tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35906998494052266822024-03-12T18:05:13.690-07:00The Bergman ChroniclesThe Adventures and Misadventures of our family as we seek to follow Jesus.Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-41525806712882519892013-04-30T09:00:00.000-07:002013-04-30T09:00:05.531-07:0050 Things I Will Miss<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlDVKdZOREdw0sptuhyphenhyphens7LqFxC1NS1Eymxh7vz522Mf-KyU0gLMmPalcNy4RccsMZFnaDv6zrnYjTPxe7RMMisN5O9kqr7CxOOnJjuMrqDKZlkd3BfEjoBu3T7lt4zzMtVobTN95DFnm7/s1600/CSC_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlDVKdZOREdw0sptuhyphenhyphens7LqFxC1NS1Eymxh7vz522Mf-KyU0gLMmPalcNy4RccsMZFnaDv6zrnYjTPxe7RMMisN5O9kqr7CxOOnJjuMrqDKZlkd3BfEjoBu3T7lt4zzMtVobTN95DFnm7/s320/CSC_0520.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
When we leave from this phase of life, this community, this part of the world, and this journey, there are many things I will miss. Here are just the first ones that popped into my head, in random order, like my brain works:<br />
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<li><span style="text-align: center;">The delicious smell of snuggling a clean, beautiful, African baby with those gorgeous brown or black eyes trying to figure you out.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo-6oRSfvIcXQVSuu0rBDJ4hhpm8XR_eq_pDdVHz1-riFCyb5PKKP4uKkXompWa24Wv5753xL4JOC3VliVIwftqEGWbWb1CP1PDAUgbK0qZyjVkudK60D8j_51bsBguNEea0Hm6AUeYl4/s1600/P1010253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo-6oRSfvIcXQVSuu0rBDJ4hhpm8XR_eq_pDdVHz1-riFCyb5PKKP4uKkXompWa24Wv5753xL4JOC3VliVIwftqEGWbWb1CP1PDAUgbK0qZyjVkudK60D8j_51bsBguNEea0Hm6AUeYl4/s320/P1010253.JPG" width="320" /></a></li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;"><b>Playing </b>connect four, ludo, checkers, memory, or reading with patients.</span></li>
<li>Spontaneous <b>worship</b> on the wards with day workers and patients singing and dancing in hospital gowns, scrubs, tubes, bandages, casts, and all.</li>
<li>Various <b>greetings </b>to crew members or friends that are like secret handshakes: a curtsy with Bright, a "ca-caw" like a parrot to Miriam, a two open hands pumping the air like you're telling someone to lower the limbo bar meaning Agbaza myenga (the body is weak) - Dede wé (take it slow) with my Fong speaking friends.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1nnYTdRy0fCDFuSOdODMQbD2iu49N_KjQcbLkA6UHl2ANmyrLyXKAFAhtdO4L-VXoQXMnHKBd7Xei7gAeoawI6FUDfNiru11a_i_6WYKuI0KFYsvsqmvfnzuZs9uzJIuURBkt9pEvnqm/s1600/06+June+2012+DW+Thank+you+Event+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1nnYTdRy0fCDFuSOdODMQbD2iu49N_KjQcbLkA6UHl2ANmyrLyXKAFAhtdO4L-VXoQXMnHKBd7Xei7gAeoawI6FUDfNiru11a_i_6WYKuI0KFYsvsqmvfnzuZs9uzJIuURBkt9pEvnqm/s320/06+June+2012+DW+Thank+you+Event+(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></li>
<li>Listening to a voice or a laugh coming from in the hallway (or through the paper thin walls) and being able to <b>identify</b> the person it belongs to without seeing them.</li>
<li>Hearing <b>French</b> spoken all around and getting to practice it with various people throughout the day.</li>
<li>Fresh mangoes, coconuts, bananas, <b>avocados</b>, and pineapple available for sale at a roadside stand.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIhuOgEJ6UPTiAfvNU0UKNtwuw2neqJhfAlimxkxioh-MGy6K0IthGSJiKALZnQS5XXtPojAAyCvC_pY3KOtorbJZ1nfd5Y-s5W1Xov6KOG637OUoRsHk-g2S3lsu4zQDm8fIFLJqfE9j/s1600/681+Afrika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIhuOgEJ6UPTiAfvNU0UKNtwuw2neqJhfAlimxkxioh-MGy6K0IthGSJiKALZnQS5XXtPojAAyCvC_pY3KOtorbJZ1nfd5Y-s5W1Xov6KOG637OUoRsHk-g2S3lsu4zQDm8fIFLJqfE9j/s320/681+Afrika.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>Tuesday Night: African night in the dining room with fried <b>plantains</b>!</li>
<li><b>Dancing </b>on the dock with patients, caregivers, day workers and crewmates. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOD66ik8-xcp9DgpltliNx-hzDBnIW_pu4iEvncUIg33AboOMJo0qr1MXiuDOCiIRtKy1X1Ct4oC6oi101c_OLDaU66ryQoI_NKTtlv4PgW2FdP27OWCMCUqeBhnFz4Pxf81piMyeBEl0/s1600/2+June+Birthday+on+Dock+(61).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOD66ik8-xcp9DgpltliNx-hzDBnIW_pu4iEvncUIg33AboOMJo0qr1MXiuDOCiIRtKy1X1Ct4oC6oi101c_OLDaU66ryQoI_NKTtlv4PgW2FdP27OWCMCUqeBhnFz4Pxf81piMyeBEl0/s320/2+June+Birthday+on+Dock+(61).JPG" width="320" /></a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b>Exercise </b>class with Bill Foley and others at 6:15 am three times a week - roll out of bed and within 10 minutes be in class with up to 35 others for 30 minutes of strength training.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6Nm5XUjh2-lrmPH1dIFkOngxeW3KOHTDw7fH2otg5SLYUGOxcshOXXD1l9e_AgtIfUvRj8_KnB-jDD-svzLwABqpXa3AJUEtZ1Gljd3bVN-XubGiPeaXVTWBFka_sHZQcv8KQmLgCHth/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6Nm5XUjh2-lrmPH1dIFkOngxeW3KOHTDw7fH2otg5SLYUGOxcshOXXD1l9e_AgtIfUvRj8_KnB-jDD-svzLwABqpXa3AJUEtZ1Gljd3bVN-XubGiPeaXVTWBFka_sHZQcv8KQmLgCHth/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" width="400" /></a></li>
<li>Not worrying about the <b>weather </b>or road conditions to determine if I'll be running in the morning!</li>
<li><b>Game</b> time, anytime! You want to play a game? When you live with 400, you are bound to find someone else to join you!</li>
<li>The crazy <b>sights </b>you see when you are out: a man on a motorcycle carrying 300 bananas, a live goat strapped to the top of a taxi, someone balancing a suitcase (or a front door) on their head, or some other surprise nearly every day. See the goat?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML_jH3COM3cD7TE2yYYNAgc-oWzF1xrf-h3ogkKqS7BZl-sFE8fpX8ABFkXnsD6-z_-0h5Oz-d8tW6sXpg3mzvqrSoNUc8eFcIV0YL3EEs7eW3x3casFAxZprwPijaUfphArYTZPfAxEz/s1600/CSC_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML_jH3COM3cD7TE2yYYNAgc-oWzF1xrf-h3ogkKqS7BZl-sFE8fpX8ABFkXnsD6-z_-0h5Oz-d8tW6sXpg3mzvqrSoNUc8eFcIV0YL3EEs7eW3x3casFAxZprwPijaUfphArYTZPfAxEz/s400/CSC_0186.JPG" width="400" /></a></li>
<li>Knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are <b>safe </b>behind the protection of our trained Gurkha security guards - 24/7.</li>
<li>Watching the <b>sunset </b>over the ocean with a sea breeze and various fishing boats coming in with their day's catch.</li>
<li>Listening to my African friends <b>pray </b>so reverently, sing so freely, and dance so completely. </li>
<li>The raw beat of the <b>djembe</b> drum where fingers work magic to create a plethora of rhythms, tones and volumes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBWU4jc-_TXonMKdIcrncs5SAX2B3hYamTwiNpwCaM9PfzrRLWOUeUhnw8QlvDA2ldyUH2b5e40UhJeOHdPiHOdn0cLaalNv_fABeDOjTFKxD9CdJY2IQRsuq3J67XJ9vaTd7yIhZeXhb/s1600/27+May+2012+Quartier+Libre+(177).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBWU4jc-_TXonMKdIcrncs5SAX2B3hYamTwiNpwCaM9PfzrRLWOUeUhnw8QlvDA2ldyUH2b5e40UhJeOHdPiHOdn0cLaalNv_fABeDOjTFKxD9CdJY2IQRsuq3J67XJ9vaTd7yIhZeXhb/s320/27+May+2012+Quartier+Libre+(177).JPG" width="320" /></a></li>
<li>Watching the light bulb go on for the adult I'm teaching how to <b>read </b>- hearing "W-O-W" become "wow" on the first attempt.</li>
<li>The sense of small <b>community </b>and sharing a common goal and purpose with everyone in your "neighborhood."</li>
<li>Teaching beginning and intermediate computer skill <b>classes </b>to those eager to learn.</li>
<li><b>Exploring </b>countries that many have never even heard of. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cIRV4extodEXKknZmV0K9j8U5H5C9515SacNCoD6IxGFQdM-tI1eeb9lzszeUw9sXPLm7D0HMC3bpt8FdSydCoPAP-ZcVfVaUp3QH4uliZToOdXyH1b5sErebEeQU0DX2NqdgMcXNBg5/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cIRV4extodEXKknZmV0K9j8U5H5C9515SacNCoD6IxGFQdM-tI1eeb9lzszeUw9sXPLm7D0HMC3bpt8FdSydCoPAP-ZcVfVaUp3QH4uliZToOdXyH1b5sErebEeQU0DX2NqdgMcXNBg5/s400/DSC_0062.JPG" width="400" /></a></li>
<li>A <b>wet-unit </b>bathroom which you can use the detachable shower nozzle to completely hose down and the vacuum drain will suck up the puddle.</li>
<li>Along the same lines: a <b>vacuum</b> system for the toilet! No clogged toilets for 28 months!</li>
<li>Living among 30-40 different <b>nationalities </b>and learning people's life stories and treasures of experience.</li>
<li>The glorious free-cycle <b>boutique</b>! Best place to find a new treasure and leave something you've tired of. I've been ruined for shopping!</li>
<li>A long <b>commute </b>means you've stopped to have a chat with someone in the hall. You can return your library books, schedule a hair appointment, swing by the bank, post office, and store in three minutes time and within 300 feet of your front door.</li>
<li>Children excited to see you because (well, because of the color of your skin), and excited for the chance for you to take a <b>picture </b>of them! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmRp4ZY0hQ4FWc6FwTtTGoXrfIg-4Gas7yOCkgULYbxVMKwd9fN_xQBZd-rTNEw6Fg0OkXxivaGtXwBvOirPwJn6HgMRzHTO1gDtwT1vh3FiXRhmPu_DCOl-HUgT_s03OLAQNcVrjvTwj/s1600/DSC_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmRp4ZY0hQ4FWc6FwTtTGoXrfIg-4Gas7yOCkgULYbxVMKwd9fN_xQBZd-rTNEw6Fg0OkXxivaGtXwBvOirPwJn6HgMRzHTO1gDtwT1vh3FiXRhmPu_DCOl-HUgT_s03OLAQNcVrjvTwj/s400/DSC_0337.JPG" width="400" /></a></li>
<li>Ample <b>activities </b>and opportunities to learn and grow as new crew are constantly sharing their gifts, talents and interests with others. Swing dance? Karate? Zumba? Frisbee Golf? Trivia night? Ping-pong? A night practicing your surgery skills (on a dummy, of course)? You name it - it can happen. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNmwsqgJKVOGOIpGJkl8EhOFSr2CHJ1Rrg6xzMHFQZs2bzii0e9U3lB-cxUm_yd0fAkoiglrqjV_4aaPMBumUuUom-kHojsheTXcSa8ur-Smv-5JHghSRjt-u3SAZ-EW7y4SZYTJnNPB5/s1600/IMG_3019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNmwsqgJKVOGOIpGJkl8EhOFSr2CHJ1Rrg6xzMHFQZs2bzii0e9U3lB-cxUm_yd0fAkoiglrqjV_4aaPMBumUuUom-kHojsheTXcSa8ur-Smv-5JHghSRjt-u3SAZ-EW7y4SZYTJnNPB5/s320/IMG_3019.JPG" width="240" /></a></li>
<li>A <b>library </b>in the same building as my home!! What more could I ask for?</li>
<li>Always someone <b>around </b>to do something with!</li>
<li>Getting to know <b>patients </b>at the Hope Center as they spend many days, weeks or months with us. Having them recognize you by face and name and greeting each one or leaping into your arms. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNR5dTKUeZWn8TuHYgGDY9gpdpR-rufI8layizxPUmk-XHEJai81sbmJUQfuctcQthPfEhmbeohyuv7c8AAMpi2bBCuE4WaqrIdEQGfLkQ1z2VFc2MbgYRjmC2TRNKXcTH-lhgDa7-qh7/s1600/2012-03-24+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNR5dTKUeZWn8TuHYgGDY9gpdpR-rufI8layizxPUmk-XHEJai81sbmJUQfuctcQthPfEhmbeohyuv7c8AAMpi2bBCuE4WaqrIdEQGfLkQ1z2VFc2MbgYRjmC2TRNKXcTH-lhgDa7-qh7/s400/2012-03-24+048.JPG" width="400" /></a></li>
<li>Walls that are steel so <b>magnets </b>stick to them- you can hold anything to a wall with a strong enough magnet - lights, mirrors, fans, pictures, projectors, etc.</li>
<li><b>Funny </b>language foible signs: want some patato salad? Cold slaw? Backed beans? Horse sauce? All have been part of dinner in the dining room.</li>
<li>Did I mention the fact that I haven't had to <b>cook </b>a meal for 28 months?</li>
<li>A rolling <b>screen</b> in the dining room and reception that reminds me of everything I need to know.</li>
<li>The adventure of those days when you are in town and you are reminded: <b>T.I.A</b>. (This Is Africa) - this just happen differently here.</li>
<li>Being shouted at because of the color of my skin as I walk down the street. In Sierra Leone I was an Öpoto or Whitegirl, in Togo I was a Yovo, and in Guinea I'm a <b>Foté</b>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQOTJZAJCj9DskvaFfugq-nHKLgK8T9xNGd0M1tsMv8HxOvgApiF-uIy5R4leVpJsCTIYAUq1gZ3UFL-yHLDjTFZ0PG3ddsY4dRX5ZhjKq3j3jfnQXrl-bD3gX7aNTljZDX7TjaD30u53/s1600/IMG_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQOTJZAJCj9DskvaFfugq-nHKLgK8T9xNGd0M1tsMv8HxOvgApiF-uIy5R4leVpJsCTIYAUq1gZ3UFL-yHLDjTFZ0PG3ddsY4dRX5ZhjKq3j3jfnQXrl-bD3gX7aNTljZDX7TjaD30u53/s320/IMG_2059.JPG" width="320" /></a></li>
<li>The uncertainty of never knowing what is going to happen at a local <b>church </b>- will there be only two offerings, or five today? Will we dance at the front of the sanctuary with Bibles on our heads? Will we be segregated by gender? Will there be a special "Thanksgiving"service so it lasts for five hours? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKT2OPm4h6MEXDtoO0G693wBbj3KyLL3KWKIdcUhhHMqREciayH1R8e7O6GCbp2x8nKOkkAlSWpSDNjP5mlOHCISezcQIN2oDmL0iDJ2xIos2xKEqCma10epK_hBdDXrzWp6h9ceS45HK/s1600/11.2011+Cheshire+Baptism+(39).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKT2OPm4h6MEXDtoO0G693wBbj3KyLL3KWKIdcUhhHMqREciayH1R8e7O6GCbp2x8nKOkkAlSWpSDNjP5mlOHCISezcQIN2oDmL0iDJ2xIos2xKEqCma10epK_hBdDXrzWp6h9ceS45HK/s400/11.2011+Cheshire+Baptism+(39).JPG" width="400" /></a></li>
<li>Watching the girls have the safe opportunity to <b>practice </b>being little adults: going to dinner with their friends and eating at their own table, preparing snacks together in the crew galley, getting themselves to their various activities throughout the week. </li>
<li>The <b>freedom</b> from STUFF: no vehicles, no credit card statements, no utility bills.</li>
<li>Along the same line, the <b>convenience</b> of having the dentist, doctor, pharmacy, and hairdresser all in one place on a needs basis.</li>
<li>Watching lives <b>transform </b>physically (and emotionally and spiritually) right before our very eyes. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrdlJ53Hu8rGQ7sAemPFdSeeROjt7DGMow7JXL5JOsjDFypA0RPhEhCY8l6JG7STe88X5N7b14_g8W6mwqzNdvBJizbXXi7hUMf0D3U_nEnihU7gR7myqIAjs8cw0y3RZ4rJIdQJFx1Dt/s1600/dan+and+mamadou+compressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrdlJ53Hu8rGQ7sAemPFdSeeROjt7DGMow7JXL5JOsjDFypA0RPhEhCY8l6JG7STe88X5N7b14_g8W6mwqzNdvBJizbXXi7hUMf0D3U_nEnihU7gR7myqIAjs8cw0y3RZ4rJIdQJFx1Dt/s320/dan+and+mamadou+compressed.jpg" width="212" /></a></li>
<li>Having the <b>privilege </b>to be able to wander onto the wards and hang out with someone who is waiting for or recovering from a major surgery.</li>
<li>Watching a caregiver and sometimes their baby <b>wiggle </b>out from underneath a patient's bed from the mattress where they call their bed.</li>
<li><b>Fufu </b>with friends!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2f8oGSpg4wlTwXG6V4R0yb9tvCAnD9DvhOEccyV1YqNMcumZxOJwXYEljZVUODrxFfeP_wBIoQPZvh8w8rwZOfMVNsn3qNDufldzDGVwhkIbCrX_t924916-zAn1NPwFpfBiTTJ6egGo/s1600/DSC_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2f8oGSpg4wlTwXG6V4R0yb9tvCAnD9DvhOEccyV1YqNMcumZxOJwXYEljZVUODrxFfeP_wBIoQPZvh8w8rwZOfMVNsn3qNDufldzDGVwhkIbCrX_t924916-zAn1NPwFpfBiTTJ6egGo/s320/DSC_0459.JPG" width="320" /></a></li>
<li>Drive by <b>shopping </b>- nearly anything can be purchased with just the rolling down of a window and an exchange of cash while you are in traffic.</li>
<li>Pressure-free health services: going to the dentist and only getting done what is necessary- there is no benefit for our dentists to recommend more services or extra features.</li>
<li>Being able to <b>schedule </b>a get together with 10 of your friends, a few hours in advance, and everyone can make it! </li>
<li>Watching people wash the outside of my windows while wearing<b> life jackets </b>and standing on a board secured with two ropes. (I think of Curious George EVERY time and wonder if he'll find a way to come in a window and paint a beautiful jungle scene in our room! )<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddk4vDpreUtpiIcNXpdmLR4muzgu-_HvdmTANzumOhD0I5w0zpz-Od4ojncGhLnFYQQ1hV-q98BVkA-CkYYdenGrceqyO5RUV7N4FADLtozsDJbI20sQFCFnaJwIN36YmaHMQRPguLMzz/s1600/GNC121005_DECKIES_PAINTAFM_DB0018_LO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddk4vDpreUtpiIcNXpdmLR4muzgu-_HvdmTANzumOhD0I5w0zpz-Od4ojncGhLnFYQQ1hV-q98BVkA-CkYYdenGrceqyO5RUV7N4FADLtozsDJbI20sQFCFnaJwIN36YmaHMQRPguLMzz/s320/GNC121005_DECKIES_PAINTAFM_DB0018_LO.JPG" width="320" /></a></li>
<li><b>Dance Parties </b>onboard - no sleazeballs, no drunk gropers, just being free to bust a move and watch your children do the same.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi-owKUHJCoCD6v3TaXhCKQHvKAs3Tw3_ijWSbBBCyWMqy5OGYd76ZouXqE0Cps4oDWPajRTMO2cnW5S6FWtRnkpmbKzIJYFLp-2E1tVW2eB-nE5v-YQz6Ykqdu6GFiuOC0FLewJx5r91/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi-owKUHJCoCD6v3TaXhCKQHvKAs3Tw3_ijWSbBBCyWMqy5OGYd76ZouXqE0Cps4oDWPajRTMO2cnW5S6FWtRnkpmbKzIJYFLp-2E1tVW2eB-nE5v-YQz6Ykqdu6GFiuOC0FLewJx5r91/s320/IMG_1610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>On that note, watching my daughters dance with their grown up male "big brothers" and seeing them interact in a <b>multi-generational </b>social setting.</li>
<li>Joking with my middle-school students during math class and seeing them <b>succeed</b>!</li>
<li>Fresh <b>soda </b>out of a bottle.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAboM7MfX6Y968FSGXDR2_RgyRgAnjLiWb-k-S7gjd8J26gKFTgIRX6gAyWGS9IVeCcR7mBoubNWO_XULuIY53DMPsjF-5l6BEW4Zm1qYjBq_lceIq_VIIgjs-nRngJ49hE8K5DyXkxmub/s1600/DSC_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAboM7MfX6Y968FSGXDR2_RgyRgAnjLiWb-k-S7gjd8J26gKFTgIRX6gAyWGS9IVeCcR7mBoubNWO_XULuIY53DMPsjF-5l6BEW4Zm1qYjBq_lceIq_VIIgjs-nRngJ49hE8K5DyXkxmub/s320/DSC_0472.JPG" width="212" /></a></li>
<li>Feeling like each day serves a greater <b>purpose</b> just in waking up and stepping foot out of the door.</li>
</ol>
Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-81206428083046535532013-04-23T13:04:00.001-07:002013-04-24T01:55:02.719-07:00Running Around Town - a Half Marathon Experience in GuineaSo, those of you who know me know that I am a "runner." I'm not a REAL runner. I mean, I don't subscribe to a running magazine... I don't run fast enough to qualify for anything special... In fact, some people would say that I (gasp!) JOG! But since I joined cross-country <i>running</i> at the age of 14, I consider myself I <i>runner</i> not a <i>jogger</i>. <br />
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I like the calorie benefits of running. Did you know, you burn about 100 calories per mile? So, on a really amazing day, I can burn 100 calories in less than nine minutes? I like this. Why? Because I like to munch and can't help myself to those yummy cinnamon rolls on Tuesday mornings served piping hot on the ship (or the fried plantains Tuesday night...or the blueberry pancakes Wednesday morning or....). You get the point. Carbs are my sneaky enemy so running is my combative tool.<br />
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For that reason I look for opportunities to run for fun, for a challenge, and for a chance to chat with friends while we work off those extra bites. <br />
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When I signed up to live along the west coast of Africa onboard the Africa Mercy I thought maybe my running days were put on hold. I could think of every reason why I WOULDN'T be running in Africa. (You know: it's hot, it's gotta be dangerous, we live in a port for crying out loud....) But, then I discovered a highly dedicated group of people who love to run (for all different reasons). So, pre dawn's morning light we gather on the dock rubbing the sleep from the corners of our eyes and tossling our unkempt bedhead and head out into the town where things are about as quiet as they get in a capital port city.<br />
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With the help of an occasional street light we leap over rope barriers and sleeping dogs (of course we let them lie, and they certainly make no effort to do anything but!). We avoid the spike strips and the rogue goat that is as surprised to see <i>us </i>as we are to see <i>him</i>. We breathe deeply as we pass the bakery where the fresh croissants are browning and we try to hold our breaths at the fish market and the walls just visited by a random pee-body (um, I think I made this word up).<br />
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And so goes the routine in the wee hours of the morn as we watch the city wake up. I love seeing the children popping a squat on their little plastic potty chairs in their front yards <i>- </i>or watching people brush their teeth with an African toothbrush (a special type of branch from a bush) or a store-bought one. The whispering swish of a hand-bundled broom sweeping spotless a little area of sand and dirt surrounding each home is my favorite morning ritual to observe.<br />
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But it's nice to change things up and Mercy Shippers are usually quick to jump at any opportunity for an EVENT. This past weekend was no different. For about six weeks we have been hearing about a <a href="http://vivreenguinee.over-blog.com/article-semi-marathon-de-conakry-samedi-21-avril-2013-116385583.html">SEMI-MARATHON</a> - a half-marathon to be exact: 21 kilometers (1.6km=1mi, therefore 21km=13.1 mi). It would take place on the 21st of April, the same morning as the London Marathon, and just six days following the Boston Marathon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdnsJah1bT1fQAAcGcFIZ_-nyhedUDRU0KLddTOzTMN4oR6Gpxikzp71YLwNPXmyItcOCyshsQbdSSBT6aGvH4dG43Za-Y6ahDKH5VEOKxHPp0V1yk9IcWwwfyxFM01E6vkLi9Plz3J3r/s1600/marathon+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdnsJah1bT1fQAAcGcFIZ_-nyhedUDRU0KLddTOzTMN4oR6Gpxikzp71YLwNPXmyItcOCyshsQbdSSBT6aGvH4dG43Za-Y6ahDKH5VEOKxHPp0V1yk9IcWwwfyxFM01E6vkLi9Plz3J3r/s320/marathon+poster.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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There was a 5km, a 12km and the mother of all: the 21km run. We added a sign-up page in the "Join Us Book," (yes, an actual book that resides in our common area where you can join the happenings that others have discovered and are willing to share) and then the training began.<br />
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We had 21 crew mates from TEN different countries that competed in these events. Most of us ran just for the experience while others worked on a personal best or a new distance they had never attempted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRm1Z5NyG9xdAyPO7gzRFpIfjuHONRkBrOkc46qZbBKhe_jqrJHvIYGh3LiMZcX97wRDVl_Rqs3PzL4Nx2Cwhpyv37dBnubjYR0HZJkYYbU4WzaOPYbhnnIu_j_ox44oKcxy5yNmom4Ol/s1600/IMG_1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRm1Z5NyG9xdAyPO7gzRFpIfjuHONRkBrOkc46qZbBKhe_jqrJHvIYGh3LiMZcX97wRDVl_Rqs3PzL4Nx2Cwhpyv37dBnubjYR0HZJkYYbU4WzaOPYbhnnIu_j_ox44oKcxy5yNmom4Ol/s400/IMG_1628.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The sun (unfortunately) didn't hide from us the morning of the race. With our paper "bibs" pinned on and our sunscreen applied, we caravan-ed to the national stadium for the start of the race. I was very impressed with the organization of the event - a huge DEPART banner hung suspended across the road where traffic had been blocked for the morning. A brass band was striking up a tune and over 1,000 people were prancing antsily around as you do before any big race. No port-a-potties existed so hopefully you could convince your systems that it was just nerves, or find a little place to pop a squat with relative privacy.<br />
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The 21k-ers kicked off the event promptly at 8:00am, followed by the 12k-ers and then the those running the 5 km. Surprisingly, most of the runners for the two longer distances had proper lace-up tennis shoes, and only those in the 5k were competing in jelly sandals or plastic cleats! (If you've ever watched people exercising in Africa, you will know what a rarity this is!)<br />
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The route appeared to be planned around the several Total gas stations in town and at each one there was a team of people distributing 0.5 liter bottles of Coyah brand water, and a plate of roasted dates or figs for your snacking pleasure. The traffic was blocked for the first 3km of the race, and then they opened it at one point when the last runners had passed the highway entrance. Lo and behold, however, the taxis that were anxiously waiting for the blockade to be removed somehow managed to catch up with us! We still needed to navigate across three lanes of highway, like a pitiful game of Frogger. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfzMZR131t9pzvvqinKt3QDlrRNDXyYR9g2eEpuk48DBHsbu8-n2-197moOW6Xhk78OSETbo8QJ1bJcTgXwkHt0bN252cADr3oInXhK5XBNcbv4sFycI4qZ4cwXoghtklYMEuk0RAAVIj/s1600/marathon+course.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfzMZR131t9pzvvqinKt3QDlrRNDXyYR9g2eEpuk48DBHsbu8-n2-197moOW6Xhk78OSETbo8QJ1bJcTgXwkHt0bN252cADr3oInXhK5XBNcbv4sFycI4qZ4cwXoghtklYMEuk0RAAVIj/s1600/marathon+course.jpg" /></a></div>
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At every point where the route turned or required action, there was a military presence directing both the runners and the traffic to prevent a run in. <br />
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As we traveled we did not pass mile or kilometer markers, so we were glad that about half of the course overlapped with our normal running route and we knew what to expect and could estimate our progress. <br />
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Accompanying me and my kiwi friend, was a race assistant on a pedal bike with some bottles of water for when we needed them. However, as my kiwi friend informed me, he was holding those bottles of water while he relieved himself halfway through the race. We chose to take water from the other assistants instead. :)<br />
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The sun beat down, the pavement droned on and on, but eventually we completed the 21 (or 22 or 23 or 24?) kilometer loop that circled the downtown peninsula and another large portion of town. The Red Cross of Guinea van inched its way along the course providing water and aid to those needing it. <br />
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As we returned to the stadium the crowds cheered (they were catching on that spectator appreciation is approved of!) and pointed the way across the parking lot, through the stadium gates, into the stadium proper, and down the track to the ARRIVEE arch where officials were recording times, writing down names and declaring the order of finishers. <br />
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I was surprised to hear the word "cinquieme" proclaimed over me when I gave it my all as I heard my former cross-country coach's voice echoing in my head, "don't stop before the finish line! Run through the end!"<br />
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It turns out that of the more than 1,000 runners, there were only some 200 that enrolled for the 21km race. And of those, there were (shall we say) less than a dozen women. (I'll leave the exact number out to protect the honor of the innocent. ;))<br />
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So, while our 5km, 12km, and male 21km runners weren't able to rise to the challenge of the local competition, our female 21km runners nearly dominated the field. <br />
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Out of the six places that received recognition (and a cash prize!), Mercy Ships represented five of them! Medals were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd, as well as photos taken on the podium.<br />
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It was a fun day of people watching, culture spectating, and being a part of a fun combination of traditions. Thank you, Total Guinee, for putting together this event! Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-1429031802257637662013-03-27T09:00:00.000-07:002013-04-06T04:27:23.519-07:00Friends from Around the WorldOne of my most favorite part of life with Mercy Ships is our international community of friends. We have anywhere from 25 to 45 nationalities on board at any given time (I know this because calculating this is one of my side jobs for the big boss). When we have over 40 nations on board, my heart swells a bit. <br />
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International diversity has been something that has fired me up for as long as I can remember. As a teenager I had photos of children and adults from all over the world plastered on my walls - I just couldn't get enough of the beauty and creativity of the Lord in making each one of us unique.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ywam.org/"><img height="266" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQWhY0AnD-w_ELEKyiSiCy_-gUBLASka_pkcGkKeqUvcMr_IBVsHQ" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm drawn to collections of flags, churches that pray for the nations, learning different languages, and of course international travel. University of the Nations, YWAM's headquarters in Kona, understands this too, and has this fountain at the center of their campus.</div>
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The idea that God loves the NATIONS - he calls the NATIONS to himself - that every TRIBE and TONGUE will be gathered around His throne in worship tells me that He is the author of celebrating diversity. I think that is what resonates deep in my spirit as well.<br />
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Here are the countries that have been represented on board the Africa Mercy this past year:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyao_xN23zEt2fUWyzCILwBXOvKds1VhX_Rn795peAwcmS9NHorzU6MrcsDYgQrtJKnOadehud5_krKsAo5JKXDTfz8SZbi4hhgBVGVAKB3zjJtlO7Pejy9pIug8LqhrYAQr9gjo5nsI0S/s1600/world+map+of+nations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyao_xN23zEt2fUWyzCILwBXOvKds1VhX_Rn795peAwcmS9NHorzU6MrcsDYgQrtJKnOadehud5_krKsAo5JKXDTfz8SZbi4hhgBVGVAKB3zjJtlO7Pejy9pIug8LqhrYAQr9gjo5nsI0S/s400/world+map+of+nations.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Of course with different cultures you celebrate differences in language, dress, customs, greetings, holidays, and religion. Even within the Christian believers from all of these nations we find so many differences on how we express our faith - for some worship is loud, spontaneous and vocal. For others its a very somber, reverent moment between you and the Lord. We have tried to embrace a bit of this on the ship with various expressions of worship throughout the year.<br />
