Dry Dock In Gran Canaria!

Well Its been a warm week that's for sure. We left Tenerife very early Monday morning, heading to Gran Canaria, for the dry dock time. IT was  a very rocky, and rough sail, but we made it safe and sound! We are now out of the water completely. Which is a really odd feeling.. We are not moving at all, mind you i still feel like i am most of the time..

This past week I transferred back into hospitality, after the summer program finished with a bang! We took the kids on our final day, to the beach near our port in Tenerife. Its a very windy beach, and i think i finally got all of the sand out of my hair.

The summer program, even though it only lasted 4 short weeks, was a nice break from Monday-Friday 8-5 work. We had many fun field trips, good bibles studies, and many interesting mornings with worships songs! The Sunday of our final week we invited all the parents to come and see what we learned throughout our 4 weeks! We sang some songs, and then the kids read either a key word or phrase from our daily bible study on the psalms. 

The summer program, really put a light into something for me. These kids grow up on the Africa Mercy and they are some of the coolest kids Ive ever met! They are down to earth, calm, and from all over the world!

Being in dry dock is a bit of a challenge, we currently have no air conditioning, so the ship is quite hot in most parts, but we have found so many fans, that we are gonna end up blowing away! They are repairing many different parts of our great big ship, and hope to be out of here by the 20th of July!

This past weekend was of course July 1st! Canada DAY :) The one thing I really missed about not being home was the FIREWORKS! Ive always loved seeing them every year, but to be in Spain working on the Africa Mercy is truly a blessing :)

I still have about 4 months here, and even though this past week has been a rough one, with two of my really close friends leaving, I'm doing okay. I miss them dearly, but that's Mercy Ships, people come and go, But we will see them again :)

Tenerife!

Gangway to my home!

Adventure day with Nick!

Nick :) My brother from California

The countdown on our return to Africa is on! We sail to Guinea in Mid August! :) I will be there for just about two months before returning home!

Sailing Across The Ocean!

Well today is day 8 of our 10 day sail to Tenerife!

These past few days have been almost to good to be true. The ocean is beyond pretty and I keep having to remind myself that this is actually real, and its not just a big dream. The water goes on for miles and miles, the sun is so warm and comforting.
The first few days of sailing were not that bad, a bit of rocking and getting used to the ships movement. But of course when you finally get used to something, it changes. Last night the rocking changed from side to side, to up and down. It almost feels like you are in an airplane, with air tuber lance.

This past week i received my acceptance letter to St Stephan's University, into the Bachelor of Arts program, with my major being psychology. Not only was this my top choice school, but i didn't even know i wanted to go to it the most, until i was reading the letter. The school offers two travel terms, one in 2nd year, and one in 3rd year. I will be starting in January 2013, and still be able to go on the travel term in September 2013. I have been blessed with this decision, as just a couple weeks ago, i was beyond stressed about which school to pick, when to start, if i could travel. But now, by little things, it has all come together :)

Being on the ship while sailing, has really put into view, the amazing beauty of God's amazing creation. He made all of this for us! What did we do to deserve this? Really there is no answer. I am so glad and blessed with being able to see the amazing view from Deck 8, and also not be sea sick at all. 

Working with the kids this past week, was amazing of course. This weeks theme was m..mm..m.. good :) Food Themed :) the kids seemed to really enjoy it, we played games, scavenger hunts, relay races with marshmallows and jello. We also played capture the flag up on deck 8, so pretty :)

We only have one week left with the kiddos! Time sure has gone by way to fast, next week, with our planned arrival sometime on Monday, we are hoping to do many field trips to end the summer program, going to a beach, and a beautiful pool. Then there is a group of us planning to climb a volcano Saturday, after i say goodbye to my two roomies, they are the remaining two that have been here since i arrived.

Time is going, nothings stopping it. I still have over 100 days in Africa, and don't even want to think of the count down yet..

Roomies on the Bow :)

Beautiful View

Africa Mercy in Togo

Farewell Togo!

I am onto my next step in this 7 month long adventure! We officially left the port in Lome, Togo, Friday morning. Our sail to the Canary Islands, will be roughly 10 days, so only 8 more days!


The last week in Togo was a busy one, we had many drills, many goodbyes, and many other required things before we sailed. On June 11, we had over 40 people leave the ship, including my girl, Tori. It was a long day, but in the end, i was at peace, because i will see all of these people again, maybe not here, but in the next world.


