I am part of a family of six who followed God's call to live on a ship, the Africa Mercy, in order to bring hope and healing to the poor of West Africa. Living here has shaped my character and strengthened my relationship with the LORD. Although my life journey has included excitement, adventure, frustration, monotony, joy, heartache, craziness,mercy, fun, pain, hope, and many other highs and lows, God has always come through for me in the little things and the big things. As I continue serving Jesus I invite you to join me, support me in prayer, and catch up on what is happening in my life from time to time.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Chicken Run

This Saturday, the 26 of January, the Africa Mercy crew held the first ever Mercyships Edition Amazing Race! Fifteen teams of three travelled the city of Conakry, Guinea completing a series of ten challenges. The teams went to the challenges in different orders so that they did not collide. The team who completed all the challenges and arrived at the ending point, the Rivera hotel, first, won!

While our family were not among the racers, we did host one of the challenges. We set up our station at the dental clinic. Our challenge was called 'The Roundup,' but I prefer 'Chicken Run.' First, when a team came in, we told them that in order to catch their prey they needed to understand it. This meant that they had to put white rubber gloves on their heads and long yellow gloves on their hands. Then, my brothers woul realease the chickens! Two roosters were dumped out of their box. The praticipants in the race had to catch both roosters and put them back into the box before they recieved the clue to their next challenge.

Our challenge station was a lot of fun. I videoed every team chasing the chickens. My family and I had a great day. Some other stations, which we were not a part of, included drinking a disgusting mixture, canoeing to a lighthouse and drawing a picture of your team next to it, composing a rap song and singing it in the middle of a store, pounding plantains and yams into fufu, and convincing some locals at the market to pay the mercyships teams to shine their shoes. The teams had an allowance of money, so they could pay for some taxi rides, but many times they had to run to their next station.

Here I have some pictures of our Chicken Run challenge. I had some really funny videos as well, but unfortunately they would not upload.


Malachi and his friend Natty, who came with us

Xavier trying a glove on his head



A racer's glove popping


Two of the members of the winning team members listening to the instructions

The third member putting his glove on

Eli in his chicken gear

One of the racers catching a chicken
 



 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Update on my Study Abroad Plans

Hello all,

I am making some headway on my plans to study in France. My application was reviewed and CIEE, the  organization I am using, asked me to renew my passport before they continue with the process. I will be going to the American Embassy this Thursday to get that done. Next week Tuesday I have a phone interview with CIEE. Within four weeks from the interview I should know if I have been accepted and where I will be staying. Sometime after that I will also hear from the scholarship comittee. Please continue to pray for me!