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I love it when we have a night of African worship where it is not just a possibility to have the freedom to worship freely, but an expectation that you will worship with all your being. "Shake Your Body for Jesus" is an actual song that you sing in church in Sierra Leone and you get up on your free, move around the sanctuary busting any move you've got while you are singing at the top of your lungs. <br />
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When we gather together for a birthday with our African friends, we don't just eat and play games and watch movies. We have a rich time of singing, celebrating the Lord for what He has done in the past year, and a time of prayer to bless the birthday celebrant. <br />
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A couple of months ago I was struck with a flu that left me without energy and appetite. I spent most of two weeks in bed. Two of our African "brothers" (they are friends, but really they are my little brothers) would come over to pray over me. The first one said to the second one, "sing a song for Grande Souer" (big sister) and, on the spot, he sang an acapella song about God being the healer. <br />
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I love this. <br />
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Another thing I love that we are able to enjoy (and digest) about different cultures is FOOD!<br />
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Our wonderful Gurkhas not only provide amazing security for us on the ship, but they are amazing cooks. They bring a little piece of Nepal with them every time they are home between their assignments on the ship. Often in the crew galley, our communal cooking kitchen, you will smell the rich aromas of fresh chai tea simmering in a pot, fish curry fusing its flavors together, or the buttery smell of fresh tortilla-like flat bread that accompany their dishes. <br />
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They have a tradition of cooking a meal for the entire crew during a sail from port to port, so we look forward with expectation to a night of curried eggs, flat bread and Nepalese curried fish or chicken.<br />
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On occasion they make and sell momos in our snack bar (at the low low price of $0.20 a piece!). These treats are similar to potstickers with bits of meat and vegetables steamed in a noodle wrapper with incredible sauces to dip them in.<br />
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<img height="291" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSmxY1ObU4miVD8RIpa5G_2-VehQPSiAlI9sI105x1b--o-kah4uQ" width="400" /></div>
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And then from another part of the world, we have the West African dish of fufu. Now, I must say - if you rush out to try fufu, I can pretty much guarantee that you're not going to love it. It's more of an acquired taste. Actually, it's kind of tasteless. Fufu comes from pounded yam or cassava - they stem the starchy root and then pound it (and pound it and pound it) in a huge wooden mortal and pester until it achieves the desired consistency.<br />
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<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKEsgRw_Cssd8tHn1DPdYI5d1YRyN1DpyaCQT9bNuJhpwyO-SXrw" /></div>
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So when one of our Togolese friends was leaving to return to Togo, he threw a fufu party for us.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hmbadDD2LA0BL1Bxuk-t4HYk52oX5fY-5VZCDEUseSkS1Qi7ZCxB7SDnLA7hmjO61IMnyUht7FmF3S4jC4l2aYOGlUQi8mY6QGj2azeg2Mmw3Yr10EeneFE-H8L4ZLKXh6ycliZW92_P/s1600/DSC_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hmbadDD2LA0BL1Bxuk-t4HYk52oX5fY-5VZCDEUseSkS1Qi7ZCxB7SDnLA7hmjO61IMnyUht7FmF3S4jC4l2aYOGlUQi8mY6QGj2azeg2Mmw3Yr10EeneFE-H8L4ZLKXh6ycliZW92_P/s320/DSC_0440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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With fufu, hand sanitation is very important because often you eat with your right hand (your left hand is reserved for other things....). So, you rinse, lather up, and rinse in the next bucket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi162ApAP1gCoEbUfDxB6IOZkvw-btKIZz-LpzY91128Uabp1WAhAgwauTCJFtsgloUC9RYQHHNaZQfkhgxi7LQs2yXO8pzSm7_N6b17jpUVX8DHr0a9-vas8lCQa7A5qK5zLPOxBNDZbRa/s1600/DSC_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi162ApAP1gCoEbUfDxB6IOZkvw-btKIZz-LpzY91128Uabp1WAhAgwauTCJFtsgloUC9RYQHHNaZQfkhgxi7LQs2yXO8pzSm7_N6b17jpUVX8DHr0a9-vas8lCQa7A5qK5zLPOxBNDZbRa/s320/DSC_0443.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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There are plenty of beverages on hand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcSrfjJPPz-kbQiz_gdMe50vdI1IjFxxCCCGwQ0US05JT7x71JR3B9eOQd1yg1valHHn_IMPZbCO5Y-TxnJDKEGSLo1s3hV4khQcKcs03I-mb99tsVS2O2LRLKQrc2aVH_zTFzYtL_omd/s1600/DSC_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcSrfjJPPz-kbQiz_gdMe50vdI1IjFxxCCCGwQ0US05JT7x71JR3B9eOQd1yg1valHHn_IMPZbCO5Y-TxnJDKEGSLo1s3hV4khQcKcs03I-mb99tsVS2O2LRLKQrc2aVH_zTFzYtL_omd/s320/DSC_0472.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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and if you just want to quench your thirst, grab a sachet of water, and down it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH-xxRsOjth-fClS_p9suXWRatQjc44UVZHmTco9hurIUvilQtOoOLH9wpfMzEHx2N5dHbjQGKzCWGQ7nQH4yVjfGhuOn8rU0nop2WAca8zl6ev6Du_nbWBpFSaM_SDFjltgqzhO5FAv2/s1600/DSC_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH-xxRsOjth-fClS_p9suXWRatQjc44UVZHmTco9hurIUvilQtOoOLH9wpfMzEHx2N5dHbjQGKzCWGQ7nQH4yVjfGhuOn8rU0nop2WAca8zl6ev6Du_nbWBpFSaM_SDFjltgqzhO5FAv2/s320/DSC_0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ghislain prepared the whole meal for us:</div>
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The purplish dough substance is the fufu - it gets its purple tint from the type of yam grown here in Guinea. The peanut sauce stew is in the two round tureens and then there's a jollof rice dish in front.</div>
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Load up your plate with a ball of fufu and some stew and you eat it by joining your 2nd-5th fingers together and pushing them down into the fufu like a knife, separating the small chunk in between your fingers and your thumb. Slather that with the rich, spicy peanut sauce, and shuttle it to your mouth in one quick swoop. </div>
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After the third time of tolerating fufu, we grew to LOVE fufu and the girls are ecstatic to be here! I think Kylie had three bowls full!!</div>
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The thing about fufu is that it is a bit like eating raw rice - it keeps growing and growing in your tummy (a perfect food in a country where this might be your only meal for the whole day). While it is incredibly labor intensive, it is cheap and filling. </div>
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After fufu, we all fill ready to strike a pose and have some fun.</div>
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With full bellies and warm hearts we celebrate with our friends.</div>
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<br />Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-67946169211642156172013-03-23T02:49:00.000-07:002013-03-23T02:49:13.611-07:00A week in the life (on a hospital ship)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What do we do on the ship? Isn't it boring? Don't you feel trapped? Sometimes. Yes, we are limited in our shopping and our excursions. But, here are just a few things that we participate in or lead during a sample week:<br />
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<strong>Monday:</strong><br />
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<em>Foley's Fitness</em> - Three mornings a week the <i>amazing</i> Bill Foley, a retired state trooper leads us in thirty minutes of brutal core and cardio conditioning in our international lounge. About 30 people brave the darkness at 6:00am, stumbling into the International Lounge with bedhead and sleep in their eyes to shape up. <br />
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<em>Communications Meeting</em> - Monday mornings we kick off the week gathering together as a community for updates, fellowship and teachings. </div>
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<em>Work Experience</em> - Kylie and the other junior and senior highers had a special week in school where they applied to work with a department for several days. Kylie got her first choice of being a writer with the Communications Department. She was able to shadow them and write about the Plastics screening day that happened at the beginning of the week as well as following existing patients.<br />
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<em>Plastics Screening</em> - This Monday we had more than 60 potential patients come to be seen by our plastics surgeon who arrived last week. He will assess these patients with burn contractures of the eyelid, neck, axilla (armpit), elbow, wrist, knee and ankle. Those that would see improvement in their range of motion and or a dramatic change that allows them to work or live well in their society again were scheduled for surgery. Kylie was a part of this as a junior writer, and I was a runner for paperwork, waiting with patients for X-rays, and other menial tasks.</div>
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<em>Running Club</em> - open to all Academy students and any others that want to be a part, one night a week for 45 minutes the kids have relays and fun running or walking back and forth on the dock and earning points towards their cumulative mileage for the field service.<br />
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<em>Computer Class</em> - immediately after running club, I have been teaching some beginning computer classes - how to write a blog, how to create a digital newsletter, using Microsoft products such as Outlook, Word, and Excel. This is a real joy to teach the beginnings of computer use to crew members that have no or little computer experience.</div>
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<strong>Tuesday:</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><em>Dock Open House</em> - this Tuesday was a little bit different in that the four departments that work in large inflatable tents on the dock opened their doors to the crew so we could all see what happens in Outpatients, Rehabilitation, Screening and Admissions. Kids and adults enjoyed participating in balance games in the physiotherapy area, a screening bingo in identifying which patients belong to each type of surgery, a photo booth and more.</div>
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<em>French Class</em> - weekly our Petit Frere (little brother) Innocent leads both beginner and intermediate French lessons (complete with homework) for those that desire to brush up or acquire this language that is so widely spoken throughout this region. Togo, Guinea, Benin, Congo-Brazzaville, Cameroon, Gabon, Senegal, and Cóte d'Ivoire are all French speaking nations.</div>
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<strong>Wednesday:</strong></div>
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<em>Parent Teacher Conferences</em> - Also this week we were able to play both ends of parent teacher conferences in that we sat in as parents for conferences, and in between those I was the teacher for ten other families to discuss how their children are doing in math and ways we can move forward.<br />
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<em>English Lessons</em> - Three afternoons a week I meet with a day worker who has never attended school. He was banished from his home village when he became a Christian and started working in labor jobs to make ends meet at a young age. We are using "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons,"a book I used both with Kylie and Savannah. It's been a joy to see the "lightbulb" go off, and watch as W-O-W becomes "wow!" I find I LOVE adult education.<br />
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<em>Small Group</em> (cancelled) - this week we had to cancel it because (as you can see) the schedule was full. But normally we meet on a week night and worship, read a chapter from the Bible together, discuss, and pray for each other. </div>
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<strong>Thursday:</strong><br />
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<em>Health Fair</em> - Near the end of the week, all the K-8 students had two mornings of health fair where they had presentations and hands-on exhibits with the dental team, nutritionist, and doctors who presented a lesson on tropical diseases and on cardiology.</div>
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<em>Ballet</em> - Thursdays girls are blessed to have an amazing ballerina and instructor (and mom of three boys), Miss Gretchen, who arrived with her family this fall and has been teaching the girls since she arrived. They look forward to ballet all week long!<br />
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<em>Piano Lessons</em> - One of the many benefits to living in community is that we have a wealth of talents and gifts present in the same building. Since we are all volunteers and we all basically live on the same status quo, everyone is willing to share these gifts and talents at no cost to those sharing life with them. This ranges from karate to African drum lessons; ballroom dancing to ukulele club. The girls get to benefit from piano lessons by piano enthusiasts and while they don't look forward to them, it's so great to have the option here and the shared pianos to practice on or play.</div>
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<em>Dinner Date</em> - Every once and awhile we need to get out and have a date, too! We discovered a Vietnamese Restaurant in town and found sitters (also a free perk of fellow volunteers!) and had a night out on the town.<br />
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<em>Community Meeting</em> - Another chance to get together as a community for updates, a teaching and some worship. (The highlight of the Thursday evenings is usually the ice cream that follows in "Town Square.")<br />
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<strong>Friday:</strong><br />
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<em>Diving </em>- Every other week Dan gets to submerge under the ship and go to work cleaning out the intake valves so our air conditioning and generators keep running. This is a not very glamourous job, but something he looks forward to.</div>
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<em>Hope Center</em> - Friday afternoons I head up a group of crew members to spend time with our future or former patients at the Hope Center. We head out with a bag full of crafts, games, and our singing voices and practice the motions of He's Got the Whole World... This is a highlight of the week for me as I get to interact with these precious folks that have made their way to the ship for surgical reasons.<br />
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<em>Zumba</em> - We had a special treat this week to have a certified Zumba instructor onboard as a guest. She lead four classes this week full of energy (sweat) and us trying to find our groove. it was a great way to break up the week and burn a few calories!<br />
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(Did I mention our jobs, too? Oh yeah, we work...)<br />
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<strong>Work Schedules</strong> - Dan's working these days in our Maxilo-Facial & ICU ward three shifts a week, in addition to two shifts a week in the PACU, our recovery ward. I'm teaching junior high math in the mornings, working for the screening team in the afternoons, getting some HR work done during the spare moments, and then balancing these other things.</div>
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So, when the weekend comes, we are ready for some down time. This includes reading, naps, the pool, a long run, a game or two with friends, and sometimes trips to the offshore islands or a trip into town for a bite to eat. If you try to reach us by phone, there's a good chance we won't be in the cabin to answer your call. Hope you will understand.
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Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-82468681866893867222013-02-27T09:43:00.001-08:002013-02-27T09:43:23.108-08:00Alseny's Transformation<div style="text-align: center;">
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Meet Alseny. </div>
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This little peanut arrived in November at the age of four months. He weighed in at six pounds.</div>
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His cleft lip and palate prevented him from getting the same nutrition as his TWIN sister, Mariam. </div>
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This is not the first set of twins we have seen, I wrote about another set in Togo, but I am going to share the scenario again because it just highlights the effects of this birth defect so well.</div>
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Here are the twins - Mariam and Alseny upon their first check in with us on Nov. 15th (yes, the date is important).</div>
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Mariam is an average sized baby, breastfeeding regularly from their mama. Alseny is not receiving anywhere near the same amount of nutrition as his "big" sister.</div>
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<img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC121115_TWINS_INFANT_FEEDING_MM0011_LO.jpg" height="397" src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC121115_TWINS_INFANT_FEEDING_MM0011_LO.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; cursor: default; height: 397px; line-height: 14px; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; width: 600px;" width="600" /></div>
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I don't need to point out all the areas you can compare here. It's just stunning.</div>
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Alseny's fight for life is strong though. He is alert, active, responsive and engaging. Our infant feeding specialist steps in to help provide some tips to plump him up so he is big and strong enough to undergo surgery. </div>
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Mama has fought hard for his life - in a culture where this is viewed as a curse - on your entire family and village - the norm is to abandon the babies in the forest to die and escape the curse that has come upon you. So the courage it takes to love your child wholeheartedly here speaks volumes.</div>
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Here he is on NOVEMBER 27th - yes, just 12 days later. You might not see the difference immediately, but scroll back and compare - his ribs aren't protuding, there's a bit of meat on his legs, his arms, his cheeks have some flesh to them instead of just being pulled taut over his skeleton.</div>
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<img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1_47_LO.jpg" height="640" src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1_47_LO.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; cursor: default; height: 640px; line-height: 14px; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; width: 424px;" width="424" /></div>
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His sister Mariam is whispering sweet nothings in Alseny's ear.</div>
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<img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1_39_LO.jpg" height="397" src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1_39_LO.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; cursor: default; height: 397px; line-height: 14px; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; width: 600px;" width="600" /></div>
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Here he is (12 days after arriving), now weighing in at 4.2kilos (9.25 lb! He has added 50% to his weight!)</div>
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Big sister Roughiatou (roo-guee-ah-too) has come with mom to help care for the twins during their time in Conakry awaiting surgery.</div>
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<img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1_30_LO.jpg" height="397" src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1_30_LO.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; cursor: default; height: 397px; line-height: 14px; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; width: 600px;" width="600" /></div>
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Mom, big sis, Mariam and Alseny</div>
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Proud mama</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH69vkrfrUoGhhpJpfjK13gluRSqxnN_dDV_kh2rrPh5XR4_stcuLYnHS-7rvac79Kb3rqVRVi1YHKO4NsKuVmoYuxyg1WjPna4kugE89Wp4SwUQMv7iLSG25tzwSkvkAf9SltYkhrlVa4/s1600/GNC121213_PH_STORY_ALSENY_INFANT_FEEDING_MM0008_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH69vkrfrUoGhhpJpfjK13gluRSqxnN_dDV_kh2rrPh5XR4_stcuLYnHS-7rvac79Kb3rqVRVi1YHKO4NsKuVmoYuxyg1WjPna4kugE89Wp4SwUQMv7iLSG25tzwSkvkAf9SltYkhrlVa4/s320/GNC121213_PH_STORY_ALSENY_INFANT_FEEDING_MM0008_LO.jpg" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Is there anything more beautiful?</div>
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We watched Alseny grow at the Hope Center - our weekly visits saw a new - fatter boy each time! Here he is in December with Kylie.</div>
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<span style="color: #fad7d7; font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">And now....</span></span><br />
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Meet the February Alseny! He has surpassed his sissy, Mariam. He is happy, chunky, and ready for </div>
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surgery.</div>
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We look forward to rejoicing even more with momma as her happy (now FAT) baby gets a chance to view life in a whole new way.</div>
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<img align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC130204_GNC17866_ALSENY_INFANT_FEEDING_MM0012_LO.jpg" height="640" src="https://d2q0qd5iz04n9u.cloudfront.net/_ssl/proxy.php/http/gallery.mailchimp.com/02a0fd71f86a9a6edd2827f2c/images/GNC130204_GNC17866_ALSENY_INFANT_FEEDING_MM0012_LO.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; cursor: default; height: 640px; line-height: 14px; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; width: 424px;" width="424" /></div>
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How can this be the same teeny baby that lay nearly lifeless on this scale less than three months ago?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoyxpPgmqP4938bp29Pn6rgn-OcgWHO0AWVqVD5CSMtVFARw6zlkthJjnbdPqcxFA34uDI7oRk2me8a8bx1TgHMd8bi-eHD8AW3aQIjIStds4hQecthc2UrSuN08jg9oC6vRXG177sfbV/s1600/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1-51_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoyxpPgmqP4938bp29Pn6rgn-OcgWHO0AWVqVD5CSMtVFARw6zlkthJjnbdPqcxFA34uDI7oRk2me8a8bx1TgHMd8bi-eHD8AW3aQIjIStds4hQecthc2UrSuN08jg9oC6vRXG177sfbV/s320/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1-51_LO.jpg" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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God is a god of miracles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbxZw2IfeDjkG7JKdUTaXaTltsI4L7DGcodBeKUJa7aOOo4Je_K_IRT2TXvqCblDKdRtdnSxvecuu5AFZKnvYY-XxiM5SDrFS2GlVRLBJl6JxKOHemVeMsFi4-tP6IWPJMFsjEOSh9d8r/s1600/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1-28_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbxZw2IfeDjkG7JKdUTaXaTltsI4L7DGcodBeKUJa7aOOo4Je_K_IRT2TXvqCblDKdRtdnSxvecuu5AFZKnvYY-XxiM5SDrFS2GlVRLBJl6JxKOHemVeMsFi4-tP6IWPJMFsjEOSh9d8r/s320/GNC121127_PAT17866_ALSENY_CLEFT_IFP_DB1-28_LO.jpg" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n2BPgH-gXJ7byiPwvKq175EYgBLxlAK7VtivwHhEIvvaZSvzXZjaqACuyHofsHZByVT0jPvnsb6-Rp5uJPF-2qjdV_SAVmk90soQ6c7uytcsOw1OgjgEAQzXBaueDKIUrJ9mpPbAUDjS/s1600/GNC130204_GNC17866_ALSENY_INFANT_FEEDING_MM0006_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n2BPgH-gXJ7byiPwvKq175EYgBLxlAK7VtivwHhEIvvaZSvzXZjaqACuyHofsHZByVT0jPvnsb6-Rp5uJPF-2qjdV_SAVmk90soQ6c7uytcsOw1OgjgEAQzXBaueDKIUrJ9mpPbAUDjS/s400/GNC130204_GNC17866_ALSENY_INFANT_FEEDING_MM0006_LO.jpg" uea="true" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here we have this beauty before surgery.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH69vkrfrUoGhhpJpfjK13gluRSqxnN_dDV_kh2rrPh5XR4_stcuLYnHS-7rvac79Kb3rqVRVi1YHKO4NsKuVmoYuxyg1WjPna4kugE89Wp4SwUQMv7iLSG25tzwSkvkAf9SltYkhrlVa4/s1600/GNC121213_PH_STORY_ALSENY_INFANT_FEEDING_MM0008_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> The night before surgery mom, big sis, twin sis, and Alseny move onto the ward to prepare for surgery.</div>
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And the surgery went very well.</div>
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Alseny gets lots of special love and care from his nurses in the OR, PACU and back in the ward.</div>
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Tuesday of this week I got to see my darling back at the Hope Center</div>
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His lip still has some sutures but it's healing so nicely. </div>
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Lovely, lovely Alseny!</div>
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Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-22461479998024872492013-02-08T03:55:00.000-08:002013-02-14T23:53:57.915-08:00Upcountry Guinea Screening: PeopleAs promised, here are some glimpses into the medical side of the screening trip. The point of the trip was not just to see the beauty of this amazing country, but to help locate patients that might not have heard that we were in Conakry, or have had the means to get to our screening day in the capital on their own. <br />
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And there were plenty of patients found. Those with maxillo-facial tumors, burns, orthopedic conditions, and neurofibromas. Many of these precious faces were scheduled to come to the ship to have surgery. Others were put on waitlists, some were referred to local hospitals such as the Hope Clinic in N'Zao, and yet others were unfortunately told we were unable to help. <br />
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As you can see, it does not take much searching to find those in need of help here. <br />
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<br />Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-50069677697760330962013-02-03T03:54:00.001-08:002013-02-03T03:54:53.611-08:00Upcountry GuineaA couple of months ago, Dan had the opportunity of traveling upcountry in Guinea to help with the screening of patients. As logic concurs, those that live farther from the capital, from infrastructure, hospitals, and pharmacies have a greater chance of suffering from medical conditions that could otherwise have been treated early on.<br />
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So, Mercy Ships has determined it is important to try to reach some of these remote areas and bring the screening to them. A doctor who has worked with Mercy Ships for several years did some initial screening in these uppermost regions several months prior and had scheduled appointments for these patients to be further evaluated by our screening team to deem if we could help them with surgery. Dan was fortunate enough to be chosen to be a part of this team of nurses, navigators, survival specialists, and French speakers.<br />
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I won't bore this post with many words, but let the many pictures do the talking. Guinea is made up of four regions: Coastal Guinea (where we live), Middle Guinea, High Guinea, and Forest Guinea. You get a little glimpse into each of these areas on this journey that covered more than 2000 kilometers and many, MANY days of driving.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">trying to catch a better glimpse of the views<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African signal flares to indicate a broken down vehicle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what's a roadtrip without a bit of car trouble?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find Tracy, trying to get some privacy in nature's outhouse?</td></tr>
