Acts of service...

Candace and I have really been challenged lately to step out and listen to that still small voice that is God's Holy Spirit inside, telling us how we can serve people better. This has happened on a number of occasions in Tenerife. We have had our heart strings tugged by the poverty and desperation that exists even here, in what seems to be the lap of luxury itself. Now before I get complaints, let me say that I know that Spain is in recession and that the economies of many Eurozone countries are struggling, but Tenerife does not feel like mainland Spain. To me, in any case, it still seems pretty well-off. But anyway, back to what I was talking about...

We walked into town many times and often passed a man, sitting by the side of the road, begging for his livelihood. He seemed ashamed of what his life had become. A couple of weeks ago we were convicted to go and talk to him. He spoke a little English, and told us his name. He actually worked on ships as a cook, and was living on the streets while he waited to see if he'd get a job on one of the ferries. After we left him we sat down on a park bench and prayed for him. Since that day, we have not seen him, and it is our belief that he is employed and happy, laughing as he prepares a delicious meal in the galley of a ship. 

That's just one of the stories that we have encountered here. We have also seen poverty in the eyes of a once-employed man now forced to beg. We have seen poverty in the desperation of a woman in a wheelchair, struggling to move herself up the crowded streets, and the disgust of onlookers unwilling to help. We have befriended a couple, from Nigeria, who earn their livelihood as car guards every day. These seemingly "poor" people have something which I don't see in the eyes of the wealthy. They have a joy for life and a genuine love for those around them.

My prayer is that others would step out and meet a need. And in so doing, maybe they too will witness the joy that we have seen (and felt) through little acts of service here.

Bunkering in Tenerife...

Before any sail, the Africa Mercy needs to have enough fuel for the duration of the voyage - and a good portion of fuel for our first few months in port. We have used fuel trucks in various countries in West Africa, we have even refueled in the middle of the ocean, but here in Tenerife a bunkering barge comes alongside to replenish our fuel reserves. We have had two such deliveries this week, and we are almost ready to sail for Guinea!

 The Bridge of the bunkering barge.

 The bunker barge alongside transferring fuel to the Africa Mercy.

View of the two vessels from across the harbour.

Some sights of Santa Cruz...

As our time in Tenerife slowly winds down, I can truly say that we have been blessed being here. The people are friendly and we have had many adventures ashore. The scenery is beautiful and I have enjoyed experiencing the Spanish culture and lovely foods available! The photos on this blog are of some interesting sights along the seafront of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

But now it is time to shift focus as we prepare to sail to our next Field Service location: Guinea. We are thankful for our time here, and it has been a blast, but there are many people in West Africa needing hope and healing, and their time is fast approaching. And that is why we are here. 

 This is the Castillo de San Juan Bautista (Castle of John the Baptist). It was built in 1641 and was a very important defence for Santa Cruz.

 The sea has rounded many of the stones closer to the water-level, while the bricks above remain square.

 This is the Auditorio de Tenerife (Auditorium of Tenerife) and it was completed in 2003. It houses large chambers for music recitals and concerts.

 The auditorium beyond the water park.

 Interesting sculpture on the promenade.

Santa Cruz skyline from the main plaza.

Loro Parque...

The entire Africa Mercy crew was treated by Mercy Ships to a day at Loro Parque, a large marine and wildlife park in Puerto de la Cruz, last Monday. (6th August.) This was due to the incline experiment that happened - surveyors and technical crew were testing the stability of the ship - and thus all other crew (five bus loads of us!) had to leave the ship for the day.

We reached Loro Parque at around 09h00 and spent a lovely day exploring the different areas. We watched the dolphin, orca, and seal shows, and also spent time wandering through the beautiful scenery. But soon enough it was time to leave, and so it was farewell to Loro Parque for this year. Here are some photos from our day.

 An inquisitive penguin.

 Time for the dolphin show!

 One dolphin tows the boat while the others jump behind.

 

 A dolphin leaps through a hoop.

 Next was the Orca show!

 Orca whales are massive creatures.

 The seal show was a highlight.

 They are really skilled!

 Gorillas.

 Chimpanzees.

 Tigers.

 Jaguar cub.

 A meerkat smiles for the camera!

 African Spurred Tortoise.

 Galapagos Tortoise.

 Alligator.

 Cacti.

 Orchid display.

 Pretty colourful birds.

 Peacock.

 Some form of pheasant.

 Another pretty bird.

 Flamingos in the park.

 Candace and I at the end of a long, fun day.

Mount Teide...

It was still dark when Candace and I walked off the Africa Mercy and headed for the main bus station in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Our mission was to make it to near the top of Mount Teide, Spain's highest mountain and the third highest-standing volcano in the world. I say "near the top" because, unfortunately, we were unable to get the access permit to pass through the gate and hike the last 150 metres to the very top.

We took our bus from Santa Cruz, past La Laguna, and down to Peurto de la Cruz. Here we caught the 09h15 (once-a-day) bus to the lower cable way station halfway up Mount Teide. The lower cable way station is itself located at a lofty 2,356 m (7,730 ft) above sea-level, and the cable car goes up from there to a height of 3,555 m. The summit of Teide is 3,718 m (12,198 ft) above sea-level.  

We caught the cable car to the upper cable way station (a trip of a mere eight minutes) and walked along one of the scenic routes. Unfortunately, the weather was rather hazy and thus the view was not as impressive as it could have been. But it was still pretty amazing to be standing where once hot lava flowed down the mountain! It is really quite a barren landscape up there.

We then caught the cable car back down and had a late lunch at the little cafe at the bottom. Then soon after 16h00 we were clambering back into our bus and heading down through changing scenery as we wound closer and closer to the coast. We arrived back to our ship home after 20h00 in the evening, happy to have accomplished what we had set out to do!

 Candace and I heading to Teide.

 Mount Teide on the horizon!

 The cable car heads up the mountain.

 The shadow of our cable car.

 Approaching the upper cable way station.

 Down goes the cable car.

 Crazy lunar landscape!

 Looking towards the cable way.

 We walked along to this view point that looks out at the 1798 eruption...

 As shown here.

 Candace and I.

 Looking towards the summit of Teide.

 View points near the upper cable station.

 Time to head down the mountain...

 It's a very steep journey!

I love all the different colours.

 Safely at the bottom - looking up at the cable way.

 Driving back we passed some crazy landscapes.

View towards the lower cable station.