Our dock is a busy place right now. Not only does it provide a berth for the Africa Mercy and parking for 28 Land Rovers and Nissans; also two different pipeline contractors are working simulateously in the same ditch, one making a new pipe for diesel (the red pipe), and one checking and repairing an old pipe for vegetable oil (the grey pipe, below)...
...the dock also provides a berth for a discharging bulk carrier (which are huuge, they dock right behind us, and they're really neat). Fortunately this one isn't unloading dusty cement clinker.. like in the past (or we'd be totally covered in dust by now), but it is discharging some kind of mineral for the cement industry into literally thousands of waiting trucks...and each truck drops just a little bit as it trundles past. The scale of such an operation is quite fascinating - big grabbers capable of carrying 8 cubic meters of mineral are used to unload the ship into big hoppers...
...under which trucks park to be loaded. Vast quantities of the mineral spill onto the dock, so a couple of diggers are constantly on hand to scoop the spills into other trucks.
...the dock also provides a berth for a discharging bulk carrier (which are huuge, they dock right behind us, and they're really neat). Fortunately this one isn't unloading dusty cement clinker.. like in the past (or we'd be totally covered in dust by now), but it is discharging some kind of mineral for the cement industry into literally thousands of waiting trucks...and each truck drops just a little bit as it trundles past. The scale of such an operation is quite fascinating - big grabbers capable of carrying 8 cubic meters of mineral are used to unload the ship into big hoppers...
...under which trucks park to be loaded. Vast quantities of the mineral spill onto the dock, so a couple of diggers are constantly on hand to scoop the spills into other trucks.
Amongst the trucks and hoppers and grabbers and dust and noise, a single grain of corn (delivered by the last bulk carrier that discharged on this dock 3 or 4 months ago) has germinated and will one day grow up into a beautiful plant. Kinda cute I think!
.. i miiiiight have just copied this post off another crew's blog. But it was a good one! and it shows the dock, and the environment which surrounds us on a daily basis! It's all very fascinating to see each ship come in, unload it's various cargo, and leave again. Any ship is in the dock for about 1-5 days.
~Lindy
I have been checking the blog every couple of days, or I thought I was, and up pops three updates. They are great and mean alot to those of us who are keeping track of your activities. The best part is your perspectives and vignettes about the area, activities or peoples lives. Bless you for sharing and for encouraging us in our walks as we read about the working of our Lord in your life, those you become aware of and the community on the African Mercy.
ReplyDeleteThe single corn seed growing up in a harsh environment for all to see and reflect about and marvel over is such an encouragement to all of us to be that single seed, growing and developing and hopefully standing out in a dark and challenging world. Standing out for our Lord. The corn stalk is so limited but we can move about and smile and help and encourage others. What a privilege and honor to reflect the glory of our Lord and we thank you Lindy for your faithful service to the crew of African Mercy and helping them as they help you to be grateful and love the opportunity and to seize the opportunity to care for others around us, many who are helping to plant and water the fields so our Lord can grow the plants and allow us to participate in reaping the harvest.
We love you lots and miss you but gladly share you with the crew of African Mercy.