But GOD

So today is day 11. The days are passing so quickly. There does not seem to be enough time to accomplish all the I want to. I work from 8-5 with an hour for lunch. The mornings are reasonable with mostly walk ins. My afternoons are quite full. Vaccinations, and Physicals are taking up much of the time right now. Everyone needs to be fully up to date before the ship sails some time in June.

Evenings have been very busy. As I sit at a desk most of the day, after work I try to walk either on deck 7 or on the dock to get my steps for the day in. I am still getting my steps in on most days. There is also usually an activity of some kind in the evening. There are pray meetings, movie night, and last night I got to go to a continuing Education class. They offer then usually on a weekly basis in the evenings. It will help me meet my License needs when I get home. I was a few hours short when I left home and wondering how I would find time to do them. Interesting how the Lord has an answer for everything, even before we often realize the need.

On the other nights I am trying to catch up with friends and family at home either by face time or phone. It seems there are more people than nights to call. And then there are always time zones to consider. The good news is I have a phone in my room.Another reason to be thankful.

I cant tell you much about my patients for privacy reasons but I will say I see a pretty steady mix of crew and local people who work here as day crew. Everyone is very friendly and have made me feel quite welcome.

Everyday I see something or someone that reminds me of others that I have worked with on ships in the past, would love being here. I really happens all the time.
It is amazing how many things go on behind the scenes to make this floating hospital possible.
Engineers and drivers, cooks and electricians, interpreters and housekeeping. There are people who work on the medical equipment and people who make arrangements for visiting diplomats. No one any more important than the rest. All doing there part in the body to make the whole possible. It is really something to just sit at my desk at times and see the number of people who pass by the door, hurrying off the next task. It is humbling and wonderful to be a part of it.

Twice a day, a very special thing happens. Just down the hall, in one of the hospital wards are women who have suffered from Vaginal Fistulas. It is a complicated story of how they get them, but they are quite common in Sub-Sahara Africa. These women have truly known what it means to suffer. Most have suffered the loss of a still born child after complicated and unproductive labor. Here it is very difficult to get a C-section. This results in their fistula forming which then causes them to leak urine, usually for the rest of their life.This results in them becoming socially isolated, often left by their husbands and with no way to provide for themselves.

But GOD

But God has a different plan....many of these women make it to the ship. They are given corrective surgery which has an 85% success rate. For the first time in years they are clean and DRY. You have no idea what this means for these women. But they do. Everyday during there recovery period they rejoice. Although they can not go outside due to the tubes and hoses attatched while they are healing, they are allowed to walk the halls of the hospital. And walk the halls they do. Twice a day, everyday all of them along with some of the staff, walk the halls with drums and shakers, lifting their voices in song to Jesus thanking him and celebrating what he had done in their lives. It is a beautiful things. The sound fills the entire hospital and most of the ship. I wish you could see it and hear it. Perhaps one day you will.

you were warned

We were warned several times through out the  week, there will be a fire drill on Thursday. Most of the long term crew seemed very nonchalant about it and I will admit I was not too worried. After all I have been on a ship before and had fire drills. I even know not to show up in flip flops unless you want to upset the watch officer.

Well, 6 am yesterday the fire alarm is rung. It is followed by the announcement to muster at your in port muster station. ( pretty salty talk huh?) Anyway, I managed to get down out of my bunk from a sound sleep and understand that we must move quickly. So my roommate and I made our way for the stairs. I confess I knew it was a drill and I had just gotten out of bed, so I did stop at the ladies room on my way. In the event of a true emergency I would skip this step! :)

So 3 flights of stairs later I exit the ship via the gangway. I must then check in with a safety officer and have my name checked off a list to be sure I am accounted for . I must say I was quite Impressed to see how quickly they were able to empty the ship of the entire crew, account for everyone aboard and put out the "fire". I am sure I made a lovely impression on my fellow crew mates with my fashionable pajamas.  We were on back on board in short time and still had time for a shower and breakfast before the day began.
The best part of the whole experience was watching how one of the smallest crew members reacted to the whole experience. While some of the crew was grumbling a bit about being up too early or being in their pj's ( like me) this little boy of about 3 came by with his mom. He was full of excitement and pointing out to mom and anyone else who would listen that the moon was out. All the way across the yard he pointed to the moon exclaiming "look the moon the moon " He was very excited. I was thankful for an early morning perspective check. all and all a very interesting start to the day.

