ponderings

Its late and I can't go to sleep. It's my fault because I ate too much delicious chocolate too close to bedtime. The Europeans definitely know how to make chocolate :) So, here I am wide awake and thinking about all that awaits us...so many thoughts and emotions since arriving to the ship three weeks ago.  I'd thought I'd take this opportunity to put them into words, since this blog is not only a way for us to share photos, but also to share from our hearts...like what God is teaching and showing us, and the joys and struggles throughout our journey over the next two years.

I must admit its harder for me than Tim to comprehend that this is home for the next TWO YEARS.  Not in a bad way really, just so completely different than our 1800 sq ft home that was our very own. Its more like a huge community constantly around us, working and living with the same people. We find ourselves with so much TIME on our hands!  No commuting to work anymore or spending time driving from here to there for whatever reason. Days off are free of grocery shopping and cleaning house.  All our meals are cooked for us. We literally can get up and walk down or up the stairs to work within 5 minutes! I'm in the middle of my fifth book :) I do realize, though, that things will look a whole lot different once we reach Africa and begin the outreach...busy times await us. I also recognize the blessing and the unique environment this is, and really desire to take advantage of the extra time...particularly spend more time with the Lord and memorize Scripture, two things I struggle with.  I also love how we are surrounded by people from all over the world and the cultural diversity.

God is also continuing to give me more of a heart and love for the people of Africa.  I can't wait to get there...just be there among the people.  I look forward to learning more about who they are, their culture and homeland.  I miss being a nurse.  I miss caring for my patients. I can't wait to hold their hand, to laugh with them, to connect with them...to do and be what I love again. I'm excited to see what God is going to do...through me...in me.  To share His love; to share who He is and what He's done.  To witness His power, and His faithfulness in a whole new way. The lives that will be changed.  How Tim and I will grow together, and what we will share.  

Then, I find my humaness-self thinking about what we've left behind or missing who we left behind, and even what we will do after the next two years (so ridiculous in a way)!!  This is where I so appreciate my laidback, in-the-present husband who balances me out. Yet, deep down I want to make the most of this time. Then, simultaneously, I am reminded of how God so clearly brought us here and His provision...of how it just feels so right here--my heart so at peace...of His faithfulness over all the years...of His perfect timing.  I'm amazed that He allows us to serve Him in this way despite our selfishness and inadequacies.  

Lord, we are not worthy...I pray you alone are glorified in this ministry...this journey you have us on. 

stay tuned...

Tim and I were planning to take all of you, our blog readers, on a tour of the ship using the video camera feature on our camera--hence why we haven't posted much pics of inside the ship. But we just recently learned that we can't download any videos or post videos due to the high volume satellite required.  It can interfere with the satellite needed for the ship's communication with the headquarters and other departments. Or we can video, but would have to snail mail it home and have someone from home post it for us.  So, instead, we thought when we sail next week we'd highlight different areas of the ship throughout the sail. We will post pics and give fun facts featuring that area. The lastest is that we will sail January 30 or 31st for 10 days!! So, STAY TUNED!!!

love-hate relationship

While in Tenerife, the crew has been spoiled with home-made bread from a German baker!  We were told that this was a treat and to enjoy it while it lasts (there usually isn't a baker on board). We all love him and his delicious creations, but hate the high-carb temptations (hence the title of this post :)  His last day was actually yesterday. He will be sorely missed! But, with a few other gals, I got up in the middle of the night one night to watch him make bread...

Cruise Ship vs. Mercy Ship

The Africa Mercy may be small in size in comparison, but it's impact on its crew and the people to whom it serves multiplies, creating a ripple effect of God's love across Africa.

-t

on-the-job

Proving that we really do work around here! :) lol.

Tim in reception, looking so official!

Hannah with the dining hall crew (these guys work hard!)

history made!

We were actually able to watch President Obama's inauguration speech live on the ship!! I didn't want to miss out on history-in-the-making :)  Although we differ on some issues with Obama, we celebrate with our nation its new presidency and share the hopes for a wiser and stronger nation.  And I am pleased for the message that it gives to our future kiddos in overcoming obstacles, believing in yourself, and reaching for the stars (despite skin color, race, or ethnicity for example)!  May we ourselves, as a nation, and our new president never forget where we've come from, but always keep our focus on where we're headed with our eyes heavenward. I came across this prayer and thought it very appropriate in lieu of today and our present nation. 

Prayer for our Nation

by Colonel Henry Gariepy

Eternal God, "our help in ages past, our hope for years to come," we come to you on behalf of our country and our troubled world. We bring our hearts, with their concerns, with their fears, and with their anguish over those things that must grieve your heart as well. 

We come and pray for our beloved country, that we may be true to our spiritual heritage and become truly "one nation, under God." 

We pray for your guidance of our president, vice-president, secretary of state, the senate, congress, the prime minister and all those entrusted with national and world leadership. Help them to know what is right and to seek your guidance in the pursuit of righteousness, freedom and security. 

