Going "Home" Once Again! :)

Home. It is one of those words that I never know what to do with anymore. There is my real home, the place I was born that holds all of my childhood memories, the Northern Minnesota area. I am reminded, as I am home for the Christmas holiday, of all the baking, sledding, and Christmas-traditions my family has practiced and celebrated for so many years. My family is what makes up the most prominent sense of "home" that there can be. However, I feel that word "home" describes so many other places and people in my life.

Dear friends (both childhood and new), my Bible Study small-group, and places like Deeper Life Bible Camp all hold a feeling of "home" to me as well. Places of community and belonging where you've been a part of other people's lives, and they've been a part of yours. The most recent "home" I've found myself missing, however, has been the Africa Mercy. A big, floating metal box that most of the crew jokingly say is made of glass, "like a big fish bowl". Everyone sees everything and knows everything with any form of a secret being difficult to keep. This large, white hospital ship has been my home for 9 months of the past 2 years of my life. Despite the negative aspects of living in close community with 400+ other people, the depth of friendships, memories, and multi-cultural experiences both on and off the ship make is difficult to forget.
It is a place all of it's own that I often find my heart longing for.


It's almost a cruel trick of Mercy Ships, that they bring crew members from all over the globe to one place to have you come together, deeply invest in one another's lives, share life-changing experiences as you work side-by-side bringing about the healing and restoration of so many, and then sent back home hundreds, or even thousands of miles away from those dear friendships and memories.

However cruel or loving their gestures really are, I have decided to head back to the Ship for the Togo, 2012 outreach! Thanks to SO many generous gifts from many who contributed to my Sierra Leone trip in 2011, I had left over funds equal to the cost of 2 months of crew fees on the ship. I struggled with the idea of going back to the ship as I've been in Minneapolis the past few months, wondering if my desire to go back was selfish in nature, or really was what God was putting on my heart. To be honest, I never really felt a specific direction from the Lord, but eventually decided to apply and see what happened. Needless to say, I was accepted back (officially)not more than a week and a half ago (see what happens when you wait till the last minute), but already had most of the details of travel and preparation organized and ready to go. :) It's beginning to be a bit routine, which just makes me laugh to think about. Who ever thought I'd end up where I am today? I definitely never did. :)

So, January 23-March 19th I will be onboard the Africa Mercy again serving in the wards and helping with outreach set up. I'm not sure what specific capacity I will be serving in or in what specialty I will be working, but I anticipate that I will be asked to be a charge nurse again. As far as which specialty- I'll just have to wait and be surprised! :)


The special joy of going back for this outreach is the fact that this will be a return trip for me to Togo, West Africa. Togo holds a special place in my heart as it was the first country I traveled to with Mercy Ships. I have already had multiple Togolese friends who are returning to work on the ship email me or facebook me, telling me how excited they are to see me! It will be a wonderful reunion! I cannot wait! Not only are the day volunteers (local Togolese workers) going to be cause for reunion celebration, but many dear friends are still onboard who I will see again, including my very first Mercy Ships friend I made, Laura Coles. She actually is working in my old role as one of the Clinical Ward Educators! I will admit I am glad to have passed the baton onto her. Not that I didn't enjoy the teaching and orientation aspect of Clinical Ward Educator; it's just that through that experience I realized that details and secretarial work were NOT my forte! :) She will be fabulous! And I can't wait to "help out" if needed as well. :)


Not only that, but I will be traveling back to the ship on January 17th with an old roommate from Sierra Leone, Melisa, who will again be my roommate for the 2 months I'm on the ship this outreach! Woo-hoo! :) We'll fly to Europe together and then spend a few days there visiting Mercy Ships friends and getting over jet lag before heading to the ship on the 23rd. :)

As I've been preparing and tucking money away to pay for my plane ticket and costs at home while I'm gone, God has financially provided in 2 huge ways for me that only served as evidence of His heart for my return:

1) As I was calling to re-order my extremely expensive anti-malaria medication (expecting the cost of my 2-month prescription to run around $250-$350), the pharmacist informed me that Malarone (the medication), had recently gone generic, and so the cost of my 2 month prescription would be $10. WHAAAATTT???!!! What a HUGE blessing from the Lord!

