An unexpected surprise

So, I had an unexpected surprise today when I was getting ready to do lunch duty...My friend Lewis from the PR department came in and told me he needed me as a translator because the Minister of Health for the Canary Islands was coming to tour the ship (and he knew I speak Spanish since I translated on our trip to the Dominican Republic)...so he told me to hurry and change (I was all scrubbed out in my baseball hat & apron for the kitchen team :) and meet him at the reception desk by the gangway (that's where the main entry point to the ship is located)...I really had no idea at that point what was going on...I was just hoping it wasn't a mean joke to get me to go get dressed up for nothing! But a few minutes after I arrived at the reception, the Minister of Health and her group of officials arrived for a tour of the ship...thankfully there was one main translator and I didn't have to say too much to her (I get a little nervous with all the big cameras in my face!)...But all the reporters were asking me questions like I had been around the ship for ages...So I just tried to be confident and had other people chime in help me out when I didn't know the answer...

The tour ended with one of the reporters asking if I would translate for them to interview Dr. Gary, one of the head surgeons...so we did an interview and when that was over, they asked if they could interview ME!! I kept thinking "Oh crap, they're gonna realize I am a total newbie on the ship even though I pretend like I know what I'm doing"...But, they mainly asked a lot of questions about living on the ship...what it was like to live with so many people from so many different countries (there are over 30 nations represented on the ship), how long I had committed to Mercy Ships, how my family felt about me leaving, why I wanted to do it, etc. So, it went really well...It was a little wierd having a big camera in my face and talking into a microphone...I didn't expect to be interviewed, but my PR friend told me that his PR friends were impressed and said they'd save me a position in the PR department if I learned French (that could take awhile though!)...it was quite an experience...not anything like what I was expecting...but it was pretty cool...

Ship Life

My new home: The Africa Mercy

Well, my first few days on the ship have been really great! It was awesome to get here the first day and see so many familiar faces! I was thankful that even though I'm in a 6-berth cabin, I only have 2 roommates for now, so there is a little more space than I expected (for now anyway!)...It was still a bit of a squeeze finding a place for everything because the ship quarters are small, but somehow I managed just fine! I love my roommates too! One is from Germany and the other is from Canada...so once again, I am the only American in my room and I love it! (not that I don't like living with Americans...I just like interacting with people from foreign cultures ;)

  My little room...the closet is open

so you can see how small the space is!

From the other side of the room...with my desk space :)

I've met a lot of great people so far...there are quite a few pediatric nurses, so we all have bonded! It's funny because so far, I feel like I'm adjusting pretty well...one other new girl asked me the other day "Are you completely overwhelmed because I am!"....but really I don't feel like I am...not yet anyway..we'll see if that hits when the hospital opens...I am just loving the people and community...it's always a little crazy being around so many people nonstop, but thankfully, I've been able to find time to be alone and have personal time too, so I'm trying to stay pretty balanced! It's funny too because everyone seems to think that I've been around for awhile...or been on the ship before....maybe just because I know a lot of people...but it's pretty funny...a lot of the new people seem to ask me questions about things...even finding places on the ship..so I guess I blend in pretty well with the long-term people :)

The other day my friend Jen had a sudden realization and said "guys, we live on a ship! Isn't that so crazy!"...sometimes I forget I do...every now and then, I'll look out the window and see a ship sail by into the port...and I think to myself "Hmm..that's kind of wierd...I live on a ship"...But I really do like it a lot...there are some challenges here and there...but overall, I think it's a great place full of lots of really great people! I'm pretty sure I'm in for the adventure of a lifetime!

So far, this week hasn't been too rough...a lot of orientation to the ship, tours, procedures, and my assigned task for the week...working in the dining room! They had to find jobs for us for the time before we open the hospital and there was a gap in the dining room because one of our friends had to unexpectantly fly home with his wife because she had some health issues and ended up needing surgery (please pray for the Winns!) so I took over that spot and have been enjoying the dining room team! They are a lot of fun...although I didn't completely appreciate the "welcome" by Sam with the dish hose (he sprayed me pretty good!)...but it was still pretty funny...I love how everyone is so helpful and the constant worship music playing....And we get to greet people coming to dinner in the line, which is fun because then we get to see all the people on the ship! It's a nice combination of work and socializing for someone like me :)

Madrid

Well, Madrid has been quite an experience! It started with another interesting luggage experience...except this time, I had all my luggage for a year to carry by myself since I wasn't with the girls...I had to take the metro (subway) to the hostel and wasn't quite sure how I was going to do it...looking back, I wish I would've just left my luggage at the airport store place, as some of my other friends told me they did...but oh well...next time I guess.. Thankfully, I found some nice guys to help me carry my luggage on the subway (actually they found me...I'm sure I was quite a sight with all my stuff!)...I know what you're probably thinking though...I was extra careful and nothing got stolen...I don't think they would've got very far if they tried to steal it anyway because it was all pretty heavy!

