Arriving in Benin - Containers of Hope and Healing

We arrived in Benin this morning!  

Arriving into a new country is tremendously significant.  It's very nearly overwhelming to try and wrap one's mind around what exactly it is that we're pulling into the port to do. It's quite emotional....quite powerful...quite humbling...quite a reminder of how very much we need God and how we can do nothing without Him. 

We were standing up on Deck 8 this morning around 9 as the ship was maneuvered so very carefully into her berth, and I said to my friend Michelle, "Ships do this every day...coming in and out of ports....but this is so much more significant..."  She's a wise, brilliant one.  She replied (in her beautiful South African accent), "We aren't here for a quick stop to offload containers filled with goods.  We're here for months because we need to offload hope and healing."

We have containers of hope and healing to share with God's beloved people of Benin.  In fact, we are the containers.  

Truth on the wall outside of the Preschool Classroom of the Academy 

The kids have been studying Benin 

Benin looks like a turkey leg...or a key...depends on which map you're looking at. 

The Benin flag was raised on the ship this morning as we entered Beninoise waters

The Advance Team awaiting our arrival this morning

Sidling up to the dock

A view from the dock

And what's more overwhelming than pulling into a new berth space and seeing in person the tangible results of prayers and dreams and hundreds of hours of hard work? What's more overwhelming than knowing you're pulling into the ship parking space that will be your home for the next ten months?  What's more overwhelming than thinking about what it really means to unload hope and healing?

What's more overwhelming is the fact that God has been bringing hope and healing to Benin long before we arrived...and He'll continue to bring hope and healing after we're gone -- but for this sweet season, we have the honor and privilege of joining in with Him in bringing hope and healing to the people of Benin.

Surely there will be more to come.

End of the School Year: Character On Display

In the whirlwind of the end of the school year (the week of May 22-26) and leaving the ship for our summer in Georgia (Friday, May 27) and then being with friends and family in various locations over the summer, I haven't taken the chance to post one of our favorite Mercy Ships Academy Traditions from this year.  Until now...

As in previous years (click on these links if you have time and are interested in reading more from 2015  2014 and 2013), we gathered in the International Lounge on the morning of the last day of school to commemorate and celebrate the end of the school year. As in years past, the teachers called up each student and read out words of Life, Truth and Affirmation -  a character trait and a special verse for each one.

Now, we certainly don't have anything against academic achievements being celebrated - but there is something remarkably significant about students being recognized and applauded for their character.  

It is with grateful hearts for the character God is developing in our children that we share the traits and verses that their teachers gave them.

Eli -- Understanding and Loyalty

Written by Ms. Remy: "Eli has been a loyal classmate and student this past year.  Eli is someone that his peers can count on.  He is patient and shows great self-control in challenging situations.  He has a deep desire to be kind and generous to those around him.  He is a loyal friend, always willing to lend a hand.  Eli has the ability to observe and understand situations and issues that occur in and outside the classroom.  His understanding can often help being the solution to a problem.  What a wonderful way to honour and glorify our Lord.."

Eli's verses -- Psalm 119:30-35

"I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.  I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame.  I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.  Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.  Give me understanding so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.  Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."  

Caroline -- Joyfulness and Obedience

Written by Ms. Remy: "Caroline comes in smiling and, if she gets the opportunity, she would be jumping up and down as well. She enjoys life and gladly shares this joy with her classmates and teacher.  Caroline is not only a girl filled with exuberance, she also has a beautiful obedient heart.  She respects and obeys her teachers and any authority figure set before her.  She wants to learn from them and accepts any feedback with grace. Her joy and obedience bring honour to God."

Caroline's verse -- Joshua 22:5

"But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you:  to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." 

Emma -- Joy

Written by Ms. Katie:  "Emma's heart is bursting with joy on a daily basis.  But "daily" does not even describe it accurately - her joy is more on a minute-basis!  She walks in the door with a smile, laughter, enthusiasm and exciting stories to share, and she stays that way all day.  Her enthusiasm knows no bounds - no matter what we learn, discuss or do, Emma is happy and excited.  She sees the joy in absolutely everything.  This joy is deeply rooted in her heart and it finds its way into the hearts and lives of the people around her.  There is no way to not be affected by Emma's radiating joyfulness, and this is a very special gift that God has given her.  What a powerful way to impact people's attitudes and lives.  This is a a rare and beautiful gift.  Never lose your joyful heart, Emma!"  

