Ghana Arrival!

 After around 20 hours of travel, I'm in Ghana!

I'm on the same ship with many familiar faces, but a lot has also changed in the almost 2 months since I have been here. I'm in Ghana, not Sierra Leone. Many friends left the same time as our family, so it's strange to see new names on cabin doors and in departments. I'm now living on deck 5 instead of deck 8, with a lovely roommate from Scotland. My afternoons are spent at work in Rehab instead of doing math homework with my kids. I'm having video chats with the kids instead of snuggles on the couch. 

A few photos of the past few days:

Coffee in the Sacramento Airport. Here I go!

1.5-hour layover in Washington D.C.

After a 10.5-hour flight from DC to Accra Ghana, I was happy to see this sign!

My door when I arrived! So good to feel so welcomed!

Facetime with my Sadie girl as she got ready for school. 

Things to pray for:

1. More crew are still coming from around the world. Pray for flights to arrive on time, visas to be approved, etc. 

2. Surgeries start soon! Pray for capable surgeons hands and patients to feel safe and loved.

3. Jeff and the kids are finding a good routine but pray that continues. 

Thank you for all of the love and support as we continue to serve with the gifts we are given!

T minus....

 The countdown to Ghana is on! I leave August 22 which now that it is August feels even faster approaching.

The pile of "I want to take this with me" continues to grow. Not just things for myself, but special items for friends on ship. The kids want to send me with some American candy and notes to their friends on ship, with hopes of getting a note back. I'm happy to be their mail carrier. 

But more than the 23 kg of luggage I'm thinking about what else I'm taking. Not to get to emotional/romantic/spiritual, but preparations go far beyond the packing of stuff. What mindset am I bringing? How is this departure different than the one 2 years ago? How can I bring my best self to really serve the people of Ghana and the cultures of the ship to the best of my abilities? I know more of what I am getting into, but also have to be prepared for the unknown of a new team, new country, new daycrew, etc so am I really that knowledgable?

Speaking of- Prayer requests!

1. The ship is on its way from Las Palmas Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) to Ghana. Pray for a safe voyage. For a celebration from the country of Ghana as they arrive. All passport/visas to go through. We are a ship of approximately 60 countries with so many different immigration requirements. Pray it all goes smooth.

2. Many volunteers (like myself!) will be flying in not long after the ship arrives. Pray for connections to be made, bags to arrive, and more visas to be approved. 

3. Pray for Jeff and the kids. They will be about 2 weeks into school when I leave. Pray for good routines to happen quickly and everyone feeling "settled". Pray for a job for Jeff that is flexible while I am gone. 

4. Pray for surgeries. Guided surgeon hands. Brave kids and caregivers to trust us.

A few essentials I had to complete before leaving...

Good pizza. Anyone from the ship knows, this is luxury. 

Blackberry picking. Fresh fruit continues to delight us, even a month later.

Went to see an A's game! 

Haircut! Over a year without one, so this was NEEDED.