I met a lot of great people at the hostel...one girl in my room was from Brazil and we hit it off right away...she invited me to come with her to a Flamenco show that night so we went and saw live Flamenco at a restaraunt down the street...it is really amazing to watch! I also went with a group of people on an outing after that to some places near the hostel and got to experience some more of the Spanish culture....interestingly enough though, I heard more Portuguese than Spanish that day though because I was with a bunch of Brazilians!

Larissa and I were able to do a 2-day tour of Madrid on the Madrid Vision Buses (which I resisted a little bit because I hate looking like a tourist, but I only had a couple days to see the city and I stand out in Spain anyway, so I just gave in). We toured around the whole city and they give you a liittle bit of interesting historical facts about places you see along the way...My favorite places were the Prado Museum, where we got to see lots of famous paintings...and the Palacio Real....the Palace where the King and Queen used to live...

                                 Prado Museum            

The Palace was absolutely beautiful...they only let you tour one level of it, but just that one part in and of itself was huge! We went into about 15 rooms just on that level! My favorite things were the chandeliers made from real silver and crystals, the throne room, and a huge banquet hall with a table that had enough seating for about 100 people...it was probably the biggest table I had ever seen! It all made me think of heaven...I was so amazed at how beautiful all the paintings and chandeliers and decorations were....and was reminded of the verse that says "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived all that God has in store for those who love Him." It's awesome to see places like that and be left in total awe and wonder at the beauty and size of it all...and then be reminded that it's nothing compared to how amazing it will all be in heaven! I'd have to say that the Palace was my favorite stop of all the places we visited!

I had a really great time at the hostel getting to know different people from all over the world as well...I met people from Brazil, Portugal, Australia, England, Venezuela, China, Iceland and Switzerland! It was really cool hearing all the different languages and talking to everyone about their cultures and travel experiences....we all went out in groups and did things together...we even had a night where the Brazilians played a little concert for us and taught us how to dance Samba (a Latin dance that's popular in Brazil)...it was all really fun! 

                                      Parque de Madrid

So, in the midst of all the fun and excitement of traveling in Europe, it's hitting me again that I am actually going to Africa for a year! It's kind of crazy because I felt the reality of it all set in as I flew out from the US...but then once I got to London and Madrid, the excitement of all the sightseeing crowded out those feelings and it sort of just started to feel like I was on a vacation and was gonna be back home soon...I didn't feel like I left everything and everyone there behind and would have drastic changes in my life...But now, I'm sitting in the airport waiting to board my flight to Tenerife...and the reality of it all is coming back to me..It's so exciting, but a little nerve-racking at the same time...I'm not really sure what to expect...But I do know that whatever happens, God is with me now and will be there when I get to Tenerife...so I'm just trying to hang on for the ride :-)

London

Well, the last week has been a complete whirlwind, but a lot of fun! I was able to work some extra shifts at the hospital before I left so that I could save up some money for a short trip to London and Spain on my way to the ship! I had never been to either place and had always wanted to go, so it was really great to have the opportunity to visit both places (but don't worry...I didn't use any support money...just in case you were wondering ;-) I had three friends who were also going to London, so I met up with them and we flew together to London and met our friend Becky there who is from England. She gave us the "grand tour" in two days!

                                                   

We had such a good time...our adventures started with the trip to the hotel from the airport...i'm sure people were staring into the car on the drive home...we were all loaded down with luggage...all 4 of us had squeezed into Becky's tiny car with all of our bags for one year! Good thing it was a short trip...we could barely see out the window beyond all our bags! We only had 2 days in London, but we got to see lots of the famous sights like Big Ben, London's Eye, Westminster Abby, and the London Bridge (which is actually known as Tower Bridge now since the real London Bridge burned down)...we even saw a castle! Becky was a great tour guide and it was a great reunion with the girls!                                                                                    
               
                          Tower Bridge

I have lots of stories and experiences from our trip but I'll just share two interesting things...Next to the famous Big Ben is Parliament and you can actually go in and watch the debates in the House of Commons...So we went in to watch and it's so crazy because they all speak with so many formalities...they will say something and then motion to the next person and say "I give way to so and so"...it's really surreal...you feel like you're in a different century...and it's the true debates...it's not a show...there are a few guys who actually still wear the white wigs that look like George Washington...so funny!

