Scotland The Brave!

This last Friday was my cabinmate Ben's final game of poker (we have a group that meet every Friday for a friendly game) and, being from Scotland, he decided on the dress-up theme of Scotland for the tournament. It was good fun as many of us wore "kilts" and donned face paint in the blue and white of Saint Andrew's Cross. I decided to paint my face for my good friend.

I thought about going for the "Braveheart" look, but decided the flag was easier.

Ben wore his Scotland rugby jersey and his large Scottish flag draped over his shoulders.

Full circle...

It is a season of farewells here on the Mercy Ship and this last week many of my closest friends departed. These were friendships forged back in Gateway of June-July 2009 and from my initial time back on the ship in September 2009. There are too many to name, but if you are one of those who have left in the last week - or more - know that you are loved and missed! The photo here is of me with Amy and Sam - who head home to Chicago.

With Estelle, Danae and Christina - three of my Gateway sisters who left.

This time next week it'll be just the two in uniforms left. Sam left this last Thursday and Ben leaves this coming Thursday. Tim and I remain.

Global Day of Prayer...

It was the Global Day of Prayer - 12th June 2011 - yesterday. And because of this we held a special International service onboard last night. The Global Day of Prayer originated in Cape Town, South Africa, and therefore the South African crew had the honour of opening the service. We went up front with our flags and vuvuzelas and showed our nation's spirit by singing a couple of worship songs in isiXhosa, Zulu and English, and praying in Afrikaans! South Africa is indeed a diverse country with eleven official languages! The photo here is of the SA crew up front - I'm in the back row in the green SA Cricket shirt.

Each continent then had the opportunity to go and do a song item and prayer in their native language. It was so special to see and hear crew from each of the different continents praising God and praying in their own tongues. And yet again, it underlined to me how awesome it is to serve God in such a multicultural, international environment!

Some of the SA crew in Town Square.

Yeah for patriotic SA crew members serving with Mercy Ships!

Freetown scenes...

It was a ship's holiday on Friday - which means we're having a lovely long weekend. And so we went for a walk through the market and into downtown Freetown yesterday. It was lovely to get out and about and see some more of Freetown's culture, buildings and scenery. Here are some photos from our walk - starting with the one at left of me with a group of happy, friendly children!

This is the Clock Tower - pretty-much in the centre of the market.

An impressive cannon near Government Wharf.

A beautiful church also near Government Wharf.

I couldn't believe it when we came across a really well-preserved English Post Box!

Lovely old architecture.

And on one of the walls outside Freetown's port a new mural is slowly appearing - the Africa Mercy!

Sierra Leone Driver's Licence...

Here in Sierra Leone ship drivers have two options if they want to be able to drive a Mercy Ships vehicle (or any vehicle) legally.

• Option 1: They can either apply for an International Driver's Licence and carry that with their own driver's licence from their home nation.

• Option 2: Apply for a local Sierra Leonean driver's licence!

Since I already have an International Driver's Licence that I got through the AA (Automobile Association) of South Africa when we were in Durban, I can drive legally without having to get the local one. But come on, how often do you have the opportunity to own a driver's licence issued by another country? So a group of us went to the Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority and had our new licences issued earlier today.

It's pretty handy because with this licence (valid for five years) I am able to drive in any of the 15 ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) countries! Just another interesting day serving on the Mercy Ship!

Here I am with my new Sierra Leone Licence.

Sugar Loaf Mountain...

Yesterday a group of us hiked up one of the highest mountains in the vicinity of Freetown, Sugar Loaf Mountain. It was a rather challenging hike, especially since the rain that fell overnight made the rocks quite slippery. Many of us ended up sliding on our backsides for a while! But despite that, it was really BEAUTIFUL! And it was such a blessing to get off the ship and do some solid exercise and make some new friends too!

Looking down towards Freetown and Aberdeen - as we drive to the mountain.

Big houses in the centre of the peninsula.

Heading up the slopes of the mountain.

Spot the stick insect!

Scenic view in the direction of Freetown.

Looking out towards Bureh and Kent Beach...

... And Banana Island in the distance.

Relaxing on the rocks.

Heading back down the mountain.

Lush tropical vegetation.

Car wreck...

We were driving along the busy Freetown streets last weekend and came across what looked like a fatal accident. I mean, a car is speeding along a bridge, is clipped by another vehicle, goes into a spin and careers through the safety barriers, over the edge of the bridge. (That's what we were told had happened.)

Look at the car. Look at the devastation wrought to the building. It must be fatal. And yet praise God we were told that the driver and his two passengers escaped with only minor injuries, and there was no one in the building. Now for me, that is definitely a miracle!

At first glance, I struggled to see the car amongst the wreckage!

Ah, there it is!