tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77109634711641178412012-02-16T15:40:02.718Ztatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.comBlogger671100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-19620267047998147872010-07-29T21:40:00.005Z2010-07-29T21:52:55.859Z

This is my last week in Togo.My last week on the Africa Mercy.My last week working in the pharmacy.My last fire drill was this afternoon.Today was the last day of surgery.Tomorrow will be the last day for the dental team.Next week, the Oak Foundation Hospital will discharge it's last patient.Soon enough, my last sleep on the ship will come and pass. So will the last time that I scan out and say,

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-42895991571127144002010-07-14T16:52:00.005Z2010-07-15T09:30:46.082Z

The last two Saturdays, we've had a hula hoop in our box of toys to bring to the orphanage, Maison Bethel. Now, I don't mean to brag...but once upon a time, I used to be a hula hoop champion.I've successfully taught a few of the kids there (including my little friend, Veronica or Vero for short) how to hula hoop. I also showed them a few other tricks and fun stuff that you can do with a hula hoop

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-68031538275148628972010-07-08T08:59:00.005Z2010-07-09T00:05:28.245Z

I don't know if I've ever told you guys about a little girl named Lovelace. She was a possible patient here on the Africa Mercy back in April/May. I say possible, because at the time, all we knew is that this little 5 year old had two rapid growing tumors. She and her father came on board to see if there was any way that Mercy Ships could help them. After weeks of waiting on tissue biopsy

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-57247722172935762292010-07-07T21:28:00.004Z2010-07-07T22:11:39.673Z

Being a dual citizen of the United States of America and Canada...the first weekend in July is usually a pretty big deal for me. In that one weekend, I am celebrating Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (July 4).Back home, in either country, this usually means BBQs and fireworks. Here in Lomé it meant BBQs sans fireworks. But, being so far from either home, I'll definitely take what I can

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-90641443046983757962010-07-04T20:29:00.003Z2010-07-04T22:08:06.459Z

My time here aboard the Africa Mercy is slowing winding to a close. And as that time dwindles, the question of, "Hey, do you think you'd ever come back?" continues to weigh heavy on my mind. Not that this is a question I haven't been considering since the very first day I stepped on board. But, it seems like it's something that I should likely answer sooner rather than later. And, even at

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-23769588142599775432010-06-30T19:39:00.004Z2010-06-30T19:54:51.362Z

Let's just say, that I've had some pretty interesting adventures just trying to get around here in West Africa. These pictures give you just a small idea of what we see and go through in our travels...

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-27015794994467000142010-06-23T20:59:00.007Z2010-06-23T21:17:07.991Z

Now, often times, I know that MIA is an acronym used for "missing in action". And while that still does apply, I'd like to also note that it could stand for "missing in Africa".Some of you may be wondering what I am going on about...but, yesterday, Miriam went on vacation for 3 weeks...effectively leaving me as the only pharmacist on board...and kind of the only one in the pharmacy.Not that I

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-5756721392552989322010-06-22T20:56:00.005Z2010-06-22T21:37:17.704Z

I don't know if any of you guys remember me talking about a film crew from Discovery Channel Canada that was here on the Africa Mercy when we were sailing from Tenerife to Togo. If you do remember, that was back in January/February of this year. The crew was with us during the 11 days of sailing and the two weeks leading up to the hospital opening for it's first day of surgery.I don't know

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-41666514992487232342010-06-16T20:57:00.005Z2010-06-16T21:47:33.522Z

The beginning of the month marked the start of VVF...There is lots of celebration around the ladies that are brought here on the ship for surgery.When their surgeries are over, and declared a success (meaning that they dry and no longer leaking urine), a dressceremony is held. They start off in another room, where they are given a new dress, a clean dress, a dress that was never touched by the

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-23654605090884851672010-06-14T22:06:00.004Z2010-06-16T09:46:20.677Z

Last Sunday, my friend, Hannah, and I got invited to have dinner with one of the families onboard here. Not gonna lie to you, I felt like it was quite an honor to be invited over and have dinner with them in their cabin. Please also note, family cabins are awesome...especially in comparison to my open four berth. It was really great for me to sit and chat with this family from Ghana, the Bineys.