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The team stopped at six different locations to screen patients during their two-week journey.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the screening sites where patients (and other curious onlookers) were waiting to be seen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Hasanatu, whom had not been pre-screened before, but came out to the screening and we were able to watch transformed on the ship this past month!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmwUcyorlV1C5o6HuJyxSpYUZ2M39-xxUrCKiYpgPTWEOH2oVZz3Av7aQYi4TElDEuoKCKlZDFYWDxbx231Pq6s5zELzbNcPmlGwzMxIlbgkQpCnPEmJngLiy_8RtYKFRGNOB1DYRgSLm/s1600/DSC_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmwUcyorlV1C5o6HuJyxSpYUZ2M39-xxUrCKiYpgPTWEOH2oVZz3Av7aQYi4TElDEuoKCKlZDFYWDxbx231Pq6s5zELzbNcPmlGwzMxIlbgkQpCnPEmJngLiy_8RtYKFRGNOB1DYRgSLm/s320/DSC_0584.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at the Hope Clinic, missionary Jon Ericson's home base in N'Zao, N'Zerekore<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK-9uDKyF6NKY_e89nYHdDAcpndvCF49QnrazXL2TRsy4kraq3BAa6-mQXEcieriau_bIIp4_LUPykLqVxv35uKRSSb3LszCPvkjZGiYR0M3trGvkVSYmFcRzFJkwJ7tB0SGKoc0_kquG/s1600/DSC_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK-9uDKyF6NKY_e89nYHdDAcpndvCF49QnrazXL2TRsy4kraq3BAa6-mQXEcieriau_bIIp4_LUPykLqVxv35uKRSSb3LszCPvkjZGiYR0M3trGvkVSYmFcRzFJkwJ7tB0SGKoc0_kquG/s320/DSC_0794.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozR0iCNZQR3kQy57TsOA-r9CwiS1UE8jV3A7CDn3_RGzydnPSOSkEW-PMgNwxcNIosNqWyid2c2XurBwLOw4v1GUgSBLHEJ3fTLv8qAZ0A1Z-N7NBPK93uF9kmbim8JB-qiJA9nQH1vEc/s1600/DSC_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozR0iCNZQR3kQy57TsOA-r9CwiS1UE8jV3A7CDn3_RGzydnPSOSkEW-PMgNwxcNIosNqWyid2c2XurBwLOw4v1GUgSBLHEJ3fTLv8qAZ0A1Z-N7NBPK93uF9kmbim8JB-qiJA9nQH1vEc/s320/DSC_0606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pharmacy at the Hope Clinic</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvECuvRjlNo7AABMR1bbGyxoo77lA7TzGc3giVDyqfj5XLI7SFU8wTaBdFSG-3QoWrcMnsYjFmyCuLDPgdBxNZeBR6kMjho7G6_7FkVY7fy7XQCAPGvBuPmi-uCZE1eJc7XJpkzZQsZEKJ/s320/DSC_0608.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="212" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: center;">the charges for the medical services at the Hope Clinic<br />
7,100 fg = 1.00 dollar</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the vehicle picked up a little bit of the road along the way</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan the Chicken Rangler</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dinner to go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh dinner, coming up</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of interesting neighbors with loads on the road</td></tr>
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Next post will be of the beautiful people that need surgeries that they were able to identify during this trip.</div>
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<br />Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-73877536475092295502013-01-18T00:57:00.000-08:002013-01-18T00:57:04.113-08:00An Out of the Ordinary DayLiving on a ship that is functioning also as a hospital and has 24/7 work being done, means you never can really unplug. Literally. We have to keep our phone plugged in for safety reasons, and the pager is always within an arm's reach in case Dan is needed (as EMT leader and Dive Team Leader). <br />
<br />
One day this week we overheard some unusual overhead pages.<br />
<br />
What I mean is, not the normal:<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<h4>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Good morning, crew. This is the captain. You may experience a short blackout when we are testing the engines later," </span></h4>
or<br />
<h4>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Attention crew - we are now bunkering (taking on fuel). All hot work must cease." </span></h4>
Or the weekly Monday night,<br />
<h4>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"New Crew Orientation begins at 6:00pm in the Queen's Lounge. All new crew are required to attend. Please bring your orientation forms and the four forms emailed to you." </span></h4>
<br />
No, today we heard some different overhead pages. The first was at lunchtime:<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Attention crew. We have a patient scheduled for surgery tomorrow with B positive blood. We are currently out of B positive blood. If you have B positive blood and would be willing to donate, please come to the lab after lunch to be tested. If we do not receive a donor, we will have to cancel surgery for this patient." </span></h4>
<br />
This will get you to pay attention during lunch! (and a great lineup of folks at the lab after lunch hoping to be able to help this patient).<br />
<br />
Several hours passed with nothing out of the ordinary, and then we got our most unusual page yet:<br />
<br />
<h4>
"<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Attention crew, this is the Chief Steward. We have discovered that some of the chicken in tonight's dinner is bad. If you have taken chicken from the dining room, please do not eat it. Not all of the chicken is bad, but again, if you have taken chicken, please do not eat it." </span></h4>
(I do have to say, this is the first time I've ever heard any announcement regarding a problem with the food in our nearly 24 months onboard. Our galley team and cooks do an amazing job preparing a variety of food and this was CERTAINLY a fluke).<br />
<br />
But, I guess it was a good night to have a surprise birthday party planned for dinner - OFF SHIP!<br />
Well, actually, it was sort of a default. You see, Dan had come down with a cold the day originally planned for his birthday surprise and announced that night, "There's no way I'm going out to eat tonight. Sorry. I'm going to bed." So I had scrambled to find all 25 people planning to head out with us and let them know we were rescheduling. <br />
<br />
Tuesday was our do-over day. And what a fight it was to make it happen! Dan didn't want to comply with the plan (go figure!). He wanted to eat somewhere else. He was hungry and wanted to eat early. He couldn't figure out why we needed to watch Savannah and Kylie's video of their Nutcracker performance before dinner instead of after. I was just being plain difficult!<br />
<br />
Finally, we managed to delay sufficiently to allow the other guests a head start to the restaurant. Finally, we got Dan out of the reception area so they could sneak off ship. Finally, we checked out our vehicle and were on our way- just as scheduled. Except Dan wanted to go to a different restaurant. After some pleading and puppy-dog eyes, we convinced him to drive to the destination where his friends were waiting.<br />
<br />
However, not half a kilometer away from the port our Land Rover chug-chug-chugged to a stop with no power coming through the pedal. After several attempts of restarting the vehicle we had no luck. We radioed the ship and had a conversation with the Transportation Manager who decided to head our way and take a look at the vehicle. So, we waited in the vehicle. At a standstill. While 20 people were waiting at the restaurant - wondering what had happened to us... And we waited. And we waited. You see, at a certain point in the evening, the traffic direction changes. Instead of the road being a one-way out of the downtown peninsula (the way we had started), it switches to a one-way TOWARD the peninsula. So, our wonderful Transportation Manager (aka Roadside Assistance) had to go around the peninsula the long way in order to reach us. <br />
<br />
About 45 minutes after we started out, our Roadside help arrived with new fuel filter in hand hoping that would be the solution. This was swapped out with the old and given a try but still, the power was not getting to the pedal. A bad batch of fuel was determined to be the cause of our troubles. So, now it was time to tow us back to the ship and get a new vehicle. <br />
<br />
Finally, 1 hour and 15 minutes after our guests had departed, we were AGAIN heading out for the restaurant. Now Dan <i>really</i> wants to go to the other restaurant he can't get out of his mind- the one that is even closer to the ship. Sorry, I just need to eat at Les Jardins de Guinee! (you'll forgive me later, I think...)<br />
<br />
Greeted with a overture of applause, we finally arrive - putting an end to our guests' guessing game of what had happened to us. The surprise was a success and the evening finally came together. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ91HepI5_rGetDolRjzIs2qGKRuKyMqAaXsawnshs_u_FdyHamexZRxizGrgoA5QvxxoKrTU_bzIRnCurTpaiEkSOlKv5k0zbII4HgFAA4j-AWXCe_dHERd_C_SjytE0kZTFrV1IFBVz/s1600/IMG_3013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ91HepI5_rGetDolRjzIs2qGKRuKyMqAaXsawnshs_u_FdyHamexZRxizGrgoA5QvxxoKrTU_bzIRnCurTpaiEkSOlKv5k0zbII4HgFAA4j-AWXCe_dHERd_C_SjytE0kZTFrV1IFBVz/s320/IMG_3013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28MMZ3OOFYN7FzfVTUY0-oHwO2muqM_zT4D-hZxOG_VCMb-NVZWyQBvMgsPEPtuYHoQ5r4OQPI-_3GFZFbezAXMBG_j6ISCuIEaNIhGc7bh-Bbu9l8BZn_CVrQRDkND1pNCgHDEnac321/s1600/IMG_3015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28MMZ3OOFYN7FzfVTUY0-oHwO2muqM_zT4D-hZxOG_VCMb-NVZWyQBvMgsPEPtuYHoQ5r4OQPI-_3GFZFbezAXMBG_j6ISCuIEaNIhGc7bh-Bbu9l8BZn_CVrQRDkND1pNCgHDEnac321/s320/IMG_3015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with the birthday party delay, my parents were able to be a part of it too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Phew.<br />
<br />
I thought this was the end of our in-ordinary day, but there was one more page to be heard jarring us awake:<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<span style="color: blue;">Emergency Medical Team: Please report to A Ward immediately. Emergency Medical Team: report to A Ward immediately." </span></span></h4>
<div>
This 2:30am wake up call brings the whole ship to attention, not just those on the EMT that need to report. Dan, as the head of this team, leaps out of bed and is out the door in less than 10 seconds to help assess the situation. The rest of us our left in the dark - wondering what is going on, and praying for whatever the need might be. In this case, we later learned, a patient had started bleeding again following their surgery and needed to return to the OR to contain the bleeding. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm happy to say the patient is now doing well and the next day was quite normal, as least as normal goes here.</div>
<div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<span style="color: blue;">Attention Crew: If anyone has personal items on the Dutch container, please report to the cargo hold on starboard side to claim these by 10:30." </span></span></h4>
</div>
<div>
doesn't sound weird to me at all!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You never know what to expect on this ship. Some of it can be written off as: T.I.A. (This Is Africa), but most of the time the accurate acronym is: T.I.M.S. (This is Mercy Ships).</div>
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<br />Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-78461875013503139862013-01-09T01:06:00.003-08:002013-01-09T01:06:51.846-08:00A Place to Hope: The Hope Center<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgof-wEgxEv4zSgtfTocCGuhQ9_G-v0kDmABhMDctFQSMklnD-99b0V8VGNtFGYwZYw8ASnOP8KWPQ76A4iQW34zcp-xRpsDEzA2yFGb4g_TWhFJ2jwYHGciUAyXT9Xc4ODNRzX0SsockYG/s1600/DSC_0022-721752.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5831369100293771426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgof-wEgxEv4zSgtfTocCGuhQ9_G-v0kDmABhMDctFQSMklnD-99b0V8VGNtFGYwZYw8ASnOP8KWPQ76A4iQW34zcp-xRpsDEzA2yFGb4g_TWhFJ2jwYHGciUAyXT9Xc4ODNRzX0SsockYG/s320/DSC_0022-721752.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Hope. It is a crisp helium balloon being filled. Beautiful. Ready to begin on something new. On the heels of setting out for a brand-new glorious journey. Hope isn't about the present, but it's that breathe of expectation for the future.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlBE_z0wE9hBiXZSuWknNHr-8sSaV4QTWbsLrREgPypJfRKLUo3MNbJF8HWKyg8hdMd-lfX4sYwpb88A36JTAGvT81q2q5rk5tu0Gg2jS9LHEsLqmTTF0fJL9kMEp7H52SPpqDzlZ6mJX/s1600/DSC_0040-729227.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5831369138301571202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlBE_z0wE9hBiXZSuWknNHr-8sSaV4QTWbsLrREgPypJfRKLUo3MNbJF8HWKyg8hdMd-lfX4sYwpb88A36JTAGvT81q2q5rk5tu0Gg2jS9LHEsLqmTTF0fJL9kMEp7H52SPpqDzlZ6mJX/s320/DSC_0040-729227.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
The Hope Center is a place for our patients and their caregivers to be infused with this height-soaring helium. Where they get refilled and equipped to begin this new journey.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim-nlfYHUOk4Hcwc5EV7cpCJ5mg9e1nqB_lhnGHb2P822JP0hF3-nhmElzDrNIVJrfrzzm3_8VjnEYFdLGKk3se_ggr3ndrxcgqIZxGrUdf3Uhaa4xJrU1_vg-K4zzrLivDGHOSA146vW/s1600/GNC121002_HOPECNTR_PATS_DB0090_LO-779046.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5831369352893820354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim-nlfYHUOk4Hcwc5EV7cpCJ5mg9e1nqB_lhnGHb2P822JP0hF3-nhmElzDrNIVJrfrzzm3_8VjnEYFdLGKk3se_ggr3ndrxcgqIZxGrUdf3Uhaa4xJrU1_vg-K4zzrLivDGHOSA146vW/s320/GNC121002_HOPECNTR_PATS_DB0090_LO-779046.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
When patients travel from many hundreds of kilometers away, sometimes they arrive earlier than their admission date to the ship. (Travel by land in Africa is unpredictable, treacherous, and full of surprises). When this happens, our patients are housed (for free) at our Hope Center. When patients are released from the hospital but still need dressing changes or physical therapy appointments and live further than an hour or two from the ship, they are sent to the Hope Center to continue their stay with us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV3idXCSgDJ-BG58yKS1ktNjba7BL5x2D_Kr5iVWtaaIaFbItDFM2MMXO1Hmi8yTUASi6JSzSH2QnbUO6OJSojUI6W0iBp4xuJvgKpwBo_hsjMOBGdOzB95VvJN2lusDsqH488GrFRMXr/s1600/GNC121002_HOPECNTR_PATS_DB0076_LO-772267.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5831369321149873890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV3idXCSgDJ-BG58yKS1ktNjba7BL5x2D_Kr5iVWtaaIaFbItDFM2MMXO1Hmi8yTUASi6JSzSH2QnbUO6OJSojUI6W0iBp4xuJvgKpwBo_hsjMOBGdOzB95VvJN2lusDsqH488GrFRMXr/s320/GNC121002_HOPECNTR_PATS_DB0076_LO-772267.jpg" /></a></div>
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For some this is a couple of days until they are healed enough to receive their Final Discharge and they are released to go home. For others, this could be months. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEdiVktl98o6G6gYmvl-TV17Zb19M_8i8od6HGM0foXBR75fCTJt5ZILDl8T9j9BsutQ2QJ2M2ZBxVcLsYa6mnpvYskkbiE-UhWqoH2YiMQAWHB81S_dZf0qc4hxmbQ4TXYWxvtQJfdsC/s1600/DSC_0042-734781.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5831369158561506898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEdiVktl98o6G6gYmvl-TV17Zb19M_8i8od6HGM0foXBR75fCTJt5ZILDl8T9j9BsutQ2QJ2M2ZBxVcLsYa6mnpvYskkbiE-UhWqoH2YiMQAWHB81S_dZf0qc4hxmbQ4TXYWxvtQJfdsC/s320/DSC_0042-734781.JPG" /></a></div>
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While boredom in Africa is a relatively foreign concept, it can mean lots of long days just "hanging out." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzsir82zEVyKhTRBV-_x57v3HuT71gL2RwLnebYWaUQXo9Xockp-ybFDxlcjP60ppr0MPPU0h96YusfzmC2-TRDCtsUtW47QuNgPG-R83ChZWnJatKU4jgHgHGmln1CEtcZSqDgNMvmhY/s1600/GNC121002_PAT17671_KALLON_DB0014_LO-791866.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5831369403238437250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzsir82zEVyKhTRBV-_x57v3HuT71gL2RwLnebYWaUQXo9Xockp-ybFDxlcjP60ppr0MPPU0h96YusfzmC2-TRDCtsUtW47QuNgPG-R83ChZWnJatKU4jgHgHGmln1CEtcZSqDgNMvmhY/s320/GNC121002_PAT17671_KALLON_DB0014_LO-791866.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here in Guinea, our Hope Center was created out of a dilapidated wing of one of the largest hospitals in Conakry. Our Off-Ships team worked around the clock for a couple of months to reconstruct and make this a place of beauty, a place of refuge and rest for up to 60 patients. When Mercy Ships leaves at the end of this field service, the hospital will receive this renovated wing as a place where they can continue to care for the people of Guinea.<br />
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We have a team of 22 dayworkers who rotate between early, mid and night shifts to staff the Hope Center around the clock- 24/7, 365 and shuttle the patients back and forth to the ship for their appointments. We have crew members who help oversee the Hope Center - managing personal conflicts, making sure everyone is safe, healthy, and being cared for in a way that reflects Christ's love. <br />
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And of course we visit! The patients create great bonds with many of the crew members- especially those in the nursing field who have been able to work side by side with these patients and watch their transfomations taking place day by day. But there are also opportunities for all crew to visit, and I am so blessed to be a part of this.<br />
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Mercy Ministries is a way to connect with the local community and serve those that are doing work in Guinea. There are orphanage visits, baby rescue centers, pediatric ward visits, schools, prisons, and Jesus Films. And twice a week we organize groups to head to the Hope Center for a time of stories, songs, crafts and games. <br />
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It is amazing to see the eyes sparkling of those who just days or weeks before arrived with fear and shame smothering their spirits. The chance to hope - the chance to dream of a life that looks different - has filled their airtanks with helium and they are ready to soar: some of them for the first time in their lives.<br />
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Lamarana when she arrived</div>
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Lamarana post surgery</div>
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Maybe that's what I love about it - it reminds me that no one is beyond having the chance to hope again. Maybe I haven't suffered from a flesh-eating disease that has taken my nose or half of my face. Maybe a tumor hasn't grown to the size of a cantaloupe that obstructs my airway and becomes the only thing people see about me. <br />
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Our lovely Hasanatou</div>
But I have suffered the same sort of despair internally. At times my heart has been ravaged by a flesh-eating disease of self-protection that has turned it to stone and prevented me from loving authentically and deeply. Sometimes something swells inside preventing me from speaking words of life and affirmation and the only words that can eek out are those of criticism and negativity. Other times I shroud my face and refuse to reveal my struggles, my pain, my faults, my frailty. <br />
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There is freedom that comes with the chance to hope again. Whether it is waiting for a surgery that could change you so drastically that people see you in a new light, or the chance to dream again, hope abounds at the Hope Center.<br />
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Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-88981772413756178682012-12-24T02:32:00.000-08:002012-12-24T02:33:12.643-08:00Holiday Customs from Around the WorldWhen you are living onboard a ship filled with nearly 400 crewmembers from up to 40 different nationalities, what "Christmas" looks like to you might not represent what it looks like to <em>ANYONE</em> else, let alone EVERYONE else. So, we set aside our expectations of Christmas at home and we embrace a <em>Mercy Ships Christmas</em>, one that tries to incorporate a bit of everyone's home culture and traditions.<br />
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Here have been a few of the highlights:<br />
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<a href="http://dutchfood.about.com/od/dutchholidayrecipes/a/Sinterklaas.htm">Sinterklaas</a> - the Dutch celebrate this, on St. Nicholas' Eve & St. Nicholas Day (Dec 5th & 6th). The Dutchies on board set out their shoes in the hallway that night and they blessed each other with treats - chocolate covered gingery snap type cookies, spiced cookies, anise flavored cookies and hard salty black licorice candies (definitely an acquired taste!). They also leave carrots in shoes - not like coal as a punishment, but to feed the horse of St. Nicholas. Dutchies commonly exchange gifts on this day, but not so frequently on Christmas. As the Dutch community onboard the ship is the THIRD most populous nationality (and maybe the most proud and vocal about their heritage!), we had a big celebration this year - complete with our very own Sinterklaas arriving with his Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) helpers - similar to Santa's elves, that cause a bit of mischief and clowning around - and bringing presents to EACH of the children in grade five and under! Thank you, Sinterklaas!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savannah's gift was a knitting doll!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy%27s_Day">Santa Lucia</a> is a tradition familiar to me, growing up in a Swedish Covenant church that celebrated this every year. Again, the Swedes have made this holiday quite significant in their culture, even though Santa Lucia was an Italian young lady who was either a martyr, refusing to renounce her Christianity despite being set on fire and stabbed through the throat. Another story says that she was helping the Christians who were hiding in the catacombs for fear of punishment from Roman Emperor Diocletian, and she needed her hands free to carry supplies so she lit candles on her heads. Regardless, as holidays do, the story behind it and the reason it is celebrated has morphed into a celebration in the deepest, darkest parts of northern Scandinavia of light and beauty.<br />
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Our community gathered following a Thursday night meeting for the arriving Lucia who came with REAL lit candles on her head, sweetly singing the Santa Lucia song. The Lucias were followed by many starboys and some tomte who brought Swedish saffron rolls to all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first Nigerian starboy I have seen! :) I love international community living!</td></tr>
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Maybe this day falls more along the American traditions - cookie bake! Thanks to the resources of a big galley and multiple ovens, this event becomes rather simple. We purchase kilos of cookie dough which the galley prepares for us - we roll, sprinkle, cut and label, and run the trays back to the galley to be cooked. 10 minutes later the trays return ready to be decorated. This is fun for young and old!<br />
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Winter Wonderland is a ship tradition that is celebrated the first Saturday in December. it is an opportunity for those creative folk on the ship to sell their wares - cards, jewelry, knit puppets, fudge, waffle cones, chai tea, and ornaments flood the common area and people can complete their Christmas shopping at ease.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carols_by_candlelight">Carols by Candlelight</a> was the night for the Aussies to shine - this Australian tradition dates back more than 100 years. Gathering together in a park for a picnic for the day (yes, Australia is in the middle of the summer for Christmas - so sandwiches, strawberries, and crackers and cheese are common Christmas picnic items!), then sing carols together (you guessed it) by candleight when the sun goes down. We celebrated this tradition yesterday with a barbecue on the dock for dinner, and then when the sun went down had some carols, a visit by the "Wiggles" and even an African Santa! The real candles were a treat as we don't get to usually light any flame on the ship - and no children were burned, which was even better! We did stamp out the paper cup that caught on fire in the hands of a 1st grader, and our fire team was standing by with an extinguisher in case things got out of hand! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTjEKbAAVZThgK1Lu7C911fMt8LtjWmhyZOQ3KD6KfJjdIZr4iCW0b-Ze1lTpqkGHl8gbHj_IdVlVCukCo78t0LXDGSsWAdlLOub0UEff2FQs4XIFUFpQm6IgC0fYn_5MLYnBquDJwf6m/s1600/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0015_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTjEKbAAVZThgK1Lu7C911fMt8LtjWmhyZOQ3KD6KfJjdIZr4iCW0b-Ze1lTpqkGHl8gbHj_IdVlVCukCo78t0LXDGSsWAdlLOub0UEff2FQs4XIFUFpQm6IgC0fYn_5MLYnBquDJwf6m/s320/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0015_LO.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Aussies were in charge, and getting excited!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbkoErmwXAuchsZHuaO3FohaGfcucT2LzYT9wt_O8CTFY2Kc_T7vVvdQiPfVWHNW_UMqw_M7PjF7SgAlFSdXEyyIbwZg-7AJDFroz5oHlYXnsGwrM6NWX25kI0Uqeb6gIKMIvZG4yFuD_/s1600/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0024_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbkoErmwXAuchsZHuaO3FohaGfcucT2LzYT9wt_O8CTFY2Kc_T7vVvdQiPfVWHNW_UMqw_M7PjF7SgAlFSdXEyyIbwZg-7AJDFroz5oHlYXnsGwrM6NWX25kI0Uqeb6gIKMIvZG4yFuD_/s320/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0024_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the junior and senior high were the Advent candle lighters this week</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYNDukMHrJLrQjKC1EH9lgJviw_9p2cB6HNweIsB8VQUlK9Isi0R1fBp3rFwIzkU7rQLVIFdNMNFDeJ1ELgQB01-TxFprEey72HLbGKM9WOgmFUq1TLA4nGnvVq2nTk2fq82KM2-jM6pv/s1600/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0027_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYNDukMHrJLrQjKC1EH9lgJviw_9p2cB6HNweIsB8VQUlK9Isi0R1fBp3rFwIzkU7rQLVIFdNMNFDeJ1ELgQB01-TxFprEey72HLbGKM9WOgmFUq1TLA4nGnvVq2nTk2fq82KM2-jM6pv/s320/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0027_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the sun set, the tone changed outside and we prepared for singing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFjP7_nTm-MOovnbrsLC-r9oXrM3tJ90OlOyf0KM8BpGDEgSZUL-lRLeUEqrP8ouMnR0zSx7o8x8Q71EIfGSItDDvqnmawd9IpbqpESlHccu17SdSZ493YC9naUGiqwX3tzZd89EwpF3m/s1600/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0057_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFjP7_nTm-MOovnbrsLC-r9oXrM3tJ90OlOyf0KM8BpGDEgSZUL-lRLeUEqrP8ouMnR0zSx7o8x8Q71EIfGSItDDvqnmawd9IpbqpESlHccu17SdSZ493YC9naUGiqwX3tzZd89EwpF3m/s320/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0057_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Australian, American and two Dutchies made up our group of Wiggles, leading a dancy rendition of Jingle Bells for the kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNUfIOZb24rx_m8SXmFCjcapZLJERj1fmv38io2BEoPI8HOyOdBxLYrpLU6iNznHLRhVOkZihAVVGRJBEyE-rAvi0TOJKeNmUA63LNrhYnB2f-TcaHJR-jmVkHpcS_5yHh4iPfWfEOrqS/s1600/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0060_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNUfIOZb24rx_m8SXmFCjcapZLJERj1fmv38io2BEoPI8HOyOdBxLYrpLU6iNznHLRhVOkZihAVVGRJBEyE-rAvi0TOJKeNmUA63LNrhYnB2f-TcaHJR-jmVkHpcS_5yHh4iPfWfEOrqS/s320/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0060_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a special visit from a Santa who brought present to all the kids!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpGzxH_tAVGg0iXJuHbYYiYLVoFPJjwPqiRJbppa5Q7Mz17m05zL6tM-GkIbz0NBwxPTxgR-fxvCS1CB6sD4D0opfrBJ85fOEF39F00__SsSqoWg92QHVXViZQSiwF7Uy6MwE_jdhVJ9_/s1600/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0090_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpGzxH_tAVGg0iXJuHbYYiYLVoFPJjwPqiRJbppa5Q7Mz17m05zL6tM-GkIbz0NBwxPTxgR-fxvCS1CB6sD4D0opfrBJ85fOEF39F00__SsSqoWg92QHVXViZQSiwF7Uy6MwE_jdhVJ9_/s320/GNC121223_CANDLELIGHT_CAROLING_MM0090_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acapella men's choir performed two songs</td></tr>
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Tonight we will have a traditional Christmas Eve service to round out the events. Life goes on as normal outside- patients continue to heal in the hospital downstairs and we remember to reflect on the season no matter what the temperature might be, or where we might find ourselves this year.</div>
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Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-3110512764606912792012-12-16T07:17:00.000-08:002012-12-16T07:17:25.690-08:00Our Crazy Yet Beautiful HomeThere are many interesting things about living on a ship, tied to a dock, going from country to country in West Africa. But today I want to focus on the many happenings that are taking place simultaneously onboard this ship of 500 feet in length, and eight decks high. <br />
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At any given time we have up to 40 nationalities serving onboard. And they are not all nurses and doctors.<br />
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Let's take a walk from deck one up to deck eight (and a half).<br />
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<strong>Deck One: Engine Rooms:</strong><br />
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Down in this noisy and hot environment we have engineers and engine hands working around the clock to keep everything running.<br />
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<strong>Deck Two:</strong> <strong>Cabins, Boutique, "Gym," Storage</strong>. While there are a few cabins on this deck (cabin not being a wooden chalet in the forest, but just your home onboard a ship), deck two is mainly storage. This is where we keep shampoo, conditioner, shirts, dish cloths, Pringles, flour, coffee beans, dried apples, and all the food we need to feed 400 crew, 200 day workers, and 60-100 patients and caregivers daily. This is a LOT of food. We receive canned, dried and packaged food via shipping containers from Holland and from the U.S. In addition to this, every two or three days we acquire new fresh produce from our Chandler, a local connection that brings truckloads of onions, bananas, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, watermelon and pineapple. It is weighed and paid for and we have a whole department dedicated to Procuring (getting) these goods, putting them where they belong on the ship, and getting them to the Galley (the kitchen) at the right time for the right meal. <br />