Second week of the summer program is now complete, this past week, the theme was hoodwinked holidays. So we did, St Patricks Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter! We also headed to the Seamens Center twice, it is a local place with a pool. On Christmas, we had a fire drill at 840am, so we pushed everything back a little. We had hot coco in our PJ's! They had a ton of scavenger hunts, and a treasure hunt. Since we set sail friday morning, we went up to deck 7, and watched the gangway be pulled up, and all the lines taken off from the dock.


Many of these kids have sailed many times before, but for us newbies, the rocky was an interesting sight, haha. Not many of the kids felt sea sick, but alot of our staff did! The first night of sailing, because of the way my bed is, i was literally rocked right to sleep.


When we arrive in tenerife, many crew, including families will stay there, as they are not allowed to be onboard during dry dock, and we will sail to another port for our dry dock. We should be iun dry dock forn about a month, and then we will sail back to pick up the families and sail to Guniea!


The next two weeks are the final weeks of the summer program, and then i will be going back into hospitallty.


The past few days, ive begun to realize, why im here, at first i thought it was to figure out where i should be headed in my life, but now it makes sense  to me, that i cant figure that out here. being here can only help me, and guide me in the direction i should head. I got into at least 4 universities and will end up having to pick just one, but im taking my time, and being out on the ocean i can really take in the beauty and am truly amazed at God's beauty.


The first day of sail, we saw about 100 dolpihns off the side of the ship, and we also got to be out on the bow, its so pretty and peaceful. My friend said she would just coem back for the sail.


Aussie day!




Till next time Togo!



 Well, its the middle of June already, friend back home graduating, and going to prom! Where has the time gone? 4 and half months, left here in Africa. Im loving it, and am so glad im here! :)



i miss her!

June = 2 months in Togo!

Well this past couple weeks have gone by so fast, Ive gotten a bit behind on blog posting! Since the last post Ive said good bye to a good friend, got a new roommate, and started a new job!

My last week in Hospitality was a busy one! We have a mass exit of crew members, and we also had our "Thank You" reception for all of our local partners and NGO's while in Togo. We had the US ambassador, and many other very important people!

June the 1st, was an interesting day! It was my first day of summer program, but it was also a day that i got to head on down to the radiology department, and kinda of observe what they do! We have one x-ray machine and one CT scanner, one of three in all of West Africa! Now with it being very close to the end of our field service in Togo, they didn't have any patients in, but i was able to see how each machine worked and Fumi, the technician, showed me some interesting scans from January till now! One of them i got to see was, a little boy, who i saw when i visited at the pediatric ward in Lome. He had a very large head, and it turned out to be fluid, but this procedure is even quite risky in the US, so there was nothing they could do for him! :( He was the cutest! I hope that someday something can be done for him, and at least some of his pain and suffering will be taken away.

The was my morning, in the afternoon, i officially started the summer program, with Ioan, Bekah, Michelle, Margo, and Matt. We met for about 4 hours, starting to plan, get to know each other, and learn information about the Academy.  We also met for the majority of the next day, planning our first weeks schedule. I have the amazing pleasure to work with Michelle from the US. We are the leaders for the 5th- 8th grade group!
We have about 8 kids, and they are all amazing!

This past Sunday, i got to go to the fishermen village church again! It truly is a blessing, they worship so freely, and really love God with EVERYTHING! It has started to challenge me to live for loving God, and not loving myself. This Sunday, i had the privilege to hold the cutest baby ever! He kept blowing me kisses, and almost fell asleep on my shoulder. They also love dancing! Which makes me so happy, they don't care who looks or what they dance like! Us North Americans should take some lessons....

Monday morning was Summer Program Day 1! :)

Started off the first day with some lovely music, done by Michelle and I :) We did some funny camp songs, such as Baby Shark....or The Great Big Moose! Then we played our theme song for the week, it was called Fly! :) The kids seemed to enjoy it! We have 24 kids, from age 3 to 8th grade :)

Each day we start off with music, and then spilt into younger and older for our devotions. We are doing a bible study on the Psalms, and the older kids are starting to really enjoy it, we have them read the psalm from two different versions, and then ask some questions, and the we have them re-write it in their own words! :)

Now for some very exciting news....I GOT MY PASSPORT!!!!!! On Thursday morning, i once again headed off to the Canadian Consulate, and signed a few papers, and voila i have it! The picture of course looks horrible! But don't they all?

