'Twas the Night before Guinea....thanking God for the Advance Team

As I'm typing this, the engines are steadily doing their part to get us to Conakry - nautical mile by nautical mile (as they have been since Thursday).  The ship is rocking side to side (the cups that were drying on the counter have now been on the floor for quite a while).  The curtains are sliding back and forth along their rod.  I keep wondering if I'm going to hear the "thud" of a child falling out of their bed.  All in all it's been a smooth sail - a few moments of seasickness....but nothing too traumatic. 

From what I can understand, the ship's time in Tenerife was something of a vacation - though I am certain the deck guys and engineers would disagree!!  And rightfully so!! For them, the maintenance & inspections & all that they had to do was certainly not a vacation! And sailing the ship from Tenerife to Conakry certainly hasn't been anything like a vacation for the Captain and his crew.  So maybe it would be more correct to say that the hospital has not been in operation these past 2 months!   

We'll be docking in Guinea tomorrow morning.  From what I've heard, everyone will hit the ground running - the hospital will go from "secured for sail" to up and running; off ship sites will get put together in record time; nurses and doctors will come (and those who have been working in all sorts of roles as stewards and cooks and dining room servers will finally get to go back to their "regular" jobs!); screening day will happen and then the surgeries will begin...

Feels like tomorrow is a big day. The start of something significant.  

But God's been reminding me tonite that it's absolutely not just starting tomorrow.  Plans have been in the works for years...prayers have been prayed....meetings have been held.  And, most recently, the Advance Team has been hard at work preparing the way for God to bring hope and healing through the Africa Mercy in Guinea.

I think I know only about the tip of the iceberg of what all the Advance Team has done (it's slightly hard to make an iceberg reference while we're still sailing...thankfully I would venture to guess that there is no threat of anything even semi-related to an iceburg here off the coast of West Africa).  Maybe I'll learn more about what all the Advance Team has done and can report back in the coming days.

But I do know that they have been hard at work - and what is coming in the next few days, weeks and months would not be possible without their dedication, hard-work and God-honoring lives.

A lady named Tracey Swopes has been the leader of the Advance Team.  She wrote an article that was posted on our internal website today.  It encouraged and challenged me - and I wanted to share the last paragraph with you (the "dance" she talks about is definitely not talking about actual dancing in Guinea! :))(though, if it's anything like Ghana, there will certainly be plenty of dancing!)

So, how should we dance in Guinea? I want to encourage everyone (AFM, International Officers and the IOC) to put away his or her own plans for saving Guinea. I encourage you to pray for and love the Guinean people as Jesus loves us. I am NOT saying accept the corruption, the Islamic faith, or other worldviews. I am saying listen to the music, dance the dance of relationship building while standing on the Father’s toes and be willing to go where the Holy Spirit leads you. There is a popular song out there that I have enjoyed...one sentence now strikes me differently: “I'm gonna shape history . . . and I’m going to change the world”. No I am not! I am going to stand on my Father’s toes like the uncoordinated 9 year old that I am and allow Him to use me to change the world one worldview clash at a time ... His timing not mine ... I encourage you to give it a whirl.  -- Tracey Swopes, Advance Team Leader

Please pray for us -  pray for the Africa Mercy as a whole.  Pray for the individuals that make up Mercy Ships. Pray for the Technical side of Mercy Ships. Pray for the medical side of Mercy Ships.  Pray for the doctors & nurses, the teachers & stewards.  Pray for those who - even now! - are making their way to Conakry for screening day.  Pray for the Cash family. Pray for Nick as he continues to learn & carry out his roles as HR manager.  Pray for Eli, Caroline & Emma as they learn & play & grow & develop.  Pray for me as I serve our family and help in other ways on the ship.  May we all stand on our Father's toes and allow Him to lead...allow Him to set the pace...allow Him to dip us and twirl us and draw us close....willing to go wherever, whenever & however... 

Surely there will be more to come. 

