Today was my first day of work! It was a good day, although I don't know that I can get used to waking up early. My shift started at 7am. Breakfast during the week is served from 6:30 to 7:30am. I grabbed breakfast at about 6:40 and then went to the ward at 6:55. Its so cool having everything so close to the hospital. No transit time needed. :) Once, arriving the ward, the night nurses and day nurses mingle and we have a time of prayer, thanking the Lord for the night, for the patients, and for each other and then praying for the health and healing of the patients and for our hands, hearts and minds to be prepared and ready to be used for the Lord's work. It was such a nice way to start the day. Then we go bed to bed with the night nurse to our assigned patients to receive report. I guess some would say it is "old fashioned" but I loved it. The patients are then involved and know what is going on too.
I then reviewed the charts and orders and checked the meds that would be given for the shift. I had two patients who were going to go to the OR. Each patient prior to going to the OR has to get a bath with a Chlorhexidine wash. I am working on a general surgery ward right now. The general surgeon is only here for another week or so ( I don't know if I've said that already), and then after he leaves I'm assuming the ward will become the ward for whatever surgeon comes next. Most of the patients have inguinal hernias or hydroceles which are much larger than anything seen in the states. I was speaking with the surgeon today (who lives in Washington state) and he was saying how he's never seen hydroceles so large. They had one in which they drained 3L of fluid. Crazy! (I know this means nothing to a lot of you, but that's alot of fluid).
When a patient goes to the OR, we (the nurse) walks them to the OR and then does a handoff with the OR nurse, where we state the surgery and have the patient confirm the surgery and side of the operation. We then all pray with the patient, and then the patient goes into the OR.
On the wards, there are day "volunteers", which are people from Sierra Leone who are paid to help out on the ship. They are our interpreters, our meal staff, housekeepers and also help with some patient care, such as toileting. They are an amazing asset to the team. They also work with our patient life coordinators who come onto the wards and sing and play music and dance with the patients. It is soo cool to sing and dance with the patients in the hospital!! The patients love it. I had to place an IV in a patient and it put her at ease to be singing worship songs and enjoying the music right after it was done. LOVE LOVE LOVE that part of the hospital.
All the documentation is on paper- something I am not used to. I don't remember ever documenting on paper. I can't say I like it. I have to flip through so many pages to find what I need. Once the surgeons rounded, all the MD orders has to get transcribed onto nursing pages- medications, dressing changes, postop orders etc.
At the end of day shift, the second shift comes at 2pm and day shift leaves at 3:30pm, we take the patients who are able to the 7th deck, port side to be outside and enjoy the view of the water. A large number of patients enjoy this, as its a way to get out of the same surroundings. Many of the patients have been with us for a while, especially the plastics and maxillofacial patients, and need the change of scenery every now and then. So that's how I spent the end of my shift.
I also had a patient whose course of stay, s/p thyroidectomy, was complicated by newly diagnosed malaria. She was spiking fevers all day. Its sad to see how malaria affect the body. I realized I don't know much about the clinical manifestations, course or treatment of malaria so that was my homework today.
This evening, we had our new crew orientation where we went over all the ship policies and departments. The crew nurse spoke and informed us that malaria is around and we've had some crew infected with it. It is thus very very important to be taking my antimalarial medications. Its an awful disease! The other thing I learned was that our blood bank is the crew! When blood is needed, they pull from the crew to provide the blood. Very cool!
Anyways, that was today. My computer did get set up so I will load my pics to it tonight and hopefully get them up tomorrow. I don't work until 2pm tomorrow so I will have the morning to do it.
Glad to here everyone in CT is safe despite still not having power in some parts. Our God is a mighty God and cares for each one of you!
Thankful for another day...
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Word of Life- Church in Freetown :)
Last night, I just hung out, watched some pingpong and made some plans for church today. I decided to got with Michael (from Ghana) and John (from Texas). Michael was going to be preaching at the church and they invited me to join them. I was very excited about going but was kinda discouraged by the lack of enthusiam to attend church by a number of others on the ship. However, as I will explain later, I hadn't realized the other options for "church" that are available.
I woke up this morning and I could feel the whole ship rocking. It was so bad that at times I would lose my balance. Because I'm on the 3rd deck, I don't have any windows and had no idea what the weather was like. When I got up to breakfast, I saw that it was pouring rain and that the waves on the ocean were much more than they had been before. Hence, the rocking and shuttering of the ship.
I met up with Michael and John and confirmed the plans that we would meet at 9:30am at the reception desk to get picked up by a church member of a church we were going to attend. After walking to the end of the dock and through the security gate and getting completely drenched, we waited for about 30 minutes for the man who was supposed to pick us up before he arrived. We then drove through Freetown about 15-20 minutes to Word of Life church. We were on some paved roads and then left the main roads onto some dirt roads which were now washed away by the rain.
