Sailing

The ship was ready to leave Sierra Leone, the only thing left to do was the last drill before sailing and lifting the gangway! We all expected the drill so when the alarm sounded we were ready for it. The first alarm goes, this is for the emergency teams to get together, for me it's to get my bag ready and put trainers on. The second alarm goes, you hear the Captain speaking "this is a drill, this is a drill, this is a drill...". It's time to face the sun, I climb the steps to deck 7 where my muster station is. Lifejackets are handed out, I get one, go towards muster station H where my friends are. Fortunately they already had gone to the only shady area of our muster but it doesn't take long and I feel the heat! Our names are called out from the check list. The drill goes well and it doesn't take long, which was good as it's toooo hot with the lifejackets on.

I go down to my cabin and get ready to go back to deck 7 to see Sierra Leone off. When I get back to deck 7 the gangway is getting ready to be lifted up to the top of deck 8 (were it gets stored while we sail). We saw that we were moving off the dock very slowly but we were moving!!!! The people on the dock started shouting goodbye, thank you.... It was a strange feeling seeing Sierra Leone disappear in the distance. It was sad to see it go as it's a beautiful place and the people are so nice, but also there was a feeling of new beginnings as we go to a new country.
As we get into the Atlantic Ocean we praise God for the calm waters. It was very smooth out on the ocean but inside the ship we still rocked from side to side -  this is due to the way the ship was built, it was not built for the ocean but for the sea and rivers. The first few days were not bad, the only time was at night as I kept thinking I was going to fall off the top bunk bed! Lets say I did not get much sleep that night! During the day some of the crew who had sailed before gave me some good advice; put some cushions on the side! This was very good advice as I slept soundly the other nights. We change direction on day 3 - we rocked more on the ship, walking got very funny as we tried to keep on a straight path. Cleaning toilets and corridors was hard work when the ship rocked that much, but we managed it!
While we were sailing we had to stop to get fuel on the ship. Our ship met another ship and bunkered to another ship. There was a lot of prayer and work involved as this was never done before in this ship. Even with the tanker turning up late and the fuelling had to be done at night everything went well!! We had our fuel and we could carry on with our journey to Ghana. I never thought I would be on a ship getting fuel in the middle of the ocean!!! All new experiences which I will remember for life!
One of the joys of sailing is that we were allowed to go onto the bow of the ship (which is at the front). Here we saw many dolphins, which would swim along with us for a while. We also got to see whales, turtles, jelly fish and flying fish. Every time a whale or dolphin was in view the captain would announce it over the loudspeaker so everyone got a chance to see them!! Some of the pictures taken were amazing!
Anyway after 5 days of sailing we arrived in Tema, Ghana. We were welcomed by the small advance group; they had been here for 2 months to get things ready for the ship to arrive. It was a welcome sight to see land, I would never had thought I would be so grateful to see it! That evening we were allowed to go off ship but only to the dock as the visas had not been done yet. Walking on the dock it felt great to be walking on land! :-)

Calling Housekeeping!

I am on the Africa Mercy housekeeping! You wonder what this entitles? Let me tell you.
My day starts at 7:15, I wake up to get to breakfast as it finishes at 7:30. Then at 8:00 I go to the laundry room to meet my fellow housekeeper's! There we have a time of prayer and then we are allocated our work for the day. I am on deck 7. I start with cleaning toilets; that's the first job of the day! There are 8 toilets to clean on deck 7 - not too bad, could be way worse! There are 2 of us cleaning so we chat as we go along...
After toilets it's time to sweep the floors. While we go around we get to meet the crew who live on deck 7 or have an office there - it's like a different world on deck 7! The great thing is I found a crew member who speaks Spanish, so I get my daily recap of Spanish! Que Bien!

We collect the rubbish or as they say here "trash". One of the places we actually go to collect the rubbish and clean is the Bridge (this is the place the Captain of the ship navigates from when sailing). There are good views from there - it's one of my highlights for the day!
We have a break and then get on with cleaning offices and public rooms, we also do checks on the toilet, better not forget them!!! We clean the windows of doorways and vacuum the rugs infront of them. Lunch break comes, yippeee.
After lunch we have a devotional time with the team. After this we carry on with checking the toilets... again! The stairways are our next job, we sweep them and then mop them. Oh and another thing is disinfecting the hand rails with spray! To finish off the day we check the toilets!!!!!
That is roughly my routine as a housekeeper. I will be doing this till the middle of January when the hospital re-opens!

