Convinced

Along the Sierra Leone countryside

2012-02-08T00:36:00.001-08:00

DSC_2406 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I miss driving through areas like this. It's been four months and there are still moments in my day where I wish I was off roading down a country road in West Africa.

There isn't anything like it in the planet!

It's some of the best memories I have!

The memories of these roads will bring me great joy in the silver years of my life.

So thankful!

Chimpanzee

2012-02-03T01:39:00.001-08:00

DSC_2175 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

" I wanted to talk to the animals like Dr. Doolittle." - Jane Goodall

Amen!

the need to see

2012-01-30T13:32:00.001-08:00

DSC_7450 -artsy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

“Not really. Peace Corps types only stay around long enough to realize they’re not helping anyone. Government only wants to stay in power until they’ve stolen enough to go into exile somewhere else. And the rebels, they’re not sure they want to take over, otherwise they’d have to govern this mess. But TIA, right M’Ed?" - Danny Archer

I am sitting in bed with my two younger sisters and re-watching Blood Diamond for the first time since my return home.

The film does give some perspective to the history of Sierra Leone and was a great aide to the timeline in which I came into the country.

I am absorbing this film now, recently returned home, and it sheds a whole different perspective than when I first left a year ago.

None the less, it's not an easy film or country to absorb. It doesn't make anymore sense. I can't offer any new perspectives or insights. I can't agree or disagree. My opinions have yet to be formed.

Chimps in the sky

2012-01-29T15:44:00.001-08:00

DSC_2269 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

The Tacugama Chimpanzee Reserve in Sierra Leone.

Truly, one of the coolest places to visit in West Africa. There are dozen of rescued chimpanzees and quite a few that they foster.

You can see chimpanzee flying in the sky!

West African medical needs

2012-01-26T21:00:00.001-08:00

DSC_1639 copy_CANTU,
originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I just watched an episode of Dr. Oz. In the episode he gave away a free blood pressure monitor to everyone in the audience. Immediately, after the announcement, the audience unanimously cheered and applauded.

instantly, I thought of the blood pressure monitor we have in the bottom of our hall closet. It's used so rarely, that we often have to change the batteries between each us.

Then I was reminded of the few visits I made over at OLA-During. Where the 'lucky' patients (could afford to go to the hospital) were found to have something treatable and have a chance to life.

I didn't see one automatic pressure cuff on the entire floor. What I did see, was a congregation of nurses sharing one manual pressure cuff.

So everyone who attended the Dr. Oz show have the privledge of taking the automatic pressure cuff and storing it in a closet. And hospitals like OLA-During in Sierra Leone still have to share archaic medical equipment.

Perhaps Dr. Oz or the manufacturer could have given the option to have the pressure cuffs donated to those that could truly use them.

remembering Kabala, Sierra Leone

2012-01-15T13:23:00.001-08:00

DSC_1270 copy [Desktop Resolution], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

The beauty of the place
Equaled by the difficulties
Surrounding this life
Filled with the noise of natural things-
The pounding of grain like thunder,
Roosters crowing at every mood of the sun,
Fires crackling with ancient memories,
Children laughing and disappearing into tall grasses

by Carrie Young
portion of a poem titled
by the light of the moon.

The Red Door Cafe, San Francisco California

2011-12-27T12:15:00.000-08:00

Friends, this isn’t your ordinary eatery.

I live about an hour outside of san Francisco and had planned on a days adventure in the city. I had grown tired of the same old breakfast joints and for the first time ever went to the internet to hear what others were saying about good breakfast spots. The first yelp response was the little red door café. All the reviews seemed fantastic, and I was sold. This was the place I wanted to try.

We found metered parking on the adjacent street. Walked over and saw a small line (we went on a Thursday) of people standing outside and in line to get into the restaurant. The owner (adorable) greeted every individual (secretly he’s interviewing you) and handed us dolls to care for while we waited in line.

And we waited. At one point my best friend and I looked at each other and telepathically contemplated leaving. But if we figured if we had already been in line for an hour what’s another thirty minutes, right? So we opted to stick it out and see what the big deal was, besides we couldn’t leave the baby dolls that were left in our care. And we began to find out the closer we approached the door.

The rules of the restaurant had strategically been placed on the window facing the street. It’s a great read, and a reminder that there are still business owners who do what they want, when they want, and want it the way they want it.

We met the owner, and he’s a doll. Truly. An artist in his own right. He has great hair (am jealous). He gave us the menu to review outside, and to pre-order even before we sat down. So nice of him. He also got us some coffee and a Diet Coke so we could refresh ourselves while we waited. Awesome. He goes all out! The menu is fabulous too. I want to try everything on it, which means I’m going to have to keep coming back and back and back again. Needless to say, I passed the interview! Yes!

The first menu item that popped out to me was, Le Metro Parisien. My best friend ordered this delicious bacon & egg melody. So good too. We truly didn’t know what to expect, and as much as I want to describe the inside of the building, I want you to go, see it for yourself. And I would love to describe the sculpted platters of deliciousness, but it really is a must see. Words will not do it justice.

I ate in complete ecstasy from the very first bite. I didn’t speak to anyone, in fact, I may not even have opened my eyes for the first ten minutes, and purposefully savored every bite of my breakfast. I have been all over the world and have eaten in all kinds of places, but this is truly the best breakfast I have ever had.

I felt as if I was eating a DaVinci. I compare it to Leonardo because the thought that went into the art piece could only be done by a master. This is a must try!!!

Go. Walk. No, wait. Run.

The food was sooooo good, I didn’t want to s^&%t it out.

A Comb in Her Hair

2011-12-21T19:47:00.001-08:00

DSC_4464 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

There she is in the middle of the crowded village. She’s not particularly unique. The only thing that distinguishes her from the other adolescents in the village is the comb in her hair. The photo only shares a moment in the time we spent together. I had noticed her from the precise moment we drove up to her home village, she had excitedly placed the comb in her hair. My guess is that she wanted to get dressed up for our welcoming. Assumingly, a simple comb can be a dressy adornment for any occasion. However, her expression in this portrait, adorns her far beyond any cherished comb.

Her Eyes

2011-12-18T12:54:00.001-08:00

DSC_4455 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

This image haunts me. It's been over a month since my arrival home, and have been spending time through my photographic archives.When I came across this image,there was an immediate memory transcendence. I could see her eyes, watch her smile, listen to the music and participate in the village dance, and can feel Africa against my skin. Immediately, I am there all over again.

Young Girl

2011-12-16T01:43:00.001-08:00

DSC_4459 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Her face has stuck with me. Her eyes are so intense! She's an old soul in a youthful frame.

Woman at the Well

2011-12-15T07:13:00.001-08:00

DSC_4314 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

“I don't know if I continue, even today, always liking myself. But what I learned to do many years ago was to forgive myself. It is very important for every human being to forgive herself or himself because if you live, you will make mistakes- it is inevitable. But once you do and you see the mistake, then you forgive yourself and say, 'Well, if I'd known better I'd have done better,' that's all. So you say to people who you think you may have injured, 'I'm sorry,' and then you say to yourself, 'I'm sorry.' If we all hold on to the mistake, we can't see our own glory in the mirror because we have the mistake between our faces and the mirror; we can't see what we're capable of being. You can ask forgiveness of others, but in the end the real forgiveness is in one's own self. I think that young men and women are so caught by the way they see themselves. Now mind you. When a larger society sees them as unattractive, as threats, as too black or too white or too poor or too fat or too thin or too sexual or too asexual, that's rough. But you can overcome that. The real difficulty is to overcome how you think about yourself. If we don't have that we never grow, we never learn, and sure as hell we should never teach.”
― Maya Angelou

Destiny

2011-11-27T00:46:00.001-08:00

DSC_4008 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

“It was my destiny to love and say goodbye.” - Neruda

Hollow Shell on Kissy Road

2011-11-26T12:13:00.001-08:00

DSC_0142 copy_CANTU, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

morning devotion from Postcards from Heaven....

Dear Child of Mine,

You are not to grieve like those who do not know me as Father. You are not to grieve like those who do not know my Son as Savior. Your grief is to be different. It is to be infused with hope. For you know that Jesus died and rose again, and this is to be the foundation of your hope as you grieve every loss in your life. For He is the Lord over every loss and every heartache. He is the Lord of all comfort and mercy. He is the Lord of resurrection, restoration, and regeneration He is the Lord of Life! And so, in your sorrow, I am asking you to do this one thing. Allow one bright pinpoint of light to enter your darkness. Allow one brilliant ray of hope to penetrate your gloom. Open the door of your wounded heart just an inch or two, and this hope that is your in Christ Jesus will rush in, bringing with it his great, glad tidings,.

“All is not lost!” He will say. “All is not finished, for I have overcome the grave and risen to new life! I am the Lord of lost causes, the God of second chances, the One who died to bring your life!” Listen to your Savior’s words, for…

He is your hope,
God

Upside down view of downtown Freetown

2011-11-23T01:55:00.001-08:00

DSC03438 copy [1024x768], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” - Oscar Wilde

my commissioning

2011-11-22T14:23:00.001-08:00

Nikon S, originally uploaded by patrickjoust.

My launch to Sierra Leone... eleven months ago!

The minister continues:

The call of Christ
Is to willing, dedicated discipleship.
Our discipleship is a manifestation
Of the new life we enter through baptism.
Discipleship is both a gift and a commitment,
An offering and a responsibility.

Liz Cantu
The grace bestowed on you in baptism
Is sufficient for your calling
Because it’s God’s grace.
By God’s grace we are saved,
And enabled to grow in the faith
And to commit our lives in ways that serve Christ.

God has called up to particular service.
Show your purpose by answering these questions.

Who is your Lord in Savior?

Me: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple,
Obeying his Word and showing his love?

Me: I will with God’s help.

Do you welcome the responsibility of this service
Because you are determined to follow the Lord Jesus,
To love neighbors,
And to work for the reconciling of the world?

Me: I do.

Will you serve the people,
With energy, intelligence, imagination, and love,
Relying on God’s mercy
And rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit?

Me: I will, with God’s help.

Thank you for letting me watch you work

2011-09-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jane White & Alberta saying goodbye

DSC_5785 - sat, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Dear Africa Mercy Shippers,

I am amazed by you. You truly are miracles at work.

Despite the politcs.
Despite all the red tape.
Despite the countless times your great ideas have fallen on deaf ears.

You are truly the miraculous work on this ship.

In every small/large thing that you do.

I feel like Dora the explorer at times getting to witness the dailies...

I walk around the different decks of the ship with my camera. Inspiration is my guide and you make my job so easy. You bring your expertise and compassion all the way from home to bless so many in West Africa.

Today I watched you surround a bedside to examine a little girl whose eye was so swollen. You the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the health care provider, and the nurse loved her while you professionally went over her charts.

Today, I watched you nurse, in the admissions tent gently asking a series of very important questions. So tactful and compassionate in such an inconsiderate world.

Today, I saw you young woman, smile brightly because you really helped with the seemingly simplest of administrative tasks to alleviate some of the paperwork for the nurses. Your administrative detail will enable the nurses to focus their one-on-one care time, which will ultimately optimize the care for our patients while they are here with us.

Thank you for all the hard work that you do!

Blessings,
Liz Cantu

originally written on September 27, 2011
at 7:50am - Salone time

Pre-Op - Medical photos

2011-09-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

Female maxillofacial patient - pre op medical photo.

DSC_7989 -BW, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

As I walk out from the ship, down the gangway, and into the Admissions tent, an inner preparation begins. I know that the hospital needs me to take photos of their patients on the day that they are admitted. The hospital wants photo documentation of the condition the patients. Without someone taking these photos there isn’t a visual proof of the conditions we work with to try to heal. The photos have to be crisp, obvious, well exposed, and purposed. These are the reminders I give myself as I take my steps towards the Admissions tent. It’s become my mediation truthfully.

I set up my make shift studio with the great help of the admissions team and prepare to take the first patient into my studio. The conditions vary. The conditions are quite more severe than any other locations I have seen.

And as I photograph, I can hear the gentle nurse nearby ask a series of questions to a nine year old girl.

“Has she started her menstrual cycle?”

Her caregiver nods her head ‘yes.’

“Is there any chance that she could be pregnant?”

Her caregiver shakes her head ‘no.’

“Are you sure? Should we test just in case?”

We live in a world where a nine year old girl suffering from an enormous maxilla tumor also has to be faced with the possibility that she could be pregnant too.

originally written on Sep 27

7:25am

Eye Team

2011-09-23T02:30:00.000-07:00

Dr. Woody Hopper examines aging woman in the medical screening line.

DSC_7584 -artsy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I just got out of the operating theatre.

My fascination with the medical world will never cease. From my understanding most medical advancements began by finding a solution to a physical need to heal or improve, and after two years of being a photographer for Mercy Ships, I am still overwhelmed each time I go in the OR.

Especially by this morning visit to the OR. I had to photograph an OR crew member who was currently working with the eye team. As I walked in to the operating room, the team had nearly completed a cataract removal procedure. The procedure is a quick one but it’s not all together simple.

The Salone female patient was on the operating table and was having her second cataract removed. It was her second surgery with our medical mission. Weeks before she came seeking medical help, since she was no longer able to see. Her first surgery had been a rather great success and the doctors were confident that this procedure would go well too.

When it was all over. She, the patient, couldn’t silence herself. She was so relieved. She kept saying over and over again. Thank you God. Thank you God. Thank God for each of you. I am better. Thank you God.

You could see the burden lifted even as she spoke. She was free. She would be able to see better, or again. I’m not sure how severe her lack of sight was.

Her praise went out all over the OR. Thank you God. Thank you God. Thank you God.

I thought to myself that it should be this natural to cry to our Creator. A heart felt impulsive truth of a cry. A spontaneous yet real shout of thanks.

Thank you God. Thank you for taking this burden. Thank you for my healing. Thank you God. Thank you God.

Made me wonder when was the last time I thanked God? How often do we hear pops of joy in our dwellings/work stations shouting out thanks to God or even a whisper? I’m sure it happens, but it just made me wonder how often in my own personal life.

originally written
September 23, 2011
at 2:35am

Elizabeth's Birthday Party

2011-09-19T02:06:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth's Birthday Party 1, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

ODE TO LIZZY ON HER NATAL DAY

There once was a lady named Lizzy.

Metadating kept her very busy.

Running here, running there,

Taking snaps everywhere,

Sometimes it left her very dizzy.

She spoke English and Spanish and photo,

As she worked at her desk on the boat-o.

Weekends, she'd leave the ship

For a relaxing trip,

But she never would flaunt it or gloat-o.

She liked things that exuded panache,

Feminine things, but with lots of flash.

Her taste ran to classy.

She's a classice, this lassie;

Basic black with a colorful sash!

Today she is wished loved and laughter,

That we hope will ring long from the rafter.

May her birthday this year

Bring her twelve months of cheer,

And many more in the years after.

by Elaine B. Winn

(co-worker, writer, and dear friend)

PHOTOS FROM MY NEWSLETTER

2011-09-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better." - Dr. Seuss

2011-09-15T02:54:00.000-07:00

After several months of recovery, our orthopedic patients are returning home. Part of my role, as a photographer in Sierra Leone, is to photograph the transformational stories of our patients. Most of the time, I photograph the patient through their entire hospitalization on the Africa Mercy & their recovery time at the nearby HOPE Centre. Occasionally, for the major transformation stories, there are wonderful opportunities to actually visit patients in their homes and communities.

If you recall, last year while in Togo, we followed Abel (orthopedic patient) home. This month, our team went out on a similar expedition. We went to visit two patients in the far away region of Kabala, Sierra Leone.

Big Tree in Kabala

The seven hour journey was an experience in itself. We drove through torrential downpours before sunny skies returned. We cruised over smooth roadways and bounced over dirt tracks spotted with pot holes too.

On our first day, I spent a part of the morning visiting Binta. She is a young, junior high aged girl that has an illuminating brilliance about her. I met her at the beginning of the field service; actually it was on the night she was admitted into the ward, when I took medical photographs of her bent legs. Binta had returned home some time ago therefore she had time to re-acclimatize back into the community. Now, I found myself walking through her hometown, Kabala, holding her hand as she skipped excitedly by my side, with her legs straightened and her soul strengthened. She guided me from her grandmother's home where she lives, towards the town market, through a small stream, to then briefly rest on her auntie's front porch.

Binta

Later that morning, we were instantaneously greeted with warm affections by Fanie, and his grandmother. Fanie, age twelve, had been born severely crippled. After major surgeries and physiotherapy treatment, he was able to walk for the first time. He had just returned home, about two weeks, prior to our visit, and was still adjusting to balancing in his new corrective shoes, and walking on his healing legs. While looking around his pleasant neighborhood, I can't help but wonder what quality of life a physically challenged boy, would have had without surgery. Fanie's legs will hopefully become perfectly straight and the same length once he is fully grown. Until that time, he will still have some challenges ahead of him. However, the work the medical team have completed so far, to restore his legs to walk, will bring incredible relief to him and his family. He will now be able to walk to school without his grandmother carrying him on her back, which had become a hard struggle for her. Interestingly, after visiting him, and witnessing, his courageous lion heart that catapults him into taking those challenging leaps over uneven paths and roadways, I think he will be just fine. I witnessed every meticulous stride he made. He is a walking miracle. He is a brave soul with a gentle spirited will.

Both of these children have displayed incredible amounts of brevity. They have travelled so far. Kabala is a long distance from the coast, where the hospital is docked. They have had their legs operated on, and have gone through intensive physical therapy treatments. The orthopedic team is one of the most energetic and encouraging teams on the ship. Never-the-less, the bends and stretches these children have been asked to do can be excruciatingly painful. And their healing doesn't end when they are discharged from the hospital and are waving good-bye from the dockside.

The healing continues. They are given a list of exercises that they will have to indefinitely have to do to continue; in order to keep their legs strong. As they grow, their legs may start to defer back to the former shape, but these exercises will enable them to combat those tendencies.

Still, the healing will continue. While they stayed with us and we cared for them, they naturally were able to begin shedding the stigmas they had carried for so long. We have made room in their soul to permit their God-intended nature to shine. The cried through, laughed through, tenaciously stayed stubborn through, danced through, and prayed through, their healing. So much so, that they became an encouraging aid to their newly admitted peers too.