Church was soooo good! I loved it. The music was so lively, the people were so into the worship, singing and dancing. They did a few songs in, I'm assuming, Krio, and then the rest in English. Most of the English songs I knew- Blessed Assurance, Hallelujah, He Knows My Name, and many more. They had a piano and drums which they added nice African beats to. I loved how excited everyone was. I wish I could dance :)
Michael did the message. He spoke from Acts chapter 7 from the story of Stephen and his martyrdom. He started talking about strength and maintaining your testimony during the hard times and during persecution. He shared his personal story about how he came from a idol worshipping background and how when he became a Christian, his family didn't want anything to do with him. He then realized that he was not developing in his relationship with God and was not receiving all the blessings in store for his life because he had not learned to forgive his parents. He then changed the message ( he says that wasn't his plan- God works through those who are willing to be used by Him) to speaking about forgiveness and how if we can't forgive even as Stephen did, ( he said "Father, do not hold this sin against them") we may miss out on our blessing. The people were so receptive of the message and really were thanking and praising God for all that He has done. The man who drove us to church, also named John, then told his testimony about how God delivered him recently through a sticky situation with the government. It was so great to hear his story. The people were very encouraged by it.
We didn't stay for the rest of the church service. The pastor who is a member of the eye team here with Mercy Ships, dismissed us knowing that we would have to be back to the ship at some point ( we were there for 3 hours already). The people were so welcoming and happy to see us there visiting. Some other church had asked Michael to go preach there so he went there and John and I returned to the ship. On the way back, I did see the road of the church my aunt told me about. She knows that pastor and had given me his information before I left the States.
I had lunch and heard about others' day. Some people went to other churches. Markos preached at some church far in the mountains. Claire went to church on the ward. There is a ward service every Sunday morning which I did not know about. I'm more than happy knowing that the Sundays I work, I will be able to join the patients and the day volunteers there. On Sunday nights there is also a ship service. Today they didn't have it because it was a long weekend and I assume, its because they think everyone then has time to leave the ship for church. Also on Sunday afternoons, there is the opportunity to visit the Hope Center (I think its called), which is the rehabilitation center Mercy ship set up for patients after they leave the hospital but before they go back home. Its down the street and we can go see and play with the patients and kids there. My bunkmate did that this afternoon. All kinds of options.
Michael is a vessel willing and ready to be used by the Lord. He was telling me of other opportunities of ministry. He is praying about a recent request for him to preach at a church for blind people. He asked me to join him if the Lord shows him that it is what He wants him to do. There is also a prison ministry in both a regular prison and a women prison. I would love to visit the women's prison. Alot of the younger people on the ship (meaning those my age) like to stay around the ship or venture to market or the beach. I feel that if the Lord has called me to do His work in Sierra Leone, and there are so many opportunities to do so, why limit myself to only working in the hospital. I can't wait to do other projects.
Well that's today.. The ship is rocking like crazy and I'm getting sleepy. Early day tomorrow. Have to be at work at 7am :) Very excited! Can't wait to tell you about my day.
Unfortunately, because of a Mercy Ship policy I can not take pictures in the wards. I can only use pictures that get taken by the photographers. So, I will do my best to get in as many pics as possible :)
Thanks for reading!
I woke up this morning and I could feel the whole ship rocking. It was so bad that at times I would lose my balance. Because I'm on the 3rd deck, I don't have any windows and had no idea what the weather was like. When I got up to breakfast, I saw that it was pouring rain and that the waves on the ocean were much more than they had been before. Hence, the rocking and shuttering of the ship.
I met up with Michael and John and confirmed the plans that we would meet at 9:30am at the reception desk to get picked up by a church member of a church we were going to attend. After walking to the end of the dock and through the security gate and getting completely drenched, we waited for about 30 minutes for the man who was supposed to pick us up before he arrived. We then drove through Freetown about 15-20 minutes to Word of Life church. We were on some paved roads and then left the main roads onto some dirt roads which were now washed away by the rain.
Church was soooo good! I loved it. The music was so lively, the people were so into the worship, singing and dancing. They did a few songs in, I'm assuming, Krio, and then the rest in English. Most of the English songs I knew- Blessed Assurance, Hallelujah, He Knows My Name, and many more. They had a piano and drums which they added nice African beats to. I loved how excited everyone was. I wish I could dance :)
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| Michael and I |
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| John and I |
We didn't stay for the rest of the church service. The pastor who is a member of the eye team here with Mercy Ships, dismissed us knowing that we would have to be back to the ship at some point ( we were there for 3 hours already). The people were so welcoming and happy to see us there visiting. Some other church had asked Michael to go preach there so he went there and John and I returned to the ship. On the way back, I did see the road of the church my aunt told me about. She knows that pastor and had given me his information before I left the States.
I had lunch and heard about others' day. Some people went to other churches. Markos preached at some church far in the mountains. Claire went to church on the ward. There is a ward service every Sunday morning which I did not know about. I'm more than happy knowing that the Sundays I work, I will be able to join the patients and the day volunteers there. On Sunday nights there is also a ship service. Today they didn't have it because it was a long weekend and I assume, its because they think everyone then has time to leave the ship for church. Also on Sunday afternoons, there is the opportunity to visit the Hope Center (I think its called), which is the rehabilitation center Mercy ship set up for patients after they leave the hospital but before they go back home. Its down the street and we can go see and play with the patients and kids there. My bunkmate did that this afternoon. All kinds of options.
