How D' body?

After an intense 3 day Country Briefing of Sierra Leone, I’ve never felt so excited and frightened all at the same time. During each of those 4 hour sessions we discussed religion, culture, language, prayer, unity, Code of Conduct etc. The Lord is going to do great things in the city of Freetown, Sierra Leone during this field service. 

But mainly, I want to thank you all for the prayers as we sailed for 13 days. It was a very smooth sail and I have stayed healthy as well as most of the crew. So thank you so much for the support and prayers! We were truly blessed and have safely arrived to Sierra Leone!! Yesterday when we pulled into the port around 9am we were greeted with the Minister of Health and held a ceremony out on the dock. Such a cool experience!

Few things:

-The movie Blood Diamond did a wonderful job portraying Sierra Leone. The scenery in the movie is true to what I see out my window. It’s unbelievable.

- I would like to share some of the lyrics to our theme song:

Where You go, I'll go Where You stay, I'll stay When You move, I'll move I will follow You Who You love, I'll love How You serve I'll serve If this life I lose, I will follow You I will follow You - 42000 leones=$1

- Let’s learn a lili Krio!

• How D’ body? (How are you)
• D’ body fine tenky. (I’m fine thank you.)
• Me name na __. (My name is __)
• Way tin na you name? (What is your name?)
• Are want may you be me pady? (I would like you to be my friend.)
• Okay, make a pray for you? (Can I pray for you?)

Needless to say, I love their language and have had so much fun speaking it! Thankfully we have two crew members who are from Sierra Leone and help us out : )

Lastly, I have some specific things that you could be praying for at the moment.

1.THE CHURCH: a) Unity among the denominations b) That the Church will show God's love to the Nation c) For good relationships among the Church's here

2. THE NATION OF SIERRA LEONE: I ask that you would just pray for peace and healing among this place. Many people have horrible images stored inside from the war and may the Lord restore them.

3.FOR THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RELIGION & OTHER RELIGIONS: a) That God will reveal to them that Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. b) That God will reveal to them that the blood of Jesus will pay for their sins once and for all.

4. MERCYSHIPS PROGRAMS: That all will go smoothly :)

5. THE CREW: a) Work with one mind, being united in our diversity. b) good health

Miss you all! Thank you & may God bless you!

Oh the Joys of Ship Life

February 15th was the day that ship kill was invented. We realized the bath mat in our shower has started to mold, stinking up the whole cabin. So, naturally, instead of dealing with the problem I tossed it into the hallway like a dead animal. We now have smelly ship kill outside our door for the whole hall to enjoy. Murdered by cabin 4418. It's odd things like this that you enjoy and laugh about during ship life.

P.s.- I apologize for not being better about posting frequently. The internet connection is normally very slow so anything on the computer is at least a 30min process..being in the middle of the Atlantic..HA yea, didn't even want to test my patience on that one : )

Adventures of Cape Town

Wow. Where do I even begin? When the Captain came over the intercom around noon, Sunday February 13th, saying that we had arrived in Cape Town and the Pilot was about to be airlifted in to guide us through the harbor, I ran out onto the pool deck and was filled with excitement. I guess you could say it’s pretty pathetic that after only 2 days of sailing all of the crew onboard couldn’t wait to get off.

While we waited for immigration and customs to “clear” the ship, everyone began to plan how they would spend their next 24 hours off ship. After a very long 2 hour process, the Captain finally dismissed us and I was on my way to hike Table Mountain in the heat of the day, not a cloud in the sky with Julie, Sophie (both roommates) and Daniel. Yes, pure excitement was clearly shown  on my face even though I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into as I was off to hike with elders, well all over the age of 30 : )

As I led the pack up the mountain…well now, this is not some Colorado mountain so do not be confused..but it was more of a rocky, uphill staircase that we conquered that day in 90 degree weather. The view from the top was breath taking. There’s something about the beach and mountains and when they intercede it’s just unbelievable. No lie, one of the best moments of my life.

My good friend Adele, who is half South African, actually has family in Cape Town so she invited me to spend the night with her at her Aunt San’s house. It was so much fun hearing about Cape Town from a native, enjoying tea in her lovely garden and a delicious homemade dinner. Felt like I was home from college! Woah weird…not yet.

Needless to say, now I’m stuck on the sea for 14 days and so thankful that I have felt far from sea sick thus far. Next update will entail of the hilarious sailing photos and stories    : ) Hope all is well back in the states!

Indescribable

An update and photos of the sail will be posted soon! At the moment I'm discovering my sea legs and everything seems to be about ten times more difficult while traveling through the waters of the Indian Ocean!



Above is the V&A Waterfront where we will be docked for 48 hours.

 First stop: 

Cape Town, South Africa

The beautiful Cape Town!

Missing everyone yet, enjoying this God given adventure!

A Typical Day on the Africa Mercy

Well, can I tell you that ship life is no different than my life back home other than I wake up, roll over, and look out the window and see the Indian Ocean. It's pretty amazing and I am more than thankful. Honestly, I wish I could share this experience with each of you back home.

6:05- wake up
6:10-7:10- workout (You better believe I run, swim, bike or do weights after sitting behind the desk for 7+ hours)
7:15-7:30- breakfast
7:30-8- morning devos
8-5pm- business hours (I would work either the 7am-2pm, 2pm-9pm, or 9pm-8am shifts)
12-1pm- Lunch break
5-6- Dinner break

Every Thursday we have Community Meetings at 7:30 in the evening to either welcome/depart crew, give the crew updates, worship, devo and then ice cream social :)

Eh, maybe it's VERY different. I'm basically surrounded by wise elders. Haha I'm the youngest one, of course, yet everyone of my friends seems like they are 18 to me. It's weird how age doesn't matter at all when you know you are forced to get along with the people you live and breathe with 24/7. Actually, its been so cool to talk to them and hear their life stories and learn from their experiences.

Needless to say, I am pumped for this sail! Only 3 days till all I see is pure ocean waters! I can't believe it and yes, I will upload pictures on the next entry :)

Hope that gave you a better picture of my daily routine for the next 6 months. Although, during the sail I will work very few hours and things will change when we reach Sierra Leone. But, I will get you updated!

Much love!