This past week has been a long one! Got my passport, said goodbye to a few close friends, and finished week one the summer program! This week at bible study, my fellow Canadian led, Derek, who will be leaving me on Monday! :(

Monday...June 11....MASS exit day. We have over 40 crew members leaving us! My own bunk mate Tori...I'm not sure how I'm gonna react, its gonna be a long and tough day. I am also getting two new roommates that same night.

My flight is officially booked for home! I leave the ship October 30th, and will arrive back in Canada on Halloween, Spookkyyy. So I better see some costumes at the airport! :)

Fishing Village!

Derek! He can't leave :(

5 more months in Africa! :) God Bless!

Rainy Season!

When Africa decides to let it rain, boy does it ever rain! But it hardly ever rains for many days, so it is a huge blessing each day that the flood gates let loose! Tonight we are facing some more rain, yet again. Tori and I went up to Deck 7 to try out our umbrella;s ( I finally got to use it mom!! ) We looked over the side of the ship and the rain was just pouring off into the blue ocean!

This past week has literally flown by!

Sunday, I was able to go to the Fisherman village church for their service! It was amazing, mind you i didn't really understand a whole lot, as it was mainly in Aweye, but to see the passion and joy in these peoples faces, made me realize that no matter how much or how little they have, they will always praise Him!

Monday, I was on duty, and Ali, the girl who welcomed me, and was one of my amazing roommates left :( She was only here for two months, but I'm so glad we got to know each other and she said she would come visit me in Canada! After the departures had gone off to the airport, it was time to wait for the new arrivals. They didn't arrive until 11:30pm, but once they got here we did the embarkation process as quick as possible and got them all to bed! One of the new crew, is my new roommate, Brittany, from Texas!

Tuesday and Wednesday were those in between days, where we made alot of guest cabins, and made almost too many cookies... Wednesday evening at bible study, it was Josh's and Penny's last week, before they fly to Texas, to attend Gateway, They will be back in early August though! We did our study, and then did a popcorn prayer of praise and thankfulness to God, for all the things we don' even realize he provides for us! We prayer for Penny and Josh also :)
Thursday, We again made a lot of cookies due to our very busy weekend ahead. I also had the privilege to attend the Academy's end of year presentation, all of the students from nursery to 11th grade, all were awarded with a character trait by their teachers and some classes had prepared a video! towards the end of the presentation, they had made a video yearbook, so we also got to watch that! Thursday evening at our weekly meeting, Don Stephans, the founder of Mercy Ships, spoke about how we got the protocol signed for the CONGO!!!! Which means if all works out, after the ship goes to Guinea for 10 months, it will go to dry dock and then onto the Congo, for about 10 months! This will be there first trip to the Congo for Mercy Ships, very exciting! After the meeting a few of my fellow crew members and I played phase 10! and we only got to phase 7 and we called it a night! I then decided to call home and see if my parents were still alive, might be a smart idea! I ended up talking to my mommy for about 40ish minutes, and got to talk to my brother for about 1 minute, but i loved it!!! :) I also heard my dog bark!!! I miss him!!!!

We also had International borad members arrive last night and today, for the conference held this weekend!

Making cookies the past 3 days has been crazy... Overall we have about 500 cookies, for two luncheons,  and a Long Term Crew reception.
Today, we made rooms, and i attempted to get the red food coloring out of my hand, with the help of paint thinner, which didn't work...

Yesterday i received my extension email! So i am now staying on board until November 3rd! I will be working with the Summer Program starting next week, and then going back into hospitality until i leave! I am very excited about this opportunity, and would also appreciate your thoughts and prayers, and financial support! Thank you and God bless you :)

Tori and I on Deck 7 :)

Smiles :)

I had the rare opportunity to have Thursday off, as Friday was a ship holiday, and I had to work!

So I slept in for a bit, and then ate some lunch and went off to the Hope Center!

Normally there is two weekly trips that take a group of crew members on Monday and Friday, but due to the ship holiday we went on Thursday, and as it turns out i was the only crew member other then the driver and translator. There wasn't that many kids around, but there was one in particular who pretty much attach himself to me. While we were listening to the story, Abell kept trying to understand why my fingernails were so long, and wouldn't break. We then started coloring a picture of the Joseph and his multi colored coat. I ended up getting some help from 2 year old Joseph, himself, he thought he should end some black lines in the background. Once we were done coloring, Abell decided it was BUBBLE TIME! So i got the bubbles out and at first he just chased them around, and i blew them. HE then decided i should chase after the bubbles instead. This grew old quickly so he gave them back to me! He then climbed onto my back and we walked around blowing bubbles at the other patients and little Joseph. Then he wanted to get higher so he climbed onto my shoulders, and could see pretty much everything from there. He also kissed my cheek a bunch of times, and i kissed his leg that is just nicely healing! It was then time to leave, but he wouldn't let me, so i picked him up like he was flying and he squealed with laughter! Then he hugged me very tightly and kissed my cheek once again, and then i got into the land rover and drove off waving into the distance!