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The chandler's team bring it up the gangway, to be weighed on Deck 5, and then brought to Deck 6 (Galley) or elsewhere for storage.</div>
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<br /><strong>Deck Three: Cabins & Hospital</strong><br />
If you don't work on deck three, you can actually be unaware that we are a hospital. There aren't announcements taking place that herald each patient entering the ship. Surgeons rotate through, staying anywhere from 10 days to several months, and bringing with them their area of expertise. We will have a season of orthopedic patients who spend several weeks on the ward in their casts as their newly straightened legs have a chance to heal and new bone growth to occur, a season of plastics patients, a season of VVF patients, and MaxFax and General patients combined in all throughout our time. Eye patients come - several in a day for a surgery that lasts just minutes, and they leave the same afternoon- escorted off the ship by a family member and a nurse or day worker, wearing a protecitve eye patch in place of a cataract. Potential patients come onboard to be evaluated by surgeons, receive CT scans, Xrays, and blood work. Simultaneously, other patients are getting dressing changes, being rounded on with their surgeons, and being discharged to home or to the Hope Center where they will await their next outpatient appointment. <br />
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Often worship is taking place in one ward with our Hospital Chaplaincy team, a group of eight day workers and two crew members that focus on the spiritual and emotional needs of our patients and their families. At the same time, a lady might be undergoing a repair for a fistula developed through prolonged childbirth. Meanwhile, the lab tech is running labs on blood drawn from the 12 patients with goiters who are taking medicine and monitoring the toxicity levels, to determine if and when they will be able to have a thyroidectomy. The pharmacist is filling 300 packets of 12 Ibuprofens for the dental team - labeling them all in French, and packaging them for the dental team to pick up in two hours. <br />
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The Infant Feeding Specialist is training moms and dads on the best way to plump up their babies so they'll be fit for surgery. The Supply Manager is restocking and ordering bedpans, syringes, sutures, adult diapers, and iv tubing that must be shipped from overseas, weeks or months in advance. The Bio-med technician is fixing an anesthesia machine, and waiting on parts for the CT scanner, as he is paged about another machine that needs immediate attention. The plumber has also been called to the forward office where the ice maker line has sprung a leak and now the carpet is drenched and the fiberboard cabinet is in need of repair or replacement. <br />
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The Mercy Ministries coordinator is busy preparing her magical Mary Poppins bag full of all the goodies and supplies necessary for the next team to head out to a school, orphanage, hospital or day care center to entertain, craft with and love on the people there. <br />
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Decisions are being made in a management meeting about which surgeries will be offered in the next field service, and what changes need to be made this spring to meet the patients' needs and the crews' needs in the best way. This might involve a conference call to Switzerland (International Mercy Ships' Headquarters) and Texas (International Operations Center of Mercy Ships). <br />
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In between this hustle and bustle, you have about 120 nurses living - six to a room - some of whom have worked from 10:00pm to 7:00am, and are now trying to sleep while life continues at the speed of chaos around them.<br />
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The printer is jammed, the patient scheduled for admission today isn't here (or has malaria) and we need to find another patient from the waitlist to fill the slot tomorrow. The laundry and hospital housekeeping is working around the clock to keep the sheets and gowns and rags and floors and walls clean from the fluids of a hospital: I won't elaborate - you can envision this enough.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ibrahim (patient) checking the heart rate of a nurse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some physical therapy taking place for an orthopedic patient in the hallway, with the help of a translator</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the OR sterilizing department working on keeping the instruments ready for use</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a baby in the Infant Feeding program</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">surgery in action</td></tr>
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<strong>Deck Four: Sleeping Quarters</strong><br />
Rather an uneventful floor - here live singles, couples, and couples with babies. No offices on this deck. No patients (or even unaccompanied children) allowed so during the day it's quite calm. During the evenings it resembles a college dorm floor at times. <br />
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<strong>Deck Five: Main level</strong> - the town square. Here is where you enter the ship. Here are the main offices for several of our departments (Stewards, Managing Director, Transportation, Human Resources, Finance, Hospitality, Sales, Operations Director, Purser, and Communications). Here is where you would find our dining room, our cafe area, our library, ship shop, post office, bank, hair salon, office supplies. This sort of the "main floor."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not all guests are greeted by the captain, nor do all guests look like this! But, we all come through this door. This was a special Partners' Reception.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">communications office getting a good cleaning from our crew services team</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ship shop goodies being restocked</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">main cafe/Starbucks area - this is a gathering after our Thursday night meeting</td></tr>
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<strong>Deck Six: School and more:</strong> Deck six is where you'll find our cabin. Also our International Lounge- home of our all crew gatherings, church services, special events (like the Nutcracker or Film Festival) and exercise classes take place here. I am sitting in deck six currently in our Internet Cafe where we have 18 computers for crew use. Laundry facilities, the galley (for all the food preparation) and the crew galley (if you want to make something different for your own use) are located here in addition to the Academy. Our school has nearly 50 students from nursery to grade 12. These kids are blessed to have an awesome advocate in Texas who spends his time raising funds and donations so we don't see "program cuts." The students have music, P.E., drama, French, art and Bible classes regularly in addition to the core scholastic programs. This is an amazing part of Mercy Ships, that is a hidden gem tucked away onboard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Lounge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">midships/cafe area</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">school!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sometimes people even work OUTSIDE deck six, like this deck worker, who is painting the exterior of our home.</td></tr>
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<strong>Deck Seven: Deck Department:</strong> In addition to other cabins, more classrooms, and a couple of meeting areas, deck seven is home to our Captain and our officers that make all the technical and maritime decisions about our home - which happens to be a ship. We are registered under the nation of Malta and though we aren't constantly sailing the deep blue seas, it is still a full-time job to maintain, test, certify, drill, and update our processes, our vessel, and our crew. <br />
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The bridge is on deck seven, where the Captain navigates when we are on the move, and visits are allowed (with prior permission). Deck seven also has some outdoor areas where the doors open and you can be enveloped by the warm, moist air of Africa (and escape the chilly air conditioning of decks two-seven). This is where the Academy kids can play, and also the patients come to be reaffirmed that we are still in Guinea - the sea is still right outside, and the sun still does shine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0P28bnwX3an3NLxpUEP0cUK8MFxHP1M5NvwgvWvd0FfvYqnG5wZ1CQQrNRbwo8nYemTzZ4DUWMRKk1I-5tgmYGlM3gjiHHWefzdgocNdAUyUyEB6kk4LDAPWKb89XREvXkqgibXFF50e/s1600/GNC120914_PAT_DECK_7-0002_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0P28bnwX3an3NLxpUEP0cUK8MFxHP1M5NvwgvWvd0FfvYqnG5wZ1CQQrNRbwo8nYemTzZ4DUWMRKk1I-5tgmYGlM3gjiHHWefzdgocNdAUyUyEB6kk4LDAPWKb89XREvXkqgibXFF50e/s320/GNC120914_PAT_DECK_7-0002_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Deck Eight: Work & Play:</strong> For those with children on the ship, deck eight represents play time- put on your rollerblades, get out your scooter, or sit your bootie on a Big Wheel and use some energy. Maybe you'll walk laps with a friend while your kids blow off some steam their own way. There is also a wooden play structure with jungle gym, slide, and monkey bars. <br />
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The work side of deck eight is just as crucial for all of our well beings as the crane loads and offloads containers of goods, dumpsters of trash, and when preparing to arrive or depart a port, even Land Rovers. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXHqlF_BryWqrzl3GNDAX3FH-z83qBHfZfk63E_2j67jmKaPHurTELqfVK9QonFlDFt_i80D6liSJlp0ujqOQZPK_N6YMUOZ0hJojtLT_5Hvk0OR-yNwgmh8wm49zoNxreRHVGmnEyZa1/s1600/GNC120816_SHIP_DEPART_TENERIFE_MM0017_LO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXHqlF_BryWqrzl3GNDAX3FH-z83qBHfZfk63E_2j67jmKaPHurTELqfVK9QonFlDFt_i80D6liSJlp0ujqOQZPK_N6YMUOZ0hJojtLT_5Hvk0OR-yNwgmh8wm49zoNxreRHVGmnEyZa1/s400/GNC120816_SHIP_DEPART_TENERIFE_MM0017_LO.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a side view of decks seven and eight</td></tr>
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<strong>Deck Eight & Half: Play for the crew:</strong> Up the step metal steps in the middle of deck eight you find a little hiatus, a generous and much appreciated gift from from the Mercy Ships Swiss Office: a swimming pool. It's not huge, but it does the trick of providing a little oasis where you can escape from deck ____ (you fill in the blank with what applies to you) and regroup. Sometimes it's a rowdy area with kids (and dads) cannonballing, yet moments later it could transform into the Land of Nod with volunteers strewn about on lounge chairs like limp noodles, lulled to sleep by the tunes streaming through their earbuds. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">during the week we host a few swim lessons too</td></tr>
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And in the midst of all this craziness there are lives being changed:<br />
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<li>Someone seeing themselves in a mirror for the first time in years without only seeing shame and despair. </li>
<li>God stretching a person to do what he didn't believe himself possible generous beyond what he thought he could give, forgive what she hadn't been able to, or see what had been veiled before. </li>
<li>Friendships being made across cultures, languages, and backgrounds.</li>
<li>Physical transformations that restore hope, love, and even faith.</li>
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This is our crazy yet beautiful home.</div>
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Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-24197913070920542602012-12-01T23:35:00.000-08:002012-12-01T23:35:49.176-08:00A Wedding Like No Other<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Saturday I had the opportunity to attend the wedding of one of our day workers that works in the Hospital Chaplaincy department - counseling and praying for patients and family members through their time with Mercy Ships. This department has the responsibility of being there to break bad news (when we are unable to operate, when the tumors are malignant, when their blood tests come back with results that don't provide options on the ship) but also to comfort, rejoice and lift up all those other types of moments - the ones where vision is restored, when the casts are taken off and the straight legs are seen for the first time, and when a new life experiences the unconditional love of Jesus for the first time. <br />
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Marc invited us to be his V.I.P. guests at the wedding. Dan had a prior commitment (involving some fishing line, a boat, and an ambassador), but I accepted the invitation gladly.<br />
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Three other Mercy Shippers at the church sign</div>
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Over 20 guests from Mercy Ships attended the wedding. The invitation stated that wedding would start at 10:00am. A mutual friend and dayworker, Dissibardy, had asked me earlier in the week if I wanted to have something made with the wedding fabric. I have mentioned before (see Birthday Dance Party blog from last June) that this is a common occurence at special events in West Africa. The organizer acquires a large amount of material and those who want can purchase the yardage they need and have something tailored for the day. Everyone has a different style, but the fabric is the same. In this amazing network of our 200+ day workers that lead full lives outside from the work they do with the ship, we also employed another dayworker who is a tailor to create shirts for Dan and I. He took our measurements in the dining room one day at lunch (Tuesday it was), and would have them ready for the wedding Saturday. </div>
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Dissibardy was going to escort me to the wedding and he told me he would bring me the shirts at 6:00am on Saturday morning and pick me up for the wedding. I told him there was no need to arrive that early, he could come later in the morning and call me when he was at the ship. He said, "No problem. I will come at 7:00. Or 8:00 or maybe 9:00." I set the alarm for 8:30 and got ready. Hmmmm. What do you wear with a shirt that you have never seen and have no idea what it will look like? </div>
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I went with the safest plan I had: black skirt, and gold sandals.</div>
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9:00 came and went and still no sign of Dissibardy. Had this been America I would have been a little concerned. But, this is not America. I continued to read my book and wait. Around 9:30 I saw a huge group of nurses and other volunteers walking down the dock in formal attire. I assumed they were heading to the wedding. At this point, I contemplated joining them, but I have had many appointments with Dissibardy and I knew that he might be late, but he would come eventually. Plus, he had my shirt to wear for the wedding. So I kept reading.</div>
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9:45 came and went. 10:00... (the start time of the wedding, as it read on the invitation)... 10:15.... 10:30....</div>
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10:40am and I peeked out the window thinking, "Oh well! Maybe I will finish this book today instead," but there I see Dissibardy headed toward the ship with the black plastic sack in his hand that contains Dan's and my shirt. </div>
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I run down to the gangway to meet him and bring the bag back up to my room to see what elaborate top I will be wearing. The fabrics and patterns are wild here - many brilliant colors and patterns unlike anything I've seen before. Not just polka dots, stripes, checks and floral print. Here you can get a fabric with designs of cell phones plugged into chargers, living rooms with overstuffed armchairs next to plates of cookies on side tables, or maybe chickens with eggs and baskets. </div>
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I was envisioning an elaborate, embroidered top - maybe puffy sleeves, maybe crocheted embellishments. But, what I pulled out of the bag was: a man's short-sleeved button down shirt. And the pattern? Road traffic arrows redirecting the flow from one lane to the next. I'm not sure who chose this as the wedding fabric, but it is definitely an interesting choice! </div>
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I still have no idea why my shirt was in the style of a men's shirt. Did I somehow communicate this by saying that Dan and I both wanted short sleeves? Or maybe this tailor has only made men's clothing in the past:? But for sure I was the only one at the wedding wearing a man's shirt. :) At this point, what could I do, but put on the shirt with my black skirt and gold sandals and we head out.</div>
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We walked to the taxi stand where I knew I stood out with my white face in a sea of ebony, so I offered to hide a bit so Dissibardy could get a regular price on a taxi (white person = quadruple the cost usually). Our plan worked and quickly I was being beckoned by a street vendor to join my friend Dissibardy in the taxi that had stopped around the curve. We squished into a taxi that already had three people in front and two in back. (Seven is the standard number of passengers for four door sedan here). We drove out of the Centre ville (downtown) peninsula, past the market, past the airport and into the area of town where the church was. We paid a little bit of the fare for the old man that got into our car near the market, because he wasn't really happy with the price (Dissibardy paid 500 guinea francs of the 4,500 franc fare -approximately seven cents out of the $0.63 fare). We arrived at the town of the church, and then walked along a mud/rock path between neighbors hanging up their laundry and sweeping their front porches. About 1/3 of a mile up the road we arrived at the church. It was now around 11:30 and there were people there, but the church was maybe only one fourth full.</div>
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me in my wedding attire when we arrived at the church!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxYYu8DwAKYECZ2iL5ciZHFJJjoRsE85gGVY9F_KN5yOd5gRB6_WppqQwa-QyArXXdMOnf7lY2XOUm26UJZ5bNklHkXYRInkGRS4sVBGl6rSR4dJ0NRa8fSp5Hu2cI1MrUwqZ3vKK3sc2/s1600/marcs+wedding+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxYYu8DwAKYECZ2iL5ciZHFJJjoRsE85gGVY9F_KN5yOd5gRB6_WppqQwa-QyArXXdMOnf7lY2XOUm26UJZ5bNklHkXYRInkGRS4sVBGl6rSR4dJ0NRa8fSp5Hu2cI1MrUwqZ3vKK3sc2/s320/marcs+wedding+(4).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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The satin ribbons adorning the front of the church. </div>
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The choir started things off at about 12:00.</div>
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Now, come to find out, there would be FOUR couples getting married at this ceremony. </div>
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This helped to explain the list of nine or 10 family names that were requesting our presence at this wedding on the invitation. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZwbQ40SeJp_Hblf93VH9_SqnGB99aZwvMmMavepie9MEqdUYJDDlSBH6KCbmwV-sCyDVss51O4vBvtFBr9E_HvV1iPbG9aX5r6oaUjYeI1nh0zaw6CxFW2b8rcoqCoXpZVLb9fGyx-AK/s1600/marcs+wedding+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZwbQ40SeJp_Hblf93VH9_SqnGB99aZwvMmMavepie9MEqdUYJDDlSBH6KCbmwV-sCyDVss51O4vBvtFBr9E_HvV1iPbG9aX5r6oaUjYeI1nh0zaw6CxFW2b8rcoqCoXpZVLb9fGyx-AK/s320/marcs+wedding+(6).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Each couple would have their own "loveseat" at the front- a piece of satin draped over two chairs and adorned with silk flowers and Christmas ribbons. This is the way you show honor and recognition here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC8KrZsOjjE6ofKsp0YiMpCJxuzDdrkssJQP9paIT2IbuAC3Jn37K6VuOzenzugstnbHB0-t4MDkZzDiW0TSH2roSpAMiY9iFHTdvSLnLeUTMBe3c5lLR5KUUEltb6Ph_OSpDWfdhB_ER/s1600/marcs+wedding+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC8KrZsOjjE6ofKsp0YiMpCJxuzDdrkssJQP9paIT2IbuAC3Jn37K6VuOzenzugstnbHB0-t4MDkZzDiW0TSH2roSpAMiY9iFHTdvSLnLeUTMBe3c5lLR5KUUEltb6Ph_OSpDWfdhB_ER/s320/marcs+wedding+(5).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k1gL32lBflrEY_84Y5tAP7gtFp12QCxMQZEcyljFGqB7sELa7kz4IqC2WiCyG7ByyYtSCFpHuCV217kGToEgBDyjYLtnNabfVoLI2DvkUbBUF8QkGz9dvov07-se3GRCjm1Hu_vWZNn_/s1600/marcs+wedding+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k1gL32lBflrEY_84Y5tAP7gtFp12QCxMQZEcyljFGqB7sELa7kz4IqC2WiCyG7ByyYtSCFpHuCV217kGToEgBDyjYLtnNabfVoLI2DvkUbBUF8QkGz9dvov07-se3GRCjm1Hu_vWZNn_/s320/marcs+wedding+(8).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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The grooms were each assigned a loveseat and they sat here to worship and await their ladies.</div>
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This is our friend, Marc, who had invited us to share his special day.</div>
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After about 30 minutes of singing worship songs in French and Susu (one of the local languages here) things began for the ceremony.</div>
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Each of the four brides had her own bridal party, their own colors, dresses, and style. Here are two of the brides below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPSXecyxLdw2sEHFG_6IzA9U3ZEBFumWNk7m_2rvUOvCKpOKiRRyMTqUVAGWoKcz2S-27BnUYRyN5eXQHsl5WDahc5UvL54aZuEtyCgzKEg32FTCQMx9nhu0Ik1voN8gIKvjnCnXW1P-w/s1600/P1010674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPSXecyxLdw2sEHFG_6IzA9U3ZEBFumWNk7m_2rvUOvCKpOKiRRyMTqUVAGWoKcz2S-27BnUYRyN5eXQHsl5WDahc5UvL54aZuEtyCgzKEg32FTCQMx9nhu0Ik1voN8gIKvjnCnXW1P-w/s320/P1010674.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMANyP_7jnpFDmCaFKB6v_4uM0SUvmWivWTnNSl4LN52VqPtxmOHMzLDo2hhuD6FZgrV44iPmxfsQIIlUznwLjal08Gnz6mHhW23fk6T1H3_XPlaVNop8u3_hO-R4umxv4waibdKH5yyR/s1600/P1010676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMANyP_7jnpFDmCaFKB6v_4uM0SUvmWivWTnNSl4LN52VqPtxmOHMzLDo2hhuD6FZgrV44iPmxfsQIIlUznwLjal08Gnz6mHhW23fk6T1H3_XPlaVNop8u3_hO-R4umxv4waibdKH5yyR/s320/P1010676.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another interesting feature of this wedding was that it would be bilingual. We would have French and English for all parts of the ceremony, so we not only needed a pastor, but also an interpreter for the event. You can never be too overdressed here. We have learned that the hard way!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3efurxbYeIi0-2qYzP_NXlla7bFrxX9letgn4mdFGPykiTfrQpb-alwTU0Tmwv6aBsvZd6hQD00UEztr6SzVIyJU7InWoisHx2rRp1pSGZY79W7STg3tmMwXk1wrruqA0K6W4kIhRD5Nx/s1600/P1010680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3efurxbYeIi0-2qYzP_NXlla7bFrxX9letgn4mdFGPykiTfrQpb-alwTU0Tmwv6aBsvZd6hQD00UEztr6SzVIyJU7InWoisHx2rRp1pSGZY79W7STg3tmMwXk1wrruqA0K6W4kIhRD5Nx/s320/P1010680.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG5WztzbuBNGqz5YewcSf_TgzU3Szll4tnImmM3DEg9mQy5_7VWX0j2expBBAmMHyLPYOFKQTmMutvPpRHfcrVLLoTh9nA7Y7lIscUfWozFRCgBGKoY7CeWfOkqGmAO1atijruBp44pQZ/s1600/P1010681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG5WztzbuBNGqz5YewcSf_TgzU3Szll4tnImmM3DEg9mQy5_7VWX0j2expBBAmMHyLPYOFKQTmMutvPpRHfcrVLLoTh9nA7Y7lIscUfWozFRCgBGKoY7CeWfOkqGmAO1atijruBp44pQZ/s320/P1010681.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are the bridesmaids for the couple we were there to support. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8osUa1e4qJIlhHlubgfsqY6hKrLom8KTdR2ZIuSy9ANDicrUJHmOjPChz3uNrDiNHMP3nIHYfFHppOeZQQutOj6-KIzhDO3G45yzyCeqIaTfzqjhcgnFlmyKGLgSIy_xJwyt1AzYF69yi/s1600/marcs+wedding+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8osUa1e4qJIlhHlubgfsqY6hKrLom8KTdR2ZIuSy9ANDicrUJHmOjPChz3uNrDiNHMP3nIHYfFHppOeZQQutOj6-KIzhDO3G45yzyCeqIaTfzqjhcgnFlmyKGLgSIy_xJwyt1AzYF69yi/s320/marcs+wedding+(7).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Al2YS1iZPz6RyXlcAMEPDYI99QgNHN1y0WsEkn4TyLejt0NrR7ySahZGCLC-Fx_A8Hnr_3iAZW7IGg627lEIv7QFXOVev554KrdDpHWR4Lh7_IOEgXMiSi2PidM4w3hpd4Wo-NcYyFpd/s1600/P1010671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Al2YS1iZPz6RyXlcAMEPDYI99QgNHN1y0WsEkn4TyLejt0NrR7ySahZGCLC-Fx_A8Hnr_3iAZW7IGg627lEIv7QFXOVev554KrdDpHWR4Lh7_IOEgXMiSi2PidM4w3hpd4Wo-NcYyFpd/s320/P1010671.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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As they started to make their way into the church, the crowd started celebrating inside like a Super Bowl Parade. There is no sacred area in the sanctuary where only the official photographer is allowed. In an African wedding, anyone with a camera (or cell phone, or yes, even iPad) is allowed to stock the couple like a vulture waiting for fresh kill. The crowd went wild - the cameras were flashing and the yelling was hysterical.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfpkPy_rOJBZiw6bh-2ISSUpv4mZcIFNWlMRnFj-kG9JgLtRa130oixL3C4SfcPmniJ_Z0qry_KB-YnupLpaIxy2TFi-6Wg_J4fMcuVazmY84khE_SeZI-mFvWFPArGkLvsqZml13jDBk/s1600/marcs+wedding+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfpkPy_rOJBZiw6bh-2ISSUpv4mZcIFNWlMRnFj-kG9JgLtRa130oixL3C4SfcPmniJ_Z0qry_KB-YnupLpaIxy2TFi-6Wg_J4fMcuVazmY84khE_SeZI-mFvWFPArGkLvsqZml13jDBk/s320/marcs+wedding+(9).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb0hZaumPFWZsbX9LehJS3JPghxGPNKRyWCjLRLhAgREORPW2KDqsqxFUDZnpDQph4pYkdxuAAqBUFeh-oq_Ui2h_tgGdZ4NJCeal9onmLeVlg80KMP0FUqIiflVGA5cjK4C8AoIXcC2u/s1600/P1010685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb0hZaumPFWZsbX9LehJS3JPghxGPNKRyWCjLRLhAgREORPW2KDqsqxFUDZnpDQph4pYkdxuAAqBUFeh-oq_Ui2h_tgGdZ4NJCeal9onmLeVlg80KMP0FUqIiflVGA5cjK4C8AoIXcC2u/s320/P1010685.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even though the grooms had already been inside at the front of the church worshipping, they also had gone outside again and made their way up the aisle. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9DM7yXRuHV4YpbfBeQcZN5xnwDYUMVARKdgsFQjhmixclTl8nWqUA2abl4vj2q0etUKzO0Vb20Jz0ID67cV6m0DGqAdj-Z1J06tYjQCjw25RSf_iJUZgvBlOi7lsZQJfFwyBYAcED3_4/s1600/P1010683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9DM7yXRuHV4YpbfBeQcZN5xnwDYUMVARKdgsFQjhmixclTl8nWqUA2abl4vj2q0etUKzO0Vb20Jz0ID67cV6m0DGqAdj-Z1J06tYjQCjw25RSf_iJUZgvBlOi7lsZQJfFwyBYAcED3_4/s320/P1010683.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next it was the ladies' turn. The processional just kept coming and coming of bride, followed by her bridesmaids, flower girls, and then the next bride.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x44SJKzcaZj-Fm0jf-bSuyItYtXdXe8fl2zidcDvlkb1y9G6sVeaNwQQGkuC57rAPN2yjypkeA7_gXl4-4kjTifAC0-iaQOP45otPnlVWy5Ncv5lHdxFvCS_26JsLx_-jtKgnbjevgY1/s1600/markcs+wedding+22+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x44SJKzcaZj-Fm0jf-bSuyItYtXdXe8fl2zidcDvlkb1y9G6sVeaNwQQGkuC57rAPN2yjypkeA7_gXl4-4kjTifAC0-iaQOP45otPnlVWy5Ncv5lHdxFvCS_26JsLx_-jtKgnbjevgY1/s320/markcs+wedding+22+(2).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5XwqgHzA25iiqmfP0dUROpYCdYZ8jThka2onIvQpEoNVDKms2qfI2zeTXnM45P1CbbLe7or00Ktywk4iz3XL3nQPSGu4nMSEIdT8Iceq1dGdxpfgxCWVOLWXb9msVU59qebS8z7sb2KB/s1600/markcs+wedding+22+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5XwqgHzA25iiqmfP0dUROpYCdYZ8jThka2onIvQpEoNVDKms2qfI2zeTXnM45P1CbbLe7or00Ktywk4iz3XL3nQPSGu4nMSEIdT8Iceq1dGdxpfgxCWVOLWXb9msVU59qebS8z7sb2KB/s320/markcs+wedding+22+(3).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29Tc0uYKcmtnMe7-AsdJS_brgb36LBvI1z11UB3SNGf_h1rnNsTSqqrxtHxcTHzfoMVAY7wS3mL15sb8M4nFA7V2TcKPucxsU1XA8g5652CISdl7_s3O5GKzuuDCPwsTspJgJl86GPlBO/s1600/markcs+wedding+22+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29Tc0uYKcmtnMe7-AsdJS_brgb36LBvI1z11UB3SNGf_h1rnNsTSqqrxtHxcTHzfoMVAY7wS3mL15sb8M4nFA7V2TcKPucxsU1XA8g5652CISdl7_s3O5GKzuuDCPwsTspJgJl86GPlBO/s320/markcs+wedding+22+(4).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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and the next.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKavzy718FsdMmv2PLnMK9KsBgTA01w8kjJ-kky2TemA8aKjC3yMUcRpYwH779pbSX-xKjHu6gAzOb4uN5Ji2nWF-LBiFN4puknbpMk4dE8j7oUcKrchQJu-4KS8MeIXFtc6cxRapJ4h7/s1600/P1010693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKavzy718FsdMmv2PLnMK9KsBgTA01w8kjJ-kky2TemA8aKjC3yMUcRpYwH779pbSX-xKjHu6gAzOb4uN5Ji2nWF-LBiFN4puknbpMk4dE8j7oUcKrchQJu-4KS8MeIXFtc6cxRapJ4h7/s320/P1010693.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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And my favorite feature of the day was the fake snow in a can that was sprayed at whim when the bridesmaids felt like celebrating some more! They were flocking the bride and groom periodically throughout the entire service.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J9frASQ2IOnuocTZ4tcJ4FAfbTM_nn0xEayLGHf3VaEaykB4YyYIIoDiB2BpWakWzqkBNsbONoNqCfZx6kfYteRt0KUftlCFa5DjULmFTH5LBhFjxi5M1ML4KM5Snn7_2vhERxSznTHG/s1600/P1010695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J9frASQ2IOnuocTZ4tcJ4FAfbTM_nn0xEayLGHf3VaEaykB4YyYIIoDiB2BpWakWzqkBNsbONoNqCfZx6kfYteRt0KUftlCFa5DjULmFTH5LBhFjxi5M1ML4KM5Snn7_2vhERxSznTHG/s320/P1010695.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's the lucky lady for our friend.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqf8Rn0jxqqXlrXEpbkqa-Ca_rnu4X3sE4fUU8PpmKGlDXyisGLPS6tFxwn7tl6waUkWdQak7hPiHU5TUC9N5ddNInSSnpvNz8mWgwriU319LQA8-YCah8chxA-licvp20GeqXe4vOmdu/s1600/P1010696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqf8Rn0jxqqXlrXEpbkqa-Ca_rnu4X3sE4fUU8PpmKGlDXyisGLPS6tFxwn7tl6waUkWdQak7hPiHU5TUC9N5ddNInSSnpvNz8mWgwriU319LQA8-YCah8chxA-licvp20GeqXe4vOmdu/s320/P1010696.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the happy couple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5u0t0EtecAAE5Q00t5aZXMc5rlSbE9jI401owNYES8SkbpummzAA0yKBi7hk-UBCnEoYVkDqowaykURG9AeWcBUIgn6_Jog0GtvtpLDTrOCg4eAUPEb1fv71t3pMwTREawvN_ofdfEks/s1600/P1010697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5u0t0EtecAAE5Q00t5aZXMc5rlSbE9jI401owNYES8SkbpummzAA0yKBi7hk-UBCnEoYVkDqowaykURG9AeWcBUIgn6_Jog0GtvtpLDTrOCg4eAUPEb1fv71t3pMwTREawvN_ofdfEks/s320/P1010697.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is the third couple of the event.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QEOz9G9bW2fiqIxjDAWfUfh4l66KGvUaVBoVTJKkdPkgBdzoeQGRPahDOYzzCfvebO_Q2TLPXe_aG3D2zjMiwl3qHiW8c16wEfHw0JPecZ9xmVE2pl3NIGBLzstCjSwjOsKnQrFtImQq/s1600/P1010699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QEOz9G9bW2fiqIxjDAWfUfh4l66KGvUaVBoVTJKkdPkgBdzoeQGRPahDOYzzCfvebO_Q2TLPXe_aG3D2zjMiwl3qHiW8c16wEfHw0JPecZ9xmVE2pl3NIGBLzstCjSwjOsKnQrFtImQq/s320/P1010699.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the fourth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vUmGRcDZyRQklbQSiJJSInTHDAthN4EI7iehP_Vp7eIJs2l9zz6RtFFKm2KBsCaNllUECApgqSweQZYCv-_LnjuUd8FqSj-3n48h9BVhPBomDkTTgu2cYNNrVdU0mRPjVmRhzOAkbfBU/s1600/P1010700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vUmGRcDZyRQklbQSiJJSInTHDAthN4EI7iehP_Vp7eIJs2l9zz6RtFFKm2KBsCaNllUECApgqSweQZYCv-_LnjuUd8FqSj-3n48h9BVhPBomDkTTgu2cYNNrVdU0mRPjVmRhzOAkbfBU/s320/P1010700.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is my view of the wedding - as we sat in the plastic lawn chairs which represent just about the finest seating that you can have. If your church doesn't have these, you can rent plastic lawn chairs for all your special events. I also loved the elaborate hair covers, embroidery and bright fabrics on these lovely ladies that weren't afraid to get up and dance, whoop or holler at any point in the ceremony.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM08xZo-HL3KoBgzl61mlpQbDN-NjVq4tkHhNPqw6BEMBLZicJJzXhOZFEzK0eVnqbRhfSN3d7Q8705yFoTEHfJGMhf3uSf_BCYX_H8BrRDVpLYDYlIGcRppRDPZhB7YRaFHFuib6B6nAY/s1600/P1010708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM08xZo-HL3KoBgzl61mlpQbDN-NjVq4tkHhNPqw6BEMBLZicJJzXhOZFEzK0eVnqbRhfSN3d7Q8705yFoTEHfJGMhf3uSf_BCYX_H8BrRDVpLYDYlIGcRppRDPZhB7YRaFHFuib6B6nAY/s320/P1010708.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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The vows were spoken by the pastor, translated by the interpreter, and then each piece was repeated by all four brides (and then all four grooms) consecutively. It was very confusing and several times the pastor cut off the fourth bride, leaving her unsure if she should say the vow (and interrupt him), or just hold her peace. </div>