As promised...Emma's First Day of School...& writing numbers on pink forms

This first picture doesn't really have anything to do with the first day of school...just thought it was amusing.  This is Emma's semi-usual first attempt at being picked up.  Which is immediately followed by me saying, "try again. name, request, please."  which is sometimes followed by her saying "Mama, can you pick me up, please?" (and sometimes it's followed with more fussing).

Not this mama's favorite thing to look at (well, I like looking at her fine...just  not a fan of the fussing)

On to actual "first day of school" stuff:  

emma's hair do of choice today...she got to pick her clothes, too. 

In her classroom getting ready for me to leave...she's holding a heart she drew on for her teacher.  She cried a bit when I left - but she's always done that...even at Christ Community back home.  She's just trying to make me feel loved and special.  riiiight.  She stopped crying about 10 seconds after I left...I waited & listened in the hall!



A sneak peak through the window of her classroom about an hour and a half in (I didn't want her to see me so I just raised the camera and pointed...).  It's not the best of pictures - but it captures her entire class:  all 3 kids (emma, malachi & adelyn) and both teachers (Mrs. Herma & Mrs. Elizabeth)

Emma's artwork!  

Things I know Emma did today at "school": artwork, played with water out on deck 7, sang "head and shoulders, knees & toes", drank juice.  All the essentials of nursery/playschool :)  I think "school" agrees with Emma - she's been happier this afternoon than I've seen her in a while! 

 

And what did I do with my first morning with all 3 kids in school?  I got to combine a few of my favorite things: being helpful, filling out forms, prayer & worship!  I found someone who had something that needed to be done...the little pink rectangle post-it in the first picture below is my instructions - basically, I wrote numbers & a country code on pink pieces of paper.  I've made it from 17,971 to 19,100 (I think the beginning number for Guinea was 17,500).  My goal is 19,500.   

This is the kind of mindless work I love - the kind that allows me to get a job done and have my mind somewhere else.  Though in this case, my mind was kind of still on the pink forms. These are the forms that will be used in the patient screenings coming up in a few weeks. These are the forms where information will be written regarding life-changing operations and procedures. These are the forms that will be used to determine who gets surgery and when.

What a privilege to be able to pray for those who will be doing the screening and for the Africans who will come through the screenings with high hopes. What sadness to think of those who might come with problems that this ship isn't able to solve. What delight knowing that our God sees and knows each one - He knows the number of hairs on each of their heads. He knows who He has surgery in store for...and He knows how the others will be healed.

And to be able to do this while listening to a God-ordained playlist on my ipod, with a cup of coffee, a roll of green mentos and (after the coffee) a cup of ice - all-in-all it was a terrific way to spend a couple of hours on a Wednesday morning. 

Surely there will be more to come.   



First Day of School!

Mercy Ships Academy started today!  Eli and Caroline were so excited!  They had a hard time falling asleep last night!  Both woke up early this morning - cheerful and ready to go! 

We had cinnamon rolls & Lucky Charms for breakfast in the Dining Room (first day of school = first day we've all made it down for breakfast in the dining room!)

These next 2 pictures are compliments of Emma.  Is the glass half full or half empty?  We'll post pictures of her first day tomorrow!  She'll be going to "nursery class" with Mrs. Herma 3 mornings a week. 

We had the privilege of being in Gateway with both Eli and Caroline's teachers.  We are SO excited that Miss Moriah will be teaching Eli and Miss Kayleigh will be teaching Caroline.  Both of these ladies are beautiful, kind, loving, capable & smart - they love God and want to serve Him as they teach on board the ship!  We're praying that God will use Kayleigh & Moriah in big and small ways as they invest in our kids' lives on a daily basis.  Please feel free to pray for them as God brings them to mind!

Miss Moriah & Eli



Caroline & Miss Kayleigh

We're excited about all that God has in store for our kids as they grow & learn.  The Academy program is excellent - very well rounded (Bible! art! PE! music! drama! French! library time! Computer!)(and, of course, all the "regular" stuff as well) and is well equipped.  We were quite impressed as we toured all of the rooms last night during the open house by all of the resources available to the students and teachers   God has certainly been generous to the Mercy Ship's Academy - and generous to our family in allowing us to be a part of this community within a community!

