On My Bed

I cleared off my counter to create space for my brand-new-to-me old computer so that I may type. Looking around, I realize that I have a collection of tools here that I use often that shed some light on life on the Arica Mercy for me.

Purple bed spread. First I would like to note that I did not select the color of this puppy! It was chosen for me before I arrived. My bed spread is an English thing, a Duve'. The cover comes off with the loosening of a few buttons that it may be washed. The faithful Duve' has kept me warm in England, and continues to now that the air conditioning is turned on. I can now call my room 'The Icebox' again! This is a good thing

Bunk beds. That's right. I'll have a bunkmate one of these days.

Doxycycline tablets aka Anti-Malaria Meds. The rainy season is just beginning in Liberia. Besides, we're on the water. And the Ottawa County Public Health Department said that I wouldn't need anything... (Over a million people die of the disease every year.)

Alarm clock. 5:45am comes early every week day for me. (Well, this is actually quite late six time zones away, depending on how to look at it.) Good thing that my alarm clock is there to greet me.

Carpet fuzzies. Everything in my cabin is new, including the carpet. So, like Michigan sand after a day at the beach, there are blue carpet fuzzies on and in everything, except for my belly button. I don't have much of a bellybutton, and it has a hard enough time collecting lint, let alone carpet fuzz.

Head lamp. I used to hear that our ship got quite dark when the electricity went out. Then they tested the emergency generators. Now I know that it's really dark when they shut the power off. It is a little safety precaution.

Hand lotion. I wash my hands often while working in the galley. This keeps them nice and not chapped.

Digital camera. A wonderful tool to share memories with others on the other side of the Atlantic, to keep memories fresh, and to have fun with!

Battery charger. Power outlets provide electricity that alternates at 50Hz, not 60Hz like back home, hence a European style charger. This keeps my CD player and digital camera going.

Email address. People come and go with Mercy Ships as their time of service comes to an end. This is one of many email addresses that I have already collected as people leave.

Peanut butter sandwich. My late night snack. (It is gone now!) The Galley closes after dinner so the only way to have a mini-meal is to make it earlier in the day.
CD player with Jars of Clay CD. I really enjoy music. The band Jars of Clay has actually served with a group called Blood:Water Mission that works in similar places in Africa. Their songs resonate within me as they articulate many of the lessons I am learning right now specifically with regards to Africa and faith