It's almost been one week here but it feels like much longer. I feel like I've packed quite a bit into a short amount of time, and I feel at home here already. This has all been a bit of a whirlwind, and I'm not sure where to begin. After the long flights from San Antonio to Atlanta, Georgia to Paris(where I met fellow mercy shippers and also got free French macarons from a bakery simply because I was the only person who smiled at her that day) and then to the Republic of Congo, we got picked up and taken to the port where the Africa Mercy is currently docked. We got out of the vehicles and I finally got to walk up the mercy ships steps where numerous volunteers and patients have walked up over the years to take part in being an example of Jesus by serving the people here and where they've been before. This past week I've been able to meet some of the most wonderful people from all over the world who have hearts to serve wherever needed. I live in a ten person cabin with girls who are from Argentina, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and the States who are nurses, a dental assistant, plumber/reception, galley crew, hospitality hostesses and sales here on the ship. What I love here is that all are a part of one body and no job is more important than another, because we couldn't really have one without the other. Whether it's the surgeons or the men working down in the engine room all day to keep the ship operating smoothly, everyone is a vital part of this mission. I enjoy being on the hospitality team and getting to see all the faces that come through. New people come every week to serve here, and I love that we are able to be the first faces the crew sees and welcome them into their time here. I am getting the hang of things, learning and doing job duties, getting lost and then pointed in the right direction again by nice people onboard(this ship is biggg), taking french classes, singing up for mercy ministries like the Ngayo orphanage and Baby creche, and really enjoying the way everyone loves each other so well here. I feel like this is the way the body of Christ is supposed to be. I have witnessed so much laughter, close-knit community, hearts of service, and people giving freely of their things to one another and serving others together. I've been walking around during work and been able to see the patients and today saw a few sweet little girls after their surgery, one of whom had a hot pink cast on her chest and arm that made her arm stay up who said hello and hi fived me with her free arm and another who laughed and asked my name as she was going by in her crunches after leg surgery as if she had no care in the world and a happy heart, and I've seen many people come up from cataract surgeries and been able to hear really interesting stories from the doctors and dentists. I am getting used to hearing lots and los of french on the ship. Our working language for all the crew is English, but the day workers/congolese who come here mainly speak french, as do many of our regular crew. I hope to learn more french quickly. We've had great worship services and inspirational guest speakers from Ghana and the states. Wess Stafford from compassion international came to visit his daughter who is a teacher here and spoke during our community gathering night. He had me in tears and I want to share his message. I will try to attach the audio below if I am able. By being here, I'm more and more aware of how God has grown me these last few years in ways I didn't realize, how blessed I am, and proved to me that a man can make plans but God has the final say and it's in His timing not my own. I'm thankful for the path God's taken me on, and I trust the one ahead. We can have ideas and presumptions but I know it will always be different (and better) than whatever I may be thinking. God surprises us and shows us things about ourselves and Him that we never expected. I'm excited to see what lies ahead this year. I'll try and post more photos and let everyone know what's happening here.
I love y'all. If you need to get in touch send me an email at Hannahk7@live.com.
Love
Hannah
Dr. Stafford Speaking at our Community Gathering - <--- click="" here="" his="" listen="" message="" p="" to="">
Also, because of privacy of patients and people at our ministry sights, I'm not able to take many photos, but we will have a photographer at each site so I'll try and post some of those soon too :]
