the last 18 days

Life has been a little of a whirlwind since arriving in Togo just shy of three weeks ago. In some ways it seems like its been three months, and in other ways I can't believe tomorrow brings the month of March! So much has happened in such a short time, I'm struggling with where to begin. And since I'm on-call this weekend and can't leave the ship further than the dock, I thought I'd sit down and attempt to put it all into words...

Since our arrival both our departments, hospital and purser's office, has hit the ground running! Tim has been busy establishing relations with customs, immigration, port authorities, and our shipping agent; not to mention embarking over almost hundred crew since we've arrived. Tim also had the privilege of preaching one Sunday at a local church! Hannah has been busy getting the hospital up and ready for patients. This has included overseeing the unpacking, cleaning, and set-up of the wards; facilitating hospital open-house for non-medical crew (fun activities to expose the crew to the hospital); interviewing applicants for day volunteers; and reviewing infection control policies and procedures.

This last week was particularly busy as the wards officially opened and surgery started. On Wednesday the hospital made history and performed the first hospital evacuation drill. This was pretty exciting as we had academy students act as patients and caregivers. An assimilated explosion erupted in the ICU and we practiced evacuating the hospital, mustering to the dock, and providing "care." Surgeries began Thursday and our first discharge left yesterday. For the next six weeks we are performing pediatric orthopedic surgeries (reversal of club feet and correction of bowed legs) and max-fax surgeries (removal of tumors and cleft lip/palate repair). This last week, and the next few weeks ahead, are especially busy for me in regards to teaching the nursing staff, new charge nurses, and day volunteers as they orient to the wards and their roles/responsibilities. Due to the unique design and challenges that a hospital ship brings, we do many things different here. Although, I especially love to teach, it can be exhausting.

Please pray for patience, endurance, and wisdom and discernment in the weeks ahead during this time of transition. Please pray for successful surgeries, eternal transformation in the lives of the patients, as for many, this is the first time they will experience God's love in a practical and tangible way. We are continually humbled that God allows us to be a part of His eternal work in this way, and allows us to love on His people here in West Africa.

Above all, may God's glory be proclaimed.

(Some pictures of these last few weeks)...

Medical Reception

Screening

Local pool--teaching the kids the game "Marco, Polo"

Tim playing a game at the Hospital Open House :-)

experiencing

Besides the unique drill mentioned in the previous post, last Wednesday morning was a particularly special day. Yes, it was the first day day of work on the wards for nurses and our day volunteers (local translators). But, that's not what made it special. We didn't even get our first patients until later in the afternoon.

As we do before we begin any shift on the wards, we prayed together. But this time it was different. Our day volunteers joined us. And let me tell you, I absolutely love to hear them pray. Without being stereotypical, the Africans know how to pray. They pray with such fervency and power. They pray with faith. When we were praying together it was like the heavens opened and poured down on us. The Spirit was among us. His presence was real. And I felt it. There is something about the prayer of one who has experienced want, who understands what it is to be in need, both materially and spiritually; who lives in a country where scarcity provides dependence on God. You see, our country is so full of material wealth and focusing on satisfying "me," there is no need for God. For my African brothers and sisters, dependence on God is not for the weak, but for the strong; it makes sense, it is necessary. They have taught me a lot about prayer. And I'm still learning.

We sang songs to Him. The American, European, and African were united as we together offered up our hearts in worship to the same god, the Creator God, Papa God. Then in typical African fashion, with eagerness and joy, they taught us African dance. We taught them some line-dancing. :-)

I love it.

old testament gems & prayer

When I was looking for a verse to encourage my nurses on their first shift, I found this one:

Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. 2 Kings 18:5-7

So often I neglect the Old Testament. Instead I tend to read only the New Testament because "its easier to follow" or because "it has more practical application." I love it when God opens my eyes to the hidden gems of His Word :-)

I have so much yet to discover.

-----------------------------

One of my leadership responsibilities includes facilitating ward devotions each week. Being the first one of the outreach, I felt like the Lord was telling us to pray. God laid upon my heart to lead a Prayer Walk. So for our first devos, the nursing staff divided into groups of three and went to the different departments on the ship, asking what their needs and requests were, and then lifting them up in prayer right then and there. We covered the ship in prayer. It was such an incredible experience. I felt more part of the ship as a whole. The hospital couldn't run without the help of all the other departments and the IOC back home. We need each other.