Michael is a vessel willing and ready to be used by the Lord. He was telling me of other opportunities of ministry. He is praying about a recent request for him to preach at a church for blind people. He asked me to join him if the Lord shows him that it is what He wants him to do. There is also a prison ministry in both a regular prison and a women prison. I would love to visit the women's prison. Alot of the younger people on the ship (meaning those my age) like to stay around the ship or venture to market or the beach. I feel that if the Lord has called me to do His work in Sierra Leone, and there are so many opportunities to do so, why limit myself to only working in the hospital. I can't wait to do other projects.
Well that's today.. The ship is rocking like crazy and I'm getting sleepy. Early day tomorrow. Have to be at work at 7am :) Very excited! Can't wait to tell you about my day.
Unfortunately, because of a Mercy Ship policy I can not take pictures in the wards. I can only use pictures that get taken by the photographers. So, I will do my best to get in as many pics as possible :)
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Out on the Town!!
Today, I decided to venture out into the town. The need for caution has been expressed numerous times by those who have been orienting us to the ship and by those who have done so already. No jewelry, no visible signs of wealth, concealed cameras, etc. Pick-pocketers are very common. I went with Claire, Jess, and Markos who somewhat knew his way around. Once we swiped out of the ship we walked off the dock and then after a little ways was surrounded by so many people. Freetown is so densely populated and while walking, we were constantly surrounded by and pushed up against someone else. We walked about 45 minutes into the town heading towards the Cotton Tree, a national landmark, and towards a craft market. The sites and sounds and smells were all so intriguing. There were many people selling all kinds of materials, soaps, food, water, DVDs, Cd's, clothes, etc. Some were carrying things on their head. Some were holding their babies on their back. People and cars were just pushing their way through the streets. The sounds of music, people yelling out prices of their merchandise, and the horns on the cars and trucks honking were constant. I saw people holding live chickens and dead mice. Sewers with dirty water ran down the sides of the street. The colors of the clothing were all so vibrant.
We first went to observe the Cotton tree, which is a historic symbol in Sierra Leone that represents freedom. It is a large tree that gained its importance in 1792 when freed African American slaves settled in Freetown. When arriving in Freetown, they held a thanksgiving service at the tree thanking God for their freedom. It now remains in the oldest part of Freetown near the Supreme Court building and the National Museum.
After that we went to a craft market which had multiple various items at the different booths. The first group of booths sold dresses and bags and various colorful cloths. I'm hoping to at some point be able to buy a dress or have one made from some of the gorgeous fabrics. Then there were many booths with jewelry items, sand arts, wood carvings and other crafts. There was so much to look at and choose from. I told all the merchants that I was just looking today (which I was- I haven't had a chance to take out Leonies from the bank yet) and that at some point I would be back. Enough people from the ship go to and from the markets so I'm sure I will be going again. They seemed to be okay with that answer. I anticipate they will remember my face for next time and make sure I purchase from them. At times, the sellers can seem aggresive, but I realized its their way of being competative because most of the sellers in the market are selling the same if not similar items.
I will have to prepare myself for the adventure of walking through the town for the next time I go. The experience is very intimidating and overwhelming. You have to be alert and attentive, and not distracted by all that's around. I want to learn the route to walk to the market so that I can take in all of the surroundings and sights. Its a whole other world out here! The children are so happy and all wave and say hello when walking by. I'm excited to be a part of this culture and to work with some of the members of this country on a closer level once I start working.
We first went to observe the Cotton tree, which is a historic symbol in Sierra Leone that represents freedom. It is a large tree that gained its importance in 1792 when freed African American slaves settled in Freetown. When arriving in Freetown, they held a thanksgiving service at the tree thanking God for their freedom. It now remains in the oldest part of Freetown near the Supreme Court building and the National Museum.
After that we went to a craft market which had multiple various items at the different booths. The first group of booths sold dresses and bags and various colorful cloths. I'm hoping to at some point be able to buy a dress or have one made from some of the gorgeous fabrics. Then there were many booths with jewelry items, sand arts, wood carvings and other crafts. There was so much to look at and choose from. I told all the merchants that I was just looking today (which I was- I haven't had a chance to take out Leonies from the bank yet) and that at some point I would be back. Enough people from the ship go to and from the markets so I'm sure I will be going again. They seemed to be okay with that answer. I anticipate they will remember my face for next time and make sure I purchase from them. At times, the sellers can seem aggresive, but I realized its their way of being competative because most of the sellers in the market are selling the same if not similar items.
I will have to prepare myself for the adventure of walking through the town for the next time I go. The experience is very intimidating and overwhelming. You have to be alert and attentive, and not distracted by all that's around. I want to learn the route to walk to the market so that I can take in all of the surroundings and sights. Its a whole other world out here! The children are so happy and all wave and say hello when walking by. I'm excited to be a part of this culture and to work with some of the members of this country on a closer level once I start working.
More about the Ship - as promised!