As I am writing this we have left Freetown, Sierra Leone and are sailing towards Ghana. Please pray for safe sailing to Ghana!

Bye Bye Sierra Leone

worship time and cleaning!

This week has been cleaning and packing in the hospital. The day starts with all the nurses meeting in one of the wards, and for about the next 30 mins we have a time of worship and devotion. There is no better way than starting the day than worshiping God. I found it so good and set me out for the day.
Then everyone got assigned to do cleaning or packing, my job for the week was the hospital laundry room.

This involved doing the laundry from when the hospital closed, the scrubs and rags the nurses were still using. This meant an ongoing stream of putting washing on and then putting them in the drier. It got very very hot in that room with the driers on!. After we had to fold the laundry and store them so we could pack the shelves up. It has been a learning week for me on how to clean a hospital (double bleach everything) and then the floors being stripped and then tripple waxed. Also  learning how to pack things to make it sail proof.
As the week went we lost a lot of our nurses as they go home after being here for the field service, it's sad to see them go but some will return for Togo next year!

In the last week I have moved to a 4 berth cabin, yippeeee!!!! This is a lot better as I have more room to store my things and also there is a little room at the back were we can sit and relax, but one of the bonus points is the window!!! As I write this blog I am currently sitting in my lovely cabin and looking out of the window. I am so thankful for this!
This is all for now, hopefully I will write another blog before we leave Sierra Leone, we not sure of date we are going but it will be soon.

The sunsets over Freetown, view from deck 8.

One of the many beaches in Sierra Leone, they are so beautiful.

A day out!

A day out!
It started the day before, 4 of us realised we were all off the next day with no plans, the question was asked, shall we do something tomorrow?
The reply was yes, as it would be nice to get out of the ship and see Sierra Leone, but then the next question was asked, what shall we do?
Some ideas were shared but at last we came up with a great one; a trip to Charlotte Waterfalls and then have a late lunch at the Crown Bakery. We decided to get a taxi in the morning and then head off on our big day out!!.
Next day we meet at 9:30am at reception where another crew member joins us for the trip.
We decide to call a taxi, we ask a few people if they know of any, eventually we get a few numbers. Fortunetly he is only about half an hour away (which is good for Freetown!!) and he knows how to get to Charlotte Falls!

We meet the driver at the top of the lane, we squeeze in, 4 of us at the back. We get up the road and somehow the police let us go - even though we are too many in the car! Its an interesting drive through Freetown as we go through back lanes which unfortunetly have big pot holes! The car overloaded in the back was scrapping the ground making a screech sqerch sound. The driver kept on driving and we eventually get onto a good road. From here on top of the mountain, there was a great view of Freetown. We turn off in the direction of the falls, if we thought the pot holes in Freetown were bad, we were in for an even bigger, bumpier ride! As the car scrapes along the road, we all look at each other, and think are we going to make it?!
After an hour of travelling we make it to as close to the falls as this taxi will go. We stop and walk to the falls, it's nice to get out of the car, we pass a village where a guide then takes us to the waterfalls. The first view of them is impressive, they are lovely, we get to be by them, it's good to have fresh cold water as I splash it on my sweaty face!
We spend a bit of time there and then we head back to the taxi. It's a good walk as it's uphill, eventually we all get in to the taxi, we only go a few hundred yards when we hear a noise that doesn't sound good. The driver stops gets out and looks underneath, comes back to us and tell us to get out as he needs to fix the exhaust pipe!
We all pile out and wait in the heat! It does not take long and we are off again. Down the road we decide to get out as the road is sooo bad that we don't think the car would survive, so we walk a bit while the taxi drives on a bit!
We all file in again, we are getting use to squashing in! We get into Freetown and get dropped off near the Crown Bakery (which is a restaurant) he doesn't drop us off outside cause the traffic is so bad; it is quicker to walk. We enjoy a meal at the restaurant and then we walk back to the ship through the busy market.
It was a good day out, Sierra Leone is a beautiful country, and there is soo much to see!

