The Final Goodbye

View of the ship and Freetown as I was leaving town on the ferry.

On Saturday June 18th around 10pm when all nine of my roommates and I were having movie night in our cabin, the telephone rang. I got up quickly and was surprised to hear my Mom's voice on the other end. We had always planned our phone calls but this one was not. I knew something was up because she just started to ramble on before really stating why she had called. As you may know my Pawpaw (my Mom's dad) was diagnosed in April with stomach cancer. Within two months it took his life. Dad, Mom and Emily were in route and in tears as well when they called me on the road that evening. Of course I was so, so upset. It seemed like everything that could go bad at home while you're miles and miles away happened. I learned quickly though, thats life. Words cannot even begin to describe the loving and sweet man that Bob Mixon was to his grandchildren, children and wife. He truly walked by faith in his life journey but even more so in his journey through cancer.

Within thirty minutes my superhero of a Mom had my flight changed to that Monday morning flight to Brussels and miraculously I would be traveling back with two of my roommates. God is good, in all things.

I must say its weird being home. Back in January six months to me seemed like a lifetime and now it feels like just yesterday I was telling my friends that we'd have to be apart for six whole months. I cannot get over it but find myself in little situations everyday reflecting on Africa and dream about one day being able to carry things on top of my head, in each hand, and a baby on my back :)

Please know that I couldn't have done any of this AT ALL without YOUR support and prayers. God really watched over me and I remained healthy during my whole entire trip. I feel so honored to have been supported by such great friends and family! Your in my prayers and may God bless you! Thanks again friends :)

Is This Real Life?

I apologize beforehand for just now getting this post out. Life is crazy here. Exactly, two weeks from today I will be flying from Sierra Leone to Brussels (spending time actually in Brussels during my very extensive layover) to Chicago and then finally ending the trip in Jacksonville, FL. Trying to comprehend my emotions the moment I'm reunited with my family at last is just mind boggling.

So anyways, on Sunday June 12th during our Sunday evening church service here on the ship, we celebrated the Global Day of Prayer. In July 2000 God captured the heart of South African Christian Businessman, with a vision based on 2 Chronicles 7:14,"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land."

I wish you would've seen how great of a job the chaplaincy department did with organizing this special service. My own friends and crew members from around the world represented each area globally and began with a song in their language and then prayed in their own language as well. It started off with South Africa because that's where it all originated, then moving to the rest of Africa (so awesome!), Europe (each country sang in their own language), China and Korea, North and South America, and lastly, New Zealand and Australia. It was a unique service and probably one of my favorites. Pretty sure I'll never see that back home ;)

Up Next: My visit to the Agriculture Site! Farmer Judith...Haha.

Sunsets & Produce...Shall I Say More?

Oh how I will miss both of these beautiful things. The sunsets are unreal. I've decided that after living on the ocean for 6 months and soon to be attending Flagler, which is next to the beach, that I will always live near the water. There's just something about it.

The photo above is just a portion of the twice a week produce orders we receive. It's insane how quickly we go through it but, I love all the fresh pineapple, apples, mangoes, green peppers, cucumbers, onions, bananas, avocados, watermelon etc. I would say I've been quite spoiled :)                                                             

Way Too Much To Capture

Yesterday as my room mate Lauren would say was "a-hoot-and-a-half"! I worked in the hospitality department for the day...by the time I leave I will have worked in every department possible ;) Anything to keep me on my toes!

Lauren works in that department and really enjoys it so I helped her make beds for the day. Clearly, we got a lot of work done.

After dinner myself and five other friends (Kailey, Emily, Lauren, Olivia, and Jason) decided to take a walk into town. It's so amazing how comfortable I feel here. So, I decided to be adventurous and to finally take my nice camera out into the town so that I can actually get some decent  pictures. Despite the dirty looks at the beginning, I discovered by the end that asking them if I can "snap them" was much more acceptable. As soon as I asked one child if I could then the rest of the children from the town just swarmed around me. At least that's what it felt like! Ha They are so precious though. It's funny because they just stand there posing and wait in anticipation for me to show them the picture on the screen. Here are a few!

 Africa has truly captured my heart. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be returning to this amazing place. God has changed me through this ministry, the African culture alone and lastly, the heart and spirit of these beautiful children. Whether its me returning to Sierra Leone or just Africa as a whole, or returning to serve with Mercy Ships for a summer in the near future, I can rest assured knowing why the Lord closed doors last year for such an experience as this.

And to top off this fabulous walk into town on just an ordinary day, I got to witness my first legit chicken fight. Probably the funniest thing of my life. Oh yes, I captured it :) Enjoy!

"You who have done great things, O God who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my honor, and comfort me once again."

Psalms 71:19-21

I ONLY HAVE 27 MORE DAYS LEFT HERE IN SIERRA LEONE!!!

Erica got married, Lauren lost her shirt, I drowned & Carmen uh, well...

On Thursday May 26th, three of my roommates and myself went out on an adventure to Banana Island. Wow, it wasn't until after we had arrived at Kent Beach and I got on a motorized over sized canoe to the island that I realized I hadn't had a day off in three weeks. Most of you know me and how I cannot sit still. Its even an issue here, unfortunately. I have kept myself very busy while sacrificing my days off in reception to work down in hospital supply. I know, I'm insane but I want to live all this up and go home fully exhausted and knowing that His work in Me here is complete.

