Southeast Michigan Mercy Ships Reunion...

My friend Dan and I organised a Mercy Ships reunion for former crewmembers living in the Southeast Michigan area. We held it at Maybury State Park in Northville at the end of May, and although we had a rather small turnout, it was lovely to reminisce and share memories from our service on various Mercy Ships. 

Despite the small turnout, we had people who had served at the head office in Texas as well as nearly all of the Mercy Ships - the Anastasis in the 1990s, the Anastasis and the Africa Mercy in the 2000s, the Africa Mercy in the 2010s, and the Global Mercy in the 2020s!

It was a great time to connect over a common bond. We hope to do it again next year!

Meeting new friends. :)

Mercy Ships flag flying proudly in the strong breeze.

We then went for a nice hike with one of the Mercy Shippers.

The lake's water was so clear!

There were lots of fish visible...

As well as this beautiful painted turtle. :)

Cape Town Puzzle Fun...

My sister sent us this fantastic Cape Town wooden puzzle, with lots of amazing pieces highlighting South Africa's unique cultural heritage. We had a lot of fun putting it together.

Thanks, Debbie, for the puzzle, and thanks Shirley and Montassir for sending it our way!

Working on the puzzle late one evening.

Pieces included a heart-shaped South African flag...

A leaping Springbok (symbol of South Africa's national rugby team)...

And lots of other fun shapes that celebrate SA's diversity and wildlife.

The puzzle shows Cape Town's Waterfront and famous Table Mountain.

Memorial Day Flyover...

On Monday, 25th May, we spotted these two old warbirds flying overhead. Since they were flying on Memorial Day, they must have been commemorating all the brave soldiers who have served in past conflicts. This is a Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain transport plane.

And here's the B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.

These old but beautiful planes make such a distinctive noise.

Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum...

Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum are located in Dearborn, just a short distance from our home. Last Saturday, our church invited ESL students, families, and teachers for a day at this extensive museum complex. It was rather drizzly, but we still had a lovely time exploring the exhibits.

I found my tractor!

Heading from the farm to the glassworks.

Beautiful horses!

Riaan and Eliza meet the horses.

A little play about the Detroit Market.

The water mill.

Exploring antique furniture at the Henry Ford Museum.

The actual chair in which Lincoln was seated when he was assassinated in 1865.

The famous Rosa Parks bus from Montgomery, Alabama. 

Running from this low-flying Douglas DC-3!

Eastern Market Proteas...

We visited the Eastern Market again last weekend and came across these beautiful protea wreaths! They were too expensive to buy, but were absolutely amazing. 

The King Protea is the prominent flower (top right) in this display, which is South Africa's national flower and the emblem of most South African sports teams, including cricket, soccer, and rugby.

Candace did find some pretty living flowers for our garden. :)

Late Spring Flowers...

Candace's flowers are blooming nicely in the beautiful late spring weather in Metro Detroit!

Here's the columbine in our back garden...

And a lovely purple iris...

Even the chives are putting on an attractive display!

Church ESL Lunch...

About once a month our church hosts a meal after the service. This past Sunday, the ESL students joined us for a time of connection and fellowship over a delicious bring-and-share lunch. I love community events like this!

A lovely time of fellowship over lunch.