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The couples for the most part were very serious during this entire event. Later I was told that these marriages were all arranged - if this is true, that could explain why some couples were so serious. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFVvM0yo6Cp97RIL-9QIb4-1oB4sDCKQpss6QxRLZ9U18-o4rCoGSkXwEIZYJoonZXdb3wikf6D78xUo5OkuFEi50erFAtUeLCz7noOFeRCs9PUDLjlwe6JV8ymRwduic6EDk_Xg26RIv/s1600/P1010723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFVvM0yo6Cp97RIL-9QIb4-1oB4sDCKQpss6QxRLZ9U18-o4rCoGSkXwEIZYJoonZXdb3wikf6D78xUo5OkuFEi50erFAtUeLCz7noOFeRCs9PUDLjlwe6JV8ymRwduic6EDk_Xg26RIv/s320/P1010723.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check out the amazing hair designs. That is her part! </div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FLf3d7WLgMnyDOp1myfbEe6UuvvmNm3f_uCz8cYcuDhMoH_igkk-GRdtvi-ibgj9Sw6nNx138AfRmLDm6eLXvOMJTcImhOFS46hiRfuKvSjHTd573abhM0IlCA2EVZEHERqgdEQNgj2O/s320/P1010725.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /> </div>
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Notice the influence that the west has had on these aspects of the wedding - their veils, dresses, suits, gloves, manicured, acrylic nails. In so many ways it looked like a wedding from at home. I wonder what a wedding in a village here would look like. How do you decide what pieces of your culture do you leave behind, and which pieces of a new culture do you latch on to?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxWRWrqQTox4BIXqdUTvGXTeOPoECjw7Ld9hGnATevBf-x0hwIVIhP8PjBp04wZBFB7Q9BvsdOq5b-NtXQQEpSJLJT2miwR5WdhJvtUBG0gLQxWDQx3ppFms8z1YX_EVy_nK8MI-i2z3I/s1600/marcs+wedding+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxWRWrqQTox4BIXqdUTvGXTeOPoECjw7Ld9hGnATevBf-x0hwIVIhP8PjBp04wZBFB7Q9BvsdOq5b-NtXQQEpSJLJT2miwR5WdhJvtUBG0gLQxWDQx3ppFms8z1YX_EVy_nK8MI-i2z3I/s320/marcs+wedding+(10).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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A glimpse from the balcony of the sanctuary prior to the start</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin92xfkBcRrGSL-SfYglD7V48qDerLbynnHU-S7P1YhdhuHc08dxh_kWnyz8lpNcsz_WOW6PeydYaNpF0XDBeAXlXdW5t-OCAL-AQkuljUqaax6fdF3sGVb3poUDH5LQPYrxhRFuv35IJl/s1600/marcs+wedding+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin92xfkBcRrGSL-SfYglD7V48qDerLbynnHU-S7P1YhdhuHc08dxh_kWnyz8lpNcsz_WOW6PeydYaNpF0XDBeAXlXdW5t-OCAL-AQkuljUqaax6fdF3sGVb3poUDH5LQPYrxhRFuv35IJl/s320/marcs+wedding+(11).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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Marc & Kadi</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0BTrQBok5ZHEW0G89N264G_6RMmOWg-bAuGumhxJ0a0qsQm75nVC92wfQvE8CfUvQxMc_olAWUwDLAJVhywbUzkAM5JAvLhXCaU2waPAOl12IToPowfrlnUhmFS16DYDgGfqbjR42KQd/s1600/marcs+wedding+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0BTrQBok5ZHEW0G89N264G_6RMmOWg-bAuGumhxJ0a0qsQm75nVC92wfQvE8CfUvQxMc_olAWUwDLAJVhywbUzkAM5JAvLhXCaU2waPAOl12IToPowfrlnUhmFS16DYDgGfqbjR42KQd/s320/marcs+wedding+(12).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kadi repeating part of her vows.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIq61cO5CLLWSNC0fDmdGDF6OgJRH4uHay-e2OdbqiWpxBnccTtQacW8cyE8ckbpVoZgH_BMdOjaCLamoYAsQYgupr0NkWP88IU28wpVZwejOTIwWVg7E07mI_-r9cvSmG8cEazHBpP1I/s1600/marcs+wedding+(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIq61cO5CLLWSNC0fDmdGDF6OgJRH4uHay-e2OdbqiWpxBnccTtQacW8cyE8ckbpVoZgH_BMdOjaCLamoYAsQYgupr0NkWP88IU28wpVZwejOTIwWVg7E07mI_-r9cvSmG8cEazHBpP1I/s320/marcs+wedding+(13).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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The exchanging of the rings</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4CqPjR1HbpcESWpGl9icSm5DLF2v_BHQUvvnGLRVm9glQZTyPodzLx2rnlR1QrPnDCvHH4IzWu_29DYujtcYv_CzBa2gXS1SDUlHMeBT4tcsRXh5e2XNuoZo9zPGkx33YTGuSXm0h7dq/s1600/marcs+wedding+(14).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4CqPjR1HbpcESWpGl9icSm5DLF2v_BHQUvvnGLRVm9glQZTyPodzLx2rnlR1QrPnDCvHH4IzWu_29DYujtcYv_CzBa2gXS1SDUlHMeBT4tcsRXh5e2XNuoZo9zPGkx33YTGuSXm0h7dq/s320/marcs+wedding+(14).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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A prayer before the groom can raise the veil</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKVQ6Ljj_LwDalQiBfys1aPrelL8TVH4w-DBtMsqnzu7C3ZC___BVxkE1O8Qci_qTop87uc_1GGTKbJAZcmV6RxoUATDo3bwlNwovoBdSjRroZg1s-V3qwo39peCIAkLalAKRHfGqnQUY/s1600/marcs+wedding+(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKVQ6Ljj_LwDalQiBfys1aPrelL8TVH4w-DBtMsqnzu7C3ZC___BVxkE1O8Qci_qTop87uc_1GGTKbJAZcmV6RxoUATDo3bwlNwovoBdSjRroZg1s-V3qwo39peCIAkLalAKRHfGqnQUY/s320/marcs+wedding+(15).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first step after raising the veil is to blot away all the sweat that has accumulated in this very warm building with no fans to circulate the air.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczqspnFCVNuo3gm-Fql3YG4dsU7siVRnLDZAsYsljQRM8UrUPs_JRJ4YBgHLEBv77EYIxrbjwggXpILDQtO1FZAxSH25e0qCxkFLZ07wCRnDIHXudzWlldwe-uhJme9AK9_dFDefgUVD-/s1600/marcs+wedding+(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczqspnFCVNuo3gm-Fql3YG4dsU7siVRnLDZAsYsljQRM8UrUPs_JRJ4YBgHLEBv77EYIxrbjwggXpILDQtO1FZAxSH25e0qCxkFLZ07wCRnDIHXudzWlldwe-uhJme9AK9_dFDefgUVD-/s320/marcs+wedding+(16).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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If this is an arranged marriage, there does not seem to be any hesitation or regret here!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKRqkFBoXPnG1eXwYbZ8hBtxv2KwsHoCj4ZIJFG6xJjgGZ8hsZLDbZYvejqH3dANjX01laH1X0dffOO_K5Iue6NUbRdkDI5cRR8m87A6oaRgzkv8RR_yxg55p7Fgcu0kqR7kpyL1X6eAV/s1600/marcs+wedding+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKRqkFBoXPnG1eXwYbZ8hBtxv2KwsHoCj4ZIJFG6xJjgGZ8hsZLDbZYvejqH3dANjX01laH1X0dffOO_K5Iue6NUbRdkDI5cRR8m87A6oaRgzkv8RR_yxg55p7Fgcu0kqR7kpyL1X6eAV/s320/marcs+wedding+(17).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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notice the camera in the foreground, and the man behind is taking pictures as well. There is a continual stream of people wandering around the front of the church snapping photos at all times.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2b9TUuTADy2ruFW6rX49Edt2v3cYsu0_qrxMu0lgYjmw5ijOpbWBIS1xcKlS509xtsBclxWcI9j40Uib8bd9F8vPcojCVlDQUHKKzVCRjD_vK9NQuDGfaqXveT_Ki0BiyF1ZeyWRuRWwd/s1600/marcs+wedding+(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2b9TUuTADy2ruFW6rX49Edt2v3cYsu0_qrxMu0lgYjmw5ijOpbWBIS1xcKlS509xtsBclxWcI9j40Uib8bd9F8vPcojCVlDQUHKKzVCRjD_vK9NQuDGfaqXveT_Ki0BiyF1ZeyWRuRWwd/s320/marcs+wedding+(18).JPG" tea="true" width="213" /></a></div>
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After all these steps have been completed, the pastor launched into a 45 minute sermon. With translation, this turns into a 90 minute sermon.</div>
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I did the same as this little boy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xXbCILgdzr6CaNMrEhoFJWxm_9tyttRL8WjBFG51Dw-CZlCHW96STHhyiO5YvorMah45JdqUzkTG3s5EbbJ5KjPrOmd3UaSPDb7X_eXfN0XSE7NF8IoO4ur9_VThvLYyjyBeUX2g19vk/s1600/markcs+wedding+22+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xXbCILgdzr6CaNMrEhoFJWxm_9tyttRL8WjBFG51Dw-CZlCHW96STHhyiO5YvorMah45JdqUzkTG3s5EbbJ5KjPrOmd3UaSPDb7X_eXfN0XSE7NF8IoO4ur9_VThvLYyjyBeUX2g19vk/s320/markcs+wedding+22+(1).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmXeMZCR1N3BHXP-iBK6IyBURkitrEXDQmADRjW-IDEad_IiGzPBZOKaMR4Wm5FU6n7jNPkxHHD9O8PNitLDUV-DTxVHygIV3Iz6CwQZlBuCQsRTGBUe9x3F4eLQ9o68NTC9_48snb-YY/s1600/marcs+wedding+(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmXeMZCR1N3BHXP-iBK6IyBURkitrEXDQmADRjW-IDEad_IiGzPBZOKaMR4Wm5FU6n7jNPkxHHD9O8PNitLDUV-DTxVHygIV3Iz6CwQZlBuCQsRTGBUe9x3F4eLQ9o68NTC9_48snb-YY/s320/marcs+wedding+(19).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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As did most of our group...</div>
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After this, the wedding parties, parents, witnesses and half the church disappeared into an adjacent building to sign the marriage licenses. This is a lengthy process. 25 minutes later we headed outside to think about getting transport to the reception, which would be held at the People's Palace (same site as Screening Day). Here I am (in my man shirt!) with our buddy Innocent and Julie, another crew member from the eye team. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpry4g29VGKHLntAPr08U6WZMWqB3QbtfbO2OfbWH0oUjqMJ3-MfiIvvA40Kqa3lGfcncSiQQXOo4B5izm61igAdE6CZ3sFvuhpfBRbednHH-J_J42sg0QVlVGhDMT9JAjcw1uhktZqmJ/s1600/P1010728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpry4g29VGKHLntAPr08U6WZMWqB3QbtfbO2OfbWH0oUjqMJ3-MfiIvvA40Kqa3lGfcncSiQQXOo4B5izm61igAdE6CZ3sFvuhpfBRbednHH-J_J42sg0QVlVGhDMT9JAjcw1uhktZqmJ/s320/P1010728.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here I am with Dissibardy, in our wedding fabric shirts. Dan has the same shirt waiting for him on the ship! There were about a dozen people with this pattern- some in a more orange and bright blue design, and some in this same royal blue and maroon.</div>
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While we waited for taxis, the wedding parties re-entered the sanctuary and started a dance party at the front of the church. Dissibardy, who is from Guinea and attends this church regularly, disappeared for a good part of this dance! Finally, we regrouped and managed to get transport to the reception. While some jumped in taxis, Innocent found a man who had been an eye patient, who happened to have two cars (again, the disparity here is amazing sometimes!) - he drove us to his second car, and handed over keys and documents to Innocent, telling him to return the car sometime tomorrow.<br />
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Riding with Innocent was another adventure, but he did a great job keeping us safe, even if 3rd and 4th gears were hiding from him. :)</div>
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We rejoined the group at the reception in the basement of the People's Palace where the speeches, musical presentations, money dances, and explanation of the cake (made from the finest ingredients in Canada) were all a part of the program.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSYup9qU5XTjwRkZt053BpWygJnEewC6mNGC25dibsf9cS_l4wo2X-ZUmb8bo5qbIBfx0fZVep37YrIrPDMaU-TZIXc_p9KrtNRjHk1p-Tf81idAs2MYIXzIKPNAXGAnc3-f7cQw8bGN9/s1600/marcs+wedding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSYup9qU5XTjwRkZt053BpWygJnEewC6mNGC25dibsf9cS_l4wo2X-ZUmb8bo5qbIBfx0fZVep37YrIrPDMaU-TZIXc_p9KrtNRjHk1p-Tf81idAs2MYIXzIKPNAXGAnc3-f7cQw8bGN9/s320/marcs+wedding.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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The bride and groom sit at the head table on this elevated platform and the guests sit around the </div>
perimeter of the room.<br />
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Here is the cake made from the finest ingredients in Canada. "Also, this cake represents sweetness. So, when you partake in this cake, your relationships will get sweeter. If you are married, your marriage will get sweeter than before. If you are dating someone, your relationship will become even sweeter, and if you are single, then you will find someone to spend your life with." This sounded a lot like a toast before eating the cake. </div>
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Here's another musical tribute to the couple. Many come forward to offer some sort of contribution (musical or verbal) for the couple.</div>
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Here are the women dishing up the catered food - rice, chicken, spicy sauces all transported in thermos-type containers and large plastic buckets. Glass bottles of soda accompanied the meal. </div>
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And then it was time to celebrate!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTXlvD5Gb0VlrxyIDlKDkkiqsU8aFinBx7fUVK6naKraOv5mjHlGCWXLn5BvAUdP8tPLuL-2E82HtTrFap9I6_ZYE6OPk0dhy9VAOTx5eKOvawxom2CkctupWojmQGRa5V4BjeHhyphenhyphenmjBl/s1600/marcs+wedding+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTXlvD5Gb0VlrxyIDlKDkkiqsU8aFinBx7fUVK6naKraOv5mjHlGCWXLn5BvAUdP8tPLuL-2E82HtTrFap9I6_ZYE6OPk0dhy9VAOTx5eKOvawxom2CkctupWojmQGRa5V4BjeHhyphenhyphenmjBl/s320/marcs+wedding+(2).JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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All the ladies had a chance to dance in their beautiful attire - most with their hair covered as a sign of being dressed up for the occasion.</div>
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The 10:00 wedding started around 12:30 and the 2:00 reception started around 4:00 and I imagine didn't finish until after 8:00pm. We left a bit early after giving our regards to the couple. </div>
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We pray for a strong and healthy marriage for Marc & Kadi and the other three couples joined together last weekend.</div>
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photo credits to: Dissibardy and to Bram & Tineke for these great shots!</div>
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<span id="goog_4006980"></span><span id="goog_4006981"></span>Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-66493033027024475522012-11-17T10:39:00.003-08:002012-11-17T10:39:55.594-08:00Turkey Trot - Running with the ChickensAs many of you may have done, I participated in a 10k run this morning. Thanksgiving brings out the fitness in some of us - the idea of consuming all those calories I suppose makes us feel guilty. Or is it the sense of goodwill to help the food bank or whatever non-profit is sponsoring the run?<br />
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While the weather is not crisp, you cannot see your breath here no matter how early you rise, we still were pleased to find out about a Turkey Trot here in Conakry!<br />
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Organized by an avid competitive runner who is working here with her family, we caught wind of this run through the "bush telegraph," questionably the fastest way that word spreads in West Africa. <br />
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So, this morning at 6:10 a group of nearly a dozen of us wiped the sleep from our eyes, tried to smooth the sheet wrinkles off our skin and stumbled into the cafe area onboard the ship to load up. In the dark we left the peninsula, to view a gorgeous sun peeking out behind the clouds. A violent thunderstorm whipped through last night and the effects of that include potholes full of mud this morning, and also a beautiful cloudy sky.<br />
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As we arrived others were also getting to the starting line. A vehicle from Medecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) arrived full of <strike>competition</strike> fellow endorphin junkies from various countries. There were locals, there were businessmen from the mining company (Did I mention that Guinea is the world's leading exporter of Bauxite, the raw material that aluminum is made from?), expats, missionaries, children, adults, and elders. A herd of cattle came to check out the event, but lost interest after several minutes and retreated to their grassy knoll to spectate from a reclined position. After a brief explanation of the course, we lined up on the START line, spray painted onto the partly washed away rich red clay road. </div>
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a few of our spectators waiting for the event to begin!</div>
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before the sweat began</div>
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I've run plenty of 10ks in my running career (well, <em>career</em> makes it sound like a <em>profession</em>, rather than just a<em> good excuse</em> to burn some extra calories in order to be able to consume them in various forms of chocolates and carbohydrates), but this was a first on many levels:<br />
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<ol>
<li>First 10k race in Africa. I've run further than this distance before in Africa, but this was the first organized "race!"</li>
<li>First time I've had to consider if I need to slow down for the chicken to finish crossing the road.</li>
<li>First time that G4S security guards have been employed to help mark the course with white flags (and even with six of these guards, someone still lost the course, and with that, his victory prize. :( )</li>
<li>First time I've seen prizes like this! </li>
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In an event like this, or any event really, I learn to hold my expectations loosely and know that <em>anything</em> might happen. Despite the uncontrollable environment, this was a very well organized event - course map, safety pins and paper bibs so we all have an identifiable number, water and gatorade stations at the 2.5, 5, and 7.5km marks, a finish line with a timer and a clock, and dance music blaring from the car speakers for the post-race celebration.<br />
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And Mercy Ships did not disappoint in the winner's circle! Borgi B. from Germany took the women's championship! In the last 100 meters Cody S. quietly overtook the leading man, a Guinean who held the lead from the start, but this competitor was not going down without a fight. When Cody passed him, this leader kicked it into high gear and managed to pull off the victory after all. Akbar K. represented us well with a strong race through and through and he took home third place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uo18MnHrq8D83mf4UY5xtiCXQP0DHTQZGWzikN8xOohEqhU-NRCEhCXGMN_BY9ExK4-K4N_zgHTNo0xiKCsXnt1OozM5xBxC-XnqTJozo9x17TyxgdTitX4C9un72k9d-fNLFWWX8rVF/s1600/IMG_1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uo18MnHrq8D83mf4UY5xtiCXQP0DHTQZGWzikN8xOohEqhU-NRCEhCXGMN_BY9ExK4-K4N_zgHTNo0xiKCsXnt1OozM5xBxC-XnqTJozo9x17TyxgdTitX4C9un72k9d-fNLFWWX8rVF/s400/IMG_1231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Race organizer in front - Cody in the turquoise - as the victor pulls away from him a second time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeDpU_2TOMTq_1nkVn4Dd-eASt4phiUAdJgvq-ufZeTviQvAUEjH3z43J97x5Xgcu426ZwVmsK9spDK2DNMzjqOJikKlOB6sEvZZF6x95HacHhMJ8EGG8USKT917C6zfR67SCqg7V_iEM/s1600/IMG_1246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeDpU_2TOMTq_1nkVn4Dd-eASt4phiUAdJgvq-ufZeTviQvAUEjH3z43J97x5Xgcu426ZwVmsK9spDK2DNMzjqOJikKlOB6sEvZZF6x95HacHhMJ8EGG8USKT917C6zfR67SCqg7V_iEM/s320/IMG_1246.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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the top three males - from Guinea, the US and Sierra Leone</div>
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What were the prizes, you might ask? I am so glad you asked! Drum roll please....</div>
<u>Third place</u>: all the raw vegetables you would need for an American Thanksgiving (carrots, potatoes, cabbage and a squash/pumpkin/calabassa). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZXcGBG_ahgvz8ggqdV8F6XQRDbXrUZUf4yhsN5MakL40tUV-Y3q9FoXlH4pgCG5_tptfyHCKaNRvEpFfEajgF6Hrt0mJbv6lOzIMe6cUL9V3ZGFamS5vfVz1HGgPaC_EG-UFQ8JM5QG8/s1600/IMG_1233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZXcGBG_ahgvz8ggqdV8F6XQRDbXrUZUf4yhsN5MakL40tUV-Y3q9FoXlH4pgCG5_tptfyHCKaNRvEpFfEajgF6Hrt0mJbv6lOzIMe6cUL9V3ZGFamS5vfVz1HGgPaC_EG-UFQ8JM5QG8/s400/IMG_1233.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<u>Second place</u>: a live chicken! <br />
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And <u>first place</u>: a real frozen turkey (I think shipped from America, as I've never seen this in Africa before).<br />
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So, among the three we acquired a frozen turkey, a live chicken, and a bag of vegetables! Cody and Borgi decided to give the frozen turkey and the live chicken to local runners who might not have the privilege of a galley team who cooks amazing food for us throughout the week - even when it's Thanksgiving! <br />
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We returned to the ship sweaty, stinky, pink faced, and invigorated. </div>
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Hope all of you out there have a wonderful Turkey Trot wherever you are - rain, shine, snow, sleet, or mud, cattle and chickens in Conakry! </div>
Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-58880308048140138382012-10-30T11:57:00.001-07:002012-10-30T11:57:24.100-07:00Where are the Colors of FallI may be a few weeks behind here. In fact, I probably am since I am seeing snowy photos on facebook from Colorado already. <br />
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But, this week we sang the song, Indescribable, by Chris Tomlin. Normally when I listen to this song I get quite nostalgic reflecting on the seasonal sensations bursting forth around me. "From the colors of fall, to the fragrance of spring..." "Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go, or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow...." All of this lyrical imagery makes me connect the dots with the current climate outside and I remember what I treasure about each season.<br />
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And, oh the fall! The brilliant yellows, reds, and burnt oranges - that crispness in the air; the baking that begins to warm our toes and tummies - gingers, apples, cinnamon, caramel; the crunch under the feet as the frosts begin and the leaves tumble down: I love fall!<br />
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But this week I had a reality check: It's nearly the end of October! Those colors of fall exist- somewhere, out there. But not here, in Guinea, West Africa.<br />
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Here the colors of fall look pretty much like the colors of any other month. A little less rain, as we come into the close of a six month rainy season so we see more and more sun and less puddles to avoid on the dock. <br />
We see the colors or imported goods, of green apples that arrive from a shipping container<br />
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and other loads piled high.</div>
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We see the colors of locally grown melons, pineapples, oranges (that are green in Africa), peppers, mangoes, tomatoes and lettuce.</div>
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And we see the colors of the sea - the tranquil blues, greys, and greens of the water's edge</div>
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the view of Conakry from the area just by the port</div>
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the water as the boats load up for commuters to and from the islands just off the coast</div>
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the bright orange of the Ministry of Fishing and Aquaculture life jacket adorning us as we cross to the islands</div>
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the endless blues of water and sky, that sometimes blend together</div>
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the water where we are docked, alongside other container ships, naval vessels, fishing boats and tugs - water that varies in shade and clarity from hour to hour</div>
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the cliff alongside Casa Island, which we round on the way to Roume Island for a day of R&R on the weekend</div>
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We also embrace the rich colors of the land here - the reds of the clay, and the greens that envelope everything above ground post rainy season</div>
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and the colors of nature that subtlely and covertly paint the world around us:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFTWvgms-4IxG60xpXctrb0S0CVLY0euKvSSe4djll6hjU2AZp9Gv8sKkZ8H8jJu1GJKgYgHp0QKeAFOabpmXG8xPSVzjG-flMSGakkX2fQbv4Ws4n4JLaChMg-OnO8kK4mHfDETTfBVW/s1600/IMG_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFTWvgms-4IxG60xpXctrb0S0CVLY0euKvSSe4djll6hjU2AZp9Gv8sKkZ8H8jJu1GJKgYgHp0QKeAFOabpmXG8xPSVzjG-flMSGakkX2fQbv4Ws4n4JLaChMg-OnO8kK4mHfDETTfBVW/s400/IMG_0318.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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the earthy tones of mushrooms and fungi</div>
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the red, browns and blacks of little insects looking to devour all they see</div>
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beautiful butterflies oblivious whose colors are oblivious to the political boundaries</div>
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And we enjoy the spectrum of the sun as it shows its splendor throughout the day</div>
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bouncing off of patterns of sand</div>
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the days where it hides a bit behind layers of clouded haze</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArE6-OWlBbmxRA5qa_LJ0Empf2KVVgOUErYYf789Hkq_2cUxFZgunPGkxRk36via0hG5fWPAuY3egwDFsnMAPA7f4T9zOIkfpXKnQ3ve5XjsuSsScOqS2f3JBh1IX1wLgQdKBiQkEu-tq/s1600/sun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArE6-OWlBbmxRA5qa_LJ0Empf2KVVgOUErYYf789Hkq_2cUxFZgunPGkxRk36via0hG5fWPAuY3egwDFsnMAPA7f4T9zOIkfpXKnQ3ve5XjsuSsScOqS2f3JBh1IX1wLgQdKBiQkEu-tq/s400/sun.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and days when you pray for the haze to come</div>
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and spectacular, one-of-a-kind sunsets that take your breath away, reminding us of the great big God we serve</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULSNmiMnHc8b2RB-qwm-Zpxy5F6rUhyYEZ7fQfhen0xQOnsApmRJHbWwwpi-QYIqA0GaFeIfnC5zGWhLpYsV9xGIJHQlpiKbZ3JL7XAS1K00eBl214FsJhyXR2PeTgx_wWSEA7hecNbfv/s1600/P1000212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULSNmiMnHc8b2RB-qwm-Zpxy5F6rUhyYEZ7fQfhen0xQOnsApmRJHbWwwpi-QYIqA0GaFeIfnC5zGWhLpYsV9xGIJHQlpiKbZ3JL7XAS1K00eBl214FsJhyXR2PeTgx_wWSEA7hecNbfv/s400/P1000212.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvamphsSUKWz0o8Txt44rS78UNZgHb5ARiHQwM5HDFheDRy46bE49jVRBHL4qXemdyIt1j4Yp386g8o7-XPFwybAWrq8vux2glC7dQq1JeshCE06Gc6sgE604QfKFXMaOOfMQfyYGg9c3/s1600/GNC121005_CULTURAL_OCEAN_MM0004_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvamphsSUKWz0o8Txt44rS78UNZgHb5ARiHQwM5HDFheDRy46bE49jVRBHL4qXemdyIt1j4Yp386g8o7-XPFwybAWrq8vux2glC7dQq1JeshCE06Gc6sgE604QfKFXMaOOfMQfyYGg9c3/s320/GNC121005_CULTURAL_OCEAN_MM0004_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and the vibrant colors of Africa - some beautiful, and some heartbreaking <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTB8PWGgJe8NADCYK7lN9yXOxyej4jfqR6w7soEdd7cqBars6C5RQNr4CAaNUApOnHbOeAAdNl3EhaVQw7LWryMbdrSANPeK49SAbFxMEuHe9to0NN8mV3HPzu6bFBmJAE_EFbjG07ea7u/s1600/GNC120910_CULTURAL_DB_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTB8PWGgJe8NADCYK7lN9yXOxyej4jfqR6w7soEdd7cqBars6C5RQNr4CAaNUApOnHbOeAAdNl3EhaVQw7LWryMbdrSANPeK49SAbFxMEuHe9to0NN8mV3HPzu6bFBmJAE_EFbjG07ea7u/s320/GNC120910_CULTURAL_DB_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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trash and the work and sustenance it provides for so many as they find their living in its midst,</div>