Big trouble

So the food here is amazing and I could be in really big trouble. I have been doing really well on my weight loss since the beginning of the year and I had hopes of that continuing here in Benin. Well, every time a meal is served-there is a giant array of temptation available. The food is so good and smells wonderful the second you walk in to the mess hall. I may have over indulged the first few days but am trying to reel it back in now. I had a very sensible breakfast this morning.

some of the meals have included pancakes with fresh berry sauce. Caribbean pork with an amazing pineapple sauce. an offering of rice at every meal. eggs and fresh fruit for breakfast. Waffles were being served this morning at break time. Oh and lets not forget that we have a Starbucks on board. I can get an amazingly yummy vanilla latte filled with lots of calories for only a dollar. So, pray for me to have discipline. I really can not believe how spoiled I am .
God is good and I am thankful to know he is taking such good care of this crew.

arriving in Benin

So right before leaving Brussels,  a very cool airport by the way, I ran in to a rather large group of  ladies headed for the ship on  the same flight as me. We chatting for a few and ended up with a few of us sitting rather close together. Once again we were spoiled as the flight was not very full and we all had extra empty seats around us to stretch out a bit. A lovely gift on a long flight. We touched down for what was supposed to be a very brief stop in Ivory Coast. Well the president of the country was arriving on his private jet, their version of air force one. We all had front row seats to his arrival. it included a REAL red carpet that came down the stairs from his plane, ran across the tarmac, in front of his full military corp in dress uniform, his full marching band, and a handful of men dressed in what I can only guess is traditional Ivory Coast wear. It looked like Roman togas with red capes and full headdress's and spears. It was all  quite the to do.
It turned our short stop in  to about 90 minutes in the plane as we watch the whole  show and then waiting for air traffic to clear.

Arriving in Benin was really simple. we got  off the plane and made out way through customs. A few disturbing signs in customs about Ebola with quite graphic images greeted us as we made our way to the counter. Immigration was super easy thanks to the wonderful work of Mercy Ships prior to our arrival. All of documents were in order and we passed though easily.

every ones luggage arrived and we quickly made our way outdoors.This is definitely Africa. It is nearly 9 o'clock in the evening and it is still quite hot. The warm humid air hits you like a wave as you step out of the terminal. A wall of men dress in vibrant colors stands before you all waiting to see if they can help you or drive you. And then we spot our  friendly driver from Australia awaiting all of us wearing his official Mercy Ships shirt . He and another crew member help us load all our gear into 2 waiting vehicles and made a short drive to the port.

All  of us were very tired and were thankful to be process in . We had photos taken that I'm sure you can imagine were just wonderful after spending  a day or two in travel. One girl had come  all  the way from  Australia and had been traveling  for  2 1/2 days. Needless to say we all looked a bit rough. Now these photos grace the front of our crew badges every day. I think maybe we should all have a worst photo contest. ha ha.
We were then shown to our cabins. I am  on  deck 2 of 7. I have a nice room with only 1 roommate. I am on the top bunk which is quite humorous. If I don't make it home it will not be because of malaria or terrorists but because I have fallen and killed myself while either getting into my bunk, attempting to get out of my bunk or rolling out of it in the night!
It is really quite the sight.

My bathrooms, there are two close by is shared with about  8-10 other girls in near by cabins. both are a short walk , maybe 30 feet down the hall. Each bathroom has 3 showers and 3 sinks and toilets. They are very clean and Thank you Lord are equipped with HOT water. For this I am more grateful than you can know. We have to take sea showers but the water is hot so it is not so bad. For those of you that don't know, it just means you turn on the water and get wet, turn it off, soap up and shampoo, turn it on again to rinse, turn it off, condition, then rinse again and then your done. very little water is used. Important habit to be in when you head to sea and have to make most of your water from the sea water.

