You should see the stars tonight, how they shimmer shine so bright

I know it's been quite a while since I have blogged. Life here, day to day, has become 'normal' to me and not quite blog worthy. I was waiting for something remarkable to happen, for us to go on a big adventure, or to have a patient story to tell. And in fact, all of these things have happened. Just not in the way I was expecting.

 

Last weekend we went camping on the beach. 15 of my closest friends here on the ship piled into a mini-bus taxi and headed out of the city to a desolate beach location.

 

The weather was perfect as we hung our hammocks and pitched tents. We spent the afternoon walking the beach, swimming, and laying around discussing life with friends.

  

My bed

View from my hammock

 

The sunset was beyond beautiful. I snapped a few pictures, then set down my camera, not wanting to miss the majesty of the colors and knowing it would never look the same from behind a lens. We made dinner over the fire, played Catch Phrase by light of head lamps, introduced our non-American friends to s'mores, and then spread out on the beach to look at the stars.
 

 

Being in the port, stars are rarely visible from the ship. With rainy season, the skies are often overcast as well. This night was made for us. Though there were clouds, the sky above us cleared and the stars were brilliant.

I lay on my towel thinking that this is not why I came to Africa- to lay on a beach under the most perfect sky; I came to work, to serve. But at the same time, this is exactly why I came to Africa. To experience a glimpse of His glory, while laying in a deserted beach on the coast of Congo, under a blanket of stars, with people who inspire me to be better, day in and day out.

 

At the edge of the water at night, when you ran your foot over the wet sand, the sand began to glow. Our South African friends called this the 'flourescents.' It was amazing.

 

At some point in the middle of the night, rainy season came. We cowered in tents and hammocks under tarps. It cleared for the sunrise and breakfast, and then returned. We played cards, read, laughed, and talked more. We packed up in the rain, hiked through the bush, and hoped our taxi man would return to fetch us. When he did, we piled our sopping selves inside and napped all the way home.

 

 

But we smiled. Because this is life. No matter your circumstances, there is joy to be found. Here, every day I am finding more and more, that it is the people I am surrounded with.

To be continued...

"Stars"- David Crowder

Photo Credit: Dr. Van Dorssen, Karyn, and me

I once was blind, but now I see

Every week, we get to be a part of life changing surgeries for the patients on our wards. Sometimes the healing for them can be a long slow process.

But every once in a while, we slip out to the dock at 1:15 in the afternoon to experience these moments. To hear the beat of the African drum, the pounding of their dancing feet, and see the joy in their faces.

 

  

 

These are our cataract patients. Their recovery time is quickest and their joy immediately evident. 

I've thought about joy these past few weeks. Sometimes it's evident in life, easily flowing out of my heart. And other times I have to search for it. To choose each day to have joy.  

I want joy like this to flow from my heart each day. Even when I have to work a day shift (evenings are my favorite around here!) Or am working when all my friends have the day off. Or am just missing home. I choose to remember the joy that I have been given, just like these cataract patients, I once was blind, but now I see. 

A few weeks ago a media team from France came and did a documentary on the ship. We took care of Natasha, a patient featured here, on our ward. 

http://www.france24.com/en/20131024-down-earth-hospital-vessel-health-mercy-ships-africa-training 


"Amazing Grace" - Hullabahoos