Thoughtless Thursday- Pictures from the Sail

With my room mate Keisha
Yens- our resident comedian (carpenter by trade)from Holland

Counting and Packing pills for the Pharmacy with Shaun providing the inspiration (Music) and the ship to provide enough movement that sometimes all your nicely counted pills slide off the table in one wave :)

Worship on the Bow

Cabin fever has set in bad- the newly formed powerwalking team- anything for amusement by this stage- sock golf was another sport introduced.

Maggies scavenger hunt birthday party team

Our Scavenger Hunt team (note for sensible reasons they only let us be responsible for one child in case we lead her astray or got lost on the ship... :))

Sunset from the Bow

Bienvenu to Togo

Bienvenu to Togo- Welcome to Togo.
We have arrived- Praise God for safe travels.
Just after 10am this morning we picked up our Pilot and pulled into the port of Lome, Togo. On route we passed numerous fishing boats reminding me of Benin- true to it they were bailing water out of the boats before having left the port.
We were up early anticipating the sight of land but the horizon was hazy. Around 9:30 we could just make out the beaches in the distance and a constant flow of exiting cargo ships indicated we were close to the port.
Pulling around the break wall we could hear a band. In front of us were several dirty big cargo ships. Spotting a crowd of people on the wharf we soon gathered which berth was to be our home for the next 6 months God willing. I say God willing because the Togo election campaign starts this weekend with the election scheduled for the 28th Feb. Whilst little unrest is hoped for the police presence is high and check points are common. The 2005 elections saw much unrest but 2008 was relatively peaceful. That is a prayer point for sure.
Many people colourfully dressed and waving excitedly gathered on the dock. The bands of brass instruments and drums beat out the turn “Our God is the most High God”. We could sing along with the people as we had become familiar with the song in Benin last year.
Due to the elections the gathering on a large crowd is strictly prohibited so only those approved by the Port officials and government would be there to welcome us.
Almost in slow motion we safely touched the dock and were tied- down came the gangway and the official welcomes began. In usually African style the official party of government was unable to make it due to the upcoming elections- I stood and listened as the welcome was translated to English- I am still unsure who made the welcome speech.
This is the fourth time that Mercy Ships has been to Togo- but this time is the first time with the new ship so the people are eagerly waiting.
Due to the elections we are unable to have a mass screening for patients so instead teams will into designated towns and clinics to do multiple smaller screens. Already a baby boy was scheduled to join our infant feeding program immediately- that is his mother was to meet us on the dock for his feed to start- however they are yet to turn up- maybe tonight or tomorrow- the concept of time is a mystery here.
As I sit looking out at the port a large cargo ship is been loaded with bags of grain. Rats and cockroaches are common residents here- as with any site associated with grain. Lorry’s are moving everywhere, large cranes move back and forth , shipping containers balance precariously on fork lifts and grain hoppers line the horizon. This is a busy working port....we will have no shortage of entertainment to watch over breakfast.

Today we all dressed up for the occasion and celebration as dignatories came on board. Behind me is the Togolese Navy - two ships in total.

Praise God for our safe arrival. I look forward to filling you in on the adventures in Togo.
Au revior.

Thoughtless Thursdays

I thought I would start a day of the week with only pictures or very few words (which as you know is hard for me :)) so "Thoughtless Thursday" it shall be.
Todays theme is my new home- The Africa Mercy

Adventures on the high seas

Well we've had some fun sailing- and I think the Psalmist best describes our journey so far:

"Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters.
They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.
For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm," Psalm 107 :23-30

Your guessed it- high seas, flying objects (indeed the ingredients for pancakes spread all over the galley floor (yep milk and flour....messy messy), stumbling lunatics.......

To say we were glad when it grew calm is an understatement- we were ecstatic :).

Now every movement feels like a peaceful rocking.

We have had a wonderful display of wild life. All of a sudden the amazing facial reconstructions we were learning about via DVD were abandoned when the bridge announced "Whales port side". 20 odd nurses evacuated the room for the sight. Finally resettled in our training session and "Dolphins port side" sent us diving for the upper deck again (our poor co-ordinators must have wondered whether they would ever get through the lesson).

Last night we enjoyed sunset from the bow of the ship with dolphins again gracing us with their company.

Bed is calling but just for my Sunday School kids here is what there take on the last few days might be (Thanks to Colin Buchanan). I am afraid you'll have to imagine the actions that go with the song- such fun:

Arr you.. Serving Cap –’n Jesus?
He’s the master of the wind and waves
There’s Yo ho ho
No other name by which you can be saved
Through Scurvy, shark and ship wreck
In ev ‘ry storm and strife
Sail on with Cap ‘n Jesus as the treasure of your life
Climb the rig-ging! Aye, aye Cap ‘n
Swab the deck! Aye, aye Cap ‘n
Row the long boat! Aye, aye Cap ‘n
And dance the horn pipe now...!
Heave a-way! Haul a-way!
Heave a-way! Haul a-way!
Land ho! Land ho! Land ho! (Hopefully after another 7days)

Until next time....

Onward Christian Soldiers

Yesterday we stood on the dock rearing to leave Tenerife. Some people gathered on the dock to see us off.
A local man and a real Spanish character stood playing hymns on the trumpet to see us off.
Great is thy faithfulness, Amazing grace and When the Saints go marching- it was so moving to hear him play, our language barriers no barrier to Christian fellowship and brotherly love. Some of the crew joined in song.

As we moved away for the dock the last audible song was very fitting Onward Christian Soldiers:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!

Here stood roughly 400 Christians lining the decks headed for Lome, Togo; to confront poverty and it’s affects, to bring new hope through the gospel of Christ to a nation gripped by Islam and traditional witchcraft. A team united as Soldiers for Christ, from many nations and with many skills going to serve Christ by His Grace, in His strength, for His Glory, with Him as our leader in the mission -A scene that brought tears of joy and a feeling of been overwhelmed at how great our God is.
For now the foe these soldiers are facing is rough seas and seasickness and what a comfort it is to know that “The Lord on high is mighty than the seas, than the waves of the sea” Psalm 93:4 .
The smooth start to the sail............(Above)

We sailed into a stunning sunset last night and then the night sky was graced by a full moon and small meteor shower.

"From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea Creation's revealing Your majesty ......You are amazing God!! "(Chris Tomlin- Indescribable)

Pics of Tenerife and sailing

The Africa Mercy in port dwarfed by the stunning volcanic mountains on Tenerife. The Cruise Ships that keep us company in Port De Tenerife Santa Cruz

La Luguna North Tenerife.




Taking on fuel for the journey

Last day of freedom- at the beach Tenerife North

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.