A Trip to "God is Love" Orphanage - as told by Caroline

Caroline talked, I (dianna) typed. 

"Saturday morning I went to an orphanage with my mom and Emma.  Some people go every week - this was my first time. We sang some songs and played some games with some kids who are orphans.  A couple...I can't remember their names...takes care of all the kids.  I don't know how many kids are there...maybe about 20...or 12...no...I think it's closer to 20.    I got to hold a baby chick. 

We went in a land rover.  My friends Bella and Nathaniel went in the Land Rover, too.   We all sat in the back.  Emma did, too. The Walls were in the other car with some other people. It took us about 30 minutes to get there I guess. 

While we were there  I got my nails painted pink and blue.  My mom let one of the girls paint her nails all of the colors.  Isabella's dad let them paint his nails, too!  That was so silly!!!  And I got to hold a baby.  My favorite part of the day was when I got to hold the baby.  Emma said her favorite part was taking pictures (cause my mom lets her do that so she's not so fussy).

Ms. Herma taught a story about how if you build your house upon the Rock of Jesus it will not tumble down.  And I got to stand on a pillow to show how it is hard to keep your balance on ground that's not firm.  And then I stood on the ground while the other girl stood on the pillows.  They were teaching us that if you build your house upon the sand it will go "splat" but if you build it on the rock, it will stand. That means if you trust in God your life will keep standing - even if it rains or storms or hard things happen.

The children were nice. I'm glad I went.  I don't know if I'll go again...maybe.  Bella said the kids are coming to the ship this Sunday for a Pancake Party...I think that's something the Dutch do.  Maybe I'll get to hold the baby again. 

We came home and ate grilled cheeses and drank apple juice."

Surely there will be more to come!

grateful...an email for sharing.

This is especially for YOU, Mr and/or Mrs (Ms/Miss/Dr/Prof/Esq?) Anonymous Donor (you didn't get the email yesterday).

We are so grateful for the support that has been shown/shared/given to our family.  Yesterday was one of those days when we were blown away by God's Love and provision for our family.  We sent an email to a group of people...but realized that, even though the list was significant, it was still incomplete -- especially in light of the fact that financial support is just a small aspect of all the support God has provided us. 

He uses SO MANY of you to encourage us with your words, your prayers, your "shares" on facebook, your comments, your packages, your letters, your LOVE....

To just say "thanks" to those who have given money would be failing to say thank you for a  multitude of gifts.  I thought that sharing the email here would reach another segment of our incredible network of God's provision and support.

So....without further adieu....the email (with some added images)....

Today is one of those days when I am overwhelmed by the Love, the goodness & the faithfulness of God. Specifically, I've been overwhelmed in thinking about the way He has provided for us and continues to provide for us - and YOU are a part of that provision.

I just have to say THANK YOU...I kind of feel like I need to share some of this gratefulness or my heart is going to explode!!

Thank you for being a part of God's plan for the people of Guinea.  Thank you for caring enough to support us so generously.  We are so very grateful.

In other news, all 5 of us Cashes are looking forward to our trip to the States this summer! There's not a day that goes by when someone doesn't say something along the lines of "I'm so excited about going to GA!" We’ll be coming to Columbus June 15 and we’ll be around and about until July 11.

this face represents all of the Cash Family's excitement & anticipation

We’re planning to have some sort of “Catch up with the Cashes” event just to be able to share in person what the past year has been like. I’ve been thanking God because we really can just share an update – because of YOUR GENEROSITY, there’s really no reason for us to have to raise support/make pleas for money on this trip (and that makes for a much more relaxing trip!). Yet another gift you’re giving us! Hallelujah!!

We would LOVE to see as many of you as possible this summer….you are an important part of our life and a valuable partner in this journey we are on.

Please continue to pray for the work of God through Mercy Ships. Things are winding down here in Guinea - but there is much left to be done before the ship sails. The Advance Team left last week for the Congo - please pray for them as they prepare for the Africa Mercy's arrival in August.

...you.  we are especially grateful for YOU.  Thank you for sharing life with us.

For all the Cashes,
dianna

Surely there will be more to come.

i love the laundry room

This post has been a long time coming. 

I LOVE the laundry room here on the Africa Mercy.  I know that everyone on the ship does not share my affinity for this particular place (who knew people could get so fiesty over laundry :))...but I love the laundry room and am so thankful for it.  The laundry room has become somewhat of a sanctuary for me - a place where I meet with God and recognize His faithfulness. 

The easiest way to describe the Faithfulness of God I've experienced is to say that, since we've been on the Africa Mercy (going on 9 months), EVERY time we've needed a laundry slot, there's been one. 

