Updates and Contemplations

Hello! Sorry it has taken me a week to finally write on this thing! I have been busy, not only physically, but also mentally and just hadn't found the space to write yet.

I am currently in the Canary Islands, which are a set of pretty islands off of Spain. They look Hawaii/the show Lost (if you've ever seen it), but not quite as tropical. The Ship is docked here until Sunday when we leave for Togo! I cannot wait togo to Togo (pun intended). But after we leave on Sunday we will have a 10 day long sail on the open water... this is going to be weird and also really fascinating- apparantly the ship rocks a lot so we have to secure everything here so that stuff isn't flying around while we sail- I guess on the sail up here they lost a lot of expensive medical equipment because of the rough water. I also bought my sea-sickness medicine today for this reason. Also, I am excited to see stars when we sail! I guess they are really bright... and sunsets are supposed to be amazing!

Man, there is too much to write and I could give a lot of content... but it might lack quality considering the amount of time I have right now.

I am feeling odd about this adventure .. The things that have been challenging to me so far have not been things that I expected to be challenging before I left. I guess expectations are sometimes pointless. Regardless, I am looking up- God has his plans even if in the moment it's very difficult to understand. Also, I think things will be quite different when we get to Togo.

Ok, well here is a list of some good things:

-I bought a guitar in Tenerife (Canary Islands) and I love it and I went hunting for it all day with one of my new roommates using my tiny bit of spanish.
-All of my roommates are really nice and I'm starting to get to know a few of them and I am excited to know them more (I live in a 10 berth cabin)
-There is soy milk in the cafeteria


Ok, well I shall post more in the future, but for now, goodnight... or good afternoon!

Love,

Caitlin


"Withouth risk, faith is an impossibility" -Soren Kierkegaard

The end, marking a new beginning...

Wow, tomorrow is the last day of employment for me at the YMCA, marking a new beginning- a two and a half week count down until my departure for the Canary Islands, where I meet up with the Africa Mercy, a hospital ship that I will be working on for 61/2 months in Togo, Africa.

So many mixed emotions at this point in my journey- I've anticipated this since last February, and even more, have wanted to go on the Mercy Ships since I was probably a freshman in high school.

This is my hope- while I am truly excited and a little anxious about my trip, I want to stay connected to the present moment. I can easily get wrapped up in the big picture of my plans (I have already contemplated what it will be like when I get home! .. and I still have 7 months!). I get ahead of myself. I want to live in the moment, savoring these last weeks with my family and friends, and with the comforts of home- ie a large bed, which I will especially miss while I am away. I also want to take the journey to Africa itself one step at a time, from packing to the long plane ride in to Spain, to meeting crew members, to spending time journaling and talking to God. It's all good stuff, these little steps in the long journey.

Thank you to anyone reading this for your prayers and your support in general. I've received support that I haven't even known that I need. I feel so blessed and am really blown away by the support that John Knox Presbyterian Church Mission Team has given me. I asked for a financial donation and not only did I get that, but I am now getting commissioned in a week and a half, a flyer is being made about my trip and I am surrounded by prayers etc. Wow..

Well, tune in for more and hopefully I will be able to get some pictures up on this puppy pretty soon.

Love,

Caitlin