Remember, Remember the 5th of November

For those of you who don't understand what I am talking about in my title please click on this link Guy Fawkes Night.

Last Thursday the 5th of November after work myself and a friend of mine Sarah set out on a mission in town to see if we could find some sparklers or fireworks or anything to do with fire and is pretty to look at really. So we set out on my vespa and stopped in at several small shops that looked like they might have some sparklers or at lest a party section. And then there they were in this one shop actually not that far from the ship they had both sparklers as well as these small flare type fireworks as well.

We returned triumphantly to the ship and made plans for all the British as well as some commonwealth countries to meet on the dock at 9pm to celebrate. We had quite a gathering out on the dock with plenty of people wanting to come celebrate so we barely had enough sparklers to go round. We ran into a small problem though when it came to lighting the sparklers. We held them over the open flame of a cigarette lighter but because the humidity was so high it just would not light any of them. So we turned out focus to the 3 small fireworks we had bought and not really knowing what they would do as we could not read the packet we all stood back as one of them was lit to see what it would do. It shot a bright flame about 4 inches in the air and burned for about 30 seconds before running out of fuel. So after this test we knew what they would do so I went up and lit the next one and then stood close enough to light my sparkler off of it. It worked and then it was a mad dash from everyone to get theirs lit from mine and we all had fun as we were taken back to our childhoods withe fun and the bright lights of the sparklers. We then finished off the short evening with the last firework which suitably burned higher and longer than the first 2.

Some people had more imagination than others (note the scarf)

Me lighting the second firework

There it goes

Everyone enjoying their sparklers.

Why I work for Mercy Ships

A friend of mine sent me these questions so she could use my responses in a talk she is doing and seeing the questions made me think of answers I thought I would post them here.

How and when did you first hear of Mercy Ships?
A friend of mine Kat Stout was a nurse on the Anastasis for 5 months and she told me all about it.
Why did you decide to join the crew?
I have always had an interest in Medical things, but never wanted to go into it as a field and recently before hearing of Mercy Ships I had been feeling an urge to go on a ship and had been looking at OM ships, but then Mercy Ships just fit me better
What did you plan on doing on the ship? What are you doing now?
I originally planned on been an assistant cook on board working in the ships Galley. However not too long after arriving I found myself been stretched as I learnt alot taking on the role of cooking team leader in the Galley. I did that for a year before leaving as my time serving was up, but later decided to return and since returning I have worked in the sales department helping to provide the essentials as well as a few extra luxuries for the crew, working in the ship shop and helping run the cafe. Most recently though I have been thrown (willingly) into a whole nother role entirely. I have taken on the role as one of the accountants onboard the ship for the rest of the year. I have no formal training for this but have a head for numbers so I am feeling stretched but learning alot. I take care of all the business transactions of the ship and transfers between US$ and the local currency as well as looking after the payroll for some of our locally employed staff such as translators.
How long have you been on the ship? How long do you plan on staying?
I have been onboard the ship for a total of 19 months over a time period of just over 2 years and at the moment do not know when I will be leaving, so I will keep working till that day comes.
What is your favorite part of Mercy Ship/ being a part of the crew?
I would have to say the community, it isn't the best point for everyone but I just love it. The fact that I am living on a ship with 400 other people from over 30 different nationalities and cultures and yet it somehow works. I like that there is always a friend around when you need one or someone to support you when you are down. And the crazy fun stuff you can get up to in you time off.
If there was one thing you'd like people to understand/know about Mercy Ships what would it be?
The fact that although Mercy Ships is a great organisation that’s main focus is Medical work with surgery there are opportunities for people with a whole range of talents and skills to come and get involved and play a role in helping support the doctors and nurses get there work done. The fact that without the non-medical staff there is no way that Mercy Ships would work at all.
What are a few of the lessons (if any) you have learned on/about Mercy Ships/mission work?
I have learnt to be aware of cultural differences even more than I was before and that to make any lasting change you need to work at the base of the problem and not just focus on the end result. Not only that, but changing the smallest thing in someone’s life such as a simple corrective surgery can drastically impact someone’s life here for the better.