Friday, August 18, 2017

"ME" in the Midst of What is to Come in Cameroon



I was blessed with time for reflection on the sail. I worked every other day in the dining room and was blessed with every other day off! I had lots of time to look out into the vast ocean that He created and ponder "my place" in all of this.


A group of us ladies began a Bible Study and chose to begin with Ephesians. The first week, Chapter 1.  I read, prayed and read again. I even pulled a few commentaries to add to the wisdom that Paul was attempting to share with the people of Ephesus. Then, on the last day of the sail, Ephesians 1:4 stood out to me and these words came alive.........
"I was chosen before the world began TO BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS IN HIS SIGHT"

These were a few of the realities that I gleaned from this week's study and my time spent with God during the sail :) 
  • We are created and chosen for HIS purposes, not for MY purposes!
  • There is a much bigger picture going on than what I can see with my own eyes. 
  • HIS Will for my life is to be an active participant in HIS plan, not my plan
  • HE did not choose me because I am good, He chose me to do some good for HIS purposes!
  • Through the Blood of Christ he Justified me (accepted and forgave me) and is in the process of sanctifying me (cleansing me)
  • HIS purpose is to unite all things in HIM, things in Heaven and on Earth.
  • HE is working everything together for HIS good! We are to trust in HIM!
  • We are created in HIS image......HIS plan moves forward as more and more surrender to HIM. Our part is to Reflect HIM......to be Holy and Blameless in His Sight.
  • This, is a CONTINUOUS WORK IN PROGRESS....THIS CLEANSING/SANCTIFICATION IS HIS WILL FOR OUR LIVES. HE GIVES US LIFE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS!
  • He places me in situations that opens the door to cleansing. It is up to me to choose for the cleansing to be done or to rebel against it!
For me, the sail has been a challenging time, a time of cleansing my soul and humbling! I was assigned to work in the Dining Room for the last four weeks. My first thought was "no problem, I can do this". My thoughts quickly changed the first day. We started our days at 5:15am, set up, served, and washed dishes for 200+ crew 3 times a day. After each meal, I was hot, sweaty and exhausted. It was only through the Grace of God that I could keep a smile on my face and keep up the pace. We were a team of four with only one having experience in this role. We were blessed to have 2 extra helpers every day, but this also created a challenge. This meant training two new people everyday and being faced with "humbling" myself knowing that there are multiple ways of getting the job done!

I admit that I went through a period of pridefulness that ate at my soul.  Rambling thoughts included why me? Why should “I” have to do the dishes, why am “I” reassigned and not doing something related to nursing. Why was "I" not involed in the team building trainings and nursing meetings? Why was “I” the one who is filled with years of nursing experience and a master’s degree not chosen for lead positions?  I admit feelings of envy, jealousy, anger, frustration and feeling like I was not being used appropriately. Yet, in the midst of the sail, God broke me down and humbled me. I was reminded that HE Chose Me to be Holy and Blameless in HIS Sight. It really does not matter what “role” I am doing, it is more about seeing, learning, growing and engaging IN JESUS! Doing what I already know how to do (aka, nursing) is not really pushing me outside of my comfort zone and providing me opportunities for growth in HIM. The use of wisdom is not in the job itself, the “wisdom” is the ability to get the job done, regardless of what it is, reflecting the image of God!

I end the sail and my assignment in the Dining Room and enter into the Unknown Land of Cameroon. I will be working as a Ward Nurse feeling Blessed to have been challenged in my role in the dining room and given the opportunity for growth in HIM. J

Glimpses of the Sail and Entering Cameroon

Leaving Las Palmas
Tug Boat attached and leading us out of the port in Las Palmas
Worhsip on the Bow. We saw dolphins swimming beside us the first night :)
Every Sunday Night we joined to Worship and Pray! This was  my favorite part of the sail!!!
Always in AWE!!
Even got in a little coloring time :)
Beautiful!!!
We are Blessed with a Crew filled with Musical Talents!
One of our duties.......Food for the ocean life!
Strict Orders........NO OTHER WASTE PRODUCTS BESIDES FOOD AND DO NOT DROP THE BAG ITSELF IN THE OCEAN!! The pressure was on. I had to pick through the trash first to make sure there was only food in it! YUK!!!!!

