So what happened to January? As I sit here and write this I cant
believe that it is the 2nd day of February. Somewhere along the way I
blinked and January has passed by. It was a busy month. I was reminded
daily of how the crew needs someone here to care for them. It was a
month full of sickness and injuries, and hearts that needed comfort. It
has ranged from GI bugs to head lice, sinus infections to broken wrists,
feet full of sea urchins and the beginning of flu season. Broken bodies
and a few broken spirits. And for some reason the Lord has chosen me to
be a part of it all. He has allowed me to be here to help figure out
what ails the crew and the bring comfort and care to them. In doing so, I
have been part of them returning the the jobs on the ship and
continuing to do what God has called them to do. For some that means
feeding the crew, for some it means being back in the Operating room
changing the lives of the patients, and for some being back in the
engine room keeping the lights on. Everyone of the 400+ crew members has
a role here. Each one is important and dependent on the others around
them. It amazes me to watch how it all works, how it shouldn't work-with
so many different languages, cultures and personal preferences here.
And yet it does. It works and it works well. Hundreds of patients and
caregivers pass through the doors, pass from brokenness into a state of
healing. For some it is immediate, for others it a long slow process
that takes months. However healing does take place. You see it in their
eyes, and in their smiles. Mostly you see it in the tearing down of
walls. Walls that have been built over years of suffering. One brick at a
time, one insult at a time, one wound at time. They arrive not looking
people in the eye, not smiling, a hardness about them. A hardness the
world they live in has caused. But here, on this ship, through the body
of Christ, change happens. The walls that divide come tumbling down. One
smile at a time, one touch, one kind word. Each act of love removes a
brick from the wall. Each person in their own way. Maybe it is handing
someone a bowl of food, or perhaps mopping the floor around their bed,
or carrying them up a flight of stairs, each act of love, allows a
little more light into the darkness. Everyday the truth of the gospel
lived out and revealed by those around me. And I pray in me.
I love being even a small piece of this puzzle. I love helping my
fellow crew help others. Because of what I do, they can continue to do
what they do. So I have decided to continue in this venture for a while
longer. I have extended my commitment for another 2 years. I do so in
faith trusting that God will take care of the details. I can not thank
you all enough for journeying with me in this. It has been nothing short
of amazing. I pray you will continue to walk along this road with me a
little longer. That we can continue to sharpen one another. encourage
one another and press on toward the goal. Please do let me know how I
can be praying for you.