Okay so yesterday I said that there were seven decks. I was incorrect. There are eight! The main floor where we board the ship is the 5th deck which also has the dining room, the Cafe, the Starbucks, a store, post office and other offices including the Chaplains office, the finance office and bank, a library, hair salon and prayer room. On the 6th deck, there is the Internet cafe (where I have been informing you of my great adventures), three lounges, the laundry, and the Academy for the children on the ship. The 7th deck has a number of offices including the IS office, some lounges, a playground; and the 8th deck has another playground and a pool. The 4th deck is all crew quarters; there are also some on the 7th deck and 3rd deck. The 3rd deck is the hospital and all the medical offices; and the 2nd deck has a boutique and the exercise/weight room. There is so much to do on the ship, if I decide I never want to leave it. Some of the lounges are equipped with televisions which have some US channels and one lounge can be turned into a theater with screen and projector. The International lounge which is on the 6th deck is where we have community meetings (or church services). It is a beautiful lounge with flags from all over the world in it.
The hardest thing about living on the ship is the 2 minute showers. In order to conserve water, it is mandatory that everyone only takes a 2 minute shower. I'm actually becoming quite good at it. It was a challenge at first but I figured I'd have to learn it sooner or later :)
I also am figuring out the ship vocabulary ;) My father so kindly sent me an email correcting my lack of knowledge about the different sides of the ship. So know I can say that I know the left side is the port side (which ironically is facing water); the right side is the starboard side; the front is the bow and the back is the aft. The ship is also then sectioned off into 4 additional sections. Its kinda cool.
Anyways. I don't know what more to say about the ship other than its gorgeous. Any questions just ask :)
We have mandatory meeting each week including the community meetings, a church service on Sundays, hospital devotions and ward nurses devotions, all which I look forward to.
Right know I don't know what I'm going to do about church tomorrow. Markos was invited to a church and so I may go with him. My aunt sent me information about a church in Freetown of a pastor she knows. I haven't been able to locate it yet or find someone who has heard of it. Once I do, I may check it out. I'm excited to experience church in this culture. The area seems predominately Muslim, but while walking through town, I did see a number of churches.
I ventured out into the town today and will blog on that later. It was quite the experience.
Enjoy!
The hardest thing about living on the ship is the 2 minute showers. In order to conserve water, it is mandatory that everyone only takes a 2 minute shower. I'm actually becoming quite good at it. It was a challenge at first but I figured I'd have to learn it sooner or later :)
I also am figuring out the ship vocabulary ;) My father so kindly sent me an email correcting my lack of knowledge about the different sides of the ship. So know I can say that I know the left side is the port side (which ironically is facing water); the right side is the starboard side; the front is the bow and the back is the aft. The ship is also then sectioned off into 4 additional sections. Its kinda cool.
Anyways. I don't know what more to say about the ship other than its gorgeous. Any questions just ask :)
We have mandatory meeting each week including the community meetings, a church service on Sundays, hospital devotions and ward nurses devotions, all which I look forward to.
Right know I don't know what I'm going to do about church tomorrow. Markos was invited to a church and so I may go with him. My aunt sent me information about a church in Freetown of a pastor she knows. I haven't been able to locate it yet or find someone who has heard of it. Once I do, I may check it out. I'm excited to experience church in this culture. The area seems predominately Muslim, but while walking through town, I did see a number of churches.
I ventured out into the town today and will blog on that later. It was quite the experience.
Enjoy!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Nursing Orientation and such!
So both yesterday and today I had nursing orientation where we went over hospital policy, protocols and documentation. It is so different from what I'm used to- all documentation is on paper, I have to transcribe meds from MD order forms, and the wards have up to ten patients in one room. Its so cool though. We went through a whole section about cultural differences and it was mentioned that because the West African culture is so community focused, the patients would actually have a hard time if they were separated. This was seen during the tour of the hospital. Everyone was talking and hanging out with the patient in the next bed. I will be working on Ward B and C which currently has general surgical patients in it and surgical overflow patients, respectively. Most of the general surgeries are like hernia repairs and thyroidectomies, but I understand the general surgeon is only here for another week or so. Ward A has plastics patients and Ward D has maxillo-facial patients. There is also an ICU which has 5 beds. They combine both adults and children in each ward and children 18 and younger have a caregiver with them that sleeps under the beds on a mattress. During the tour, I did notice a few cleft lip/palate patients and tumor removal patients. I saw some burn contracture release patients. I'm not sure what else we are currently doing now because it was just my tour. Once I start working I'll have a better idea of what cases are being performed now. This outreach in Sierra Leone isn't doing VVF (vesicovaginal fistula) repair surgeries because the incidence rate of them in West Africa is lower than in East and other part of Africa. Also Sierra Leone has its own fistula hospital that Mercy Ships initially set up on another outreach in the past. It is now run by another NGO- but that's that reason we aren't doing them, which I'm a bit disappointed about.
I start work on Monday. We work an average of 40 hours a week, but it varies. Each shift is 8 hours and the night shift is 10 hours. Next week, I work Monday through Friday some days and some evenings and my first two days I will be with a preceptor. The following week I will be working Monday through Thursday nights and then Saturday evening- which will total 48 hours. I can't wait to start working. I know it will take some time to get used to the routine of things but because all the patients and nurses are in one room, I'll have lots of people there to support me.
I'm still getting so lost on the ship. There are 7 decks and i'm still learning the differences between the port and starboard, aft and the other one (don't remember). The amount of stairs is insane. I get a work out all the time. I am living on the 3rd deck which is also the deck that has the hospital. I'll explain more about the ship at another time. I love the feeling of the ship rocking though and you can feel it shutter especially in bed at night. Sierra Leone is beautiful and the sunsets are impeccable. Can't wait to post a picture of it!
