Goodbyes...really are See you Laters.. :)

So I am currently sitting at with Reception, with Matt and Anna, both Canadians. Its past midnight here, but a sad event happened, well...kind of. Matt's flight got bumped up by 6 hours. So he now leaves at 3am, ill be going with him and a few other people to the airport.

Something Ive noticed about Mercy SHips, is that the friends I am making now, are lifelong, yes many of them have left the ship, and those times were sad. But someday, somewhere I will see these amazing people agian :)

Its been bugging me that at least twice a week Ive had to say goodbye to at least one good new friend. But it has come to me that its not really goodbye, and even tho i may not see them here agian on this earth, i still have their friendship, all over the world!
They are amazing people, and I will miss every single one sooooo much, but they are my new life long friends, no matter what they say!!!!

I have met alot of Canadians, so Im thinking a road trip when i return home to visit them! :)

Canadians :) (Amber, Matt, Derek)

Roomies 4418 <3

My favorite british guy, Jack :)

1 month done, 6 more to go!

On Monday, it will be 4 weeks in Africa!

This weekend, I am working, on duty, with the pager. We have some arrivals Sunday, and then some returning crew memebers also! This past week has been a long one, started Monday morning at 8am, and wont be seeing a day off till Wednesday.
 Last night, I had the option to go with some fellow crew members to show the Jesus film. Mercy Ships gets invited to local church, and we go, share a little bit about us, and then watch the movie with them. It was a true blessing, sitting on top of the land rover, in the middle of a field, where we could see the stars and moon, without the smog of the city.




Speical Needs girl, whom stole my heart. <3





 My past two trips to the orphanage have been a true blessing, the kids are adorable, and they love when we come visit! We play games, make crafts, sing songs, hear a bible story!






My beautiful co-workers



My co-workers are amazing people and i love being around them. We work interesting hours, but we make the most of it, and have many great times together!

Thursday I went with some friends to a place called La Villa, and we had a salsa dancing lesson! It was alot of fun, many great laughs, and good memories.

Wednesday is the day that my smallg roup bible study meets, and this week one of the co-leaders, was his last week. He's Canadian, so I made a canada flag cake, and we all signed a card for him! The bible study has been reading and discussing 2nd Samuel. The people in the study are amazing. Anna, Derek, Tim, Matt and I are all Canadians, the others are from the States, and Susan is from Nigeria.



Small group bible study :)



This past week has been a lot of trying to figure out what I will be doing when I stay longer in September, I could be back in Hospitalty, or in the Galley, or Working in the ship shop. But Im really looking forward to what it may be! I Will be needed a new passport, because my old one, that was found, was cancelled automatically, back when the Ship's Purser emailed the Canadian Consolate. So we will be going to apply for a new one sometime early next week!




Canada Flag Cake

 

Last sunday I went to the Hope Center for church, which is where the patients are either before coming to the ship or after leaving. They are all so happy! They have beautiful smiles, love dancing, and are always wanting to praise God!

The Ship lost a patient about a week ago, Chantel, she was here with Mercy Ships in 2010, and this time, has been on board since the begining of our field service here in Togo. She is now free from her suffering, the community on the ship, is sad but happy knowing where she is now :)

This coming week, we will be having the brother of the founder of Mercy Ships arriving!

I will also be working my first African Dinner on Tuesday

Sad news about the Ottawa Senators, last Canadian team standing though! Which is something to be proud of! I stayed up till 2am, just so I could see the score..wasn't what i wanted, but in the end, they had an amazing year! I also finally found a fellow hockey fan, he cheers for Toronto, but hey! Meeting a hockey fan in Africa is pretty cool!

Miss you all back home!!!




Water Fight, with Derek and Tori....maybe why we are in a water shortage...



~ Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's learning to dance in the rain. ~

So Amazed :)

Welll, its really hard to believe that three weeks sunday, ive been in Africa! Crazynesssss! This past week has been amazing...
One I worked as the Duty Hostess for the first time today, carrying around the pager. Welcomed guests by myself, did a tour by myself, and best thing, got to give my new friend Heidi, her birthday card and cookies!
But my favorite memory of just today, was getting the news that some young boy had not only found my passport, but also my yellow fever card, my debit card, and all my insurance papers, the only thing still missing is the money, which i am not worried about at alll!
Funny fact, i had an appointment to cancel my current passport and apply for a new one, which of course i no longer need to do!
On a sad note, we as a crew are mourning the loss of one of our beloved patients, who has been with us since the beginning of this field service. We had a small, informal gathering today, and many nurses shared memories of her, and her smile. She has gone home to our Lord, and is now free of pain.
Last night, was, beyond amazing. We, as a crew, got the chance to have dinner, and worship together with our day workers. We sang, danced, sang, and then danced some more! It was amazing, no matter how warm it was, or how tired everyone was, it was a blessing to see!
Tomorrow I will agian be going to the orphanage, to play with the lovely kids :) Also on Sunday night, we will be having a candle light dinner for two of my roommates birthdays :)

This past week I also lead my small group bible study for the first time, which was a bit nerve racking, but it went very well :)

Im in the process of extending for 3 more months, so that is a urgent prayer request, with funding, job, and homesickness, mind you im not missing home, i just miss the people, and my puppyy!!!

Love you all!
God Bless~

2nd week done!