The nurses enjoyed it so much, we decided we are going to do it once a month as our time of prayer.

rise

I've been absent for the blog world for over a week now, not long, but long for me as I've been intentionally posting a few times a week to keep those at home abreast of our goings, as well as this blog a personal journal.

My absence is two-fold.

First, these first two weeks in Togo have been busy, more on that later. Second, my heart is mourning; Mourning a friend who is in the hospital fighting for his life. You see nothing has seemed appropriate to post in comparison. It feels meaningless when my friend is nearing death. I even struggled with posting the previous post of me and my husband in photos together on our travels when all I can think about is how his wife and three small children are clinging to what could be their last earthly moments together.

It simply sucks to be continents away when so much of me wants to be there.

Music has been my solace. I feel the most close to God when I'm worshipping Him through song. Always have. Time and time again, God whispers to my heart through music. And it cries back. In reference to my prior post, the song I will Rise has been my outlet. It is my heart's cry for my friend who, despite time and distance over the years, has been the closest I've ever had to an earthly brother. It speaks of words that distance prevents me from sharing in person. My prayer for him is that he will continue to rise above the sorrow and the pain, and hold on to Jesus. Because you see, if you knew my friend, you would come to know that his life here on earth, already rises to the One whom he has had complete faith and trust in over his days. To the One whom he has completely surrendered his life to, the One to whom he serves.

For many, its not until their death that their life is made known to others. It is not so with my friend. His life countlessly speaks of his God and who He is because that's the kind of man he is and how he lives his life. He is an example to so many. He is an example to me.

The victory is won.

Rise my friend, rise.

i love Us :-)

In honor of Valentine's Day yesterday :-)

(Photos of us from our travels last month)

Feb 9th

Its so good to be back :-)

(Click on image for larger view)

Upon arriving into the port of Lome Togo, and to our surprise, the crew was joyously greeted by a marching band from one of the local churches. They played hymns and African worship songs the entire time it took us to dock and tie down; until the start of the ceremony! It was quite moving to see so many excited that we have come. The Africans sure know how to celebrate! After six weeks away, we are so excited to be back in West Africa; this time in Togo.

We are so thankful for each one of you who have joined us for another year in Africa by your prayers and support!

God is so so good, and I can just feel in my heart that great things are to come...

song for a friend

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

togo we go

Growing anticipation.

Rise in temperature.

Humidity.

These three things can mean only one thing... we are getting closer to Africa! We are just two days away from arriving in Togo!! There is a level of excitement onboard that I believe is two-fold: one, we can't wait to put our feet on land again and, two, we will be in Africa once again!! Who is not excited about that? :)

TOGO FAST FACTS

Population: 6,145,000 with 40 different ethnic groups

Capital: Lomé; 799,000

Area: 56,785 square kilometers (21,925 square miles)

Language: French, Ewe, Mina, Kabye, Dagomba

Religion: Indigenous beliefs (51%), Christian (29%), Muslim (20%)

Currency: CFA franc

Life Expectancy: 54

GDP per Capita: U.S. $1,400

Literacy Percent: 61

Economy:

Industry: Phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts

Agriculture: Coffee, cacao, cotton, yams; livestock; fish

Exports: Reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cacao

--From National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition

relief

Thank-you for all your prayers!

We indeed felt them... The day after I posted about the tumultuous waves, God calmed the seas and we've had a much smoother ride!! This should continue for the remainder of the sail (good news :) To our relief, we have once again been able to take part in normal activities of daily living without feeling completely out-of-sorts. :) We anticipate arriving in Togo early this next week!

rock-a-bye baby!

Its been a little while since I've last posted. Truth is, there is not much to report since returning from our vacation. We had exactly one full week left in Tenerife before we set sail yet again.

We are now three days into our sail. And its been a rough one, to say the least! This is our third sail, and it is by far the roughest. We have been literally rocking back and forth since the start. Last night I thought we were going to die because we were rocking so much :) I will admit, I can be a little dramatic at times :) Poor Tim, I must have asked so many times what every crash was and if we were going to make it. haha!

Needless to say, we have been mostly FOB (flat on bunk) the last couple days. Tim caught the flu bug right before we set sail, and my stomach hasn't held so well. Thankfully, our bosses are understanding and kind enough to let us lay low for awhile. If we come to mind, please pray for our health and safety.

This week our lovely new nurses are going through orientation while myself and others will be receiving leadership training in the mornings for the remainder of the week. It is titled "Lead Like Jesus." Simply from the title, I am super excited about it and look forward to learning from the greatest example of leadership in history, Jesus himself.

:-)