Last night, we had a church service. They are every Monday morning and Thursday night. The worship was really good and then someone gave a message about being a light in a dark world. It was very encouraging. I was so tired last night though and went to bed right after church at like 8pm. At 10pm, a number of nurses get together for Tea at Ten. Maybe i'll join another night. I was way too exhausted and then this morning woke up with a stomach bug or something. Can't figure out if its from the food or the water or something else, so please pray I feel better soon.
The weekends are quiet. No one works on the weekends except for nursing staff, and most people leave the ship for day or weekend adventures, so it feels like no one is here. Its good though cause I need to learn where everything is this weekend and then maybe I'll venture out on a weekend off. I'm going to see who is leaving the ship for church on Sunday, which I really want to do. I'm excited to be the in community.
I've met so many people already from all over the world- Finland, Colombia, South Africa, England, Australia, Germany, Canada, and of course the US. I love meeting people from all over. There is so much to learn from those from other countries and cultures. There are also day staff with us from Sierra Leone, that are either volunteers or workers who help out with tasks both in the hospital and the ship as a whole, so I've met some of them too!
Anyways, that's an update of what's going on. Hope you enjoy!!
I start work on Monday. We work an average of 40 hours a week, but it varies. Each shift is 8 hours and the night shift is 10 hours. Next week, I work Monday through Friday some days and some evenings and my first two days I will be with a preceptor. The following week I will be working Monday through Thursday nights and then Saturday evening- which will total 48 hours. I can't wait to start working. I know it will take some time to get used to the routine of things but because all the patients and nurses are in one room, I'll have lots of people there to support me.
I'm still getting so lost on the ship. There are 7 decks and i'm still learning the differences between the port and starboard, aft and the other one (don't remember). The amount of stairs is insane. I get a work out all the time. I am living on the 3rd deck which is also the deck that has the hospital. I'll explain more about the ship at another time. I love the feeling of the ship rocking though and you can feel it shutter especially in bed at night. Sierra Leone is beautiful and the sunsets are impeccable. Can't wait to post a picture of it!
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Last night, we had a church service. They are every Monday morning and Thursday night. The worship was really good and then someone gave a message about being a light in a dark world. It was very encouraging. I was so tired last night though and went to bed right after church at like 8pm. At 10pm, a number of nurses get together for Tea at Ten. Maybe i'll join another night. I was way too exhausted and then this morning woke up with a stomach bug or something. Can't figure out if its from the food or the water or something else, so please pray I feel better soon.
The weekends are quiet. No one works on the weekends except for nursing staff, and most people leave the ship for day or weekend adventures, so it feels like no one is here. Its good though cause I need to learn where everything is this weekend and then maybe I'll venture out on a weekend off. I'm going to see who is leaving the ship for church on Sunday, which I really want to do. I'm excited to be the in community.
I've met so many people already from all over the world- Finland, Colombia, South Africa, England, Australia, Germany, Canada, and of course the US. I love meeting people from all over. There is so much to learn from those from other countries and cultures. There are also day staff with us from Sierra Leone, that are either volunteers or workers who help out with tasks both in the hospital and the ship as a whole, so I've met some of them too!
Anyways, that's an update of what's going on. Hope you enjoy!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Hello from the Africa Mercy!!
I've arrived! Last night we flew out of Banjul at about 12:50am. It was a very tense flight, most likely because it was the same group of us who had been on the aborted takeoff flight and who had been stuck in the hotel for the last three days. We boarded the plane after hours in line at the airport, and as we taxied down the runway, I was praying fervently for safety and a safe flight. Others were saying their hail marys and praying with their rosary beads. Everyone was really quiet. We taxied to the runway and when we reached it, the polot stopped the plane for what felt like 10 minutes. My imagination went wild- he's unsure whether to fly, he's saying his prayers, etc...We took off and the flight from Banjul to Lungi lasted about 50 minutes. The flight was the quietest flight I remember ever being on and it wasn't until we landed in Lungi, that everyone sighed with relief and clapped.
After landing, we went to the airport and went throught immigration which went quickly once the officers knew we (the 6 others and me) were with Mercy Ships. The health officers checked my WHO card and then the we went through customs. A pastor who lives in Lungi and works with Mercy Ships picked us up and helped us through customs and provided transporation to the water taxi that Brussels had paid for to transport us to Freetown that late at night. The water taxi was sketchy. Very dirty with alot of local people trying to get a hold of our bags. The taxi ride was about 35 minutes to Freetown. On the other side we were greeted by two Mercy Ship members and two guards that drove us to the ship.