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plastic tarps that provide a shelter, rust, moss, and weathered frosting that coats all it touches</div>
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rainy season leftovers, bringing a deluge of castoffs to create their own community - often at the expense of others.</div>
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Brillant yellows, greens, reds and oranges do exist here, just in a different form:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv56sYJmC4vRub63FbhWCndymhezWt-kbiVLJVMJfoWfAU7tqxSPwMKmnoPr0dQuJ2otiOu7Fa-SNUTSfh0eVaR5zH57_stSRdfnaBWhncfz1g1zOx-JR8tJARThApBQBTbHfEukYo94lM/s1600/GNC121005_MACRO_PHOTOS_DB0095_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv56sYJmC4vRub63FbhWCndymhezWt-kbiVLJVMJfoWfAU7tqxSPwMKmnoPr0dQuJ2otiOu7Fa-SNUTSfh0eVaR5zH57_stSRdfnaBWhncfz1g1zOx-JR8tJARThApBQBTbHfEukYo94lM/s400/GNC121005_MACRO_PHOTOS_DB0095_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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displayed for the city to see as the wash is left out to dry</div>
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soccer jerseys, headwraps, fabric to create baby slings in bright patterns and obscure designs</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLn3GH8RkahQhb3zGaZ52FsTKSzvMKPqJImnmhRDeg4DeAzjRWlRhCrutePnrNDYUCFpdXO1IOsTlDj-U4cKvrLyvPpI0VEZx1_Alo4YV1FT-B9An9KqBtrqTCIE4YPkf3tRnUWvaZvu6/s1600/GNC120913_CULTURE_DB0087_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLn3GH8RkahQhb3zGaZ52FsTKSzvMKPqJImnmhRDeg4DeAzjRWlRhCrutePnrNDYUCFpdXO1IOsTlDj-U4cKvrLyvPpI0VEZx1_Alo4YV1FT-B9An9KqBtrqTCIE4YPkf3tRnUWvaZvu6/s320/GNC120913_CULTURE_DB0087_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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tubs that transport life-saving water, cooking oil, or palm wine</div>
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So we enjoy our October - not with leaves changing and falling to the ground, but with the rains coming to an end. Not with cinnamon and spice and pumpkins and candy, but with bananas and avocados and anticipation for the first mangos of the season. Not with a crispness of the air, but with humidity and sun. And still, we recognize how Indescribable this amazing place and these amazing people are that God has created. </div>
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*special thanks to all the crew members who contributed their photos for collective use onboard the Africa Mercy. Your eye for the picturesque makes this blog come to life!</div>
Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-36276666705186375942012-10-18T07:58:00.000-07:002012-10-18T07:58:04.548-07:00Oh Yeah, and the President Came By....It's not every day that the president stops by for a visit. But, you'd like to think you'd have a little warning if he was going to, right?<br />
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Well, such isn't always the case.<br />
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This past week we had quite an exciting day as we received a surprise visit from the President of Guinea, Mr. Alpha Condé. As head of the state in the country that has invited us to perform surgeries, stay in their country and work side by side with their Ministry of Health and local healthcare organizations, of course he has a standing invitation to visit the ship. Usually we extend an offer and based on the busy scheduled of a national leader, we are often dropped from the ticket. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHTWVJWUH7efTLWASZv2f6_TTiPGB-8PKBHdx8qjZdq2xeY8vaEAwLmqU8wuxcjUIbWHrJjyFcQQqMH4pU7ebt39QPlPo-rd67IX7Ajmg0ng9Bcjhk1Hm_I5xIPLNFjFv6YQYAtQPsNgH/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0044_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHTWVJWUH7efTLWASZv2f6_TTiPGB-8PKBHdx8qjZdq2xeY8vaEAwLmqU8wuxcjUIbWHrJjyFcQQqMH4pU7ebt39QPlPo-rd67IX7Ajmg0ng9Bcjhk1Hm_I5xIPLNFjFv6YQYAtQPsNgH/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0044_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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President of Guinea, Mr. Alpha Condé</div>
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This was the case in Togo, last spring. The president of Togo was scheduled to come for a visit, and Kylie was prepared to greet him at the gangway with flowers (her moment to shine!!), but then he called to say he was out of the country and wouldn't be coming. All the work of preparing hors d'ouevres, polishing and beautifying the ship, people on standby to host tours and help escort through the several decks: all for nought.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9GPl_bzhyynzAAjWA6s84xUHZQ08cA4P-G2Zva9PBK7G7c_FJtnrmi8fnpYNbkzklm6mLOETM19MnQeXLO6GPEKBl3G0AEqPEbXPGYXOHXlbcZEO9RyfUGqe68kpBLk2y6aNtMLnzYSz/s1600/GNC121011_HOSPITALITY_TEAM_MM0001_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9GPl_bzhyynzAAjWA6s84xUHZQ08cA4P-G2Zva9PBK7G7c_FJtnrmi8fnpYNbkzklm6mLOETM19MnQeXLO6GPEKBl3G0AEqPEbXPGYXOHXlbcZEO9RyfUGqe68kpBLk2y6aNtMLnzYSz/s400/GNC121011_HOSPITALITY_TEAM_MM0001_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
But last week, it was exactly the opposite. <br />
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We received a phone call saying that President Condé was in the port, visiting a French naval vessel, docked immediately behind us (or should I say, "to the aft of us?"), and he was heading our way for a stop. <br />
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Immediately the plan went into action: <br />
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<li>Notify the crew via loud speakers (please don't take out your trash right now - the president is coming! Put on your Sunday best - the president is coming!)</li>
<li>Chef and team went to work making a beautiful assortment of finger foods</li>
<li>Hospitality teams went crazy cleaning and prepping for the visit</li>
<li>Team Leaders and Managers changed into their suits and dresses to recognize this dignitary</li>
<li>Security teams met with the entourage of presidential security guards (maybe 15 of them?) who were walked through the ship to identify any areas of concern</li>
<li>Hospital crew continued to care for patients and perform surgeries</li>
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And then he was here. After a tour of the ship including the hospital wards, he shared a brief message in a gathering open to all crew and day workers. Can you imagine getting a job for a non-profit, making a few dollars a day, and getting to meet your president at this job? What a day for them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglozED04B0q4D7buAy9oiMHmBgSPSilmH7_MErIuP5D83DQE-0oj_OX01PRCR06Rxg8MAnze0yRYs39NkwxB0XPDaNakuS-QEVUUfAMEOlXJ2MIhyphenhyphen0_ctwkaqv6cpKzAjOGI9WrcGDetRx/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT+_DB0001_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglozED04B0q4D7buAy9oiMHmBgSPSilmH7_MErIuP5D83DQE-0oj_OX01PRCR06Rxg8MAnze0yRYs39NkwxB0XPDaNakuS-QEVUUfAMEOlXJ2MIhyphenhyphen0_ctwkaqv6cpKzAjOGI9WrcGDetRx/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT+_DB0001_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meeting our Managing Director & his wife (all the president's men are behind him)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7xmi-4zag1WpPbrKmPOEPbGz1YYac4k8Stm1EipVq6M1jU4c6X4zAN3S57zbsv0JE5njLOOeWc5AHJUnNlEs76kkMSR4-OZFXhs16TP30M4SKzsFY5tYbjahWm87V3Y4flQar8eYrYua/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0012_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7xmi-4zag1WpPbrKmPOEPbGz1YYac4k8Stm1EipVq6M1jU4c6X4zAN3S57zbsv0JE5njLOOeWc5AHJUnNlEs76kkMSR4-OZFXhs16TP30M4SKzsFY5tYbjahWm87V3Y4flQar8eYrYua/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0012_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Coming up the gangway (you can see all the military presence all around the dock)</div>
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Shaking hands with all our Senior Management Team members and other key leaders on the ship (all the president's bodyguards following him)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9N6uk3EhSPNXo_qLg4cp6yHGFv9sG0_A3vM8z8BwIyBaqyRXVZEeNC8YA-85aAOD1tsmt1_WMgvUFQvzpyHfGgWOycmE26bCxXne8gZTe4WJzudx1QxHygOAv2vLFpXbyf5thm9jS_Ll-/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0022_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9N6uk3EhSPNXo_qLg4cp6yHGFv9sG0_A3vM8z8BwIyBaqyRXVZEeNC8YA-85aAOD1tsmt1_WMgvUFQvzpyHfGgWOycmE26bCxXne8gZTe4WJzudx1QxHygOAv2vLFpXbyf5thm9jS_Ll-/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0022_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Touring the max-fax ward - max fax team leader is giving him some background information on patients- the national and maybe military press are videoing and doing interviews</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzrOxh1vRJLWl8rDpjdcUHUtYpSuBfE4-8DzTVDItXSUMqCiHIqyynhBewGopSCXGKx_nVQLmQcuVxQvKnEoqbbkY29LZ95m2szOVu7nWdOyGX8FiJknvVvw2d43LK9yHPLU8KeW0kVKG/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT+_DB0002_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzrOxh1vRJLWl8rDpjdcUHUtYpSuBfE4-8DzTVDItXSUMqCiHIqyynhBewGopSCXGKx_nVQLmQcuVxQvKnEoqbbkY29LZ95m2szOVu7nWdOyGX8FiJknvVvw2d43LK9yHPLU8KeW0kVKG/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT+_DB0002_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItkF2ysbKYDtmInuVYnZETmrHlpLTFUhVR6WaTQl-T7soDOlEGmSUGlvNcd6DAGVGoxtDlAb1dUtNdzpB4qmpESlLEBsoWIqabawArUN3r6V5Hl5ZEFIFuqOZtsJfcjIdVLeWkUOMmB3E/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0032_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItkF2ysbKYDtmInuVYnZETmrHlpLTFUhVR6WaTQl-T7soDOlEGmSUGlvNcd6DAGVGoxtDlAb1dUtNdzpB4qmpESlLEBsoWIqabawArUN3r6V5Hl5ZEFIFuqOZtsJfcjIdVLeWkUOMmB3E/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0032_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yaya with grandma and a day worker await their turn to meet him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw5aomHdJONd_SI8DlcFFO3jXhmAbR_kb-bay85Y3bqBELaKMnbcEqbr8yzaBmaCYv3QDY8x2n_yUgpIftrY9mekFPIqZcaLXEYBvrR_BMxuh46p-3gyMWTwV_IS0jicwZiqviakJUc3Z/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0038_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw5aomHdJONd_SI8DlcFFO3jXhmAbR_kb-bay85Y3bqBELaKMnbcEqbr8yzaBmaCYv3QDY8x2n_yUgpIftrY9mekFPIqZcaLXEYBvrR_BMxuh46p-3gyMWTwV_IS0jicwZiqviakJUc3Z/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0038_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP74GA8nyXK146mkeSHvTPVXYd_Lqu_EWCdyTYAIyT4-56qfmtSAiP3xnHueIDH0ULjkk9EatoqxjlJNHcOcblmZF2ooItjCeAi2jYP0G5jb31dvtUNcqKsZGGvtoKBC4ly6WV5xqGSrkR/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0036_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP74GA8nyXK146mkeSHvTPVXYd_Lqu_EWCdyTYAIyT4-56qfmtSAiP3xnHueIDH0ULjkk9EatoqxjlJNHcOcblmZF2ooItjCeAi2jYP0G5jb31dvtUNcqKsZGGvtoKBC4ly6WV5xqGSrkR/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0036_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another ortho patient is greeted by Mr. Condé</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpTVhqBuZn2NnUIjCiaNIbbAaw0kmPBdtRpzKjfZoEvZTDTUE0b3NmQPdYOqyADuM9WAq4PoY9hAFqyggm9xbPzpZ0KUzQYVBEbe43zmETpOOaR0y_Rea8kNxsHHIUZKw8PyR9jzXJDMH/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0042_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpTVhqBuZn2NnUIjCiaNIbbAaw0kmPBdtRpzKjfZoEvZTDTUE0b3NmQPdYOqyADuM9WAq4PoY9hAFqyggm9xbPzpZ0KUzQYVBEbe43zmETpOOaR0y_Rea8kNxsHHIUZKw8PyR9jzXJDMH/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0042_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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He is noticing before and after photos in our hospital hallway</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso0zVquflVpb2rASRJuBTSNawq-NQ_dllTa0ycxPwpMxqBZhv68QPgCnz9x6INn2GCPxa5Z3Hs_rTwbDO-LndXgiHVEefwEZIF2zbpjUZs5Y8fFhnkUt8k_OjrLZEO4_sSBMBbnP9AkJr/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_MM0040_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso0zVquflVpb2rASRJuBTSNawq-NQ_dllTa0ycxPwpMxqBZhv68QPgCnz9x6INn2GCPxa5Z3Hs_rTwbDO-LndXgiHVEefwEZIF2zbpjUZs5Y8fFhnkUt8k_OjrLZEO4_sSBMBbnP9AkJr/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_MM0040_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Emmanuel has quite a job here - interpreting for the President - translating from French to English.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79mjilGRinp_9ppHYfWW5muprc4UayeJUVmKRDEui8dTPiewE5Y6fAUrz9ZNun2JlmKyyvq4AawUNA6ZuJj3ExzxC0CkM4a2FkI3Gm6cB6jdr3_fInlBtTAL7Cw5Es8YqKw7AFVNu5YbV/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_MM0078_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79mjilGRinp_9ppHYfWW5muprc4UayeJUVmKRDEui8dTPiewE5Y6fAUrz9ZNun2JlmKyyvq4AawUNA6ZuJj3ExzxC0CkM4a2FkI3Gm6cB6jdr3_fInlBtTAL7Cw5Es8YqKw7AFVNu5YbV/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_MM0078_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mr. Condé was moved by what he saw on board the ship, and wanted to shake every single person's hand at the close of his message (a logistical nightmare for the security guards trying to streamline and protect during this meeting). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5IrsQSng53jns7FCk-T80-tklf6KCZyfzfUpzQpNGiAHrs9mq6n6tSYcu-sv_4iOSTyD2PDKaJv_d45A9NuBSNZXtvmd6tns4Sh64lPaFXozwYgDc5C-ZSJBer5T00_s_4Ze_cS0Yrb6/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_MM0101_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5IrsQSng53jns7FCk-T80-tklf6KCZyfzfUpzQpNGiAHrs9mq6n6tSYcu-sv_4iOSTyD2PDKaJv_d45A9NuBSNZXtvmd6tns4Sh64lPaFXozwYgDc5C-ZSJBer5T00_s_4Ze_cS0Yrb6/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_MM0101_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And after 90 minutes on board, he was off. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAntMRbtzM6DMrXAtZLz5jSFOgU7o4tQPpFTpMstj-tx6EodXA8HhLEYO3yBOFrEbhbd_V-RS6i7mEZYRFNrW93_NqKyIZOaoJisjQ0a8wQynJkGyOvopTE2Z34ABgVvAx3sW3Pc9ZRIsh/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0049_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAntMRbtzM6DMrXAtZLz5jSFOgU7o4tQPpFTpMstj-tx6EodXA8HhLEYO3yBOFrEbhbd_V-RS6i7mEZYRFNrW93_NqKyIZOaoJisjQ0a8wQynJkGyOvopTE2Z34ABgVvAx3sW3Pc9ZRIsh/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0049_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxKC9OMiDmhgwq4ruven8dzBBWlDP2Ewx8NOZzWkCOtFQMh8tXg9KGpkrbQCSnubih6Y1Uu8XUcHGNDdiIoXZl28ky-naBQMnsp1fkvYD_IKgpvtGfTyVd3R42N81kcQbioxL5D4s7xRX/s1600/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0050_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxKC9OMiDmhgwq4ruven8dzBBWlDP2Ewx8NOZzWkCOtFQMh8tXg9KGpkrbQCSnubih6Y1Uu8XUcHGNDdiIoXZl28ky-naBQMnsp1fkvYD_IKgpvtGfTyVd3R42N81kcQbioxL5D4s7xRX/s400/GNC121011_VIP_PRES_VISIT_DB0050_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The hoards of officials, guards, soldiers, bands, and all the other hoopla that accompanied him were able to clear out of the port. The port gates opened again for vehicles coming in and out (some of our crew were stuck outside of the gate for a few hours, unable to return to the ship due to the president being inside).</div>
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And business was back to usual. What's on the menu for dinner?</div>
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Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-55872852305053585042012-10-09T07:47:00.002-07:002012-10-09T07:47:27.866-07:00Teachers Needed for Next School Year! Want to Teach in Africa?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the best part of Mercy Ships for us is the chance to serve together as a family - in an environment where we can focus the majority of our time and energy not just to surviving and coping with a new culture, but dedicated and purposeful to the mission at hand. </div>
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The Academy onboard the ship is one of the reasons we are able to do so. Over 50 students from multiple countries live onboard with their parents who serve in roles all over the ship in management, service, nursing, surgeon and technical roles. </div>
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Each grade level has their own teacher, own classroom and amazing resources! We have a computer lab and a separate library just for academy student use.</div>
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Like the rest of the crew members, our teachers volunteer their time and pay crew fees to be a part of this mission. </div>
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Our teachers have a close-knit relationship with families, colleagues and the 350-400 crew members that live onboard. </div>
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Our school year corresponds primarily with our field services in each nation in Africa we serve, and have vast opportunities to participate in other opportunities that Mercy Ships is involved in: be-friend-a-patient on the wards, prison, orphanage or hospital visits throughout the weeknights or weekends and a plethora of social and spiritual activities to enrich this experience.</div>
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If you are interested in having a year that "looks different," experiencing Africa while still having some comforts of home at hand, being a part of a rich, dynamic Christian community and influencing young lives, check out this opportunity!</div>
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If you are interested, please contact <a href="mailto:emily.siemens@mercyships.org">emily.siemens@mercyships.org</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw5faSodUWDL3KGvVBcvMieFC-ypSqCTXrmHqaHKvRd1vfL4lFNkjde0hvRJVmT-lqzwpjJ1-nLTFs7qTM4QBeXpKnjTbkpQG-BuepCRAErt24h1HAMpJ9f4ebunGoC17YhSqhgt_6d-4/s1600/academy+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw5faSodUWDL3KGvVBcvMieFC-ypSqCTXrmHqaHKvRd1vfL4lFNkjde0hvRJVmT-lqzwpjJ1-nLTFs7qTM4QBeXpKnjTbkpQG-BuepCRAErt24h1HAMpJ9f4ebunGoC17YhSqhgt_6d-4/s1600/academy+ad.jpg" /></a></div>
Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-29361705460163826292012-10-04T06:10:00.001-07:002012-10-04T06:10:37.823-07:00The Things You Take ForgrantedLet's say you have a three-day weekend. You'd like to visit some friends that live 193 miles away. What do you need to do? Fill up the tank, pack a suitcase, and hit the road, right?<br />
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Appreciate that freedom!<br />
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This weekend we have a three-day weekend and for several weeks we have been planning to use it to visit our friends at Cheshire Home in Freetown. <br />
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Making a plan and carrying it out is more of a community effort here. Decisions that in the U.S. I don't take much time to consider, here are complicated.<br />
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Let me explain:<br />
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To get 193 miles away will involve crossing an international border, changing languages, changing money, passing through several military checkpoints on each side of the border where the soldiers could be looking for a "gift" to ensure our safe travel (i.e. bribe). We will travel for at least six hours each direction on a road that supposedly is well-paved on the Sierra Leone side, a little less maintained on the Guinea side.<br />
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We need to figure out our transportation. Do we take the bus? The bus has a decent price, but only travels to Freetown on Tuesdays and Fridays. It leaves at 11:00 (but sometimes as late as 1:00pm) and arrives well after dark. We are not fans of traveling in the dark. Do we take a taxi? Who do we know that drives a taxi? What is a fair price? What is a fair price for a "foday" (a white person) to pay, here in West Africa? Will they take us all the way to Freetown, or leave us at the border? How many people does the taxi hold? While it might be a five seater sedan in the Western world, they might consider it a 6-8 person taxi. Do we want to be squished in with eight people, or willing to pay for those "vacant" seats so they consider it full with only five of us?<br />
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What about food? With the cholera outbreaks in Guinea and Sierra Leone, do we want to be eating food off the streets? How much food gets you through a weekend- with no electricity, refrigeration, or methods of cooking? Do I really want to eat a whole jar of peanut butter this weekend? <br />
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What about water? Bottled? Camelback? Buy purified water in the sachets on the streets?<br />
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Do we have enough money? How much Guinea francs should we bring? Leones for Sierra Leone? US Dollars? In a part of the world where everything is done by cash, what do you do for the "in case of emergency" plan? I could pack a credit card in my pocket, but that doesn't do me any good for 9 out of 10 "what if" scenarios I can imagine. In Guinea, 7100 francs equal ONE US dollar. And the largest bill (yes, LARGEST) they have is 10000 francs (equal to about 1.30). That means big stacks of money wherever you go.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOP2z0n0eQC5O4MEcUZmtSR8hwVqL3mreW3cS3z-y7GK7hPVgeHaK4KJZWoKn8YY9aTTMB0e-McY4JEnOvi7HxLH-RkK79za_oB2W5z07oyK72aMUwwTlBJNT6IjPkrlYyDhT70QwhVyr/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOP2z0n0eQC5O4MEcUZmtSR8hwVqL3mreW3cS3z-y7GK7hPVgeHaK4KJZWoKn8YY9aTTMB0e-McY4JEnOvi7HxLH-RkK79za_oB2W5z07oyK72aMUwwTlBJNT6IjPkrlYyDhT70QwhVyr/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">about seven dollars</td></tr>
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Do we bring our own mosquito nets or will the hotel have them?<br />
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Do we have a cell phone with a Sierra Leonean sim card? <br />
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And the questions go on and on!<br />
So, while we have a "plan," we hold this very loosely. <br />
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We can very much relate to the verse: Proverbs 16:9....<br />
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A man’s heart plans his way,</div>
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<span class="text Prov-16-9">But the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> directs his steps.</span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-16-9">We can plan and prepare (and pack like Boy Scouts - being prepared for anything!), but ultimately we find many times here that we must rely on the LORD to carry things about. Things WILL happen and we can't really control many of the circumstances around it. So we trust and remain flexible to the plans.</span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-16-9">So, I <em>hope</em> to go to Freetown tomorrow. I <em>hope</em> that our visas get approved from the Embassy and back to us today. I <em>hope</em> that we find transport that is reliable, reasonable, and safe. I <em>hope</em> that as the first group of "fodays" going across the border from Mercy Ships we won't get hassled or detained for hours on end at the border. I <em>hope</em> to visit with our friends. I <em>hope</em> that our transport back on Sunday goes smoothly as well. </span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-16-9">But I also recognize that This Is Africa, and sometimes things just don't work out how you imagined them. And we embrace that truth and walk forward with a good attitude willing to embrace whatever comes our way this weekend.</span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-16-9">Stay tuned for the report!</span></div>
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Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-25062203513254518032012-09-27T04:35:00.000-07:002012-09-27T04:35:07.593-07:00Being a Kid on a Ship in Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
While there are many things we <strong>give up</strong> by choosing to live here (on a ship, yet tied to a dock; in Africa, but not really IN Africa; in a HERE that changes every few months, while the members of our "household" change daily), there are many OTHER things that we <strong>gain</strong>.</div>
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I remember as we were preparing to come to Mercy Ships and explaining to people that we were going to work in Africa with an organization that provides free surgeries. The general concept was warmly received. "Wow. That is so cool." Then the practical gears of their minds would kick in and ask questions like, "what about your house? What about your job? How much will you get paid?" And our favorite, "What about your kids? What are you going to do with them?" </div>
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Surprisingly, we planned on bringing them WITH us. Crazy as it sounds, we think sticking on the same continent as a family is the best kind of plan. </div>
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And it seems that the girls would concur. They enjoy the unique moments that make up the ordinary moments here. </div>
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Here are a few examples of moments that stand out:</div>
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They have a chance not just to learn about the world, but to live, laugh, and love with 30-40 other nationalities. Not only hearing about differences, but experiencing them. As we move from country to country the academy study that place, pray for that place, and get to learn about that place first hand. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMHk6c0l4gzRj6-73DpZ7weq-uovyB8tcmroOPddZigbQHLG1dClMWWzpedSPgwWB0myqOFZLcxA58pX9X5-JjEbndZWLTYH7f1FTSxdU2Zn58UPUjhFoQcqpCbAjFZvbsA-2qAp1Ab58/s1600/GNC120822_SHIP_ARRIVAL_CONAKRY_DB0003_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMHk6c0l4gzRj6-73DpZ7weq-uovyB8tcmroOPddZigbQHLG1dClMWWzpedSPgwWB0myqOFZLcxA58pX9X5-JjEbndZWLTYH7f1FTSxdU2Zn58UPUjhFoQcqpCbAjFZvbsA-2qAp1Ab58/s320/GNC120822_SHIP_ARRIVAL_CONAKRY_DB0003_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8n9MIUxPrfn-gvMbHzoPQafHtwbdTkYXeCz0iYWRnPtCez0B2bBKSEOnVmBsgQRyhCXot9E6_KaOA78VKqvFNLQypucadSsvPId4ZPkQt0R9d_5DQ5sHcRUO5DaxhG9gnPgMEQHfHfTv/s1600/GNC120822_SHIP_ARRIVAL_CONAKRY_DB0004_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8n9MIUxPrfn-gvMbHzoPQafHtwbdTkYXeCz0iYWRnPtCez0B2bBKSEOnVmBsgQRyhCXot9E6_KaOA78VKqvFNLQypucadSsvPId4ZPkQt0R9d_5DQ5sHcRUO5DaxhG9gnPgMEQHfHfTv/s320/GNC120822_SHIP_ARRIVAL_CONAKRY_DB0004_LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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here we are arriving into the port of Conakry.</div>
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And below you'll see an atypical Sunday evening - making 2000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for screening day volunteers and patients, the night before our big screening day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM_p87kQsIL8ae2sQ0HkIffy-RSSNCdWx78VWTriERkJu9RUJXCYKTqyEvVUphL1kOOpIhOqX7BsL4L5o0UIZGrHFSL3gVg7MVSM07Dgyq5MMC5_hMJemTA19nIst09PQ9PBu4bF8SBwG/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM_p87kQsIL8ae2sQ0HkIffy-RSSNCdWx78VWTriERkJu9RUJXCYKTqyEvVUphL1kOOpIhOqX7BsL4L5o0UIZGrHFSL3gVg7MVSM07Dgyq5MMC5_hMJemTA19nIst09PQ9PBu4bF8SBwG/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVjWv2SbfDUIaDL593J39DnCHG9i9YjP12ib7gtAU5ttNQjlNou3YyG0Ccto4xLs5xnU3PzJCehyphenhyphenFxsPbzx9N5l7P63J8JhLaHX7umQGgO5NNUardxK-H2gOpjrcdOOgBTaVc1lTUsYdd/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVjWv2SbfDUIaDL593J39DnCHG9i9YjP12ib7gtAU5ttNQjlNou3YyG0Ccto4xLs5xnU3PzJCehyphenhyphenFxsPbzx9N5l7P63J8JhLaHX7umQGgO5NNUardxK-H2gOpjrcdOOgBTaVc1lTUsYdd/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqWBqHoPzY-4KI0EcpQ-3Jib9DKd4tPC37JgOS_vdrFawyAgVrN1MJOTuHE1t9TX1xBC4QytmMIOzASsABwihvC-fadBvcVYOUD1jLWBgwCIMiCI2R3MddJdq1dQQpN8L3qw9wLmTV4G7/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqWBqHoPzY-4KI0EcpQ-3Jib9DKd4tPC37JgOS_vdrFawyAgVrN1MJOTuHE1t9TX1xBC4QytmMIOzASsABwihvC-fadBvcVYOUD1jLWBgwCIMiCI2R3MddJdq1dQQpN8L3qw9wLmTV4G7/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2_PS0orXVx9AvxIJj_hyphenhyphenwNGMHdMvr-KywsaAw1E-hJW4W05hfU5QeBPpSsa0n02rMQ0sBYZiYW1YXMvm6C6pm5E4q4Bjms5K9mA0hn6QDxNZXBeWRxYaf7gmgondYuzkLHf-VQJsafxj/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2_PS0orXVx9AvxIJj_hyphenhyphenwNGMHdMvr-KywsaAw1E-hJW4W05hfU5QeBPpSsa0n02rMQ0sBYZiYW1YXMvm6C6pm5E4q4Bjms5K9mA0hn6QDxNZXBeWRxYaf7gmgondYuzkLHf-VQJsafxj/s400/DSC_0019.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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Forts, forts and more forts! Our walls and beds are steel so magnets and anything cloth make for a fort building utopia - no matter the time of day or how many are available to play.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRjO5MoYYgid5rijpJe7q1w-a6bJnS1Y0Foz-RJa-EKi3NscMwjcxo2QfxKb670t4qiWOInJjpayyVxpSGNRI8Hnx2PyLU_nRCAsl-t9EW8sQpgnNm5JhZyzK6lvAL-kNspxD-9kY0ABz/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRjO5MoYYgid5rijpJe7q1w-a6bJnS1Y0Foz-RJa-EKi3NscMwjcxo2QfxKb670t4qiWOInJjpayyVxpSGNRI8Hnx2PyLU_nRCAsl-t9EW8sQpgnNm5JhZyzK6lvAL-kNspxD-9kY0ABz/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpeHvkO_57mjSvV74stx8ze1TlURLMdeoyZ33nfURFIgUkIf2-BGJ7auD-qCfgbf2rd8tAt1SnFqy5LaNUCyk6yJBh3-27Hl9qhmI2n3Brq83JuMLT0qOjcKOWHc4g_Rh14FvYaF5k2_1/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpeHvkO_57mjSvV74stx8ze1TlURLMdeoyZ33nfURFIgUkIf2-BGJ7auD-qCfgbf2rd8tAt1SnFqy5LaNUCyk6yJBh3-27Hl9qhmI2n3Brq83JuMLT0qOjcKOWHc4g_Rh14FvYaF5k2_1/s400/DSC_0022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A new Snuggie fort??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTivBy6fn0MU0fgsh1A2QIKejYEJ9DZHtTHF5v_x3U1nYmNyT5-bYTcLtPV_BACMK6MkXC3mGOhEueNP9fCfwhYVY0QwQMqgeJxJ51HEcRPVCvb2x6tCk9mNmBrQ3xTJ6HH642YvuIsUId/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTivBy6fn0MU0fgsh1A2QIKejYEJ9DZHtTHF5v_x3U1nYmNyT5-bYTcLtPV_BACMK6MkXC3mGOhEueNP9fCfwhYVY0QwQMqgeJxJ51HEcRPVCvb2x6tCk9mNmBrQ3xTJ6HH642YvuIsUId/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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Here are the girls as I'm trying to tuck them into bed! How do you get the squirrelies out??</div>