Surely there will be more to come!

Many Thanks to God for Emma's Napping Abilities

A few of our favorite photos from the journey to Dallas to London to Accra to Pai Katanga to Accra to Madrid to Grand Canaria to the ship!  The activities going on in these pictures are some of the main reasons that our travel & time in Ghana was as peaceful as it was. 

First nap on the flight from Dallas to London

on the bus from Accra to Pai Katanga

the kids' bed in Pai Katanga....there wasn't quite this much overlap every night.

Napping in our room in Pai Katanga.  Thank you, God, for the fan.  Thank you, God, for naps.  



Sleeping at the mall in Accra



On the flight from Accra to Madrid...yup, she fell asleep coloring.




too cute not to share





On the flight from Madrid to Grand Canaria

Sleeping with Miss Stephanie on the bus from the hotel in Grand Canaria to the Ferry (only about a 30 minute bus ride - long enough for a nap!)



Another one of my disclaimers:  Paci  &  Bebe are now confined to Emma's room/bed....we've been making great exceptions through this transitional 3+ months. No more!!  I know all you dentists out there want the paci gone for good...we're working on that.  Taking one step at a time.  Always!  One step at a time...  :)

Surely there will be more to come! 

First Week Anniversary!

This week we’ve:

• Moved & settled into our new home!
• Been oriented (officially)
• Earned free coffee by turning in our forms
• Taken a ship tour
• Had our first fire drill

The Cash Crew at our Muster Station.  "This is a drill. This is a drill.  This is a drill." 



The alarm was emma's wake-up call - thus the fabulous bed head and paci.

• Nick started his job
• Caroline has made 5 friends (officially)
• Eli has made 3 friends (officially)
• Taken a tour of the Academy
• Eaten good food!
• Learned the art of making a cinnamon toast panini
• Had Cash Family Church
• Dianna walked to the “spanish wal-mart” (took a taxi home)
• Checked email! 
• Gotten to talk to friends and family on the phone (well, some of them!  Left some messages…got some messages…)
• Gone to a lovely zoo/Sea World type place called Loro Parque (see pictures below!)
• Dianna & the kids walked to a park – probably about 1 ½ miles one way – enjoyed some playtime, icecream & a sweet walk back
• Enjoyed our first week of ship life!

It’s really been a great week. Things are going well and we are enjoying life here aboard the Africa Mercy.  The food has been fantastic (though we’ve been told that we shouldn’t get so used to all the fresh fruit).  Our cabin is plenty big and just right for our family (pictures to come…someday!). 

The ship is preparing to sail to Guinea next week.  We’re looking forward to getting there and meeting up with the rest of our stuff – the containers we were able to ship things on went straight from the IOC in Texas to Guinea. 

he Cash Crew is preparing for school to start on Tuesday and we’re also preparing to celebrate Caroline’s 6th birthday on the 17^th!  Birthday plans include having everyone in the dining room sing to her (Mercy Ships' tradition, complete with a bell that gets rung!), throwing water balloons at the Cash men and eating cake!

We’re thankful for the kindness and thoughtfulness of God…He's been filling our lives with reminders of His goodness.  He’s got good plans for the Cash Family – and for you and your family. 

Surely there will be more to come!

the dolphin show at Loro Parque! we've heard the dolphins do this along side the ship sometimes...

this was about a second before the biggest, loudest belly flop we've ever seen or heard!

Ghana - an attempt to put it into a blog post

It's hard to know exactly what to post and how to post it...one long post (VERY LONG)???  numerous short ones???  I think I'm going to try for one really long one (basically my journal from our time in Ghana along with some pictures to go along with the words).  Then maybe another post with more pictures...really I just want to post SOMETHING - making a blog post has been near the top of my mental to-do list...and I want to get it DONE.   

