Fini

I have left the big white ship with so many incredible memories:

Poolside chats
Drinking a wee cuppa tea
Taxi rides that remind me of all the things I want to do before I die
Watching the ships come in and out of port
Singing in the rain
Dance parties in the halls of the hospital ("dance fote dance," anybody?)
Card games on deck seven
African dance lessons in Coyah with our own choir of drums
So many gorgeous sunsets
Making unlikely friends
Hugs and kisses from the VVF ladies
Friday morning crepes
The tailor that helped me look like an 'African woman'
Game nights
Sleeping under the stars
Watching kids play soccer on the beach
Running into a patient on the street, twice!
24 hours of prayer for our patients
Eating juicy mangoes
Snuggling babies
Watching Shrek (again) on the ward
Walks around Conakry
Patients who only know one English phrase 'thank you,' and use it generously
Listening to all the different voices and accents during worship

Amazing conversations on regular, ordinary days

Guinea and the ship never felt like home, but it felt like the place where I was supposed to be.  Over and over, I was reminded that I was in the right place, and I felt so blessed to be part of the ministry.  Even after my aunt became ill and I had to leave the ship, it was an easy decision to return.  I went to bed almost every night thinking, 'This is where I'm supposed to be.'

There are so many incredible stories about the patients and their lives.  I still can't believe I got be nurse, friend, playmate and 'daughter' to many amazing people.  I was blessed to witness healing, transformation and even a few miracles in the lives of the people around me.  Guinea and its people have many problems- politically, socially, economically.  In the last ten months, Mercy Ships didn't fix these problems.  However, for many patients and their families, Mercy Ships  made a world of difference.  Some patients are expected to live longer, others can now work and support their families.  Other patients can go back to their village and attest to God's goodness and faithfulness.  Our patients' life stories don't end when the ship leaves Guinea.  I trust that God will bless their lives as much in our absence as He did in our presence.  Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  He will continue to provide for these incredible individuals in all seasons of life.

When I arrived, I wasn't the most knowledgeable peds/ adult general surgical/ plastics/ gyn nurse.  I didn't know the language.  The culture baffled me. Yet, God used me.  Anything that I did right while I was in Guinea was simply because God used my skills.  He gets all the credit for every blessing, friendship and problem solved. 

My friend Emily asked me two questions, this is the second: What's the one thing you've learned about yourself that's exciting?  I learned that when God says go, I have the willingness to go.  When I felt him leading me to visit the ward on my night off, or to engage a patient in conversation, I tried.  When I felt a nudge to reach out to someone, I followed it.  Now it seems silly, but when I came to Mercy Ships, I didn't know if I would be capable, ready or willing.  Despite my fears and doubts, God gave me a willing spirit and when He called, I went.  And oh man, did He bless it!  It was difficult to leave the ship and Guinea, but I've been blessed to spend the last week with my mom in Tanzania.  As I consider going back home, I am excited to catch up with friends and family, and I feel so lucky to go back to a job I love on D6/4.
 
While it's a little scary heading back to the real world, Hebrews reminds me that no matter where I am, Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.