AMAZING Cause!!

These people GET IT!!!

Seriously, check it out here.

Mission Statement

To reduce the occurrence of maternal and infant mortality by providing sterile birthing kits, holistic childbirth and development centers, and sponsorships of mothers in East Africa.

*On a side note: Sierra Leone launched a free health care initiative in April of this year, giving free health care to children under 5 years, and pregnant and lactating women. Way to go Sierra Leone for making steps to improve maternal health!!

Fearless Friday :)

Life at sea.


(Images from a couple of our roughest days earlier this week. It has since calmed out :)

Photos by Murray Crawford

Farewell, Togo!

Last glimpse of the dock/ port...

Tim waving down from Deck 8...

Goodbye, Togo...

Sail away, sail away, sail away...

The Togolese Navy followed us out!!...

We are 1.5 weeks into our approximately 2.5 week sail to South Africa. Thankfully the seas have been calm for the most part. We are, however, expected to pass through some rough parts over the next week as we get closer to the cape and then the coast of South Africa. And two nights ago brought us just that... the beginning of the large swells/ waves, and loud noises as the waves crashed against the bottom, sides, and bow of our ship. Sleep is restless as we are literally rocking and rolling. The simple act of walking takes concentration, and showering is not for the weak! Thank the good Lord for drugs! :)

On a side note, last week we crossed the equator into the Southern Hemisphere whilst sailing, pretty cool. :)

Sailing is a slower time in our departments (not so for those in deck and engineering). Lots of time to reflect on what we left behind, and what lies ahead...

Thanks for all your prayers regarding the seas and seasickness, but we still have a ways to go... please keep them comin' :)

For it is in the middle of the sea that we experience and witness God's power and majesty.

He is THE King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!

final moments

In keeping with the tradition we started last year in Benin, my friends (Allison, Becca, Hazel) and I spent our last day in Togo walking the streets for one last time... taking in all the sights, smells (hard not to) :), sounds, colors, vendors, and, inevitably, the dust that soon fills our shoes and covers our faces from walking along its dirt roads.

First stop, the fishing village.

This "beach" village sits alongside the water's edge on the other side of the port. These people fish to feed their families and their community. To survive. I, alongside many of the crew, have come to know this village through their church. Many of us attended at one time or another throughout the outreach. My amazing friend, Becca, taught community health education twice a week to the mommas in the church. She did this on her own time and initiative, on her days off too. She came up with her own lessons and materials. That girl inspires me!:)

When we entered the village, and even before, we had children following us and running up to us. My heart just melts by their curiosity and accepting and trusting spirits. We spent most of our morning here under the overlay of the church, praying for the people of this village and playing with the kiddos. Did I mention how much I love them? They are joy givers, these precious ones.

The heart of Togo.

Next stop, the beach at Crystal Plage for a soda and view of the ocean. Check out our nifty creation in the sand :) ... our deepest sentiment as we leave.

And lastly, our outing wouldn't be complete without the purchase of Fanmilk (frozen chocolate milk in a bag)! It is delish! Not to mention, refreshing in the middle of the day. I didn't capture this one on camera, so you'll just have to trust me on this. :)

This photo captures the day so well.

And this one.

And lastly, my personal fave.

:)

visit home *Blessed*

I thought I'd take advantage of the extra time I have now that we are sailing the wide open seas and finally sit down to post about our visit home... :)

As I reflect upon our time, can I just say that Tim and I are extremely BLESSED!!! Looking back I am SOOO glad we made the decision to go home. God knows what we need long before we do, and the trip home was just that for us. :) I thank God for the people He has put in our lives who have encouraged us, mentored us, challenged us, LOVED us, prayed for us, and seriously the list goes on...

We were both so overwhelmed by the love poured out on us by others while we were home and the generosity of so many! We are humbled.


Thank you for taking the time out of your lives to let us share with you the last year and a half and what God has been doing in our lives.

Thank you for speaking into our lives.

Thank you for all the sweet memories we created together.

visit home *Reunited at last*

...it is well with my soul...

visit home *Family*

After 1.5 years away, it was PURE JOY to be among our dear family again! We had such sweet times together.

We are rich with Family who love us so and support all that we do.

We were even home in time to celebrate the 90th birthday of a very, very special lady in my life, my dear Grandma Zim! She is so very near to my heart in many ways. We have been so blessed to have that many more years with her!

visit home *Friends and their babes*

Among our dear circle of friends, 8 little blessings were born over the last year and a half!!

What joy it was to finally meet them all in person! (not all pictured)

Left side: Tim with Samuel Franklin, Hannah with Lucas Steele

Right side: Rachel and Lauren Turner, Ryder Olson, Grace and Sophia Highland, Merrill Humphrey, Samuel Franklin (again), Ryder Olson (again), Hannah with Alistair Hardy

Not pictured: Kira Sorenson, Olivia Palmer

visit home *Church Family*

While home, we had the opportunity to speak at our home church in Bend, Oregon. We shared of our ministry the last year and a half and several stories of patients and memorable experiences.

I can really only describe this with one word. Blessed. We felt so loved by the church. We were received. Embraced. We could feel the excitement of all those who have journeyed with us. Who have walked beside us over the last year and a half. Who have prayed so many prayers on our behalf and have given of their hard-earned money to our ministry.

We were renewed and encouraged by their love and support.

We are so overwhelmingly blessed to be a part of the family.

Thank you, First Baptist. We love you.

visit home *Good times*

We reveled again in the beautiful outdoors of the Pacific Northwest!

Good 'ol fashioned fun :)

Not to mention all the DELICIOUS food we eagerly consumed at the gracious hospitality of so many and, of course, at our favorite restaurants. :)

visit home *In limbo*

Being home was good in every way.

And yet it was like we were on the outside looking in... into a place that was familiar, but distant. It was like we were living two worlds, or better yet, between two worlds.

In one, a world governed by time. Where any and everything is at our fingertips, consumerism is a way of life; self absorption all too familiar; where freedom rings, and what you have defines you. We are surrounded by opportunity and those we love.

In the other, a world governed by community. Where being exists over having, surrounded by those in need; where clean water is a luxury and living in a home bigger than a one room shack is more than your neighbor; where medical care is for the rich; survival is a must, and hope is your greatest possession.

Neither is necessarily right nor best.

While it was only a visit, we felt pulled between these two worlds. I was torn for the future... when it is inevitably time to return home. Torn between a life of plenty, and a life of simplicity. Torn between Family, and a people who have stolen a piece of my heart. Pulled between a country I call home, and a continent that I have grown to love. Pulled between a life of making a living, and a life of giving a living.

2 million steps

Because my heart aches for these beautiful women...

Please check out what these amazing guys are doing for them here and read how you can help be a part of it! Inspiring!

Two million pennies is $20,000 – enough to completely transform the lives of 50 women with obstetric fistula and to prevent this from ever happening again in their communities.

Got any extra change lying around? :-)

(p.s. I've got posts written about our visit home-- just waiting on a few pics) :)