It is hard to believe that I am in the mist of my last country in Africa. I remember sailing into Africa (Sierra Leone) for the first time just the middle of June. I was so excited but yet so nervous, a new continent, new countries, new people, new culture, new experiences and news memories to make. My time in Africa has flown by, now having visited Freetown, Sierra Leone, Tema & Takoradi, Ghana and now last Monrovia, Liberia. Looking back at the time I have already spent in Africa I am amazed and so thankful. It has always been a dream of mine to visit Africa and my dream came true in a way I would have never expected. God has blessed me with some amazing experiences over these last months in Africa and my eyes are definatly more open now.
Sierra Leone was a big highlight for me because of the team I went on. I went on a team with 5 other people from the ship and a local pastor. We traveled 5 hours from the ship to a small village called Lohindi. We went to Lohindi to help fix the roof of their school, the roof continues to get blown off by the wind when there are storms. It is a blessing for this village to even have a school as many dont and kids end up having to travel very far on foot to even have the chance to go to school. We stayed 3 days in this village fixing this school, it turned out that we did more than practical work. At night we traveled to different villages to share with them, all being translated because they spoke a tribal language. We also spent so much time with the beautiful children. I walked around Lohindi always having a child attached to my hand. So many beautiful children. My time in Lohindi I will never forget. It opened my eyes to a way of life I have never seen, only thought about. A way of life that involves no electricity, no running water, living in huts, eating only one meal a day and simple fellowship community life. One of the most amazing parts about my time in Lohindi was the relationships I built with the people even though we could speak to each other, when we left that village you could see the sadness on their faces and I could feel the sadness in my heart. One of the biggest highlight of my time onboard the ship.
I love Lohindi.
Sierra Leone came and went and we were soon sailing to Ghana.
First Tema and then Takoradi.
My highlight for Ghana would be going to an Orphanage, Fathers Home. There were 30 children at this Orphanage and they were so lovely. I really felt a peace at this Orphanage and I really felt like it was God lead. I enjoyed spending time with the children and showing Gods love with them.
Another hightlight was going to a local church for sunday service. It is of course so different from church back home in the States. I enjoy listing to the people worship and I enjoying watching them dance. It so good to see the different culture and see how they worship God. We also were able to share with the church about the ship and fellowship with them in the beginning and end. I also got to hold this beautiful 2 month old baby named Fredrika.
So like I said before, I am now in Monrovia, Liberia my last West African port and my last full port onboard the ship. I will leave the ship in Las Palmas, Canaries on September 12th.
Pray I make the most of each day I have left serving onboard.
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