Honestly, just sharing these journal entries doesn't feel "complete" - there's no nice bow to wrap up the package.  Maybe that will come later.  And I've been trying to add pictures to this (cause that would make it much more exciting!)  But I've been met with lots of frustration and challenge.  The end result is that there aren't as many pictures as I would like.  One note on the pictures:  some of them are mine/nick's and some were taking by a guy on our team named Josh (super talented creative fun guy named Josh!).  Happy reading (i'll understand if you don't make it all the way through)...

One last disclaimer:  these are my thoughts and feelings - Nick's experience was a bit different and I can't completely wrap my head around my kids' experiences - at least not enough to put it into words that would be blog-able.  So...without further adieu (?), Field Service from dianna's point of view...

Thursday, July 19, 2012
Ghana…wow…wow in a good way and wow in a hard way!   It’s Thursday night, July 19…I’m sitting in our little “home” for our time here.  It’s hard to call a one room place home…not necessarily because it’s just one room…more because it’s so incredibly foreign – if home is where the heart is, then this IS home…but it doesn’t necessarily feel like home!  We have our own shower and toilet and a room for all 5 of us to sleep in. (we're rather blessed to have our own toilet -- all of the single ladies – about 20 of them! – have to share one toilet and shower)(the guys have one of each, too…but there are only 8 of them…so that’s not so bad!).

Our room....We've got 2 beds...well, one bed and one mattress.  Nick and I sleep in the bed...the kids all sleep on the mattress.  Miraculously, it's working out fine.   I'm kind of impressed with the flexibility of the Cash kids at this moment (and they were excellent travelers!).  Our floor is concrete…but quite dirty. It’s been swept multiple times…but still manages to get clean feet dirty on the short trek from the toilet to bed.  Shoes are a must (at least for this mama’s feet!).   Seeking to be grateful for what it is rather than discontent with what it is not.


This place –  the physical geographical location -- is beautiful! God’s creation is so amazing!  (the picture doesn't even look real!) There are mountains and green hillsides…beautiful sunsets…nice breezes.  And lovely children!  Lots of children who go crazy over bubbles (and knock one another over as they attempt to pop them)….children who are eager to know our names and super excited when they get to touch our skin.  Children who like to sing “Jesus Loves Me” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”  We did the hokey pokey today and “singing in the rain” – maybe those will catch on. 

We’ve had a full week of traveling and getting settled and beginning work….in some ways it seems like forever since we left Texas – we’re worlds away.  In other ways, this doesn’t feel completely real.  We’re in Ghana, Africa….causes me to breathe deep. 

Recap of things so far:

Sunday afternoon we rode vans to Dallas.    We successfully boarded our plane and flew to London (we even got to board early since we were flying with children – THAT was a nice perk!).  The flight was good – the kids slept some, the parents did not.

We landed in London on Monday morning and spent the next few hours at the airport.  We colored and played on the fun playground and ate lunch at “the Giraffe” (I fell asleep at the table…) and then played on the playground some more (I fell asleep at the playground). 

Monday afternoon we successfully boarded another plane (no early boarding this time) and flew to Accra, Ghana.  Enjoyed multiple plane cokes – and several cups of ice (that flight attendant gets major bonus points!!!!!).

We landed in Accra around 8:30…going through customs/security/getting luggage/loaded the bus was a bit hard. 
new country + new continent + different language + not super clear instructions + tired kids + tired parents = kind of difficult. 

We finally managed to get our entire group and luggage onto the bus and rode a few minutes to a university (maybe the university of Ghana?) where we stayed the night.  In hind sight, it doesn’t seem so bad…but in the moment it was tough!!  We had some pizza (not sure I’ve ever been so thankful for the familiar smell of pizza!) and then headed to bed.  Getting cleaned up was a little interesting (the kids were not fans of the cold showers).  Emma and Eli fell asleep, no problem.  Caroline took a while – I fell asleep telling her about all of my birthdays as a child. 

Tuesday morning we slept in a bit later than we should have (missed breakfast), got all of our stuff packed up in a hurry, listened to a bit of an orientation and then loaded a bus to head to pai katanga, ghana.