Even as I typed that, it doesn't seem like "that big of a deal"... BUT IT IS.  The Africa Mercy has somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 people living onboard.  There are 10 washers & dryers (2 of which are used for the often nasty oily galley and engineering laundry - so it's recommended that you NOT use them for normal clothes...) -- so 8 washers & dryers...and, at any given time, one or two (or more if it's a really bad week) of those washers or dryers may be out of commission (these machines keep our electricians and repairmen quite busy!  Washers and dryers running around the clock...it's a wonder they work as often as they do). 

All in all, the chances are slim that a slot will be open -- but EVERY time I've needed one, there's been one.  Every time there's been a crazy mess or unexpected wet sheets, every time we've come back from the Island and needed to do "one quick load", everytime I realized that someone is out of something necessary - there's an open slot. 

The first few times it happened I thanked God and continued on about  my business...the next few times I thanked Him some more and marveled at His goodness...the next few times (and every time since) is when it all became some what of a "sacred game" -- "God, is there really going to be a slot this time?  God, You've provided a slot everytime...are You going to do it again?  God, it's 2pm on a Saturday...there's no way there's going to be a slot.  God, You've done it again!  God, thank you for reminding me of your love and provision through the availability of a washing machine." 

 Just to further explain, those open slots are in addition to the slots that I've signed up.  There's a "Laundry Sign up Book" that has a page for each machine each week and each day is divided up into one hour time slots from 6am until 10pm (after 10 is first come, first serve).  You sign up for the machines and time slots that you want a few days in advance.

There's also a "Laundry Room Guide" book - it contains PAGES of rules/policies/explanations/guidelines that are a beautiful work of art intended to help with the peace and cooperation of all in the laundry room.  It would take me far too long to explain everything that's in that book...you'll just have to come and see for yourself.    

 

Another fabulous perk of the laundry room - I can get multiple loads of laundry done at the same time!  When we are not on water restrictions, we are allowed 2 loads of laundry per person per week.  When we are on water restrictions (as we've been the entire time we've been in Guinea), we are allowed one load per person per week...so, technically, I can do 5 loads at one time if I get my signing up right (thankfully we don't usually need all 5)! 

 

Feel free to call me crazy...but my FAVORITE laundry slots are the 6am slots.  I usually do 3 loads at once.  So at 6am: Load washer 1. Load washer 2. Load washer 3. Put in the detergent (x3). Close the doors (x3). Push the buttons (x3).  Go to exercise class.  Go get breakfast.  Come back at 7am:  Transfer laundry from washer to dryer (x3). Put in a dryer sheet (x3). Close the doors (x3). Push the buttons (x3).  Go take a shower. Get kids up and fed and ready for school and out the door.  Go back and get the dry laundry by 8am.  Fold it.  And done.  

Other amenenities:  the laundry room is equipped with a "drying area" for clothes that you don't want to put in the dryer...I tend not to use this (I just take things back to our cabin and drape them all over the cabinet doors...)

There are also plenty o' irons and ironing boards -- another aspect of the room that I do not make great use of....I've ironed melty beads but not clothes.  Ironing is not a part of my reportoire of homemaking skillz.

There's a handy dandy lost and found area...for all those socks that are missing their match.  It's kind of amusing the things that turn up in the lost and found.  The unclaimed lost and found is eventually taken to the boutique.  Fun story:  I had my eye on a dress that was in the laundry room lost and found...I was quite tempted to take it...but that would be stealing...so I waited and eventually it showed up in the boutique...and I got it!  But it didn't fit right...so it ended up back in the boutique!  Glad I didn't steal it and have that weighing on my conscience....

The laundry room is also home to the corner of vacuums.  We make great use of these.  My favorites are #7 and #2.  You go sign one out, use it, bring it back. 

 So, I love the laundry room...even if someone takes my clothes out of the washine machine early (not my favorite...but not a big deal)...even if they remove my clothes from the dryer while they are still a bit damp (little bit frustrating...but we have a drying rack in our cabin that can be put to good use every now and then)...even if someone happens to take the slot that I signed up for (now that takes a bit of patience and grace on my part - especially if there aren't any other machines available) ...even if the machine leaves the clothes a bit sudsy sometimes (that doesn't seem to be a problem...i'm trying to convince myself that it just makes the clothes smell better if the soap isn't all rinsed out)....

All of these things frustrate me to some degree or another - but, when it comes down to it, I am so beyond grateful that we have machines to wash and dry our clothes -- a whole room full of them one deck below our home: brilliant!  It would be exhausting to have to take our clothes down to a river and wash them all with rocks...or to have to haul them off the ship...or to have to hand wash them in buckets (I had enough of that in Pai Katanga, thank you very much).  Modern appliances are a gift from God.

