Miracles and Mairamou's Story

Hello friends,

It is hard to believe that my time here in Cameroon is coming to a close. With only 6 weeks left, I am trying to savor every busy shift, every hug from kiddos in the hallway, every hallway "walk" turned dance party with my patients. There is so much joy in this place. My heart overflows every time I walk in the ward and greet one of my patients to realize that the catheter she had for 7-14 days has been removed and she is dry. One of my patients last week jumped up in excitement to show me the dry pad on her bed. I don't think she or I could quite believe it. Each success still feels to me like a miracle, which in many ways it is. When our surgeon speaks to each patient on the evening before surgery, she reminds them that although she will be performing the surgery, it is God who does the healing. Before each woman walks into the operating room, we say a prayer over her that God would bring healing to her mind, body, and soul. And we have seen some outcomes that are nothing short of miraculous.

Take Manga for example. I spoke with the surgeon while the patient was in the recovery room after her surgery. His face looked defeated as he described the surgery and the extensive damage to her bladder. He said that he almost didn't operate when he realized how difficult the repair would be and how poor her chance of success. But for some reason he went through with the operation. He said she had a very poor prognosis and to expect her to be wet. Over the next few days Manga was occasionally wet and we worried that the repair had failed. However, the wetness slowly lessened until it stopped. You could see the hope in her eyes that maybe, just maybe she was going to be healed. The surgeon did her dye test to determine if there was any remaining fistula and it was negative. We were all shocked. And a few days later, Manga was discharged and she was DRY! There is no explanation other than God's hand at work bringing healing.

 I want to share Mairamou's story with you. She is a sweet young woman that I was privileged to care for back in November and December. It was amazing to be a part of her journey and see her hope for the future. The following story was beautifully written by the Mercy Ships Communications Team:

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Mairamou should have been excited about her future … a sparkling, joy-filled future.

And she had been excited for a while. She and her husband had eagerly anticipated the birth of their first child. But after a long, painful labor, she lost the baby. The tragedy was intensified because the prolonged labor caused physical damage that left Mairamou with a condition known as an obstetric fistula, making her incontinent.

In regions of the world with developed healthcare, this condition could be immediately treated. But in nations like Cameroon, where there are only 77 physicians for every 1 million people (according to the World Health Organization), the untreated condition made Mairamou a social outcast.

Her grief was compounded when, just three months after the death of her baby, her husband suddenly passed away. She’d lost her baby, her husband, and her future … and, at the age of 20, her life seemed all but over.

Seven long years passed. Mairamou tried to keep a positive attitude by focusing on things that brought her joy, like her church community. Before her emotional and physical trauma, she had been a very social and active church member, singing in the worship team and participating in community events. But her condition affected her interactions with others.

“People don’t want me there,” she said sadly. “They would tell me to go home because of the smell.” Feeling increasingly lonely, Mairamou eventually decided her only option was to isolate herself. So, when she wasn’t selling koki (black-eyed peas) at the local market, she sat at home by herself. “I didn’t know where my life was headed,” she said. “I prayed every day to be healed from this disease.”

Mairamou’s prayers were answered in an unexpected way when she heard about Mercy Ships on the local radio. At first she was scared to even hope because she was afraid of being disappointed. But then her courageous spirit took over. “By the grace of God, this will work,” the now 27-year-old woman told herself as she made the long journey to the ship.

And her journey to healing was beautiful. She found new strength and dignity on the Africa Mercy after receiving a free, life-transforming surgery. Her recovery time was spent alongside many other women who had suffered with the same condition and experienced the same rejection. Together, they stood strong, singing as they walked through the hospital hallways for their daily muscle-strengthening exercises – waiting for the day they’d be declared “dry.”

“Being a woman and coming from a western culture, we don’t go through this,” said Tam Lowe (AUS), the Obstetric Fistula Clinic team leader. “It’s nice to be able to give these ladies back their lives, because they lost a little part of themselves when they went through what they went through. Now, they can go back home and say ‘Look at me. I’m back.’”
 

 

 

And what better way to celebrate a changed life than with a party … complete with music, dancing, and dressing up? After each woman’s healing process, Mercy Ships welcomes her back into society with a Dress Ceremony, where she’s recognized as a guest of honor and gifted with a new dress. Mairamou looked radiant, dressed in vibrant greens and yellows and beaming like a spring flower – a perfect symbol for her fresh start in life.