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They share a room that is about 12 feet long and 7 feet wide. You'd think that we'd have very little in the room to dirty it, but Savannah is a little bit like that Peanuts character...what was his name? Ah, yes. Pigpen! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gt73nb_J06nZvWCkSBl2Sg4PcgEGyCgdFTYqinwGYwsUgRDclUP4K_pqA20VJKbshPwf2qDN0psc-AhrCQmkbkS9iK-kSAilrbHjP4KooJgWAP6otUKH-oLjGNBfNsRpzQgkYyGBuwGf/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gt73nb_J06nZvWCkSBl2Sg4PcgEGyCgdFTYqinwGYwsUgRDclUP4K_pqA20VJKbshPwf2qDN0psc-AhrCQmkbkS9iK-kSAilrbHjP4KooJgWAP6otUKH-oLjGNBfNsRpzQgkYyGBuwGf/s400/DSC_0025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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After a few days of delaying, stalling and excuse making, she ran out of chances to "clean it later." The bedtime book was shut and she was sent to bed while I confiscated all the items on the floor - of which only one or two were Kylie's. Wow! Without the yards and the parks and the activities around town, they still manage to have a lot of fun, and like using their imagination once again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84s4rE-EFDAQuNYD69xPVszBLfCNPsFfugL4rAiqaHrWJCmOKzsbVZPv4E56GYkUkhlNRTlx9TUAlgUOfrg7dsjRqE1swNWkIdDgCc84kOL5OMbqWrKzkhfUMOrO0TxRuNn5nEjDewFOV/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84s4rE-EFDAQuNYD69xPVszBLfCNPsFfugL4rAiqaHrWJCmOKzsbVZPv4E56GYkUkhlNRTlx9TUAlgUOfrg7dsjRqE1swNWkIdDgCc84kOL5OMbqWrKzkhfUMOrO0TxRuNn5nEjDewFOV/s400/DSC_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Can you spot the Pillow Pet?</div>
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Not to say that we don't have any new toys. We have our share of electronics (maybe more than our share!), and they have turned into computer whiz kids. </div>
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The girls also have dedicated teachers that pour all their energy into their classes - whether there are two students or ten! (yes, the biggest class onboard has ten 4th and 5th graders combined). The academy received three new smartboards this year and the teachers, parents and kids have enjoyed using these new educational toys as well! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMvz3XXNkWVtDA28z9lMI4nLv6FmSCKr9M6d1UDcsLIiPW7IqRcGoD_DRSsTW0KbWx9iz6PnkZJZruVLy97j0QQBe5IK236wgDDgazSgaDuw-pReWc1MPYUzUMJ90idMO_p_zEgo2Cii2/s1600/GNC120912_+ACADEMY_BE0002_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMvz3XXNkWVtDA28z9lMI4nLv6FmSCKr9M6d1UDcsLIiPW7IqRcGoD_DRSsTW0KbWx9iz6PnkZJZruVLy97j0QQBe5IK236wgDDgazSgaDuw-pReWc1MPYUzUMJ90idMO_p_zEgo2Cii2/s400/GNC120912_+ACADEMY_BE0002_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On back to school night, the kids educated the parents with activities, games and a glimpse into their think-out-of-the-box approach to school in a small white, floating ship where space might be limited, but the learning is endless. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPO1Emy4moZlj3cU9jyHgFi84JhBeL0aa-hcayCsRPT9ES1iRdIZl1arXBTMELYeR-eMnMcz-FLXc8nBEfzOJK4hPjjVzUP1z0BomKiFSdc5ADlBrhsIclFT_dBrQ42cbEn2SlIZxFcdv/s1600/GNC120912_+ACADEMY_BE0003_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPO1Emy4moZlj3cU9jyHgFi84JhBeL0aa-hcayCsRPT9ES1iRdIZl1arXBTMELYeR-eMnMcz-FLXc8nBEfzOJK4hPjjVzUP1z0BomKiFSdc5ADlBrhsIclFT_dBrQ42cbEn2SlIZxFcdv/s400/GNC120912_+ACADEMY_BE0003_LO.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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During work experience week, all the 6th-12th graders are able to choose a department and shadow for the week. Last year we had people working in the cafe, as writers, as nursing and dental assistants, in hospital supply management, with the deck department and at reception.</div>
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We've traveled to Sierra Leone, Ghana, Togo, and the Canary Islands. We're learning and practicing French in context of developing friendships here. We are seeing people's physical lives changed and watching the (sometimes painful) process of how the body heals, and how that opens the door to a complete life transformation.</div>
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So, while they miss things like Chick-Fil-A, snow and bowling, the girls are receiving lifelong lessons and a perspective like no other. </div>
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Savannah, during a Fire Drill on the dock, after an Egyptian lesson done in collaboration with the British School of Lome, Togo.</div>
Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-83511852711260037262012-09-14T05:56:00.002-07:002012-09-14T05:56:26.678-07:00Hospital Sterilizing Room: After School Activity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEY3bg3knUG9QzzU2YDPAslf8vzLAcvAOAQcJo8IcPnteh3XuJwwej_z9FA5oQ90eseOLak2u7RnjGStEaeNRJXuNZ9dZEIjGx2JFuX_cmEdJ1BjeQMiPOKtg7KvHSBGr-K5RBiMoIBry1/s320/jane+2.jpg" width="212" /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The girls have been blessed to have made some amazing friends on the ship, and with those friends come perks. (I mean, isn’t that one of the best benefits of friendships?). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">One particular friendship with perks is with our friend Jane. We met Jane in January 2011 as she did Gateway training with us (joining us in everything from silly ice breaker games (top photo) to Basic Safety Training (2nd photo)). She comes from Canada. She has been working in the OR Sterilizing Room since we came onboard. Jane and her team get all the instruments and gnarly equipment after a gory surgery and boil, steam, and sterilize so they are appropriately cleaned and ready for future use. If you’ve ever watched a surgery, you’ll know how messy it can be. Let’s face it: surgery is bloody. So this room is ultra-important to the health and well-being of our patients. </span></div>
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Jane with her team of guys: Juan from Dominican Republic, and Frank, Mark and George from Sierra Leone</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The day of the Main Screening Day, Jane had been asked to stay onboard and get the equipment ready for surgeries that were due to open soon. We also asked her to be “on-call” for our children. She gladly accepted this responsibility, and then later wondered if they might want to accompany her down to the sterilizing room for a new activity. Certainly they would! </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Surgeries had not yet begun but some of the packages had been opened and needed to be re-sterilized, and some of the instruments needed to be re-sterlized after the sail. The girls wouldn’t get to see the room at its worst, but still they could have a bit of the adventure.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So, Savannah and Kylie and their friend Jessica suited up in scrubs, or caps, shoe covers and readied themselves for entering this sterile environment. </span></div>
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They spent their time putting litmus paper into sterlizing packs (as an indicator of expiration dates), putting eye tools into their sterile packs and sealing them, and (of course) listening to music. </div>
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What a treat to have a great friend, the opportunity to see something new, and this amazing community around us!</div>
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Jane was a trooper putting up with our little rugrats all afternoon and evening. By the time we finished at the screening site and returned to the ship it was nearly 9:00pm. <br />
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She said about <em>a million</em> girls came over to the cabin for dinner too. I think she must have exaggerated since there are only about 25 little girls on the ship, but I believe that there were 8-10 of them eating in our cabin!<br />
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Kylie had a long day - helping out with the other junior and senior highers at screening with water and food distribution, playing with the children, and serving as an escort among the stations. She enjoyed being a part of the big screening day, but equally enjoyed feeling important in this special after-school job! Thanks Jane!<br />
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Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-63569328528549635662012-09-05T05:59:00.000-07:002012-09-05T05:59:33.967-07:00Screening Day: What Hope Looks Like5:30am. The alarm goes off and jostles me awake in the pitch blackness. Rain drizzles outside. Breakfast started at 5:00am today. I stumble to the dining room for a bowl of porridge (um, oatmeal, I mean). Already we have had crew posted through the night around the Palais du Peuple, the People's Palace. Yesterday we showed up at 2:00pm to set up the stations, walk through the building, and prepare for the big day. As commonly happens in Africa, things didn't go quite as expected. <br />
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We weren't able to utilize the whole building yet. A wedding and concert were scheduled Sunday night at the venue, after we were promised it in entirety from 2:00pm on. The man with the keys for the room where our tables and chairs are being stored doesn't show up. So we return, late in the evening, with headlamps and torches (sorry, flashlights) to move chairs, tables and hang maps. Lord, what are you doing? Will the patients come? Did word get out adequately? Will the rains keep people away? Will safety prevail? How will we look back on this day?<br />
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Prayers are going up worldwide. By the thousands. By the tens of thousands. The network of people lifting up this event to the Lord looks like an AT&T worldwide coverage ad.<br />
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We caravan in the dark through the city. Land Rover after Land Rover. If they didn't know we were here yet, they do now.<br />
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The line - it's like a congo line. People running, hobbling, shuffing but just can't catch up to its end. From 200 standing in line at 4:59am to 2000 in a matter of minutes. They are showing up by the carload.<br />
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Are they just curious? Have they heard that miracle workers are here? Will they be looking for asthma, arthritis and cures for genetic defects? For some, yes. <br />
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But, oh! The large numbers of facial tumors! They keep coming!<br />
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This is what hope looks like. <br />
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The fear - of seeing these faces that have been stretched beyond recognition by forces beyond their control - this fear, is gone. Now my face lights up with joy as I see these precious ones who have lived in desperation for years, ashamed and devastated by their own appearance. And they come, afraid to set their hopes too high, convinced that they are beyond help. <br />
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I make eye contact, finding the eye that has the best visibility - this can be the trickiest part. I smile from the depth of my heart. A smile that says, "You are welcome here! You are not forgotten! God has not given up on you. He sees! We are SO glad to see you!"<br />
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First by a trickle and soon a swiftly flowing river of patients make their way through the maze of stations we have.<br />
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4300 people have come through the iron gates onto the front lawn of the People's Palace. Nurses evaluate each and every person who has chosen to wait hours in first the drizzle, then the clouded humidity, and finally the sun. Over 500 people are screened by our eye team outside and determined that we could potentially help them further. <br />
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Those with other surgical issues we could potentially treat are escorted inside to begin the collection process on their information. Each type of condition is brought to see doctors, surgeons and nurses to determine the next step: schedule a surgery, xray, CT scan, waitlist or if we are unable to help. Escorts continue to guide the nearly 850 patients (plus their loved ones) through the three stories of stations.<br />
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Finally they reach the ground floor (Ground Zero) and they are nearing the end of their day with us. I await at the Card Issuing Station. And we see them all: Orthopedic patients: little ones with feet seemingly attached upside down, babies with Kermit the Frog legs whose knees look like they are reversed as they touch their chests effortlessly, twelve-year olds that measure three feet tall with legs bowed almost in a complete circle. Babies, children and teens with cleft lips and palates - their beautiful smiles of joy stretching even wider than our lips allow. Patients who had surgery on one of the previous Mercy Ships, the Anastasis, in 1998 to repair a condition and now have returned for their follow up surgeries. They have waited 14 years for our return! Sierra Leonean patients have crossed the border with their paperwork that states they will need a second surgery and even though that date is November or next January, they come expectantly, knowing the schedule is limited. VVF ladies have found there way here, with a big "YES!" written on their paperwork from our nurses. The crook of a burnt arm, the taut marbled skin of a burned cheek and eyelid, both young and old have suffered at the hands of an open flame. The embarrassed faces, the shame that has veiled them vanishes as I stretch out my hand with a "Bon Soir, comment ca va?" To be looked in the eye and treated as a valued equal, to know that there is a chance that help has arrived for them. This gives them a tangible hope.<br />
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They leave with a plastic card: PATIENT. They each have a name, a number, and the next step. For some it's another screening day (on a smaller scale, with a specific surgeon who will identify his/her own patients), for others it's being on a waitlist and they are told to keep their cell phones turned on. And for others they have an appointment on the ship - a Scan. An Xray. An admission.<br />
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These are the days when we see that for hope to be credible in the future means that we have to be tangible in the present (<strong><span style="color: brown;">US Ambassador Robert Seiple).</span></strong><br /><br />This is a day when you can taste the hope. <br />
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These are the days I live for.<br />
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<span style="color: #d9d2e9;">Sidenote: These are the only photos that have been made available to us so far from the screening day. Please stay tuned- I will do another post with the best photos our communications department took when they are available. </span></div>
Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-80163699310286822912012-08-31T05:55:00.002-07:002012-08-31T05:56:47.582-07:00Sailing, Ships and New Sights: GuineaMy apologies in the delay... Technical difficulties complicated by hurricanes, bad satellite connections and shared Internet with 300 others are only a few of my lame reasons for a delayed entry the past couple of weeks.<br />
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August 15 we set sail from Tenerife where the ship had completed its many 5-year surveys (not questionnaires, but technical inspections). Tenerife was a time when we were reminded that we live on a ship, not just a floating hospital. The engineers, deck and special project departments worked (literally) around the clock to complete all the necessary work that needed to be done this summer. For those of us not in those departments, it tends to be a slower season - one of preparation and planning for the next field service, or picking up the pieces from the last. <br />
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With the work complete, we prepared to sail. How do you prepare to sail? By securing everything to a surface so if the boat sways 20 degrees in either direction, nothing gets destroyed or destroys you. All knick knacks off the shelf. Anything standing needs to be secured to the walls or ceiling (bungee cords around the fridge to keep it closed, and a brace to attach it to the ceiling). Televisions get moved to the floor. Computer towers and monitors get caulked to the desks. Small objects are sticky tacked into place.<br />
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Does the ship empty out in the summer? No. There were still over a hundred crew that were onboard - in addition to the technical crew there were others to cook, run power, pay bills, tour the guests, clean, process visa and customs paperwork, prepare for the arrival of new crew, etc.... For some of our crew, especially those from West Africa, this was their first time traveling to a Western country - a huge culture shock!<br />
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Cabin secured? Check. We are off. We sail 24 hours a day now - and see a lot of the same thing: sea, sea and sea. <br />
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Sunrise.</div>
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All day, all evening. </div>
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I've been on a speedboat. The Africa Mercy certainly does not qualify. We aim for a speed of 10 knots, but some days we puttered along slower than that. The seas were calm and the dolphins came out to play.<br />
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After five days we saw evidence of land: many ships in the waters with us, and water birds.<br />
The excitement of the arrival builds, even with the 49 academy students onboard! They've been learning about Guinea in preparation!<br />
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Pulling into Conakry brings all sorts of anticipation - when will this feel like home? Will it be like Togo? Will it be like Sierra Leone? Will I love this country more than any other? Will we make friends here? <br />
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Conakry is on a small peninsula (an island, actually, that has been connected to mainland by a bridge) and was built with grandiose colonial style so beautiful carnival looking buildings await us. As do the familiar sites in the port - large car transport ships, fishing vessels, hard-working men of various ages looking to find a day's wage in the unloading hustle, port officials in uniform with weapons, and the dusty, puddled cement docks that will become our driveway.<br />
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Guinea greets us with three beautiful islands just a couple of miles from shore. Dan's mouth waters at the thought of the close fishing and diving possibilities here. <br />
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The pilot boat comes alongside us and the port's "pilot" enters our ship to help escort us to our correct berthing space. <br />
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The band strikes up. </div>
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Our Advance Team welcomes us with smiles and shouts of joy as their home pulls into sight after three months of living in Conakry and getting things set in place for this next year. </div>
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The Guinean flag is brought to the dock in a diplomatic ceremony between the Ministry of Health and other government officials and our mercy Ships leadership. <br />
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And it begins again. My home has moved, but nothing has changed on the inside. It's a weird concept to wrap my brain around. When I walk out the same hallway and down the same gangway, it's a new land that awaits. My running route is unknown. The language is new. (Anyone out there speak Susu? Mandinka? Pular?) Where can we find our favorite street snacks? What are these streets called? Do we know anyone that lives close by? The answers to these are still unknown. <br />
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We look forward in expectation to learning more about Guinea. Here's what we know:<br />
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<img height="345" id="il_fi" src="http://www.nationsonline.org/map_small/guinea_africa.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></div>
<ul>
<li>It's a land of over 10,000,000 people comprised of over 30 ethnic groups. </li>
<li>85-90% of the nation practice Islam, 5% follow Jesus and the other 5-10% hold traditional animistic beliefs.</li>
<li>Official language of Guinea is French, but most people speak their tribal language at home. </li>
<li>Independence was achieved from France in 1958 and there have been four (officially recognized) presidents since: </li>
<ol>
<li><span class="mw-headline" id="Ahmed_S.C3.A9kou_Tour.C3.A9_reign">1958-1984: Ahmed Sékou Touré ruled from 1958 until 1984 as a malevolent dictatorship - during his rule more than 1,000,000 fled to seek refuge in other nations and over 5,000 were believed to have been tortured & killed in Camp Boiro, a concentration camp modeled after those in the Soviet Union. </span></li>
<li><span class="mw-headline">1984-2008: Lansana Conté ruled from 1984 until 2008 </span></li>
<li><span class="mw-headline"> 2008-2010: Moussa Dadis Camara seized control through a military junta and survived an assassination attempt.</span></li>
<li><span class="mw-headline">2010: First "fair" elections held since independence and after five months of election, Alpha Condé was declared the winner. The 2012 elections have been postponed indefinitely by the current president, saying they need to be ensure they are "transparent and democratic." </span></li>
</ol>
<li><span class="mw-headline">It's a beautiful land of mountains, waterfalls, rich in bauxite and diamonds and gold (and the mining companies know this). </span></li>
<li><span class="mw-headline">There are two seasons each year: rainy and hot. We are arriving near the end of rainy season (29 days of rain in August on average with 44 inches of precipitation this month). By November the rains should have stopped completely and the heat will be heavily upon us.</span></li>
</ul>
Stay tuned as we learn more about this beautiful place and these amazing people.<br />
<br />Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-81778539141362408992012-08-17T14:09:00.000-07:002012-08-17T14:09:15.351-07:00Preparing for Screening in Guinea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our home is currently moving. We are sailing across the North Atlantic - currently off the west coast of Western Sahara. We will arrive in Conakry, Guinea sometime next week. <br />
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We have already started running, but once we hit the ground, our running picks up the pace. We are preparing for our main screening day.<br />
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Mercy Ships has not been to Guinea since 1999 so we will be working with a lot of new connections, new places, and new crew members. Also, since we haven't been in the country for 13 years, we anticipate that there will be a huge amount of need - creating larger than normal crowds.<br />
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This year we won't be using a stadium for our screening, but rather the People's Palace (Palais du peuple). This is a "large, Chinese-built auditorium that is home to two national ballet troupes." <br />
<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="187" data-width="269" height="187" id="rg_hi" 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" style="cursor: move; height: 187px; width: 269px;" unselectable="on" width="269" /><br />
This three-story building should be a great resource for us on screening day. We are arriving at the end of rainy season (an average of 44 inches over 27 days of rain in August, and dropping to 25 inches over 22 days of rain in September). So, there is a good chance that rain will be falling outside. Being able to bring the potential patients inside and having all the stations out of the rain (or intense sun) will be helpful.<br />
<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="194" id="rg_hi" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" style="height: 194px; width: 259px;" width="259" /> <br />
Will you join us in praying over these next two weeks as we plan, prepare and train all those that will be involved? <br />
<br />
The entire crew plays a part in screening. We need: <br />
*drivers that will transport workers to and from the screening site, <br />
*trained medical staff to take histories, do evaluations, draw lab work, and make the hard calls of who we will be able to assist, <br />
*administrative folks (like myself) that will enter all the data onto each patient's card and our database,<br />
*schedulers to methodically fill our OR calendars for the next ten months, <br />
*pharmacists to give pre-op medications and vitamins, <br />
*palliative care team to talk with patients who have incurable and untreatable conditions, <br />
*prayer teams to comfort, console or rejoice with patients or family members, <br />
*enthusiastic crew members to entertain the children waiting for hours in line, <br />
*people willing to help with logistics to handle the water, snacks, lunch, toilet paper, trash bag, light bulbs and other necessities, <br />
*our photographers to collect pre-op photos for each patient scheduled,<br />
*public relations representatives to field any questions or make statements for the media or any government officials that show up,<br />
*security guards to manage the crowd and keep everyone calm and orderly in the midst of desperation, <br />
*and the list goes on.<br />
<br />
But most importantly we need the patients. <br />
<br />
We anticipate long hours. Sore feet. Blisters. Sweat. Glitches in the best laid plans. Long lines. <br />
<br />
But we also look forward with positive anticipation to bring a little bit of oxygen for that spark of hope that thousands have been carrying around with them. A spark of hope that tells them, "one day, you might get medical help." "Maybe there will be a way for you to receive treatment, despite the lack of resources." <br />
<br />
Thank you, Jesus, that you provide us that hope each day. And thank you that we get to share that hope in a physical, tangible way to the thousands we will see.<br />
<br />
Please pray with us that hope would be kindled at screening day. <br />
<br />