And the healing will continue. The West African village has a strong tendency to support one another. If you ask the experts why, they will give you a myriad of reasons. Even on our journey back from Kabala, we hypothesized why the people in Kabala are so close to each other. It's a strange phenomenon to Western nations. For most Americans, it's often our personal goal to remain completely private, but it's quite the opposite in Kabala.

I don't know what life was like for Binta & Fanie before I met them. After visiting their village, I could only imagine the incredible challenges they faced. Their community hadn't really known them, for no fault of their own. They simply couldn't get out much. Their little legs wouldn't work well enough to travel around Kabala. They had to rely on mothers, grandmothers & aunties to take care of them. Thank God for the grannies & aunties.

Noticeably, upon Binta & Fanie's return home, the community is healing. They have two more residents that will go to school and will hopefully become effective members of their community. They are still growing and need the care of their family members but not quite to the same degree as they previously were. There family members can now concentrate on, perhaps, some of the other neglected members, and perhaps, even return to their vocations to earn more money for their family. Then, the family unit may become less depended on their neighbors and can contribute to the overall health of Kabala.

When the community says, 'we can't' or 'we can never,' Binta and Fanie can stand up and say 'we can' and, 'we did', and be a new voice with a new song for Kabala.

Keep the questions coming. The correspondence I received from my last newsletter was tremendously exciting. I love the dialogue we've begun about the tangible differences we are making together for the people of Sierra Leone.

Thank you so much friends.

Remember AS I GO, YOU GO WITH ME.

Sincerely,

Liz Cantu

Mercy Ships

https://connect.mercyships.org/page/outreach/view/crewmates/cantue

Men of Salone

2011-08-29T09:19:00.001-07:00

Men of Salone, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Yeah, I don’t have the typical photography portrait studio job. Granted being in Freetown, Sierra Leone already makes it a bit different than the portrait studios you would find in Willow Glen or in Hayes Valley back in the bay area.

These are the portraits I take on a daily basis. These are the men of Salone (Sierra Leone). Daily, people come into my make shift portrait studio of a plastic chair and a white curtain and we begin a dialogue.

Today a gentleman removed the scarf around his neck and exposed his goiter. Today, actually just moments ago, another man removed his plaid newsboy cap and revealed the enlarged tumor on his forehead.

Builders

2011-08-08T16:41:00.001-07:00

DSC_8106 copy [1024x768], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Local residents of John Obey Beach in Sierra Leone have become TRIBEwanted members and are now the builders of the beautiful beach bungalows.

Via Flickr:
Construction builders for TRIBEwanted. They are building the bungalows on John Obey Beach in Sierra Leone.

KEEP CLEAR

2011-08-07T17:34:00.001-07:00

KEEP CLEAR, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Young male patient recovering from surgery in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

LETTUCE - LET US

2011-07-28T07:19:00.001-07:00

DSC_6616 -crop [800x600], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

Tall Trees

2011-07-04T17:17:00.001-07:00

DSC_8861 copy [50%], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

“Every tree and plant in the meadow seemed to be dancing, those which average eyes would see as fixed and still” JAR

Evening deluge - an overflowing of the land by water

2011-05-12T23:30:00.000-07:00

First experience of the rainy season in Freetown

DSC_0427 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

"Si Tu Me Olvidas"

By Pablo Neruda

Quiero que sepas

una cosa.

Tú sabes cómo es esto:

si miro

la luna de cristal, la rama roja

del lento otoño en mi ventana,

si toco

junto al fuego

la impalpable ceniza

o el arrugado cuerpo de la leña,

todo me lleva a ti,

como si todo lo que existe:

aromas, luz, metales,

fueran pequeños barcos que navegan

hacia las islas tuyas que me aguardan.

Ahora bien,

si poco a poco dejas de quererme

dejaré de quererte poco a poco.

Si de pronto

me olvidas

no me busques,

que ya te habré olvidado.

Si consideras largo y loco

el viento de banderas

que pasa por mi vida

y te decides

a dejarme a la orilla

del corazón en que tengo raíces,

piensa

que en esa día,

a esa hora

levantaré los brazos

y saldrán mis raíces

a buscar otra tierra.

Pero

si cada día,

cada hora,

sientes que a mí estás destinada

con dulzura implacable,

si cada día sube

una flor a tus labios a buscarme,

ay amor mío, ay mía,

en mí todo ese fuego se repite,

en mí nada se apaga ni se olvida,

mi amor se nutre de tu amor, amada,

y mientras vivas estará en tus brazos

sin salir de los míos.

Easter Rest

2011-04-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

DSC_7998 copy [1024x768], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

“You can relax in many places in the world, but you can only rest in Africa.”

This resounds truth. Through many traveled destinations my best quiet times have been on this continent. My spirit is naturally calmed. The rough edges of my soul are smoothed. Africa is the only place where I have consistently just been able to be me. I am at peace with my Creator and His creation.

On Good Friday night, I went for a swim in a nearby beach lagoon. The moon made an appearance and illuminated the waters. A combination of bright moon light, soft temperate wind, and languid waters, became an invitation for rest.

This lagoons depth was approximately chest high. Most likely crocodile free. The only two reverberating sounds were that of an occasional fish surfacing and that of water coming in from the nearby inlet. As I stood in the middle of the lagoon, I spread my fingers and inserted the tips into the black current. The water continued to circumnavigate around my fingers and rushed to be in sync with the other non-obstructed portion of the current. This simple action triggered a time to contemplate the natural flow of earth’s intelligent makeup, and for a brief moment I felt insignificant. What a relief. And it felt good to feel so insignificant. The water swam through my fingers like an assembly of rippled black glass beads and I simply rested.

Of African and Africans by an African

2011-04-11T15:00:00.001-07:00

DSC_0729 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Of Africa and Africans
by Ade Daramy

Friends, Comrades, Africans, put away your fears
Give me a few moments to wipe away your tears
Come a little closer and give me your hand
Join me on a journey across the motherland

The time is ripe for us to show
The Africa that you and I know
We'll take this chance to share our views
That there's more to Africa than you see on the news

No, not that Africa of famine, disease, coup d'etats and wars
That's not my only Africa and I'm sure it's not yours
We know there are ills for which we have no cure
But we know that is not what we came here for

Let me dispel some of the myths and rumours
Let me rip them from your mind like a bad brain tumour
One man asked me, if I spoke African; all I could do was grin
I said, â€œWhere EXACTLY do you want me to begin?â€

I was sorely tempted to reel of a long list
But I tried my hardest to resist
I said, â€œWe have more languages across these lands,
Than you can scoop up grains of sand in your handâ€

I don't speak Amharic and I'm just getting to grips with Arabic
I don't speak, Twi, Gan or Akan and I'm not a Yoruba, Ibo or Hausa man
And, no, I don't speak Wolof or Swahili
Neither do I speak Mandinka nor Somali

Africa is as much about the Sahara
As it is about the Masai Mara
We've got the Gold, the Ivory and the Barbary Coasts
And, the Mosquito Coast is the one I like the most

You can ascend to the snows of Kilimanjaro
And you can also discover the birthplace of the Pharaohs

If you really know Africa
You'll know that the Left Coast (that's the West Coast)
Is as different from the right, as chalk is from cheese
Or as day is from night
But we're striving to be part of one whole
Like parts of the body each has its own role

So: Nigeria is not Algeria and Omar Bongo is not the President of the Congo
Uganda is not the same as Rwanda and Ethiopia is definitely NOT Eritrea
Neither is Mauritius the same as Mauritania
And Libya is nothing at all like Liberia

Now that I've told you a little about the land
Let me take time to tell you what it means to be an African

In all parts of the continent East, West, North and South
We speak as much with our hands as we do with our mouths
And, I know some sisters who can say more with their hips
Than you or I can ever say with our lips

Have you seen Africans travellin' back home?
Sometimes we each need a plane of our own
We take so many shoes, clothes and 'provisions' for our kin
It looks as if we've just had a lottery win

Sometimes I'm shocked by the things that we take
Has Africa really run out of Kellogg's cornflakes?
I recall one day my plane was grounded
When I found out why, I was astounded

Outside, the weather was just turning freezin'
And the captain finally announced the reason
â€œLadies and gentlemen, it seems
We're weighed down by too many cans of Heinz baked beansâ€

My own idea of airport success
Is to get away without paying excess
Yes, when it comes to luggage, we know how to pack
Oh, and when we come here on holiday, we sometimes forget to go back

We come in all shapes, colours and sizes
In this continent that's full of surprises
Just as we have different regions and time zones
So we have many and varied hair and skin tones

In sport of course, football is king, I reckon
Whatever's the next best is a distant second
And all of us have the same crazy dream
To see the World Cup lifted by an African team

When it comes to music no one loves it like us
You'll hear it in homes, cars on the street and on the bus
It seems like it's almost everywhere; sometimes it seems it's even in the air
From Sweet Mother and Mutchana; remember 'Vul' Indlela by Brenda
What about 'Pata Pata' and 'Malaika'
And one day we'll all be singing 'Nkosi Sikelli Afrika'

Permit me to ask you just one thing, please,
If I were born in China, would you call me Chinese?

Well, It's nearly time for me to go
And I hope you know a little of the Africa that I know
If you've never been there, I hope you've made up your mind
Come and be surprised and delighted by what you'll find

And if you really want to know
I always have a piece of Africa with me wherever I go
Just to remind me of the things I really miss
I wear this silver band upon my wrist

Yes, I know I'm standing right here
But Allah knows, I'd rather be there
I hope that by now you've been able to see You can take me out of Africa but you can't take the African out of me

Take the Risk

2011-04-11T13:18:00.001-07:00

French Quarter in New Orleans, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

What a great song with such incredible lyrics;

Don't be shy

if you are shy for tomorrow you'll be shy for 1000 days

Now is your time to shine

Dance and hear your song

...Or you may wake up one day in the last chance saloon

To find your last chance has been and gone

Don't be shy

if you are shy for tomorrow you'll be shy for 1000 days

hey hey hey.

Labor

2011-04-09T19:17:00.001-07:00

DSC_0727 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

This is a recent photo I took and currently one of my faves. It's a photo that can easily be duplicated on any given hour on any street in Freetown.. It's beyond ordinary and typical but I love it. In the years to come it will be a reminder of what my external eye embraced while I lived in Sierra Leone, and what my soulful eye will never forget.

TRIBEwanted - Cal Earth

2011-04-08T23:37:00.000-07:00

DSC_8111 copy [1024x768], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Easter Weekend
Ben
Hooman

A random note found in my itouch. Was going to visit the guys at TRIBEwanted and had just written down their names in inotes. Didn't know at that point how cool the tribe at TRIBEWANTED are, and how incredible the beaches are in Salone.

Shampoo & Dreams

2011-04-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

DSC_8472 copy [Desktop Resolution], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Glistening shampoo bottles.
Instructions read: Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

Dreams glisten in the early sunlight.
Instructions read: Dream, Hope, Expect.

On the way to Dulce's house

2011-03-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

gas station in Freetown. Gas station near Dulce's house.

DSC02595 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Kingtom Road
Round about at the end of
Krootown Road

From Choithram supermarket to the team house

Lion Heart

2011-03-06T14:36:00.001-08:00

DSC02565 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I just found this poem written by a local in Freetown. This cemetery may be the one mentioned in this poem. It is located very near to the National Stadium of Freetown.

Lion Heart

WE sit by the cemetery
On our mourning mats;
Our tears thick as frozen breeze
Overflow the dead Mano
And the pain in our eyelashes
Delude our taste for groundnut soup.

WE whisper your brave gallops
The strong odour clustered our mouth
under the stadium walls;
Our hands stretched out on agony mats
And that Sunday a bitter holy day,
But under such sea of agonies
You brought back our dignity.

You have gone away too soon
With heroic dews still dancing on your head;
This departure tortured our indispensable hopes
And tingle our vivacious heads again;
You are not gone back to Nigeria
Where a telegram could be send
Or a plane ask to bring you back.

Your siblings in Sierra Leone
Plead unheeded before the cemetery;
Our feet tremble against the cemetery
Awaiting morning without certainty;
Though you have gone away to an immortal world,
WE shall never forget the beat of your Lion heart.

by Abdulai Sheriff

Fourbay Road in Freetown

2011-02-26T23:14:00.000-08:00

DSC02731 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Written 02/26/2011

Africa and the Africans living in it are alive. Everyone is working on something. I never see anyone just sleeping the day away. Everyone is out to earn some type of living because people in this city have to eat.

If you agree or disagree the Africa Mercy is needed in Africa. I have heard all the arguments on this pendulum, but without the fundamental principles of Mercy Ships the locals of Sierra Leone will never have a chance to receive the care we can offer. There is not current alternative otherwise.

My last reflections while still in the US

2011-02-07T23:23:00.001-08:00

buenos vientos(3), originally uploaded by Boy Obsolete.

So in less than twelve hours, we will be jumping into our big Mercy Ships van and leave the IOC (Mercy Ships head quarters). The van will take us to the Dallas airport where we (me+29) will soon commence on the numerous flight paths towards Freetown, Sierra Leone.

What has it been like in Texas?

When I first arrived I felt a bit woozy from my dipping flight into Tyler. But East Texas has land, lots of land. I come from the San Francisco bay area, and although California is very beautiful we’ve managed to fit a lot of people in a rather small amount of space. So I’m completely shocked to visualize, several seemingly state park size lots with homes centered in the midst of them along the road side. And then I realize it’s not a state park but a residence with a yard.

while driving along the road in Garden Valley, Texas

We have had various climates as well. My first week was brilliant and sunny. A couple of weeks later it snowed. We then had a gradually warming up week that lead us to have a fantastic weekend of canoeing at the Tyler State Park only to come home to a week of snow again. I am trying to appreciate the snow as much as possible and really did like the few moments I got to play in it. It was the ice breaking wind that would rip against my face from women’s dorm, to the International Lounge, to the Oasis, and the Anchorage Café that was severely unmanageable. If I have to say Brrrrrrrrrrrr one more time, I’m going to freeze. While dealing with the freezing temperatures I am going to wish that I had packed some snow for the hot weather we’re about to face in Freetown.

1st snow storm

relaxation at the Tyler State Park (btw. I didn't leave the bag in the park).

2nd snow storm

What has it been like with Mercy Ships?

An experience. I realized during my second week of classes that I haven’t been in school for quite some time. I wasn’t use to having to be on time or face the consequences by the teacher and that was an adjustment. But I met my entire gateway team (all 30) and they are each so individually unique and multi-faceted. There is much beneath the surface to my team and we’re a group made up of complex organic risk takers no doubt. Through these long classes we managed to come together as friends in a short amount of time. Through these classes we learned some of the deepest mysteries of ourselves and the nature of our Creator. We also had some really phenomenal teachers who open the lid to some pressure cooking questions inside of me. And we were surrounded by our small group family that encouraged us and kept us accountable throughout the time we were here. From a work side of things I got to meet our entire department. Faces and locations to the numerous exchanges of previous emails while in Togo. What a handsome group too! Great office space. But I truly miss my lil bat cave on the Africa Mercy.

What have been my highlights?

Meeting and re-meeting good friends. Meeting the really great Marketing team for Mercy Ships. Visiting the teen mania campus (with inclusive tour of media dept. wow). Listening to Dr. Andrew Clark (phenomenal). Intelligently scrunching up the concept of world views into three basic mental digestible by Camille Bishop. To meeting the Gateway team, that was so encouraging to us every day. My friend Cassidy & I also went on a photographic adventure one afternoon around the different small towns nearby. But my two favorite continual highlights are the countless profound conversations that I have had with so many new friends, and the deep prayers we’ve extended on behalf of one another. Oh, Oh, Oh, and who could forget that amazing Sunday at the cowboy church! Yee-Haw!

We went to a REAL cowboy church

What will I do on Feb 8th?

Head out for Sierra Leone and the Gateway Field Service. We will spend a few weeks (as the ship sails from Durban) preparing for its arrival by working at the dock, helping out at the new hospitality center (patient recovery center), and Cheshire Home for physically challenged youth. We all would covet your prayers and positive thoughts. It’s going to be an amazing time, I am sure. I can’t wait to touch ground in Africa once more. This time in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

(Forgive the typos and the poor grammar; it’s been a long day)

I was so proud

2011-02-04T11:02:00.001-08:00

DSC01119 - Abel's Friend, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Abel walked over to me after taking a portrait with his family and asked to take a photo of his family with my Nikon. What an incredible moment.

This is what he took

My family by Abel
young photographer from Togo, West Africa

Abel, the Photographer

2011-02-04T08:07:00.001-08:00

DSC_2224 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Look at this amazing boy.

On the day of this photo he was returning home for the first time in months. But he didn't return as the same boy. He returned with straighter legs and the amazing ability to take photographs.

He's a hero. Not very many people could endure the surgeries and therapy he went through. But Abel is super disciplined and a champ. He gave it all he could.

I was fortunate enough to watch his physical transformation, to teach him a few photographic techniques, and escort him home to meet his family once again.

I am so proud of Abel. So very proud indeed.

What can you do with $5 a month?

2011-01-30T13:03:00.000-08:00

For most people living in the states $5 doesn't get us what it use to. It might get us about two gallons of gasoline for our car. Perhaps even a large delicious earl grey from Peet's, and possibly pay for a month subscription of Netflix or maybe get you a few songs from itunes. $5 doesn't typically pay our car payment, insurances, or living expenses.

But for the people in Sierra Leone $5 can give them a lot.

The Africa Mercy will soon arrive and will provide free surgical care for hundreds.

$5 can give them another special gift. By sending me a compassionate photographer eager to share with them the evidence of their own transformation through photography and capturing their message. The gift of photography is usually only a luxury afforded by politicians and rich men. It's transformational, when we can share the photos with our patients on the ship. A single photo to someone from West Africa communicates and important message of 'You are important to me, and you're important to us, and you're important to God!.'

We can do this by your $5 dollar a month pledge to support me as a Photographer on board the Africa Mercy.

If just 70 people gave $5 dollars a month it would pay for all of my crew fees and project expenses while working in Sierra Leone. Isn't that amazing?

My training in Garden Valley, Texas is soon ending. As a Photographer, for the Africa Mercy, my sole purpose is to capture and document the amazing moments directly effected by the compassionate hearts of so many people like you.

Take a look at the video that shows so many of these moments while we were in Togo.

As I watch this video, I can't help but to think about all the amazing transformations that took place in Togo, and I'm so excited for the transformational moments to take place in Sierra Leone. We are already hearing of the massive amounts of people that are arriving at the pre-screening sights around Sierra Leone.

