Togo here we come

Wow as I sit here about to go to Africa again I feel both excitement and apprehension. Today we are scheduled to leave the beautiful port of Tenerife Santa Cruz in the Canary Islands to sail for approx 10 days to Lome, Togo, West Africa. Goodbye Western world Hello third world.

I have had a lovely time setting up the lab by day and exploring Tenerife by night and weekend. The landscape is desolate mostly- volcanic apparently. The beaches are stunning and there is no surf so they are very relaxing. We all did a last minute shop for nibbles and things we won’t be able to buy in Togo and now our shore leave has expired so we wait patiently to depart. Rough weather is expected for the first 2-3 days- so the sea sick tablets have been taken already :).

This time serving with Mercy Ships is different:
I know what I am getting myself into in part; I am going for longer; I leave behind friends and family like last time, but this time I also leave behind a gentleman friend also, the country is different and we are arriving at the time of elections so unrest may be a problem (prayer for that would be great), I have the pleasure of sailing for 10days J ; The patients will be new, some of the crew will be familiar, many will be new and I will be there God willing from the beginning to the end of an outreach.

This time is the same also:
God is the same and he will look after and provide for me; my home- the Africa Mercy is the same (and I may even be able to find the laundry in the first month YAY); my job will be somewhat the same; and French will still be the national language.

I know there will be good days and hard days:
Sometimes miraculous healing or turning to Christ will bring much joy; other times an inability to assist someone’s suffering or their rejection of Christ will bring pain.
Sometimes I will thrive living in a 500 strong Christian community; other times I will want me time and not be able to find a quite spot.
There will be crazy days at work where I wonder if I will get to the end, frustrating days as the simple tasks take forever- be it due to busyness, equipment failure, over tiredness or confusion across cultures and translations. Nights without sleep due to my friend the pager- Norbert as he is known. There will be rewarding days at work when I will know I have helped someone’s operation or recovery.
There will be days off- some for leisure others to join groups in orphanages, prisons, agricultural teams etc.
Somedays I will miss home and loved ones, and wonder why I came or what I am doing here- pining to go home. Other days I will know without question that God has me here for a reason.

Well over the next week or 10days (when the sailing is good and were not throwing up) I hope to share photo’s and stories of ship life to introduce you to my new home before we hit Africa and I share hospital and off ship experiences with you.

Heard the saying the straw that broke the camels back??? Well for good humor and to give you a taste of ship life i’d like to share my “notes to self” about some straws that shouldn’t have broke the camels back during my last experience on the Africa Mercy.

*When the toilet won’t flush, the cabins flooding cause the shower won’t drain and 2 minutes of water won’t get the shampoo out of your hair- remember you a one of few in Africa who even have these luxuries.

*When you seem to have too many cabin mates to share with and they are too noisy- remember the Africans have one room houses with mats on the floor side by side- not mattress’ on bunks, air-conditioning and mosquito free nights with electricity to read by and full bellies to sleep on. AND PUT YOUR EAR PLUGS IN!

*When there are no free laundry appointment slots- remember you are not washing by hand at the river and you probably have 10 sets of clothes- which if you’ve run out means you should have gone looking for a laundry slot earlier rather than trying to chance a last minuter.

*When the line at dinner is long- remember you didn’t have to grow the food, worry about where your next meal was coming from or cook it and you won’t be cleaning up either. Praise God for the kitchen staff!! (and a brief lesson in patience)

*When deck 8 is occupied remember you’re probably not the only one wanting a quite spot and everyone else on deck 8 is probably wishing you weren’t there as much as you wish they’d disappear.

*When the ship shop is out of fudge mixture- cry! And then remember that Starbucks (Yes thats Starbucks) has M &M’s and you’re probably the only misso’s who have access to good chocolate in Africa.

*When you look like having a head on with someone in the hallway remember that the Americans arn’t been rude when they move right as they drive on the RHS so it’s polite. Just be sure you move right also- cause there is more of them then you.

*When the other lab tech does something differently remember that your way isn’t the only way and so long as their way works it’s ok too.

*When you order a hot chocolate and the cafe person looks at you stupid- remember it’s called a steamer (of course after-all it’s steamed milk with flavour)

For crying out loud the strappy things you wear on your feet are called “Flip Flops” not thongs- don’t say you’ve lost your thong as the implications are painfully embarrassing.
Au Revior till next time.
P.S Pictures will follow on the blog www.nomesinbenin.blogspot.com if the internet connections improves to permit them.