How do you end a blog? (a little overdue)

How do you end a blog?  What's the proper way to bring a chapter of life to a close?  (while knowing the pages of that chapter will forever impact and be intertwined with all the remaining chapters of your life...)

How do you end a blog that feels like it should've been ended months ago?

How do you write something that you really don't want to write but feels necessary to bring closure?(but that you actually want to write because you're not a fan of dangling loose ends...)

I guess you just do it.  

Leaving the m/v Africa Mercy and resettling in Georgia was as tough as they said it would be.  I didn't want it to be tough...but it was is...  It has had its ups and downs - and truth be told, we're still in the process.  Maybe we always will be.  I don't even fully know how to put into words why it was tough - I'll leave that to the transition experts.

Here are a few things that we found challenging...

• We underestimated the amount of sheer effort it would take to re-establish life back home again after years overseas.  Cell phones. Home Repairs. Internet Service. Car buying/maintenance. More Home Repairs. And on and on the list goes. Honestly, we got used to things being complicated in Africa (yet comparatively simple on the ship) - it was understood that nothing was ever as simple as "just run to the store and pick something up." But we didn't expect complicated in America...when in reality it's just as complicated (which makes it all the more frustrating).

• Not being able to move into our house when we thought we would be able to was challenging (at least it was for me!)(unmet expectations are from the devil).  And it was challenging to try and be content/thankful for what we did have rather than longing for what was coming (though it's good to be excited about the gifts that are coming)(see the conundrum?!).  Yes, we were "home"...but we weren't "home"...really feeling like we've been able to settle has just come in the last month as we've moved into our house and unpacked the few boxes that we had.

• Spending money.  I miss the days of scanning my badge...  I miss the days of $18 worth of stuff in the ship shop feeling like a big splurge!  Life here is just more expensive than it feels like it should be or needs to be...

• Trying to walk ourselves through this time as well as our children - in particular, the youngest member of the Cash Family.  She straight-up misses the ship - the ship is the only life she's ever known.  The tears have felt endless at times (hers and mine!).  We're still walking with her through this... and praying it only proves to make her (and all of us) stronger and rely more fully on the faithfulness of God.

And a few things that have made transition absolutely wonderful!

• Faithful friends and family who have welcomed us back.
• Matt's generosity to put together the wish-list of items that have essentially furnished our home.
• Access to Chick-fil-a, Cherry Coke, Krystal, Cracker Barrell, Five Guys...
• Ship Friends who have come to visit (and the ones planning to visit!)
• Being able to see what God is continuing to do on and through Mercy Ships
• Being a part of a healthy & vibrant church community (Christ Community Church)
• Knowing we are where God has asked us to be.  Nothing beats that.  Nothing.

If you're interested in keeping up with us, here's our info:

Physical address:
Cash Family
10311 Whitesville Road
Fortson, GA 31808

(you are most welcome to come visit anytime - seriously!)

e-mail addresses
diannacash@yahoo.com
nickcashra@yahoo.com

blogs/social media
like trees planted (Nick posts incredibly thoughtful and helpful content as he has the time to do so)
 obsequium fidei (I post thankful lists weekly and other random thoughts sporadically - very sporadically!)

I'm also on Instagram (but not so much Facebook): lifeasacash

So for now...at least for the foreseeable future, this is it for "the Cash Crew serving with Mercy Ships" blog.  Feels like we should sign off with "Cash Crew out."  But we're not out.  We're still the Cash Crew... we're still serving God... we're still trying to love others... we're just as much in "missions" and "ministry" as we've ever been (though we just call it life with Him)  (and as amazed as ever that He would allow us live our lives with Him).

Internet Official: An Announcement from the Cash Family

I suppose it's time to make things internet official.  We've shared this with our friends, family, and supporters and we're pretty sure most of our Mercy Ships Community/Family is aware...  but just in case there's someone out there that doesn't know -- our time on the Africa Mercy is drawing to a close.

OUR FIRST SAIL! Heading to GUINEA. 

