Other Sailing Activities....

This weekend the Africa Mercy hosted a special Texas Hold 'em Tournament. Everyone came dressed for the occasion.

The ships hospitality team has organized a myriad of Christmas activities this month, including a door decorating contest, kids crafts, and a cookie exchange. Saturday night was the Winter Wonderland festival. The midships lounge was decorated and crew members sold crafts and food at various booths. I ran a Christmas photo booth. Below are a few if my favorite photos. Ali and Phil get their photo taken with managing director, Ken Berry.
Lorah and Justin are returnees. They were a part of my first photo booth in Liberia. Before, they were dating. Now, they are married and expecting a baby :)
Christmas hats + great friends + branding = perfect holiday photo.
The "Winter Wonderland Dancers." Aren't they just precious?

Day 7

Today is day 7 of a possible 12 days of sailing. We have so far been blessed with a very smooth sail and no unwanted guests. With the exception of tiredness and a craving to eat at all times, most of the crew have not been sick. We are blessed.

After six busy months, I've been enjoying the relaxed ship atmosphere, sunsets on the bow, and Christmas movies at night. Last night, I sat with friends on deck 8 and watched a meteor shower in a clear, moonless sky. Really, it was amazing. I find it hard to believe that in a little more than a week, I'll be home.

Above are a few photos of life at sea :)

The Galley

Our Galley Manager, Jesse.

During the sail Jesse, Galley Manager, is cooking his favorite dishes. For example, yesterday we had macaroni and cheese for lunch, and chicken cordon blue for dinner. I'm really liking the "favorites" menu. As you can imagine, cooking for over 400 people everyday is a very challenging task (it's even more challenging now that the ship is moving back and forth). This is a brief look at our wonderful galley.

The Galley On board the Africa Mercy

The Africa Mercy has almost 400 hundred crew members serving on board. The crew is extremely diverse, coming from over 30 countries and ranging in age, profession, and length of service. But they share a commonality - everyone needs to eat. In West Africa, access to food supplies is limited, and most crew members don't have personal space for food storage on board. Various jobs on the ship have immediate and time-consuming needs, which don't allow time for food preparation. Fortunately, the Galley has taken on the challenge of meeting the nutritional needs of the crew. Every day, a staff of 20 prepares 900 hot meals, which are served on board the Africa Mercy. They begin preparing food at 8 AM every morning, including weekends, and continue until 7 PM.

"We feed all crew members living on the ship, the Beninese day workers, and the patients in the hospital," said Galley manager Jesse Mitchell. "It's such a big responsibility because food is such an important part of people's lives. Eating a good meal can really make your day." Professionally trained as a chef, Mitchell is utilizing his culinary skills as Galley Manager on the Africa Mercy. Mitchell is responsible for planning the weekly menu, ordering supplies, and managing the galley staff. As galley manager, he has faced several challenges unique to the Africa Mercy environment. One example is planning menus to accommodate the international crew and their varied taste preferences.

"It is very hard because there is absolutely no way you can please everyone. We have over 30 nationalities living on board, and everyone likes and wants something different. I try to give people options with salads, fruit, and sandwiches. There is enough that I think people can find something," said Mitchell.

Also, while the Africa Mercy is docked in West Africa, access to food supplies is limited. Utilizing available supplies and incorporating local resources to generate appetizing, nutritionally balanced meals requires both careful planning and creativity.

"In West Africa, you can't just say, 'I would like to have this spice or food product' and have it. You can order it, but it may not arrive for three months," said Mitchell. "I have to carefully plan the menus, keeping in mind the quantities of the items available in our storeroom."

Although it can be challenging and sometimes stressful, Mitchell has really enjoyed serving on the Africa Mercy.

"I never thought I could use my culinary skills for missions. I always wanted to serve in Africa, but I didn't see myself in a traditional missionary type of role. When I heard about Mercy Ships, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to go, do my job, and serve God overseas. I'm making a difference in the world, and working here has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life."

