~ Day 61 ~

Lots of catching up to do; I will try to keep it short and sweet. :) On July 14, we arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa.  Praise God, no one in our group had any missing luggage!!  We had dinner on the ship, then went to our housing accomodation- a product of GCPN.  Arrived there at about 11 pm, then by the time we got all our luggage moved in, showered, etc., it was 2 am.

The airport, as we walked in from the plane.

Our luggage stacked on the poda-poda...a very crowded poda-poda at that.

The view from the ferry as we headed across the water.

The girls' side of our dorm.

Slept in the next day, which was much needed after the long flights, then we headed to Yams Farm to meet the community we would be working with for the next 2 weeks.

Margot and a crowd of children.

A view of the wharf.

Saturday, July 16, I was awakened by a child outside the window yelling, "Mommy gotta poop!!!" repeatedly.  Very amusing.  We went to Bureh Beach and enjoyed the warm, beautiful waves. 

Headed to the beach with Solomon, our trusty driver.

Gorgeous.

Sunday, July 17, was our first church service at Word of Life Church in Yams Farm.  It was a rainy day, so not many people from the community came.  After church, a group headed to check out the market.  Those of us who stayed behind got to visit with some friends who came from the ship to see us. 
Monday, July 18, we began VBS and latrine-building. 
Tuesday, July 19, Toni (the dentist) screened over a hundred people in the back of the church, then set up arrangements to transport those who needed extractions to the dental clinic near the ship.  Wednesday, Thurs, Fri, Monday, and I think Tuesday, she was busy pulling teeth. 
Heather made friends with a lady from the church named Elizabeth, so when she was invited to go to her house, she took me along.  It was quite a hike uphill the whole way.  She had a very nice house, and we met her son Augustine and her husband Michael.

Elizabeth, Augustine, and Michael in front of their house.

Wednesday, July 20, Elizabeth said she wanted to braid my hair.  She and a few other ladies started braiding!  It didn't take them too long, but it hurt so badly!!

Elizabeth, a church lady, and Pastor Mark's wife-Hawa.

Thursday, July 21, we played Duck, Duck, Goose on the soccer field during our game time for VBS.  One thing to note...the soccer field was not a nice field of mowed grass.  It was hard, packed dirt, with lots of rocks in the ground, and loose on top.  The center of it was part of the road.  Long story short, I slipped on the loose rocks and received some lovely abrasions and bruises on my left leg.  Thank God, it has healed well with no infection.  We left the school early that day so we could go to the Community Meeting on the ship.  We ate dinner, had our lap tops registered for the wireless internet onboard, used the telephone, went to the Community Meeting, enjoyed a drink from Starbucks Cafe, used the internet some more, then headed back for the night.
Friday, July 22, In the morning, I helped with construction rather than VBS.

An assembly line passing bowls of concrete.

In the afternoon, we had a special scavenger hunt game for the older children ages 10-15.  The children were divided into 4 teams, according to the color of the piece of paper they had been given the previous day.  Amy had organized different stations throughout the village with different activities such as: 1) Remembering the 10 Commandments which they had been taught in VBS on Tuesday, 2) Writing John 3:16, 3) Solving 12 math problems, 4) Creating the alphabet with popsicle sticks, 5) Taking a canoe to the island to find Renier who had an item for us to take back to Evilin, proving we had found him, 6) Running through an obstacle course, and 7) Successfully kicking 5 soccer goals.  I was leader of the yellow team and we won!! :)  It was very fun, regardless of the scariest canoe ride in my life!  I was praying so hard, and so thankful when we got back to land without tipping over.
Saturday, July 23, Slept in today, then went for a walk to find some roasted corn and cold Coke with 4 other people. Took a trip to the beach again in the afternoon.  It was raining, therefore it was not as nice of a beach day as the week before, but we still had fun. 

Roasting corn along the road.

A rainy day at Bureh Beach.