Here's the scoop in bullet form (though each bullet could easily be turned into a blog post of its own):

• Back in 2012 we committed to Mercy Ships for 4-5 years (though when we arrived we realized that kind of commitment was unusual -- most people sign up for 2 years or less...  or for an indefinite amount of time.  Nick has felt pretty strongly about a 4-5 year time frame for us all along...  but I wasn't so sure -- I kind-of imagined us being here for much longer...  I imagined our kids graduating from the onboard Academy...  but God did what He's so faithful to do -- He gets us all on the same page.)
• We knew that the end of this field service (Benin) would be 5 years...
• All along we've been saying "God, we just want to be where you want us" (that's what got us into all this in the first place :-) ) -- so we were certainly open to staying...  and open to going....
• This past summer we spent significant time praying and asking God for clear direction as to whether we should extend our 5-year commitment with Mercy Ships.
• He brought us all to the same place of knowing that this would be our last field service.  
• In June we will be leaving the Africa Mercy and heading back to Columbus, Georgia. 

Easter in CONGO

When God was calling us into Mercy Ships, there was a moment where He used a song to confirm that He was indeed calling us out of Teen Advisors as much as He was calling us in to Mercy Ships.  There was a line in the song that said "The one who called you in will call you out."  And, even though I've never heard the song since that day pulling out of the driveway at Christ Community Church (honestly, I've wondered if it was actually a song or something that God did special just for me), He's using the same lyrics to call us out of Mercy Ships.

It's interesting to try and wrap our minds around the "lasts" -- we enjoyed our last Christmas on the ship a few months ago...  we just had our last Ash Wednesday Service...  we are in the midst of our last season of Lent on the ship...  soon the kids will be in their last quarter as students in the onboard Academy.  Eventually we will attend our last Community Meeting...  respond to our last fire drill...  lead our last Worship Gathering...  host our last meeting with the Chaplaincy Team...  enjoy our last waffle Friday...  and, finally, take our last walk down the gangway.

Visiting the Lemur Park in MADAGASCAR

With the short-term nature of service onboard and all the constant coming & going of Crew Members, we've been saying good-bye ever since we arrived in this place...  so that's nothing new...  but it's a different kind of good-bye when you're the one doing the leaving.

There is a deep sense of peace surrounding this transition.  Peace about finishing here.  Peace about moving back to Columbus.  Peace that He is with us and that He has good plans for us!

We know that transition can be difficult -- and we're going into it with eyes wide open -- but, so far, pretty much everything about this transition has had a sweet peace about it. We're not sure why but God is making the way so smooth and we are so very grateful.  We are absolutely amazed at the things that are already lined up / are lining up for us in Columbus.

Sharing a meal during Aunt Amy's visit in BENIN

Our hope and heart is to finish well here on the Africa Mercy.  Ever since we made our decision that this field service would be our last, we've done our best to stay fully invested and to serve God and His beloved people here -- and maybe because we know it is our last, we've been able to stay fully invested

Please pray for us that we finish our commitment on the Africa Mercy with excellence & effectiveness.  And thank you.  Thank you again and again and again, for making it possible for us to be here!  Your financial support, prayers, encouragement, friendship, and love have made the past 5 years (and really our lives!) possible.

Surely there will be more to come.

A glimpse into what's next: GEORGIA, USA

A Giant See-Saw for a Home

Caroline wrote the following for a school assignment.  She gave us permission to share it here (reluctantly...but permission, none the less!!)

Have you ever seen a giant see-saw with hundreds of people on it? Well, I live on one.  It's a ship called the Africa Mercy. The Africa Mercy is a great place to live for the following reasons: our destinations, friendships, and community life.