We arrived to the ship about about 4:30am. The ship is beautiful! It was so surreal arriving. It was like a dream coming true- a dream of over 2 years- finally becoming a reality. We boarded the ship and filled out lots of forms and received my room key. I felt bad coming in that late but my bunk mate (I'm in a 6-berth cabin) had left the light on for me. I climbed into bed and tried to sleep at about 6am, only to have her alarm go off at 6:30. She also is a nurse and had to work on the ward at 7. I slept a little bit, maybe 2 hours and then got up to unpack. The cabin is way to small to have my stuff everywhere. Everything is unpacked and at 2:30pm, I met with the nursing instructor who began orientation for myself and Claire. I was supposed to work this weekend but because I didn't arrive until today, the schedule will be changed. We shall see. Its a long weekend on the boat this weekend so many people are arranging day or weekend trips to go off the ship. I'm going to stay to catch up on sleep and learn this massive ship. I've gotten lost so many times already. More orientation tomorrow.. I'm so tired.
Until next time...
I haven't set up my computer with the IS department yet so I can't upload pics. Will do after Monday when they can set it up. (sorry)
After landing, we went to the airport and went throught immigration which went quickly once the officers knew we (the 6 others and me) were with Mercy Ships. The health officers checked my WHO card and then the we went through customs. A pastor who lives in Lungi and works with Mercy Ships picked us up and helped us through customs and provided transporation to the water taxi that Brussels had paid for to transport us to Freetown that late at night. The water taxi was sketchy. Very dirty with alot of local people trying to get a hold of our bags. The taxi ride was about 35 minutes to Freetown. On the other side we were greeted by two Mercy Ship members and two guards that drove us to the ship.
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| the water taxi |
We arrived to the ship about about 4:30am. The ship is beautiful! It was so surreal arriving. It was like a dream coming true- a dream of over 2 years- finally becoming a reality. We boarded the ship and filled out lots of forms and received my room key. I felt bad coming in that late but my bunk mate (I'm in a 6-berth cabin) had left the light on for me. I climbed into bed and tried to sleep at about 6am, only to have her alarm go off at 6:30. She also is a nurse and had to work on the ward at 7. I slept a little bit, maybe 2 hours and then got up to unpack. The cabin is way to small to have my stuff everywhere. Everything is unpacked and at 2:30pm, I met with the nursing instructor who began orientation for myself and Claire. I was supposed to work this weekend but because I didn't arrive until today, the schedule will be changed. We shall see. Its a long weekend on the boat this weekend so many people are arranging day or weekend trips to go off the ship. I'm going to stay to catch up on sleep and learn this massive ship. I've gotten lost so many times already. More orientation tomorrow.. I'm so tired.
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| my cubicle. while unpacking |
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| the cabin- 6 berth |
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| the bathroom |
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| Starboard side |
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| port side |
Until next time...
I haven't set up my computer with the IS department yet so I can't upload pics. Will do after Monday when they can set it up. (sorry)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Flying to Lungi.. maybe :/
So it looks like we are going to be be flying out tonight. That's what they say. Its 9pm now and buses are going to take us to the airport at 10pm and we have a flight at 11:40pm. We will see what happens. Apparently the airline just called and said that the flight was on, but last night it was canceled right before we left here, so no hopes are up. Please pray for the plane and the pilot!
Hello from The Gambia!
Hello everyone!!
So.. I haven't blogged in a few days, mostly because of poor internet access and limited battery. I was able to charge my computer today so here's an update on my travels thus far.
I left NY on Sunday evening. The goodbye to my family was difficult. It was hard seeing Andrew and Kezia sad about me leaving. I left them with the reminder that I will be back. :) The flight left NY at 6pm our time and I traveled through the night and across time zones to Brussels, Belgium which is 6 hours ahead. I arrived there at about 8am. The flight was uneventful. I was able to sleep a few hours amidst a screaming baby the whole flight.
After arriving in Brussels, I had to take a bus from one terminal to another which transferred flights to Africa. On the bus, a lady approached me and asked if I was with Mercy Ships. She had spotted my shirt (Mercy ships wanted us to wear a Mercyship shirt so it was easy to identify us when arriving in Sierra Leone). She was also with Mercy Ships and was from Toronto, Canada going on her third trip with Mercy Ships. Her name was Jen and she also was a nurse and was going to serve for an unknown amount of time. It was so comforting meeting someone else. I was in this large airport of the unknown, praying that I was following the signs correctly and getting to where I really needed to be. Once at the gate, another lady from Germany approached. She was a long term server on the boat. She is approaching her third year with Mercy Ships and was coming back to the ship after a 4 week vacation. Her name was Sandra and she works as a dental assistant on the ship. During the layover, more Mercy Ship people came to the gate and we all met each other. Another Jen, was from London and was going to be working on the ship for 3 weeks as a sterilizer; Claire, from Sydney, Australia was going to be a nurse for 2 months; annd Markos, from Texas who works with IOC and is going to the ship to do some education for the engineers. We also met a lady named Karen, from Alberta, Canada who was going to Freetown with UNICEF as a pharmacist.
We boarded the plane for our 9 hour flight to Freetown, with a stop scheduled in Banjul, Gambia. The flight was good. I slept alot. We landed in Banjul at about 3pm, their time (four hours ahead of NY). We let people off and I believe only one passenger boarded. We began to take off; and as we sped down the runway, we abruptly came to a complete stop. It was so scary. Black smoke could be seen out of the windows, the exit sign in front of me broke off the ceiling and all of our bodies were jerked pretty violently. We had no idea what had happened just that we were up to full speed and then stopped. The captain then told us that a bird had flown through the engine and they needed to return to the gate to check it out. When back at the gate, they had us wait for a long time (about an hour) while flight personnel, the pilot and copilots were checking out the plane's engine. We then received word that the bird had bent a blade and the flight to Lungi airport in Sierra Leone was canceled.
