We live our lives on a schedule for the most part, marking a calendar with important meetings, Doctor appointments, and a variety of other things that will remind us of times we need to be somewhere. I thought I was going to be home (in Ohio) until after the first of the year when I had planned to return to the Africa Mercy. But plans change. The ship (my home away from home) has been docked in the Canary Islands since early June as first the intended field service to Guinea was changed to Benin due to the Ebola outbreak ravaging that country and then it became apparent that Benin was out of the question as well since the Ebola outbreak has now spread to countries that border Benin. The ship is like a magnet that draws hurting and disfigured people for hundreds of miles to see if the "big white hospital ship" can help them. There really is no safe place in western Africa for the ship to go. The Africa Mercy is not equipped to handle outbreaks of any kind of infectious disease and the safety and security of the crew are always a priority so that the services that CAN be provided (life changing surgeries) will continue. Plans change. It has now been announced MADAGASCAR is the next field service location, and I will be returning to the ship the first of November. Pray for the ship, for safe travels and smooth seas. Capetown is the first destination. Several crew will board there then another two week sail to Madagascar. The advance team is already in Madagascar preparing for the ship to arrive. What usually takes many months is being done in several weeks. God is in control!
Oh my goodness, so many things to get done in the next 6 weeks. I am headed to Redbird Mission (Beverly, KY) on a one week mission outreach next week and then I will try to catch up with family and friends not yet seen since I've been home. To my friends and family on the ship--see you in November!!
