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what i think about when i run (Oct '23)
Few that know me will be surprised that when there is a free moment you can find me strapping on the running shoes and sneaking in as many miles as there is time, here is no different.
Now while that includes more treadmill that it ever has (necessity of curfews) I have loved getting time out roaming the streets and hills of Freetown. The sights, smells, and traffic chaos excite me and ground me to where we really are.
A few weeks ago, I had a Monday free of work and got out for a few hours. It was a rare moment of being out on a weekday and I took note of what I saw:
Sisters annoyed at their younger siblings who were walking too slow and going to make everyone late for school.
Men waiting for the bus heading to work.
Construction workers surveying sites, organizing tools and materials for a day of labour.
Mothers straightening school uniforms as kids rushed out the door.
Vendors setting up for day of trading.
All very. normal. things.
It is easy to be in Sierra Leone and get caught up in seeing the abject poverty and need that exists. The reminder I want to continue to give myself is that people are not the sum of their circumstances, they are not defined by their living conditions or place in life. They are people living life, and it is glorious to get to alive alongside them.
So for now I'll keep plugging away at my role in this larger work, hoping that we can serve people while continuing to see their full humanity.
Oh yeah.. and I'll run.
(Last week I took a short video to try and capture what it feels like to run here; it was a Sunday morning which is actually a quieter time out and about. Ill try and capture a better version soon.) https://youtu.be/uLQTGpG31WM
SUrgeries Begin; the story of Emmanuel
Surgeries have started in Sierra Leone; this video tells the story of Emmanuel, the first patient of this Field Service. It summarizes well our 'why' for serving onboard.
Sept Newsletter.pdfAnd were off, part 1 -Texas! (June '23)
Hello all!
Let's start with the elephant in the room, the elephant with the belt buckle and cowboy hat, why on earth are we in Texas!?
Lindale, TX is home to the International Support Center of Mercy Ships. This is the main base from which operations are run and the work.om the ships supported. We are here for two weeks while we complete mandatory training on missions philosophy, transition, cross cultural ministry, and job specific training. It's also a chance for us to form relationships with other people and families who we will serve with. The kids are part of their own transition seminar while we are here, which talks them through many of the same concepts as us but guided in children's language and activities.
Now to roll back a few weeks. Packing up and heading out from California was an incredibly busy and emotional season. But after weeks of work we packed up what we didn't need , and loaded up each one bag and one box, and started the road trip out to Texas.
During our final push we couldn't have felt more loved and humbled by the support of our community. The amount of people that lent a hand, looked after the kids, or let us borrow equipment was mind blowing! It's almost like people wanted us gone (I'm the best way possible hopefully).
Our time on base here has been a chance to catch our breath and take stock of all that has led us here. We feel blessed by the love we received, and are excited to lean into the calling we believe God has for our family in this season.
On Sunday we will at last be onboard the Global Mercy! Watch this space!
Its official! (April '23)
After some nervous waiting we have all our official Mercy Ships paperwork in place!
We were also able to roll out our fundraising this last weekend at church.
It is exciting that we are now in the home stretch of heading out, even with the amount there is to do still! Just as much we are making sure we end well with friends and family; as much quality time as we can find!
Things to keep in prayer:
-renting (and getting it ready for) the house out
-kids finishing well with friends and clubs
-fundraising roll out
And so it begins.. (March '23)
Hold on tight because its going to be a whirlwind!
As things currently stand we will be in Texas in July for training at the Mercy Ships International Operations Base. Then joining the Global Mercy in August which will shortly after arrive in Sierra Leone for a year field service!
We are incredibly excited if not slightly daunted by the bits and pieces that still need covering. House is slowly being packed up, kid's are prepping their things (and friends), paperwork is being sorted, and support is in the process of being raised.
To say this is a major chapter in our families life is an understatement, but we are also relishing the opportunity to fully place our lives in the hands of Christ. We are jumping in the deep end and trusting that He who we believe has set this out for us, will also be by our side each step of the way!