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.