 

 

“I will always think of this place and be happy for as long as I live,” she smiled. “I received free clothing, free care, free food – everything was given in love. I feel so blessed.”
After seven years of suffering and grief, Mairamou is ready for her new beginning!

“There is a big difference in my heart. Before, I was worried and had bad thoughts. My situation even made me doubt God, and I didn’t feel free to go to worship. But now, I see God is here, and He heard my prayers. I’m a different person. I am free to go wherever I want. My doubts are gone!”

Written by Rose Talbot (GBR)

Photography by Shawn Thompson (USA)

Edited by Karis Johnson and Nancy Predaina


Mairamou and I at the Hope Center recently. She had returned for a follow up appointment. She joyfully told me that she is still dry...praise the Lord!

 

Christmas happenings in Cameroon

Merry Christmas to you all! It feels strange to say that with the temperature hitting around 90 degrees every day. However, Christmas celebrations are in full swing onboard the ship. There have been nights of caroling, gingerbread house decorating, and crafting. I am writing this in our cafe with paper snowflakes hanging all around and lights twinkling on many Christmas trees. Although I miss my family during this season, I am truly grateful to be here and to celebrate Jesus' birth with people from all over the world.

Our Women's Health ward has been very busy the last few weeks, so it has been a challenging yet exciting time. Our VVF surgeons saved the most complicated cases until right here at the end of the year, so there has been a lot of prayer that these ladies will heal correctly. It has been such a blessing to have several ladies come back for their 2nd or 3rd surgery with us, and to see them dry after surgery. For many of these ladies, we are basically their last hope - with each surgery their chances of success get smaller and smaller. There have been a few whose surgery was not successful, and if they meet certain criteria we tell them to come back in the spring to be screened again for surgery.

We have had a bit of a change in the surgery schedule for my ward. There has been some difficulty in finding enough patients with fistulas to keep the program going for the entire field service. We truly think the women are out there, but the word about Mercy Ships may not have reached them where they live. One of my patients said that she thinks many of the women are so ashamed of their condition that they don't want to come out in public to seek help. So due to this, our Women's Health program will be stopping after Christmas and then will resume around early March until May. The plan for January and February is that our ward will take care of general surgery patients such as hernia repairs and goiter removals. Please continue to pray for more women with fistulas to hear about our program and be willing to come.

I recently had the opportunity to visit New Destiny Orphanage, which is an orphanage that Mercy Ships has been supporting since their arrival. There are 49 children living here with one woman who runs the orphanage (her name is Ndazana). She has a few volunteers who help when they can, but even with help it is no small task. The building they currently rent is old and dilapidated and not fit to live in. It is very small with cramped living quarters (20 children in one small room) and plumbing that rarely works. The kitchen was tiny with no useful appliances. They typically just cook over an open fire. The small funds that the orphanage does have go toward food and paying school fees so that all the school-aged children can get an education. After Mercy Ships found out about the condition of the orphanage, a love offering was taken which raised over $15,000. This money is being used to build a bigger facility that can safely house this number of children. It has been amazing to see how crew members have given generously to support this cause.

When we arrived in the morning there were several babies to be bathed, fed, and rocked to sleep. A few of the teenage girls jumped in and helped with bathing and with preparing the bottles of formula. The sweet girl in the pink dress is Sandra. She stuck by my side for most of the morning while we sang praise songs, danced, and listened to the story of the 10 plagues and God's deliverance of the Israelites.

One of the volunteers prepared breakfast, which consisted of a piece of bread and chocolate milk (from powdered milk). The refrigerator in the orphanage has been out of service for a while, so they have no way to refrigerate food or milk.

The children gratefully took their breakfast of bread and milk, never once complaining about it.

After the Bible story, the children did a craft that involved the 10 plagues.

I managed to cuddle some babies while I was there. This little boy is Isaac...isn't he beautiful?

This sweet girl is Marie. She was sick with malaria at the time, but seemed to be on the mend.

We had a time of singing and games with the kids before we left.

Near the end of our visit, some of the children did a dance for us that they had rehearsed. It was very sweet.