Thanks to your help, I couldn't do it with out you.

Remember, AS I GO, YOU GO WITH ME!

Here's what you can do...

For financial contributions to my projects with Mercy Ships:

you can go directly to my donor page and make your monthly pledge online.

Liz Cantu - Mercy Ships

a. Please make your tax-deductible check payable to:
Mercy Ships, ATTN: Donor Services
PO Box 2020, Lindale, Texas 75771

b. Write "account 2756" on the memo line of the check
(that is my designation code).
Please do not write my name on your check.

d. Or you can phone directly 903-939-7000
ask for the Donor Services dept.

Remembering Lovelace

2011-01-27T17:17:00.001-08:00

DSC_4896 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Dear Lovelace,

Since early this morning, I have been thinking about you.

Thinking about you non-stop.

A HA Moments

2011-01-07T18:25:00.000-08:00

Mexicali, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

So the last few days at the IOC for Mercy Ships has been super informative. I’ve been in the IMS (Introduction to Mercy Ships) program for the week. In fact, we’ve just finished. We’ve gone from a group of total strangers, to relative acquaintances, to forming good friendships amongst us. It’s amazing what a few hours a day of small group learning and conversations can do for a group of people.
In the last few days I have been able to place faces to so many email correspondences I received while in Togo. I always forget names, but can never forget a face. I’ve had the opportunity of remembering some really great faces now. I’ve met Wade, Patrick, Diana, Elizabeth, Mark, Dr. Andrew, Angie, Jon, and so so so many more. The recruiters are so cool, and I find their personalities contagious, especially Vangie. I sat in my first fully staffed PR meeting and had the chance to hear the team share their updates.
My PR team is really cool too. A good group has been formed that “get” the norm ways of thinking to really hit the world with the cool things the ship has been doing in West Africa. It’s great to sit at a Hibachi table with all of them tonight and laugh. To only laugh all over again.
I got to sit with Claire and share yet another good meal and great memories. It wasn’t Le G, but we were having a good time anyhow. Mila, is so charismatic. A great smile, bright eyes (like E. Taylor). She comes from a pure place with deep roots. Reka, the most straightforward brilliant brain/person I’ve met in some time. And I could go on and on, but I’ll refrain because I’m beginning to sound like a kiss *ss.
While In IMS we had a daily routine. At the end of each session we would stand up and share our A HA moment of the day. Well today, I had a different A HA moment that I truly believe was God orchestrated. If I hadn’t come to IMS perhaps I would have never had a tour of the Teen Mania (Acquire the Fire) campus. It’s right next door to Mercy Ships and it’s huge. They receive approx 400 interns a year. But visiting the campus in some odd way totally brought me full circle.
It was at one of the Acquire conferences that I attended while still in high school that I decided to become a missionary in one form or another. It was through these conferences and the global missions photography that pulled at my heart strings to see the world and serve Christ for the rest of my life. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it, but I knew that this is what truly would fulfill me and what my true purpose on this planet was. To be equipped by Christ to serve the poorest of the poor and to love God’s people. The acquire the fire folks were super big on world missions and would display countless images on the jumbo screens. The photos moved me, and made me realize that I too can take photos of the amazing move of God on this planet.
I didn’t want to be a journalist that photographed war and sorrow, but I wanted to convince the world through photography that Christ loves them. That Christ has remembered them in their torment, grief, sorrow, pain, illness that He too will provide for them, and bring restoration to their entire being. I wanted to photograph their A HA moment when they realized that they too matter to this world and there mere breath and presence is a pleasant fragrance unto our Creator.
Here I am 15+ years later and have taken one of the largest leaps of life ever. I’m fully committing myself to Christ as a missionary. You can change the phrase and text to make it however appropriate and comfortable you need it to be. But bottom line, that’s what I am now. A full time vocational missionary in the creative arts to the poorest of the poor in West Africa. Darn, that sounds so good. I’m honored and touched. I’m blessed beyond belief. And so very fortunate to be right where God wants me to be. His grace has followed me through all the way to this point and will take me through for the rest of my life.
As I walked the halls of Teen Mania I found myself praying for the next generation of the “church” that is to come. For the gals and guys who will be sitting at this mass conference to hear that they too are called by God. That they truly may be convinced that nothing can separate the love that Christ has for His children. And to take it a step further and be open to hear the vocational call of God in their life at the age of 11, 15, 18, 20.
During the IMS training we studied some of the parables found in the gospel. We studied the story of the good seed that fell on good soil. I personally think that I’ve been the seed eaten by the ravens, and swallowed by the prickly vines, and also the seed that has fallen on good soil. All of these at different times of my life. My gig with Mercy Ships, I can honestly convincingly state is falling on good soil. Strike that, has fallen on good soil.
He’s made the provision and has placed the time to now go through with my hearts cry from so many moons ago. At the age of 14,15 (can’t recall) when I said I wanted to be a photographic missionary for Him.
And I got to see the inspiring campus that enabled my dream to come true?
Isn’t that amazing?
Yeah an A HA moment for sure.

2011 mark (check). set (in the process). Go (almost).

2011-01-05T02:39:00.001-08:00

airplane landed on the car, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

After I said good bye to my closest and dearest over the weekend, I found myself at the San Jose airport waiting to board on Continental Airlines to Tyler, Texas. I doubled and tripled checked my flight itinerary to make sure that I not only got the hour of my departure correct, but also the date. And after I tripled checked I checked again. (For those of you that don’t know me that well, I tend to show up to events days or weeks in advance of the actual event. I do this mostly for really exciting adventures like plane trips and musical concerts. Ask any of my friends, they’ll tell you a story).
And even at the airport the ministry that God has placed in my lap for senior citizens continued. I do feel so bad for individuals that have contributed to our society for 30+, 40+, 50+ years and are made to feel so incompetent when they’re faced with a non-human customer service representative. A computer. For many of us the world of a click away is a matter of ease and convenience. It’s been created to aid without trouble or fault and for a whole other group of reasons, but I miss humans with warm blood coursing through their veins. We’ve grown into a society that can’t live sans cell phone but sans human interactions is ok to be withou and most times preferable. Wha? Yeah, it’s true. Computer devices are wonderful and thank God for them, but we also want to see a face from time to time. Especially for those that are a bit older and don’t fully understand the computer age or for someone who is disabled and perhaps can’t maneuver all of the buttons to click. We’re marginalizing our world to that of a world that knows how to click. What about the rest of society? (Tangent)
So I’m now in Tyler, Texas at the IOC (International Operations Center). I’ve signed on to work with Mercy Ships and part of the gig is to come over here and see the campus, and do the IMS (Introduction to Mercy Ships) and Gateway programs on the campus. It’s about five weeks of training.
My thoughts of the IOC campus? The campus is huge, but not as big as some of the Cal college campuses perhaps it's a small city park size. I think of some of the non-profit office spaces I know at home, and this space at the IOC is magnanimous in comparison. There are lots of rolling hills in Tyler and quite a bit of land space. The air is very dry here and cool. The ground is brown and the trees are bare and cool to the touch. However the entrances to the meeting rooms face the west and at the end of the day there are some amazing (almost Africa like) sunsets.
In just twenty-four hours I have met a group of people that are incredible. Each person who has come to IMS is so unique. Made instant friends with a few already. I also got to spend time with Claire and Joy. Two amazing colleagues that were part of the team in Togo and became some of my really good friends. We sat together on Monday night and talked about the fun, good, bad, and crazy times in Togo. What a blessing! And we had a day long round of meetings too. I thought the meetings (honestly) would be sleepers, but they’ve been so super informative. And coming from a story telling perspective (my job), I have lots to do and cover. I think I only scratched the surface in Togo. Truly.
IMS training will continue for the remainder of this week. I have an “interview” with HR today and my first PR team meeting. I’m excited to meet the other half of the team. Next week the folks that are coming for Gateway should arrive.

2011 mark (check). set (not yet). Go (almost).

2011-01-04T04:50:00.001-08:00

My last day at Westminster was bitter sweet indeed. It was an unusually quiet Friday in the office and I took my time getting all of the last details completed before I left. Around 11am I turned in my keys to Rev. Jack and finished up the bulletins and walked out of my beautiful office. I’ve been spoiled at Westminster.

packing 7 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I wish I could say that my last few days in California were stress free and that I got to party away my last couple of days (I did a little) but it was truly a whirl wind of last minute everythings. In the midst of seeing friends and family members I had to downsize my living space to about 1/8 of what/where I was currently living. Thanks to the help of good friends and my sister Rita, I was able to get it all done in time. Phew.
Packing isn’t easy and somewhat stressful for me. It always has been. I watched that George Clooney movie where he lives in airports and they have the brief segment where he neatly packs and even has room for his lap top in his overnight bag. That’s how I do it too! Yep, every time. You know me! Yeah right! Not! I pack like a gypsy. I put the tea kettle in my case. Why? Because you never know when you’ll want tea, right? Earl grey and Mint are essential!

My dad teases me every time I pack. He reminds me of when I was twelve and we had gone to Texas for a two week vacation. I packed four suitcases and one suitcase held my fourteen pairs of shoes. The (logical) reason? I just didn’t know what I would want to wear and I wanted a variety!
The luxury to have a variety is quite expensive and heavy now a days. When airports charge you to breathe oxygen on the plane, and earphones are free but a movie is $6, and pretzels are available only on request, no logical reasoning could ever permit fourteen pairs of shoes for a two week holiday anymore.
So now instead of fourteen shoes for fourteen days, it’s five pairs for a lifetime! Not bad eh? Oh wait, six counting my Chinese slippers to match my Japanese kimono. I told you, I packed like a gypsy. Every gal needs a kimono, especially in Texas and of course in Sierra Leone.

from the December newsletter

2010-12-30T12:08:00.000-08:00

creme brulee in Paris
c. 2010

2010 has been an incredible journey. So much has happened this year, and I am excited to see what 2011 will hold for all of us. 2011 is just a few short days away, and I am looking forward to sharing updates with you from Texas & Sierra Leone.

This is my last week in California and I have been arranging all of the travel details while still working as a Photographer and Office Manager at Westminster Presbyterian Church. It's a bittersweet time between mini road trips throughout California, having goodbye get togethers, and saying goodbye to so many dear and wonderful people.

In only a few short days, Continental Airlines will have me as one of their passengers. I'll arrive soon in Tyler, Texas as my training with Mercy Ships will continue throughout the month of January. This will be yet another step in preparation for my long term commitment with Mercy Ships as a Photographer in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

After years of photography in the bay area, I wanted to do more because photographs can either just take up space on a computer or be a like click on facebook. But, permit me to raise the challenge that photographs can actually help us understand how a group of volunteers can really band together to do something miraculous. For example, in West Africa today, we continue to provide medical care to the local people.

about the time I realized,
I would love to do this for the rest of my life.
c. 2010

While working with Mercy Ships, I will continue to share with you the daily news in my facebook updates, my weekly news through my blog, and the monthly highlights in my newsletter. Follow along, and let's share this time together. Take a moment to enjoy the gift of life stories that I will share with you in 2011 and explore the photos. Open yourself to a new world and yet an all too familiar world too. We may not all know what it's like to live in a developing nation with a debilitating ailment, but we have all struggled one way or another.

Since the beginning of time we have learned through the illustrative gifts of storytelling. Our grandmothers' grandmothers and their grandmothers have shared life challenging parables with us while going about their daily lives. These audible life lessons are still shared amongst us today. Why? Because everyone loves a good story. I've have the opportunity to be your story teller before, and please allow me be your story teller again. While in Sierra Leone, my goal is to share photographic parable s with you, to inspire effectual change within our surroundings however difficult it may be. Because it's worth it. Perhaps our stories will be shared with the next generation of children, grandchildren, and their grandchildren. That they too, may know our life lessons and triumph in their very own.

Photographs can change lives. I've seen it happen time and time again. Not only for the people in Sierra Leone, our global neighbors, our country, but it can change us. I know it has from the countless correspondence I have had with so many of you. It's changed me.

There is value in our stories.

There is power in our partnership and in this... we have the groundwork for transformation.

Yours, mine, and ours!

Abel capturing a story.
c.2010

Natchez - Mississippi River Sunset

2010-12-10T14:10:00.001-08:00

Natchez - Mississippi River Sunset, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I miss this view often.

Donor Doubles your Dollar - 2 Days Left

2010-11-13T11:06:00.001-08:00

PRINCESSE, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Dear Friends,
There is only forty-eight hours left to the Donor Doubles your Dollar Campaign. A whole month has nearly gone by and we are about half way of meeting our goal. A generous donor has offered to match a $1 for every $1 that is donated up to $5,000 from October 15 to November 15 of this year. My friends, that is just a two days away from expiring.

Not everyone is able to go to Africa, but we can all participate as a unit to empower the people of West Africa. We can do this together. This is possible by sending me on this journey to photographically document the miraculous transformations taking place daily in the lives of the people of Sierra Leone. Lives are transformed daily on the Africa Mercy a non-governmental hospital ship, and we have the opportunity to showcase this to the world.

Thanks to you I have already raised quite a bit. However, I am still $2,725 away from meeting each dollar per dollar goal of $5000 by November 15th. Friends, I don’t want this incredible blessing to pass. Please consider donating to the Sierra Leone, West Africa 2011 mission. Time is running out for this campaign soon.

This is possible through your tax deductible charitable gift of $5, $15, $30, $50, $100, $500, your prayers, and through our conversations.

This is the yearly breakdown of what it will financially take for me to stay in Sierra Leone, West Africa:

Room & Board: $350 per month = $4,200/year
Medical/Emergency Insurance: $200 per month = $2,400/year
Training & Airfare: Gateway training $1000, airfare $500, month stay of supplies $500 = $2,000
Airfare to Sierra Leone roundtrip: $2,500
Personal Supplies: $8 per month = $100 approx
Travel/Gifts/Project Supplies: $300 per month = $3,600
Postage/Mail & Newsletter updates: $200
The grand total is = $15,000
Would you please prayerfully consider financially partnering with me?
If so, here's what you need to know:

a. Please make your tax-deductible check payable to:
Mercy Ships, ATTN: Donor Services
PO Box 2020, Lindale, Texas 75771

b. Write "account 2756" on the memo line of the check
(that is my designation code).
Please do not write my name on your check.

c. Or you could donate online at: Liz Cantu's Mercy Ships website
https://connect.mercyships.org/page/outreach/view/crewmates/cantue

You can follow the link to make a one-time donation or you can click the link to make monthly donations as well.

d. Or you can phone directly 903-939-7000
ask for the Donor Services dept.

Donor Doubles your Dollar

2010-10-16T18:10:00.001-07:00

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! This is a phrase that for some may be repetitious and cliché but for young children like Said, Liberee, Abel, & Bobo who have never heard this phrase, it's life-giving. In many developing nations photography is often reserved only for special occasions and important people. While most of us have shoeboxes filled with old photographs of birthday parties or school pictures, many children in West Africa, especially those born with physical deformities, have not had the chance to feel special or to celebrate their accomplishments.

But together we can literally show them how beautiful they are—and how truly precious they are to God!

Through the gift of photography we can place portraits of our patients in their hands. Taken home, that photograph becomes a permanent visual milestone of empowerment, literally serving as a testament to the miraculous transformation in their physical bodies. A simple photograph placed into the hands of a child tells them something they may have never heard even once before—You are important to me and to God! Someone has heard your prayer! You are beautiful!

Your partnership is vital to the story of the patients on the Africa Mercy.

And now your financial partnership can be doubled! From now until November 15^th there is an incredible opportunity to double your monetary gift up to a total of US$5,000.

Here's what you can do...

You can access my website by following this link and make your donation -- https://connect.mercyships.org/page/outreach/view/crewmates/cantue.

Your gift will directly bless the lives of patients in West Africa by helping to send me to Sierra Leone as your representative to show God's love, support, and emotional healing to many of the patients who receive life-changing operations on the Africa Mercy.

Remember, AS I GO, YOU GO WITH ME. Thank you for becoming part of their amazing story of God's healing,

Liz Cantu

Photojournalist & Friend

P.S. Keep in mind that gift donations received prior to November 15, 2010, will be doubled up to a total amount of US $5000!

Photo 1: A young boy being evaluated by the team at the orthopedic screening.

Photo 2: Same boy in photo 2 now reviews his beautiful straight legs and his earlier portrait.

Mercy Ships Screening Day - Togo 2010 2 Minute

2010-10-04T16:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

This is a video that my friend Misha shot while we were working together in Togo. Some of the stills in the video, I photographed. It was amazing to work with her and to be a part of such an overwhelming and amazing first weeks in Lome'.

Check out the incredible video.

For more information about partnering with me for the next journey in Sierra Leone please click this link;

https://connect.mercyships.org/page/outreach/view/crewmates/cantue

More information about my journey to Sierra Leone

2010-09-16T23:05:00.000-07:00

Lizzy is going back to Africa (again).

Yes. It’s true. I’ve been asked to return to work with Mercy Ships, this time in Sierra Leone. The passion to photographically document the lives of people while guided by the creative lens of a compassionate God has motivated me to return to serve in West Africa.

Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the forgotten poor by mobilizing people and resources worldwide, and serving all people without regard for race, gender, or religion.

Want to come along?

I will be continuing as a photographer, responsible for documenting more amazing stories of hope and recovery. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to return to Africa. Not everyone can volunteer their time, pick up and move to the developing nations in West Africa, but by partnering with me, you can be a part of this miraculous journey, too.

Would you consider this invitation and partner with me? Partner with me through your prayers and words of encouragement; your emails and facebook messages. Partner with me by keeping me accountable to the true mission and to share the lives of our patients and friends in your local place of worship or community space. And partner with me financially, helping me raise the support I need to return.

As a volunteer in this organization, I am required to personally meet my financial need of $1,200 per month for the entire time I am on the ship (15+ months/long term), an additional $4,000 is also needed to cover the cost for the required Gateway training course in Garden Valley, Texas. These fees include travel expenses, crew fees, medical insurance, and projects.

Would you consider partnering with me in the monthly amount of $20, $50, $100, or $200 or a one-time donation to help me reach the full financial goal? Truly all you do and have already done has been such a blessing.

I will begin the gateway course January 8th, 2011, and at the end of the training I will leave for Sierra Leone. It is my personal goal to have my financial support firmly in place no later than the end of November, but for planning purposes it would be very beneficial to have the commitment from my partners within the next month.