       
                  In front of Parliament & Big Ben

                                 

Another interesting experience was that we got to see the changing of the guard in front of Buckingham Palace...it was really cool...a lot longer of a ceremony than I expected...the biggest surprise to me there was that when they come to switch out in front of the palace, they have a minature concert..probably 15 or 20 minutes...and I was shocked to hear a bunch of Disney songs like "The Bear Necessities" and "Can you feel the love tonight"...I wasn't expecting that...It almost made me feel like I was at Disney Land with the palace in front of us and all the Disney songs playing...nothing like I had anticipated, but it was really cool..

                   Outside of Buckingham Palace

We all had a great time...lots of fun times and bonding moments...many more to come on the ship I'm sure...we parted on Thursday morning and I headed to Madrid, while they all went to Somerset, England...we'll all be reunited in a few days...more fun experiences to come in Madrid!

Bittersweet

Bittersweet...it's the best word I can use to describe how I feel about leaving Phoenix and heading to Africa...It was strange saying goodbye to everyone at Phoenix Children's last week and realizing I wouldn't be going back to work there again the next week...It was hard saying goodbye to my little nephews and trying to explain to 5 year old Drew why his Aunt Becca has to miss his 6th birthday...there have been lots of sad moments with family and friends...I've never been good at saying goodbyes and I get attached to people easily which does not make for a good combo...But, in the midst of the sadness, there is so much excitement over all that God has in store for me in this upcoming year...

I have been blessed beyond belief by an outpouring of love from friends and family, prayers, cards, donations, video messages (which I forced everyone at my going away party to do & am VERY glad I did), and lots of hugs (and yes, I had to get multiple hugs from everyone because they have to last for the whole year!) In a way, it was harder to leave because I was reminded by all of those things just how very blessed I am to have so many amazing people in my life! But, at the same time, the support and encouragement to go out and serve has been really helpful as well.

I'm sitting here in the airport now waiting to get on my flight and the realization that I'm gonna be in Africa for a year is beginning to set in. I feel so honored and unworthy to be able to do something like this. As I've prepared for my time with Mercy Ships, a lot of people have made comments to me about how much I was giving up and sacrificing to go on this trip. But, even though it has been hard to leave loved ones behind, I feel like I have been the one who's on the receiving end...God has given me this amazing gift of a year in Africa to make a difference for Him....it is an incredible opportunity and I feel so blessed to be able to do this...I know I'm not perfect and I have plenty of flaws and weaknesses, but yet God has chosen to use me...and that in and of itself is a humbling thing.

I know that many of you are praying for me during this time and I can't tell you how much that means to me! So, I just ask that your prayer would be: " that our God will count [me] worthy of [my] calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in [me] and [me] in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ"  (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

This morning, as I was getting ready to head to the airport, I was thinking about my decision to leave my home here in America and go to Africa...As I was thinking about it, an old song I used to sing as a kid popped into my head...It says "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back."

When God calls us, there is no room for looking back..There's no place for fear or doubt...wherever God takes you in your life, you can know that He is ALWAYS going to come through for you...He will always be faithful...He will always be by your side through whatever comes your way...I have seen this time and time again not only in my journey to Mercy Ships, but throughout my entire Christian walk.

I have seen God grow my faith in huge ways, especially in the last few months. I've had a lot of people ask me if I'm worried about getting a job when I get home in light of the economy, others have asked me if I'm worried about getting sick in Africa or being attacked by pirates, and a bunch of other legitimate questions...But, honestly, I can say that God has given me peace about all those things...I know that the God I serve is so much bigger than anything I could ever worry about...and He has always taken care of me, protected me, and guided me, so I have nothing to fear...and it is only by the grace of God that I can say that...it's not because of myself, but only because of God and the way HE has proven Himself to me in the past....

