Oretha

Jemima and Korpo

John

It is over

The last 2 weeks have been a fog. I am exhausted, 10 months of an all-out sprint just feels too long... but the joy in my heart says it was worth it.

The wards are closed, the last patients left today, and now it is over.

Exhausted or not, it is over.

The memories have been made, the babies have been healed,

the patients have laughed, cried, and lifted their voices to our God.

The kids have played in the hallways, ran around with stickers on their heads, and given us much needed cuddles.

The women have knitted hats, blankets, and socks.

The men have played countless hours of checkers, Jenga, and Uno.

We have sung

Great things He has done,
Greater things He will do.
Unto the Lord be the glory,
Great things He has done.

and have meant every word.

We have sung

It is raining all around me,

I can feel it,

It's a lot of rain.

I asked Jesus to bring more rain

until we are full,

until we are full of a lot of rain.

And knew it was not talking about water coming from the sky,

but of God Almighty's blessings in our lives.

A ward, B ward, C ward, D ward, and ICU are all packed up.

The halls feel desolate.

I keep waiting to see Micky cruising down the hallway with his makeshift car.

There are no Mama's sitting by the stairway chatting with those who pass by.

The translators  have turned in their badges and have walked down the gangway for the last time,

It is over.

I am tired.

But satisfied.

We did our best,

more than our best.

We loved, cried, played, and gave the best care anyone could have given.

It is over.

Until next time.

Games, Pop Rocks, and Goodbyes

Favorite Things About Living On A Hospital Ship in Africa

This morning I have been feeling a bit reflective. Some more of my friends are leaving today and last night we had their going away party and they were talking about their time here. The obvious was stated "We are spoiled for the ordinary, My life will never be the same again...." and many more Mercy Ship cliches.

As I sit in the recovery room all by myself awaiting my first patient to come out of the OR I have been thinking about my time here. We have been here for 5 months now. Let's be honest. There have been a couple of days when I was looking for plane tickets to get the heck out of here. And others when all I can do is think about how the Lord has blessed me so much to be here. I guess this reflective mood stems from the decision that Tyrone and I will come home after our 1-year commitment is complete. I don't know where home is. We think we will travel a bit more, maybe take a travel nursing job here and there. We have not made any decisions but we do know that we want to enjoy our time with Mercy Ships as much as possible therefore we want to leave before we become burned out or bitter.

In my time here I have come up with my favorite things about living on a hospital  ship in Africa:

1. Short commute to work

2. Friday nights at the snack bar, with music playing and people dancing and chatting. (you'd have to here to understand the true beauty)

3. The patient's first glimpse in the mirror after life-changing surgery.

4. Friendships

5. The things that we do when we are bored: playing in the rain, playing taboo with people from all over the world, just sitting around chatting.

6. This one sounds cheesy but it is truly one of my favorite things about living on the ship. I love to walk down the halls of the ship to where ever we are going, holding Tyrone's hand and knowing that I get to experience this crazy life with my best friend.

7.  I love to sit on the dock and watch the sunset and be silly with my girlfriends as we discuss the meaningful things in life like what we would be if we were a superhero.

8. Being a part of our Bible study with our girls at the orphanage, some times I think maybe they are the reason why I am here in Liberia.

9. Taking a shower after being hot and sweaty from the Liberian sun.

10. Sitting at the Starbucks cafe on a day off sipping my hazelnut double shot latte chatting with people as they pass through.

 

Screening Day Pictures