Know that I am truly touched by the outpouring of interest and love you have given me and the vulnerable of West Africa. Thousands of lives were changed in Togo and it is my hope that tens of thousands of lives will be touched in Sierra Leone. This nation has suffered greatly and I would consider it such an honor if we could provide a season of healing and relief in the life of the local people.

Blessings to you and your love ones,
Liz Cantu

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better" by Dr. Seuss

Would you please prayerfully consider financially partnering with me?
If so, here's what you need to know:

a. Please make your tax-deductible check payable to:
Mercy Ships, ATTN: Donor Services
PO Box 2020, Lindale, Texas 75771

b. Write "account 2756" on the memo line of the check
(that is my designation code).
Please do not write my name on your check.

c. Or you could donate online at: Liz Cantu's Mercy Ships website
You can follow the link to make a one-time donation or you can click the link to make monthly donations as well.

d. Or you can phone directly 903-939-7000
ask for the Donor Services dept.

Lizzy is going back to Africa (again).

2010-09-15T17:44:00.001-07:00

DSC01611 copy [50%], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Yes. It’s true. There is an opportunity to head out to Sierra Leone with the Africa Mercy in 2011. I will be continuing as a Photographer with the Communications team under the Marketing/Public Relations department and will be responsible for documenting some of the amazingly similar stories that we covered while docked in Togo.
In February of 2011, I will be joining the largest non-governmental ship again. Mercy Ships. A quote from their website reads, “Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the forgotten poor by mobilizing people and resources worldwide, and serving all people without regard for race, gender, or religion.”
I consider myself very fortunate to be able to return to Africa. Since I have been home many have shared of their desire to see Africa and not everyone is able to go at this present time. Not everyone can volunteer their time and resources to pick up and move to the developing nations in West Africa, but you can partner with me and be a part of this miraculous journey. The ship is filled with professional volunteers that have partnered with dear friends like you to make the ultimate support for those who need the most help.
The time spent in Togo, personally confirmed my desire to work with the vulnerable in developing nations again. The passion to photographically document the lives of people while guided by the creative lens of a compassionate God has motivated me to yet again travel to West Africa. Since the age of four-teen there has been several opportunities to work with non-profits around the world but not for such a wonderful length as the time I will be in Sierra Leone with Mercy Ships. As a photographer I am able to visually explore the path where perception and preconceived thoughts change. As our intellectual eye remembers the subjects in my photos we can then deconstruct past ill preconceptions and further create an environment of emotional solidity and a pledge to an attainable justice for vulnerable humans in West Africa. With Mercy Ships I will take photos that clearly portray the daily work on the organization’s mission and their personal pledge to bring healing to West Africa.

4 dead, 37 homes destroyed, dozens lay in hospitals around the San Francisco bay area.

2010-09-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

Being a native to the bay area the street exits and iconic architecture along 101 have been memorized from the several trips I have taken on the Peninsula. I drove from San Jose to San Bruno up the long serpentine 101 highway. I drove through cities and street exits while driving but I was troubled on the inside. The San Bruno Avenue exit was fast approaching and I still wasn’t sure what had compelled me to go to the sight. While driving there was an inner struggle from believing that somehow there was a way to aid the community to completely thinking that I was a pretty morbid person to want to visit the destruction site. These emotions have previously triggered me when I visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC or at the WWII museum, and the lower ninth ward in New Orleans even though I had never experienced the pain and loss personally.

No matter what struggle was going on my insides; I was compelled and propelled through 101, to the San Bruno Avenue off ramp, and up to the canyon. After each stop light through El Camino Real there was evidence of a once illuminating emergency roadside flares. The emergency services teams had been working day and night to assist the victims in this San Bruno neighborhood and still were very present this day. Orange cones and dust from road side flares swept across the gravel at each intersection pointing me further up the road towards the canyon.

At the peak of the canyon the droves of passerby’s came to a screeching halt only to catch a glimpse of the giant hole in the earth from the natural gas explosion a few days prior. There was a space between the groves of Eucalyptus at the highest canyon peak that opened up like a red velvet curtain before the morbid finale of an operetta. I joined a group of people that flocked to the view and as we stepped up the banquette our shuffling feet and rustling coats came to an end. Silence. Awe. Wonder. Gasps. Tears.

The panoramic view was split. Life and Death in one blink. Green and Grey on the same canvas of an accidental nightmare. To the right we could see many homes still intact. The laws were green. Many of the homes freshly painted. All the cars were parked neatly and the neighborhood looked like any other in the bay area. But if we continue to inspect the landscape we see a completely different neighborhood a bit down the same road. A dark charcoal grey clearing. A gigantic dead space surrounded by tall emaciated toothpicks (burned trees). The toothpicks are hugged by taller like popsicles sticks that have only been half consumed (trees with half of one side of the branches burned), and at the groves largest expansion were trees full and abundant but covered with the same Smokey ash from the fires. Between the groves were significant signs of devastation. Dissimilation. Collapsation. Rubble. Mess.

A giant natural gas explosion had occurred on Friday evening around 6pm. Thirty plus homes ignited on fire as gigantic pieces of asphalt fired up the night sky like meteors from deep within the earth. As of now four people have been confirmed dead. There are several in the hospital fighting for their life and many more worried that they may lose the love of theirs soon.

A woman stood next to me as I lent her my telephoto lens to see her home.

She said to me and her friend,
“Yep. That’s the house. Well what’s left of it at least.”

Her friend says,
“You can see it? How does it look?”

The homeowner replied,
“Well it’s where my home once was; now it just looks like a pile of bricks.”

She began to explain to me that she lived with her aging parents who aren’t able to walk very well and need continual care. I feared the worse as she began to tell me the story. The beautiful Polynesian woman begins to say that her brother had come to take her parents out for dinner while she was at work. She looks at me with such awe and gratefulness. Apparently her brother hadn’t been to see them in a very long time and was surprised that he had shown up that afternoon to spend time with them. She turned to me, took off her glasses, and said,

“It’s a miracle you know. I could have lost my brother and my parents. All of my family in just minutes could have been out of my life forever, but instead they were saved.” And as she cried, I began to tear too.

Right next to her was another man who said he had just moved from that neighborhood to Portland a couple of months ago and had to fly down to help the community. He had lived there for two decades and wanted to do whatever he could to help. If he had stayed and not moved to Portland a few months ago, he would have been homeless.

I stood up on the hilltop. Said a prayer, and maybe even said another prayer to then drive back through San Bruno Avenue towards 101. One of the off shoot roads seemed like a potential for another view of the blast but it turned out to not be a good area since the view was blocked out by the Eucalyptus. As I turned the car around, a girl had just pulled up and was running up to the front door of a nearby home. A woman stood waiting with her arms open. They hugged each other so tight. They were both sobbing and just kept holding each other.

I don’t know the details of that story but I can only imagine what had been going through their minds. What challenges and fears they must have faced. And finally they were able to access a bit of comfort from one another from such horrible neighborhood devastation.

SMILE TRAIN CANDIDS

2010-09-10T11:08:00.001-07:00

SMILE TRAIN CANDIDS, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

On Children

Lyrics by Khalil Gibran, Music by Ysaye M. Barnwell

Your children are not your children
They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself
They come through you but they are not from you and though they are with you
They belong not to you
You can give them your love but not your thoughts
They have their own thoughts
You can house their bodies but not their souls
For their souls dwell in a place of tomorrow
Which you cannot visit not even in your dreams
You can strive to be like them
But you cannot make them just like you
Strive to be like them
But you cannot make them just like you

Plantation Rocker

2010-09-09T10:40:00.001-07:00

Plantation Rocker, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Lonely Lonely - Feist

Water water on the seeds
To my left they rose and leaf
To my right cross seven seas

Maybe maybe they'll stay true
My seeds will cross and then take root
And leave you to an empty room
Lonely lonely that is you
Lonely lonely that is you

Paper paper obsolete
How will you reach out to me?
I thought you'd ask me not to leave
Lonely lonely that is me
Lonely lonely that is me

Distance makes the heart grow weak
So that the mouth can barely speak
Except to those who hide their needs
And I have read the golden seal
That tell of how the seedlings feel
Reminds my heart what love can yield

By my only things are clear
Baby boy I'm staying here
Lonely lonely that was you
Lonely and so untrue

Mr. Dave's - Evidence of Wind damage from the storm

2010-08-26T17:16:00.001-07:00

Mr. Dave's - Evidence of Wind damage from the storm, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

When clouds veil sun
And disaster comes
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rise
And hope takes flight
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Ever faithful
Ever true
You I know
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go

When clouds brought rain
And disaster came
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rose
And hope had flown
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul
Overflows
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, my soul
Fills hope
Perfect love that never lets go

Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, what love, oh, what love
In joy and pain
In sun and rain
You?re the same
Oh, You never let go

David Crowder's ~ Never Let Go

San Francisco

2010-08-18T14:39:00.001-07:00

San Francisco, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Half Light (No Celebration), Arcade Fire

Now that San Francisco's gone,
I guess I'll just pack it in.
Wanna wash away my sins,
In the presence of my friends.

You and I we head back East,
To find a town where we can live.
Even in the half light,
We can see that something's gotta give.

When we watched the markets crash,
The promises we made were torn
Then my parents sent for me,
From out West where I was born.

Some people say, they've already lost,
But they're afraid to pay the cost for what we've lost.
Pay the cost for what we've lost

Now that you have left me here,
I will never raise my voice.
All the diamonds you have here,
In this moment which has no life.

Oh, this city's changed so much
Since I was a little child.
Pray to god I won't live to see
The death of everything that's wild.

Though we knew this day would come,
Still it took us by surprise.
In this town where I was born,
I now see through a dead man's eyes.

One day they will see it's long gone.
One day they will see it's long gone.
One day they will see it's long gone.
One day they will see it's long gone.

AM I HOME?

2010-08-07T06:18:00.001-07:00

My House, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Am I truly here? Will I wake in the morrow only to discover that I am still on the bateau rocking in the belly of the whale? My mind has played tricks on me before and as I am about to drift deeply into the realms where only my rapid eyes can lead me; I have seen all of this before. My home on Washington Drive with a red door. My turquoise and nude wood kitchen. My striped area rug in the dining room. The mirrors placed around the interior of my home reflect the light coming from all of the nearby rooms. I am now in my cocoa washed room, and it is so very clean. Everything smells like my old Chanel perfume. TV, closet, robe, trinkets from previous travels; is this real? Am I really here? Am I home? Or will I wake in the morrow only to discover that I am still in Lome?
My mother. My father. My grandmother laying sound asleep in her bed. As usual she has one foot inside the covers and the other foot on the outside. My grandfather is lying on his small corner of the bed next to her. I had been waiting to see them again for a very long time. Kisses and hugs. Comfort. Peace. A filler up when I’m completely out of gas.
A shower. Yes, that’s what I will do. I will take a long shower and put on my terry cloth robe, and some music. Music from home. Yes, this is what I will do. And after that? What next? What will I do next? 2:40AM and I am wide awake.
I am home. Here. Now. No longer in the belly of the whale but in my cute little house on Washington Drive with the red door.

Cape Coast, Ghana!

2010-07-24T09:35:00.001-07:00

DSC01694 copy [50%], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

This is one of my fave photos of Ghana. This was on the way to the depot on Saturday morning.

Sisters...Sisters....

2010-07-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

DSC_3901 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I left the physical therapy tent today and came across several patient friends that have arrived for their post operation appointments. Many inquired about the photographs I had taken of them, and if I would be willing to let them have a copy. This pleases me to the inside tickle wholeheartedly. I immediately began to mentally trace the photographs we have taken of all of them and retrieve in my mental archives the photos and where I placed it on my computer. As I continue to hang out with the patients, I’m thinking; when in this day will I have the chance to actually sit down and print the photos? Maybe after lunch? Maybe after dinner? Maybe late at night, when I do my best work? All I know is that I have a crucial deadline of 9am tomorrow to have photos ready and available for one of the dear patients we have grown to know and love over time.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a colourful African fabric on this woman and cannot keep my eyes off of the color and the shapes. I’m primarily focused on the pattern shapes situated on her lap and then glance up to look at her face. She’s beautiful and the woman next to her is beautiful too. We smile at one another since that is pretty much all we can do. She does not know English and I do not know Ewe, but with my broken French/Ewe I ask if I can take her portrait. She immediately agrees and begins to prep herself for the photo. Her face shines. She just shines through the photograph, and I’m mesmerized by her face. Soon after a few clicks of the shutter, I politely say goodbye and excuse myself. After all, I’m sure there are important things waiting for me at my desk, and I am sure there are plenty of things this woman is in a rush to do to.

I walk away and begin to walk towards the gangway and another orthopaedic patient passes by and we begin to chat a bit. Her mother is grinning from ear to ear of how straight and balanced she’s able to walk now. I applaud the patient and I applaud the mother for being so incredibly strong and brave through all of it. We say our goodbyes and I continue towards the gangway and up the stairs to that ever so important thing that I must have waiting/sitting at my desk that I need to get to.

And I realized, that this is exactly what I came to Africa for, and as I had this mini internal battle of what I should do next; truthfully I must have looked like a circus freak talking to myself. I just simply turned around and walked back over to the admissions tent area and began to sit and talk with the beautifully patterned women.

I introduced myself and asked another patient friend to translate for us for a few moments. And over some time we shared much of our history, even before we even shared our names, they had already taken me into the meaty stories of their lives. The woman in the beautiful colourful patterned dress is Melanie and she had brought her older sister Pauline for eye surgery. Both are women who have become mothers and are now grandmothers. And Pauline like every proud grandmother all over the world pulls out her date book, and a few precious 4x6 photos of her and her family. We looked at each one of them, one by one, and I ooooo’d and ahhhhh’d over each of them. If any of you know me at all, I love looking at family photos and can spend hours looking at them. And in those photos I could see her life, the pride she took standing next to her family, in her clean humble home. I complemented her gardening techniques by the significant flora examples in her healthy garden and was so happy that I noticed. She asked me about my family and if I was married, and how I got to Africa. And we spent the next forty-five minutes just sharing our life stories.

And I forgot that is what we do when we are in Africa. We share our life stories. We share the knowledge that each one of us has first before we focus on the due dates, and assignments, and what we think needs to happen in one day. Some more minor/major than others. I was worried about a photo file while Pauline had spent the last few days wondering about her cataract surgery and Melanie wondering if her sister will be alright. Puts priorities into perspective.

I am so thankful for those forty-five minutes with Pauline and Melanie. I am so thankful for those forty-five minutes to remind me of the important things in life and sharing them with the people that cross our path.

They are incredible women!

My Friend Farouck

2010-06-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

DSC_3266 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Does it hurt? I always wanted to ask him that question. What does it feel like to have a metal plate sticking out of from your beautiful smile? Out of your jaw? Does it get to cold? Does it get warm? Does it hurt? And then I realized I didn’t even really have to ask those questions. Four surgeries later, if it didn’t hurt at that particular moment, I’m sure that sometime in the short span of his eleven year old life, it had hurt. Hands down, he’s known hurt.

There are times when I would sit with his mom and we would look at one another and just know that the path to recovery had been grueling. She had the dark circles around her eyes to prove it, and the rolled up wet tissue to stamp it. She worried for him. She panicked for him. She felt helpless for him too.

On the day he went in for surgery, she sat on his bed, in the corner, not knowing what they would do to her little boy. Logically knowing that he was fine and the doctors and volunteer medical team were totally in control of the situation, but also trusting/reminding God that He had her baby in His arms. I walk over to her to give her a hug, and she began to cry. She just let it go, and all I could do was hold her and try not to cry myself.

Days before his surgery, we became friends and on the actual day of his surgery, I knew that this was a special friendship. I spent the beginning of the mission in his ward. Learning, teaching, laughing, playing, and talking.

Farouck has returned once for a follow up appointment. His surgical wounds have fully healed. The medical team gave him a complete release and as far as we know there will not be any reason he’ll have to return to see the doctors. Because of certain complications that he has he may not be able to have a prosthetic jaw set into place but for the most part will live a bit disfigured but will be able to do all the things an average eleven year old likes to do. We visited with one another after his doctor appointment and parted sadly soon after. While I sat with the family I notice how his mother sends over long glances towards him and shines with pride.
I wasn’t sure if I would ever see him again and sure enough a day after the World Cup finale the Rufino family arrived on the dock. After a very long and frustrating morning of running errands all over downtown Togo, my patience and energy were officially drained for the day. I thought to myself as I got out of the car, I want a quick lunch a good shower and I want to just chill out. When out from the canopy comes running Nacimento, Wahub, and Farouck towards me. We met half way and I wanted to cry. It was so good to see them and how happy/healthy they all have been. What a surprise. What an amazing surprise. They came all the way from Benin to say hello before I left to go back to San Francisco. We spent the next few hours of the afternoon catching up on life in Benin and all the fun things the boys have been up to. Farouck (the first of many photographers in my school) took many photographs that day and I will soon share those with you too.

He’s home now. It’s been weeks since he first came for the screening. He’s trying to enjoy some normalcy of life and he’s also hoping to attend school when it starts again. His mother mentioned that the teacher has permitted him to sit on the last session of the school year to catch up on lessons he may have missed while he was recovering here in Togo with us. He is a great help to his mother and little brother who also had received surgery on the ship.

Regal Eyes

2010-05-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

Watching regal street processionals have always been a great part of US television news history. Partly since the US does not have a monarchy and we are always interested in the events taking place around the world. The foreign royal subjects usually stand outside of the palace, along the banquettes, and wait for a glimpse of the family inside of the royal coach that soon will pass. The subjects will wave flowers, handkerchiefs, and banners as royalty pass along the roadside. The monarch will simply just nod their head and give a simple wave of hello to the passers-by. There is a certain definition of nobility and elegance that can only be defined by royalty ever. Royalty step purposefully mature, from the edge of the coach to the entrance of the palace always. The royal entourage goes in before and after the monarch to make sure that each step of the way is carefully mapped out along the way.

Regal similarities are also found with our senior patients on the ship in Togo. Many arrive blind from cataracts and have relied heavily on their loved ones to care for them. When our eye patients arrive, they noticeably take each step gingerly as to not fall and they also pay attention to the neighboring sounds for guidance. They walk down the dock towards the admissions tent and take a little step up from the admissions platform and wait to be seen by the doctor. In one day dozens come to the admissions tent and wait to be seen by the doctor to receive surgery, hundreds in a week, and thousands during our field service.