Time certianlty is flying around here, ive been here now 14 days, and loving every minute of it! Over the past few days Ive worked, getting guest cabins ready, ironing laundry, greeting new arrivals, and yesterday did half of a tour all alone! I have visited the local port police station to get a police report, for the renewal of my passport application, which should be happening on Monday!

Today I went with a group from the ship to a local orphanage, that had about 30 kids, one of these kids, was speical needs, without knowing which one, i waved to a little girl, as she walked right up to me, as i was holding her i started to realize, and she was the speical needs girl. She has the most precious smile, and was so easily entertained, she loved playing the game of push away, id come close and she would "push" me away, and laugh. This went on for a while, and then we made her a little version of the craft we were doing with all of the kids. She would not let me touch is at all! She was very protective. The other kids at the orphanage would help her, but she often was alone by herself, which made me only want to be around that much more. As i would hold her, she would cuddle into me, and it made me feel warm inside, a feeling that is hard to come by, and by doing very little work. She felt at home, and all I had to do was hug her. That was my favorite memory so far!

My camera is not working at the moment, but i have my new friends whom I can borrow their pictures.
Im possibly thinking of extending my 5 month stay till maybe December, which in total would be 8 months. Being here is amazing, and the people are wonderful,

Ive already come to hate goodbyes, this past Thursday, I said goodbye to a very close friend, whom Ive only known for two weeks, but it those two weeks we got so close, that even tho, he is coming back in August, it was hard. Thats one thing with Mercy Ships, that will never become easy, nor will I ever like it, saying goodbye. With everyone waving goodbye on the dock, as that Land Rover drives away, a peice of those very speical people stays will us, and a peice of us will go with them. Goodbyes won't get easier, bit the promise of eternal life in heaven, is one that brings a smile to my face, knowing that I will see these lovely people once agian.

The playoffs have started, Im pretty sure im the only one paying any attention on the ship, both the penguins and the sens will come from behind, so watch out. Im sure the Habs and the Leafs are dusting off their golf clubs, and trying to get the dust off of their skates.
Hope all is well, Missing home.

God Bless! :)

First Week Done!

Hello Everyone!
Well Ive been here 1 complete week, and am loving it so far! From the amazing people Ive met, to all the kids, and the many sights that I have already seen. I only worked two days last week, because of the holiday weekend. Easter weekend on the ship was so much fun! We had activites for the kids... Veggie Tales!!! and a easter egg hunt. Sunday we had a sunrise service( literally) and then had our Easter Celebration Service! Followed by the best brunch Ive ever seen! It was soooo yummy and delicious! Sunday afternoon I ventured off to Coco beach with some of my new friends, it was so warm, and refreshing! Monday. another day off, I went into town with some other friends, and we went to Africa's version of Mcdonalds, called Al Donalds, mind you, it wasnt "fast food", but it was good. We then went to the market, which was super packed, and warm. Once we got back to the ship, we went swimming on Deck 8, in the natural wave pool. Then four of us girls, went to Sara Kowa, and went Horse backriding!!!! along the beach!!!!!! it was sooooo nice!

Then went to sleep.heheh.
Today will start my first full week, working 8-5 tuesday- friday!

Miss you all!!
xoxo

Day 4...I think...

Today is my 2nd full day working, I am working as a hostess, which is welcoming new arrivals, giving tours, making up guest cabins,and giving out birthday cards, and cookies! I have met alot of new people, and alot from Canada! i joined a small group, that is studying 2 Samuel, and they have really good brownies! Today is a fire drill....yay... haha. And tomorrow they are doing the the play Godspell! :) Its a four day weekend here,  too. If anyone wants my address to  mail letters and such to just send me an email, sandra_love2345@hotmail.com :)

I hope all is well back in Freddy. :) its nice here, warm and sunnny! My passport is on hold till next week as the consolate is out of the country. But my dad faxed me a copy of my yellow fever card, and my old passport. So Im still a little bit nervous, but it looks to be coming together well!

Miss you alll!

Talk soon! :)

Day 4...I think...

Today is my 2nd full day working, I am working as a hostess, which is welcoming new arrivals, giving tours, making up guest cabins,and giving out birthday cards, and cookies! I have met alot of new people, and alot from Canada! i joined a small group, that is studying 2 Samuel, and they have really good brownies! Today is a fire drill....yay... haha. And tomorrow they are doing the the play Godspell! :) Its a four day weekend here,  too. If anyone wants my address to  mail letters and such to just send me an email, sandra_love2345@hotmail.com :)

I hope all is well back in Freddy. :) its nice here, warm and sunnny! My passport is on hold till next week as the consolate is out of the country. But my dad faxed me a copy of my yellow fever card, and my old passport. So Im still a little bit nervous, but it looks to be coming together well!

Miss you alll!

Talk soon! :)

Arrival In Togo :)

I have officially arrived, as of last night. Flights were good, nothing too exciting. My 'exicting' event, was leaving the airport, when my money belt was stolen, containing my passport, debit card, yellow fever card and some money. But after that, my debit card was cancelled, my dad will be faxing a copy of my fever card, and birth certificate for applying for a new passport. I have meet many new friends, i have 8 roommates, and have also seen some fimilar faces, from when i was in texas. I am working in the hospitality department, and start work thursday. Missing everyone back home, thank you for your letters that I read on the plane :) and thanks to Jordan and Stephan for the lovely going away package :)

Flying Away....Today!

Hello everyone!

Today is the day! I fly out in about 3 hours, and will arrive in Togo, tomorrow night at 9:30 pm :)