Church in the Ward

This morning I went to church on the ward it was awesome. Something that I have experienced before. We opened with prayer. Sang in English and then in Malagasy. When we sang it was with the accompany of a guitar and drums, not your typical organ. It was amazing to see the young kids join in clapping and singing. 

We discussed Mark 10:46-52 about Jesus healing the blind beggar on the side of the road. They told us the Bible story and then gave us 5 mins to repeat it to the person beside us. Once our 5 minutes was up the Bible story was retold and we had to fill in the blanks. When we had retold the story as a group we went through and tired to find the treasures in the story. As the service came to an end one of the older female patients read us a poem that she had written.The service ended by singing another Malagasy song. 

The service was first said in English and then translated into Malagasy. It was very different from what I'm used to but an amazing experience and I was glad that I could be a part of it. 

A History Lesson

A couple of days ago, I was given a tour of the ship, by this time I had already gotten lost more times than I care to admit. I seem to have figured my way around here, anyways, on the tour they told us a little about previous life of the ship.

Africa Mercy was originally a Danish ferry. In certain rooms you can still see this as there is still Danish writing or signs. For instance when you are in the kitchen the food elevator - I have no idea what the proper word is for it - still is original because it's all labeled in Danish.

(The pictures aren't very clear as they are taken off a picture on the wall)

The area that the ferry travelled.

The ferry before it became Africa Mercy.

When Mercy Ship bought the ship they made some changes, they added another floor which is now Deck 3. The bottom of the ship used to have a train that ran on the bottom, if you downstairs to Deck 2 you can see the old tracks and where the extra deck was added. The cabins on Deck 2 and Deck 7 are the only original cabins onboard. Today, we have a lounge called the Queen's Lounge as it used to the Queen of Denmark's sitting area when she was onboard. 

Why is one side of the ship coloured red and other blue, you might ask. This helps you to identify where you are on the ship. If you see red stairs you are near the front of the ship, and if the stairs are blue you are at the back.

First Day in the Galley

Yesterday, was my first day of work. The galley and dining room crew work on a rather weird schedule. On week I work just 2 days, Wednesday and Thursday like this week. Then next week I work 5 days, Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On the weekend we only serve breakfast and dinner, at breakfast you grab your lunch. I start at 8 o'clock unless it's the weekend then I start at 6 o'clock. We take turns doing dishes so one day you're done at 5 o'clock and the next at 7 o'clock.

 We started off the morning in the Queen's Lounge with all of the stewards for a meeting. Basically all the people crew members are introduced and welcomed, announcements are made, and devotional is given. The day crew then end the meeting by singing a African Hymn.

Then it's down to galley, where I work on the cold side. My roommate Rianna, used to work the cold side by herself and the day crew. Otherwise, working with just the crew day is kind of boring because you can't really have a conversation as their English is quite broken. Yesterday, was a crazy day because today is American Thanksgiving not only did we prepare yesterday's meals but also prep for today. Yes, we are having turkey dinner which I know I will appreciate at a lot more now that I had to tell prepare it.

I have a great team to work with!

Just a Glimpse of Madagascar

A bunch of kids playing with stones. They were trying to talk to us and we very excited to have there picture taken. 

How long does it take us to travel 300 km at home? 3 hours max. However, today we drove just a little under 400 km and it took us 9 hours. Although we probably had about 45 mins of breaks along the away. 

The road from Ananatavario to Toamasina is just turn after turn after turn. As you move towards the ocean the vegetation is more tropical. In the capital you see a lot of rice patties, but no long grasses. The farther you are away from city the more fertile the land seems to be and there are fewer rice patties. Instead bananas have taken the place of rice.

The road that we took has just enough room for two vehicles. There are so many huge semis on the road: fuel trucks, semis with containers on them. I was surprised at how good the roads are. 

The drive from Tana to Toamasina long. When Africa Mercy finally came into view everyone on the bus was very excited. We lugged our bags but gang way, and met with hospitality where we went through all paper work and got our ID badges. 

Today, the President is here to tour the boat and observe a surgery and this afternoon 200 people are here for Reception. What this means is that I get more lost than I already am because sections of the ship are roped off. 

The market in Tana

Rice Patty 

Just outside of Tana

A family begging on the side of the road. We think that the mother was very sick because she looked very tired and was barely moving. Wendy one of the doctors with us gave the kids some protein bars.