Sunday, July 24, Went to Word of Life Church once more.  It was a beautiful day, so many more people showed up. 
Monday, July 25, Today we did our simple assessments of the school children which included height, weight, and birthdate (most did not know an exact date- only year, and sometimes month and year). 
The latrine is now complete up to ground level.

The top of the latrine.  From what I understand, the funny shaped hole on this side is the poop hole.  :)

Tuesday, July 26, While a few people stayed to help continue finishing the latrine, the rest of us had a new assignment: painting the Kissy Eye Clinic.  We started with the porch and scraped and sanded the walls to remove all the loose paint, then washed the walls so that it would be ready to paint the next day.

Ready to scrape the walls!!

The porch before we started.

Wednesday, July 27, Once again, our group split up, some painted at the Kissy Clinic, and some helped finish the latrine.  We weren't able to completely finish the painting, since we were to paint a bottom section brown, and the rest white.  The white section we completed, and had worked at preparing the brown section for it's coat of paint.

A precious little girl who wanted a snap while we waited for the paint to arrive.

Kellly, painting away.

Brighter white walls when we left.

Thursday, July 28,  We had our individual reviews with the Gateway team leader Stefan and his wife Andrea in the morning, then went to Yams Farm for our farewell celebration.  They had made up a song that they sang to us.  Then we said our goodbyes with promises to come back to visit before we sailed away.

The song they sang for us.

The finished Latrine building.

That evening, Pastor Mark and several others came to our "hotel" and brought with them a shirt for each of the men, and a dress for each of the ladies!!  Their thoughtfulness was so special!!

Hoe Jung and Sing in their matching African outfits.

Friday, July 29, The morning was filled with group debriefing, last-minute packing, and the afternoon was when we loaded up and headed to the ship!!
I am on the third deck in a 6 berth cabin with 4 roommates.  Saturday morning we had a bit of Admissions Nurse orientation, Sunday- slept a lot, Monday- started work!! : )  My job in Admissions is very enjoyable and I think next week will be busy.

My "cubby hole" in our cabin.  I sleep in the top bunk, Maureen sleeps in the bottom bunk.  The cabinet to the left is our closet. 

Day 57

Hello hello!!

I am working on a blog with updates from the past few weeks' field service to Yams Farm.  It is taking me a while, and I am having difficulty with time management these first few days on the ship.  I'm a bit overwhelmed with the new environment, new people, new job, new food, etc. 

Speaking of new job, I started and completed my training today in the Admissions tent on the dock.  Not that I'm done learning, but tomorrow I am more or less on my own! :)  Not to worry, there are plenty of people to help me out when I have questions, and the translators are very good at their jobs.  They know the information well, and are awesome to work with!

I'm sorry for no new pictures on here...please refer to Facebook for those! : )

Day 36

Today was the final day here at Gateway.  My bags are packed and ready to go...
It's been a great time in Texas, meeting new people, becoming like family with them.  Now, beginning at 5:45  AM, we have over 24 hours of travel to get us to our destination in Sierra Leone. 
I'm not sure when I will be able to update again, but I will do so when I can.

Day 33!!

Stayed up late last night packing, organizing, and doing some laundry.  It's so hard to believe that this coming Wednesday is  the big day when our flight is scheduled to leave the US! Wow. 

Something to think about...

This last week was a large learning opportunity about worldview and also about our attitude and approach when going into another country as missionaries.  So often, short term missions are aimed at "swooping in, bringing clothes and Bibles, praying with those we have come to minister to, then leaving in a week's time thinking that we have just won many souls for Christ."  In reality,  they may have prayed because that's what they knew was expected of them, or they wanted to please the group so the group would keep coming back with material items they wanted.  If we instead go in as long-term learners, and observe the way the people live and think, then pay attention to what they want/need, we can build trust and form relationships that later open the door for them to truly be interested in the Gospel. 

