Are You Being Fished???

Although it is obvious to many of you and has been for a number of years, there are many others who are just picking up on the fact that I am young, female, and single. How people have missed this fact until recently, I am not sure, but nonetheless, it is true. Apparently there are a number of men in Africa and on the ship that have totally noticed that I am single and that I am not a beauty queen but I don't look like a troll either. YIKES! My male friends on the ship, use the term "fishing" to describe relationships. Girls are "fish" and guys are "fishermen." Are you fishing? Or are you being fished? Are some of the questions I am asked frequently. Although I am so honored to be fished, it is complicated. It gets really confusing when some "fishermen" come from cultures where it is perfectly acceptable to throw a net and catch a few fish at a time. It is also complicated when these "fishermen" claim to live under Biblical standards, but they don't apply these standards in their "fishing-practice." Oh, my goodness, it is really burns my biscuit to find out that many "fishermen" here just view "fishing" as a sport! It intensifies the situation when the "fishermen" use a lot of flattery and are skilled at catching fish, but their intentions are impure. Yikes, what's a "fish" (girl) to do? Pray for my head and heart as "fishermen" cast their hooks in my direction. I ain't near ready to nibble on any hooks, but it is complicated when I just smile at a "fisherman" and then he thinks I am on his hook. Sometimes, I cannot walk down the hallway without getting tangled up in the mess of "fishing-hooks" being cast all over this ship. All this fishing mess makes me want to swim alone in my own pond (my cabin) and not come out, but I cannot do what God has called me to do from my cabin! Next time you think of this "fish," could you pray for some still, peaceful, waters. And pray for that poor "fisherman" that God may have for me in the future; his "fishing" process is going to be a lot harder because this "fish" has retreated to deep waters!

OUT MY FRONT DOOR

What do you see when you look out your front door? What do you see when you stare out your bedroom window? Well, I don't have a bedroom window and when I look out my front door (the gangway of the ship) I see the beautiful, Atlantic ocean speckled with huge ships coming to port. I also see tiny fishing boats bobbing up and down among the waves. If I stand in my driveway, I see the fishing village that is pictured here. It sure is great to live near such beautiful landscape!

The Top 10 Reasons I Haven't Written:

1. It is hot in Africa- when I get hot I don't want to do anything. 2. I got tired of running from all the men chasing me, I slowed down, let one catch me, and I have been spending all my time with him. 3. The Internet hasn't been working. 4. The ship sunk and my computer went down with it. 5. I ate too much local food and have been spending all my time in the bathroom. 6. I got stung by a huge bug and my fingers swelled so much it was impossible to write. 7. I decided to fast from the Internet 8. I have been working on creating this list of reasons I haven't written. 9. I am busy working on learning all of the 162 tribal languages in Benin and I've been busy trying to vacuum my cabin with a lint roller. 10. Okay, I have never really liked to complain, well, I change my mind, actually I do a good job at whining sometimes, but I always try to mix a little humor with everything. The truth behind why I haven't written is because I am having an incredibly difficult time. I guess it all started with working night shifts again and then the long stretch of 8 shifts in a row. The stress, the different culture, the intensity of the situations I face here, the lack of private space to relax in, and all that jazz has finally gotten to me. Add to that situation the fact that the doctor and I have been making some adjustments with medicines that I have taken since I was in 9th grade. The adjustment process did not go as well as hoped for. I have not been feeling like myself and I have been exceptionally sad and depressed lately. So, I guess I am saying I would appreciate your prayers. I know this too shall pass and God has taken me through a lot more in my life, but I wish this time of feeling less than my best would pass quickly. I said I wanted adventure in life and I've got it! When I am weak He is strong! I love all of you!