Life Without Limbs...

Last week Mercy Ships had the privilege of hosting Nick Vujicic, world-renowned Australian evangelist, as part of his ten-nation tour. Nick is my age. He was born without any limbs. And he is brilliant.

He spent time interacting with the Liberian people and even spoke at the SKD Sports Complex. His story is such an inspiration. He spoke to the Mercy Ships family in our Thursday night community meeting. I was awed by his testimony, and later some of the young adult crowd had the honour of spending time chatting and laughing with him. He has such an amazing sense of humour. As well as a wonderful outlook on life. This is all due to God's hand so evidently working in and through his life.

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Academy Open House...

Last Wednesday, 1st October, the Academy, the school on-board the ship, opened up its doors to the general crew. It was great to see how well-stocked it is. But more than that, how dedicated and caring the teachers are. Here is one of those committed teachers, and one of my friends here, Emily Hawk. She teaches Grade Two.

There were also opportunities to get involved in various activities. I decided to reach deep inside and pull out the poet in me. So I wrote a Haiku, a Japanese form of poetry. My subject-matter was something which I've been thinking about more and more recently: cycling. It is October. There is not too much time before I'll be back in Cape Town, in training for another Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour. That being said, here is my Haiku:

Cycling

Legs pumping up, down
Speeding by you watch the world
Man, machine as one.

Valletta Awards...

Saturday 27th September we also had the first annual Valletta Awards crew film festival. Crew members were encouraged to make short films in the categories of documentary, animation or comedy. The films were then screened in the International Lounge, to a packed audience.

There was then an award ceremony in the Town Square area of the ship. It was really cool. It was also great to see all the crew members dressed up in formal attire. The ladies wore stunning dresses whilst the guys wore suits and ties. It was such a great evening.

The Valletta Awards were named after our port of registration, Valletta, in Malta.

Wulki Farm - The Return...

Last Saturday, 27th September, I went out to Wulki Farm again. This time it was myself and a group of eight ladies. I decided to go primarily because my friend Becky Weinz, who's been like a ship sister to me over the past months, was leaving the following Wednesday and had never gone before.

So we drove out to the Farm and once there took an easy stroll looking at the animals and enjoying each other's company. Once back we swam and while chilling at the pool, a young man rode up on a horse and he offered to take me for a horse ride. Now I've never really ridden a horse before, and as mentioned in a previous post, I am really wanting to seize opportunities during my last few months here. So I decided to accept the offer. It was great fun. William, the horse's owner led me the first while, but then let me control the horse myself for the way back. I was happy that we stopped just around the corner from where all my friends were... because my dismount was rather awkward, to say the least. My one foot got caught in the stirrup and I ended up dangling on the side of the horse, stuck in the saddle. Thankfully a security guard and William helped me out of my predicament.

But more than that I want to share William's story with you. He is eighteen-years-old. Both his parents were killed during the war. He now has dreams of going to university and studying to be a medical doctor. That is why he is working at the Farm: to try and earn enough money to put himself through his tertiary education. Again, it won't be an easy journey for William. But one must keep hope alive.

Wonderful Encouragement...

Mercy Ships received the below letter a couple of weeks ago. This letter is so profound and I can feel the love and thankfulness with which it is written. It is a clear sign that God is at work. I don't know what else to say... I'll just let the words speak:

September 16th, 2008

Dear MERCY SHIP,

Thanks for the joy you’ve brought back to my life and the lives of many others. God bless the works of your hands everywhere you go and may you be a blessing in the lives of others in the world. I will continue to pray for the Mercy Ships, her sponsors, and all those who make her what she is.

To the Captain, I say, Navigate well.
To the Engine Men, Let her never break down.
To the Counsellors, Take away our trauma with kind words.
To the Doctors and Nurses, I say, Make us smile, hold, walk, see, talk again in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

May the blessing of the Almighty God be with you all.

Thanks
from Bami Seydou
on behalf of my son Yemi Seydou

This letter leaves me speechless. It is a wonderful encouragement for the crew as we come down to our final two months here in Liberia. Thank you for your continued support and interest. Without you, we wouldn't be able to do the work that we do here in Liberia. God bless.

Dreaming For A Brighter Future...

We had Bible Study out at New Matadi orphanage again on Wednesday night (24th September) and it was a really good, building time. We discussed Matthew 20 and then chatted about our dreams and ambitions. It was amazing to hear their goals. A couple of our guys want to become medical doctors; another wants to become the President of the Republic of Liberia. Some want to enter engineering; another agriculture or computers.

But what also came out of this discussion was a glimpse into their pasts. At least two (of the seven present) have lost their fathers in the civil war. One of the guys who has dreams of becoming a medical doctor would like to do it to honour his parents, both of whom he lost contact with during the war. One can guess what happened in this case. It is so unfathomable to understand what these young men have gone through, unless you've lived through a civil war yourself. And yet hope and a genuine desire for a peaceful, stable future remain. No desire for revenge.

In such a situation one must ackowledge the challenges and obstacles faced by these young men. They are hoping to obtain scholarships or find financial supporters to help them fulfill their dreams. And it won't be easy. The world may try to crush these dreams, pull them down, through situations and circumstances. But it is important to keep hope alive; to keep one's dreams alive. Step out in faith, trust in God, and go out and be an encouragement and a support.

“Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you
the desires of your heart.”
(Psalm 37: 4 NIV)

So I guess if I have a message to share it's to go out and be an encouragement. And if you have a dream then don't become bogged down or stuck in an unreal world; rather go out and take action. If it's a dream that brings honour and glory to God, then go for it. And most of all be an encouragement to those who have dreams. Keep hope alive; keep dreams alive.

Ducor Palace Hotel...

Yesterday afternoon I was also able to fulfill one of the objectives I've had for a while now. To visit the ruined Ducor Palace Hotel. I always say I'll visit it. But I always end up putting it off. So it was about time I went to this towering reminder of the destruction of war.

So a small group of us headed out to Ducor Hotel. It is the large building perched on the hill overlooking the city and the Freeport of Monrovia. It was built in 1974, but during the Civil War this former 5-star hotel fell into disrepair and ruin. It is now nothing more than an empty shell, used for various aerials and the main radio antenna for UNMIL (United Nations Mission In Liberia) Radio. It is another startling tragedy of war, like the Hydro-Electric Plant mentioned in an earlier post.

But Ducor Hotel does still have amazing views of Monrovia and the Freeport – and, of course, my beautiful home. It was also great to gain some perspective on Monrovia – to see the city from the sky. It was a wonderful, sunny day. This warm weather added to the spectacular views. You could see miles and miles of Monrovia and the surrounding districts.

So ends another good weekend here in Liberia. One week closer to my departure from this beautiful place. Twelve weeks tomorrow until I leave. I'm going to make the most of this time I have left. As I have been reminded over and over again this past week:

“Don't wait for tomorrow when today's opportunities are a knocking at your door.”