneys missing. The article that was released reported," that a faith-based, charity, hospital ship, docked in Liberia, was responsible for these murders and organ thefts" (an obvious reference to Mercy Ships). Furthermore, we have been accused of plotting and training others to kill people and steal the kidneys that we "then sell in America for $600,000". Of course these rumors are false and we hoped with time the rumor would die; it has not. Therefore, this past week the captain of the ship has put us on a heightened state of security. Threats have been made toward some of our crew when out in town and a local man approached a member of our eye field team asking "how much money he could get for the kidneys belonging to his mentally challenged nephew". This man was arrested. The captain and security team on the ship have been working closely with the governmental authorities regarding this tense situation. The government has been helpful and totally supportive of Mercy Ships. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has apologized profusely for the situation and she communicates with our safety officers on a regular basis. On Saturday, the Interim CEO/Acting Managing Director of Mercy Ships held a press conference at the governmental buildings in Monrovia making a public statement addressing the false rumors. My concern and prayer requests are not for my safety (yes, it is important, but I feel totally safe in the palm of God's hand), but for the people of Liberia. Pray for those spreading the rumors. Those trying to steal the joy, hope, and healing we offer in Jesus' name. Many of our patients face immense challenges to get to the ship. They do not need anything more standing in the path of God's gift for them: Eternal life, grace, forgiveness, and physical restoration through life changing surgeries on the Mercy Ship. Pray for the spiritual battle happening here. Pray that the road to grace and healing for our patients would be smooth. On the ship we "know the truth and that it will set us free (John 8:32)" Pray that Liberia will see and find this truth.