Different Waves

As we prepared to join Mercy Ships and come to Sierra Leone almost two and a half years ago, we had many goodbyes and "this will be our last..." in America. Now, we're doing it all in reverse. We are saying goodbye to this beautiful country, courageous Sierra Leoneans, deep friendships, and our home for the last two years, which is this ship. We waved goodbye to that chapter of life.

Waving goodbye to the Pacific (January 2024)

Two years ago we waved goodbye to the Pacific Ocean. Soon, we will wave goodbye to the Atlantic. We're going to miss this. But we're also missing our beloved, sweet, and chilly North Coast. 

Soon, we will sail to Gran Canaria island in the Canary Islands (off the coast of Morocco), be there for about a week, and then fly back to America in early July. I (Jeff) will not appreciate the rocking of the ship, but I will still love and enjoy the vast, deep blue. We will receive the ocean's waves. 

It has been a joy. A blast. A beautiful time. We're thankful for how the Lord has led us, bumps and bruises notwithstanding. So now we will wave goodbye to this chapter of life.

Sunrise on June 8, 2026

I captured this beautiful sunrise early a few days ago. With rainy season here, much of the dust, smog, dirt, and haze has disappeared and we can, once again, have amazing sunrises and sunsets. We can also breathe more healthily, too. Perhaps a sunset is more appropriate for this type of blog post with saying goodbye. But I woke up early and could enjoy the beautiful soft blues, yellows, greys, and deep burn oranges. 

There are many goodbyes: to the people, culture, food, patients, port, ship, sunsets, friends, and more. Waving goodbye is difficult. We're grateful for the waves — all of them.

Ghana🇬🇭

This field service has been very different for me professionally than last. 

Our first year I had to learn everything about rehab at Mercy Ships. I learned how to get more range of motion from hands after surgery. How to put on and take off a cast. How to read X-rays a bit. How to document in a new system. What the difference between Ricketts and Blounts disease is. So so so many things!! I honestly felt like a new grad from school learning to much. 

This year I have taken on a new role now that I am experienced.  I have been training new PTs as they come in, shadowing them and helping them to learn the ropes, as well as doing more admin to keep the department moving smoothly. This has been such a blessing. I have always loved teaching and PT and this has been the perfect combination of both. It has also been a huge blessing to my boss to have another pair of experienced eyes, ears and hands in the rehab gym. 

Next year the ship goes to a new country (Ghana) with a new rehab team leader and new day crew to help with translation and exercises. That is a big change. My current team leader (Kate! Love her!) is coming back to do some handover for the first few weeks and then will be leaving Mercy Ships. Because we have seen how vital it is to have a second person doing the mentor/training of PTs and daycrew I have also been asked to come back for a few weeks to get the department up and running. 

So what does that look like? 

Early July our family will fly back home. We will settle back into our house. Get our stuff out of storage, etc etc. Kids will start back into school the first 2 weeks of August. Then Jeff will stay home with them while I fly to Ghana! I have zero reservations about Jeff and the kids doing amazing back home in California. Once I am home I’ll settle back into my old job again. 

How can you help?

1. Pray! Pray for my hands to be helpful. For the kids and Jeff to settle in well as I am gone. For new jobs for Jeff and I.  For safe travel. So much to pray for! 
2. Financially we are ok for a bit but we will let you know. :) We have been volunteering the past two years, living on donations and so far God keeps providing. Biggest thing is for Jeff to get a job in the first six months we are back (see above. Pray!!). 
3. Check in with Jeff for practical help. Bringing kids to school or activities or anything else is always great. 

God keeps opening doors and we keep taking steps of faith and that’s what me going to Ghana for a few weeks is. Another step out in faith we could not have predicted! 

Thank you for being there for our family every step of the way. 

J2, L, S2