Emma's verse -- Romans 15:13

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.  Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

We cannot thank God enough for the Academy and for the teachers that have invested so very much into our childrens' lives.

The new school year starts this coming Tuesday, August 9 (my goal was to post this before the new school year began! #score #2daystospare).  Please join us in praying for the teachers and students as they begin the 2016-2017 school year.  May they each be all that God created them to be - striving for excellence, soaked in grace and truth, looking for Him and to Him at every turn.

Surely there will be more to come.  

Change of Pace

Sometimes a change in perspective, pace and/or scenery can make a boat load of difference.  It helps to view things differently sometimes...to look at circumstances or people from a different angle or to put yourself in someone else's shoes.  Sometimes the literal separation can bring much needed clarity and calmness to a situation.

This is the stuff I've been thinking about lately - and the thoughts can all be traced back to a few pictures that came across my desktop at some time or another in the past few months:

Madagascar from Space

The Africa Mercy from the Air

I've been reminded lots this summer (or winter for those in the Southern Hemisphere) that it's good to look at things a little differently sometimes.  It can give one a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of vision.  It can help one see things more clearly or give a deeper appreciation for what something is or is not. 

Maybe it's just for a few minutes - I've certainly had plenty of moments in our cabin when I've been frustrated and have told my kids that I'll be right back ("I'm taking a quick break and you'll be better off for it.") I step out and usually head up to Deck 7.  I stare at the water a while...and talk to God about how I can't do this and how much I need Him.  I feel my pulse start slowing down...and I try to listen as He reminds me of who He is and who I am...then I take a deep breath and head back to 6318.

Or maybe it's for part of a day, a day or a weekend....an afternoon with a trusted friend...a night at Calypso....a weekend getaway to Jungle Nofy...

Or maybe it's for a week at St. Simons Island...or a a few months in the States...or a longer season wherever the Lord may be leading you...

It reminds me of those rhythms of grace that He's inviting us to live in...of sabbath rest...of letting Him set the pace...

Dead Poet's Society is one of my favorite movies.  In one of the scenes, the teacher played by Robin Williams is inspiring his students to not settle for the status quo - to seize the day and choose to walk through life differently.  He climbs on the desk and says "I climbed on the desk to remind myself that we must always look at things from different angles.  And the world looks different from up here."

Sometimes seizing the day can mean taking a break from our day/week/life and looking at it from a different angle...there may be more that God wants us to see - but it may mean making the effort to climb up and a willingness to take a fresh look.

Random glimpse into my childhood: I can remember climbing up on the built in cabinets in my room and standing...and sometimes I would lay on my bed and hang my head upside down off the side and look at my room from that angle - just looking at it differently. 

We've certainly been enjoying our change of scenery and the chance to see things from different angles this summer.  Our time in the States has been so very refreshing (well, in THE State of Georgia...our travels haven't taken us outside of this lovely land!)(except our few moments in the Miami airport on our way in).  We've gotten to connect with so many friends and family - getting to spend unhurried time sharing meals and conversations and coffee...what gifts!  We've enjoyed Chick-fil-A and getting to be at Christ Community Church.  We've loved getting to spend so much time enjoying nature and a variety of outdoor activities.  It's also been wonderful to have special time as "the Cash 5."  Time as a family that is not at all crowded with the "regular" stuff of life (school/work/schedules) is a rare and splendid treasure!

We'll be heading back to the Africa Mercy in a few weeks - we'll meet the freshly maintenanced ship in Durban before she sails to Benin.  We're excited about all that God has in store for this next field service - for the people of Benin, for the crew, for our family!  We're looking forward to experiencing the promise from Isaiah 55:12 of  "going out in joy and being led forth in peace!"

We welcome, appreciate and need your prayers (and your friendship and love!).  Thank you for continuing to invest in us and in the work our God is doing in, through and on the Africa Mercy!  

Surely there will be more to come.

pie charts and life change

The final surgeries have been completed and one-by-one the patients are being discharged from the wards.  The hospital (and all of the rest of the ship) is being packed up and readied for the sail to Durban.  Crew are finishing out this field service with all the tough good-byes that this season brings...

As those things are happening, it's nice to have visual reminders of some of what has been accomplished through the Africa Mercy in the last 9 months.  

If you have time, take a few minutes to study these charts - to read the fine print...to consider that each number is a person.  Each percentage represents impact. 

What's mind boggling is all of the lives that have been affected that are NOT represented by these pie charts.  Crew. Guests to the ship. Neighbors of patients who return home without the tumor or cleft lip or leaking body that they left with. Caretakers.  Health officials. Doctors. Nurses. Friends and family of crew back home.  The random person in Seattle who happened to click on a link where a story of a patient was shared.  

And then to think of future lives that will be affected (whew...that brings tears to my eyes)...those lives that will be saved because safe surgery practices are being used...the babies who will be able to breathe because a Malagasy nurse took a course...future crew who will come serve on a Mercy Ship because they hear the story of a current crew mate....hundreds and thousands of lives forever changed because of God's work through the Africa Mercy in Madagascar. 

A few songs are coming to mind and filling my heart: 

• To God be the glory great things He has done...
• Tell Papa God Tenki...
• Great things He has done.  Greater things He will do...

He is our good, good Father...what a privilege to be a part of His love here on earth.

Surely there will be more to come.

Paper Making Field Trip (we love Miss Katie)

This is the ever lovely Katie Stafford - Emma's teacher and a good friend of our family.  She recently wrote a blog for our internal communication forum affectionately known as "Navigator" -- we thought you'd like to see/hear her pictures and words from a recent field trip the Elementary Kids were able to take (and some bonus sea urchin activities!).

The end of the school year is upon us, and we have been busy with many fun activities and highlights! The elementary students recently had the opportunity to visit a local paper-making craftsman. What a memorable experience! We learned all about every step of the process, and then we got to do it ourselves.

Step 1: Beat the tree bark that has already been soaked and cooked for 8 hours

Step 2: Slap and spread the mixture over the screens in the water

Step 3: Design your own piece of paper using beautiful Madagascar flowers! Seal water over the top

Step 4: Leave the paper in the sun to dry. Thank the craftsman with a hearty “Misaotra Bessika!” Go enjoy ice cream before heading back to the ship!

Step 5: A few days later, admire your beautiful, hand-crafted Malagasy work of art!

Bonus! Sea Urchins!  : Racing and holding live sea urchins for a school-wide devotion time, led by our principal. What!?!?

Thanks, Katie, for letting us use your blog post.  And thank you for loving on Emma and teaching her so very much.  You've taught her so much more than reading and math and science, you've taught her kindness and generosity, gentlness and the art of laughter.  You've modeled the life of a woman who loves the Lord and lives her life for Him.  You've invested so very well in her and we will forever benefit and forever be grateful.  We would be thrilled if she grows up to be anything like you. We couldn't have asked for a better Kindergarten teacher.  We are praying God's absolute best for you as you transition from this place.  It's quite the understatement to say that we will miss you.  

The treasures and gifts of this place amaze us...Miss Katie and the Academy are certainly 2 of those treasures (not to mention sea urchins). 

Surely there will be more to come. 

i fell in love last week.

I fell in love last week.  I guess that shouldn't surprise me - after all, this vessel has been deemed the "love boat."   I just wasn't sure if it was really going to happen to me (especially since I came here happily married and already very much in love).

It was down on deck 3. On Tuesday.  I was wearing blue (as was everyone else).

Truth be told, this isn't the first time I've fallen in love in this place.  Just the most recent.

The falling in love happened as I observed 2 surgeries.  The fact is that this love connection could have happened 3+ years ago (and multiple times!) -- as crew, we are able to observe surgery once per field service.  For no explainable reason other than I just hadn't made the effort (and - more honestly, I really wasn't sure I would be able to handle it!), this field service is the first time I've done it.

I donned my scrubs (which are so very comfy and I wish I could wear them all the time) and was oriented by the lovely and kind Bronnie (OR Administrative Assistant...aka "Ms. Hospitality" for the crew who are coming to be first hand observers of miracles on Deck 3).  She graciously told me what I should do if I began

These pictures are not from the surgeries that I observed - but they are similar to what I saw.  

I was welcomed in to an OR...I was told (in pretty terrific detail!) what was happening...I got to stand and watch as a hernia was repaired on a young Malagasy man. Even more impressive than the hernia repair was being in a room full of people from various countries, generations and backgrounds working together as one team to perform a life-changing surgery.

I was also able to watch and listen as the Mercy Ships surgeons (there were 2)mentored,  taught, modeled, and explained to a Malagasy surgeon what they were doing (or perhaps a surgeon in training - not sure which stage of learning he is in!).  Who knows how many lives will be better as this Malagasy man takes what he has learned and applies it in his hospital and shares it with his colleauges.  Capacity building right in front of me. Beautiful to witness.  

After the hernia surgery I thought I was done...but then Bronnie asked if I wanted to go into another OR.  I thought, "I'm dressed and ready for it, why not?!"  I'm glad I said yes...the 2nd surgery was even more fascinating than the first!  I was able to be inches from a baby having her cleft palate and lip repaired (by the surgeon on the left below).  I've never considered just how tough the palate is and how closing the gap is actually done.  I'm amazed by the talent and skills people have and how they use them to bring hope and healing to some of the world's forgotten poor.

Yes, I fell in love with this place all over again.  I fell in love with the mission and the vision and the love that is happening in, on and through this vessel.  I was reminded of why we are here...and what we're all a part of.  I fell in love with the way healthcare is done here on the Africa Mercy - with kindness, care, attention to detail, excellence and Jesus-like LOVE for the one in front of us.

I fell in love and I was reminded of how in love with this place I already am.

I needed the reminder.

Surely there will be more to come.

...and a time for dancing!

Some nights are just so good...and so right...and so "normal" (but when did an extraordinary opportunity on a ship off the coast of Madagascar as a part of a remarkable community become so "normal"?).  

Saturday night was one of those nights.  Nick and the girls attended the 2nd Annual AFM "Father Daughter Dinner and Dance."  

The girls were able to get ready in the "Royal Salon" - the Hospital Conference room on Deck 3 had been transformed into a place of preparing, pampering and primping.  What gifts our girls were given: the chance to be loved on by some of our female crew, the chance to get "fixed up" in a most appropriate and pleasing way - not too little, not too much, the chance to interact with lovely ladies who are worthy role models of grace, loveliness and godliness.  

After the salon experience, we went back up to the cabin so that Nick could come and pick up Caroline and Emma.  He arrived right on time with flowers in hand.  We took a few pictures on Deck 7 and then off to the International Lounge they went.

In the International Lounge they were welcomed by a host of hosts - a line of guys who volunteered to serve these dads and daughters.  The first stop was the photo booth and then on to the tables that were set for dinner.

For dinner (while Mr. Laurin played the piano), everyone was served their own personal pizza - carefully handcrafted with pre-selected toppings!  Pizza was followed by an ice-cream sundae bar....And then on to the dancing...(not sure how we missed out on the pictures of Nick and Caroline dancing...)

Caroline's thoughts on the Event: 

It was really fun and we had good pizza.  there's this thing i did with my dad when we were dancing  where we would twist our arms and I would sit on the floor and my dad would stand in front of me with his back to me, holding my hands and then he would pull me up and i would jump and twist around in the air.  And it was fun to have the smoke machine.  It was kind of like we were in the clouds...but it smelled bad.  I don't think the clouds smell bad.  I liked having my hair straightened and blow dried.  I don't do that much.  I really like the braid in my hair and I know my dad liked the braid in my hair.  And I liked the serving people - they would bring us whatever we asked for...like water and stuff.  I liked the whole thing...it shows us how important our relationship with our father is and how special that is.

Emma's thoughts on the Event: 
It was good.  I liked the smoke machine and the light that spins around.  I liked how the fairy lights were hung up around the room.  I liked how other people danced and how daddy and I danced.  I liked the pizza and the icecream.  And I liked all the toppings on the icecream.  I think they had this dance to show how much the dads love their kids.  I liked what everyone was wearing.    

Oh what a night!  A sweet gift from this community to  Nick and our girls...to our entire family....

God gives such good gifts....

Surely there will be more to come.