I was soo thankful to the Lord for preserving us. The plane could have crashed had the pilot not realized what happened so quickly and aborted takeoff. I definately felt the Lord's hand in it all. While waiting, another Mercy Ships member, found the rest of us. Jess, from Alberta, Canada who is going to be a nurse on the ship for 3 months. The Brussels airline sent us to a beautiful hotel, and provided us with three meals (dinner that night (monday night), breakfast and lunch on tuesday), drinks and a 3 minute phone call. It was so much chaos getting all 100- something of us to the hotel in buses with our luggage. They said we could have left our bags but I took mine with me (which you'll see why it was a good decision). I made it on the 3rd and last bus from the airport to the hotel and arrived after most of the rooms had been filled so I got placed in one of the presidential suites :) It is a beautiful suite with a sitting room, dining room, bedroom and bathroom. I spent the night, with anticipation of flying out on Tuesday.
Tuesday morning, the hotel still hadn't received any news about when our flight would be.
I was so thankful that I met others going to the Africa Mercy. I was able to talk to those who had been before about the ship and what to expect. It also gave me people to "go through this adventure" with. I don't know how much at ease I would have been had I been by myself. About mid afternoon, we received word that we would fly out of Banjul at 11pm, and that buses would pick us up at 9pm. That afternoon, to pass time, Claire, Karen and myself went to a local craft market. It is slow tourism season in The Gambia and the merchants are eager to have you purchase anything from them. It was a very intimidating experience. All in all, I'm glad I experienced the market. I didn't purchase anything; the atmosphere was really aggressive. After dinner, I packed up my stuff very anxious to get to Sierra Leone. Water taxis run from Lungi to Freetown up until 6pm and since we were arriving later than that, Brussels had arranged for a water taxi to transport those of us on this flight. However, the captain of the Mercy Ship didn't want us taking this taxi, unsure of its safety and arranged for the Mercy ship crew, now 7 of us, to spend the night in Lungi. We would then take a ferry to Freetown in the morning and then arrive at the ship that afternoon. As we were loading the buses to go to the airport, we received word that the plane was still unfit to fly. It kind of made me uneasy knowing that we were going to fly on the same plane. It was scary to think we got so close to getting back on the plane that wasn't working. Everyone had already checked out, so they had to check us all back in, which took a few hours and we spent another night- I was thankful for my bags. My carryon only had one change of clothes. The 7 of us girls, 6 from Mercy Ships and Karen watched a movie in Sandra's suite and then celebrated Jen's birthday with chocolate :)
Its Wednesday now at about 1pm (9am in CT) and we are still waiting to hear when we have a flight. Generally Brussels only flys to Banjul twice a week and the next flight is tomorrow Thursday. I suppose if they fix the plane we could potentially fly out tonight. I'm just going by faith.
This whole experience definately adds to the adventure. I know the Lord is in control as I have seen His hand in the whole situation more than once- I met people from Mercy Ships thus not going through this alone, His saving grace in preventing a possible plane disaster, His providing hand in providing a hotel and meals, and again his protection in preventing the flight last night. I must trust Him. I was disheartened last night and just wanted to get there. In my mind, the mind of a planner, I am supposed to be on the Ship, probably working at this point. I'm learning that while I may plan my ways, the Lord directs my steps and am reminded of His sovereignty. Gambia is beautiful despite its severe poverty. I have enjoyed being here and the time spent with the others with Mercy Ships. I can't wait for the rest of my adventure to begin. Until then, I wait on the Lord and wait on the airline to arrange a flight to Sierra Leone.
Sorry its really long! I will upload pictures when I have better internet. I'm very thankful for the WIFI at that hotel :)
Love you all. Thank you for your prayers! They have definately been felt. Continue to pray for a safe arrival and for continued peace.
~Apphia
So.. I haven't blogged in a few days, mostly because of poor internet access and limited battery. I was able to charge my computer today so here's an update on my travels thus far.
 |
| The huge plane - an Airbus A330 |
After arriving in Brussels, I had to take a bus from one terminal to another which transferred flights to Africa. On the bus, a lady approached me and asked if I was with Mercy Ships. She had spotted my shirt (Mercy ships wanted us to wear a Mercyship shirt so it was easy to identify us when arriving in Sierra Leone). She was also with Mercy Ships and was from Toronto, Canada going on her third trip with Mercy Ships. Her name was Jen and she also was a nurse and was going to serve for an unknown amount of time. It was so comforting meeting someone else. I was in this large airport of the unknown, praying that I was following the signs correctly and getting to where I really needed to be. Once at the gate, another lady from Germany approached. She was a long term server on the boat. She is approaching her third year with Mercy Ships and was coming back to the ship after a 4 week vacation. Her name was Sandra and she works as a dental assistant on the ship. During the layover, more Mercy Ship people came to the gate and we all met each other. Another Jen, was from London and was going to be working on the ship for 3 weeks as a sterilizer; Claire, from Sydney, Australia was going to be a nurse for 2 months; annd Markos, from Texas who works with IOC and is going to the ship to do some education for the engineers. We also met a lady named Karen, from Alberta, Canada who was going to Freetown with UNICEF as a pharmacist.