God is in the laundry room...and I love meeting Him there. 

Surely there will be more to come. 

Easter Island trip

Last Friday was a ship holiday (and also Good Friday!).  We were able to take a boat to Roome Island and spend the day swimming, playing, riding the paddleboard and enjoying being outside.  It was fantastic - all around great attitudes, good french fries, no sunburns and no injuries makes for a great day!


Emma had a delightful time playing in the water and digging in the sand!  She set a personal best "longest stretch of no-fussing" record on this particular island trip.  Emma bear clocked in at around 5 hours of absolutely no fussing, complaining, crying, or fit pitching.  This mama was very very thankful.  

Caroline and her friend Megan.  This trip was especially fun because of all the families/kids that went!

Eli getting his first paddleboard lesson from Miss Kelly



Nick & Emma giving the paddleboard a try

This was fun to watch.  They could've gotten some more kids on there...

 Nick venturing out on the paddleboard

Having the paddleboard was definitely a fun addition!  (many thanks to Kelly for sharing and teaching!)

Such a special 8 year old!!! 

We are so thankful for the way God takes care of us and refreshes us.  He doesn't have to provide beautiful weather and inexpensive boat rides and fun families to share a day at the island with....He doesn't have to provide lovely views and a relaxing beach.  He doesn't have to bless us with so many incredible gifts.  But He does...and we are grateful.

Surely there will be more to come! 

Celebrating Easter

Easter on the Africa Mercy has proven to be a very special occassion/season!  From Lent to Holy Week to Easter Day, the Chaplaincy Department (and various others!) did an incredible job of making it meaningful, worshipful, memorable & special.

The Mosaics Caroline and Eli made at the Academy Easter Party

Our theme for this season has been "We are a Mosaic."  The theme was introduced at the beginning of Lent (much could be said on that theme...the bottom line being that individually we're just bits and pieces...but put us together and something beautiful is created).  Catharine Schwebel, one of our chaplains and an incredibly talented artist, worked on this mosaic during our Sunday Night Community Gatherings.  It was fascinating to see it come together.  Here's the finished product:

Nick, Caroline, Eli & I participated in Thursday Night's activities (our sweet friend 'chelle offered to hang out with Emma for a bit).  We were able to walk through the Stations of the Cross and share communion in the "Upper Room."  Then we went out on Deck 7 starboard side to the Footwashing Station.  There was also a "Garden of Gethsemene" set up in the International Lounge as a place to go and pray.

This is the "Queen's Lounge" (a meeting room) tranformed into a beautiful place to walk through the Stations of the Cross and take communion.  It was such a privilege to listen to Nick as He walked our family through the stations. 

Footwashing Stations (the ocean is to the left, just in case you were wondering....)

The "Garden of Gethsemene"

Good Friday was a Ship Holiday.  Our family went to Roome Island with a few other familes-- the Easter Island trip!  Pictures to come.  It was really a great day of resting and playing and trying out a paddleboard.

Saturday morning we dyed Easter Eggs...mass quantities of Easter Eggs.  Fun fact: the colors turn out very muted in a lovely sort of way when you start with brown eggs.

Emma took a break and helped herself to one of the eggs

After dying Easter Eggs the kids worked on a cross mosaic that we ended up hanging on our door.

On Sunday we celebrated in all sorts of special ways!  Sunrise service...pastries in the Cafe...Easter Morning Service...brunch....egg hunt in Mid-Ships...open cabins (people sign up to host an open house, Mercy Ships' style).  It was the perfect mix of worshipping, feasting, playing, resting, fellowshipping and reflecting.

The sun rising over the city of Conakry.  

Some of the cookies & pastries of our Easter Brunch -- with the basket o' colored eggs in the background.  The brunch really deserves an entire post all to itself.  

Mountain of grapes and cheese!  This is the first time we've had grapes since Christmas (and before that, the last time we had them was in July. We miss grapes.  and strawberries....)

Some of the incredible Dining Room and Galley staff.  They are awesome. 

Carys and Rachel (2 fantastic high schoolers!) sharing the Easter Story with the kids using Resurrection Eggs before they were let loose to find little chocolate eggs in the cafe and Mid-Ships

Hallelujah!  We serve a RISEN SAVIOR.  Our God is not dead...He is completely alive.  Our sin - all of our sin - was nailed to the cross and we bear it no more.  He is our perfect spotless righteousness...our souls are purchased by His blood.  Because a sinless Savior died, our sinful souls are counted free.  We are His, He is ours.  Oh, what a Savior!  What a reason to celebrate.  

Surely there will be more to come - because of Easter there is always more to come.