My visit to New Destiny was difficult in some ways. It was hard to imagine what these children have been through and seen at their young age. It is a reality that I have a hard time wrapping my mind around. However, I saw that despite their circumstances, they have a joy that is hard to comprehend. Thankfully, they are being raised by a woman of God who is doing her best with what she has.

If you would like to watch a short video clip about New Destiny, click HERE.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you! My next blog post will be in 2018!

"Très Belle"

In this post, I want to show you some of my amazing patients that I've been able to care for. There is so much I could tell you about each lady...but I will be brief. I have been so blessed to get to know these ladies, and I already feel that they have done more for me than I have for them. Their joyful spirits, courage to come to this big white ship, and trust in us foreigners is hard to comprehend. They don't make demands. They don't ask a lot of questions. They trust that we are doing the very best we can to help them on their journey of healing. It is truly an honor to care for them. 

After the dress ceremony when we give them hugs and celebrate, we often tell them that they are "très belle" which means very beautiful. While they do look stunning, I think we say it more to affirm their inner beauty that is radiating out. We say it to celebrate with them the transformation that has happened.

 My friend Ashley and I with the first group of ladies. Jacqueline (left side) was the very first patient I took care of here, and I will always remember her. 

This was during the Dress Ceremony when it was time for Mama Esther to share about her healing. She had been leaking urine for 20 years and had lost hope that she would ever be healed. When it was her turn, she jumped up and ran into the middle of the room and began declaring praise to the Lord for what he had done, and thanking Mercy Ships. The joy in the room was tangible.

 

Brenda Shana (in pink) is a patient who became dear to me. She is only 18 years old, and has been suffering with a fistula for a year since she lost her baby in childbirth. On the day that her catheter came out and she remained dry, her smile was contagious. I asked her "What are you thinking about?" and she said with a huge grin, "I can't believe this is happening. I can't believe I'm dry!" And then after her mother came to visit, and she said that her mother was "beyond excited" but she couldn't think of a word that was adequate. This young girl now has a second chance at life, a chance that she didn't believe she would get. I can't believe I get to be a part of this.

 

Mama Henriette dancing into the dress ceremony. 

 Aissatou was a very special patient to us. She had a lengthy stay on our ward due to her complicated surgery. Towards the end of her stay, she began to jump in and help with translating and giving instructions to new patients. I was amazed by how observant she was, and how much kindness she showed to the other patients. 

Our patients love to work with their hands, and they are extremely talented. Many of the items that they make (hats, bags, etc) are given away to other patients or crew members.

Mama Aissatou with her handiwork

 Anna with her big, beautiful smile

The next few photos are from Deck 7. This is where we take the patients every afternoon to allow them to get some sunshine, fresh air, and exercise. For the orthopedic children, time on deck 7 is a bit unpleasant as they are pushed to walk and use their newly straightened legs.

The founder of Mercy Ships, Don Stephens, came to visit the ship several weeks ago. He and his wife, Deyon, founded Mercy Ships in 1978. While here, Don spent a lot of time with the crew as well as with the patients. He asked me to join him for lunch one day and I gladly said yes! It felt surreal to get to speak with the man whose faith and God-given dream has grown into this amazing organization. His humility is mirrored by the humility and openness that I've seen from all the leaders here at Mercy Ships, and it has amazed me. They are flawed and human like the rest of us, yet the common mission of serving the Lord together keeps everyone on the same level.

 

 

Nurse Amber and Don Stephens loving on one of the cleft lip babies

   

 My floating home <3

Please keep all of the nurses, physicians, and patients in your prayers. Unfortunately, not every VVF repair is successful, and some cases are much more complicated than others. It is heartbreaking to see some women leaving without the healing that they had desperately hoped for. This has been the hardest part of serving here so far. Please pray for wisdom and peace for the entire team.

Love Like This

Hello friends,

I have been in Cameroon for 3 weeks now, and it has really flown by. These few weeks have been quite busy with orientation, training on the ward, and caring for patients. My return to the ship felt as though I had been away a few months, and not 6 years. The late night that I arrived I told a few other nurses that I couldn't believe I was really back. Within a day of my arrival, I was able to speak with several crew-members that I remembered from 2011. Some have stayed with MS and some have left for a period and returned. It was wonderful to reconnect, and I really feel like I've returned to my second home. My floating home, that is. :)

With that said, I want to thank all of you who have been praying for me. I have felt the presence of the Lord with me this entire time, from my flights over here to dealing with the transition to ship life. There have been days where I miss my family more than usual, or miss the freedom to drive somewhere, or just miss the sunshine (because it's rainy for about 9 months out of the year here!).  Despite these things, I have felt a deep peace that I know comes from the Lord.

