A YEAR IN AFRICA

Yesterday, February 26, we celebrated our first anniversary with Mercy Ships. It was the day we arrived in Texas for training, and it has been a whirlwind ever since.

We went from Texas to Freetown, Sierra Leone. After three weeks on the ship, we returned home to prepare for our two year mission aboard the Global Mercy. During that crazy time (getting our house ready to rent, settling our affairs, selling cars, and saying goodbye) I took a quick trip to Madagascar to see Mercy Ships’ second vessel, the Africa Mercy.

In June, we left Yakima, WA and headed around the US to see family and friends before we left the US. It was a grand adventure and we made great memories.

By July, we were on our way to meet the ship in Cadiz, Spain. We took advantage of the opportunity to travel throughout Andalucia Spain. It was incredible!

Then, in early August, we joined the crew of the Global Mercy and sailed to Freetown, Sierra Leone. Seven months later, we have learned how to live on a ship, to enjoy the incredible community, and to be a small part in providing life-changing surgeries to over 1,000 people who could not have it otherwise (all services are free of charge).

To say this has changed us is an understatement. It is overwhelming but incredible. Exhausting but rewarding.

We will be in Freetown until early June and then our next year will be in Accra, Ghana.

To God be the glory!