The Work has Begun

I began working (as a hostess on board the AFM) on Monday at around 0900 hours. I received a booklet that describes my duties are as a hostess, hours, detailed descriptions of how cabins are to be cleaned and set up for arrivals, and more. I have read through most of it now, so I think I have a vague idea of what up in my department. I welcome new crew members and guests, give tours of the ship, help crew disembark, clean and help maintain all cabins, bake for functions and new arrivals, iron, and set up rooms, food, and drinks for meetings. The list might even go on. I may be forgetting something. I have only been working for three days now, but I have done all of those things I listed except welcomed new arrivals/guests and tours. I will learn how to give a tour tomorrow.
I work from Monday to Friday, 0800-1700. I also rotate working weekends with the other hostesses. On certain days I will be assigned to be what is called the duty hostess. She is on call (has a pager) from 0800-0800 the next day, so it is a 24 hour shift. She answers calls whenever paged and completes the duty hostess tasks that are assigned that week day (such as going around to every empty cabin and flushing the toilet so that they keep functioning - don't ask me why, I don't understand the mechanics of these ship toilets). The duty hostess is also the hostess that welcomes new arrivals and gives tours. My first day to be duty hostess is December 1st, and then next weekend (Dec. 5-6) I am working as the duty hostess both Saturday and Sunday, on call for 48 hours! Woo. That's going to be interesting.
Pray for me to understand how to get around this ship, please. It is getting a little frustrating. I have been here for five days now, but I still get lost. My first tour is on next Sunday I believe, so I have to have it down by then. That is a little stressful. :-/

Well, now you know what I do on the ship! This is my ministry, and I am very happy to be here in this department. I am proud that my department glorifies God through our clean cabins and tidy beds. :-) I think its hard for some people on board to remember that ministry doesn't have to be done off shore in Africa. Sometimes we think of ministry being mostly street evangelism type stuff, or that the most important ministry is off shore in orphanages, etc. Our ministry is our job. My ministry is being a hostess on board the Africa Mercy, and I am happy to serve the Lord ironing, baking cookies, and scrubbing floors.

God is Good

I am here!

I arrived safely to Cotonou, Benin around 8:30pm yesterday. It only took us around half an hour or more to get our luggage, which thank God had all arrived with us. I know some who weren't so lucky. My good friend Alex did not get both of his checked bags back. His bag with his clothes and some other things was apparently lost.

My flights were fine. They went as smoothly as most flights do, I suppose. I am not a huge fan of flying, especially when I don't get the window seat, but it was fine. However, had I not been with Lisa when I got to Heathrow, I'm not sure I would have made it past London. I did not have the paperwork that the airport official wanted to see, regarding my visa, or lack there of. So as I said, thanks to Lisa and grace of God, I made it. Since Lisa had her think stack of paper which stated why those who work with Mercy Ships did not need a visa, I was allowed to get on my next flight. Had the papers she held specifically said her name however, I would have been in some trouble. But since they were pretty vague and unspecific, just mentioning that anyone who worked for Mercy Ships, it was all good.

Well, I have to go for now. My bunk area is a disaster. I am still trying to find a place to put everything I brought. So I have to organize! Bye for now!

Gateway Field Service: Completed

As I sit here thinking about my experience in the D.R. and my overall experience of the entire Gateway program, I am finding it difficult to put into words.
Its been amazing, to say the least.
I have learned so much, to say the least.
The people in my team and our leaders (Gateway staff) were encouraging and loving, to say the least.
Prior to Gateway, I was terrified of serving on the AFM in Africa. I knew no one. I can't even begin to describe how prepared and ready I am now to serve on the ship, and whats more, I am even excited about my service!

Here are some opportunities my team and I had while serving in the D.R.:

1. construction of expanding foundation at the Kids Alive Care Center in Ascension
2. painting a classrooom
3. our nurses caring for several people in surrounding villages (burns, infections, pregnancies, etc)
4. organizing and cleaning closets full of donated clothes and toys at the care center
5. talking to and loving villagers of Ascension (Magdalena, Anna Sylvia, Tanya)
6. construction of house in Aguas Negras
7. performing Bible skits to kids at the school (Kids Alive care center)
8. visiting and praying for Sosua (tourist beach where prostitution is a huge business)
   
9. playing a couple games of soccer against the team in Ascension
10. partnering with Sandra (community leader in Aguas Negras) to spend time with the shoe shine boys and girl's club

My highlight of the field service in the D.R. would have to be my team mates. They were so loving and so encouraging. On many occasions they would pray for me, even though I never asked for it. Thats never really happened to me before. My team mates were such a blessing to me. Unity is the word I would use to describe our team and how it functioned. The friendships we made in Gateway will last through our service on the ship and beyond.

I had the opportunity to get to know one family in Ascension pretty well. I knew Juan, Medina, Natinal, and Cindy, who were all the kids of Yani. She wasn't a particularly loving mother, but I think she worked pretty hard to feed and clothe them all. I never met or saw the father. Medina and I became good buddies, and Juan really liked me. He was the sweetest little boy I have ever met. I miss them.