Week One Highlights

The days fly by too quickly living on this huge ship. So many told me I would have all this down time without grocery shopping and bills to pay and errands to run, but thus far, no such luck. Life here on the Africa Mercy is proceeding at an alarming rate, and I’m learning that I need to be more intentional with my time. So for now, just a quick re-cap via photos.

The Gates family has arrived! The “Gates family” is my Gateway fam - all the people with whom I spent the last month in TX, learning and growing in numerous ways. As of this week, the majority of us are here, with a few stragglers making their way in the coming months. It's so nice to have these folks around as we share the newness of ship life together. Ahhh community living - only gets better from here!

I visited the hospitality center this weekend. This is the equivalent of an out-patient clinic just down the way from the Africa Mercy dock. It houses the pre and post-op patients as the Africa Mercy hospital beds are at a premium. A mattress sits underneath each patient bed so a care giver can sleep next to the patient, and the mosquito nets are above.

Mercy Ships had a local group come in and paint fun themes above each bed space - usually fruits, animals, and such....except for this very kid-friendly hatchet! Supposedly, it was painted to chop away the sickness.

Eating ice cream. While this may not seem like quite the momentous occasion, I share this point only because as Jesse and Jamie and I are enjoying our milky desserts this past weekend the power goes out. All the employees just get up in the dark and walk downstairs, leaving us to sit and eat our ice cream in the pitch black stillness of the African ice cream shop.

As I continue on into my pistachio milkshake, the power returns. But no, just a few sweet seconds later it goes out again. Pure third world electrical goodness.

Hotel Du Lac - where many Mercy Shippers relax on their off days, was our Saturday excursion. As you can see, I unfortunately was a bit early in the group flip effort. We had a group diving board effort as well.

That's a recap of some fun tidbits from the past week.* Now, off to French class. While many of the Africans speak the local dialect (42-plus dialects in Benin alone) French is the official language of both Benin and Togo (the 2010 Mercy Ships location)…and just in - the ship will be spending the second half of 2010 in South Africa. Now, I’m really late for class. Au revoir!

*Of note, I actually am working here in Africa despite what my current blog updates may depict. More on that soon.

Just A Day At The Beach

Thus far I've been settling in quite nicely and relaxing. It was a three day weekend here on the ship which means a good majority of the people went out of town. I couldn't find anyone who actually knew what the holiday was that we were celebrating on Friday, but according to Wikipedia, we were celebrating Assumption Day, which honors the virgin Mary’s ascent to heaven. In addition to unpacking, trying to sleep and getting things settled, a bunch of us went to the beach, or rather the "beach club." Yes that's right, this beach club is complete with ocean, pool and tennis court. Brings me back to my Malibu days! (Other than the constant slight stench of African body odor and the smelly water) ..... =)

Picturesque!

Haley, me and Jamie soaking up some African sun

Work starts tomorrow so I’m off to bed. In the meantime, here are some fun facts I’ve acquired from various sources – the CIA World Factbook, WHO and Wikipedia (so I don't think I can validate the authenticity of this last resource), but interesting nonetheless!

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in Western Africa with a population of almost 8,500,000. Its capital is Porto Novo, but the seat of government is Cotonou (where we are docked). Benin is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania and the coastline measures 75 miles. In the north and the northwest of Benin the Reserve du W du Niger and Pendjari National Park attract tourists eager to see elephants, lions, antelopes, hippos, and monkeys.

About a third of the population lives below the international poverty line of US $1.25 per day. Natural resources include small offshore oil deposits, unexploited deposits of high quality marble limestone, and timber. Agricultural products include corn, sorghum, cassava, tapioca, yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, cocoa, peanuts, poultry, and livestock.

Although trade unions in Benin represent up to 75% of the formal workforce, the large informal economy has been noted by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITCU) to contain ongoing problems, including a lack of women's wage equality, the use of child labour and the continuing issue of forced labour.