For example. if the community decides they need a new well, or a way to pump water to their village rather than walking 2 hours one way to carry water to the village, we should just make it happen, right?  No.  We can bring the knowledge of how to make it happen, but let them pay for it and build it with resources available to them, problem-solving as they go so that they know it is theirs, they know how it works, and also how to maintain it.  Otherwise, it is not their well, they don't know how to maintain it, nor do they care since they don't view it as theirs. Also, if Americans are the only ones able to obtain the resources to fix it, the village becomes dependant on the Americans, and the new equipment wastes away in disrepair once the Americans leave.

This doesn't mean we all have to be long-term missionaries.  But short-term missions are soley to support the long-term. I'm so excited about how Mercy Ships is enabling nationals who are already doctors, dentists, and surgeons to better serve their own people, then to continue the teaching process.  We are going with the intentions of helping them to better help themselves and showing them the love of Jesus while we are there.  We can support the local long-term missionaries who are already established.  While teaching First Aid and such, Mercy Ships wants to help them learn with the resources available to them, rather than only thinking "inside the box" of how we Westerners were taught in our studies.  If we teach them only to use sterile gauze and white medical tape to cover wounds, how will they continue what they have been taught unless we are there to constantly supplly their need?  Rather, Christ is their greatest resource.  He has given them minds to be creative with the resources around them.  I'm guilty of thinking that they need me, my knowledge, my available resources, etc.  No, not necessarily.  I have just been raised with different resources available.  I can go and learn from the people.

Now I feel like a preacher, and it's not even Sunday! haha :)

This afternoon we are having a South African Braai (Barbeque). The Marx family here with us is from South Africa, as well as someone here at the IOC.  They're gonna show us some "real barbeque" in their opinion.  We'll see :)  lol  Evilin Marx made some delicious milk tarts a few weeks ago.  If the rest of the food is as good as those, then I'm in!!

Last night we had an African dinner.  It was very flavorful.  Those who have had African clothes made were wearing them, making me excited about getting an African-made dress to wear when I attend the African church services.  :)  They say there is a tailor who comes onto the ship to take our orders.  The next week is alterations, and the week after, the clothes are finished! 

By the way, during our first few weeks in Africa while we are doing our field service, there will likely be no internet service.  Therefore, my blogs will stop on Wednesday or Thursday and resume when I am able to blog once I have joined the ship on July 28.  The first few days on the ship will be filled with paperwork and orientation, so I'll have to see how much time will be available for blogging.

\\ Day 30 //

Day # 30 is here!  I have a week of catching up to do!  For those of you who faithfully read my blogs, thank you!!  I love hearing that people are interested in what I have to say about my time here :)  On that note, I apologize for suddenly stopping my regular posts.  Last week I tried to spend more time doing other things, rather than being on my computer.  It was rather productive actually. :)  Annika and I swam faithfully on our open evenings and she began teaching me the basics of the breaststroke.  I hadn't been getting a whole lot of exercise, so that was good to do.

Wednesday- We had dessert at the Bergstrom's household.  Patrick and his wife serve in the Chaplaincy department here, and it was a time of getting to know one another.  She also had some delicious mango peach tea, coffee, various cheesecake options, fruit, and carrot cake for us.

Thursday- The wonderful staff here at the IOC set up a dental appointment for me since I was having sensitivity and pain with one of my upper teeth.  It turned out that I had a receding gum line and my root was exposed.  The dentist put a filling over the exposed root and boy does it feel better!  I had just been to the dentist on June 2, but we are all human and it was overlooked.  Our routine Walmart run took place that evening.

Friday- After class, I relaxed and worked on cleaning my room before my family and boyfriend came : )  I was so excited about them coming that I didn't get much sleep. 

Saturday- At 3:55 AM I got a phone call from my mom saying they were here!!! :)  Their room in the guest house wasn't available at that time, so they napped in the lounge of my dorm.