Guinea, 2012

The ship goes to many exotic places - that is one of the main reasons why I love the ship! First, in August 2012 until June 2013 we went to Guinea.  There was an amazing hotel and pool with these adorable little kittens. There was also an amazing park which provided a great field trip spot and a good place to play.  Then, in August 2013 until June 2014 the ship went to Congo which had an amazing beach very close to the port. There were also with many restaurants with low prices and good food. In October 2014 we went to Madagascar.  It was so awesome we went for two years.(JK we went cause we had nowhere else to go because of the Ebola crisis in West Africa) There was a very grassy soccer field where we played Frisbee and there were many amazing spots that people went to for  relaxation during the weekend. Most recently, in August of this year (2016), we have arrived at Benin! Here there is an amazing treat called fanice! It is absolutely delicious. If you are looking for an international traveling home then you should move to the Africa Mercy!

               

At Arbre d'Vie Orphanage a few weekends ago

 I love the ship because of my friends who support me in smooth times and rough as well. First of all, I have met kids from all over the world. It is almost like visiting the world in one day. For example Maya, who is from America, and Anna, who is from Liberia, would have never been my friends if I had not come and lived here. Secondly, I see my friends almost 24/7 which makes our friendship as strong as steel! We ripstick on the dock a lot and we usually play Frisbee on Fridays! Unfortunately, being an MK (Missionary Kid) has its down sides. Often times my friends go back to their home countries or get reassigned. It makes me feel very sad; sometimes I sit and wonder why people have to leave. Still, I love the diversity of my friends.

Caroline and her sweet friend Elsa (one of those hard good-byes)

Although, the ship is very large we are all a very close community. To begin with, unlike other places, we have a school right here onboard. We have this funky celebration called Jabulani day were everyone dresses up using the basics of a theme. It is totally breathtaking! Also, everybody knows almost everyone else. I trust a lot of adults and I feel comfortable enough to just walk up to someone and say "hi" even if I do not know them.

Crew of the AFM, Congo

Obviously, the ship is one of my favorite places on the planet! I feel like everyone is as close as a giant “family” that travels together all around Africa. God bless the Africa Mercy now and forever!

Surely there will be more to come!

all over the place...and right here.

We've been trying to figure out how to put into words what exactly is going on in our world and in the world of the Africa Mercy (and feel the need to remind our readers that these are just our thoughts and feelings and aren't necessarily the views and beliefs of Mercy Ships) ....

But we've been waiting -- waiting "until we know more" -- waiting until we know which direction we are heading....waiting until the right words just magically came together...but the truth of the matter is that we don't know more and we don't really know when we'll know more, and words rarely (if ever) magically come together.   Here are streams of words that are managing to magically not come together: 

• Words: waiting. unknown. trusting. changes. transition. unexpected. change of plans. unsettled. 
• Roadblocks: ebola. issues with the propeller.  country-next? 
• Locations: Congo. Guinea. Benin. Benin? Congo? Somewhere else? 
• New New New: New Managing Director.  New Hospital Director. New Operations Director. New HR Director. New Deputy Chief Medical Officer. New Crew Physician. New Preschool Teacher.

So very much feels up in the air.  So much "new" and so many unknowns cannot help but lend themselves to a certain level of unsettled uncertainty.  Yet there's peace in the uncertainty.

There are 2 pictures that have come to mind in the past few days (we're not saying this is how we feel...just 2 pictures that seem to help make sense of things that are going on).  One is of a person playing in the waves.  

It's fun and the waves are exciting...but then you get knocked down.  Ok...that was alright...still fun.  You get back up and play some more and get knocked down again - not quite as fun as the first time but still ok...and about the time you get your footing under you, another wave bowls you over...and another...and then you are swirling around and can't get your footing.  Finally the footing comes and you can catch your breath...but then, here comes another wave!  

Sometimes all of the changes and the unknowns feel a bit like waves - fun and exciting at times, terrifying and frustrating at times... but the fact is that we're right where we supposed to be...and somehow we've got to make the most of the waves!  

The other picture is a bit calmer...it's of a puzzle -- a puzzle that is well on its way to completion. 

It's been challenging to put the puzzle together, but you can see that progress has been made and it's making some sense.  There are still pieces that need to be plugged in and moved around...but you can see the picture that's taking shape and it feels like a pretty nice, orderly process.  BUT THEN - a cat steps on the puzzle and knocks it on the floor and now all the pieces are all over the place!  