The population is young, with a life expectancy of 59 years. The average number of children born is 5.49 children born/woman (2009 est.) 148 children out of 1000 will die before the age of five. 31% of the children who don't die by the age of five are stunted in their growth due to lack of proper food supply.

Local languages are used as the languages of instruction in elementary schools, with French only introduced after several years. Education (2007): 48% of men are literate, and 23% of women are as well. The school life expectancy (primary to tertiary): Male: 9 years, Female: 6 years.

Several religions are practiced in Benin. Animism is widespread (50%), and its practices vary from one ethnic group to the other. Muslims account for 20% of the population and Christians for 30%. Many nominal Muslims and Christians continue to practice animistic traditions. Voodoo originated in Benin and was introduced to Brazil and the Caribbean Islands by African slaves taken from this particular area of the Slave Coast.

Benin's politics take place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, where the President of Benin is both head of state and head of government, within a multi-party system. The political system transitioned to democracy in 1991 after many previous years of political unrest.

Pretty interesting stuff!

Finally Here

So I thought I had this time difference thing all worked out, but at four a.m. and two Benadryl later, I am still wide awake. Time for a blog update!

Jamie and I made it in late Wednesday night. We were two hours late, thanks to our fellow passengers that were meandering around the Paris airport somewhere, holding up the departure of the plane. No need to just leave without them (perhaps the more logical choice by American standards), as that would require finding their luggage underneath the plane. So we waited….and waited some more. This concept of “African time” has begun! Joy =)

Since my arrival a mere two days ago it still feels somewhat surreal that I am actually here. I first heard about Mercy Ships over two years ago and got really excited about going at that time. But the more I prayed about it then, the more God changed my heart and made me sad about leaving my job at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. So I stayed. Now, two and a half years later, after much more prayer and confirmation, I know this is where I’m supposed to be, and I love it. I love meeting all these people here and I love learning their stories. I love that I constantly have to steady myself as the ship sways back and forth all day long (which, by the way, makes for a very interesting attempt at an early morning Tae Bo session.) I love that if I want, I can catch up with old friends over ice cream on deck seven as the smell of the ocean air envelops us. I really just love soaking in the newness of it all. I am finally here.

If you know me well, I’ve probably whipped out one of my quote books in discussion. Perhaps a tad bit corny, but I think they are great. I thought I'd share this one I came across recently, as I think it really exemplifies the mindset of those here. It's called "A Benediction":

"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done." ~ Unknown

I've barely gotten my feet wet here on the Africa Mercy, but I've seen what a cool group of people these folks are. They do really amazing things. Call me foolish, but I’m so happy to be here amongst them.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Well here I am, sitting at Phoenix Sky Harbor waiting to board my plane via Atlanta, Paris and then on to Cotonou, Benin - my home for the many months ahead! A quick recap of my summer since my last post:

I finished up my four weeks of Mercy Ships training in Lindale TX. The last week was basic safety training which involved fighting fires (literally) and water safety principles. My appreciation for fire fighters has grown exponentially since wearing the ridiculously hot and heavy fire gear all day in the humid TX heat!

Here is where all the magic happened- we fought fires inside this container and even managed to drag out a 165 pound dummy (sort of drag - more like step on him in the thick smoke and fall over and kill him first. My bad).

Trying on the self contained breathing apparatus equipment

and happy to be done!

I then headed home to MN (via Oklahoma to visit Jamie) to visit with the fam, get a little cabin sun time in and say goodbye. My motivation to take photos is diminishing so no MN pics unfortunately.

Jamie and I in downtown Oklahoma City

Next stop Phoenix - to say goodbye to friends and and take care of last minute Africa plans. Highlight: my fabulous goodybe soiree/clothing swap with work friends (Thanks Kyr!!) So fun!
I then headed up to Camp Rainbow in Prescott for a week of fun with the kiddos from the Cancer Center. Here, many of the PCH staff on our messy night. Nice and clean beforehand....