The volunteer ophthalmology coordinator comes out of the ship, down the gangway, and over to the admissions tent to greet their next patient. The salutations are exchanged, and with the highest cordiality our eye patients are guided up into the ship one by one, sometimes two by two. They are about to experience one of the most transforming experiences of their lifetime. Down on Deck 3, at the very bow of the ship you will find a medical office filled with other patients awaiting the final examinations, and medical overview before entering the operating room.

The eye patients sit on a park bench near the entrance into the operating room at the bottom of the red stairs, and await the call to go into receive their miracle. In less than ten minutes they are sitting back on that very same park bench to be escorted back into the recovery room. Their eye is bandaged and shoes placed back on, and walked over to the recovery room. Naturally some are a bit nervous and quiet during this process. And others are smiling from ear to ear, ready to say hello to anyone who passes by. They wait in the recovery area for mere moments and rest from the procedure.

After the recovery time, like an African royal procession the eye patients are lead out of the ship, and down the gangway onto the dock. They are lead by the hand and take careful watchful steps down the gangway. At each step the eye patients look up and see the ship, cars coming into the port, and the people sitting out on the admissions area. The only thing that is missing to truly title this regal moment is a royal red carpet because they are already waving their hands to greet the public down below. At the bottom of the steps the people await the final descend of our eye patients. Anyone who needed to go up the stairs while our patients are walking down must now simply wait to the side until they have reached the dock. At the admissions tent they await the transport vehicle to take them to their accommodations at the hospitality center or home.
Now are our eye patients royal? Most likely they are not, but there is the essence in the character of the senior citizens of Africa. Seniors citizens in the community are respected even though they may not be able to be contributors to the household. Most of the people that come for surgery wouldn’t be able to afford it without the assistance of the medical missions’ team. The screenings, examinations, surgeries, and medications are absolutely free on this ship. Thanks to the generous contributions of all the donors all over the world. By the way, the transport, door to door service, and lodging (meals inclusive) while staying at the hospitality center is also totally free to the patients too.

In a couple of days the eye patients return to the ship or one of our local eye clinic sites to have their eye bandages removed, followed by a second appointment in four to six weeks. This is momentous time to witness, as the eye bandages have been removed and our patients can see again; the once fuzzy focus now can now be a zoomed-in clear focal point. They can see again! Sometimes the patients cry. Sometimes they want to dance, and dance they shall. Every Friday between the eye evaluations, and eye glass refractions, the drum begins to beat and the hips shake. The seniors sit on the benches with their Blues Brothers style shades on, and tap their toes until they have officially warmed up. By the second song, every patient, yovo, and visitor begins to dance. Testimonies are shared as to how they once were so blind, and at an emotionally dismal state, but the story has a transforming forever life changing happy ending. The patient’s story that particular day concludes often with a great ending that states, ‘I once was blind, but now I can see.” After the words are shared, the dancing almost never ends. The entire group goes from one praise song to the next, to the next, to the next… A joyous participatory full cinemascope style site to behold, their life story has will only continue.

The Beginning of May

2010-05-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

As I have almost sat the entire evening in the belly of this whale there was no other excuse but to write. There is a battle that is going on inside me of continuing to live and produce photographic images and sitting down and actually writing some of the details that took place around the photographs I am taking. I am so busy at the present moment experiencing life, that encourage myself by saying I will do this or that project when I get home, and complete the process of this trip. But I am not quite sure if it really is going to work out that way or not. There is a growing desire inside me that wants to process and actually produce something at the end of each of my day. There is an even greater part of me that wants to produce something for my readers at the end of the day too. But I find myself so tired at the end of each day, that when I crawl into my bed, I just want to sleep/pray/unwind. How do you balance this? Ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thursday night, April 20th, I had grown so tired that I just fell asleep. I went to bed with my clothes, badge, and keys on. I think I took off my shoes. Right after dinner, I excused myself from the table and just slept. I slept the rest of the night, and looked at my clock and it was barely 2am. I rolled over, forced myself back to sleep, and then reached an all too great hour of 3 o’clock in the morning. There was nothing else I could do but get up and not try to sleep anymore. I went up to the midships area and began to write, edit, and read. But there was a great excitement in me for the day. I had a feeling that Friday, May 7th, was going to be a good day, but I wasn’t quite sure why.

Richard Winn (nurse), came up to me later on while at breakfast and simply said,

“It’s going to be a good day today!”

I simply nodded my head in agreement, but didn’t take his word as a prophetically hopeful as possible. Indeed, he was abundantly correct which I will begin to explain now. I was ‘on call’ that Friday and as the on call ship photographer it’s my job to respond to the pager and go around the ship taking photographs as per requested. I had received a page to go to the ward and photograph a patient discharged from our Smile Train program. The Smile Train program is a specific procedure that we do for people, mostly infants that have cleft lips or palates. In just 24 hours from surgery most of our patients go home and can live a relatively normal life. It’s incredible to watch the conversion, and even more incredible to document the process.

As I walked out of the ward, a day volunteer, Caleb approached me and said,

“Did you see her?”

I shook my head in a no response, because I wasn’t quite sure what he was talking about.

He went on to say,

“You know she is waiting for you!”

So I stopped him, and looked into his eyes and said,

“Who? Who is waiting for me?”

“Your little friend. You know, your little friend. His mom is here, outside on the admissions tent waiting for you.”

“Farrouck? He is here? His mom is here. Nacimento??” I asked.

“No not Farouck, his mom is here. She has been waiting for you all day long!” Caleb explained.

“Nacimento is here?”

(photo taken when the day I first met them, in the admissions tent!)

I don’t know what else happened after that. All I can recall is that I ran down the hall, up two flights of stairs, down the office corridor, through the International Café, passed reception, out onto the gangway, and onto the dockside, only to see Nacimento sitting down, and getting up to run over to me too. She hugged me so tight and truthfully. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t. I was so happy to see her, dressed so very elegantly, and she was happy. So happy. She looked so good. She has gone from a mother who was so worried about her boy, to a strong, stylish, confident business woman.

I immediately I asked Mehza, our office day volunteer if we could work out a plan to permit Nacimento to come inside and we indeed worked out that plan. When I sat out at the admissions tent, the day volunteers were out there and were sad not to see me there as often. The other day volunteers on the dock had mentioned to me that ever since Farouck left, I don’t go out there anymore, and they were speaking the truth. The admissions tent is a hard place to be. There are so many faces that come out there on a daily basis, and my heart breaks, and reopens each time. And I miss the social times I had with Farouck out there. The sting of truth pierced me, because I realized that I did have a roll/purpose to be out near the admissions tent, and that the local people remembered me. My role as a welcome, friend, and documenter had been missed. Indeed, many a soul had permitted me to photograph one of the most nerve stimulating portions of their journey to the ship. So I made a mental note to myself to keep it up. To keep up the work I was doing when I first got here. To keep up the pace, and to keep on loving. Back to Nacimento.

Did I tell you she looked gorgeous? She had these deep rich summer hue colored patterned dress on, with a matching head scarf. She had a nice pair of matching earring and necklace set and a sparkly watch. She looked happier than ever and healthy. She gave me lots of information right in the first few moments that we started to talk. Farrouck has been missing me, and had been begging his mom to come and visit. Nacimento enrolled him into a good school, and wasn’t permitted to miss school, since he had already missed so much because of the illnesses he had prior. He was worried that I was leaving on the 14th and that he wouldn’t be able to send me a note. So she opened up her purse and presented me with a gift. I did cry at this point. I didn’t even have to open it. My insides just melted. More precious than anything. He had colored two pages of a coloring book (puppies) and taped them together as to make an envelope. In the inside of the envelope there were two notes. One note stated a sample of his penmanship. The other note stated a cute letter. He made to craft yarn balls for me that he learned how to make while he was here on the ship. He gave me a little toy. Two packages of cookies, and four candies. So wonderful. Oh and then a bag filled with a cluster of grapes.

Then Nacimento told me, that the only way she could get Farrouck to go to sleep that night, was to promise that she would come visit me on that day. He woke up at 3am and spent the rest of the early morning putting together that little gift package for me. Isn’t that incredible? I’m so touched and honored. Funny thing is that I woke up at 3am anticipating something too. We had both been planning for something! Afterwards we went inside, and had a long two almost three hour chat in the International Café’. I snuck into the ship shop and got Farouck a Mercy Ships t-shirt and Nacimento a craft bracelet. As a thank you. And in our conversation, I surprised her, by letting her know that I had decided to extend. That I indeed will be visiting Farrouck the whole day that he is here, and that we will celebrate a great day together in Lome. Nacimento was so happy, and even invited me to come and stay in their home for a visit. I pray that I may be able to do such a thing in the days to come.

Potentially I could write about so many other things that have already taken place in the first nine days of May. I preached on Sunday the 3rd. I went to a party at the US embassy on the 7th. Much much much more to come. I just wanted to remember that moment. The love of a mother to come from another country on behalf of her twelve year old son.

(my mother Lula, and my gmom Mama)

I called my mom and grandmother just now to wish them Happy Mother’s Day. They were in bed together, getting cozy, while it rained in Milpitas. That love between the two of them runs deeper than blood. It runs deeper than anything I have ever experienced outside of this circle. I think about the unconditional love of all the mothers in the ward tonight. They are just a few doors down from my cabin. The sleep underneath their children (our patients) on a mattress. They sacrifice everything about themselves to raise their children. They will be woken up several times tonight as their child recuperates from surgery. They will be woken up several times tonight as their child was just admitted tonight, and is scared to be in the belly of whale. They will worry. They will cry. They will pray. I think of the mothers that didn’t actually give birth to some of our patients, but since they were abandoned, the decided to take them into their homes/hearts. Mothers like mine. Mothers like my mother’s mother. Mothers like Nacimento. Mothers all over the world, loving, caring, and hoping the very best for their little ones. Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful great moms out there!

(infant Smile Train patient resting on his mom after surgery)

They kept coming

2010-05-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

DSC_7833 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

“This is all that’s left?” A doctor asked as he scrambled through the empty boxes. He turns and looks at me with my camera in hand and shows me that there are no eye drops or medical supplies left. He goes on to tell me that there are plenty of meds back at the base but they’re allotted a certain amount per day. And they had more patients show up than they had eye drops. The look in the eye doctors face was unforgettable. He was truly torn and wrenched from the inside out. They had only been there a couple of hours and had a few hundred more to go. What was left for them? After a quick exam and a send off to their homes, they only alternative is to return early enough at another day hope to be seen by a doctor. Hoping to be seen again. Hoping. Hoping. And hoping some more.

Meet Aissa the patient. See the work of Aissa the photographer.

2010-05-06T18:54:00.000-07:00

IMG_8260, originally uploaded by Photo2217. photo by Ali Chandra

Photo Assistant

She got it. Almost instantly. I have never seen a photographic gift so naturally ignite.
Aissa was a big story on the ship. We had heard from Europe that they would be doing an entire campaign on her story and to prepare for her arrival. Our office was completely familiar with her day’s even weeks before her arrival and the day she came on the ship we were placed on a freeze. She couldn’t be documented during the admissions process due patient sensitivity. Understandably so since, she had traveled a long distance and would be experiencing a bit of a culture shock when she got to the ship.

On the night she was admitted, I got a page from the nurses in the ward that they were going to remove the bandages off of her face and she would soon after be ready for a pre-op photograph. I grabbed my camera and went to visit her. I hid the camera behind me and introduced myself as best possible. She was riding a toy car that was obviously too small for her but she was having a good time. As the nurse prepared to remove the bandage, I showed her my camera and asked her if I could take pictures. She shook her head “yes”.

We didn’t speak a common language, but we hit it off instantly. And I followed her. Every day I would visit her and almost every day I took her photo. I was permitted to go in the ward and document her surgery and was allowed to be in the ward every time they would change her post-op bandages.

On the day this photo was taken, I think she had grown so tired of me always taking her pictures that she slipped my Nikon right from my neck and placed it around hers. Just like I do. She couldn’t quite get the eye framing because my camera was really heavy and I showed her that if she brings her elbows into her chest it would be easier to manage the weight. She smiled and agreed. At the time only one eye was patched and she spent the rest of the afternoon looking through the lens of a camera. And as she looked at her world from the rectangular frame of my lil Nikon, we didn’t fully realize that she was about to show me her world too. What she photographed. What she liked to photograph. And what the world looked like from her height and from her perspective. From what seemed valuable to record in her heart.

Most importantly she was empowered. The Nikon and Aissa became one. She had spent weeks being pulled, poked, and pushed. She took it but she often would put up a fight. She liked to be in control of her surroundings and this camera gave her a bit of power to manage and enjoy even while the medical team cared for her. She liked to tell people how to “freeze” or how to pose for the frame. And she loved to love. All important ingredients for a good photographer.

Enjoy…the photos…and her continued story!

photos of her documenting:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photo2217/sets/72157625061814964/with/5092295525/

photos of her life while on the ship:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photo2217/sets/72157625058215740/

Blood Drive

2010-04-29T04:42:00.000-07:00

A SMILIAR VERSION OF THIS STORY HAS BEEN PUBLISHED WITH MS>
THIS IS MY ORGINAL BLOG POST!

Thursday afternoon, an unusual announcement message gonged throughout the 8 decks of The Africa Mercy. The urgent voice of the speaker came through the overcom and expressed a great need on behalf of the laboratory on Deck 3. The international Café’ slowed down to the point where we could only hear the vents from the 50% running a/c. The internet Café stopped clicking on the keyboard and just began to listen to rest of the broadcast.

‘All staff who are A+ or B+ please immediately report to the lab. We will not be able to host any more surgeries without your assistance. We need blood. If we do not have the sufficient amount, we will not be able to perform any more surgeries. If you have time right now, please come to the lab on deck 3, and donate blood.’

In a matter of moments the steps and halls at the stern of the ship escorted the pedestrians towards the doors of the deck 3 lab. Lines had been formed. Documents handed out. Arm sleeves rolled up and lab technicians were prompt to draw blood.

“The immediate and overwhelming staff response of donors and volunteers were ready to do whatever, and they had so many people that I wasn’t able to donate my blood on that day. I got there to late,” said Laura Coles (pediatric ward nurse). “Less than two minutes after the announcement there were at least fifteen people outside of the laboratory. I may not have given blood that day, but I was able to help the lab technicians draw blood.”

The first to arrive were the nurses and medical staff on Deck 3, and some of the medical team began to prep one another to draw blood. The rest of the volunteers of the Africa Mercy arrived in waves, followed, by people from Deck 4, and soon by the rest on Deck 5.

The next announcement echoed through the ship,

“All available nurses who are not already working please report to the lab!
We need your assistance!”

Once again the laboratory technicians were in awe, of the continued giving on the ship.

“I came immediately from my room on Deck 2, only to find the hallway already filled with twelve to fifteen people.” stated Anna Parthun (ward nurse).

The residents of The Africa Mercy were so moved by this need that they had stopped in the middle of their very busy day to heed the critical call on the ship. There was an urgent need and the people of Africa Mercy responded unanimously once again.

The results from the call are many, but one in particular stands out. At one point there was only one B+ on the ship and that volunteer would be woken up late at night to donate blood on occasion, and now there are over seven people on the B+ blood type rotation to donate this very precious commodity. A result that was so quickly and overwhelmingly filled. According to Linda Soares a lab technician on the ship, twenty-four individuals donated in one afternoons time.

Plastys

2010-04-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

The professional plastics screening team had previously hosted plastics screening in several countries for several years but the exciting anticipation of a whole new screening. I arrived early in the morning and the plastics screening team were already in a full operating mode. Many prayers, planning, and hopes had come in to fruition that morning.

Patients arrived today that had first shown up at the previous orthopedic screenings we had at the beginning of the field service. Many of the same screeners that are present for the plastics screening were also at the orthopedic screening too, and had to turn away certain patients that were not in need of orthopedic care. However, many of the ones we turned away, are present today and are ready to be seen by a doctor. The experts are here and ready to see the hundreds of cases that arrived on the dockside.

C-ward had been converted into a screening room. Pulling people from all departments together and to review the plastic patients’ cases. A curtain went up to give the medical team, a private examination room, and to ask our patients those long awaited questions. The patients are ready to show the burn scars, the disfigured fingers, and webbed feet. Every part of their body is exposed for the doctors and surgeons to review. The nurses stand carefully by to make sure that every process has been documented in the charts and that the screening team knows what can be done for the patients at a particular given time frame.

The doctors sit across the table and asks a female patient to explain her condition. She immediately lifts up the back of her blouse and shows the doctors a tumor like globule in the middle of her back. Later in the day, another woman comes into the examination room, and shows the doctors the tumor like nodes that are hanging from her right wrist, and the ones beginning to form on her left arm. This all happens as her son sits carefully by on the floor and colors in a coloring book with a volunteer nurse. In all tenderness the doctors examine these areas and begin to explain the option that would be made available to the patients. The translators stand carefully by to make sure that every bit of information is appropriately translated too. Every story, and every word, and every term for treatment is exchanged by the day volunteer translator.

As one patient is evaluated, a dozen more wait on the other side of the curtain. In the screening room the child patients use their artistic gifts to color in coloring books. The caretakers of the children spend the time trying to not appear as worried as they really are on the inside. A young man walks in, and explains that he cannot find work because of his damaged hand. He can work just as hard as the other person his age, but they have two functioning hands and for this he has gone without for a very long time. The doctor tells him, that with only a few simple incisions and some time in recovery, he two will regain the use of his hands and have them both functioning properly. Another father sits next to his little girl, holding her little white patent leather shoes. Her legs have been badly damaged from a fire and he is hoping that the doctors can do something for her. And in the midst of all the examinations, Rachel Dix appears and pulls a young scared and shy boy out from his shell. She does this by getting on her knees, and with her broken French/Ewe she tries to tell him a funny story. The story doesn’t seem to work out very well, so she begins with a tickle fest that made him giggle and blast out in genuine laughter.

Once the doctors have finished examining their patients, they conference amongst themselves, and determine the best health regime for the patient. If the medical team is truly able to help them, than they are escorted to a waiting room. There the patients wait to hear from the nurses, and other members of the medical team regarding important steps that need to be taken such as blood work, and appointment availability, etc. This room contains the patients that we will soon see again. In next to no time, the conversion occurs on our ward, which is by far an exciting time for the people of Lome, Togo, and the MS International community at large.