I am SO excited to be back serving with Mercy Ships as a nurse. I've had many moments since arriving where I've thought "I can't believe I get to be a part of this." Attending today's Dress Ceremony was one of those moments. I'll give a little background for you: so my position is taking care of Women's Health patients. Most of these are women who have been suffering with a condition called VVF (vesico-vaginal fistula). This is a condition that is almost unheard of in more developed counties with adequate maternal healthcare. However in countries like Cameroon, the condition is quite common due to the lack of care for women in labor. Many women spend days in labor (at home) before delivering a baby that has already passed away. While grieving the loss of their child, they come to realize that they are leaking urine all the time and no longer have bladder control.

VVF is devastating to a woman for several reasons. It often causes her friends and family to reject her due to the smell she carries and the fact that she cannot stay dry. It also means that she may have difficulty or be unable to have any more children. In African culture, a woman's worth and future security are directly related to her ability to have children. This condition may be "invisible" but it's effects are devastating. So today, we celebrated our first group of 5 women who had surgery and are now dry! These are women that I have had the privilege to care for during their time with us. Each woman was given a dress to wear and keep that was made just for her. There was singing and dancing and each of the women looked absolutely radiant. Each woman then briefly shared her testimony. Jacqueline had previously shared parts of her story with me. She has 3 children, and has been leaking since 2010. Her husband left her because of her condition. She went from witch doctor to witch doctor in search of healing, but none was found. A pastor that she knew told her about Mercy Ships, so she went to a screening and was accepted for surgery. Now, Jacqueline's dignity has been restored and she is preparing to return home to her children.

The recurring theme that each woman focused on was the love of Christ that they were shown by Mercy Ships. It totally blew me away to hear how it had impacted them. One of the women, Tebedem, said "I have never seen love like this. I was healed even before I had my surgery." Whoa. I am ashamed to admit that I underestimated the difference that our care would make for these ladies. I think I have underestimated what Christ is capable of doing through me. I am learning that as the hands and feet of Christ, we have the ability to love in ways that are bigger than we can imagine. And it's not because of our own strength or goodness, but because of God who is working through us.

I hope this is an encouragement to you. May you show the love of Christ to all you encounter.

It's Really Happening

Hello Friends!

I first set foot on the Africa Mercy in 2011 in Sierra Leone, West Africa. I was 19 years old and trying to figure out what to do with my life. I committed 4 1/2 months to volunteer with Mercy Ships and I thought that I would be the one doing the giving. Little did I know that I would receive far more than I would give during my time with Mercy Ships. During my time there, God wrecked my heart and turned my expectations upside down. I saw many lives transformed, including my own. In some ways I am still processing what Africa taught me about God, the world, and myself.

I decided to become a Registered Nurse after my time with Mercy Ships. I returned home to the US and began taking classes toward my degree. Now, I have worked for 3 years as an RN in Medical-Surgical nursing and Women's Health/Newborn Nursery. I have enjoyed gaining experience as an RN, yet a still small voice continues to beckon me back to Africa, to the people and places I came to love years ago. 

I am returning to Mercy Ships in August 2017 to serve the people of Cameroon, West Africa. I am excited to be able to use my nursing skills and experience to show God's love to the people of Cameroon. It honestly feels surreal...I have been looking forward to this since I left the ship and won't believe it until I get there! :) 

I will be specializing in working with women who have had a childbirth injury called a vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF). Many of these women have not only suffered the death of a child after prolonged labor, but also the rejection of their family and community because of constantly leaking urine. I will be providing care for these women following surgery and during the rehabilitation process. I can't wait to see the transformation that will take place in their lives!

I ask that you will support me with your prayers in these areas:
   -Trip preparation
   -Transition in both my work and personal life
   -Preparing to care for and love on my patients
   -Healthy relationships
   -Spiritual growth

In planning to serve with Mercy Ships for 9 months, I need to raise funds to make this possible. All who volunteer with Mercy Ships pay monthly crew fees to keep the ship operating (literally). My goal is to raise $8,000 to cover my crew fees, flights, and personal expenses. I am looking for people to partner with me in the amazing work that Mercy Ships is doing. If you’re in a position to support me financially, please take time to pray and consider doing so.

