Counting Down

It seems that not very long ago we were writing about sailing to and from the Canary Islands . . . now here we are having almost completed the Congo field service.  In thinking about it, Denise has taught virtually a whole school year, Matt has overseen security at screening events over 100 times (surgical, dental, and eye clinic) in six different cities as far away from the ship as 1,000 miles.  Wow how time flies . . . while at the same time it can drag.  That sounds funny, but it is a challenge to miss our family and friends which can make it seem that time has stood still and that the time we will see them again will NEVER come!  But then we realize we will be home in a month and will have the opportunity to reconnect with many of those who are important to us. 

News Update:  As many of you know, there has been an epidemic of Ebola in Guinea.  We had previously announced that the 2014-2015 field service would again be based on Conakry, Guinea; however, due to the ongoing issues we have had to change locations for next field service.  In September Mercy Ships will begin a 10-month field service in Cotonou, Benin.  (For us, we will be there until March 2015)  This is a familiar location for the ship as we have been there before, most recently in 2009.  We look forward to learning a new country, our third African location.  We understand Benin is very different from either Guinea or Congo.  There is a strong voodoo presence in Benin so that will prove to be a challenge as we show our Christian faith through our actions. 

I am attaching three photos from our communications team (photo credit Josh Callow).  These are just a glimpse of life at the street level here in Congo.  These are also balanced by the "Western" main street where there are neon lights advertising casinos and western grocery stores, sorry don't have a picture of those.

Hope you have a great day, see you soon!