Grant to them we pray wisdom amid the perplexing issues, conviction in the battle with falsehood, courage in the face of danger, and compassion for those who suffer. 

We pray for forgiveness where our nation has forgotten You, where we have strayed far from your commandments and moral standards. Save us from ourselves - from our pride, from our lust, from our godlessness, from our obsessions with the temporal over the eternal. 

For our men and women who place themselves in harm's way for the cause of freedom and justice, we pray for them to have courage in duty, a new awareness of your salvation, and safe return to home and loved ones. 

God bless America with righteousness, which alone exalts a nation. 

God bless America with compassion, to reach out to those who suffer. 

God bless America with a firm faith, that we may know above all else your will and strength to confront the dangers, both physical and moral, that beset our nation and world. 

In this hour we reaffirm our trust in You as "our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." 

We pray in the name of the One who is the Prince of Peace.

God Bless America

Colonel Henry Gariepy was national editor in chief and literary secretary for The Salvation Army until his retirement in 1995 and now serves as literary consultant, conference speaker and college teacher. He is the author of more than 20 books ranging from devotional works to biography and history. His best known titles include 100 portraits of Christ, Portraits of Perseverance, and Songs in the Night: Inspiring Stories behind 100 Hymns Born in Trial and Suffering.

puerto de tenerife

We are docked on the north side of Tenerife, one of the canary islands. We will be here about another two more weeks. We've had the luxury of getting off the ship regularly for walks into town. Here's a peek of what we get to see along the way...(Disclaimer: I can't take full credit for these photos: I shot them, but then doctored some of them up--I'm still learning how to use my camera :)...











 

A people in fear & the security in a psalm

We have community meetings twice a week here on the ship. This is not only a time of reports and announcements, but a time where we gather as a community, as a family, to hear from God's Word together. This morning the speaker highlighted Psalm 121. I want to share some of the things shared, because it has given me a new perspective/ light on the psalm. This is what I took away (very simply explained & paraphrased)...

Voodoo is the mot widely believed/practiced traditional religion in Benin (the country we will be ministering to next outreach). 30-40% are Christians, and 100% believe in voodoo--that pretty much explains the worldview of its people. Voodoo is the belief of many gods that are everywhere who control your fate, what happens to you. So, you spend your life trying to appease these gods, to make them happy so to keep bad things from happening. They believe, for example, that the sun and the moon are gods, hence the expression of what happens when there is a full moon, and the term "lunatic." In essence they live in fear--fear of what will happen if they anger the gods.

We then read the hope and security David writes of in Psalm 121. God alone is God and He is our shield of safety and our protector.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills --where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, 

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip--

he who watches over you will not slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you--the Lord is our shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm--

he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord!!!

hodge podge

we are getting settled here on the ship and finding our way around.  we are meeting LOTS of people, and from all over! we were quickly introduced to the hard reality of people coming and going--the first couple relationships i've made here, both gals are leaving for good within a week. because the ship is mostly staffed with short-termers (those who are here weeks to a year) there are always people leaving and new people coming.  there are fewer long-term staff like us. its just the way it is around here, and something we will have to learn to cope with. 

because we are dry-docked right now, we are both working in temporary positions.  i am working in the dining hall until we sail.  once we reach Benin i will help get the wards ready for patients. tim is working in reception and then will move into the Assistant Purser role.  both positions have been a great way to meet and have contact with many of the crew.

this weekend was our first opportunity to go into town!  the manager of food services took several of us galley and dining hall staff out to pizza and gelato friday. and saturday, the whole ship crew got to go to Loro Parque for free!!  a very generous donor bought the crew entrance tickets to the park! we all piled into two buses and spent the day there.  its a cross between a Sea World and the Zoo.  our favorites were the sea lions and dolphins.  now back to work! :)

home sweet home

Welcome to our new home!!

              

 

shower is to the left of the toilet :)

 (seen in the mirror)

we've arrived!!

just a quick note to let all of you know that we've safely arrived to the ship in Tenerife (one of the Canary Islands). we flew a quick flight to san francisco from pdx. we then flew a long 10 hours to dublin, ireland and then ended with a four hour flight to the canary islands. we arrived about 5pm the next day. all our luggage arrived with us! yay!! we were warmly greeted on the ship by all our classmates/friends that we met at our training that are currently on the ship. almost all of us have arrived, the last two will be coming at the end of the month. it is such a blessing to already know several people! we ate a delicious dinner in the dining hall and just unpacked some of our things. we are pretty beat so are headed to bed and we will write more soon with pictures!! :) we LOVE our cabin, it is actually pretty spacious and cozy--even bigger than we thought. we have lots of storage/cupboard space too! our bed is indeed a king bed and we even have a little window in our cabin and a small refrigerator/freezer that the previous occupants left!! we are encouraged and so excited to settle into our new home. we plan to rest, finish unpacking, and explore the ship tomorrow. we will be getting an official tour/orientation tomorrow night.

we send all our love,
t & h