(Left to right: Carmen, Lauren, Me, & Erica)

Anyways, the "little boat" ride over to the island was so enjoyable and relaxing. I wish I would've captured the looks on the locals faces when they saw 4 little white girls spending the day on their island. After walking along a nice little trail we arrived to the beach and swimming area. Also, we got to enjoy an adorable little hut and tables, hammocks and nice washrooms, and my favorite the outdoor loft. 

Oh my word I was in awe as I looked out and saw the beautiful blue water crashing up against the rocks along the shore and the gorgeous mountains in the distance. The panoramic view was breathtaking. The four of us enjoyed swimming far out into the sea, rock hopping, reading, searching for sea glass and of course soaking up some sunshine :)

For lunch Dalton, the guy who transported us back and forth from the island to Kent beach, made couscous with a delicious tomato and smoked fish sauce and freshly cut papaya for lunch. Ha soo good!! As the day progressed it got very interesting. I about drowned trying to swim to the next island over (it would've taken me days), Lauren's shirt got taken in with a huge wave, and all the Africans just seem to love Erica! Carmen, that's a story for another time. Haha but my friends are so great! After getting back to Kent beach, we sat there for two hours waiting for our taxi driver. I'm telling you Mom and Dad, my patience has drastically improved :) TIA, folks. (This Is Africa)

p.s.- I know, I know...I've been slacking. I'll pick it back up! Miss you all!

Living In The Fast Lane

Wow! Where the heck did this week go? I’d say that its very possible that after a week full of night shifts, fire drills and hospital supply craziness, that it would make sense to say that I feel like I’m living in the fast lane.

Night shifts are probably my most favorite in reception. Yes, they’re a bit quieter but greater is the authority and responsibility you have over anything that happens during the night. I love the dark and stillness at night but, not on a huge ship like this. The thought of me being the only one up creeps me out. 

The main thing on night shift is making sure that everyone is back on board by 23:30 (curfew) and those who were staying out over night somewhere remembered to sign the over night book. Also, most every evening we have people both arriving or departing which keeps the paper work busy. Lastly, during the night it is our job to watch the fire panel and the cameras located around the ship.

I would just love to share my most eventful night shift yet. Well, it began with the arrivals not arriving till 2:15am. HA those poor old ladies. You see, since this is Africa we have to have water taxis bring you to this side of Freetown and their water taxi had broken down. 

Next, around 23:45 when I was accounting for each crew member I realized that a couple was missing. They were scanned out (ashore) and not listed in the over night book. My next action was to call their cabin. No answer. Awesome. So then, after breaking into their cabin, no where to be found. Next, I have to wake up the SSO (Ships Security Officer). He gets suited up and is off. I decide to call one of the missing couple’s friends and ask her if she had any idea of where they might be and sure enough, they left for the weekend but forgot to sign the over night book. I have to say though it was pretty cool to be part of that scene, even though it was a let down..glad they were safe. 

Just to top it off, around 5:15am the emergency 911 phone rings. Scared me half to death as I was just sitting there reading. I answer,”911 what is your emergency?” One of the nurses answers frantically, “Claire, I need you to make a call for the emergency medical team.” Click. After she hangs up I remember just standing there thinking to myself, “What the heck do I do? Oh my word, I have to do something quick.” So, I do what I knew was right. I make an overhead page saying “The Emergency Medical Team needs to report to ICU at this time.” As I said this over the intercom I could not help but think of the poor people sleeping who I had just woken up. I got some dirty looks later that day. Ha.

Obviously, not every night shift is like that. I was just lucky. Usually, I have people from home call me because the time back in Charlotte is perfect. I also read and on occasion will watch a movie with a friend. Although I can not leave the desk, I can have a couple friends back behind the desk with me after 23:30.

Every other Thursday we have fire drills. I dread these days. It’s very stressful as a receptionist because we are in charge of making sure that every day volunteer and crew member are accounted for. So in total that's about 500+ people. Yes, chaos. But this past Thursday I am proud to say that everyone was accounted for in 18 minutes. We are required by maritime law to complete fire drills within 30 minutes. Yea, killed it :)

This post is long enough so as far as hospital supply goes, I’m loving it! Today was great and I was offered to take the position full time but that would require me to extend my time here with Mercy Ships and we all know that I cannot survive any longer without some of my Mom’s delicious food, Chickfila, or Flying Biscuit :)

Ward Service

Today I went down to A Ward where every Sunday morning at 10:30 they hold a church service for anyone who wants to join. It had to have been the most powerful service I've been to in a while.

Not sure if it was the patients who were right there in their hospital gowns and bandages sitting in chairs or on their beds worshipping the Lord in song or dance or if it was hearing the translator speak Krio that made it so meaningful and powerful.

I've learned in Africa that it doesn't matter where you worship but rather, whom and how you worship. No one better models that than the Africans here on the ship. Why can we not clap and rejoice with the hands that God gave us? Who needs a guitar or piano? Yes, my hands about fell off after clapping for a straight 30 minutes but I've never felt so happy and such joy in my heart than this morning.

I wish you could see how much energy and light shines through our patients and patient care givers here on board. It's unreal.

As I sat there smiling, I knew right then that this is what I am here for. Today was a day when I knew that when the time comes, it will be hard to leave such a place as this. I mean will I really ever sit on a hospital bed during a church service and visibly see the Lord performing miracles right before my eyes at a normal church?

I wish you all could experience this with me but I cannot wait to see you back in good'ol Carolina :)