2 weeks working on the Africa Mercy

It has been 2 weeks since I started working on the ship, it has been interesting coming to grips with the way things are done here! I have been working on the plastics ward, which is great as that's what I do back at home, they may have different ways of doing dressings and paperwork but ultimately the goal is for the wounds to heal which is the same as at home!! The patients are great, they welcome you and make you feel like you have known them for a long time! It will be sad to see them go at the end of this week as the hospital closes. The hospital is closing so we can get things ready to sail, this means double bleaching everything and then securing them so they don't go flying around when we are sailing!!! Next week it will be cleaning time. We are heading to Ghana first for Christmas and then to Togo in January to start a new field service.

I was working yesterday morning; a Sunday, back at home at work I would be thinking I'm missing church, and would rather be there..... But I am sooo pleased that I am here; they had a church service on my ward, it was great. One side of the ward was packed with patients from other wards and staff from the ship. As it was the last Sunday for the hospital they had a worship time and a testimony time. It was great to hear the patients saying thanks to God and how their lives are changed through Mercy Ships!

When I have time I have been able to go to the market and walk around the town, it's so busy but it's easier to walk to places than to drive; the traffic is terrible. The only problem with walking is that you have to dodge the cars, motorbikes, carts and the rubbish lining the streets! It makes for fun times!

This photo is taken from the dock where the ship is. You can actually see this scene from the ship. It serves as a reminder to me of why we are here; to bring hope and healing to the poor.



Better let you know were I am living... I am in a 6 berth cabin, on deck 3, this means there are no windows. The positive thing is that the hospital is on the same deck, so I can roll out of bed and walk down the corridor and I am at work, it beats the M4! One of the things I have to learn is how to share a bathroom with 5 other people, and making sure not to wake up my bunk mate at 6:30 in the morning, especially when I am on the top bunk! It is very different to living in my own house! Space is limited in these cabins, so most of my time is spent out in the common areas. This a good place to meet crew and play games. The conversations are interesting as currently there are 30 nations represented on ship, but thats for another time!

Yarm's Farm Word of Life School, Sierra Leone

After a long journey on 4 differents planes we landed in Sierra Leone at 5 in the evening. The first step out of the plane and I am hit with the heat (especially the humidity) and the smells, and I feel I have come home and I realise in that moment how I have missed those smells that only come from Africa!
We all pile into 2 poda poda's which are van's that really should only sit about 8 people but at times here can fit 20! All our luggage is all loaded on top of these - this is when I am praying that all our luggage gets there in one piece! We are taken to a small car ferry for the hour long ride to Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone! Thunder and lightining guide our way there, no rain yet but its coming!
We arrive in Freetown with all our suitcases somehow they have made it! Then it's a small ride to the ship where we are greeted by food! We don't have long onboard as it's now raining and we need to get to Hope Centre, were we are staying for the next 2 weeks - it's about 45 min drive in good traffic! Fortunately we have a good drive there and we settle into our dorms. The girls, all 12 of us sharing a dorm and the boys sharing the other. The Hope Centre is a beautifull place. We have power from 7 in the evening to 7 in the morning, that means we can cool down at night with the fans blowing; a very good thing after a hot day out in the sun!!

The next day we have a sleep-in as recovery from jet lag! We eventually make our way to Yam's Farm, it's a small fishing village and their main source of income is bringing in sand from the sea and selling it for construction.
The area is very poor, they have no electricity and they get their water from various wells. After a very bumpy ride we get to the school and we are greeted by 250 screaming children all wanting to hold our hands. An incredible moment!! We are then introduced to the Pastor who is also the principle of the school. He shows us around the school which consists of one room with 6 classes in. All the benches are squeezed in, and you wonder how they can teach all these kids in different grades in one room. Then we are showed around the construction site where we are going to help build the extension to the school! 
Four of us were in the children's ministry, this meant teaching the primary school in the morning. We had planned a few lessons before we got there, and we had also got some things we would leave at the school which they could use. We bought a world map, in a school of 271 only a few had ever seen a world map, even the teachers were amazed. How simple things we take for granted in our country to them it's an amazing thing to see. It was great to see the children's eyes glued to the map and to what we were teaching!