I will tell you about the food later... and will try to post some pics this weekend. If you are reading this, leave me a comment or send me an email . I would love to hear from you.
bye for now

Grace

my first full day in Benin is coming to a close. What shall I share?....I guess I will start with my journey here. It was long but full of grace and fun moments. Lori dropped me at the airport and I got checked in for my flights with no problems. The flight out of Roanoke was through grey, rainy and somewhat turbulent skies but I felt more relaxed than I had for several weeks. I was finally in the air and on my way. 2 very large bags riding beneath me in the cargo hold. I was very happy to drop them at the TSA screening area and felt a little bad for the guy as he made a comment about getting a hernia as he lifted my bags on to the x-ray machine.

My next flight was from DC to Brussels. After a short layover everyone began to line up and start the boarding process. Over the  next few minutes we all stood nervous and a bit shocked at how strict the gate attendant was being in regards to everyone's carry on baggage. He made repeated announcement that you could only have 1 carry on and 1 personal item. We all watched as one person after another was forced to check bags that were either to big or because the had too many. After about 10 minutes and 30-40 people having to do this, I decided I better make some adjustments. I had my big purse, my laptop bag and a rolling carry on. I was obviously about to be the next person to be pulled from line. So I opened my carry on and took out a few items that I would not want stolen and waited for the inevitable. Mean while having polite conversation with those around me. I was in the last group to board and the plane was nearly full. 4 groups had already boarded. 2 spots a head of me another person is pulled and told they must check their carry on. As I stepped up and handed my boarding pass to him, he looks at me and says have a nice flight and the next thing I know I am walking down the jet way with all three of my items. The guy behind me in line is astonished with his mouth hanging open. I admit I am pretty amazed too. He asks me how did you get by him with all your stuff? I told him I had no answer other than God's grace. complete undeserved , grace.

I walked onto the plane with a warm heart knowing that God cares about the smallest details in our lives. He knew I needed  my purse and could not check it. It had my money and malaria medications and a lot of other important things.
He knew I could not check my laptop without the risk of never seeing it again , not to mention all the personal imformation it contains. He knew the only bag I could have checked was my carry on. And allthough I could have traveled without it, having it made for a much nicer trip. I had my pillow and blanket, my snacks, my reading material and a bag with wheels to pile everything on and drag it for the rest of my journey, thereby saving my poor shoulders and back a lot of undue pain.

Thank you God for grace. Thank you that the man behind me had already heard that I was going for you. Thank you that although I was willing to check my bag, I did not have to. And thank you that you let the man behind me see your favor and grace in my life.

Next stop.....Brussels

T minus 11

So mom spent the last few days in the hospital. Another episode in the cycle of TIA's. Never  really find a cause or prevention of another one. She seems fine now but it make me worry. It is always hard to leave and it always comes at a cost. It is a constant struggle between feeling called to serve, and feeling called to care for my mom. Today she is fine. a little tired but seems otherwise fine. I confess I worry about being judged by those around me who may not understand how I can still go. I struggle with that in my own spirit at times. However one thing to me is clear in this moment. I feel strongly that the Lord has opened this door and directed my steps. He has provided an opportunity that seems so clearly designed as a perfect  fit for me. He has provided financially, spiritually, physically and continues to bring peace to my heart most of the time. It does not seem to me that He would arrange all of this so perfectly only to slam the door in my face. That does NOT line up with the God I know or the quality of the character I know him to have. So I will continue to walk forward. One thing I now from the past is serving always has a price.Sometimes it is financial, or loneliness or over coming fear. Sometimes it is the loss of something I thought I wanted or needed. It is always worth it.  Please pray that I will be able to withstand the cost however that may be revealed. 
My hope is to serve with joy and love. By His Spirit I know I can do this.

A new season March 2017

So I am stepping in to a new season. I have agreed to go back to Africa and serve with Mercy Ships for a few months.
As the saying goes, My feet have left the ledge and God will either catch me or give me wings to fly.
I just a few day, T-minus 13 and counting I will leave the states once again and see what new lessons in life God has for me. I am very excited to be going, but as is usually the case I have a few butterflys and concerns.
Will my mom be okay? Will I find a job when I get back. Will anyone really understand? Will I be lonely? The usual one of money concerns the Lord has already taken care of. Support has be coming , in the most unexpected ways. Including my airline ticket being picked up. That really blew my doors off. The amount of support I am getting from those around me has been further confirmation to me that I am walking in the right direction. Help me lord to continue to walk by faith and not by sight. Several people think I am never coming back. Time will tell, only the Lord knows for now.
To be continued......