The work of the Galley staff often goes unseen. However, without their consistent dedication, the Africa Mercy would be unable to bring hope and healing to the lives of thousands.

"When someone has had a long day, a good meal can mean a lot to them. Sometimes crew come to dinner exhausted and tired from the day. Several times, the OR staff has expressed how grateful they were for a good meal after a long day of surgery. It's an amazing privilege to have such influence on people's lives," said Mitchell.

Written by Megan Petock

Leaving Benin

One final view of Benin as we sail away.

Ali shows off her anti-seasick wrist bands.

Rich films our departure.

The final view of the dock and a few people who were sending us off. There is a rumor that 70 people showed up at the gate to say goodbye, but the port authorities did not grant them passage.

The empty berth which housed the Africa Mercy for the past ten months.

Liz, myself, and Jess watching the ship leave from the eighth deck.

The gangway is lifted.

Yesterday at 11 PM (remarkably on schedule), the Africa Mercy departed Benin. We are currently sailing through the Atlantic towards the Canary Islands. Finishing the outreach and preparing to sail have been a lot of work. I'm excited and hopeful we will have a calm transition back into the Western world. I'm feeling a little seasick and am hoping my body adjust quickly so I can enjoy being on the water. Please pray we have a safe and uneventful sail.

Swimmer Watch

My bunk mate was confused when she heard my alarm go off at 3:45 AM.
I apologized for waking her up, and explained myself in four words,

"I have Swimmer Watch."

As we approach our sail the likelihood of "swimmers," wanna-be stow-aways who enter the ship by swimming onto the side and climbing up, greatly increases. To prevent any unauthorized personal from boarding the vessel crew members voluntarily stay up throughout the night watching for "swimmers".

This morning was my turn.

Rich and I took the aft 4 to 6:30 AM shift. I wasn't excited about getting up (and have been pretty tired all day), but to my surprise, swimmer watch was very enjoyable. We watched the schools of fishing boats cut through the port in the morning darkness towards a long day of work. Every half-hour we shined a flashlight along the back of the ship to "scare" off any possible swimmers. We even watched the sunrise.

All while keeping the crew safe :)

The Pediatric Hospital

The framework and inter workings at hospital's in West Africa are incredibly different then at home. You pay for every aspect of your treatment up front, which is why Mercy Ships has provided the Burkitt's kids with the needles, tubing, ect. they will need for their treatments over the next few months. Corruption and politics play a huge role in how services are (or are not) provided.

Although clean and decent by West African standards, I think (I'm pretty certain)most people at home would refuse to stay in one of the rooms. Sometimes the hospital has no water. Sometimes it has no power.

Life is a little different here.

saying goodbye.

Today I said goodbye to Luc and Rachelle, who are both fighting Burkitts Lymphoma. Yesterday they both received a chemotherapy treatment at Hormel, the local pediatric hospital. We visited them at the hospital and brought the supplies (IV's, fluids, medications- in West Africa you buy supplies individually, bring your own, or simply receive no care) they will need for their treatments after we leave.

I have been following the Burkitts since July, when it was a group of four children. Now there are two.

At first, Luc responded well to the chemo, with the swelling above his eye almost completely subsiding. But the swelling is back. The cyclophosphamide isn't working. Suey, who manages there care, has been able to secure a second line of chemo that prayerfully will beat the cancer. Please pray that it does. His mother, Agilse, has watched Maddie die and is scared for Luc. Pray for her too.

Rachelle is do remarkably well. She travels a far distance (I believe it's four hours) for every treatment. Her family is simple, caring, and supportive. Pray there are no hindrances as she travels to Cotonou to receive her life-sustaining treatments.

Visiting these children and their families has been a highlight of my time here. I will never forget Maddie's sassy personality, Luc's zeal for life, and Rachelle's sweet spirit. It was sad to say goodbye today.

Please continue to pray for Luc and Rachelle. In a country plagued by medical mis-education, politics, and poverty, it's a miracle every time they come to the hospital and receive a chemo treatment.

I'm going to be praying too.