One of the easiest ways to give is online through CrewMates. My page is HERE

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Email: blue.fire.108@hotmail.com

What I Think About

I think about Africa every single day.

Sometimes I welcome the memories, but other times, I would prefer not to think about them.

When I visit my grandmother in the nursing home where she is so well cared for

         I think about the woman on the street with no place to live,
her back hunched with age. She begs for money, 
but I have none to give. 
All I can do is hold her hand and pray for her. 

She is thankful for that small gesture.

When I see a fat, healthy, newborn baby

     All I can think about is the baby girl I hold in my arms, 
her body so sick and malnourished that she can barely move. 
Her mother smiles up at me, proud that her daughter has made it this far. 

I try to smile back, but it is fake. 
What are her chances of making it to the age of 5, 

much less adulthood? 
I feel overwhelmed by the unfairness of this world.

When I hear a child laugh

I can only think of Isatu, her body riddled with AIDS 
and grotesquely emaciated. 

The sores from living in a wheelchair pain her. 
I blow bubbles for her 

because it's all that I can do. 

It seems so out of place. But it's enough. 

Her face lights up and she lets out a breathy, 
almost inaudible laugh. 

In that one moment, the pain is forgotten, 
and she is a child again. 

When someone says, "Praise the Lord!"

I hear my friend Kadie say "Tell Papa God plenti tenki!" 
Her hands raised to heaven in praise.

Although her life is more difficult than I can fathom, 

she still thanks God for bringing Mercy Ships 

to remove the large tumor on her jaw. 

Too often, the sweet memories are overshadowed by the pain

the injustice

the sorrow.

But I am finding that as time goes on, I can recall the moments of life

of celebration

of healing

more vividly than those of pain.

And I think that's what is important. Not to forget the sorrow.

But to be like my African friends in this way-

To remember the sorrow 

Thank God for the healing

And embrace every day as an unexpected gift from God.

Back to the Africa Mercy...

It's Easter! I hope that everyone has been encouraged today by remembering the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! I love a statement that my pastor made today. He said "God took on weakness so He could draw near to us (through Jesus his Son)...He allows us to be weak so that we must rely on Him." This was a much needed reminder to me that my own weaknesses which I despise may be the very things that remind me of my need for Jesus.

Well, I've been back in the US for nearly 4 months now. It feels weird that so much time has gone by because it seems that very little has happened in that time! I've resumed college classes so I can start a Nursing Program this fall, and they have kept me VERY busy. However, in comparison to how much happened in my 41/2 months on the ship, my life is unexciting now. I have had the opportunity to speak at several local churches about the work of Mercy Ships, and I have a few more lined up. I really enjoy telling about my experience with Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone and raising support for their work.

The past few months have been very difficult. In some ways the adjustment to living back in the US has been more difficult than the culture shock I experienced in Sierra Leone. While in Africa I was overwhelmed by the poverty that was simply a way of life. Now living back in the States, I have to come to terms with the fact that we truly are RICH. Before my trip I would have said that I was rich, but I had no real understanding of that fact. It is frustrating to be surrounded by people who have no idea how richly they are blessed.

It was very difficult to transition from living with 400+ people who mostly love God and have a heart for the people of Africa to re-entering the culture of the United States where both of those qualities are often absent. I miss that environment where everyone so eagerly put their faith into actions. And not only that, but the transformations I witnessed in patients were both physical and spiritual at the same time. That is why my 4 1/2 months with Mercy Ships was the most rewarding time of my life! I continue to marvel at how God graciously allowed me to join in the work of Mercy Ships. I feel so unworthy, yet grateful.

My exciting news is that I will be re-joining the Africa Mercy this summer for 5 weeks! I am SO excited! I wish it could be longer, but my oldest brother is getting married, so I must work around that date. I will join the ship in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is a small Spanish island. The ship goes here every summer to have routine maintenance done. I believe that it is maritime law to have this done. I would much rather be going to Africa, but this is where the ship will be for the summer. I will either be working in the Dining Room or with the Hospitality Dept. where I worked last time! It will be wonderful to see several friends who are still onboard the ship and hear about the outreach in Togo.