By the end of the day, the dockside no longer has the potential patients waiting. All but two of the medical team have left from the screening C ward area. Linda Van DenAkker is taking down the examination room curtain, and Rachel Dix is making sure the data entered into the computer from the day is accurate. A hard days work, with a great reward reaped. As our orthopedic patients’ portion is nearing an end, the arrival of the operational portion for our plastics patient on the ward has commenced.

More patients, different symptoms, same love and care.

My First Surgery

2010-04-20T05:28:00.000-07:00

DSC_5778 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Through the vertical rectangle window in the door, I could see the room. I could peep into the operating theater and see the medical team working diligently as they prepared for surgery. People in blue/green standing around monitoring tables, tubes, computers, breathing apparatuses, and the patient.

Yes, the patient. Lying on her back with half of her right face exposed. Exposed? Open. Open? I do not know what the technical term would be for a face half exposed on the operating table. They had made the incisions already, her face was exposed, and the tumor was sitting on the sterilized table completely separate from the patient. The tumor without its blood supply sat alone much like Wilson (in Castaway with Tom Hanks).

Dr. Gary stood near the patient and worked on completing the operation. They would remove a muscle tissue from the forehead/head area and place it where the recent tumor had been. Then they would close up the surgery, send her to recovery, and so the story continues.

The people in the OR were so kind to me and permitted me to stand on a stool and perch over the entire procedure much like the black birds do from a telephone wire. Many asked if I was faint. I just was silent. I didn't have much to say. I cried a bit, but for the most part remained speechless.

Bobo Can Walk Again

2010-04-20T00:46:00.000-07:00

A STORY WRITTEN ABOUT BOBO!

It’s off. It’s off. All gone. Both legs are now free. He can stand on his own and will be able to take his first steps very soon. With a bit more time, he will gain strength in his legs to take his very first steps without assistance from Laura Stonestreet (Orthopedic Coordinator from Boston) or Anama Latta (local day volunteer). As he practices his steps, holds on to patience, and with some faith he will soon be able to join his classmates in a spirited soccer game.

This is all possible through the many weeks we emphasized on having an Orthopedic practice on the ship. In February, the first Lome medical missions’ screening occurred at several locations, bringing in countless numbers of its country and neighboring countries residence to see a medical team. The highly skilled team saw hundreds of potential patients in one day, and had the hard task of choosing who would benefit from receiving medical care from medical team.

One day, Bobo, arrived on the Admissions dockside with the assistance of his aunt. He was one of the many that would be admitted into the hospital that day. As with many young boys, they are often dependent on their family members for virtually every need they have. However, Bobo’s dependency was much greater. He relied heavily on his aunt for the basic needs in life; food, clothing, and shelter, but also for a need much superior. Bobo, at one point could not walk independently. He needed his aunt to help him with every step he tried to take. He couldn’t do the typical everyday things boys like to do. He couldn’t run, skip, or even faire du foot.

As Bobo, our patient had an initial bumpy time in the ward, understandably so, since he had undergone a surgery that was so serious. Both of his legs were corrected from the orthopedic surgery he received as a patient on board. The medical team spent many a night awake with him as he experienced all the discomforts while being bed ridden post surgery. His aunt would force a smile through her worry and try to comfort her nephew while he tried to be brave. We knew that if they held on through the rough spot of recovery, they would surely enjoy the rest of time with us in the ward. He stayed with us in the ward for a while, and then went for the remainder of his recovery time at the Hospitality Center. Every so often he would return for his appointment to the dockside to be evaluated and receive therapy for his legs.

After several weeks, we found Bobo on a table in the orthopedic tent again. He probably already had undergone a half dozen follow up appointments. We found him with just his first leg cast removed. The orthopedic coordinator and orthopedic day volunteer had paused for a moment to arrange his leg for the optimal area to remove the second casting. In less than three minutes the final cast had been removed, and Bobo was finally cast free. His brown legs although weak, were perfectly straight. His body sat at a perfect L-shaped ninety degree angle upon the examination table.

The orthopedic team had not only been a witness but an integral part to the miraculous changes in Bobo’s life. The ortho team had already had several wonderful success stories of being able to correct the legs of so many, but even they stood back astonished by the amazing transformation. Bobo looked at his legs, wiggled his toes, and then looked up at us with the largest grin (he’s famous for that pearly white smile). He then continued the pattern of looking at his cast free legs, followed by wiggling his toes, and grinning all over again. Only to find all of our smiles, Bobo’s aunt, Laura, Anama Latta and I watching this momentous miracle unfold out of a plaster/fiberglass package. The most beautiful brown straight legs.

with Bobo

2010-04-19T16:58:00.001-07:00

April 19th, 2010
11:30pm in the Belly of this Whale…

It’s true. Last night Dulce and I stood outside of my cabin door and she confirmed that I indeed sleep inside the belly of the whale. The ship makes all these weird alarms and noises. Bells and whistles sound the alarm. The toilets flush every couple of seconds and swoosh through the guts of the ship. It’s very noisy down here. But at the same time, it’s also very quiet and calming.

Today was another busy day, and I woke up an hour before my 6am alarm clock went off. I had the opportunity to do some of the major parts that I love about my job. Being a photographer for a medical mission’s organization is never ending. There are always stories to cover on the ship, at the hospitality center, and just around Lome in general. There are countless tales to be shared with each of you and I am trying my best to get them out to you soon.

The communications team: Elaine, Lewis, Mehza, and I drove through the streets of Lome to visit a patient that soon will be joining the Max Fax portion of our surgeries. He was referred to us by a volunteer on the ship and we were in great anticipation to visit. He’s a young boy living in Lome. Today, we had the opportunity to be an invited guest into his home. His father richly greeted us, as did his mother and extended family. They have a very nice home with a convenient store situated to the left of the front entryway. When we got there, I found a milling machine that was converting corn. I instantly thought to myself this is the place, I can get some maza to make some homemade corn tortillas. Yum. (Oh the comforts of home!)

It was the comforts and the awareness of being in certain parts of Mexico that made me feel instantly at home. I did. The turquoise colored walls reminded me of many of the homes, I have visited in Mexico and Africa before. After we formally all introduced ourselves, the little boy walked in to join us. He was so shy that his family had to practically drag him in, but after a short time, Lewis got him to open up. While they were becoming friends, we got a tour of the mini compound.

One of the sisters lives there and runs the convenience shop. I photographed her in the store, and asked her more information about the store. She had been widowed with three children and had to earn a living. The store was the best option for her, and she has been running it successfully for over a year. When we parted, I mentioned to her that I have officially shaken the hand of a business woman in Lome, and she smiled like a Cheshire.

When I returned to our new patient, he was working out mathematical problems with Lewis on a notebook. They both delved into a world of arithmetic and it was quite a challenge to pull them away. So I simply participated from a distance by taking photographs of the almost instant connection. I wanted to capture the brain and soul behind the patient. Yes, he is ill, but he has a brilliant mind, and is eager to use it. He is in school learning a lot, and had taken the day off of school just to meet us. It was such an honor to be there, and to learn about such a fantastic family.

On our return back to the ship, I went into the orthopedic tent to visit Laura and kidnap her for lunch. And as I walked in, there he was, in a little blue tank top. Bobo. He was in complete torment. His first cast had come off, and the ortho team were about to saw off the right cast. Bobo saw me and called me forward and collapsed in my arms. He wanted me to hold him. It was perfect timing. Bobo is a patient we’re following, and I had no clue that he was going to have his casts removed.

He soon pushed me away and reminded me to continue the documentation of his story. Mind you he may be almost ten years old (maybe). He pointed to the photos on the wall that we had taken of him previously, and began to pose so that I could take another photo of him. So I did. He then quickly wanted to review the back for approval. This took his mind off of the pain and noise of the saw and Laura could continue.

In a matter of moments. The casts were off, and never to be placed again. I witnessed a true miracle. His ever so bent legs were virtually as straight as an arrow. Laura and the translator convinced him to take his first steps off of the examination bed and in a matter of moments he was standing. The tears had stopped, and he officially stood on his own.

Through the whole moment, he kept reminding me to click. He would point again to a photo on the wall, as a reminder for me to keep on documenting. Hahahah. It was such a triumphant moment. I had the opportunity to witness it. I truly did. The whole orthopedic process, and I am in awe.

with Bobo, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I looked around the orthopedic tent and the team had done a wonderful job of placing my photographs around the room. I didn’t know that they had done this. Everywhere. It makes the tent look nice and it gives comfort to the patients to see their photos on the wall, and know that others have gone through similar processes. But for me it was the greatest gallery exhibit, I have ever been a part of. My photos were strategically hung, not for the posh of NYC, or the cool cats of SF, but for the ever so precious orthopedic once bent leg patients of Lome.

Tears rolled down my eyes. Ever so grateful for the time I have been here. Ever so grateful to have been just an ever small part of this journey with the orthopedic team and Bobo and the countless others. Friday would have been the last week for orthopedic surgery, but since there are volcanoes in Europe erupting, we shall continue for one more week.

Children In The Ward

2010-04-18T17:50:00.001-07:00

Soaking His Casted Legs, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

April 18th, 2010
Midnight…from the belly of the whale

Tonight there are many topics going through my mind. Most of the time, the thoughts of the story come and are soon followed by the click of my shutter. The photograph is the mental note of the topic I would like to discuss later on, when there is time. However, there never seems to be enough time to go back and tell the story. Reminders replay in my mind to at least get the story of today out in post, but even that is a challenge because I’m living In the now, and don’t know when to stop and reflect. Maybe I’ll reflect when I’m at home again, resting on my temperpedic bed. My archive of photos will provide many memories and stories to which I can write about, but what do I want to share with you tonight? What are the updates I can’t wait to share with you?

My heart comes back to the patients that are sleeping now, just down the hall from me. Two little girls sleeping while their future is pending. Their daddy’s sit next to them, and make sure they are eating, and resting even if that means little to no rest for themselves. I’m not a doctor and can’t begin to go into the details of what sicknesses they have, perhaps down the road as I learn more, I’ll share with you too. Biopsies and cultures have been taken for the both of them, and we all wait and wonder what the results will be. Is it operable? Will God perform yet another miracle and heal these two little girls? Will the world pray for yet another one of our patients, only to have the answers so rapidly answered? He did it two weeks ago, He did it this weekend, and perhaps He will do it again tonight! The names aren’t important to share with you tonight. Just know that they are two of the most beautiful girls I have seen in a very long time, and have grown to know me not just as a photographer but as their friend. We have sung together. We have colored together, and I have cried when they cry.

Friends, around the world, please say a prayer for the both of them tonight. Wherever you are, just take a moment and pray for a miracle for the both of them.

Goodnight dear friends!

Lovelace

2010-04-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

Our dear Lovelace sits on her bed as her father feeds her breakfast. A year ago the tumors on little Lovelaces face started to grow out of her chin and head. Her loving father, Michael searched for doctors in Ghana to assist his four-year old baby girl, but to no avail. The local doctors were not able to assist Lovelace, but directed them to the miracle ship of The Africa Mercy. After a long journey from Ghana to Togo, they are now on board the ship awaiting the biopsy results. Michael and Lovelace wait patiently, while the volunteer medical team on Mercy Ships cares for them. It has been a few days since their arrival, and we are all praying for a miracle.

Praise Celebration

2010-04-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Patients, Caretakers, Nurses, and Day Volunteers gathered around the conga drums today at 10am to start the day with an African praise dance.

Even patients in bed, still managed to not only place a smile on their face but to clap joyously as they sang. Even the Lego building blocks became musical instruments for our young orthopaedic patients. The music was so contagious that patients and volunteers from the near by wards started to come in, until it grew to a ward festivity of the finest.

We sang a praise song over and over again:

Je chanterais de tout coeur,

les merveilles de mon papa Javel,

Il m'a ote des tenebnes,

il m la libere de tout peche

Mon papa est gidele

il ne m'abandone jamais

Je n'ai plus rilm a craindre, car Javeh m'a libere'

Je suis dans la jars,

une joie l'mmense

je suis dans p'emotum

car Javeh m'a libere

(not sure if I spelled it correctly)

In English:

My father is faithful,

he will not abondon me

I'm in joy, an immense joy,

I'm in emotion because God gives me freedom.

I will sing with all my heart

the goodness of my father yaweh

He has saved me from the darkness

He has saved me from my sins

Shining As Stars

2010-04-08T18:39:00.001-07:00

DSC_9353 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

April 9th, 2010
Lome, Togo, West Africa
In the belly of the whale

Shining as Stars Phil 2:
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

The verse was part of my devotion tonight, in fact all of this chapter was a part of my manna which to feast upon. It has been almost impossible to see stars in Lome. Primarily due to the lights around the port at night that shine brighter than the stars. If one squints at the lights on the neighboring ships that are docked they give an essence of cosmic lights twinkling throughout the night, but it still doesn’t compare to the splendor of a true star.

Earlier this evening, I sat with at a table with friends and a stranger joined us. He began to tell of his adventures and experiences around the world. Out of all the countries he has been in the last half year, Cambodia was his favorite. When he further explained the reasons, it wasn’t because of the architecture, the food, or the culture. The garbage, pollution, and corruption were also rampant, but that did not deter him from appreciating the country. He was moved by the one percent of the Christian population that are willing to loose a home and the respect of their loved ones and community to simply have an agenda in church of prayer. Just prayer. Strike the the JUST, keep the PRAYER.

I’m sitting in this belly of the whale, and I am analyzing the extent of my journey so far. Do I want to go home? No. But my heart is traveling even deeper this time. God in His compassionate way has placed a mirror before me to examine the condition of this old wine skin. Do I resemble anything of my Abba? Could a stranger see the resemblance? Those that know Him, could they see Him in me? Or am I so dense like the night air in the port that it prevents me from shining like one of His stars?

I haved loved greatly on this ship. I have loved to the point where I thought I couldn’t have room for any more love, and then sure enough, around the corner, down the ward, in my office, at the Starbucks, there is room for more love. And in everything there has been…Heart. Coversation. Intercession. Forgiveness. Grace. A start over.

I have also been greatly frustrated. I have grumbled to the point where I thought this was the most I could stand. And sure enough around the corner, by the stairs, near the dining hall, on the other side of Starbucks, there was more frustration. Less heart. Silence. Curses. Grudges. Stubborness.

This week I have been dealing with the internal me. Rexamining. Cleaning. Receiving forgiveness anew. Healing. Trying to go to those deep spots, to just let go. I am not so concerned about the others now. May He begin a new work in me now. Daily. Again. A do over.

Do I practice this text? If the patients on the ward saw this text, would they compare it to me, the crew, to us? Or would they find other words to describe? How do we hold out the word of life to the people of Lome? How do we hold out the word of life to one another that represent dozens of countries around this globe? How do we do everything without complaining and grumbling?

And immediately, my eyes scroll up to the first portion of this chapter:

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Easter Festivites

2010-04-04T16:53:00.001-07:00

DSC_3677 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

April 4th, 2010 11:16pm
Reporting to you from my cabin aka The Belly of The Whale

Easter Sunday. He is risen. We are celebrating Him throughout the world today. We in Lome have been celebrating the Resurrection all day long, in grand ways and in minor ways, but a celebration none the less.

I woke up this morning and went to church in the International Lounge of the ship. Since I would be in Africa on Easter, I packed a special dress, and wore it this morning, along with my grandmothers’ silver & turquoise praying hands necklace to match. Thoughts of my grandmother fluttered in and out of my mind today. Today was the first day that homesickness was so prevalent in my day, and couldn’t do much to quench the desire to jump in bed with my grandmother this morning.

The worship service was delightful, and the choir was amazing. Louie Gohmerts message was so very incredible indeed. It may have been one of my favorite messages on this trip thus far. It was a message that was so well suited for each of us on the ship that have been volunteering day and night on this ship.

Surprise. Surprise. We were all blessed by a special brunch too. We had it all. French toast, scrambled eggs, country potatoes, sausage patties, eggs Benedict, berry sauce, lox, oj, aj, cross buns, croissants, and a fruit display that would put the four seasons to shame. What a spectacular meal which I thoroughly enjoyed with some of the greatest gals on this planet.

This soon led to a nap. The gals woke me up from my nap with a ring that it was time to head to the beach and have some fun. Off to Crystal Plage we roamed. Seven of us…ready to play in the sun, sand, and ocean. Ruth (Germany) and I went in for a dip, and whoosh I lost my sunglasses (sigh). Who cares truly! We were having fun in the sun.

We came back to our grass umbrella and had brought a guitar with us. The seven voices sang to Jesus with all our being and it was one of the most incredible worship sessions I have ever been a part of. There we were in the middle of Lome, underneath a straw umbrella singing our hearts to our Savior. We sang some songs that stirred up such miraculous moments. We sang the first worship song I have ever heard (Lord I Lift Your Name on High) and I recall being 13 and driving down the mountain from Hume Lake. We sang (Nothing Compares to the Promise I have in You) and I recalled a time in HS when a group of us gathered at midnight in Capitola and sung out towards the waves. (When The Music Fades) when Bea Gonzalez came up and hugged me in Mexicali and just cried/prayed over me. Immediately, the filth and junk of my sinful rebellion washed away in the tears we shed that night. And a song that I hear now (How Great Is Our God) that moves me to tears every time I hear it that I still can’t sing the chorus.

For a brief moment, I forgot my location and senses. I sang my heart out to Him to merely compete with the continual roar of the ocean towards its creator. I wanted to outdo the ocean and give Him my all. In thanks for repeatedly ransoming me from the snare of death and hell. For washing me clean of my sins and transgressions. For dying on a cross for me, and for filling me with his Holy Spirit.

I think we all forgot where we were for a moment. I then shared a text with the group. This verse has so carefully been laid across my mind repeatedly as I have been in ministry on this ship, and I will share it with you now.

2 Corinthians 4 (The Message)
Trial and Torture
1-2Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we're not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
3-4If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.
5-6Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.
7-12If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best!
13-15We're not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, "I believed it, so I said it," we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!
16-18So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

Truly, truly a Lizzy sermon didn’t have to follow this text. It’s right there for us to see and hear. We ended the hours by praying for a dear friend of mine that will be heading home in a couple of weeks, and quickly jumped into the Mercy Ship car to head back to the ship and enjoy a scrumptious dinner. Fish & Chips! (MS tradition).