After lunch we would join the rest of the team on the construction site. The jobs included making bricks from scratch, digging and more digging, shovelling sand from one place to the other. It was great to see the school extension go up, unfortunately it's not finished yet, but hopefully will go to see the school before we leave Sierra Leone and it would be great to see it finished!
It was hard work at site and it was very hot, at the end of the day we were all drenched in sweat, cement and sand! As a team we all got on really well, supporting each other and enjoying the time we had together as a group.
During the weekends we were able to relax and enjoy the beaches! They are soooo beautiful here, it was nice to be able to swim and go walking on the hot sand :)

In the 2 weeks we were there, we were able to teach at 2 other local schools, this was a great chance to show the love of God. They were very gratefull for us coming and spending time with them. It was a great experience for me, which I will never forget!

Sorry for not having many photos; on the ship it takes a long time to download them. See my facebook for more pictures!
I will write another blog to let you know how are things going here on the ship!

Africa Mercy

Hi all!!!
At last I have internet access! This is a quick note to let you know I am now on the SHIP!
The last 2 weeks as a team we have been in Sierra Leone working on a school, my days were full with teaching in the morning and then helping with building work in the afternoon. We were there to help build an extension to the school. It has been a great 2 weeks, tiring and hot but very rewarding! I will write more later when I get more settled in!

Packing time, again!!!

Yes it's time again to pack my stuff into bags as we are leaving Texas tomorrow to go to Sierra Leone. It's an exciting time!! This is what I have been preparing for.
The first 2 weeks we will be on field service, this means helping out in the community of Yams Farm, inland from Freetown.. I am part of the children's area. I'll be teaching and playing games with the children from the local school. The rest of the time we are going to be building an extension to the school. This should be fun, as I really have no idea!! I should have had lesson's from my Dad!!! Oh well!!!! During this time I will not have internet acces, so I will not be able to update my Blog :(

I better tell you what I have been up to for the last week.
We had our basic safety training. This included firefighting, first aid, and how to safely evacuate a ship!!!! We had a a practical session in the pool for this, it was to say at least good fun, but also hard work!!! We all passed the training with flying colours!

This last Sunday we went to the Cross Brand Cowboy Church. It was a great time, they were very welcoming and invited us all to have lunch with them! So we had good Texan food of Chilli and cornbread! I actually thought I could easily become a cowgirl!!!! Yee-haw!

Today was our last day of Gateway. We had to all do a final presentation. We all went so well and was at times emotional. I realised how much I have learned by being here and that it's time for the next step! I am very excited to be going and really feel God has led me to this point. Please pray that as a group we travel safely to Sierra Leone and that we have a great time learning and being an impact in the community.
That's all for now from Texas... I hope ya'll pray for me now!!

Fire Fighting!

Today we started with basic safety training (BST). First thing we do is get training on Fires, this meant trying on the breathing equipment that firemen use! It was to say the least very funny, but we all got them on under a minute. Tomorrow we will get tested for it!!!
We also tried on a fireman's uniform which was very hot! We got to choose a helmet, got some big trousers with braces, a jacket, boots - snug with enough room for socks and a balaclava (flash hood) to make the fireman uniform complete!! Tomorrow we get to practice fire fighting techniques, unfortunetly we are not allowed to have real fires as there is still a fire ban. They are going to have a smoke machine, it wont be the same but it should be fun!

The rest of the week will be first aid training and sea survival. It is nice to be doing something practical as the last 4 weeks have been in a classroom!

That is all for now, but watch this space for more funny pictures!