The bus ride was about 5 hours – it was nice! A 5 hour bus ride doesn’t sound like something that would be pleasant and enjoyable…but it was! 

We arrived here to the village around 4:00…unloaded…ate some dinner…realized that we’re more “in the bush” than we realized (or at least more than I realized!).

Felt overwhelmed again.  Definitely a moment of , “I can’t do this!”  and God reminding me that He can…and He will..and he is with us…and this is temporary! Our set up is less than ideal…but we’re managing.  I’m trying to figure out how to paint a picture of our reality without complaining.  It’s not fun being hot and sticky – but we’re thankful for the chance to get clean!  It’s not fun not having warm water – but thankful for the cool water!  It’s not fun not having air conditioning  - but we’re thankful for the windows that open and for the ceiling fan (and are selfishly praying that the electricity doesn’t got out…we’d lose the comfort of the fan.  Lights, we can do without…not having the fan….ack…don’t want to think about that!).  It’s not fun not having food that we’re used – but we’re thankful for things that have been served that we do like (Rice! Noodles! Chicken!).  It’s not fun not being able to communicate well with the local people – but thankful for the phrases that we have picked up and are able to use.  It’s not fun attempting to wash our clothes by hand – but it makes me alllll the more grateful for washing machines (though I’m not sure I ever took them for granted before….i’ve always been a very thankful for washing machines kind of girl).  It’s not fun that the freezer outside of our door smells like fish and other raw meat – but it IS FUN that there’s a freezer outside of our door…we’re so very thankful for the chance to chill our water and cokes!!!!  (and even have ice if the water stays in the freezer all night)(amazing, ice is made the same way in Africa as it is in the USA…)

And now it’s Thursday night, we’ve had 2 days of work “up the hill” at the construction site.  Eli and Caroline have been working along with everyone else!!!  It’s a joy to see them work and pitch in.  They’ve shoveled dirt and moved rocks.  Caroline helped teach a 4^th grade class J.  Nick’s been working hard on a couple of drainage ditches.  I’ve gotten to do a few things here and there – mainly bring water and have encouraging conversations when people come to the shady tree to take a break.  I love asked “is there anything you need?”  I’ve offered songs and dances…so far no one has needed one of those.  Maybe tomorrow. 

I’m really impressed with our team – the general lack of complaining is beautiful!!  No one is denying reality….but there’s very very little whining and complaining.  The Cash family likes that!!!  That’s one of our core values:  No whining.  It’s not really one of our family’s core value…and the truth is that we do more than our fair share of whining…but we try not to!   And we like it when others try not to, too!



The other thing that has been a HUGE blessing is the way the team has loved on our children.  Some have carried emma when my arms felt like they were going to fall off (though a huge accomplishment was that emma walked all the way to the worksite today!!!  It’s not “that far”….but we usually pick up quite the following of Ghanaian children along the way…I think the crowd overwhelms her and she just wants to be held).  Some have “looked out for” Eli and Caroline on the worksite – helping them serve and helping them feel like an important part of the team. Some have simply asked me how I’m doing.  Some have carried bags and genuinely sought out ways to serve us. Some have prayed for us (and prayed specifically for our nights…the “going to sleep” parts of our nights have been challenging – though those were challenging at time in Columbus!)  Some have just talked with our kids – checking in with them and asking their thoughts on all of this.  All are more than willing to do anything we need them to do. God is really taking care of us through our team!! 

I will say this much, this is challenging for us.  I am trusting in what the Lord said “There is blessing for you (the Cash Family) in Ghana.”  We don’t want to waste this time in any way….though I must admit that I’m reaaaaaaaly looking forward to the day we get on the bus and head back to Accra…and even more excited to board the plane for Las Palmas, Spain…and even even even more excited about getting on the ferry boat to get to the Island where the Africa Mercy is docked. 

I am certainly looking forward to life on the ship more than ever!!!!  There will be ice…and reliable showers…and washing machines & dryers….and air conditioning…and shelves and drawers for our things.  Sounds luxurious!  (maybe that’s the whole hidden reason for field service!!  Just kidding!). 