SUCCESS!!!
Green, yukky concoction!
Must be drank as we crossed the CENTER OF THE WORLD!
We had to declare ourselves lowly polliwogs, then drink the green, yukky concoction and THEN we could announce that we were officially "Diamond Shellbacks" 
Not many people get this Certifcate!!!! :)
 ARRIVAL IN CAMEROON





And HIS Work Continues in Cameroon

"In him we have redemption of his blood, the forigveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and on earth." Ephesians 1:7-10
My desire is to See, Learn, Grow and Engage In Jesus, and in the process  draw others to See, Learn, Grow and Engage in Jesus All over the world!

Together, WE can make a Difference in the Heart, Souls & Lives of Others.
Please join me in prayer and/or financial support as we journey together being the mouth, hands and feet of Jesus.

Thank You!!!



Thursday, August 3, 2017

GRACE :)

Every day is a NEW day to See, Learn, Grow and Engage in Jesus!!!

Snippets  from the last few weeks in Las Palmas.
Tomorrow we set sail for Cameroon!

A day of Exploring HIS Mighty Creation :)........Not sure if this was part of His plan for the fish, but it sure felt "interesting"
Today and everyday I am so Thankful for HIS Amazing Grace!!!
I deserve none of this abundance that surrounds me, yet everyday I am blessed with more JOY :)

Blessed in the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 
But his delight is in the law  of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 
Psalm 1:1-3

What I have come to believe and trust is that God desires to inhabit each of our hearts and lives 100%. In return, HE fills us and surrounds us with HIS LOVE :)

I am reminded of this as I read through Psalms and also through the book "Boundaries" by Cloud & Townsend. I like the following that David speaks of in Psalm 51:6
"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place." 

IF I am open to allowing HIM in "all parts" of my life, HE will show me ALL of Him!

Townsend and Cloud share "The good news is that when God brings us out from the alien land he does not leave us untaught. He rescued his people from the Egyptians, but, he taught them his principles and ways. These proved to be LIFE for them, but, they had to learn them, practice them, and fight many battles to internalize these principles of faith."

In addition, they share "God has probably led you out of captivity also. Whether is was from a dysfunctional family, the world, your own religious self-righteousness, or the scatteredness of being lost, he has been your redeemer. But what he has secured needs to be possessed. The land to which he has brought you has certain realities and principles. Learn and set forth in his Word, and you'll find his kingdom a wonderful place to live."

In short (my take)......See, Learn, Grow and Engage in Jesus and you will See, Know and LIVE in the abundance of our AMAZING, LOVING CREATOR!

Snapshot of my present journey these last few weeks in Las Palmas

Shipyard........Lots of work going on in this port
Prepared to disembark quickly! Lots of practice drills and instructions :)

Friendships........God set in our hearts desires for friendships. I prayed and asked him to send me a few good friends when I arrived on the ship.
ANSWERED PRAYER IN ABUNDANCE!!!

Ann, from Texas! Ann Loves Life and Thinks Deeply, Loves Her Husband and Loves Gelato! What more could I ask for in a friend :)
Cecily.......My friend that I met in the Congo and was blessed to spend time with in Kauai :)
Cecily Loves God and Desires to Walk in His Ways. I love her outgoingness and willingness to always try "new"
This gal is not afraid of change and TRUSTS God for her entire life and I love that about her :)
My roommate - Merryl, from Australia
We are both nurses, LOVE God and recognize our need to rely on HIM daily to navigate life!
Gudrun, from Norway :)....She is a nurse, but because her English was not good enough, she chose to spent her 5 weeks of vacation serving in the Dining Room! She is filled with JOY, Laughter and Full of Adventure, not to mention, she is  a VERY HARD Worker!! She makes working in the Dining Room lots of fun!!
Exploring Las Palmas on my Days Off. 
God has surrounded us with Abundance of Beauty and Gelato :)

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11






Building Relationships in order to Serve :)
In between each country, Mercy Ships sails to the Canary Islands for Maintenance. They have formed a very good relationship with the members of the Port in Astican. The Astican members challenged our Mercy Ship Football (Soccer) Team to a friendly match and served us a delicious and fun B-B-Que.




Yes, I am working :)
I was reassigned to work in the dining room for a month prior to the hospital opening. I now have a much greater appreciation for the "work" that goes on behind the scenes!! Hard work and long days, but truly blessed to be able to do the job with strength, energy and a Smile :)

"Blessed are they that put their trust in him" Pslam 2:12



My desire is to See, Learn, Grow and Engage In Jesus, and in the process  draw others to See, Learn, Grow and Engage in Jesus All over the world!

Together, WE can make a Difference in the Heart, Souls & Lives of Others.
Please join me in prayer and/or financial support as we journey together being the mouth, hands and feet of Jesus.


Thank You!!!