...and after

So after a commissioning at church last night and a final dinner at Oreganos

(some of the folks from dinner here)

I am finally, after two years of wanting to do this, off to Africa. It's a strage mix of emotions: pure joy and excitement, fear and sadness all wrapped up into the pit of my stomach! Ahhh! But I really believe that this is where I am supposed to be and I am excited to see how this all unfolds. More to come soon!

Three weeks down, one to go!

We come from all over the world - South Korea, Holland, South Africa, and the UK - just to name a few.  We range in age from 11 - 62.  And we are spending a month here in the middle of East Texas at the Mercy Ships headquarters, getting ready to embark together on an African experience of a lifetime!  

Gateway is the program to prepare folks that are going on the ship for longer time periods.  It consists of daily classes varying in topic from tensions in working with the poor to interpersonal development.  It's been an interesting three weeks to say the least.  I have learned SO much!  Perhaps I'll share a few nuggets of wisdom at a later date, as I think I'm still trying to process it all.  

In our spare time we've had the opportunity to do some pretty cool things East TX style....

Dance with some new friends at Big Sandy's Dance Hall

Kill more bugs than I've ever killed in all my previous years alive combined.  This fellow was walking around in the hall outside my room...thank goodness for slippers! 

Canoe Caddo Lake (more like swamp, really) - the biggest cypress swamp in the nation  

I've just started my fourth and final week TX style.  This time around it'll be basic safety training.  More to come on that soon....

Bon Voyage in Photos

"Nothing is to be more highly prized than the value of each day" ~Goethe

Some Bittersweet Goodbyes

Here, my mini mercy ship at the Cancer Center. Made from egg cartons, toilet paper rolls and the like. Thanks Maybelline! (note the pinwheel propellers) So cute!

My dietitian goodbye luncheon at PCH complete with tiger themed deocrations

...and a very appropriate cake from all the RD's - so thoughtful!

Joy and Kevin at Greasewood Flats this weekend. Joy first introduced me to Mercy Ships over two years ago. Here, a shameless plug for Kevin's business - North Scottsdale Cross Fit

Some of the friends that came to send me off AZ style from Greasewood Flats

I feel so loved and am grateful for such amazing family, friends and co-workers

thanks guys!!

Trying Not to be an Impala

I once heard this sweet analogy about an antelope...more specifically, an African Antelope called an Impala. According to good old wikipedia, the Impala can jump distances more than 12 meters long and 3 meters high. But in the zoo, Impalas live in structures only 3 feet high. What gives? Impalas will not jump anywhere in front of them that they can’t see.

I would say I’m pretty even-keeled. Most reading this have never seen me shed a tear. But recently, as the realization set in that I’m truly leaving my life here, my head knowledge became heart knowledge and the Kleenexes came out! Amidst my tears, it hit me that I am acting like an Impala. I’m afraid to take a leap of faith over the ledge when I can’t see what’s on the other side.

Take my job for example. I absolutely love nutrition and I love the Cancer Center. I couldn't have asked to work with a more wonderful group of people these last four years. So as I venture into the unknown of what Mercy Ships holds, I struggle with letting go of my identity as a dietitian. I keep praying that God would change my heart and make me excited about doing something other than nutrition on this huge ship. Thus far, no such luck. I’ve been perplexed on why this one detail hasn’t yet worked itself out when everything else has fallen into place beautifully. As I was reading last week, I stumbled across the answer: faith that hangs onto comprehension isn’t really faith at all.

I have preconceived notions about what this next year of my life holds. Thoughts on what will give me joy, what will bring me purpose and what will make me angry. But do I trust that God is going to provide for me in every minute detail despite what I think I understand? My life lesson this week exemplified the fact that I definitely can’t see yet over the ledge, and that’s ok. But I still have to move forward faithfully. Sometimes God gives us exactly what we ask for in prayer, and sometimes we are surprised with an answer we weren’t expecting. But regardless, He always, without a doubt, gives us what we need.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6