BUT, in the midst of looking forward, it’s important for us to be fully present right where we are.  We’re excited to see what the Lord does in us, through us, and around us in Ghana.  May we not waste a single second here…

Saturday, July 21, 2012
I’m still trying to figure out how to put all of this into words!  How I long to share what we’re experiencing with all of you…but I’m not sure that an “after the fact” blog post will do it justice – I don’t think an “after the fact sit down and talk about it for 3 days” will do it justice!  It may just be a “guess you had to be there” kind of thing. 

Today was a day off!  There was talk of getting a group together to go to a lake that is about 15 kilometers away…but that didn’t end up happening.  Most everyone ventured to the market area (the main road).  I attempted to carry Emma like the local ladies carry their children…I don’t think I had the cloth and/or girl situated quite right!  Maybe next time (my Moby wrap would come in handy…though it requires about 4 x’s more cloth than the Africans use!).  Nick found us some yummy cookies - he has a special knack for finding the shops that sell cold sodas – he’s the excellent shopper in our family!  After our shopping experience we came back and had lunch…and then rested a bit.

It rained this afternoon….it was the perfect excuse to nap and read and color and rest together as a family.  The breeze blowing through our room was fantastic! 

Fun things to know: 

• There are goats and chickens and turkeys and cats (and the babies of all those animals) wandering around all over the place (makes for fun things to look at…think: constantly at a petting zoo)(…but lots of animals produce lots of poop.)
• Emma attracts a crowd wherever she goes.  She and I walked down the “road” (and by “road” I mean walking trail/path…) to the ladies dorm this afternoon – by the time we got there we had a little following of children about her size with us.
• Having a cold coke with dinner makes most everything better! (our team leaders decided that since our conditions were less than ideal they would bless us with a cold soda each night…sweet sweet sweet treat to look forward to!)(we heard that teams usually get coke one night during the trip….we’ve gotten it every night!)
• Bucket showers are not so bad.  I think I actually prefer the bucket shower method even when the water is on and a “regular” shower is available.
• It’s possible to get blisters while washing clothes (the “wringing things out” part is tough!)

Monday, July 23, 2012
Ei Yi Yi.  That’s my favorite phrase today.  We woke up to the rain…which doesn’t really make for fun working conditions. We met as a team to discuss how everyone’s doing – it was very beneficial and good to hear what’s on the hearts and minds of the team.

This is hard to write about.  I’ve started dozens of sentences only to erase them.  

I miss the smell of clean.  Clean clothes. Clean sheets. Clean water.  Clean kids. Clean me.
The 2 things I felt that I had to offer – smiles and ”hellos”  - are gone.  I don’t even have those to offer.
Our team leaders led an EXCELLENT meeting this morning – they gave everyone a chance to share their thoughts and feelings (most everyone is struggling in some way or another)…but it wasn’t “just complaints,” it was constructive complaining (I’m not sure I thought that was possible!)….and it was also a time of sharing where we see God at work in this place. 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Things are starting to look up…maybe because the end is in sight?  Next week this time…we’ll be flying to Madrid.  I STILL don’t want to waste this time though…I don’t want to miss out on a single thing that the Lord has for us to do or experience here in Ghana.

Chris Empadu (not sure I’m spelling that right) came on Monday – he’s our contact person from Samaritan’s Strategy. I think his presence is really helping things to make more sense – he is our bridge to the community and to the language. 

The team really seems to be getting into a neat rhythm – a few people have been going to the local health clinic each day….the VBS is finally getting off the ground…a few of the teachers have been serving by teaching the 4^th grade….lots are still faithfully shoveling dirt and moving earth.  One of our guys, a trained chef!, spent some time with the ladies who have been cooking all of our meals.  I really appreciate the freedom that allows for each person to use their gifts and abilities to serve in whatever way the Lord leads them to serve. 