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Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-50663946875476564342012-08-07T13:43:00.001-07:002012-09-09T07:39:20.033-07:00Top Questions: What You're Dying to Know!<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">We are back "HOME," that place that feels comfortable, welcoming, and familiar. For us, in this season, that is the Africa Mercy. It's not so much a physical location, since we are moving from country to country, but this strange, interesting, multi-faceted community that becomes a family despite our many differences. Welcome hugs awaited us from our "family" from Ghana, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Nepal, the UK, South Africa, Australia, Benin and Liberia, Canada, the US and Holland. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">We had an amazing time these past eight weeks on our first holiday back to American soil since joining the ship in February 2011. While we were prepared for some culture shock, it was quite minimal and we adjusted back into the quick pace of life in the US fairly well. Decision making was an even weaker point than it had been before, but that is probably just me!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">While we shared our stories and our life we had several common questions come up, so I thought I'd address those here:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #073763;"><br /><span style="color: white;"></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">1. How was Africa?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">Simply, Africa is hot. It is beautiful. It is gross. It is smelly. It is amazing. It is full of interconnected people who know what community looks like. It is appalling at times at how primitive it can be, and shocking when you see glimpes of the modern. 75% of Africans have a cell phone, (</span><a href="http://www.quora.com/What-percentage-of-population-in-Africa-has-electricity-in-their-homes"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">while only 42% have access to electricity</span></a><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">). It is a hodgepodge of cultures, languages, people, traditional living and modern technology. It is like you see in the photos, only magnified so much more in real life.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84nTHOFVuS3Hk77BEOcOfQdAGdUp2PXEq2_iOWPBOiBYUeswO6KOQy1NW0bdCJQCd_CmcMqhaxqUCpnq6mwAuLf3oFN8xcDyorMcpaqsJog66jhaR18Qtn53P8j1vdyCr_1h5AoKsJSLs/s1600/TGE1202_CULTURE_DB0039_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;"><img border="0" height="267" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84nTHOFVuS3Hk77BEOcOfQdAGdUp2PXEq2_iOWPBOiBYUeswO6KOQy1NW0bdCJQCd_CmcMqhaxqUCpnq6mwAuLf3oFN8xcDyorMcpaqsJog66jhaR18Qtn53P8j1vdyCr_1h5AoKsJSLs/s400/TGE1202_CULTURE_DB0039_LO.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">2. Do you homeschool the girls?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;"> No! Onboard the ship there is an accredited Christian academy (</span><a href="http://www.mercyships.org/pages/academy-overview/"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">Mercy Ships Academy</span></a><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">) that holds classes K-12. All students receive instruction by an incredible crew of volunteer teachers in the subject areas of math, English, social studies, science, French, Bible, P.E., art, music and drama. Class sizes range from 1-6 students. This was one of the deciding factors for us on serving with Mercy Ships because our kids get to have such a rich, intercultural experience alongside us, and I am freed up to work during school hours and be a part of the bigger picture of Mercy Ships. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBXtgJNFY1GD9kkrGmhnL4bEf2diBFhmRfLhzPP2DiTg_dK3ctm7wqYDKxnUXtO08yfvbrdNvbqUHrGjBTZ142M2mPvaiEnvEUNrZ2Ag1QoUYE5p9CDN7YVNktAZ1iSdd2wgWfCvA1-Xx/s1600/SLE1110_VIPHRHVISIT45_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;"><img border="0" height="265" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBXtgJNFY1GD9kkrGmhnL4bEf2diBFhmRfLhzPP2DiTg_dK3ctm7wqYDKxnUXtO08yfvbrdNvbqUHrGjBTZ142M2mPvaiEnvEUNrZ2Ag1QoUYE5p9CDN7YVNktAZ1iSdd2wgWfCvA1-Xx/s400/SLE1110_VIPHRHVISIT45_LO.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">3. What do you miss the most about America?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">This answer is different for each of us: Seasons, snow, running through a park, being able to blend in a crowd and shop without hassle, cotton candy, fresh berries and seasonal fruits like peaches, Lucky Charms, backyard barbecues, boat rides, fishing in the river, a Sunday afternoon NFL game, get togethers with friends and family top our lists.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">4. What do you do on the ship?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">The girls go to school, take ballet, piano, attend running club, Bible club, and spend most of their free time hanging out with friends or watching Disney (if they've done their chores). Dan works as the Ancillary Services Supervisor in the Hospital- overseeing and directing the lab, pharmacy, bio-tech, radiology, palliative care and rehabilitation departments. He will be transitioning over to the Patient Flow Manager in a couple of months which oversees the Screening Team and the traffic flow of patients in and out of the Hope Center, the hospital onboard the ship, and the entire process in between. I am an Administrative Assistant helping out in Human Resources and the Hospital doing small, menial tasks so people with bigger responsibilities can take care of the big jobs. I do a lot of work in Microsoft Excel updating or creating spreadsheets, managing statistics, chasing down signatures, paperwork and if I have extra time, I count pills for the pharmacy. In our free time we interact with patients, play games, watch movies, workout, swim, or catch up with others over a cup of tea or coffee.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoGR89Yr43z8S7Ci7O50ET4Mnx54Ktd3w7liCD44SmoCnNyTCViGuxiHZKoDBo_AycvNwGoGmRL0NRITooRvWzH8eh6oS7RacWRoZNIY6HVXmT0v24LwbdV3Fxm_W0XEcS9Dl_0bi9cd5/s1600/SLE1112_CREWEVENT_WHITEXMAS_DB54_LO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;"><img border="0" height="214" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoGR89Yr43z8S7Ci7O50ET4Mnx54Ktd3w7liCD44SmoCnNyTCViGuxiHZKoDBo_AycvNwGoGmRL0NRITooRvWzH8eh6oS7RacWRoZNIY6HVXmT0v24LwbdV3Fxm_W0XEcS9Dl_0bi9cd5/s320/SLE1112_CREWEVENT_WHITEXMAS_DB54_LO.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">5. How much do you get paid to work on the ship?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">We, along with almost all the other crew members on the ship, PAY to be here. We are volunteers that have to raise our own funds to pay our crew fees (room and board), insurance, taxes, travel expenses, clothing, and all the other expenses you incur in life. God has been incredibly faithful to go before us and raise the funds and we are so thankful. There are several other crew members onboard that struggle, and if you are led to help, let us know and we'd be happy to connect you with someone that could use some help. We have seen God's faithfulness time and time again as He meets our needs before we even ask. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeA86nE2tyFVey0PwcYLpgtIMo5TMYPJdv7zzh8So7-vys0eCFGcYYxU_dNEZHKe7H1hLgyIXvFWvHo1sOgjxTwwJm0_zo58GaLSOrz9haEJm6g8HTUMQh06gt94L4kgwc_uE2oEfMUVL/s1600/TGE120522_CREW_ANDREW_KIRKPATRICK_RC0045_LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;"><img border="0" height="213" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeA86nE2tyFVey0PwcYLpgtIMo5TMYPJdv7zzh8So7-vys0eCFGcYYxU_dNEZHKe7H1hLgyIXvFWvHo1sOgjxTwwJm0_zo58GaLSOrz9haEJm6g8HTUMQh06gt94L4kgwc_uE2oEfMUVL/s320/TGE120522_CREW_ANDREW_KIRKPATRICK_RC0045_LO.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">6. Where do you live?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">We live in basically a two-bedroom apartment onboard the ship. We have our own bedroom, the girls share a room with bunkbeds. It is about 440 square feet, but it feels plenty spacious. It's amazing what you don't need when you live in a community. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">7. Do you get seasick?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">Well, probably if we were out at sea all the time, but as it is we have only sailed <u>six</u> days in the past 18 months. We are tied to a dock for most of the year, in one country, and the only time we are let loose is when we are traveling to our next port. For us that was a five day sail between Sierra Leone and Ghana, and then a one day sail to Togo. If you are trying to work on the computer during that time, yes, you will probably get seasick, but after the first day or so we got used to the motion and learned how to walk down the hall with our hands extended to prevent bumping into the walls!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">8. Have you learned the language?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">This is a little misleading. The official language of each country we have been in has been either English or French. We are working on learning French (creating a bit of confusion in my brain with all that Spanish mixed in there!). However, these languages are the languages established and imposed by the colonial countries of England and France. So, this tends to be the language stressed in school and business, but the home languages continue to be those that go back hundreds of years before European languages: twi, ewe, mina, soso, fong, mende, krio. In any one country there may be 200 different languages spoken. We have learned a few catch phrases of the major language of each port city we have been in, but no, we are not fluent! Africans (and Europeans) continue to be shocked that Americans speak so few foreign languages, when they speak several fluently!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">9. What's happening next for your family? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">This is what we have renamed the million dollar question. We initially committed to two years with Mercy Ships. This would end February 27, 2013. However, we all feel that it would be difficult to transition away at that point in the school year and our outreach. So, we will stay at least through the end of our field service in Guinea, which wraps up the end of May 2013. We are not required to leave at that point though, so we are just praying to see if this will close out our season with Mercy Ships, or if the Lord would have us extend. We won't get an eviction notice on our door - ideally they would love to see long-term crew stay as long as they feel God is leading them to do so. Please join us in praying for direction in these big decisions. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNo_Z7-FHOJzKKlPA0OcvPZoxysSVHXehz6M2Rt9ihUtWt6AEhscKjLVgvYPjfoIa3AwyCJr29nUe9rbD98Xb4jIpgkUqYrysJ3zYSYPssjU2Wj327ogjl9IOzq4A9j0SxiYxQeY0pjrAt/s1600/cote+jardin8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;"><img border="0" height="300" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNo_Z7-FHOJzKKlPA0OcvPZoxysSVHXehz6M2Rt9ihUtWt6AEhscKjLVgvYPjfoIa3AwyCJr29nUe9rbD98Xb4jIpgkUqYrysJ3zYSYPssjU2Wj327ogjl9IOzq4A9j0SxiYxQeY0pjrAt/s400/cote+jardin8.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #073763; color: white;">Fifth grade graduates having dinner out with their dads at the end of the school year in Togo</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"></span>Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-50417518065312803732012-06-22T11:45:00.000-07:002012-06-22T11:45:51.929-07:00Togo Birthday to Remember!To add to my collection of birthdays (and boy, are they growing!), this year we celebrated a bit early. <br />
Why? Well, my actual birthday falls the day after my brother's wedding this year and he and his new bride deserve to be in the spotlight. <br />
Also, I wanted to celebrate with a few score of my favorite Togolese people and other multi-national Mercy Shippers, so our timetable was limited. The ship has sailed from Togo already, our family has flown over "the pond" are are back in the States for the first time in more than 16 months, enjoying some down time and connecting with friends and family, so, the birthday celebration was moved up. :) <br />
Earlier this year Mercy Ships hosted two different dock parties. Normally every Thursday night on the ship, the crew get together for a Community Meeting - worship, message, encouragement, etc. With a crew of nearly 400 that is continually changing faces, nationalities, ideas, experiences, and enthusiasm, it is important to have regular gatherings that keep us all on the same page. The plan in Togo was to have these get togethers dockside about every six weeks, in order to have enough space to invite our 200 day workers to join us. <br />
The first one was awesome. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c_k3B_WQSWb-0-5gQ4SvwyB14n_uVBIEkSqGNKHo8t6oU0rRICPi0GfpY8NE_EIqCKzL2uUzZCIjPfvXTH-dpvThzvfKeOsuX0NhjR2_Ljp6pscvvxWZ2LfALaULaUJMjrePXyNhMVl4/s1600/151.JPG"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c_k3B_WQSWb-0-5gQ4SvwyB14n_uVBIEkSqGNKHo8t6oU0rRICPi0GfpY8NE_EIqCKzL2uUzZCIjPfvXTH-dpvThzvfKeOsuX0NhjR2_Ljp6pscvvxWZ2LfALaULaUJMjrePXyNhMVl4/s320/151.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
People everywhere, barbecue, lively music and worship. <br />
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Six weeks later we did it again, but this time,I hate to say, it was even better..... Our wonderful nurses decided that the patients didn't deserve to be sitting in the ward, when there was dancing taking place on the dock. So out they marched - up two decks to the reception area, and down the 40 steps of the gangway to join us on the dock for lively, dancing, worship! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrwwHvhBHNbuy7JnhC2PGlPezlwdB1ayiWn4PB5HFwRa4umi0sRdAcDDO2fhs6-xXO44uM5f__VN3BCf1IjB-Wn0mlikMeYlpvFP1dgn6mSwHubbEiQdwx7kKhWZt12w3sutq-u9LwjB2/s1600/DSC03178.JPG"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrwwHvhBHNbuy7JnhC2PGlPezlwdB1ayiWn4PB5HFwRa4umi0sRdAcDDO2fhs6-xXO44uM5f__VN3BCf1IjB-Wn0mlikMeYlpvFP1dgn6mSwHubbEiQdwx7kKhWZt12w3sutq-u9LwjB2/s320/DSC03178.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
When I saw Afi, John, and some other patients from B Ward, I knew the fun was going to really begin. And I knew that Beaugard couldn't be far behind. Oh what a happy day that was as we danced and worshiped together. <br />
So, six weeks later would have been around the time of the ship's departure. I was looking forward expectantly to a third celebration like the first two. But, was disappointed to learn that due to the rainy season and some other factors, one wouldn't be planned. <br />
Never one to be brought down by external circumstances, I began to plot.... And others started to plot with me. Hmmmm. June. I have a birthday in June. Greta has a birthday in June. I bet others have a birthday in June. <br />
If we have at least one birthday, that is reason for a party right? <br />
So what if we aren't having an official function? We can have our own celebration. <br />
And that is just what we did: a June Birthday Bash on the Dock! <br />
Now one thing that is common in big celebrations in Africa is to look the part by wearing coordinating fabric. In Sierra Leone if they were having a big event at the church, they would announce how much fabric cost and you could purchase the length you wanted and take it to your tailor to get something made. <br />
Side note: In Africa, this is the most common way to get new clothes: you buy fabric, you bring it to a tailor, they take your measurements, and voila! A custom fit shirt/dress/skirt/suit/etc. Sounds pricey, but it's the only way to shop unless you want to purchase used clothing out of a pile on the side of the road. <br />
We wanted to make this as authentic as a couple of white American middle-aged girls could muster, so Greta headed to the fabric market and came back with 24 yards of a fantastic selection. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZdaSys2vz1UtWhyLS9u5wYWWFDUd_V2BS237kFJ-dVrB4RVQ9VkhCP5_dB6f6iPgIljvqyzQQ5b4FO1W9kw98M6-GcQ_vY-D3Fo84-l5bKmrr9dIarB9G0YODPwbJTwrtZU9jVS46iLQ/s1600/2+June+Birthday+on+Dock+(6).JPG"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZdaSys2vz1UtWhyLS9u5wYWWFDUd_V2BS237kFJ-dVrB4RVQ9VkhCP5_dB6f6iPgIljvqyzQQ5b4FO1W9kw98M6-GcQ_vY-D3Fo84-l5bKmrr9dIarB9G0YODPwbJTwrtZU9jVS46iLQ/s320/2+June+Birthday+on+Dock+(6).JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
Crew, day workers, male and female all participated in our fabric project and came back with dresses, skirts, and shirts of unlimited styles and embellishments. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-135FxKMVxu0/T-Svz1G369I/AAAAAAAADYY/SZnCEIXo4YY/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528110%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (110)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-btLYKlg1kUg/T-Sv0cygdCI/AAAAAAAADYg/yCbTwNtFe6g/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528110%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (110)" width="604" /></a> <br />
The rains in the afternoon scared us a bit, but by the evening the rain had stopped and we prayed hard that the roads wouldn't be complete mud puddles. <br />
7:00 came and the friends started trickling in. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c69ijUC3D8I/T-Sv1VpNPrI/AAAAAAAADYo/qLi3GA20bDk/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528149%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (149)" border="0" height="446" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ecv8av0cM1o/T-Sv2D-MSMI/AAAAAAAADYw/JlJDvU4aq-4/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528149%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (149)" width="594" /></a> <br />
Actually, it worked well because we weren't the only ones with the idea to have a party on the dock that day. Tim had a 5:00pm party that included a barbecue, so the crowds were already partially present. And our friends came - some in their regular clothes, about 12 of us in our new African ware. A couple of djimbes came out, and then a guitar, and the party was ready to start. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i3jMNGilSHQ/T-Sv3PL9PbI/AAAAAAAADY4/p8iD2ohwQRQ/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252889%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (89)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pcexBnHU-Tk/T-Sv3s1EGXI/AAAAAAAADZA/Yq55HxpnZCo/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252889%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (89)" width="604" /></a> <br />
The guitar passed from hand to hand and the songs went from English to French to Ewe and beyond. The common thread: a love for fun, a love for Jesus, and a desire to celebrate together. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vnIb3kWhMzE/T-Sv4XJ_t7I/AAAAAAAADZI/8yRwjrln4nE/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252821%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (21)" border="0" height="368" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9g-yTZEKSPU/T-Sv44Nf0aI/AAAAAAAADZQ/t4lZHR_tDWo/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252821%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (21)" width="554" /></a> <br />
The puddles on the pavement didn't stop us. The fact that our sense of rhythm is different didn't stop us. We played our invisible trumpets, flapped our wings, splashed our feet in the puddle remnants and celebrated together. Young. Old. Recovering. Caretaking. Healthy. Togolese. Beninois. Ghanian. Canadian. Dutch. American. Liberian. Sierra Leonean. German. And more. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y-JsacHNDjw/T-Sv50nChdI/AAAAAAAADZY/eWHII-a1qn0/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252814%252529%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (14)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_pEqd8CxwNQ/T-Sv6zkOzTI/AAAAAAAADZg/47Yz90yoUYA/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252814%252529_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (14)" width="604" /></a> <br />
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And the long-term patients that came out to join us CERTAINLY didn't stop us- that made it all the richer. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0cTI6KhzunY/T-Sv7nA1JzI/AAAAAAAADZo/MVaKENIAsiQ/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252851%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (51)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dHqmitHxYZA/T-Sv9Eko0_I/AAAAAAAADZw/n_egNPeuQ_0/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252851%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (51)" width="604" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qwXyzFTfm_A/T-Sv-JSxwHI/AAAAAAAADZ4/NFMISYd47lc/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252837%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (37)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--1F8UbbGZ9g/T-Sv-u17XZI/AAAAAAAADaA/AEgQtQW6mSQ/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252837%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (37)" width="604" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UsfI2ibrsdE/T-Sv_QRDkjI/AAAAAAAADaI/JWmjQ4_gykE/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528163%252529%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (163)" height="450" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7zsIV_JcTsE/T-SwAJrdCMI/AAAAAAAADaQ/0wRwL8S00V0/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528163%252529_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (163)" width="600" /></a> <br />
Oh what joy it is, when brothers dwell together in unity. Ps. 133:1. I learned this verse some 19 years ago while on my Discipleship Training School (DTS) in El Paso, Texas. It applied just as sweetly then as it does today. The beauty of friendship that transcends culture, gender, economic status, and all earthly circumstances but stands firm on the bond of being brothers and sisters in Christ compares to none. <br />
So, as my actual birthday nears, I cherish these memories - dirty feet. Rats running around us. Fan ice frozen treats in a little cooler. Chicken dancing on the dock in Togo. Unforgettable. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-By4G8xX-kUY/T-SwBTBpsVI/AAAAAAAADac/7LK5tB8vz5c/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%2525281%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (1)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--EXQUMsLGYY/T-SwCMpau2I/AAAAAAAADak/H7l-GRenNkU/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (1)" width="604" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-83dP_m1NPLo/T-SwDrJDbII/AAAAAAAADas/X2d1zjzdGXk/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252826%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (26)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-udwz6nbFn6I/T-SwEg2PbFI/AAAAAAAADa0/eCZif1EVElU/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252826%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (26)" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hBhq8iuKKT4/T-SwFW5MK6I/AAAAAAAADa8/4anxyz-iijo/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252832%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (32)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hczXQe-cv6A/T-SwGNbuegI/AAAAAAAADbE/n7eO9jSct6U/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252832%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (32)" width="604" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tJcYCN8jvlE/T-SwHF9kh6I/AAAAAAAADbM/5zpy1_Raojk/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252847%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (47)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9m_nuyApkxw/T-SwH0n5ekI/AAAAAAAADbU/ESoV8IYAUcs/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252847%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (47)" width="604" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6LJO_eeesx4/T-SwIpxhvfI/AAAAAAAADbc/vJrEEP5aLpQ/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252859%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (59)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5xh2dTBd0qY/T-SwJO_67-I/AAAAAAAADbk/k4d7crpoMjg/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252859%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (59)" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xe7atX7FA_U/T-SwKNpaWTI/AAAAAAAADbs/sLfkjIDS-68/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252860%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (60)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OOnEaLbrPi0/T-SwK06KWEI/AAAAAAAADb0/Wpj5AhqO-jI/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252860%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (60)" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Vzxdcf4uT0/T-SwL3vVcQI/AAAAAAAADb8/b8h3XbA9B44/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252864%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (64)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Myvpc9hLM44/T-SwMUDhg4I/AAAAAAAADcE/hyxI_LCiqIs/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252864%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (64)" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TbNCULMLEdo/T-SwNIqfZwI/AAAAAAAADcM/HR9MDPrCi4A/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252868%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (68)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5ZjyUigULew/T-SwNy_7syI/AAAAAAAADcU/SYGkKcxYhZI/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252868%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (68)" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zW4kYGhOyBM/T-SwOnK8IEI/AAAAAAAADcc/KPOeCKKOOl0/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252870%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (70)" border="0" height="388" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZgmMqvTz0ig/T-SwPOe3RcI/AAAAAAAADck/lCZmQpJxnQc/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252870%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (70)" width="584" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-um8TqBzR7tk/T-SwP2G86wI/AAAAAAAADcs/sQt5bl7xM5A/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252872%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (72)" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ySCCJzs7lY8/T-SwQa52qUI/AAAAAAAADc0/VTgEKUzOl9k/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%25252872%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (72)" width="654" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uec4OFgNjpU/T-SwRbRBCpI/AAAAAAAADc8/3aZByVSRq80/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528113%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (113)" height="530" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UsRWwK6Ent8/T-SwSTyN9pI/AAAAAAAADdE/wv8VvX08-tw/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528113%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (113)" width="800" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EOX4ZYZC7tU/T-SwTCSxYuI/AAAAAAAADdM/_rFoQqYO064/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528129%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (129)" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p46UvcxK-tc/T-SwT_KBc0I/AAAAAAAADdU/aVevt3dBpAc/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528129%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (129)" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ph1Df0R6QnY/T-SwUjnOpdI/AAAAAAAADdc/FkrzNCZNU5U/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528130%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (130)" border="0" height="457" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jO6yKaJUGCA/T-SwVKcA1-I/AAAAAAAADdk/YSdYU2o-WXk/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528130%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (130)" width="304" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FZ8u40IIcSA/T-SwWI1-XCI/AAAAAAAADds/PAz_Yw6kojs/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528138%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (138)" border="0" height="683" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lxhw0XGUXG0/T-SwWiAGKII/AAAAAAAADd0/e24UAh5dtqk/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528138%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (138)" width="454" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ado8w5WS8lM/T-SwXRbCrgI/AAAAAAAADd8/u35bGH4wMLI/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528161%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (161)" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I_u2CP1ykz0/T-SwXz24m7I/AAAAAAAADeE/Ls5GPEO_k8s/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528161%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (161)" width="584" /></a><br />
Nurses make great babysitters, <br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3kgXY-vh-Ec/T-SwY8CetwI/AAAAAAAADeM/jZP1Ze3Fih0/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528164%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (164)" border="0" height="454" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OvGrlXbl0Ik/T-SwZRzJakI/AAAAAAAADeU/xk_ad-yTGwo/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528164%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (164)" width="604" /></a><br />
…so the mommies can join in the fun too!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6ZfvXIfvFFg/T-SwaFqM-oI/AAAAAAAADec/fxBKYMPtkl8/s1600-h/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528169%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2 June Birthday on Dock (169)" border="0" height="671" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aIPyNs3XXEc/T-Swa-JYZJI/AAAAAAAADek/dNHRWhYJa84/2%252520June%252520Birthday%252520on%252520Dock%252520%252528169%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 June Birthday on Dock (169)" width="504" /></a>Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3590699849405226682.post-32653113370577262612012-06-11T20:33:00.000-07:002012-06-11T20:33:05.951-07:00Small Worlds, and Shared Views on Parenting in AfricaDo you ever read something and feel like the author was reading your mind? <br />
<br />
This happened to me today. <br />
<br />
But the better part was the story that brings it all about.<br />
<br />
A friend of ours from the ship has been serving with us since our first trip to the Mercy Ships headquarters in September of 2010. Her name is <a href="http://www.nonsensealamode.blogspot.com/">Jessica</a>. She has the awesome job on the ship of helping to plump up the teeny tiny babies that need surgery (often cleft lip/palate repair) and getting them big enough to be able to sustain the anesthesia. <br />
<br />
Jess had a childhood friend named <a href="http://peregrinare.blogspot.com/">Rebekah</a> who is an OR nurse and was able to come out to ship and serve alongside her childhood friend in Africa!<br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="true" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="403" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/165464_4216473574761_493650238_n.jpg" style="height: 403px; width: 604px;" width="604" /><br />
Rebekah (left), Jess (right)<br />
<br />
<br />
We met Rebekah and made friends as well. <br />
<br />
Rebekah emailed me an article she read this past weekend, saying she thought of me when reading it. <br />
<br />
I can completely resonate with this article, but the funny thing about is this: I went to high school with this author! <br />
<br />
Oh, Lord, you have a funny sense of humor and an amazing way of bringing things together.<br />
<br />
So, rather than re-writing this message, I am going to say: <br />
DITTO.<br />
<br />
Enjoy:<br />
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/desperate-breathless-dependent-parenting">Desperate, Breathless, Dependent Parenting</a> by Rachel Pieh Jones.<br />
(ps- you have to click on the purple words to get to the article)...Dan & Tiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189929457438097025noreply@blogger.com0