The Ship Has Arrived!

The ship officially arrived in the port of Tamatave today! There are many volunteers already on the ship and some already in Tamatave screening patients and getting prepared for the ships arrival. Myself and about 60 other volunteers are leaving tomorrow at 6am to take the 8hr. bus ride to Tamatave. Everybody is pretty excited to get to the ship and get things started.

The last couple of days were full of getting to know each other and spending some time exploring. Yesterday we went to a crocodile farm that had baby crocodiles, chameleons, frogs, a 90 year old tortoise, and the famous fossa and lemurs. Yes, just like the ones in the movie Madagascar! The lemurs were so cool and became very friendly once the tour guide began feeding them!

Today we all went to Tana City Church which was fantastic. The service was in English and it was so much fun worshipping with people from all over the world! Truly a picture of what heaven is really going to be like. God continues to remind me that when I put my life completely in His hands that he can multiply it and touch so many more people than I could if I tried to do things on my own in my own strength and wisdom.

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Tomorrow is full of hope, excitement and anticipation for all that God has for Mercy Ships and the people of Madagascar!

Although I am currently serving with Mercy Ships, everything communicated here strictly reflects my personal opinions and is neither reviewed nor endorsed by Mercy Ships. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships

Made It To Madagascar!

Landed in Antanarivo, Madagascar on Thursday August 27th around 11:30pm! The flight from Paris was delayed in boarding which just gave me more time to find a delicous chocolate croissant. Let's just say I hope that's not my last taste of a French pastry :) 

After landing in a kind of chilly Madagascar myself and about 16 other volunteers were greeted by Mercy Ships personal and then quickly went through customs and to pick up our bags. I was most excited when my bag came around! 

Turns out that the ship had a short delay while sailing and is scheduled to arrive in the port of Tamatave on Sunday. Therefore, some of the volunteers will be staying in Antananarivo until Monday morning. This gives us a couple of days to catch up on sleep, adjust to the time change and explore the city a little bit which most of the volunteers are excited about. 

Tonight,we all had dinner together and there was about 60 volunteers from all over the U.S., Canada, Australia and Ireland. So much fun meeting so many different people! I was even able to meet up with my college friend which was great! 

Once we get to the ship things are going to get very busy so right now I'm enjoying this time to relax and to get to know some of the other volunteers. 

Thanks again for all the prayers for safe travel and here are some pictures I have taken so far! 

Much Love, 

Deborah 

1 Flight Down 1 To Go

Greetings from Paris!

All went well with my first flight from JFK! My bag was checked smoothly with the weight being fine and I made it through all security checks pretty quickly with no problems.

It is a rainy day here in Paris but I'm just hanging out in the airport now waiting for my next flight to Madagascar at 11:30am Paris time. This next flight is 10.5 hours so pray that it goes well and that my bag meets me in Madagascar :)


Stay tuned for more updates!


Deborah

Ready Or Not Here I Come

I don't think Africa is ready for me. Well, actually I don't think I'm ready for Africa :) It is kind of surreal to think that this is actually happening. This idea of volunteering with Mercy Ships has been in the back of my mind for so long. Part of me thought it would probably never happen. That it just wouldn't work out or that I would never make the final commitment. Well here I am only hours away from flying out. I'm excited, nervous, hoping that I packed enough underwear and that I haven't forgotten anything else important. In reality, I think I am as prepared as I am going to be. I mean I have had an extra two weeks to contemplate it all, eat all my favorite foods, go to a wedding I wasn't even supposed to attend and see so many family and friends. It has been a great two weeks but perhaps I'm ready to find out what God has in store in Madagascar.

Christine Caine so perfectly states in her book Unstoppable "Keep running, confident that God will train you as you run. Pray and reach for the next baton- and watch how God shapes you into an unstoppable runner as he coaches and challenges you on the run." I may not feel ready for the challenges of living in a foreign country or providing nursing care with limited resources in an unfamiliar environment where I don't even know the language but I'm confident that as long as I keep running towards Christ He will guide and direct me and be with me every step of the way.

Once again I can not thank you enough for all of your kind words, encouragement, cards, love and hugs. It means so much to me knowing that you are thinking about me and covering me with your prayers and love. I thank you in advance for prayers for safe travel, that my luggage arrives safely and that all goes smoothly with the flights! I also ask that you pray for Mercy Ships as a whole and that God would use each volunteer to be His hands and feet. Pray for the people of Madagascar that their hearts would be prepared and opened to all that God has in store.

Bear with me as I arrive in Madagascar, get settled and figure out the Wi-Fi situation but hopefully I will get to update you all soon.


Much love,
Deborah

1 Week Countdown

Is the anticipation killing you all? We have had cakes. We have celebrated and I'm pretty sure everybody is thinking, "Would she just leave already" ;)

Well as of now everything is still set for me to fly out on Wednesday August 26th and arrive to the ship on August 28th. The ship is actually due to arrive two days prior to the volunteers on the 26th and as far as I know they are still on schedule for that arrival date.

Some of you asked about possibly mailing letters and cards which you can to the following address:
[Full Crew Member Name]
Mercy Ships AFM
Crew Mail
P.O. Box 2020
Lindale, TX 75771-2020 USA

I was told that it may take several weeks for any mail to reach the ship but I would definitely love to receive any kind of letters or cards.

I'm anxious to get to Madagascar and get started but I truly have been enjoying this time of relaxation and spending time with family and friends. I have started the process of packing and right now I have everything in one bag that is only 40lbs which is great!

This waiting game has been interesting. I feel like this year in general seems to be bringing a lot of waiting for me. There will probably be more seasons of waiting in my life that seem useless but I know that in the end it will produce a harvest of great things. All in good time I will arrive in Madagascar ready to hit the ground running and I know this waiting period will have prepared me for everything in store.

"Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting." Joyce Meyer 

Thanks again for all of the love and support and stay tuned!

Deborah

Although I am currently serving with Mercy Ships, everything communicated here strictly reflects my personal opinions and is neither reviewed nor endorsed by Mercy Ships. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships
  

Just Kidding I'm Not Leaving Yet

Surprise......I'm sticking around for another couple of weeks!

It turns out that while the ship was dry docked in South Africa getting prepared to make its way to
Madagascar they ran into some unexpected repairs that needed to be taken care of. These repairs aren't as bad as they originally expected which is great but this will still delay the ships arrival to Madagascar by 2 weeks. Therefore, it looks like I will now be flying out on August 26th and arriving in Madagascar on August 27th! I was told that my departure date from Madagascar of Nov. 28th will not change which people are most thankful for :) Thankfully, the fee for changing the flights was slightly reduced due to these circumstances that were out of our control.

I had already said all my goodbyes at work and was mentally preparing for a long week of packing, finishing up last minute details and running around to see family and friends. In reality, this is not the worst thing that could happen. It certainly wasn't in my plan or something I anticipated but I'm learning more and more not to doubt God's timing and that as always He makes ALL things work together for my good.

I'm going to take this as a hint to spend the next 2 weeks slowing down, finishing up last minute details and spending quality time with family and friends.

Keep following as I take this journey that will eventually lead me to Madagascar :)


Deborah


Although I am currently serving with Mercy Ships, everything communicated here strictly reflects my personal opinions and is neither reviewed nor endorsed by Mercy Ships. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships