Fire! Safety!

It's pretty incredible to get to do something that you've never even thought about doing...like dressing up in a complete fireman's outfit and fighting fire (or moving to africa to live on a ship).   There are lots of lessons to be learned in exercises like this...practical ones like how to situate your pants around your boots for easy "on-ness"...and far more intangible ones like depending on your partner and following instructions (not to mention all the lessons about being in situations that are completely out of your comfort zone)(sidenote: i LOVE that our God is trustworthy.  He's leading us - all of us!- into places that are for our GOOD - not for our harm!). 

This week Nick and I have been in a "Basic Safety Training" course here at Mercy Ship's IOC (international operating center).  Our vocabulary has increased tremendously - we know what SCBA stands for (self-contained breathing apparatus) and all about flashpoints and the different types of fire extinguishers & which type of fire can be put out with each one (A = things that turn to ash; B = liquids, gases, grease; C = electrical; D = metal). We've also been learning basic first aid, CPR, how to do fun stuff with bandages, how to do rescue carrying, etc (the camera hasn't been present for all that learning...it's not nearly as thrilling as the fire stuff!)

Our amazing class!!!! 

Getting ready to go into the smoke filled container to rescue "Buck"

Going into the container.  We found buck fairly quickly....but had a hard time moving him.  Oh well. At least he's not real.

the 2 of us putting out an electrical fire

putting out a gas fire (or some kind of fire that had a valve that had to be turned off!).  We all rototed through being the nozzleman, the valve man and just "on the hose" men (women!)

All done!  Very grateful to be all done! 

One of the best parts of the day: the scones that were brought to the fire field for our breakfast.  AMAZING!!  So good!  And the gatorade...that was wonderful as well. 

We really do have a newfound respect and admiration for firefighters.  And a deep hope in our hearts (or at least in mine!!!) that we'll never have to put on those masks/helmets/outfits again (though if we're ever in a situation where we need them we'll certainly be thankful for them, that's for sure!!). 

There are more pictures of all this rig-a-ma-roll on facebook.  Enjoy!  :)

Keep praying for us and our kids! Nick and I will finish this safety course on Friday (we've got survival skills and water safety the next 2 days).  Saturday morning we have a "Crowd Management" course...Sunday we shall rest & enjoy our sabbath!!  Monday we'll begin our 3 weeks of Gateway classes/field service preparation.  May God have His way in us and through us and all around us.

Surely there will be more to come (though i can't promise that the pictures will be nearly as exciting or entertaining).