The other exciting news is that my brother, Ben, is planning to serve with Mercy Ships for 7 months this year! He jokes that he is following in my footsteps, even though he is older! :) He plans to do Gateway training in Garden Valley, Texas, then fly with his group to Benin, West Africa where they do an outreach. This is where they apply what they have learned, and build a school or church building for a local village. Then he will join the ship in Guinea, where they will be doing a long outreach into 2013. Please be praying for Ben and his preparation. Also pray that he will receive the necessary financial support. We are both about halfway to the amount of money that we need to raise. If you would like to donate to Ben, click HERE.

Hope you have a blessed Easter, and remember that HE is what it's all about.

On Leaving Africa

I have been home for 22 days. Well, that depends on how you define home. If home is "where the heart is" then my home is in several places right now. A part is here in Virginia, US with my family. However, I am starting to realize that a piece of me will always be in West Africa and with Mercy Ships. Let me explain a few things that caused this to happen. 

Ship Relationships. Living on a ship for 5 months with about 400 people was challenging at times. You literally eat, sleep, and work with the same people day in and day out. Sometimes we got on each others nerves. There were days when I simply wanted to have space to be alone and process what I was experiencing. However, instead of being alone with my thoughts, God often sent just the right person (usually one of my fabulous roommates) to share my thoughts and worries with. He has a funny way of turning our trials and difficulties into blessings, and I saw that in SO many ways.

Hope Center. If the only thing that I was able to do on this trip was play with children and talk with the adults at the Hope Center, it would have been more than enough. I can't explain how God used that place to expand my heart and increase my love for the people of Africa. Until I began visiting the Hope Center, I was honestly afraid of the local people. They seemed so different from me, and I didn't know how to interact with them. At the Hope Center, I was immediately accepted - before I could even greet all of the adults sitting around, children would be clambering for attention and wanting me to hold them. The children are not used to receiving attention, so they literally took any from us that we would give them. I miss their big smiles and joyful attitudes. I miss singing "Tell Papa God Tenki" and "Waka Waka" (Shakira) with them. 

Poverty has now become personal to me. The faces of children that you see on those TV commercials now means something to me. I realize looking back that before I went to West Africa, those faces didn't really seem like humans to me. It seemed like their lives and families and problems were worlds away and unreal. I wasn't affected by it. However, now that I have met those children and men and women that are dealing with AIDS and malaria and recovering from a civil war, I ache for them. My own struggles in life are laughable in comparison to theirs. Before I went to Africa, this verse described me and still describes most of America. Ezekiel 16:49 says that the people were "arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." I hope that God can use my life to bring hope to the poor and needy, both in the physical and eternal sense. 

I feel a burden for the people of Africa. I cannot forget them. Shauna Niequist, one of my favorite writers, echoes my thoughts: "I had to clear away space in my mind and my heart, spaces previously occupied by easy things - groceries to buy, albums to download, people to call- and replace them with the weight of Africa, a heavy, dark thing to carry with me, something under which to labor, something under which to tremble. Because once you see it, you will never be able to un-see it, and once you see it, you will be responsible for it, and for the self it reveals back to you." 

Leaving the ship was, to be honest, one of the hardest things I have ever done. There are several reasons.  First, most of the people that I said goodbye to will not be there if and when I return. When I left home to join Mercy Ships, I knew that God willing, I would see my family again. But when I left the ship to return home, the farewells were different. I knew that I wouldn't see many of those friends again. Second, I have so many memories from the ship and Sierra Leone that I will cherish for my whole life. God taught me  many hard lessons in the time that I was on the ship. I learned so much about the world and other cultures that I couldn't have learned anywhere else.

These are the lovely hospitality ladies that I worked with. During my time there, they became more like sisters and mothers than coworkers. (L to R) Marilyn, Susan, Savanna, Pat, Jenny aka"Ginger" and I.