You know the pieces are still there...it's just a matter of putting them back where they go (and maybe someone changed the puzzle you were working on in the middle of the spill?!?).  

So after that spew of words and pictures, we'll try to fill you in on what we do know....

What we do know is that our God has a plan.  And we trust Him.

What we do know is that Mercy Ships has capable leaders who are doing everything they can to make the best and wisest decisions.  

What we do know is that our God is faithful - His plans are good and He always guides us in the way we should go. 

We were scheduled to set sail for Benin last Friday...but because of the Ebola situation, the sail was delayed.  It is now looking more and more unlikely that we'll be in West Africa at all in the next season.

Here are links to 2 news stories about the ship/decisions: 

East Texas news story

And another 

And here's a quote from one of our leaders (you can read the rest of the article here): 

"Africa is and remains our priority, but crew safety drives every decision," he emphasized.  "We request prayer as we consider all options to manage the risk, including deployment to other unaffected nations." - Don Stephens

One of the big questions is, "If not West Africa, then where?"  That is yet to be determined...but is being diligently worked on.  We were told tonite in our Community Meeting that we will be sailing to Africa - just not sure where or when. 

For now, we are in the Canary Islands.  We were on the Island of Gran Canaria for shipyard/maintenance...then sailed to Tenerife...and now we're back on Gran Canaria -- there's a problem with one of the propellers so we needed to come back to the shipyard.  Our Captain put it well in an email today.  He said, 

"I am grateful that we have discovered this problem now, while we are on hold and so near a qualified repair facility.  I see God’s redeeming nature in the situation." - Captain Tim

And, as a friend posted on Facebook, "there are certainly worse places that we could be stuck for a while." 

It's lovely here...but even in its loveliness, our hearts and the heart of the AFM Crew is to be serving in Africa and using this vessel to do what it was created to do - provide life-changing surgeries, dental and eye care, as well as education and training, to Africa's poorest countries.  

In a lot of ways, the location of the ship doesn't affect our family all that much.  The kids still go to school each weekday and our jobs as chaplains are in full swing - our team is working hard to lay the foundations for a strong, healthy, Spirit empowered and God-reliant ship community for wherever we end up.  

But in other ways our jobs are massively impacted by the ship's location, primarily because the AFM Crew is massively impacted by the ship's location.  

We are praying that this time will be useful for pressing into God and pressing into one another as a community.  We want to be purposeful in loving whoever God puts in front of us - whether that's here in Spain, or in Benin, or wherever we are!

Another main point for prayer is the fact that the ship is going through significant changes in leadership (see all the "News" at the beginning of this post).  Please pray into this as the Spirit leads you.  

Thank you for walking with us and being faithful to invest in us.  We absolutely couldn't be here without you.  

We are looking forward to the day when we can look back and clearly see what God was up to during this time - we know it's something...just not entirely sure what it is.  

Trusting that...

Surely there is more to come.

Pray With Us

"How can I/we be praying for you?"  That's one of our favorite questions to be asked....and one of our favorite questions to ask.  In preparation for this past week's community meeting, we asked a few of our managers/leaders that question.  Here are their responses....we'd like to invite you to join us in talking and listening to God about these situations.....

Off Ships/Hope Center

• For those in the Off Ship team who are serving outside of the Pointe Noire area -- especially Franck and the Agriculture Team.
• Unity and peace as we work in our department off ship, that the daily pressures will not take away our purpose and passion.
• For perseverance and strength to finish the field service well.... not just finish it but really finish it fantastically!!

HR

• Transitions of Crew and leadership over the summer
• Urgent recruiting needs:
• Head Housekeeper in Crew Services
• Managerial Trainer in Staff Development

 Transportation

• Vehicle breakdowns due to driving conditions - rain, mud, rivers, sand.
• Vehicle damage and crew safety while driving.  
• Prayer for the safe arrival & speedy clearance of our new airport commuter bus - due March 11.
• Health of crew and day crew.
• Stability and perseverance of crew and day crew as we finish out the field service.
• Smart and appropriate decisions to be made by our crew and day crew drivers.
• Thank God for the blessing it is to have such a capable fleet of vehicles and team to maintain them.