The foliage has changed and now there is more tropical plants.

I've Arrived!

I'm so glad almost all of my travelling is done. Tonight sleeping in a bed instead of a two nights in a chair will be amazing. On my flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg and I was talking to girl next to me and she say saying how she was worried she wasn't going to make her next flight. Our flight was delayed over an hour. I was also quite concerned about my lay over too. It turns out the girl sitting next to me was also going to Madagascar to the Mercy Ship. It's quite sad to say that I didn't learn her name until we were standing in line in Madagascar to get our visas stamped.

On my last flight it was really nice because I met up with 5 other people who are going to the Mercy Ship too, they are all working in the hospital. When we arrived in Antananarivo we had to walk across the tarmac to the airport. At that point I wished I wasn't wearing a hoodie and a vest and looked very crazy.

We are staying at a really cute inn for the night. My room looks out over a rice field which is really neat to see.

I have some really neat pictures but unfortunately they aren't loading, so I'll have to try again later. Off for a walk in the rice fields.

Last Day in Canada

This morning I was up early because sleeping well apparently that is overrated. I went and checked in on the British Airways website, I wanted to see if I could claim an aisle seat for my first 2 flights, which I did! I love sitting by the window but the thought of having to jump over some random people just to make it to the aisle, I don't think so.

I can't just leave for 3 months without one last breakfast at Ranchers. So this morning, Amy and I had an amazing last meal together. I spent the rest of the morning trying to pack and by pack I mean limit the amount of clothes to bring along. Mercy Ship recommends that you only bring a week to 10 days worth of clothes, otherwise, there isn't any place to store them.

A day of packing for a trip does not go without it's last minute errands. The only problem is my car is 3 wheeled and a log so it's not going anywhere. Luckily Dad helped me out and we spent some together running errands and grabbing lunch. (Thanks, Dad!)

Then it was back home to finish up packing. Amy came and helped me get everything sorted and moral support. I managed to get everything into my duffel bag and backpack, when I arrived at the airport and checked in my bag the attendent asked why I had backed so light. I am not normally a light packer, although, I think Emma would disagree that my bag was light. I heard a few muffled complaints as she kindly huffed it around the airport for me!

Going to miss this girlie so much!

One last picture - I don't know what Jake is doing but assume he's trying to be a ballerina!

I'm so excited for this experience, but today as I was saying my good-byes I began to wonder is this really worth it. Leaving my family? Leaving my friends? Oh and of course leaving the sprouts which was probably the hardest one of all to say good-bye too! :) However, I am excited for this adventure. This doesn't mean I'm not apprehensive, but I'm sure I'll be great.

Thank-you to everyone who sent texts and all the little gifts it means so much. I don't know how I'm going to eat all that candy maybe I can use that as a bribe to make friends on the ship.

Goodbyes: They are so hard to say, super sad, and tears where shed. It means a lot to know that so many people care and are supporting me on this amazing trip.

I promise to try put more pictures up as it is way more interesting to read than paragraphs after paragraphs of writing! :)

Getting to Madagascar

I have been getting many questions from people about how long is the flight and process to get to Madagascar?

The map above shows the three flights I will be taking to Madagascar. I leave home next week Thursday evening and won't arrive in Madagascar until Saturday afternoon. Once I touch down in Antananarivo however, my travels are not yet over. I'll be spending the night in Antananarivo which is the capital of Madagascar. The next morning I will board a bus with other Mercy Ship staff and take an eight hour bus ride to Toamasina where the ship is docked. 

Total Travel Time:

Flying: 23 hours

Layovers: 6.5 hours

Driving: 9 hours

And the Countdown Continues...

Who buys birthday gifts months in advance? Certainly not me! Oh wait, that is what I've been doing. Buying gifts months ahead shows how long I will be gone.

As of today, it is 11 days until I leave. Now it's becoming a reality that I'm leaving. I'm not just talking about a trip that is months away. I'm not prepared - at least, I don't feel prepared. It's time to make lists of what to pack, and what I still need to get, I have so many good-byes to say. 

Soon I'll be trading my bed for bunk and sharing a room with a handful of other girls in the hull of a ship. Going to work will entail walking up several flights of stairs instead of driving down the road. Instead of working with sprouts everyday I will be chopping, dicing and cooking many other vegetables.