Spirit Day at the Academy

Today we celebrated Spirit Day. This means everyone got dressed up and had lots of fun at the school. Our theme today was our “dream job”. So here are some of the results:

            
           

First, our high school social studies teacher let the cat out of the bag—she really wants to be a ninja star! And our principal—a fireman!! Not to be outdone, our kindergarten teacher decided she wanted to be a mom, while her 3 boys opted for race car driver, hunter, and engineer. Then our French teacher came in and presented her dream job—zumba instructor! Her sixth graders wanted to be a photographer, a life guard, and a reptile specialist. Then the 11^th and 12^th graders announced they wanted to be an archaeologist, an analyst, a classical missionary (including socks and sandals), a radiologist, and, oops, there’s that fireman again!

What a creative and diverse bunch!

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Reflections on Sailing...

Our class read Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “1996” and wrote poems in response. I thought you might enjoy reading this one, especially if you have sailed on the M/V Anastasis or M/V Africa Mercy…

 

2113

by Hannah Palmer

 

How can I convey to you how I feel?

When the world seems at peace

Out on the blue.

The never-ending ocean all around,

Breathing in the salty mist,

With the wind sweeping through your hair

 

How can I explain the serenity?

The subtle rocking sway

Out on the blue

Enough to drift you off into deep sleep

In complete solitude

Nothing but your thoughts and their wings

 

How can I show you the world that I see?

The vast expanse spread out

Out on the blue

Wildlife dancing to the beat of the waves

Joined by the song of the wind-

The music of the universe

 

How can I give you eyes to see the awe?

God’s glory broadcasted

Out on the blue

The crystal blue days follow starry nights

The sky painted with beauty

One hundred years prior to you.

 

 

 

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Down in Ward B

We have around 20 women currently down in Ward B. They have been there over Christmas, hoping for successful results from their reconstructive surgery for VVF conditions...

My students had a great time making Christmas bags for them. They colored the outside of brown lunch bags and stuffed them with toys, coloring books, crayons, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other things. The ladies were delighted to receive the gifts, and quite surprised. Gift exchange is not common in West Africa, and certainly not in a Muslim country at Christmas… However, Christmas fun onboard draws everyone in, and I heard Christmas carols coming up the stairs from the wards!

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St. Lucia

Every year for some time now, our Scandinavian crew members have shared the St. Lucia story with us. Interestingly, she was a martyr from Spain, yet is celebrated with light in Sweden! (You may note some of our teachers volunteering to help out, particularly the bride of the next day, along with a several of our students… including the elves bringing Swedish pastry breads!) Normally, we cannot light any kind of fire or candle on ship, but for this event the captain and fire panel watchers make an exception, and we all love it!

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Christmas Cookie Bake

Every year we turn our dining room into a giant Christmas cookie bake. Everyone who wants to participate gets a lump of dough, and we all share cookie cutters. The results are delightful! Here are a mom and daughter, the Captain and his son, and some of our fun-loving singles.

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White Elephant Christmas

Of course, it would not be Christmas onboard if we did not have the usual White Elephant gift exchange (used and often hilarious items). We live in small spaces, and have limited access to new items, so this is our idea of fun.

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Shipmates and Weddings

Some have referred to the Anastasis (our previous ship) and the Africa Mercy (our current ship) as “the love boat.” Lots of couples meet here and end up getting married, and just yesterday (Dec. 15) we celebrated another multicultural wedding. The bride is one of my fellow teachers, an American, and the groom is a Nigerian who has served with our Reception and Galley. They will be settling in Nigeria next year, when their service on the ship ends.

Here you see the bride led into the church by the school principal and the kids who participated. Finally there is a photo of the bridal party coming in to the reception table. And here’s the groom and bride together!

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