Freetown, Sierra Leone

Yesterday morning the Africa Mercy sailed into the port in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  There were many people on the dock waving us in and even a marching band playing.  It was so good to see old friends on the dock, but strange to add all those people to the crew.  At dinner last night the lines were very long.  I've added two new roommates to my room and expect the third on friday.  Last night the advance team presented |Sierra Leone to us, and gave us much information about the coutry and the people that we are going to be serving.  Today we start the craziness of getting the hospital unpacked from the sail, and organized and tomorrow I'll be assisting the crew nurse with 175 day volunteers vacinations and paperwork.  It is going to be a busy week heading into the massive screening on the 7th.  Have a good week everyone. 

Catch up

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.

The Africa Mercy

This is my ship!!!!!! Notice the GIANT logo on the side so satelites, and possibly galaxy's far far away can look up our website.

Setting sail

 I'm like a little kid some times.(well, most times)  I get really really excited about something and forget all the bad, uncomfortable things that might go with it.  It's amazing what my mind truly blocks out.  Today is the perfect example.  I've been so excited to sail to Sierra Leone.  Even when I found out it was a 3 week trip.  I  thought what a great adventure.  Even when the seas were rough for the crew on the way down to South Africa, I never gave it a thought.  See, I sailed on this ship before.  Two years ago I made the sail from Tenerife to Benin.  A beautiful 9 day sail.  Today we mustered (military speak for meet up) to be counted and declared on board.  Even then when the lines were tossed away and we began to leave the port  I was helping get lunch ready and completely ignoring the memories that began to come back to me.  Then all at once I remembered why last year I met the ship in Togo.  All at once it came back to me as the ship rolled from side to side and the only view out the window of the dining room was water and I thought we are going to tip over.  I love adventure, flying, jumping out of planes, kayaking down whitewater.  Any adventure will do.  However, today I don't like to sail.  I'm sure that it will be better tomorrow, when I can go outside and watch for whales, and dolphins, and enjoy the amazing view.  But for right now..... I'm going back to bed.

Futbol

Yesterday about an hour after putting my bags in my room on the ship, 8 of us rushed off to a futbol game at the nearby world cup stadium.  Since most of the fans on the ship are from all over the world besides America I have to say futbol, and surprisingly it isn't that strange after awhile.  Of course to us in the States it is soccer.  On the way we decided that two guys and two girls had to cheer for each team.  It was amazing to see a match in the stadium that I was watching on TV last summer during the world cup.  Yes dad, the vuvuzula horn is just as annoying in person as it was on TV.  The match ended in a draw (tie) and was exciting until the very end. That is one of the perks of being here in South Africa and I'm glad that I could go.  Monday starts the final prep for getting the ship ready to sail.  It is going to be a busy week.

Safari

I decided to return to the ship because I love the people in West Africa and am excited to get to Sierra Leone and start the work there.  However, I wanted to return to the ship while it was in South Africa so I could see some of South Africa.  Specifically a safari, and cape town.  Last weekend I came face to face with giraffes, rinos, hippos, and a lion.  Well, the lion wasn't really face to face, he was in the bushes. 

Catch up......

The last two weeks have been kind of sketchy with internet.  Sometimes we had it and others we didn't.  As of 1pm today we have all moved back on the ship and are preparing to sail to Sierra Leone hopefully next week.  The generators in the ship have been working and the engineers and deckies and crew have been scrubbing the ship and getting her as ready as we can so as soon as we reach Sierra Leone the surgeries can begin.  I have a lot to catch up on such as a safari last week, and a soccer match at the world cup stadium today, but that will have to wait until tomorrow since it is getting late here, I have laudry in the washer, and my bags still haven't been unpacked.  If you know me you probably aren't suprised by any of that.  Shockingly, I did put my sheets on my bed if only to put my very special blanket that my Aunt Terri made for me.  I promise that if the internet is working on the ship tomorrow I'll post pics of everything and give a bit more detail.  If you are only looking for patient stories check back in about 3 weeks when we arrive in sierra leone. 
More tomorrow.  Good night!