The morning that I left the ship, about 15 of my closest friends gathered in reception and formed a big circle around me. One by one I hugged all of them, and the tears wouldn't stop flowing. We all led a procession down the gangway. I remembered the hundreds of times I had walked (or ran) up and down those stairs to go visit the Hope Center or other places, and to return to the ship. Then on the dock, I hugged everyone another time before my bag was loaded into the land rover, and it was time to go. As we drove away to the airport and I caught my last glimpse of the Africa Mercy, I felt like my heart was breaking. Forming deep relationships and then having to say goodbye has never happened this quickly for me, but I would never take it back to spare the pain. I still thank God for allowing me to know those people, for however short a time.

I miss it so much. A few things keep reminding me that the past 5 months were NOT a dream - my computer clock that is still set on West African time, the tan lines on my feet from wearing sandals in the hot sun haven't faded, and I still wear my Sierra Leone jersey proudly. Now, the reality of living at home is setting in. When I go for walks, I actually miss dodging potholes and poda podas, and the children running up to grab your hand saying "opatu!" I miss the chaos of everyday life in Africa. However, I am adjusting somewhat to life in the US. I'm taking classes at a local college, and preparing to start a nursing program in the fall. I'm very optimistic for what the future holds. And I have a feeling that the future might involve Africa...

Last Days in Ghana

The past week has been a blur. Time is going so fast and I can't seem to do anything about it. At the beginning of this week, we were sailing on the open seas from Sierra Leone to Ghana. This was quite an adventure because I have never sailed before. Walking down the hallway in a straight line was nearly impossible. There were a few meals where we had to hold onto our plates because they would slide off the table if we didn't! And at night you would hear odd sounds from things in the cabin that were rolling around. Someone described sailing as "being on a roller coaster you can't get off of" and I agree! Thankfully it only lasted for 5 days. In the middle of the sail, we spent almost a whole day stopped because we received fuel from an oil tanker. This was the first time this method has been used for the Africa Mercy, so our captain was quite nervous.  However, the fueling went well, even though it lasted 15 hours. The sea life was spectacular - we saw many flying fish, whales, hundreds of dolphins, and jellyfish. I did not sea a shark, and that was fine with me. :)

Whale sighting!!! haha...that's me near the middle in a lime green shirt. We spent hours every day hanging out on the bow of the ship. 

We arrived in Tema, Ghana, which is beside the capital, Accra, on Thursday around noon. The captain notified us via the intercom that we were getting close to the "pilot station" where we would pick up the pilot to bring us safely into port. We quickly went out to top deck where we had a good view. After a few minutes, the Tema coastline appeared out of the morning haze. Even from a distance, I could see that this port was MUCH larger and developed than the one in Freetown. I was expecting to see beautiful rolling mountains like the ones in Freetown, but instead saw only flat land. We slowly drifted into the port, and saw a small group that was waiting to welcome us!

The sign said "Akwaaba" which means welcome!

It was so cool to arrive in the port and be welcomed by locals and the Advance Team that went before the ship. As we waved from the deck, I recognized Erica, a previous roommate of mine, and several other friends. The group began to sing praise songs and dance. It was a wonderful day! As normal activity resumed on the ship, it was amazing to feel the morale boost from arriving in a more developed port.
On Saturday, I ventured into Accra with Maree and Dorike. We took a tro-tro (they were called poda-podas in Freetown) into the city. This was our first time seeing Accra, so we had no idea what to expect. I had heard that Ghana is one of the most developed countries in Africa, so coming to Freetown here was a bit of a shock. I am so thankful that I was able to be here for a week before going home. Maree and I felt so ridiculous in the tro-tro because we were constantly pointing at things like traffic lights, hotels, and luxurious homes in amazement, which was the opposite of what usually happens when foreigners come to Africa. If I had come to Ghana before Freetown, I would've been shocked by the poverty that is here, but instead I am so amazed by the wealth. In Freetown, there were VERY few displays of wealth (such as homes or cars). Here I've seen brand new cars (BMW's and Mercedes) and huge, sprawling subdivisions of homes. There is still poverty here, but it isn't as obvious as in Freetown. I'm so glad I was able to visit Ghana for a short time. I realize that if I had gone directly home from Freetown, that would be my only experience and view of Africa. While I loved Freetown in many ways, at times I felt hopeless because there is SO much work to be done there. So it was nice to come to Accra and see that not all of Africa is like Sierra Leone.

Independance Arch in downtown Accra.

There is nothing as refreshing as coconut water on a hot day. It is so amazing to watch how quickly he cuts the top off with his machete. Then after you have drunk it all, you hand it back to him to chop open and scoop out the meat.