Tonight the former VP of the Republic of Congo was present and shared a tremendous message. He has recently come on the board for MS and shared a testimony unlike any other. It was an excellent ending to a very incredible day.

Goodnight dear friends all over the world.

PRESIDENT FAURE ESSOZIMMA GNASSINEGBE VISITS THE AFRICA MERCY

2010-04-03T17:46:00.001-07:00

PRESIDENT FAURE ESSOZIMMA GNASSINEGBE VISITS THE AFRICA MERCY, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

March 3rd, 2010 – Saturday at 11:35pm
Location: mid bunk in the belly of the whale

Saturday, a night that ends one of the busiest weeks I have had on this ship. Am I still loving it? Yes. Am I ready to go home? No. Does every day get better than the day before? Absolutely.

Africa has always been so wonderful to me. Africa suits me. I am not sure why it does or how it does, but it just does. I feel at home walking down the streets. The only challenge I have had on this journey is not knowing enough French. I butcher the language when I try to create a sentence. More often times than not, I throw in an occasional Spanish word in there too. I can understand it quite well, but it’s difficult for me to produce the sequence of phrases. Ideally, there would have been a chance that I could have driven in Lome too, but I do not know how to drive a standard transmission. My Honda back home is an automatic, and I desperately, miss jumping in my car and going for a drive.

Today was Jen Niño’s birthday. Dulce and I began the celebration last night by singing to her all the birthday songs we could think of and giving her a big strong hug. In the morning we headed out to Crystal Plage. We chatted and chatted some more. As the afternoon sun sent us to sleep we made the mistake of accepting the invitation and sleeping ourselves into a mild sunburn. Ouchies. But I am definitely a tanned girl now.

This day was a mild one, since most folks are traveling during this holiday weekend. Many friends went to Benin and/or Ghana for the Easter festivities. A group of us are heading out somewhere next weekend, but we just haven’t quite figured out the plans just yet.

When we came back from the beach and Jen introduced me to a good work out down in the gym. It kicked my butt, but it did feel really good afterwards. What a sweaty mess I have been in Lome. From the natural humid air to the kick butt work outs. After the workout, we got ready to head out to a local Lebanese spot. They make some of the most delicious hummus known to man, and the taboulih is so yummy. I had the beignet de crevettes for dinner, it really was an appetizer, but after all the other appetizers it was a delicious treat.

There are so many cool people on the ship and unfortunately many are soon heading home. Rachel will be heading out next week. Gwen will be heading out the week after. And many more soon after that will head home too. Sigh. We have all become such quick friends and we are now all quickly departing. That’s the sad part of Africa truly. But the memories, laughs, and conversations have shaped me anew. I’m thankful for their arrivals and gifts of friendship. It’s truly been a treasure.

This week was one of the busiest for our team. Our final stories were due at the IOC. The founders of MS arrived, and within 24 hours of notification the President of Togo would arrive on the ship. Busy? That is an understatement.

The day before the presidents’ arrival I followed the founders and special guest from the House of Representatives and in the middle of the photography time my flash burned out while documenting the anasthetic conference. Yikes. It’s the only one I had. So a dear friend of mine, writer, Joy, offered me her flash, and I’m so thankful. The IOC is mailing me soon. Otherwise, I would not have been able to photograph the President the next day.

The night before the arrival we changed up the International Lounge a bit, and the images were simply outstanding of the President and everyone that had been invited to speak. We make a good team. Polished in the final outcome. The paparazzi had arrived moments before the presidents’ arrival, and tried to shove me out of the way. I said to myself ‘I’m a big girl, and God made me like this for a reason’ so I got in front of the crowd and pretty much became lead photographer, snapping away in front of the other media/paparrzi. I leaned on the President’s armed guards arms and snapped snapped snapped away. Got some great shots of him too. I have never photographed a president before; I also photographed a member from the US House of Representatives, US Ambassador, Prime Minster to Togo, and quite a few others.

The next day we went out to photograph a continuation of a patient’s story, and stopped to pick up a newspaper. I’m in the photograph! I kept the copy. It’s so cool.

The days have been one event after the next this whole week. I have taken several photos. It’s been good. But today was a day to rest on the sandy beach of Lome.

I sat on the chaise and began to think about my relationship with Jesus and how Easter was always an important season in my life. How God so gently revealed Himself to me as a little girl, then as a teenager, and then as an adult, and then when I was a grown woman. Many times it was through a song, painting, poem, prayer. As a child it was in the Portuguese mass as His statue, hung on a cross, looked down at me. At 8, when the camp teacher taught me a song to Romans 8:38-39. When He blessed me with the gifts of tongues at 13, because the English prayers were not sufficient enough, and when he met me in the waters to baptize me and give me a new life. How tomorrow we will honor Him all over the world for 24 hours. We will honor his Resurrection! He is Risen! He has conquered death and the grave! He is Risen indeed.

Happy Easter dear friends!

DSCN0997 copy

2010-03-30T17:45:00.001-07:00

DSCN0997 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

March 30th, 2010
Midnight (really march 31st)

This was almost a full complete day without being in the ward area since I have been in Lome. But we did take a tour of the entire facility for the arrival of our special guest tomorrow. I didn’t go into any of the actual wards though, and tonight I sit in my bed and feel a bit guilty. Tomorrow is going o be a potentially long day, and at the end of the day, I will have the opportunity to see the patients anew. I will be doing the pre-op photos.

Tomorrow, we may have our usual 5 minute morning meeting. Then we will prepare for the arrival of the President of Togo. He should arrive sometime mid-morning. I got to move some items around in the International Lounge and I got so many flashbacks of the late nights we’d spent decorating Vintage Faith. We could re-purpose anything around that church and make it look so very cool and new again. We basically moved a few of the flags and instruments around and made it all look a bit brighter. But I wish we could give it a Vintage Faith like overhaul.

We did this after I spent the whole day, sweating in the ever intense humid heat of Lome. I went to the anesthetic conference at a nearby hospital and nearly fainted from the heat. The room had over 90 people in it and we heard the different lecturers explain the importance of anesthetics in Lome. I followed Dr. Keith around and was able to even photograph some of the workshops.

Then I came back to the ship to have a protocol meeting/tour of the President’s arrival tomorrow. At first I thought it was a prep incase he decided to arrive, but actually he confirmed his arrival. Which lead to the rearranging of space in the International Lounge. I will hopefully be able to photograph the President and the key political leaders that are invited to view the ship. Yahoo! I’ll write sometime tomorrow on how that portion of the day goes.

Tonight, I’m sitting in my cabin, in the belly of this whale, ready for bed! Thankful for a great busy day. Doing what I feel I was always created to do. Loving friends, and receiving the love back. Giggling all the way to the mango smoothie night galley. Taking photographs of life changing moments. I saw West African medical students learn how to care for the breathing/passage way of a new born, and their eagerness to learn was impressive. It made me want to go back to school. I spoke with several new friends throughout this evening, and heard all the fun/frustrating details of their day, and had a chance to share mine too.

Tomorrow holds for it even greater adventures. Tonight…there is sleep.

GOING HOME

2010-03-29T16:11:00.001-07:00

TGD0310_ADMISSDOCK_LC8, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

March 29th, 2010
10:15pm

There are truly no words for what has taken place on the ship today. This was a day to listen and to embrace physically my dear friends who lost a patient. So many looked after her and so many prayed for her around the world. However, our Lord and His infinite mercy took her home today. Please keep everyone on this ship in your prayers and please keep the family that just lost their baby girl too.

Farouck went home today too. His home is in Benin the neighboring country. The page came through today at 9:15am that Farouck’s last appointment would be today. A lump in my throat appeared which must have really been ample of tears because they started to squirt, through my throat and out through my tear gear glands near my eyes. The tears arrived on my cheeks before my feet took this wannabe brave soul to the outpatient clinic. Knowing that this day would come (three weeks later), would seemingly be a benefit in preparing for his departure, but nothing really worked. The friendly voice on the other end sounded the loudest gong in my heart. “He’s going home today!”

As I entered the outpatient clinic, Farouck and Nacimento were waiting for me. I quickly gave them both a hug and a kiss and heard the latest report from them. All is well. His wound has completely healed. He is free to go home. We stayed for a few moments, took some goodbye photos, and left to walk the ward corridor out unto the gangway. Along the way, he waved to all of the friends he made during his visit here. Heddy gave him a big hug. Ali gave him a cool and breezy handshake. Linda hugged him again, and then again at the other end of the ward. The translators beg for a photo opportunity. Clementine gave her last well wished words. Farouck asked me for all the nurses he could think of and even wrote a few of them a goodbye note. Everyone around him was so happy. Truly. Myself included.

Out on the gangway we went and out onto the dockside admissions tent area. We sat for the last time and conversed. Farouck entertained the whole crowd while taking photos with my camera. Then there was the voice of the town crier (Hospitality Center chauffer). The shuttle had pulled into its reverse location, near the yellow stairs, and called out a few unrecognizable names. The chauffer turned to me and grabbed my hand and apologized, and at first I didn't know why he was apologizing until he proclaimed to the people of the admissions tent... IT IS TIME!...FAROUCK! FAROUCK! The chauffer was preparing me for the departure too.

Farrouck turned to me and waved goodbye. Hugged me, and got a bit shy. So I immediately, started to joke with him and take photos of him to try to lighten up the mood.

Nacimento (Farouck’s mom) was the last to get into the car as Farouck rode in the front seat. She turned to me and looked me straight in the eyes and said THANK YOU EH! THANK YOU! She hugged me and kissed me and started to cry. Well the water works just came pouring down my cheeks.

My apologies for not writing about this brilliant kid sooner, but I was too busy hanging out with him. The photos will soon follow to explain in detail the unique brilliance this boy has.

They drove off down the dock and out into the port of Lome. I thought to myself, I may never see him graduate, or in his career(s) (he could never decide), or even attend his wedding. I was the Spanish photographer chic, who visited him everyday “A Las Nueve,” and made his time here with us a little bit more comfortable. Who after just one photo shoot with my camera, has a natural ability to take photographs, and will have a chance at a normal life or abnormal if he so chooses. I’m hoping for the later…who would ever want to be normal?

I just had a brief moment (3 weeks) with one of the coolest kids God ever made.

I walked up the gangway, in tears. Went into my office and had a good cry. Blew my nose, and began to chat with a good friend, Lewis. When all of a sudden the over head speaker paged with a medical crew emergency...moments later, one of my closest friends came by to tell me what had happened. Someone else went home today. Not to Benin, but to Jesus.

If the ship is a little higher today, it’s not because of the tide. My guess the ship is a bit higher from some of the tears heard around Le Bateau spilt into the ocean.

Goodnight from Lome to all my dear friends all over the world.
Goodnight Farouck. Hasta Manana a Las Nueve!!!
Goodnight little princess.
May you rest in His everlasting arms. No more pain. No more suffering. No more tears.

Celebration Fridays

2010-03-26T18:23:00.001-07:00

DSC_9517 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

March 26th, 2010
Past midnight so it’s really the 27th

I forgot to mention of my highlights yesterday. My little patient friend Farouck gave me one of the most special gifts ever. He gave me two apples and some grapes, wrapped in purple tissue paper and a black plastic bag. His mom mentioned it to him, but was too embarrassed to show it to me once he was asked. Mehza my translator discovered it, and he was upset that it was revealed because he is so shy about offering gifts. I took it whole heartedly and honestly it was an answer to prayer. Since I never wake up early enough to eat breakfast, mostly due to the fact that it’s a carb overload on the ship. Cereal and bread. There is hardly ever any fruit. Earlier in the morning as I was getting dressed and looking in the mirror, I prayed for fruit for breakfast. Seriously it was the first time, and just an hour later I had a bag of fruit for my delight. But the true reason I was so touched, is because fruit is truly expensive in West Africa. I asked Mehza how much was my bag of fruit approximately, and she replied almost $2. Farouck’s family gave me a very substantial gift. That fruit basket could have been a whole day or more of wages for Farouck’s father. It made me cry. He’s adorned my arm with bracelets but such a pricey answer to prayer, I will never forget. Ever. Two apples and a handful of grapes. Delicious.

But do you want to hear about my highlight today? Well actually there were several. I did do my quick photo rounds around the ward. I said hi to everyone I could and said hello to the new kids that were recently admitted. One of the kids was in total tears and some crazy guest videographers were around videoing the kid (naked & crying). We asked them to stop and they did for awhile, but we couldn’t get this poor kid to stop crying. His orthopedic surgery was recent and he just had casts placed on his legs and the whole thing was just so new for him. So I ran over and let him take some pictures with my camera. Instant tear stop. I heard Laura (PA) say. We can give this kid pain medication or a dose of Liz Cantu! Wow. Really. So great. Camera therapy can be added to sticker, bubble, coloring book therapy too.

We took the hospitality coordinator and patients to the hospitality center. One of our writers Joy had a meeting with one of the families from the infant feeding program and we were on our way. Farouck in front and the rest of the gang in the back! Off we go through the city of Lome, listening to the most up to date dance music we could find on the radio.

We arrived at the hospitality center and all my patient friends were there. I saw Bobo, and Akousiwa, and well the names could go on and on. But I also got to see a bit of what our eye team does. They see hundreds of patients a day and part of the hospitality center is dedicated to their offices and eye screenings. We walked in at an amazing time. People who were not able to see on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday could now see on Friday. The blind shall see! Hallelujah!

Every Friday around 10am they have a dance festival in honor of such a wonderful miracle. Did I say dance? How about boisterous, jubilant, rattling, thumping, dance stomp of the year! The entire crowd (60approx) got together and started to dance to the most beautiful worship music I have ever heard. We got in the circle and just started to dance, dance, and dance. I pulled out for a bit to take some photos, when a grandmother who recently had cataract surgery grabbed me and we started to dance. And the right after that Farouck’s mom came near me and we started to dance too. It was so so fabulous. Some of the gals that were there had casts so I went up to them and grabbed their hands and started to dance with them while they were sitting in benches. It was such a joyous day.

Folks from the PR team and Marketing team back at the IOC were there too. I got some photos of them dancing away too. Anyone who was there today had a kid playing with them. Laughing and dancing as never before. Oh and Libertad (sp?). She clung her little casted legs around me all day. She kissed my cheeks and we made growly noises to one another. It was such a blast!

If you haven’t been over to the Hospitality Center on Friday mornings…you’ve got to! It’s the hip happening spot in Lome!

Luke 10:30-32Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
33-35"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, and ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'
36"What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"
37"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

March 25, 2010

2010-03-25T17:24:00.001-07:00

DSC_9919 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

March 25th, 2010
In my cabin…top bunk…11:30pm

This is my third consecutive evening writing. Perhaps the season of not blogging has come to an end. Still I sit here divided of what subject matters to write. Do I write about the great bbq we had dockside or do I write about the wonderful patients I met in our hospital ward? My heart beats and leaps for both and will try to write the day’s events as best possible.

Today at approximately 9am I began my photographic rounds by strapping on my camera and heading down the blue stairs towards ward B. The high school gals are following some of our lead nurses as career training week continues. Instantly, the two high school girls had their scrubs, latex gloves, and bubbles at hand. The scrubs = part of the uniform, The Latex gloves = to stay clean, The bubbles = patient pain mgmt (kids love bubbles). What more could they need?

Of course, when I am down on the ward, every nook and cranny I find a great photo opportunity, but I am not overzealous photographer. In fact, I take my time looking for that special photograph(s) of the day. We certainly found them today. Kids playing everywhere and nurses loving every patient as much as possible. (Photos will be posted down the road).

I then continued on to ward A, and visited and photographed any follow ups to the patient stories we are currently covering. It just takes a few moments to walk in and say hello, and in a few more minutes, we’re friends.

Went over to see Farouck too. He’s such a brave lil fella. He’s undergone so many surgeries and still is such a champ. He requested that I take photos of him with the outpatient crew and so we snapped a couple. What fun.

The admissions tent was rather lively today. Lots of patients dockside. I tried to go by and say hello to each and every one of them. Mehza, our translator helped say hello to many people in both French and Ewe. The people are incredible. The bored faces of the people suddenly turn into smiles as I confess to them all my funny/bizarre life stories. I do my best to entertain them while I am out there. Primarily so that they would feel comfortable with me as I begin to photograph their journey while with us on the ship.

The more important reason is that there isn’t much to do on dockside. They sit under a canopy and wait to be called to the various rooms to be seen by a doctor, nurse, optometrist, dentist, physical therapist, speech therapist, etc. But it’s also the very life vein of the ship. Since everyone first goes to the dock to register their arrival, it’s also the spot to meet every person imaginable. We have the orthopedic, max fax, cleft lip, infant feeding program, dental, and eye folks waiting. Sometimes there are significantly more West Africans than others but today we had a moderate crowd. At one given time, there must have been at least 50 patients in the outside/dockside “waiting room.” As I mentioned before, there isn’t much to do out there but wait. They have water and are given a slice a bread with butter while waiting, but it tends to get a bit hot out there. The kids don’t have any toys, bubbles, or stickers to play with so they usually take naps on their mommies or on the bench. I always think it would be great to have a drama/puppet/or clown show for everyone out there, but I come from the old missionary YWAM thought. Either way, I find ways of making the crowd laugh, and can take some fun photos along the way. It would be wonderful if we could set up some type of ministry just to entertain the waiting area on our dock. They West Africans would enjoy it tremendously.

I go around following all the other patients and run into so many of the patients I first met. All of which are on some part of the healing journey. We have already begun to see some amazing transformations, and it blesses my heart to have taken a small part in that healing.

It should bless you my friends, since you have taken a part in their healing too. We are all part of one body and just because you aren’t here on the ship, or you aren’t a doctor, that doesn’t mean that we didn’t all have a part in these success stories. I get tons of emails and facebook messages from you and it such a blessing. I covet your prayers daily. Without prayer this ship would surely sink!

The rest of the afternoon was a mellow one. I spent some time in the office and then we were interrupted by a fire drill which pretty much concluded the end of the day. It was the bday of the ship and we celebrated by having a giant bbq out on the dock tonight. The weather was perfect and we all had such a wonderful time. I have made some really wonderful friends while being here. I am so thankful for them, and the life stories we’ve shared together. We had a chance to catch up on our day during the bbq too.