2) About a month ago I talked with my landlady about the possibility of going back to the ship for 2 months. As I was describing my potential plan to her, she immediately offered, without hesitation, to waive my rent and, instead, charge me a small fee to not only hold my apartment, but also keep my things all set up and ready for me when I returned. My eyes filled with tears at her generosity and support. In all honesty, her offering became one of the biggest financial factors enabling me to go due to the unforeseen inconsistency of my temp nursing job. I didn't know what to say except a heartfelt "thank you".

I'm still working to raise the last bit of funds to cover all my costs for this trip, but if I have learned anything from the last 2 years of my life, it is that God is the Great Provider; faithful and loving beyond our wildest imaginations. There is no one like Him.


If you would consider praying for my time onboard, as well as the entire Togo, 2012 outreach, I would greatly appreciate it. I can't wait to send you more stories faces of beautiful Africans whose lives have been touched and changed forever.

The Big-City Girl

Ok... so not really. :) I've had a lot of friends ask if I've fully integrated into "city life" here in Minneapolis, and my answer is usually two-part.

Yes. In many ways I've thoroughly enjoyed all the people, the diversity of culture and fact that I can walk down the street or in the grocery store and hear languages other than English being spoken. I have also seen some of the most breath-taking city views of my life driving across the many bridges within Minneapolis and St. Paul at night. (I still think they should allow full-stops along the I35W bridge for tripod set up and photos at night):) I've pretty well adjusted to the traffic and big-city safety mentality of always locking your car, being aware of your surroundings at all times, etc, but that's kind of been my normal with the traveling I've been doing the past couple of years.

On a separate note, I desperately miss the fresh air, and places where you can just go and swim or fish or be by yourself in nature. I miss the small farmer's markets, favorite little Bemidji shops and restaurants, and the ridiculous way you run into everyone you know while shopping at Walmart. :) Most of all, I think I miss the community of a smaller town/area. Maybe I just miss my Bemidji community, but loneliness has honestly been one of my biggest struggles while I've been here. Don't get me wrong, I've been making new friends and connecting with friends I already had down here, but it just seems that the loneliness is more pervasive with living alone and not having friends to just do life together with. It's definitely left me, again, more and more reliant upon God's faithfulness to my heart, giving me peace and comfort in His presence as I've sat here wondering, "What am I suppose to do next?".

It's left me thinking a lot about what it means to live a faithful life to God. Trying to make sense of the unknown seems to be sewn throughout all ages and walks of life, and so what is the difference between someone just living, and someone living in an eternally-impacting way? Really, I suppose all it means is living obediently to God in what He is calling us to do. I feel like many, however, would further expound on that and say to "follow your heart" because what we feel, God put there and so we should just go with that.

I understand that thought process and agree to it to a certain sense, and yet where do our desires fit into all of that? If I WANT something, does that mean that I should assume it's from God and pursue it (assuming it's not illegal or against Biblical standards)? But then I think about Biblical examples... I don't remember Jesus asking the disciples what they wanted to do, or asking them what was on their bucket list, and yet that is how I think many of us live (including myself!).

I guess in this season, I'm just trying to process through my life; how my desires and goals fit into seeking God, desiring His heart, and obeying Him.

On a more practical note, my agency nursing work has been very challenging not only with trying to get enough work hours, but also with the constant moving from hospital to hospital, and unit to unit with little consistency. Thankfully, I got a 3-week agreement to work on Gillette's NeuroScience unit 3 days/week and am in my final week there and have LOVED it! It has been INCREDIBLE to get back into pediatrics and I have learned SO much just being there! :) On a similar note, I'm hoping to start for some shift coverage at Shriner's Children's Hospital this next week! Yaaayy!!! God has been SO good! I'm SO blessed and excited to be going there!

But, I'll keep you all updated with some more pictures soon! :) Just wanted to write a little life-update for now. :)

The Minneapolis Move!

I'm here!

The Minneapolis move has finally been complete! :) I've been here now for about 2 1/2 weeks and it's been a wild ride! The move started on October 1st to this little Minneapolis neighborhood, and thanks to my wonderful family, we packed 2 cars full and moved down in one day! :)


To jump back to the month of September, after I survived Hurricane Irene (literally) in upstate New York on my way home from Europe, I jumped back into small town life in my hometown; Bemidji, MN, staying with my parents and enjoying catching up on all the lives of my dear family and friends. While it was a great adjustment time going through Europe and New York on my way home, it took me nearly that whole 4 weeks home in Bemidji to feel like I was adjusting back to small town life. To me, Bemidji seemed almost like a ghost town after living in Freetown (a city with 2 million people), and then Europe. However, the warm faces and amazing conversations with Bemidjians soon warmed me up to that culture once again. And then just when I felt like I was acclimating back to Bemidji, BAM! Time to move to Minneapolis.

