Its Getting More And More Real | Goodbyes Begin

Yep. Over a year and a half after deciding to move onto a medical ship as a photographer for the communication teams, I am still heading there. Its been (what feels like) a very long journey to board. Initially, I was preparing to join the ship in the Canary Islands in June of 2020. As with almost everyone’s life, the global pandemic paused my plans big time. There were hopeful plans of boarding in September, then postponed to January, and now. I am hoping for April 2021.

I’ve struggled a lot with this decision to move. Wondering if the consistent delays was this door closing from God. Wondering if it was ridiculous to try to move in the midst of a pandemic. Questioning the ethics of going to Africa as a white American photographer. Wondering if I could handle the emotional turmoil and grief journey required.

I am not sure I can say I’ve had “peace” about my decision, as much as I can say I have “confidence” in my decision. I thought a FAQ could be a helpful thing to have written out on here, so the next post will be that. I was inspired by one of my new friends, Andrea Scace, who is headed to the ship with her husband and three children. Here is their blog: Scacefamilyadventure.blogspot.com

Andrea is a beautiful writer, and I’ve really resonated with how she writes about this journey to the Africa Mercy,

“Leaving a safe home in a beautiful neighborhood with fantastic friends and very comfortable salaries is hard. We occasionally wonder if we are making the right decision. As these thoughts creep in, that famous phrase, “But God”, quickly follows. He continues to confirm through small and large ways that we are on the right path. A few days before we said goodbye to our cats, I came across this passage in Luke 18:29-30, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time and in the age to come eternal life.” We have been reading it frequently to remind ourselves that what we give up now will be redeemed and then some. When we fix our eyes on eternity, the things in our little world grow strangely dim.”

And it’s true, the things I’m so scared to leave are growing strangely dim in the midst of trying to grasp the vastness of God and his plans. Their family has been one of those “but God” reminders for me in my time at the Mercy Ships International Support Center. It has been emotional preparing for this journey alone in general, and so making friends has been so good. We’ve spent a lot of meals and evenings together discussing what we are learning in training, sharing stories of pre and during Mercy Ships’ move, and just bonding over this wild ride have signed up for. Its been a joy to watch them leap at the call God set on their lives and involving their children in it. I’m incredibly moved by the Lord’s provision by having us at the same little training. Knowing that there will be five faces I know and five people to hug tightly when I arrive on the ship has been a comfort I’m tucking away in my heart - reminding me how truly kind God is.

Another dear friend, Beth, has left the ISC. We stayed up a lot of nights playing games, talking on the roof, and getting to know one another. She has been the kindergarten teacher aboard the Africa Mercy for three years and headed back for another year or so. I’m going to miss her so much. This morning she came in my room and woke me up to say goodbye. I hugged tight, and she said “See you in the Canaries. I’ll be waving from the Global Mercy - wave back!.” I got a little emotional thinking of that actually happening this winter. The plan is for her to join the Global Mercy (the new ship) in Belgium while I and the Scaces will be on the Africa Mercy in Senegal. The two ships will meet sometime this winter. I can’t wait to see little beth waving at us from the massive ship.

Kat, who works in Global Marketing, is headed to Senegal and Benin with the CEO of Mercy Ships this week. The beginning of a lot of weird goodbyes. We said goodbye yesterday, “See you hopefully in a few months!” She’s hoping to visit the Africa Mercy for two weeks to help train the new communications team before our field service. I’m sad she’s leaving, but excited to see her again soonish.

Next week the Scaces are leaving after “Basic Training”, and so I will be alone here in the “Anchorage Guest House” for another week. The goodbyes have been a heavy reminder of what’s to come in a month or so in Memphis. I don’t like thinking about it, and I’m praying for the Lord will give me the grace and assurance to say goodbye to my life, family, and best friends.