A Cabin Waiting To Happen

Here I am sitting on my bed (in my 'future' cabin)... can't wait for the day when I get to actually move everything in ... soon (I KNOW... I keep saying that!!)... thank you to those of you who've sent things to help decorate my cabin. I look forward to the day I can send you a picture of what it looks like actually decorated!! Pictured above me is Lorah (you met her in an earlier posting). She said she'd pose as my 'first guest' in the cabin. She's peeking into the wardrobe that will hold my clothes and to the left of it is my kitchen unit.

Deck 8

This deck looks COMPLETELY different from several weeks ago!! Our deckhands have worked so hard over the last three months needle-gunning this entire deck, then repainting it green. When we are sailing, this is the deck that will store our vehicles, and when we dock, the vehicles will get offloaded by cranes (that you can't see from this angle). The big ball that you see is our satellite system that will give us internet and phone access. It'll be a stateside number (Florida) so for all of you who have national calling - you can call me free of charge!! This is also the deck that will have a canopy covering (while we are in port) where the crew can relax and not get too sunburned. There will also be an area for the children to play as well.

Gourmet Chefs - waiting to be discovered

This here is our Crew Galley (there are six ovens available, along with cooking islands) where crew can go, and cook whatever they want...cookies (or biscuits as they are called here in England), perhaps a birthday cake, whatever their heart desires. This was one of the rooms that we didn't think we were going to have time to finish, but with the delays, it's actually worked to our advantage, as we were not only able to finish the crew galley, but also various accommodation areas. 

Wishy Washy

Not one of the most glamourous rooms onboard the ship, but definitely one of the most used and coveted ... these washer and dryers will help 'service' the 474 crew onboard as we book in our laundry slots once a week. The flooring is done (covered by cardboard to protect it). Next, the folding table is being installed ... another room, soon to be finished!! Woohoo!! 

Pirates and Fairies

Just so you don't think it's all work here, and no games... think again! In order to strive for a balanced life in this 'foreign' country... we have had all kinds of 'theme' parties. This one was by far the best. Everyone went all out to dress up as a pirate and fairy (we even had someone dress up as a 'hairy fairy' which was 'VERY SCARY'!! (he knows who he is!!). Here I am pictured with two of my very dear friends, Pat (left) and Carrie (right). I'm the middle in case you haven't figured that out!! You are probably wondering why a 'fairy' would wear all black... well, I decided I'd wear black (cuz no one can be good ALL the time), but I also threw in hints of pink to show off my good side as well!)... (I know... those of you who know me well are asking 'what good side???')

Pat has become one of my closest friends here. She's funny, witty, sensitive, and is my mentor and friend. I have learned so much from her. We've started to walk a few days a week in the early morning (5:30 am is EARLY for me!!), but I so look forward to our time together to exercise, share what's happening in our lives, and pray for one another. She is soon leaving Mercy Ships, and returning to Texas, which makes me very sad, but I know that I have made a friend for life (friends really, as her husband, Terry, is a great guy). I just try to think of it as 'one more friend' I have to visit somewhere in the world.

My South African friend, Carrie, is such a blessing in my life. We have a lot of laughs together. She has unselfishly included me in her family, and I absolutely adore her two daughters (Katie, 2 and Rachel, 4). It makes up (a little bit) for not being able to see my nieces and nephews. Carrie and I enjoy scrapbooking together, shopping, planning parties, cooking ... you name it, and we'll find a way to have a great time doing it.

I thank God for good friends. It makes up (a bit) for missing my friends and family back home.

Take a Tour of the Africa Mercy

I just learned how to use Flickr.com - a great way for me to able to post a series of photos, so you can get a better grasp of what the ship really looks like from the inside out. Click here to take a Tour of the Africa Mercy. Keep in mind that when it opens, to get back to my blog, you'll have to re-enter my blogspot address: www.albertasantecdotes.blogspot.com. You can also use the photo on the right.

Ship Shop? or Ship Shape?

This will be another place onboard that I'm SURE the crew will frequent!! It's called the 'Cafe' (coffee is donated by Starbucks!). It's located in the area of the ship that we call the Town Square. The Town Square contains not only the Cafe, but also a seating area for the crew to relax and lounge, go shopping in the Ship Shop (where you buy personal toiletries, etc), view the Partner Wall (which lists our major donors) or just simply hang out and have fun!

Too Many Cooks...

Actually, in our case, you can never have too many cooks onboard a ship. This is only one PART of our galley. There's a lot of existing items from when the ship was a former rail ferry, but we've also added quite a few new items as well (See the big mixers in the back? Those are new). The Galley is just about finished; still needs a good cleaning. Now all we need are a few good cooks - anyone interested??? ;-) I always find it fun and challenging to cook for 25-30 people; 450 people is an entire different matter. When I was onboard the Anastasis, I helped out in the galley a few times cooking for Easter and Christmas, as well as helping to whip up a 'few' cakes (try 20-30 rectangle cake pans!!). It's one of the few times in life where I could have my cake and eat it too! 

You've Got Mail

Onboard the Africa Mercy, our crew will have access to an email cafe that will accommodate 18 flat screen computers (through a generous donation in honor of one of our IT staff from the UK office who passed away this year). This is one area that will always be busy, and will keep our crew happy! When you are thousands of miles away from home, nothing puts a 'cap' on your day like sitting down at the computer, opening up your email (and possibly hearing that sound: You've Got Mail). Hearing from friends and family is what often keeps me going when I'm tired, missing all of you, and wanting to be somewhere else. Then I read a 'funny quip' from my niece, Erica, and I feel like a part of me got to share in what everyone else shared in even though I wasn't there in person!! (see Erica - I DO ready your emails!! Fortunately, I'll have a computer in my office so I won't have to queue up for one of these commodities, but nonetheless, I still love hearing from all of you! 

Meet Lorah

This is a picture of Lorah Styer and myself. Lorah is a godsend!!! She has recently transferred from our Texas office and joined me here at the Africa Mercy as our Special Events Assistant. All of my other staff are currently on the Anastasis in Ghana, so I am grateful for Lorah. Since I spend most of my time moving furniture, installing furniture, giving tours, talking to outside folks who are interested in Mercy Ships, managing the communications aspect of what we are doing, etc...Lorah has jumped right in and is currently handling all of our Hospitality needs... which entails getting rooms ready for new crew and guests, as well as cleaning up after someone leaves. She's also blessed us with incredible cooking talents (that she didn't even knew she had!) as well as utilizing her skills as a hairdresser by providing hair salon services for our crew once a week. I couldn't do all that I do without her... She's a true blessing, and worthy of you meeting (through my blog!).