Our 2nd Season

What is “Onboarding”?

Traditionally, this term is used to identify the process of bringing a person into a job or organization. Usually through Human Resources (which Mercy Ships calls People And Culture (P&C)). At Mercy Ships, Onboarding is the program (like an extensive orientation) for folks who have recently come to work (both volunteer and paid) for the organization.

Onboarding is currently conducted in Lindale, TX (near Tyler, Texas which is about an hour and a half south of Dallas, TX).

For people serving on one of the two ships, the Africa Mercy (currently in Madagascar) and the Global Mercy (currently in Sierra Leone), the first seven days of class are called “Basic Training”.

Basic Training covers issues related to Maritime Law, first aid, crowd management (like getting people off a ship in trouble), water survival, and firefighting.

The second part of Onboarding is a two-week course. It is heavily weighted on the Christian vision and values of the organization and members. There is a great deal of spiritual growth opportunity, extensive work with classmates (we have 35), and opportunities for personal growth and preparation.

Where do class participants stay?

The vast majority of class are staying in the various housing facilities on the 400 acre campus. There are dorms for singles, apartments for couples, and houses for families. I have heard that more than 100 people could be housed on campus at any time if need be.

Some classmates live and stay nearby. Others are participating remotely around the globe.

Marci and I have found the accommodations to be very pleasant!

What do Onboarding participants eat?

First, the food is outstanding and quite remarkable when you consider that it is prepared for large numbers of people. It is also paid for by Mercy Ships for those in Onboarding.

Each housing unit is fully stocked with breakfast items (eggs, bagels, cream cheese, English muffins, peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal, cereal & milk, coffee, tea, juice, water, etc). We eat at our “home” each morning.

But if you are running late, there is always a mid-morning snack (which is really a nice breakfast item).

All day there is water, coffee, tea, and juice.

Lunch is served in the “Oasis Cafe”. It is a large dining room. There is a typical cafeteria line (with one hot food option) and a very nice salad bar.

In the afternoon, there is always a very nice “snack” (usually something sweet). This was even provided when we were in the field firefighting!

Finally, dinner is much like lunch.

The Oasis also has a soft-drink dispenser (Coke products) lemonade, ice tea, etc.

Dessert is not typical.

I will say that for me, I have to be very careful. There is a LOT of delicious food and one could quickly grow “Mercy Ships Hips” if you don’t maintain discipline.

What do people do when they are not in class?

This is a varied as there are people. We (having more grey hair than many of our classmates) usually hang out in our apartment (there is no TV which suits me fine!). We read or watch a show on our iPad together. We all like to walk (there are beautiful paths in the woods). Twice a week a driver takes folks to WalMart for supplies or special items they may need. There are also activities (like church or a visit to a nearby park) on the weekends. Finally, there is a gym with wights and machines. Our class likes Pickleball and there always seems to be a game going!

There is a TON more to share, so if you have questions write in the comment box below. We will post more at the end of next week – and then we are OFF TO AFRICA!