I honestly have no idea how long it has been since I departed St. Louis. After changing the time on my watch at least 3 times my body is confused. It is currently 9:00pm in Guinea, which I believe is about 4pm in the states. We have done so many things in the last hours, and hopefully I can recall most of them to share with you all. So I can try to start from the beginning and hopefully not leave out too much, or bore you with details.
I arrived at the airport approximately 2 hours early. I planned on checking in, taking a deep breath, saying good-bye to my parents and friend Kristin...as every time we make our own plans, that didn’t exactly happen. I was informed that my Visa from the Guinean government was not official and that I wouldn’t be allowed to board. After 45 minutes, lots of talking, a bit of sweating, a few trips up and down stairs, several faxes and phone calls on united airlines side, and a desperate phone call to Mercy Ships--all was well. Her face suddenly changed and she asked if I was checking any bags. Side note: when I arrived in Brussels I found out from a co-crew member that she also had problems and that United Corporate had received 45 calls before they called on hers. Whoops United! Turns out our relationship with the Guinean government isn’t exactly normal-
My flight from STL to New Jersey was on the smallest plane I have ever ridden in. I sat in my own chair, with just two others next to me. It was extremely uneventful, and the flight attendant had a British accent. Really, I think this is all I have to share about phase one.
Upon arrival to Newark airport, I realized I needed to change terminals. So after a few turns and a winding staircase I boarded a bus--the man with the British accent actually ran past me yelling “hold the bus!” I’m not quite sure if he just abandoned the plane or what- very interesting. After arriving at the next terminal I was promptly greeted by a pigeon! Yes, a real life pigeon flying about the airport. I found my terminal, was looking for a seat, and I swear I saw Justin Beiber. He was sitting by himself, but I truly promise It may have been him. As I walked to a seat I was greeted by yet another pigeon who looked upset that I was disturbing “his terminal”, Beiber and pigeons--interesting combination. As I was sitting I was surrounded by so many different languages being spoken among family and friends. It made me excited, it lit a spark to know more, to reach out, and then it honestly made me a tad anxious. I realized that I was not hearing any English, and that while it was amazing it made me feel isolated. I still had phone service, so I decided to call my Best Friend to talk for a few. Maria brought me back to reality and I felt calm, at peace that God is putting me So Far outside my comfort zone that eventually I may not be able to see the lines, and that it is good. The flight was uneventful, I sat surrounded by ONLY French speakers and played a good game of language charades with the Mother. She was kind, and even set aside a meal for me while I fell asleep near the morning hours. (When I say morning hours I mean my watch said 1am but the flight attendant said it was 6:30 am. Weird.)
Phase 3 began when I landed in Belgium. I exited the plane and began my search for the next terminal. After standing in the wrong line for 30 minutes, I was directed to another terminal via another bus. Once arriving there I found a twisty winding path leading to another security entry, and was spoken to very rapidly in many other languages before people would laugh and say, “English?”. Yes--again I think I am being pushed to learn another language. Shortly after finding the correct place, I spotted a familiar face from the other airport. (it also helped that there were not a ton of caucasian people) 6 of us quickly arrived and began to talk. Over the next 6 hours we began to form a bond talking about life, nursing, travel, and Jesus. Several people began arriving, and before we boarded our plane there were about 20 of us headed to the ship. I met several who were returning to the ship for their 2nd, 3rd, 5th, or 6th outreach, and of course many rookies such as myself. They are ALL amazing and I am so thrilled to serve with them.
The flight to Guinea from Brussels was low key- watched a few movies, read a book, journaled. Once we arrived in Conakry, it was go time. All of us moved in a herd. Quite a spectacle I am sure to everyone who is not used to seeing about 20 white people moving in a flock. We made found our bags, and made it through customs. Once we arrived outside we were greeted by about 10 Mercy Ships volunteers and 10 white Land Rovers. After a bit of confusion as to who was going where, we all piled in and began the journey caravan style to the port. Keep in mind that in Africa there are no rules of the road. We swerved, did a lot of honking, a lot of slamming the brakes, and even more dodging of people crossing the road. People in Conakry apparently just run out in front of cars and hope they will stop---risky business if you ask me! But we arrived safe and better yet no one got car sick!
After a quick orientation to paperwork, we received our badges, and headed to find our cabins. I must add that taking a picture that will stay with you for your entire stay after 24 hours of travel is a tad cruel, but that is just one of my “first world problems” as my friend Allison would so wonderfully say :)
I am living with 6 other women on Deck 3. In our small cabin two of us are from the US, one from Malaysia, one from New Zealand, one from Holland, and one from Germany. Crazy right!? I do feel especially bad for the New Zealander-after 48 hours of travel she arrived without a bag. People have really cared for her and we are making sure she has all that she needs! Last night equaled a lot of processing and journaling and then falling asleep in my top bunk of our tiny tiny cabin.
Today has been a long day of touring the ship, figuring out how one can truly take a “two minute shower” (not easy), figuring out my finances with the accountant on board, connecting my computer to the internet, and meeting new friends. We took a long walk into town that ended up lasting about 3.5 hours. We were following a long term crew member who had been into town twice and happens to be very adventurous and lovely. I have loads more to say about town, what we saw, and our conversations along the way. As of right now I will keep it short and say that poverty is very real here, that there is a lot of sewage/standing water, and that people yet again drive very quickly. As I adventure more I will have more to share with you about this city and what it so wonderfully holds. For now, I will give you four highlights of the trip: 1- that we were bold in our approach and saw quite a bit, including a massive snake that some children could not wait to show us. 2- that we found a beautiful ocean side place under coconut trees to drink a Fanta soda (what a treat!). 3-that I learned the word here for a white person is pronounced “Foo-Tee” after a small child who was overjoyed chanted it at us laughing and smiling. and 4- which is not a happy highlight, is that I learned about the Cholera epidemic that is striking these people from the lack of clean water. It was insane to walk around in a place that people were dying from contaminated water....more to share about that later.
As for now I am sitting in the “town square” among new friends, heart full for what God has for me here. After our first Sunday night meeting, I learned so much more about Guinea. It’s bloody history, and the groups of people who make it. Honestly I have so much to say about it that I cannot type it out any more, and will catch you all up later after I have had time to process. I am mentally drained from this adventure, but it is a wonderful type of drained. So I am going to head out...I promise to update you all to the ship and what is on my heart as I can put it into words. I am so thankful that I am able to share this with you all due to the wonderful internet. (Please disregard all the typing and grammar issues-my brain is a bit tired) Thank you for the support and prayers. Goodnight for now. Take care!
