Pressing On...

Well, I can hardly believe that a dream of a lifetime is about to come to pass for me. I am excited, scared, excited, nervous, mostly excited and honored to get this opportunity. I feel like I have a lot of little things to get done in the next 3 1/2 weeks and then the real fun/challenge will begin. Thank you to everyone who has been supporting me in so many ways. Especially my friend/co-worker Linda who has been making jewelry and selling it and contributing 100% of her profits to my mission. Thank you, Linda!!

This coming weekend is the blow-out karaoke/dance party fun fest fundraiser. I hope anyone and everyone can join us at the Royal Kubo!

This week I have also spent some time wrapping up some loose ends - reading my Mercy Ship info and all the fine print to make sure I haven't missed anything. Heading back to the Travel Health clinic one more time (hopefully).

I am looking forward to a short camping trip this weekend with my beloved girls of my small group. How wonderful to take a break from the hectic-ness that is going on right now to enjoy friends, nature, and have some time to be in solitude and prayer. Girls -I am looking forward to it!!!!!

Africa Mercy

Well, I have just one month to go before I head out to live and work aboard the Mercy Ship named the Africa Mercy. Everyone has been asking me what will life be like living and working aboard a ship. I have seen some photos of the ship, but really I haven't had a good idea of exactly what I am about to embark on. On the Mercy Ships website I came across a really great video tour of the ship I will be on. If you are interested in viewing the video click the link below. The video is about 17 minutes long, but is well worth it. The video is hosted by Don Stephens - the founder of the Mercy Ships organization. The video shows all the main parts of the ship including living quarters and the hospital area. It also really conveys the heart of the mission of Mercy Ships - to serve the poorest of the poor by following the example of Jesus Christ.

Click on this link to watch a fantastic tour of where I will be living.

I hope you will take the time to watch the video. Everytime I watch it I get tears in my eyes - I am so excited to get to partner with such a worthwhile organization. And, let me just say thank you again to all of you - for your support of me and the Mercy Ships. Thank you for partnering with me to follow the example of Jesus Christ - to love others.

Typhoid, Tetanus, and Yellow Fever too!!!

Hello friends,
Just checking in to let everyone know the progress of my trip preparations. I am now completely vaccinated against such things as Yellow Fever, Diphtheria, Pertusis, Menigitis...the list could go on and on :) Thanks to the Interhealth Travel Clinic at Beaumont for their knowledge and skills. I am now able to go almost anywhere in the world for the next ten years! Also this past week I have finalized my itinerary and purchased my plane tickets. So no turning back, which is a good thing because I am only getting more and more excited. The karaoke fundraiser events (one in Clawson and one in Grand Rapids) are also planned.
My thoughts over the past few weeks have been all over the map. I have been anxious, excited, worried, calm - all in a 24hr period. But mostly, I have this immense gratitude for everyone of my community of friends and family that are rallying around me to get me on my way. Also, my thoughts have been on the people of Liberia that I will get to work with. People that have endured years of civil war that has ended only within the past 5 years. People that are survivors on a level that I cannot even comprehend. I consider it a privilege and a gift to be able to serve them. Thank you also for being a part of serving Liberia with me. Jen

Wave of Gratitude...

Well it has been a long time since my last post. Thanks to my good friend Tracy, this blog has gotten a much needed makeover! I am filled with immense gratitude as the journey to the Mercy Ship has reached warp -speed. I have less than 2 months to go before I head out and so much to do. So, it is with a grateful heart that I say thank you to all of my friends, my family, my co-workers who have offered support, encouragement, and practical help. So many people are stepping up to the plate to make my dream a reality. I could not make this happen without you. I thank God that He allows us to join Him in the work that He is doing in this world, and I thank God for providing me with a community of people that have gathered around me to make this happen. Stay tuned for many more details and stories of my road to the Mercy Ship. Love, Jen