Sorry for the long delay in posting on here. We have had many many days of sailing and have crossed from the Indian ocean to the Atlantic ocean, crossed the prime maridian into the western hemisphere and then yesterday crossed the equator into the northern hemisphere. It all sounds rather boring probably but is exciting being on the ship. We have seen the most amazing sunsets, dolphins, flying fish, and whales. Compared to the stories I've heard of the trip down to South Africa, our seas have been calm. After the first night where I wanted to never sail again, I have remembered my love for being on this ship, in the middle of the ocean. Sailing cements friendships, and I've loved getting to know the other crazy people on this ship with me.
In 48 hours we will be docking in Sierra Leone and our field service there. For the last 5 months an advance team has been preparing the way for us. In just the last few weeks they have begun screening potential patients for surgery further up north. So far they have screened over 7,000 people that are seeking help. On the 7th of March we will be holding a large screening in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Two years ago in Benin, I wasn't ready for the amount of people lining the streets waiting, or for the intense need of the people we met. I'm trying to prepare myself for this year, but no matter what I've seen before, I don't think it comes close to what I will see soon. With a country so soon out of a massive civil war, where everyones is a victim and noone was left untouched, the need is huge. I've been learning a little of the history, and can't imagine the next 5 months of my life. Now that I realize the ship computers will let me blog, I'll stay in better touch. Thanks for reading this.
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