So, as I look ahead to the upcoming year in Africa, I remember the words of one of my favorite songs. It says: 

"Take this heart of mine, there's no doubt...I'm in better hands now"

What faith can do

Well, the last month and a half has been a complete whirlwind! I knew things were going to be busy with the holidays and that my trip would come up fast, but here I am, less than a week away from my flight out! It has been amazing to see all the ways that God has brought everything together and caused everything to fall into place! I feel like God has built my faith so much, especially in the last few weeks! With all the stress of things I have to get done before I leave, it just seems like every time I'm worried about something, I just pray for it and next thing I know, God answers my prayer and it works out perfectly! I have learned a lot about praying and trusting God to come through for me!

I wish I could tell you all the stories...from God's provision for me financially in my fundraising to being able to last minute changes of plans that allowed me to see my extended family out in California when I thought I wouldn't see them at all to a hundred other little things along the way...But one instance in particular really built my faith this past week...

As many of you know, I decided a few months ago that I was going to sell my car before I left on my trip...I had gone back & forth about whether or not to sell it....I talked to a friend about it one day awhile back who was convinced that I was supposed to sell it and told him I'd pray about it...that night, I prayed "God, please just show me if I should sell it or not" and randomly opened my Bible a few minutes later to read before bed and turned to a verse in Matthew that basically said "sell your possessions and come and follow me"...pretty clear! I knew that I needed to sell it after that but didn't start trying to sell it until the first week of December...

I had a few people that I was convinced were going to buy it, but it kept falling through...then, one friend told me "oh, well, just sell it to my friend Roger..he's a good friend, I completely trust him, and he has a company that buys and sells cars so that would be an easy option." So I figured that would be the answer to my prayer...

Last tuesday, my Bible study group prayed for me for my trip and also prayed that God will help me sell my car...I was trying to trust God, but not sure how it'd work out....So then I called Roger on wednesday to find out if he'd be able to buy my car...I had high hopes...he told me he would be able to, but advised me to sell it on my own and told me he wouldn't be able to give me as much as it was worth...

So, I got off the phone with him feeling really discouraged...I was thinking "Ok, just sell it...hmm...that's what I've been trying to do for the last month and I have less than 2 weeks til I leave....what am I gonna do!" Then, me and God had a talk...this is the part where my faith wasn't as strong as it had been...I hadn't been too stressed about my car until this point...I said: "God, this is ridiculous! You tell me to sell my car and then you don't provide someone to buy it! Ok, then fine! I'm just gonna keep it!" (Yes, I know I sounded like a 5 year old that didn't get their favorite toy....what can I say...I have my weak moments too...I'm just trying to be transparent :)

But of course, I didn't have peace about that...I knew that wasn't what God wanted...but I just had no idea how I was gonna sell it without losing a lot of money on it before I left...So, I just kind of put it aside....Then, that night, I was at dinner with my friend Bridget and she was telling me a story and in the process, she told me she had gone to look at a car....I interrupted her at that point and from there the conversation went like this:

Me: wait...what? Are you looking for a car?"
Bridget: Ya, I've been looking for one...
Me: What kind of car?
Bridget: A toyota corolla
Me: Are you serious? Bridget, I'm selling my toyota corolla!! What kind are you looking for?
Bridget: The sport model
Me: Blank stare....pause...what color?
Bridget: Silver
Me: Seriously?

And the conversation went on as she asked me about all the features that my car had...and EVERY SINGLE THING she wanted, my car had!!! We both sat there in disbelief and later she told me "Wow, we're the answer to each other's prayers!"...she had been looking for a car for a few months and had been frustrated that she hadn't found the right one yet....

So, exactly a week after my Bible study group had prayed for me, Bridget bought my car and we finalized everything!! So, the burden of selling my car is now off my shoulders and it is such a relief!

I love that story because it is too much of a coincidence NOT to be from God! God is so good...He met me in the midst of my doubt (and even my childish rebellion!) and proved Himself faithful...just as he has done EVERY SINGLE TIME in the past!

A friend once told me "God won't take you out to dinner and leave you with the check"...I love that saying because it is so true....God has never asked me to do something and then fallen through...every time He calls me to do something, He is ALWAYS faithful to make it happen as long as I step out in faith...and even though my faith isn't perfect and won't be until the day I get to heaven, I know that He is growing that faith inside me every day as He continues to prove Himself to me through it all....

One of my favorite songs through this journey has reminded me of the power of faith in the One who is always faithful:

"I've seen dreams that move a mountain,
Hope that doesn't ever end, even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can"

~From "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless