Good-byes already here...

I have been here for three weeks already! I cannot believe it. Yesterday, I said goodbye to one of my best pals, when you move across the world, meet someone in the airport going to the same place you are, and live on a boat together, you get really tight fast! She arrived the same day I did and her stay has already ended. I am also getting ready to say good-bye to my pal Susie, the ship's eye surgeon. She also arrived when I did and she is heading home to Louisiana on Wednesday. It is crazy how fast time goes, but I may see her again, as she has offered to do Lasix surgery for me for an excellent price! I have also said good-bye to my roommate from Holland and one of my British roommates. But, our tight little cabin family of 6 is becoming more diverse, we added a little taste of Ireland on Saturday. I love meeting new people and learning about their countries. We are making a poster of our favorite words from different countries. It is so funny how the words come up in conversation and how we try to understand what the other person meant. For example, on Saturday, we were getting ready to head to the beach and my roommate from Norway came and simply asked if I was going to wear my swim costume to the beach, or if I was going to put it on there. I couldn't stop laughing. I think all of us should call our bathing suits, swim costumes. Yes, I went to the beach again. It was beautiful! While at the beach I went to buy a soda from the the restaurant/bar. They cashier wanted a smaller bill than a $20, I offered to give them $2.00 in change. I then pulled out quarters, dimes, and nickles. All of the staff at the counter gathered around me. I didn't know what was going on. They asked if they could hold the change, but told me I could not use it. Apparently, Liberia used to use US coin before the war. The people I was talking to had not seen US coins since the war. They said it brought back good memories and asked if they could keep it for a souvenir. It was neat because the quarters I pulled out were the Kansas and Idaho State coins, I was able to tell them I was born in Kansas and lived in Idaho. The workers all got a penny, dime, nickle, and quarter. The were really excited. I asked what happened to all the US coins that had been in Liberia. Businesses started rejecting the money, therefore the coins became worthless and just disappeared out of circulation. Later, a few of the workers came to my table by the beach and asked my name because they wanted to remember who gave them their souvenirs. When I gave the money out as souvenirs, it reminded me of the random time we ran out of trick-or-treating candy and Dad passed out quarters to the kids. The kids at home thought the quarters were weird, but here, they were extremely proud of their new gift. On Sunday, I enjoyed another chance to worship with the local African Church. I went to Jamaica Road Evangelical Church. This church is about a 10 minute walk from the ship. I had been personally invited to attend the church by Musu, one of the local tailors who comes to the ship to make clothing for us. I have been very impressed with Musu's work and have bought a number of items from him, so we have developed a friendship. I was honored that he would ask me to join him at church. A few of my roommates decided to come along, too. Musu met us at our gate to escort us to church. He was wearing a complete suit coat, suit pants, hat, long sleeve dress shirt, and dress shoes. I wore a skirt, short-sleeved shirt, and sandals. Two minutes after I walked off the ship, sweat was literally dripping off every part of my body. I was soaking when I arrived at the church. I have no clue what Musu's suit was made of, but I am surprised he did not have a gallon of water pouring off him. The church service was lovely. This church was smaller than the last one I attended, they had no power point, or sound system, and they sat on benches, some plastic patio chairs, and the babies/children sat on blankets in the back of the church. This church was more like the typical African church you may imagine in your mind. The people were extremely friendly. It is their habit to have 1st time visitors come to the front of the church, announce their name and home country, and then ALL the church members come by singing and dancing, and they shake your hand. I probably shook 100 hands. I felt honored, but gross because sweat was dripping down my face and off my eyelashes as these people shook my hand. The church had an announcement inviting everyone to join for a special celebration service in a few weeks. The church is celebrating their first bathroom/outhouse building completion. If I decide to join this church for my time here, that is definitely a cause for celebration! Can you imagine our churches being at the stage of pure excitement over the fact that God has given the church body funding for a bathroom? It's the little things that matter. The sermon was very interesting and I struggle with its message. The pastor preached a message about God having a purpose for all of us. In America, I would never have doubted or questioned this point and I don't question it now, but in a sense I do. It just boggles my mind to hear a message like this in Africa, amongst a congregation of people who are ill, poor, unemployed, hungry, dirty, thirsty, tired, weary, uneducated, and without opportunity to change their situation. Is God's purpose really for them to live like they do? Amazing how I cannot comprehend this situation, yet all the people at the church listened, nodding in agreement and shouting amen.... Interesting..... This weekend I met the captain of the ship for the first time. I felt honored. His name is Jonhard, he is from the Farrow Islands. I don't know if I spelled that right, but it is a group of islands near Europe. I had never even heard of this location or group of people until Saturday when I met the captain's wife. The group of people that occupy the Farrow Islands have their own government, language, money, industry, and they have been established since the year 800. It just amazes me how God is real and reaches people wherever they are. I am finally recovering from my night shifts and preparing for another marathon of them. This time, I get to work Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. HOLY COW! I don't even work 4 days in a row at home, let alone nights! Looks like my next few days will be sleeping, working, and more sleeping. Good thing one of my best skills is sleeping. I will keep in touch when I can.