 Academy

• Pray for Hannah who graduates High School in May. That God will make a way for her future and what he has planned for her!
• Pray for the families who are leaving the ship, for a smooth transition to new schools, friends and lives in their new homes
• Pray for the New Principal and his family
• Pray for the students and families who will be staying next year, that God will build them up and encourage them during this season of change.
• Pray for new families who are coming, that God will make a way and provide as well and welcome them into our community.
• Praise Point:  Full teaching team for next year already approved. Pray that God will continue to provide for them in radical ways.

 Hospital Day Crew

• good understanding of the patients need / nurses need so they can translate correct
• strength for the coming months to continue their job - some make long hours -it's not easy
• good relationships with the patients/crew and other day crew so we can live and work as one united community

Thank you for joining with us in prayer....what a gift to know that God hears us - and responds! - when we pray.  And it's not just when we intentionally "close our eyes and bow our heads" or when we "get down on our knees" (or whatever other posture one may choose) - it's when we whisper His name...or cry out "help, God."...it's when we don't even know the right words to say (cause it's certainly not about having the right words to say).  It's any time we invite Him to be involved and present in any thing. Prayer is a gift...a privilege of speaking and listening to the One who cares most and is the source of all power and authority.  

How can we be praying for you?  Feel free to email us with your response cashcrewship@gmail.com

Surely there will be more to come.  

"I Love You Because You Are You"... the AFM Version

Way back when, for Eli's first Christmas, Aunt Amy gave us a book (she gives really incredible books!)....

...and it's about this Mama Fox and her sweet little boy fox and how she loves him no matter how he is/what mood he's in -- happy, cheerful, sad, playful, frisky, angry, etc...she loves her little one.  The end of the book says "I love you any way you feel, no matter what you do.  I love you any way you are.  I love you because you are you. "

One night, as I was reading that story to our children, I felt like God was saying "I want you to share this with the crew of the Africa Mercy."  So I tucked that tidbit away for another day....

Long story short...I was able to share the story with our community a couple of weeks ago in our Sunday Night Church Service.  God wanted to remind us of His tremendous love for us and how nothing can separate us from His love.  In the end, I also shared an "Africa Mercy Version" of "I Love You Because You Are You" that God prompted me to write.  After a few requests, I've decided to share it here on our blog...enjoy!

2 things to note:  

• yes, some of the pictures were staged (most were not)
• the "line" referred to is talking about a barrier that is put up across all of the entrances to the dining room while the floors are being mopped...quite a few people onboard find it an inconvenience when they want to go in to get tea or coffee and find the line up (and some people take the liberty to go underneath the line which is not permissable!!)  

I Love You Because You Are You,

 the Africa Mercy Version

I love you when you’re cheerful and in the best of moods.

I love you when you’re whiny and complaining about the food.

I love you when you’re laughing, grinning ear to ear.

I love you when you’re frustrated, and wonder why you’re here.

I love you when your heart is breaking, listening to the cries.

I love you when you’re on the dock, saying hard good-byes.

I love you when you’re serving, giving all you’ve got.

I love you when you’re playing, entertaining quite alot.

I love you when you’re cleaning and picking up the bits.

I love you when you’re sad, and just want to call it quits.

I love you when you’re resting and need to take a break.

I love you when you’re at the line and thinking “oh, for goodness’ sake.”

I love you when you're singing and making people smile.

I love you when you're working, going the extra mile.

I love you any way you feel, no matter what you do.

I love you any way you are, Africa Mercy Crew…

I love you because you are you!

He does!  And I am grateful.  At our best...at our worst...when we're getting it all right or all wrong or somewhere in between...when we're at our highest...when we're at our lowest...He loves us.  Oh! How He loves us.  

His love for us is not dependent on us or on our performance - and I, for one, am so very thankful.  He does love us - so very much...and nothing can separate us from His love.  Hallelujah!

Surely there will be more to come.