I took a long time to go back to sleep because they were finally here!!!  At about 7, I woke them up because I was super hungry and couldn't stand watching them sleep when we could be spending time together. :)  We went to Cracker Barrel in Lindale for breakfast.  After that, the lady in charge of the Guest House had compassion on them since they had driven all night and let them into one of their reserved rooms.  The other wasn't clean yet.  They got freshened up, then we headed toward the Resistol Arena for the Mesquite ProRodeo Series.  We stopped along the way at the Tanger Outlet Mall, ate at Wendy's, stopped at a few other shopping places, then stood outside waiting for the doors at the rodeo to open.

The rodeo was fun but the air conditioning was freezing!!! It is so hard to find a happy medium here in Texas.  You go from roasting in the heat outside to forming icicles on your nose inside.  That is an exaggeration, but pretty close. :)  Funny comment during the rodeo:  They had a "Shark Cage" that they lowered into the arena as front row seats during the bull riding.  As they were lowering it, Hannah leaned over and said, "Are there really sharks in there?" :) 

Sunday-We slept in just a bit and then enjoyed breakfast together in the Guest House.  We then swam the majority of the morning.  Some of us were smart and applied sunscreen. Others, a.k.a. Matt said, "Bring on the Texas sun!!!  I don't care if I get sunburned! I want to get sunburned cuz that's how I tan!"  And burn he did.  :(

Lunch was eaten at The Dinner Bell in Van.  After eating, we went to Larry and Helen Mast's house, the "Unofficial Mercy Ships Museum."  Very neat house with memorabilia from their years with Mercy Ships.  We also saw two armadillos while we were there.  Helen made delicious smoothies for us, and we looked at picture albums, etc.  The time got away from us and we stayed for 4 hours!

Since it was becoming evening and the sun wasn't bearing down on us quite as hard as before, we started taking pictures around campus.  It wasn't the entire family, but it was still nice to have some group photos of everyone here.  Matt and I had wanted to take pictures before I left Indiana, but we never got around to it.  It was very difficult to plan outside pictures with all the rain and our conflicting work schedules, so we took advantage of the opportunity to take some pictures together.

Monday- Mom, my roommate Annika, and I took an early morning walk at 6:15.  Then had class from 8-12 noon.  Mom joined me for a few hours to see where it was and what it was like, etc.  She also now knows that when I say the air conditioning in there is cold, I'm not joking! :)  After lunch, I went with my family to Walmart to print off pictures and get a few things.  Swam for a little while after returning to campus, then went to Fatherheart for their fireworks.  We had the opportunity to tour the house and see the work that they do for mothers of unplanned pregnancies.  They share the love of Christ while helping the girls finish their education, find jobs, learn responsibility, and help them with the adoption process if that is their desire, etc. 

 Check it out:  http://www.livalt.org/fatherheart.html

After the fireworks, we stayed up pretty late.  I think it was about 1:15 when I went to bed.  It is so hard to say goodbye.  I know people were praying though, because usually I would be a complete basket case.  God has given me grace to hold myself together and not be depressed and frustrated with telling everyone goodbye again, knowing that most likely the next time I see them will be approximately a year from now.

Tuesday-At 5:45, I walked back over to tell them goodbye again.  Dad said he had been caught off guard by a fox barking at him while he was loading the car.  (You may not have read my note on facebook last week, but I was sitting outside talking on the phone when a cat ran right in front of me with two foxes on its tail.  One fox heard/saw me, turned and glared at me, barking this nasty bark.  A few nights later, the fox walked close to the dorm and barked at me again while I was outside.)  I'm glad Dad experienced it too and that other people have seen and heard the foxes, so I don't seem like such an idiot.  :)  I walked out of the dorm the other day, saw a cat, and ran back inside because the foxes had given me such a scare.  lol  At least now I'm not the only one who has been startled by them.  :)

Anyway, back on track...I was able to tell everyone goodbye and give those final hugs.  We prayed together, then they loaded into The White Matchbox Express (my Toyota Corolla) and headed back to Indiana, taking my cell phone with them.  I will not have any service with it while in Africa, so it should be disconnected soon.  It was very hard to know they were on the road, but not be able to just text or call them whenever I pleased to see how it was going.  They made it safely home last evening.