This day was a true blessing and it put back into my head why I am here, not to drastically change these kids lives, but to put a smile on their faces and they easily put one on mine. They are precious gifts of God, and will always have a bit of my heart :)

Day in the life of a Hostess! :)

My Roomies!

 

Friday, May 11^th. This will be my 6^th Friday in Africa! Time is certainly going by way too fast for my liking. This Friday is different though from most, as I am on duty, wearing a pager from 8am till 8am tomorrow morning. With being the Duty Hostess, I welcome new arrivals, give tours to the new crew who arrived the day before and give out birthday cookies and cards, for crew members birthdays.

My day normally starts off around 7am, with breakfast in the dining room. Then I often go back to my room and get ready for work.

At 8am, we all meet in the hospitality office, and look at our lovely board to see what are the tasks for the day. Often this includes cabins, laundry, ironing, cookies, and making boats.

Once we have all taken a task, we all head off in our separate ways to complete our jobs. Today I am off to make a guest cabin, for a lady coming to visit her friend on the ship! First we clean the cabin, and bathroom, then we make up the new beds, and make them look pretty.. following making the beds, I put the clean set of towels in the bathroom, lastly I set up the welcome papers, and boat. Then before leaving the room, I vacuum the floor. Whoever is on duty will come by and put fresh cookie packs next to the papers, on the day of arrival.

After this I went off to make the cookie packs for the new guests and crew arriving today. There is only one crew member, and a few guests. Making the cookie packs, is somewhat exciting, and it can be cool to decide who gets what kind of cookie, haha.

It is now 10am, which translates into break time on the ship. Many people who work 8-5 slowly fill into Mid Ships, which is where the Starbucks cafe is located. On Mondays and Fridays they have crepes and waffles, today is Waffle day!

After our break time is over, we had already finished all our set tasks for the day, when Josh Callow, decided to drop into our office with some of the film festival prizes that he needed wrapped. So we tied bows, and put ribbon on them so they are ready for Saturday night red carpet event!

Once we finished the wrapping fiesta, we headed off for our hour lunch break from 11:30am-12:30pm. I dropped by the reception desk and had a nice chat with Anna, from Nova Scotia! Then continued to lunch, it again was pizzzaaa! Yumm!

When 12:30pm rolls around we all wonder back into the office for our devotions. Right now we are reading the book, call Kisses From Katie. She is a young missionary living in Uganda, and has written this book about her calling and what she is doing there!

Once devotions were over, I got to go get my PACKAGE!!!!!! My mom sent me, candy, shoes, a book, and my university letters!! I am now accepted into UNB, UPEI, Crandall, and have fully applied to Tyndale, all for psychology.

Our afternoons are somewhat less busy, as we already finished all of our work by lunch time. Because I was on duty, I am responsible for taking the new crew who arrived the day before on a ship tour!

Today I had two new crew members on the tour, both nurses, one from the UK and the other from the States. We start our tour in the cafe, and move on to the ship shop, crew bank, post office, and chaplaincy offices. After this we continue to the library, which is open 24/7 and has many varieties of books and DVDs. After the library is the hair salon, with our lovely hair stylist, Jillian, from Canada!

Next up is the prayer room, which is the only quiet place you can find alone time on the ship. Up on Deck 6, we have our Academy, which has about 50 students from all over the world, along as 12 teachers. The crew galley, is a place where people often make cakes or a special meal. The laundry room and internet cafe are also on Deck 6. The international lounge, is where we hold our weekly Monday and Thursday meetings, and our Sunday evening service. It is also home to early morning workouts, and different special events. Up onto Deck 7, we have the Queens Lounge, which actually used to be for Queen Ingrid, when the ship was the train ferry. After this part of the tour, we go up to Deck 8, which is the only fully open deck, it also has the pool. Its a spot where you can see Togo's Navy, two ships and all. Down on deck 3, is there hospital. We have 4 wards, and 6 operating theaters. We also have a CT scanner, and a x ray machine. Near the living part of deck 3, we have the crew clinic and the crew dental clinic. The last part of the tour is down to deck 2, which has the workout room and the boutique.

