Denise's Ramblings . . .

Wow,it’s February!  I wrote a blog post last week and then never updated so now I have a few more things to add.

Last night and this morning we said good bye to friends.  There are always so many mixed emotions at these times.  So glad we have been able to make friends with people around the world and in such a short time, sometimes two weeks, sometimes a few months.  Then there  is the happiness for them to go home, see family and share their experiences.  Then there is the sadness; it isn’t easy to always be putting the effort into relationships that will end in goodbye in such a short time, but it is always worth the effort.  So many stories to hear about how God is working around the world, definitely worth the effort.

Here are a few things I wrote about last weekend.   January 31^st - I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted so here goes…. Friday was Spirit Day in the Academy.  The theme was Twin(Multiple Birth) Day, so basically find someone and dress alike.  Remember we are on a ship in Africa, resources are limited. It was great to see the creativity of all; preschool girls dressed as princesses, a group in striped shirts, some convicts (jumpsuits from the deck department), a couple of kids wore their dad’s officer uniforms. I decided to borrow some t-shirts,(Thanks Bethany and Jeremiah!)  here is a picture of me with TC, the Twins mascot, actually the bear’s name is Baxter and he lives in the second grade classroom.  The kids really look forward to Spirit days.

 

 

On a different note, the last few weeks we’ve had some great messages at our Sunday services and Thursday community meetings.  Sunday’s have been focused on ‘Faith.’  This past week we were encouraged to listen and follow God’s calling and timing, not making excuses. It can be easy to believe ‘we are already in Africa what more can we give’ or ‘it’s not the right time because…’  God wants to use each of us.  Have faith, be used where you are; don’t wait.

A couple of weeks ago we had the pleasure of  Wess Stafford, former president of Compassion International, speaking  to us at our community meeting.  He was here for only 2 days to visit his daughter who is the Kindergarten teacher.   He is a terrific speaker, has a great story and was very encouraging He told us we are his heroes. He is such an advocate for the poor and children.  He stressed the importance of taking ‘just a minute’ in the life of others especially children and how that can make a difference in someone’s life.   He has a couple of books I’m looking forward to reading. 

We have decided to visit home this summer.  At Christmas time we were both homesick and decided planning two years away was foolish. However, at Christmas the cost versus the time we would have been home didn’t make sense, and who knows what the weather would have been, so it was then that we decided, home for 7 weeks this summer. We can’t wait! 

 It was announced this week that the ship will be returning to Guinea for the next field service.  When we signed up with Mercy Ships we were excited by the fact that we would be in 3 different African countries but, we are excited about going back to Guinea.

Matt had an upcountry trip the end of last week.  It went well. Here are some pictures of things he saw.  It is pretty common for live animals to be transported with their owners . . . . while he was waiting at a construction zone, he saw this goat  . . .  . and pig!  Only in Africa!!!!