First coconuts.

 A few hours later...second coconuts!

 A vendor selling street meat. Yum!

We bought a mango from this woman, who cut it up and bagged it for us. It was so juicy and delicious.

As you can tell, instead of eating a proper meal at a restaurant, we chose to eat random items from the market. I am so glad we did - the experience was more fun, and I learned much about the local culture. It was interesting to note the similarities and differences between here and Sierra Leone. Although there's  a lot of poverty here, it doesn't come close to Freetown. Also, Ghana has never had a civil war, while Sierra Leone has. I have even noticed a difference in the people's attitudes. While walking through the market here, people didn't yell at us to come buy from them, and I nobody asked for money. Also, since Accra is a slightly touristy place, the locals are used to seeing foreigners. It was nice to not be the center of attention while walking down the road, and not have people yelling "opatu!" at you. Well, in Ghana they say "obruni" but they would just say it to us, not yell it.

On Sunday, one hundred crew members were invited to visit a church in Accra. As we pulled up to it, I couldn't believe my eyes. After going to many churches in Sierra Leone that had dirt floors, wooden benches, and no AC, this was a shock. Having a building that is so expensive just strikes me as entirely unnecessary now. The best worship services I attended were at churches that had nothing, yet they chose to praise God anyway.

Joyce and Comfort on the left are good friends of mine, then us five on the right are roomies! Love these ladies.

 
After church we were invited to the home of a woman from the church. Lunch was catered and she told us to relax and enjoy our time off the ship. We really appreciated her hospitality.

Well, flight for tonight was postponed until tomorrow morning. I will be flying directly to DC, then going home by train the next day. I will write again soon about leaving the ship.
God bless!

So Long Sierra Leone

We are finally sailing! Yesterday we left the port in Freetown around noon. Leaving Sierra Leone was hard. It caught me by surprise actually. After we mustered one last time to make sure that everyone was onboard, we prepared to leave. All of the crew members stood on decks 7 and 8 facing the dock to wave farewell to those standing on the dock. We hadn't publicized the date we were leaving for security reasons, so there was no large crowd to see us off. I think it was easier that way. The ship's engines became louder and louder as we prepared to leave. Our captain, Tim, came over the intercom, which could be heard by us and all those gathered on the dock. He prayed for Sierra Leone, and for continued peace and reconciliation there. That was when I lost control. I cried because of the wonderful people I have met that I may never see again. Children like Osman made such an impression on me that I will never forget. I cried because there were so many people we were not able to help due to to time, ability, or resources. And Sierra Leone has been home for 4 1/2 months. I have so many fond memories of Salone that I will never forget. 

As we pulled away from the dock, the Africa Mercy blew her horn (a tradition) and everyone clapped. Then to our surprise, a ship that was docked in front of us blew her horn, and many of the crew members waved to us. Pulling away from the dock felt so surreal. It was like your house suddenly moving away from where it's always been. There's just something special about that dirty, dusty dock where I've seen hundreds of new patients come onto the ship, and hundreds leave the ship in a much better condition. It's really an experience that's hard to put into words.

Now we're out on the open ocean, and all I can say is wow!!! All of the verses in the Bible that speak about God having control over the ocean make sense now. It's just so big and never ending. That sounds like common sense, but I could never grasp it before. I love being able to look for miles in every direction and see nothing but water. The sailing is pretty smooth so far. Sometimes walking a straight line is difficult, but all you can do is laugh at yourself! At night I feel like a baby being rocked to sleep. Many crew members are suffering from seasickness, but thankfully I am not. Today after dinner, our security officer came over the intercom and announced that whales had been spotted from the bow of the ship. So several friends and I literally ran to the bow and made it in time! They weren't very close, but we could see them spewing water over and over, and I saw the huge, smooth back of one. Besides that, we've seen plenty of flying fish...they're so cool! Next I really want to see dolphins. :)

I believe we're off the coast of Liberia at the moment, and we plan to arrive in Tema, Ghana by Thursday. Arriving in Ghana will be an adjustment, because Ghana is much wealthier than Sierra Leone. There is a shopping mall, a movie theatre, nice markets and restaurants...the list goes on. It will be nice to have several days there before I fly home. I WILL be home for Christmas! :D