Why Minneapolis, many of you may ask? In short, because I didn't feel the time was right to move back into Sanford or take a permanent job there. There is still a lot of transition happening there and I didn't have peace about taking a more permanent job. So... with Medical Staffing Network (MSN-my old travel company I went to NY with), I was able to get a position as an agency nurse- essentially a temp Medical-Surgical nurse in the Fairview health hospital system. So, over the past couple of weeks I've learned an entirely new computerized documentation system, new health system, and have floated to about 10 different units in 3 different hospitals (a different unit every day except for one repeat day). I thought I was pretty flexible on the Africa Mercy... but nooo! This job has been teaching me the epitome of flexibility! I don't know how much more flexible Jesus wants me... I feel like Gumbee would have some significant competition at this point. ;) But either way, it was very apparent through God's provision of this job and the apartment I am in that he wants me here for now.

Speaking of which... many of you (yes, you, Mom and you, Aunt Noreen) have been wanting to see pictures of my homey little apartment... so please join me on my whirlwind tour with the photos below:

To start... come into the African living room!








Now come into the European kitchen (with the lovely window)!
















The beautiful "bedroom" (curtained off area)...






And two snapshot of beautiful Lake Nokomis- only a couple miles from my house! :) Is Minnesota beautiful or what?




So far I have been enjoying Minneapolis, the people, the cultures, the restaurants (they have sushi places here!), and old and new friends. :) I've been attending a few churches and am hoping to settle on one here in the next few weeks. I've found a young adult Bible study group and am really praying for some good time for reflection with the Lord during this season of living alone and more change. It's not what I thought I would be coming home to, and that has been difficult for me to cope with, but I want to continue struggling with the Lord through those things.

I hope all is well with you this season and pray for God's revelation within your hearts as well as my own! :) Blessings from the Twin Cities!

Pictures along the journey...

Our dive team got to dive in... "interesting" water conditions...


Me and one of my patient's families! N'Falie, Raymond, and Raymond's daughter, Rachel!


Me and my little babies! Gladys and Asthma (or "Baby-doll" as we nurses have nick-named her).


Me and Timo with Gladys! (She's John's little sister who was saying my name by the time they left the Hope Center). My "daughter" as all the day volunteers called her.


A couple of our 8-plate girls, Fanta and Blessing(Mariama)!


Visiting their whole family in Bo, Sierra Leone! :)


Our last groupie get-together for dinner at Mamba Point before we left!


Timo and Fanta- the SWEETEST picture!


Fanta and I! Awww... what an angel!


On the way to our plane at the Freetown Airport.


Goodbye Sierra Leone!

The Joy of Loss

“This man is the happiest amputee I’ve ever seen”

The words “joy” and “amputation” rarely find themselves in the same sentence, but for Mohamed, the two unmistakably found one another like close friends.

After a terrible accident, Mohamed’s left arm was torn and twisted to the point of inability of use. He worked as a taxi-car driver, and had since been unemployed, fighting constant infection of his left arm prior to coming to Mercy Ships. After months of antibiotic treatment and waiting for healing, Mohamed was left with an arm absent of feeling or movement and a continuous battle with osteomyelitis (infection of his bone). I still remember seeing him come into B ward with his left arm wrapped up in yellowed gauze; a handkerchief holding up his arm as a sling. The smell of the infected wounds permeated to whole ward. I knew we needed to have him shower and then have his dressing changed. My dear friend, Rachel, (or “ward nurse Crooks” as we endearingly called her), was caring for him that night. I recall us catching one another’s eye and giving each other a knowing glance. With that, she got him into the shower and I called the doctor.

For West Africa, his wound and dressing care was actually quite good. There was real gauze and not pieces of dirty cloth and plastic like I’d often seen before. As we unwrapped the old dressing, you could see where the body had attempted to heal itself around the open shards of bone that protruded from various points along his left forearm. I had never seen anything like it. Using a bowl, basin, and 3 chlorhexidine sponges, Rachel and I gently cleansed his arm and removed the smelly dressing. We kept checking with Mohamed, asking him if he was experiencing pain as we washed over the open areas. In return, he just smiled and shook his head no, providing further evidence that his arm was absent of any feeling.

