Freetown Journals: February 2019

Now that I have a whole half-a-field-serive of experience as this Guinea-based hospital ship's Executive Assistant under my belt, I want to share a bit of what I do on a weekly basis.

What had me coming back to the ship with a box of 64 redwood lions and 45 canoe-shaped bowls? Just doing some shopping for the Development department back in Texas. Now I get to add "Negociatrice and Errand-Girl Extraodinaire" to my resume.

Also added to my resume from this year? Taking minutes, wrapping gifts, interpreting for francophone visitors, drafting blog posts, figuring out the proper way to address an envelope for the Spanish Ambassador... And knowing where to find anything you could possibly be looking for on this lovely ship we call home.

...And I can store that resume for an additional year, because my plan as of now is to carry out my current role for its intended duration of 2 years, which will have me on board through the upcoming Field Service in Senegal, 2019-2020.

Did I think when I initially signed up for 10 months that I'd end up spending 3 years on board with the same organization? My blog URL says no ("Toto, we're not in Cameroon anymore..."). But this year it seems natural to keep going.

What difference does this make right now to those reading this? (First of all, thank you for reading my blog!!) I am always in need of your prayers. Here are a few specific things to be praying on.

This coming week, we are hosting a delegation from Liberia, who are meeting with Mercy Ships leadership to discuss their collaboration for a future Field Service. Prayers for a smooth visit and fruitful talks would not be wasted.
You can pray for my plans for transitioning to my third field service with Mercy Ships--I'm working out just how I would like to balance time for rest and time to serve and be present with my supporters with this summer.
Pray for new volunteers who will soon be applying for next field service, some of whom may even be arriving soon on the ship! The ship is especially in need of maritime personnel (engineers and deck officers).
And you can pray for the patients whose lives are being changed because of access to safe, affordable, and timely surgery, and/or because of exposure (some for the first time) to the gospel and God's fierce love for them, which is offered to those that are interested.

Speaking of reading my blog, many people are here because they like hearing my news, and I've been abysmally bad at meeting that demand. That's why I'm going to stop this blog post here. Because when I try to tell everything in one post, I get so caught up with words and the post never makes it into being! I definitely share plenty of photos and their captions, and if you want to hear more about anything in them, I'm happy to share! Hopefully in this way I'll be able to post what there is to share more frequently without worrying about including everything. Thanks again for your grace.

Scroll down to watch one second from every day, November-December, and some more photos :)

Blessings from Conakry,

Kate

Wooden boats next to a universally recognizable object (everyone gets a Nalgene when they come on board!)

October:

November - December:

This isn't one of the shopkeepers, but it's one of their friends, and he asked me to take his photo!

Me and the Finance Director, Barney, snap the obligatory "OMG PRESIDENT CONDE IS ON BOARD BUT WE
SHOULDN'T TAKE HIS PICTURE SO WE'LL TAKE OUR OWN PICTURE INSTEAD" selfie.