Thank you

We have had some really good teaching the last few days on worldview which is preparing us to work and live in different cultures with different beliefs. Today we ended one class with saying "Thank you to Jesus", and I thought it would be a good time to say "Thank you to all you amazing people that support me in prayer and financially." It means a lot to me that I have people praying for me but also helping me financially; without it I would not be here. For those who don't know, I am volunteering with Mercy Ships. I don't get paid, and as part of the nursing team I actually have to pay for accomodation and food. This trip has been a step of faith for me, and so far God has been amazing in the preparation and provision.
If you have it on your heart to support me then contact me via facebook or email. Or even go to Mercy Ships UK and my designatioon code is #3083. And once again a HUGE thankyou to you!!

And just for fun this is what I saw today a wild Pig!!

another week gone past!

Hi y'all
Well another week has flown by. It has been another full week of classes, this week it was on personal and interpersonal development. It was good teaching on living in a community! So living on Mercy Ships should be easy sailing!!!!!
We are having group sessions for our field service in Sierra Leone; we are going to be working in a community for 2 weeks before joining the crew on the ship. So we are getting prepared for this time, please pray that we get everything organised and ready to go, so we can work amongst the Sierra Leonians, and be a blessing to them.
As a group we have really come together, and that has been such a blessing. This weekend we were able to go to the Largest Flea Market in the World, I must admit I was skeptical at first, but by the 4th hour of being there, I could see why they call it that!
This sunday I have been able to relax and recharge my batteries, which I needed as I have been struggling with a bad cold for the last week. So feeling better, went out for a drive to see a bit of our surroundings, so I am ready now for this week.

learning zone!

Another week done here in hot Texas, and it has been a week of new experiences and challenges!
We had a speaker come for 3 days to speak about spiritual warfare, I learned so much and felt challenged at the same time. Really feel that God has brought me here and feel so great about it all.
We have also had teaching on prayer, which has been great, and for those who know me, I don't pray out loud in a group, I do now!!!!!!!!! We went on a silent retreat yesterday (a first for me) to a national state park. It was a beautiful setting for 4 hours of seeking God, it was very special time for me.

The group of people here are great, we have games in the evenings, watch a DVD, or go for a swim or walk. So we have some time to relax and socialise after the long classes.

This week I have also experinced some Texan life!! We had to herd some cattle with a real cowboy!!! Also went for a bbq at one of the mentors house, which was nice to see and the food was yummy!


As you hopefully can tell life at the moment is good getting prepared for life on the ship! If you would like to support me in this new adventure let me know. Ta xxx

Week one!!!!!

Well it has been a whole week! So much has happened!
First of all, thank you for your prayers, tenants moved in on Tuesday, which is great :)
I have completed the first section here in Texas, Foundations of Mercy Ships. Then yesterday started the Gateway section, Which will be 4 weeks here in Texas then we do 2 weeks of field service in Sierra Leone before joining the crew on the Africa Mercy!
It has been an interesting week getting to know the others in the group. I am sharing a room with 3 other girls (2 from USA and 1 from Australia), fortunately we have not had any scorpions in our room, yet!!!
I am enjoying the weather at the moment as it is hot , so the swimming pool as come in handy!!!!!
I will try and write more often, if I get time!



Our bedroom door, showing the different nationalities1

Wal-mart trip! To get the essentials!

Foundations of Mercy Ships!

Foundations Mercy Ships group

Hi all, from dallas Texas!!

Well I have made it to Dallas, just a little tip, if you ever think of coming to Dallas or via Dallas airport, take an extra 1hour and half for visa checks, it was sooo long!

Anyway the flight was good managed to see 3 films I had wanted to see earlier this year, so that was great!

The weather here is lovely and hot, which makes a change to the cold and miserable weather in the UK.
Today I travel to Mercy Ships headquarters which is about 2 hour drive from Dallas, so I get to see a little bit of Texas.
That is all from now!!xx

Last day in British Soil!! (For 14 months)

Getting ready to leave tomorrow, bags are packed, farewells done, malaria tablets in bag!!!!!
Unfortunately tenants have not moved in to my house yet, pray that they will at the beginning of next week. This means I will need to sort out the house insurance from USA, which is not great, as I was hoping to have it sorted by now!
It has been a very stressfull week but I am very excited to be starting this new adventure! It has been great to see family and friends this week, and will miss them a lot.
So watch this space as the next one will be from Texas!!!