After the bbq, I went back into the ward and began a special relationship with our newly admitted patients. I take a translator and introduce myself. “My name is Elizabeth; I am a photographer on the ship. It is so very nice to meet you. I hope everything is going well for you as you are getting use to the ward. The doctors have asked me to photograph you before and after your operation for the medical files. If this is a good time for you, would you like to come with me to our studio?” I say that phrase every other night to about eight patients. Sometimes I smile from ear to ear. Other times I want to cry and try to conceal a tear that is coming out of the corner of my eye.

This is the first time I have written about this part of my job, because it’s such a sensitive portion of it. But it’s also my favorite part. I get to be in a studio, on a white sheet, with some of the most precious people you’ll ever meet. They hike up their hospital gowns, or open their mouth, or tilt their timorous head, to expose what has made them feel so very bad for so very long. They expose the bones that prevent them from walking, going to school, or playing soccer. They show me the smelly, open, puss filled facial tumors that have caused their spouses to walk out on them. They show me everything in that makeshift studio, and I do my job. I photograph. I get the image. But I get the pain too. Sometimes their very little faces will not even look at me in the camera. Sometimes, they apologize six times for the foul odor that trails them. And each time, I reassure them, that they are beautiful. God has made each of us, and we are all beautiful. I have had a few patients cry after I have spoken those words to them. One translator once told me, that it was the first time anyone had ever told them that they were beautiful. (tears) I escort them back to their rooms, say goodbye, and remind them that today they made a new friend, and her name is Elizabeth. I introduce myself as ChaChiTa to the kids since that is my family nickname. They get a big kick out of that.

A few of the other patients are in the beds nearby. They call out my name (Smiles, Elizabeth, ChaChiTa, yovo) doesn’t make a difference to me, and they’re ready for me to visit. So I go by each of the beds and play with them for a bit, teach them Spanish, and pray for them. It’s the best time of my day. The best time of my life truly.

I taught a little boy, Roger who only speaks EWE to use my camera while sitting in bed recovering from surgery. He photographed his father, the hospital director, and me as his first photographic subjects. He’s a talented kid. As I said goodbye I taught him “Hasta Manana” and he repeated it…”hasta manana”
When suddenly the little 5 year old boy next to us said the exact same words with a really good Spanish accent. So I taught him hola…Buenos dias…adios…hasta manana…todo bien…and he just kept repeating them over and over again.

I could go on and on and on of all the really cool things that take place on this ship. But its past midnight now and I must get some rest, only God knows what adventures wait for us tomorrow.

NAIL POLISH

2010-03-24T17:33:00.001-07:00

NAIL POLISH , originally uploaded by Photo2217.

March 24th, 2010 at 11:30pm
Port of Lome, Togo
The Africa Mercy

I wrote that I would write today and indeed I shall. There is so much to catch up, but I will attempt to talk about the everyday of today while I am in Lome. The everyday here is like none other I have experienced thus far in my life, and am thankful for each second I have. The mission is almost at a halfway point and I’m digging my heels in deeper not yet quite prepared to head home. At times when I’m in the ward and an unconditional hug squeezes me, and I think I am home. Perhaps home for just a moment, for one glorious moment.

The day started off with our recently new morning meeting. Our communications team made up of two writers, Joy and Elaine, two photographers Debra and I, and a representative from the PR dept Lewis. Occasionally our translators Mehza and Pelagie will join us. We just started these morning meetings and so far they seem to be rather informative and helpful so we all know what we are doing throughout the day and what we have left to do. More than anything it forces all of us to be up bright and early in the morning and in our office.

I have to be honest the whole time during the meeting, I kept thinking about the patients that have become my friends. Many were returning from the Hospitality Center and were going to be seen by one of the doctors on the ship for various reasons. They were about to arrive on the dock at any moment. The Hospitality Center is a dormitory style location off the ship for all of our patients that are well enough to be discharged, but live far away and normally could not return to see a doctor for follow-ups. Many of the patients I saw at the first screening day are now preparing to leave the Hospitality Center and head for home. There are coming for their last bandage removals now and the doctors have given many of them a clean bill of health.

The irony of it all struck me today, as I processed photographs that were over a month old. For example, I am barely editing photos from the first screening days back in February. The faces that a month ago were good photography subjects have become my friends. I have been nicknamed in Ewe (local Togo language) “smiles” Because every time I visit the ward, admissions tent, or hospitality center they always see me smiling. Some of the teenage gals (aka Double Trouble) mimic my smile and wave. They also open their arms wide and ask for a hug. I slide the camera from being in front of me, to the back, so I can hug them diliberately, and talk with them for awhile. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day.

And looking at these photographs tonight, from screening days that took place a month ago and knowing that most of the people in these photos have already undergone a life transforming operation. And the operation not only transforms the patient physically, but it transforms them emotionally and spiritually too. And it also changes the entire family around them too.

The faces that first appeared on the opposite side of my lenses a month ago, now reside in the very deepest parts of my heart. I don’t need a photograph to remember them anymore.

II Corinthians 3:3
You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you.
Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.

As I post the photographs, I will share with you tons of the life changing transformations I have already encountered.

More details to come!

Bonne nuit chers amis!

Would Write But Now It's Time To Sleep

2010-03-24T01:27:00.001-07:00

DSC_0261 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

March 23, 2010

I’m not sure how long it’s been since I have written, but I know it has been a really long time. I promised myself that I would write everyday and have failed miserably. I am content knowing that I have photographed almost everything that I want to remember, and will be able to share it with everyone down the road, but I have been so busy just doing the day duties around the ship that I haven’t had a time to actually sit and write. Even now, I so desperately want to write after being encouraged by a good friend to do so, and cannot continue because it is almost 1am and my bunk mate is fast asleep below me. It would be inconsiderate to continue to write, and shall attempt anew tomorrow. Blessings to everyone and goodnight!

Shannon Hickey & Farouck

2010-03-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

Shannon Hickey & Farouck, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

She, Shannon launched for him around the field. Fast. Scurried. Strategic. Over cars, benches, and dusty dirt. As she ran, her purple converse covered every square foot possible. He would only run faster, laugh, and plot another sneaky get away from her grasp, but to no avail. He was caught in her grip of fingerling tickles. Tickle after tickle. Laughter into gasps. Even as the dust had settled from the chase, the tickles and laughter continued. And the giggles continue even to this day.

The Day I Met Said

2010-03-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

DSC_4283 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Months later I am sitting in my home office editing photos of Said. Said is a child that crossed my path in the spring and had been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy previously. He’s the first person I know with this condition, and at this point am clueless of the common symptoms and limitations someone with Cerebral Palsy may have. I smiled in our greeting and he returned the grin. He sat on the hospital bed with his mom Charlotte and was trying to adjust to his new living situation and the at first seemingly strange life in the ward.

And as I introduce myself in the ward the talk during the rounds is coming our way. I can hear the medical team going over his condition and I hear the words Cerebral Palsy, and then the conversation and contemplations of the medical team deciding whether or not orthopedic surgery will indeed make a difference. They look at the calluses on his knees and recheck his legs and know that he has spent his whole life crawling. The surgeons look at his ankles and legs and believe with a few simple incisions and after months of physical therapy he might be able to walk. The incisions will open up the ligaments and stretch his feet and may hopefully help him balance and become a bit more independent. So after sometime it was agreed by the medical team that they indeed believe that something could be done for Said. The next day he will go into surgery and his recovery/healing will soon begin.

Said, Charlotte and myself went into the make shift photo studio. We placed Said in a chair and moved the chair about to get the different angles we needed for the medical photos that we would place in his chart. Each click of the camera placed a bit of love for him in my heart. Permanently.

When I photographed him for the medical charts, I truly saw a little boy with the most captivating smile. Bright eyes and gorgeous dimples haloed him. He had the kind of smile that most politicians and media personalities spend years trying to earnestly capture a similar beam. His is fully genuine and non-coerced.

US AMBASSADOR TO TOGO VISITS

2010-03-08T15:26:00.001-08:00

US AMBASSADOR TO TOGO VISITS, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Our US Ambassador visited the ship a few days ago. It was a small visit but she had the opportunity to visit the entire ship, and I had the opportunity to follow her and the members of her office. Madame Ambassador Patricia McMahon-Hawkins arrived in the afternoon and was welcomed by the captain of the Africa Mercy and soon by the rest of our executive staff. As our ambassador and her colleagues entered the International Café, they were greeted by even more of the wonderful folks that keep this ship running. Madame Ambassador was so surprised to see a Starbucks in Togo, (that serves real Starbucks from a real Starbucks machine) she soon was able to sample her espresso beverage in the International Lounge. While sipping coffee our executive staff had an opportunity to share with her the history along with the future goals of Mercy Ships and our ambassador was quick to respond with a note of admiration for all the wonderful woke Mercy Ships is doing in Togo. The tour continued on to the bridge, where the captain gave a brief description of all that ship is capable of doing, while looking out of the amazing panoramic view of Lome. I had never been to the bridge until that day and I was so impressed. It’s amazing. The US Ambassador continued to tour the other decks which included the academy, the OR, the CT scan room, and the wards. The US Ambassador and her office were even kind enough to take a photo with the Mercy Ships staff too. Before the scheduled luncheon, Madame Ambassador and the members of her office took time in every area of the Africa Mercy to really witness all that we have to offer the local people of Togo. It was quite a day.

HIV in West Africa

2010-03-05T23:46:00.000-08:00

DSC_0675 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I’m fortunate enough to temporarily be in Lome which has about 28 miles of sandy beach. In order to go to the market, restaurants, pharmacies’, or any other spot in Lome we must first exit the port alongside Plage (Beach) Road. Along Plage Road there are bulletin boards randomly placed which are advertisements regarding HIV. Some are notices about staying abstinent (the alternate choice), others are about getting tested (if you really love your soul mate), others are safe sexual practice options that are quite graphic and illustrative (they would never be permitted to display along US HWY’s). However, I don’t think I have ever seen posters displayed in a café until the other day. Although this wasn’t in a typical café, it was a café centrally located between several national ministries of health buildings. It’s the first poster I have seen in Lome that could illustrate HIV and the various ways one could contract this disease so straightforward.

But HIV has to be approached straightforwardly. Actually, HIV has to be approached straightforwardly, from behind, from the side, from underneath, from the top, from any direction as long as it is approached.

Many groups in Lome are trying to bring awareness to HIV. It is evident everywhere, from road side billboards, national commercials on TV, and even café posters. There are locations through out the city where one can go and get tested for 300CFA ($0.60US) and ARV’s can be made available at no cost too.

But people are still getting HIV. There are still people that have never been tested, and do not even know that they may have HIV.

We are already seeing it on the ship during the medical screening/admissions process. Some of the potential patients that arrive on dockside are here to have tumors, growths, cataracts, or bone issues to be evaluated for surgery or outpatient care. While they receive a physical they also do the typical blood work exams too, which includes testing for HIV. There are several patients throughout the week that soon are counseled and advised of the blood test results that have retuned positive for the disease.

I have met many locals here in Lome, and while they are waiting for their physicals, I have gotten to know them. You get to know the locals pretty quickly when you spend time taking their portraits. They go from becoming faces, to strangers, to photography subject matters, to stories, to giggling alongside them, to being vulnerable before them just to make them giggle too, to being vested by their soulful confessions, to sympathizing, to empathizing, to interceding with groans of prayer. It’s a quick process. Folks from Africa will either like you or dislike you quickly and will not hesitate in demonstrating their opinion. I’m blessed to report that many have expressed a positive reaction to me in Lome.

I could go on further and state statistics, averages, and percentages of how well certain local/global programs or organizations have done to reduce HIV in their particular focused fight for HIV prevention/awareness (there are thousands out there). All the efforts are wonderful, but the numbers and statistics don’t mean a whole bunch when there is still someone I have grown to know, pray with, hope with, and hug. It just takes one positive result. It just takes one to get so choked up that I can’t speak for days. Just one. It doesn’t have to be millions, thousands, or hundreds. Just one.

Some of These Faces

2010-03-04T00:18:00.001-08:00

DSC_8984 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

Some of These Faces...
have gone from faces in a crowd to friends.
Some of These Faces...
have gone from illness to wellness.
Some of These Faces...
have gone from just a photograph to a spiritual exchange.
Some of These Faces
have gone from hope to dispair.
Some of These Faces...
Some of These Faces...
Some of These Faces....
I will never ever forget!

A Far Off Place

2010-03-03T18:20:00.001-08:00

Scarlett Sofa, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I should go to sleep and dream of far away lands. Oh wait, I live in a far away land. Oh wait, I live on a hospital ship. I’ll go to sleep now, and dream. Maybe New Orleans?

It’s the ending of another long day into early 2am morning. A day that I was fortunate enough to witness an amazing transformation of an individuals life. A day that I got to meet one of the largest dignitaries in Togo. A day that I wanted to yell in frustration. A day that I saw Togo from the highest location on the ship. A day that I cried to see a baby less than a few pounds cry in her daddys arms. A day that a very dear friend let me pray for her. A night that a dear friend asked me to pray for him as he recovers in the ICU. A day in March of 2010. What a day! Goodnite friends all over the world. Sweet Dreams.

Tonight I pray Psalm 51

Two Weeks & One Day

2010-02-28T15:52:00.001-08:00

DSC_8805 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

That’s the time I have been in Lome. It seems like it has been longer, but when I look at the calendar on my laptop desktop it has been exactly fifteen days. Is it what I expected? Not at all. Am I surprised? A little. Should I have been? Not in the slightest.

My brain is split in two. I want to talk about the beauty of Togo and the fun adventures we have been on over the last few days. But then I also want to write about a dear family that I have befriended. Do I give you the real? Do I share the fun? I’m confused. I have partially been editing myself because it’s really hard to put out some of my emotions out there. Part of me thought I could stay in a journalistic mode and only write about the facts and discoveries, but I’m too emotional to do so. And by now you have probably figured out that I am also an emotional writer too.

Tonight’s evening church service on the ship had the best worship music yet. The musical worship definitely was a gateway into the presence of Christ. I think for the first time, I let it go. Everything about this journey since I got here. Nothing seemed as it would have turned out to be, and since my arrival hadn’t felt quite like myself. My plans. My will. My hopes. My anticipations. My frustrations. I just let them go. It wasn’t the the 12-15 hour work days, or the two gal drive through Lome, or the 1000 live bats flying over my head in the middle of the day, or the 13 hours of sleep on Saturday, or the gorgeous full moon by the pool on Friday night, or even church on Sunday morning, it was tonight around 7:15pm. I left it all, once again, in His hands. We didn’t even sing this song tonight, but ever since service ended this is the only song that comes to mind. I keep humming it over and over in the background.

If you ever get a chance to hear Melia Mann sing it…listen…incredible voice!!!

You spread out the skies over empty space
Said "let there be light"
Into a dark and formless world Your light was born

You spread out Your arms over empty hearts
Said "let there be light"
Into a dark and hopeless world Your Son was born

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent Your only son for You are good

What a wonderful Maker
What a wonderful Savior
How majestic Your whispers
And how humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a Father
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God

No eye has fully seen, how beautiful the cross
And we have only heard
The faintest whispers of how great You are

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent Your only son for You are good

What a wonderful Maker
What a wonderful Savior
How majestic Your whispers
And how humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a Father
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent Your only son for You are good

What a wonderful Maker
What a wonderful Savior
How majestic Your whispers
And how humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a Father
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God

Today during the musical worship. It finally lifted. I did so many things to get my mind off of it all, and it just took a surrender. A surrender to Him. Suddenly, I was myself again. Not cranky. Not frustrated. Not irritated. Just me. All Him.

We ended a portion of the night munching on some snacks up on Deck 8. It’s almost a full moon which illuminated the whole port. There is a ship next to us unloading, and when I squint my eyes, it looked like we were peeking out on a city skyline. 5 girls from around the globe, G (new zealand), J (upper ny), Laura (boston), M (NYC), and me. Literally we are on this boat together, living, with so much insight, strength, courage, and compassion it’s intoxicating. I sat there while we were all chatting, and just felt so full of life. We all miraculously wound up on Deck 8, in Lome on Sunday night on this particular day, with no other intentions but to chill out. Turns out we were a strength to one another, and a break from the the everyday of life. That was God orchestrating that great conversation. I am so thankful for tonight. Thankful for these girls.

We walked down Deck 8 to 7, opened the door and walked down to deck 3. My room is towards the bow, the hospital ward near the stern. I have been trying to go down to the ward to visit my patient friend and his family. They are friends I have made along the way that have permitted me to participate in their healing story. We have met, shake hands, hugged, chatted, prayed, and listened. They have grown to trust me to the point that they let me take this obtrusive black metal image maker and take a portrait of them. A portrait so beautiful (not because of technique) but just of whom they are, that even w/out a camera their images would be burned in my brain forever. The faces. The hearts. The hopes. The stories. Countless stories. In a split second due to some illness, growth, side effect, the entire household has been changed. Hopefully this ship, and the miraculous power of our Healer will be able to give them a piece of life back that they lost or may have never known. I made many friends during the screenings, during the follow ups, during admissions, and now they are in the ward. Waiting. Healing. Trying.

Tonight, one of my lil friend was awake. I crept into the ward about 10pm and he was making a wonderful bracelet out of thread. He’s quite talented. I tip toed in to not disturb him. But he heard me, and smiled and opened his arms to give me a hug. I just melted. He wanted to stand up to formally greet me, but he is in crutches (has been since he was 7) and most of the time his daddy (a pastor) carries him in his arms. (no greater love….) I grabbed him, squeezed him, and gave him a big hug and kiss. He showed me all the wonderful things he had been making with building blocks, string, and play dough. He’s brilliant. I apologized for not visiting sooner (I’ve been hindered…long story), and promised to come and play with him tomorrow in the afternoon for a really really long time. He was happy about that. Believe me I am happy too.

It was soon time for him to get ready for bed and when he did, I noticed his dad resting near his bed. This man had been praying nonstop for his son and tonight he had a chance to rest. I just melted. Tears welled up. I went quickly to the door, and waved good-bye, and walked to my cabin in tears.

Why was I crying? Well for many reasons. First for the compassionate gift of friendship he’s given to me. The whole family has trusted me in just a few moments of us meeting to talk about some very deep things and to pray together. For the compassion his father has, that even though he is a very busy man, he still carries his lil boy with such pride. He picks him up from bed, to his chair, to the restroom, and prays the entire time he is alongside his son. For the joy on the little boys face when he has made something new. For the tears that fall in an act of prayer to a God who is and can do all for this boy. He always has and He always will.