Honestly, I’m not sure what the Lord is up to – I WANT to see Him…but my vision feels blurry.  I know He is here.  I want to REJOICE in the midst of not so pleasant circumstances.  I want to delight in the sacrifice (is it really sacrifice though?).  I want to honor my God with my attitude and with the opportunity to be less selfish. 

Raw thoughts:  these people are doing “fine” – this community is well fed, clothed (for the most part! The parts that aren’t well clothed are ones who are choosing not to be clothed!  Ahh, the freedom!), there’s opportunity for education and religion.  There are systems in place that seem to be working well.  As “rich white people” I don’t know that we have anything to offer (but did we come in thinking that we really did have anything to offer?)….they don’t need to do things the way we do them – it wouldn’t work here!  And it’s not that “it wouldn’t work” because of lack – it just wouldn’t work because there are other things that are working. We can smile and laugh and dance and sing….we can help get some projects done around the school…..we can be a tangible representation that this village is thought of and cared for by others outside of it….we can boost their economy by buying lots of cokes…we can seek to be the love and light of Christ – but that’s no different than what we are called to do wherever we are – that’s exactly what we were seeking to do in Columbus. I don’t know…just continuing to question why we are here and wondering what we are accomplishing.  Do I have to know? Do I have to see? Does it really matter?  God has us here….may we be faithful to be and do only what He has called us to be and do.   

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Admittedly, I am counting down the days until we leave this place…3 more days and one Monday morning left.  Monday after lunch we’ll ride a bus to Accra (about 6 hours, I think)….then 2 nights and a day in Accra (there’s been talk of finding a beach on Tuesday?!) and then an early morning flight to Madrid on Wednesday followed by a flight to the Canary Islands.  Wednesday night we’ll sleep in a hotel (supposedly a super nice hotel….though, at this point, I would dare say that I would consider most anywhere super nice!) and then we’ll get up on Thursday morning and go to a ferry that will take us to the Island where the Africa Mercy is docked.   So the reality is that we’re still a week away from moving onto the ship….but really it’s just Monday that I think I need to get to!

Tomorrow we’ll go up to the hill once more in the morning for work (for me and the kids that means sitting under the tree and singing/asking names/smiling (well, we try to do those things…eli and caroline aren’t particularly fond of the crowd that naturally surrounds us.  Emma doesn’t mind it as long as no one is trying to hold her…I don’t feel like I have much to offer other than singing Jesus Loves Me, If You’re  Happy and You Know it and the Hokey Pokey) …then there’s a soccer game planned for the afternoon followed by some prayer time for the village as a whole (I’m excited about the view). 

Still seeking to experience God and all that He has planned for us in this place.  These verses from Psalm 119 were my prayer today (parts of verses 25-32) “…help me understand these things inside and out…build me up again by Your word…grace me with Your clear revelation…I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; I’ll run the course you lay out for me if you’ll just show me how.” 

How I want to run the course He is laying out for me…I just need Him to show me how!


After the Fact Attempt to Wrap It Up:  I don't know how to wrap it up.  I still don't have a cute bow to tie on the package.  We're on the ship and I am oh so grateful...I know there was blessing in Ghana...there was purpose in our going...I've seen bits and pieces of that blessing and purpose - I'll continue to ask God to give me His thoughts on it all.

We do have tons of pictures that we want to share (it was taking a reaaaaaaly long time to load them - I kind of stopped about 1/2 way through).  Hopefully there will be more pictures to come...maybe blog posts that are only pictures!!!  For now, thanks for loving us and supporting us and investing in us (and thank you for giving us so much of your attention in reading this blog post!)(I'm sorry for the terrible formatting....technology is not my friend tonite!).
Surely there will be more to come (hopefully pictures!). 

We're home!!

We’re officially aboard the Africa Mercy!  We arrived yesterday and have been getting settled/oriented/welcomed ever since!  It’s been an interesting/challenging/stretching/overall-good-with-a-few- bits-of-not-so-good few weeks.  Stay tuned in the coming days and weeks – we’ve got lots of pictures (and a few words) to share! We are so grateful to be HOME – and are praying that it will quickly become home. 

Surely there will be more to come!