His countenance seemed better that evening after a shower and fresh dressing, but I noted an aura of heaviness that still surrounded him as I finished up my evening charge shift.

That next evening I returned for another evening charge shift and was met by a radiant, smiling face from B20. Mohamed had come back from his above-the-elbow amputation, and he was beaming with happiness. It seemed so ironic that I had to stop and consider what situation I was truly looking at. I was processing through all of this as I greeted him in Krio, asked about how his pain was, and shook his right hand warmly. His left arm stump was elevated on pillows with a clean, white pressure dressing wrapped snuggly around it. All I could think to myself was, “this doesn’t make sense”.

As the shift went on, I continued thinking about and considering what this man had been through, not only physically in the last 24 hours, but over the past 6 months since his accident. He’s had a (nearly) dead, hanging limb that has been constantly infected for the past 6 months. The weight of it physically with carrying it in a sling and needing to perform wound care, financially with not longer being able to work and needing to see various doctors and take rounds and rounds of antibiotics, as well as the emotional burden of not feeling like the same person he once was would be enough to break any man. And so here he sat in bed, smiling away, ready for his new start.

Dr. Bruce, his surgeon, was thoroughly convinced that he could get much better use of his left arm with the fitting of a good prosthesis. And as far as prostheses go, Sierra Leone is the best West African country to be in because of their excellent prosthetic clinics following the civil war. What an incredible blessing for him. When his wife came to visit him on the ship, they joyfully chatted with one another, their eyes full of hope and happiness.

Every day following that I saw Mohamed, he was smiling, free of pain, and free of the weight of 6 months of struggle. Up until the day he was discharged, one of the attributes all of us nurses gave to him was,

“This man is the happiest amputee I’ve ever seen.”

And so he was.

The last day on the Africa Mercy

August 15th has come and gone now, and I am left wondering, “where did 6 months go?” At the beginning of the outreach, when I first arrived onboard the ship on February 28th, the 6 months loomed before me like a distant horizon. In my mind I knew it would sneak up behind me and surprise me , but at the same time if felt like an eternity away.

Well, now it was here and gone. So strange.

If it was difficult to leave the Africa Mercy during the Togo outreach in 2010 after 3 months, leaving the Africa Mercy after 6 months showed me how much deeper you can lay down your roots. I cannot tell you how many times people kept saying, in shock,

“ What? You’re LEAVING? I thought you were long-term?”

Ha ha! I heard it SO many times. In many ways, this outreach has been an eye opener for me at the importance of long-term crew and their need to be supported as I’ve “subbed” into a long-term position the last 3 months of my time there in the Ward Clinical Instructor position. The In so many ways I still feel like I left with so much left in transition for all the hospital staff, and can’t help feeling a sense of abandonment to them in the midst of this need, and yet the Lord reminds me it’s not about me or what I can see, but Him and His plan. I continue to have peace about his timing even in the midst of not seeing how or why.

So here I sit, in Holland, at the home of one of my good Mercy Ship’s friends, trying to adjust back to the Western world of order and cleanliness. The friends I made on the ship and relationships I’ve left behind remind me of the importance of what can happen when you fully give yourself to the Lord’s work. Not that I have done that anywhere near perfectly, but at the same time I see so much of the hand of God, that I just can’t deny his work.

Which leaves a wonderful segway into this next season of life- the unknown future. I know that in the days, weeks, and months ahead, God will be just as faithful to lead and guide and direct me unto HIS purposes as I continue to process through Sierra Leone and how it seems I fit in with His plan for this world.

In response to that, I cannot continue without thanking each of you who have been the direct hand of the Lord through your support of me financially and in prayer. Truly, truly, truly, without you, I would NOT be here. God worked a miracle through the financial support you have all given me to even complete my 6 months. I would covet your prayers in the future as well as I pray and process through my experience in the upcoming months.

For now, I’m on an 8-day European “tour” which essentially means visiting Mercy Ships friend to Mercy Ships friend in Holland, Germany, and Belgium before flying back to America. This time, I know, is such a gift, and I look forward to the break before the full jump back into my cultural reality. So here’s to long train rides of prayer and processing! Stay tuned as I hope to be posting pictures, etc during my long train rides. May God continue to guide and richly bless each of you.

Love in Him,

~Anna~