The other duty hostess job, is welcoming new arrivals, with a bit of information and food! Today I will only have one crew member arriving, the chief Engineer. He is from the states, and arrived on the Air France flight, once he was welcomed and fed he is free to roam around the ship and hopefully not get lost! He has been here before though!

Because I have the pager, I'm not supposed to leave the ship, but once all my work was done for today, I gave it to Elise, as she didn’t have any plans, and I went out to an Indian restaurant with a group of friends! We fit 6 people in a taxi, and Chris went on a zimmy john behind us! It was a fun evening!

That’s a work day in my life on Mercy Ships!

Photos to come later~  :)

VVF Ladies

For the entire month of April we had our amazing and faithful VVF surgeon on board. She was from the States, and left her own work to come volunteer on the Africa Mercy. She saw and helped many beautiful ladies throughout the month!

VVF is an abnormal fistulous tract that comes through labor gone wrong. It can happen to anyone but because West Africa is below the normal developed country it is a popular yet tragic occurrence. These ladies are often cast out of their communities because they are "cursed". Many of them are ashamed and do not want to be seen in public, so they don't go out at all!

With the surgeon we had on board, she screened many African ladies, and then performed the surgeries. Once we have a group of ladies ready to go back into their communities, we as a crew, hold what we call a Dress Ceremony. Many crew members, not just nurses and doctors, can attend. We all crowd into a ward and celebrate with these women.

A little over a week ago, I had the chance to attend one! I have never been so happy and shocked at the joy in the ladies faces. They all received a new dress, bible, and a few other things that were new! To signify that they are starting a new chapter of their lives. The dresses were BEAUTIFUL. Along with the dresses, but their smiles, says it all. They are free, alive, and ready to face the world again! They are beyond thankful, for what we would classify as such a simple surgery. They gain their life back again.

To be able to attend this ceremony was amazing! To just watch and celebrate with them was a memory I shall never forget.

The joy says it alll :)

Ship Life, One day at a time! :)

This past week has flown by! Day 38 in Africa was today! Crazyness, haha.

Sitting in the 10 berth, with a couple of my roommates right now, listening to music. Today wasn't a busy work day, pretty steady though. Making up guest cabins, color coding keys, sending emails and such

This past weekend, I slept over 32 hours, which was both good and bad, because im still quite tired, but im also finally caught up on all the missed sleep!
My day off last week, I headed off ship with Tori, and Elsa, we went first to the horse back riding place,  where we went along the beach agian! It is beyond pretty, and relaxing. Then we headed off to the chinese supermarket, in Africa... then off to the Artisan Market, where I bought 3 handmade bags! two of them are purple... Then we ventured on home, aka the ship :)

I am off to the Canadian Consolate tomorrow morning to apply for my new passport, with the ship's purser, Tim. Which shall be an experience in itself. We also have the Founder of Mercy Ships, Don Stephans, arriving next monday!!!!

Last Wednesday was my fellow canadian's birthday, Anna! So we planned a FLASH MOB at midnight....but TIA (This Is Africa) so it happened at about 12:03 am... she was working night shift at reception, and so we started the music and all came running in and totally caught her by surprise, she loved it! And then we all went to sleep...

Life on the Ship is pretty great so far, the people Ive met are amazing, and so different, which also gives me a reason to travel around the world! Some people are starting to leave, but we have formed relationships to last a long time :)




Flash mob, with birthday girl :)



dancers for flash mob!

Heidi, fellow canadian! :)



Barn Dance on the Dock with Tori!



Salsa Dancing with Nick :)

My favorite Minnesota girl! <3

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 :)

Less than Two WEEKS!

So its coming very soon! 13 days, and I am off!
Fundraising has been going very welll! I am so blessed :)
Once I am on the ship, I will try my best to send you all updates and pictures :)

Countdown Is On! 29 Days!

Hello
So my tickets are booked, funds are coming (thank you!) and I am leaving Canada in just 29 days!

I will be joining the ship on April 2nd, as a steward, working in the dining area, kitchen and cleaning. Starting June 1st I will be working with the kids on borad for the summer program! and then back to working as a steward for the rest of my trip. I will be back on September 2nd.

This is becoming very exciting, and I cant wait to join the ship!
I encourage all of you to keep cheeking back here and maybe you will hear more about my jounrey!

Thanks
Sandy