We boarded the plane for our 9 hour flight to Freetown, with a stop scheduled in Banjul, Gambia. The flight was good. I slept alot. We landed in Banjul at about 3pm, their time (four hours ahead of NY). We let people off and I believe only one passenger boarded. We began to take off; and as we sped down the runway, we abruptly came to a complete stop. It was so scary. Black smoke could be seen out of the windows, the exit sign in front of me broke off the ceiling and all of our bodies were jerked pretty violently. We had no idea what had happened just that we were up to full speed and then stopped. The captain then told us that a bird had flown through the engine and they needed to return to the gate to check it out. When back at the gate, they had us wait for a long time (about an hour) while flight personnel, the pilot and copilots were checking out the plane's engine. We then received word that the bird had bent a blade and the flight to Lungi airport in Sierra Leone was canceled.
 |
| the sky over Banjul |
 |
| everyone looking at the engine |
 |
| our stranded plane |
 |
| Sandra and I in Banjul |
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| Me in The Gambia |
I was soo thankful to the Lord for preserving us. The plane could have crashed had the pilot not realized what happened so quickly and aborted takeoff. I definately felt the Lord's hand in it all. While waiting, another Mercy Ships member, found the rest of us. Jess, from Alberta, Canada who is going to be a nurse on the ship for 3 months. The Brussels airline sent us to a beautiful hotel, and provided us with three meals (dinner that night (monday night), breakfast and lunch on tuesday), drinks and a 3 minute phone call. It was so much chaos getting all 100- something of us to the hotel in buses with our luggage. They said we could have left our bags but I took mine with me (which you'll see why it was a good decision). I made it on the 3rd and last bus from the airport to the hotel and arrived after most of the rooms had been filled so I got placed in one of the presidential suites :) It is a beautiful suite with a sitting room, dining room, bedroom and bathroom. I spent the night, with anticipation of flying out on Tuesday.
 |
| how I knew what time it was at home ;) |
 |
| the suite |
 |
| The Ocean Bay Hotel and Resort |
Tuesday morning, the hotel still hadn't received any news about when our flight would be.
I was so thankful that I met others going to the Africa Mercy. I was able to talk to those who had been before about the ship and what to expect. It also gave me people to "go through this adventure" with. I don't know how much at ease I would have been had I been by myself. About mid afternoon, we received word that we would fly out of Banjul at 11pm, and that buses would pick us up at 9pm. That afternoon, to pass time, Claire, Karen and myself went to a local craft market. It is slow tourism season in The Gambia and the merchants are eager to have you purchase anything from them. It was a very intimidating experience. All in all, I'm glad I experienced the market. I didn't purchase anything; the atmosphere was really aggressive. After dinner, I packed up my stuff very anxious to get to Sierra Leone. Water taxis run from Lungi to Freetown up until 6pm and since we were arriving later than that, Brussels had arranged for a water taxi to transport those of us on this flight. However, the captain of the Mercy Ship didn't want us taking this taxi, unsure of its safety and arranged for the Mercy ship crew, now 7 of us, to spend the night in Lungi. We would then take a ferry to Freetown in the morning and then arrive at the ship that afternoon. As we were loading the buses to go to the airport, we received word that the plane was still unfit to fly. It kind of made me uneasy knowing that we were going to fly on the same plane. It was scary to think we got so close to getting back on the plane that wasn't working. Everyone had already checked out, so they had to check us all back in, which took a few hours and we spent another night- I was thankful for my bags. My carryon only had one change of clothes. The 7 of us girls, 6 from Mercy Ships and Karen watched a movie in Sandra's suite and then celebrated Jen's birthday with chocolate :)
Its Wednesday now at about 1pm (9am in CT) and we are still waiting to hear when we have a flight. Generally Brussels only flys to Banjul twice a week and the next flight is tomorrow Thursday. I suppose if they fix the plane we could potentially fly out tonight. I'm just going by faith.
This whole experience definately adds to the adventure. I know the Lord is in control as I have seen His hand in the whole situation more than once- I met people from Mercy Ships thus not going through this alone, His saving grace in preventing a possible plane disaster, His providing hand in providing a hotel and meals, and again his protection in preventing the flight last night. I must trust Him. I was disheartened last night and just wanted to get there. In my mind, the mind of a planner, I am supposed to be on the Ship, probably working at this point. I'm learning that while I may plan my ways, the Lord directs my steps and am reminded of His sovereignty. Gambia is beautiful despite its severe poverty. I have enjoyed being here and the time spent with the others with Mercy Ships. I can't wait for the rest of my adventure to begin. Until then, I wait on the Lord and wait on the airline to arrange a flight to Sierra Leone.
Sorry its really long! I will upload pictures when I have better internet. I'm very thankful for the WIFI at that hotel :)
Love you all. Thank you for your prayers! They have definately been felt. Continue to pray for a safe arrival and for continued peace.
~Apphia
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| the beach |
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| Crocodile lake |
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| the Crocodile lake |
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