Last evening we had our final field service preparation meeting.  A week from today we will be flying out of the US.  It's so hard to believe that it is here.  Last night I started getting a bit frantic about packing, and started sorting and organizing what should go in which bag.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at this point.  I STILL have not gotten even half of my thank you cards written.  :(  I am a terrible, terrible procrastinator.  We also have an evaluation due tomorrow, plus a 2-3 minute presentation to prepare for Friday.  In addition to that, there is the need to pack and prepare everything to go into Sierra Leone.  Please pray for me in this.  Those of you who know me well, know that I stress and stress about things like this.  God has helped me stay calm thus far during this experience.

We also have a few girls feeling sick, ranging from nausea to nasal congestion.  Please pray that they are better soon so they can feel strong enough to pack and be ready for traveling next week.  I'm sure our flights will be exhausting, not to mention the 5 hour time difference to adjust to.  To go in and reach out to others will be difficult if we are mentally and physically tired.

"That's all Folks!!"

...Day 20...

Recently awoke from an awesome Sunday afternoon nap! :)  So refreshing.
Friday was our pool practical at the Cain Center Pool.  The entire pool wasn't rented out to us like we thought, so we had lots of curious onlookers.  One lady even stood outside the window with her camera for a long time.  Not sure if she was taking pictures or recording.  We certainly made for an interesting show! :)  Our exercises included treading water, properly donning our life jackets while being timed, jumping off the diving board with our life jackets on, getting in and out of the life raft, pulling in the sea anchor on the life raft, donning our immersion suits, jumping off the diving board in our suits, forming a "train" of people and swimming together, huddling, and getting into the life raft with our immersion suits on.  That was pretty hard.  Those suits are so cumbersome! haha  We also had to practice flipping the life raft back over if it capsized.  :) 

After we finished at the Cain Center, we went to Hunan Buffet where I tried Sushi for the first time.  Pretty tasty!  My favorite was the little seaweed wrap.  After eating, we headed back, and although we were very tired, most of us pulled off a late night.  We laughed at how many laptops were in the lounge at once.  We've been sharing pictures with each other, and Renier is planning to put together a CD of everyone's pictures at the end.
Saturday was a very relaxing morning of sleeping in.  At 2:00, everyone who wanted was taken into Tyler.  My roommate Annika had never had a pedicure because it is much more expensive in Germany.  It sounded like lots of fun, so 5 of us went to Solar Nails.  It was honestly the best pedicure I've ever had.  It lasted for about an hour, complete with a hot stones massage of the feet and legs, yet was the same price as usual.  So relaxing after a week of using muscles I forgot I had!  lol 
We then went to Stein Mart and the mall, ate at BJ's (their pizza is sooooo good!), then to Ross, then Starbucks, and finally to the movies.  So much fun!!  It feels like a long time since I had been to the mall.  For those in Indiana who don't know what Ross is, it is comparable to TJ Maxx.
This morning we went again to Green Acres Baptist Church.  It is the biggest church I have ever been in. 

News flash!!  My family and boyfriend is coming to see me this next weekend!!! Dad paid for tickets to go to the Mesquite ProRodeo Series on Saturday.  I'm so excited to get to see them!!!  They should arrive Saturday morning and sadly have to leave again Monday morning.  But it will be so good to spend some time with everyone before I leave for Africa.  :)

Day 17

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRf9ooQ7qq8

The above video has been deemed very funny by my German roommate :)  Therefore, I feel okay putting it on here.  I am not making fun.  We watched this today in class while learning about communication on ships, and it is very fitting since we have so many different dialects of English just in our Gateway group.  Wait til we get on the ship. Wow!!

This evening after our weekly run to Walmart, I went on a walk around campus with three other ladies.  We saw an armadillo and a deer! The armadillo was so funny.  It buried it's head in a pile of leaves, making it hard for Heather to get a good picture of him.  He was holding still, so it was a good picture opportunity if he would have just shown his head.  As soon as he lifted his head, he took off running.