Let's adopt them!

When Mercy Ships go to a country to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor, it's not always about physical healing.
  We don't come only to perform life changing surgeries, we come to provide love and encouragement, and friendship, and someone to play "connect four" with or someone to hug and take "selfies".  And in return, our hearts and lives are touched by some of the most wonderful and precious people we will ever meet.
  For me, those people lived at a Boy's Orphanage...

These young boys (ages 6-17) played Frisbee with me, schooled me in soccer, and were solid competition in tug-o-war. 

One particular evening started out with a game of Tug-o-War! Most of the girls had gone to visit the orphanage, had ended up on the same side of the rope with a few of the older boys.  And after a little bit, well, we lost. 

This did not make those boys very happy, they actually started to complained that they had lost because there were so many girls on their team. 

 Well, imagine their surprise and laughter when Andrea (pink shirt right side of the picture) and I challenged them to a game of two on three!

 It was definitely a struggle, but Andrea and I stuck it out to victory!  They were great sports about the fact that they had been beat by two girls and, the game made the other little ones erupt in laughter.  I was so happy to be the cause of such giggles and joy!  

Here we are showing our muscles!

This little guy stuck with me every day I came to visit.  

This wonderful lady helps take care of the boys.  We were able to give them some board games when we left. 

On the night of our last visit I played A LOT of games of "Connect Four".  It was so much fun!

      We were actually pretty evenly matched. I thought he was gonna cream me!

Rob (striped shirt) is another crew member who came to visit!

Paterne (in the red hat) was our local interpreter.  The boys didn't speak much french and I spoke even less Lingala (one of the few local languages) so Paterne was very helpful and a wonderful friend as well.

Laura and I were enjoying taking "selfies" with the boys.  Although, I am not sure who enjoyed it more, us or them!  

Victoria enjoyed her visit as well!

It was a hard goodbye, but these guys will be in my heart and I will cherish the memories I have of three legged soccer, and random dance parties with lots of push-ups as the favorite dance move.

What's up?

I have not fallen overboard or been lost in the African jungle or eaten by a lion, or attacked by wild hogs.  I am still alive and doing alright.

It has been very busy here on the Africa Mercy as we are gearing up to sail for the Canary Islands. It is a 14+/- day sail from Pointe-Noire, Congo - Brazzaville, to Las Palmas, Canary Islands(Spain). We leave in a few days, and since we have been docked for 10 months, there is a lot to be done in order for us to sail.  Don't worry though, we have a crack team of engineers, deck hands, and able seamen to get us underway!

We will be in the Islands for roughly 2 months for maintenance and repairs.

So, what does this have to do with Tierah?  Well, I am glad you asked.  I have been promoted to Head Receptionist(Department head), and I have a team of 6 people under my guidance and leadership (they are a pretty great team actually).   However, my time as Head Receptionist will be a relativity short assignment in comparison to how long I have already served with Mercy Ships.

Now that you know what is going on right now, I want to let you know what will be to come, Lord willing. I have been asked to stay on with Mercy Ships for another year, and I said yes.  However, before you start to fret and before your heart breaks, this does mean that I will be home early...as in July...for the family reunion...and Edisto.

My job for next year is Hospital Project Assistant.  Which means I will be helping the local hospitals with their education programs.  What that will actually look like, we aren't sure yet, but we are excited and have ideas and are ready to help!