leaving Guinea...sailing....

We left Guinea on Saturday.  Friday night Caroline said "Tomorrow is the last day I'll wake up in Guinea...unless we come back here someday." Fun fact: we were scheduled to leave on Sunday but since pack up went so smoothly, we were able to leave a day early which was actually really good for the security side of things! 

We had plenty o' drills and stow away searches...we had the pre-sail briefing and took all the breakable things down from the shelves (aka: securing the cabin).  And then, around 1:00 on Saturday, the engines were started, the mooring lines were pulled in and we pulled away from our dock spot in Conakry.

In some ways it feels like Guinea is already a million miles away...

The Gangway being unhooked, lifted up and loaded onto Deck 8. 

One of our favorite moments of the leaving process: the Captain praying over the loud speaker for Guinea and for our voyage.



Looking back at what was our home for the past 10 months. 

Waving Good-Bye to Guinea

A few fun sights as we were leaving the dock/harbor:

Try to say the name of this ship 5 times fast (or even just once)

The photograph doesn't capture the fact that this man was standing in the middle of the lot waving goodbye like crazy all by himself.

This was my favorite boat to see coming and going from the port! Thankful to see it one last time

We've experienced God in Guinea - there's no doubt about that.  He was at work before we arrived.  He continued to work while we were docked in Conakry.  And He will most certainly continue to be present and to work out His love, life, hope & healing long after we're gone.

My dad asked if it was hard to leave Guinea. In some ways, yes...in some ways, not as hard as I thought it might be. We've talked alot about how we (as a family) feel that God has called us to Mercy Ships and specifically to the Africa Mercy for this season of our lives...so, in some ways, it doesn't matter where the ship goes or when. We agree with the song lyrics: "Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay.  When You move, I'll move. I will follow You." We will go wherever He leads - and it just so happens that His leading has a lot to do with the movement of this ship.

We've enjoyed this city and this country.  We've been blessed here...challenged here....strengthened here...grown here. 

 

A favorite from Guinea from each of us:

• Nick -- getting to see so much of the country & live in a village on the upcountry dental trip
• Dianna -- praying through our running route (close 2nd: Riviera's Hummus & Port Cokes)
• Eli -- going to the Island
• Caroline -- the Cultural Tour Field Trip - getting to braid hair and wash clothes
• Emma -- the playground!

During one of our Community Meetings, Ken Blackwell - an American Missionary who has been serving here in Guinea with his wife & family for 20+ years, said the following:

"May a splinter from Guinea remain in your heart...don't forget Guinea and what God is doing here."

Our heart has certainly been affected - our splinters are firmly in place.  We will not be forgetting what God has done and is doing in this nation.  We won't forget what we've seen and experienced.  We are grateful to have been here and grateful to have the privilege of praying for Guinea for years to come.   

 

Please join us in praying for Guinea:

• for the missionaries working here
• for the President & other leaders
• for peace
• for Christ's love to saturate this land

God, will you please bless Guinea?  Will you pour out greater blessings than anything we could ever hope for, dream of or imagine?  Will you help the seeds that have been planted to take root, grow strong and produce much fruit?  Will you continue to heal those who passed through the Africa Mercy -bodies & souls...will you heal them?  We trust you with these people and with this nation...thank you for giving us the delight of being here these past 10 months. 

 



And now we are sailing...getting closer to the Canary Islands each moment.  This sail has been the epitome of smooth.  At times it hasn't even felt like we're even moving!  Yesterday it was downright COLD out on deck. We loved it!!!  We are considering it our Fall, Winter & Spring. 

 

There has been a treasure hunt and an Open Mic Night...there's the Mercy Ships' tradition of Sock Golf tonite.  We've eaten multiple bags of popcorn (really good popcorn!!) and delicious food cooked by the Gurkas.  We've worshipped on the bow and rested in our cabin.  We've seen dolphins, flying fish, turtles and whales....(photo credit is due to others...not even sure who...just not me...)

 



 

The view from our cabin (this is from the other day...today it's much sunnier!)

This shows where we were earlier this morning...

Here's website that you can go to and see exactly where the Africa Mercy is -- be warned:  it's in Dutch.  You'll need to change it to English (Grandaddy, we thought you might like this...sorry it's so late in the voyage!).

We're definitely enjoying the sail. Smooth waters.  No seasickness. Beautiful weather.  We'll be in Grand Canaria soon enough...and then on to the great state of Georgia next week...but for now, we'll seek to enjoy the moment and enjoy the gifts God is giving today. 

There's something so special about God's ocean.

 

Surely there will be more to come.