What I've learned so far...

Every Thursday night there is an ice cream social.  Clearly, a sign that I will fit in here (I love ice cream and being social).  Also an indication that my pants probably won't fit when I get home.  Speaking of eating, the food is really, really good.  Once a week, they serve African food (yum!) and throughout the week are many rotating options.  Plus, there's usually a couple of fresh fruit or vegetables each meal.  My only complaint is that on weekdays they stop serving breakfast it at 7:30.  That's 7:30 AM people.

Sleeping in total darkness makes it hard to wake up on time.  I will be setting 4 alarms from now on. 

A lot of meaningful interactions can be completed without words.  Mercy Ships hires a lot of amazing local people called 'Day Workers.'  They serve as translators/ nursing assistants/ housekeeping/ orientation for new volunteers and also, help facilitate a sense of community on the ward.  Our day workers on A Ward are really cool and have taught me a lot in the last week.  However, there are times that they are busy taking patients to the OR or assisting another patient or nurse.  So, that leaves little old me to a game of charades with my patients.  In fact, over the last couple of days, I've had the opportunity to teach a young man about wound care through gestures.  Thumbs up and nodding 'yes' and 'no' are invaluable.  It's been fun! 

I can actually swim laps in the pool!  Many of you know that swimming is really therapeutic for me, so I'm thrilled!  The pool is on Deck 8 and it's a nice little area to just relax.

The role of the nurse is very different from country to country.  Working in an international community is awesome because we all come with different experience, knowledge and skill sets and there's a lot to learn from others!

I am so blessed to be here.  God has blessed this week so much.  I have met some incredible people.  I have learned so much about diseases and surgeries that I've never heard of.  I have definitely been stretched as a nurse.  I have heard some amazing patient stories of healing, restoration and friendship.  I have held some seriously cute babies.  I have connected with patients that are from a different generation, different culture and speak a different language, simply by holding their hands.  I can't believe that I get to be here and be part of this place!

This weekend I am getting off the ship and out of the port... I've been going to meetings, training and working all week, so I am stoked to finally have the opportunity to interact with the world off the ship!  I'm sure I'll continue to learn tons while I'm here.  I'll try to keep you updated on the good stuff.  :)

Thank you again, for all of the people in my life who have been praying for me and sending encouraging words! 

Day 1...

Day 1: woke up late, took my 2 minute shower, couldn't find my ID badge, puked halfway through the ship tour, and was generally feeling like I was ready for mom to pick me up.  But this isn't camp...  So, I laid down for a few minutes and decided to figure out the phone system to talk to my mom.  It turns out that pretending to be brave makes you braver.  After somewhat successfully convincing my mom that I was fine, I took a deep breath and and got on with the day.  And you know what?  It ended up being a pretty nice day. 
That evening there was a church service  and the woman who spoke has lived onboard with her family for 25 years!  She told the story of a little girl who tripped one day walking home from school.  Unfortunately, a cut on her leg lead to a massive infection causing 'Noma.'  Noma is a gangreous infection, and for this girl, it spared little of her lips and mouth causing quite a disfigurement.  Though there were many road bumps along the way, the girl had a number of surgeries involving her leg and face, over a series of years, performed in 3 different countries on Mercy Ships.  Her mother was invited to speak, and through tears she told us about God's goodness and the blessing of Mercy Ships.  This mom and her family had been through so much, yet she remained incredibly faithful.  After a rough first day, I felt humbled and energized to be part of this amazing group of people.  Hearing about this family and their connection to  Mercy Ships, I feel so happy to be called here.
So mom, don't pick me up.  I've got exciting work to do!  And the good news: I got through day 2 and I tolerated both my malaria meds and all 3 meals!  Today I start orientation on my ward!  Can't wait.

Saying goodbye to D6/4

Miraculously my to-do lists are dwindling, as are my days left working on D6/4, my home away from home for the last two and a half years.  It is incredibly sad to walk away from a job I love, with great patients and rockstar co-workers.  I'm sure I'll be awfully sappy in the coming days and hug a lot of people, but it's not as terrible as I thought it would be.  Somehow, I feel remarkably calm about all of it.  Weird.

I don't know how people make massive life-changing decisions like these without the peace that God provides.  See, I'm not some amazing, faithful person who has so much courage to quit my job and serve as a nurse in Africa.  God is the one we should pat on the shoulder.  God is the one who provided me first with the desire to serve, then the opportunity, and now the ability to make it become a reality.  This dream isn't coming true because I was willing to 'do the hard thing' or the 'right thing', but because it's the path God has lead me down.  In fact, He's made it fairly easy and low stress.  Sure, I've had moments when I obsessively brainstorm about where I could work when I return, but these 'freak-outs' are fairly infrequent (especially if you know my propensity to worry). So, even if I'm sad to leave the crazies on Neuro (the nurses, not the patients, duh!)... I am leaving with a sense of peace.  Someday I'll be back, at least to visit.  And I'll always remember my time working on D6/4 with thankfulness, so much laughter and many fond memories. 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -Jesus
John 14:27