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-74492317426975568572010-06-09T23:41:00.009Z2010-06-10T23:56:51.135Z

Remember how I told you about that Tuesday night thing that I do down at the Hospitality Center? Well...it looks like maybe, they're picking up what we're putting down...Thanks to one of our photographers here on board, Tom Bradley, for capturing these shots and showing us that our efforts and our time spent with the patients at the hospitality center are not in vain. In other news, just read an

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-34301302210755873672010-06-07T22:15:00.006Z2010-06-07T23:08:54.822Z

It's rainy season here...And, unlike places that I am used to like Vancouver, British Columbia...it doesn't rain for days on end or lightly here. I have found that it's usually a torrential downpour and for less than an hour at a time. Even though that may not seem like very long, it does quite a number to the roads, especially since there aren't any real drainage systems in place here.Hopefully,

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-81129428725371537612010-06-03T20:10:00.003Z2010-06-05T15:08:25.473Z

If I am going to be honest here and say what's been on my mind...The last two weeks have been hard ones. They were awful. Most days, I wanted to cry or pull my hair out. Instead, I ended up closing the "chatting door" (the half door to the front room of the pharmacy) or laying on the floor in the pharmacy (very therapeutic, I must admit). Just to get a moment of reprieve, just to have some

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-86556126858141865952010-06-02T23:16:00.007Z2010-06-02T23:57:13.935Z

Not going to lie to you...some times, working behind the scenes, especially in a place like this - where so much emphasis is placed on the life-changing surgeries that people receive, it's easy to feel unappreciated. I am sure that goes to say about any behind the scenes job or ministry. (No worries, I am planning on writing more about this later.)However, this all too often can be just a

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-82074065040926910272010-05-26T22:24:00.002Z2010-05-26T22:54:33.075Z

Ever wonder what happens to medications when they are no good? Ever wanted to know how they are destroyed?Well...lucky for you, you have to wonder no longer! Now, there are many ways to denature and destroy medication...but, here on the ship, we do it by way of incineration. Tonight, Miriam and I had the opportunity to incinerate LOTS of medication. First, we had to pack all the medication to be

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-77652364977715606662010-05-24T22:43:00.007Z2010-05-25T15:38:48.675Z

I have once heard a quote that goes something like this:“We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth."Not to say that I am a "touchy" person...but with the friends that I have back home, I have come to enjoy and even look forward to hugs and cuddles. I'm also not saying that there aren't people like that here on the Africa Mercy...but,

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-45131803304037728542010-05-19T20:56:00.004Z2010-05-19T21:29:51.555Z

This past Saturday, we had a film festival here on the Africa Mercy. It was an opportunity for the crew members to get their creative juices flowing, and show the rest of the crew what they can do. It was also a "black-tie" event...and it was really cool seeing everyone all dressed up! Don't get me wrong, I love living in scrubs and slippers, but I think that we all clean up pretty nice.Hannah

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-17752720382804797322010-05-18T21:52:00.008Z2010-06-09T23:48:34.975Z

So, this evening, I did something a little different. And, even though I was a bit apprehensive at first - I ended up having a blast...and am more than likely to do it again. So, a few weeks back, I noticed on our rolling announcements (slides that run continuously on our closed circuit channel) that they were looking for people who can crochet and knit to come and volunteer at the Hospitality

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-84955440323706025932010-05-12T23:05:00.013Z2010-05-12T23:49:40.878Z

These past two weekends have been amazing...I've had the chance to return to Ghana during the first weekend of May...only this time do to an all girls hiking trip to Wli Waterfalls, the largest waterfalls in West Africa. (Right: The upper fall that we hiked to on Saturday;Left: The lower falls, which is an easy 30 minute walk from the town) (Right: The girls at the upper falls, after our long,

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-23139822477667870662010-05-05T21:52:00.006Z2010-05-05T22:30:37.062Z

Remember when I told you two months ago about me giving blood?Now, I'd love to share a few pictures of the patient that received that blood.Meet Lawson...This is what Lawson looked like before the surgery. He had a rather large, bilateral ameloblastoma.Now, this is Lawson a few weeks post recovery. He will still have a few more surgeries to go to complete his facial reconstruction...but, the

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-41550872564377859382010-04-28T20:51:00.005Z2010-05-02T23:37:41.517Z

...of community living.I have often sat and wondered where all my time went. And, last night, it became clear to me...and in a way that I can actually explain in a blog!One of the joys of community living (and some times, a frustration) is that there are always people around. I have a feeling that when I return to Calgary, I could be very lonely for awhile, as I will not be surrounded by so

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-80348328386764742312010-04-28T19:45:00.003Z2010-04-28T20:24:39.655Z

Welcome to Maison Bethel, the orphanage that I got to every other Saturday with other Mercy Shippers involved in Mercy Ministries...There are about 35 kids there, most within the age range of 3-8 years, although there are a few who are younger and a few who are older.This is the big room, where we usually have story time, share a bible story or a bible verse and do activities...This is what the

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-75721339568603261972010-04-22T19:39:00.002Z2010-04-22T19:46:07.788Z

I know that it is Thursday, and I usually post picture(s) on Wednesday. This picture was going to be my Wee Word Wednesday for this week...until Micah had his noodle idea.And, since I am very thankful for what I received, I thought that I would share anyways.This little guy come to me all the way from Calgary, Alberta.The kitty is still nameless...and ideas?

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-7127876922652194542010-04-21T22:45:00.003Z2010-04-21T23:08:52.019Z

This week's photos aren't really for those who have great gag reflexes...Going in one way...The interim...And coming out...Micah tried to get others to do it too...but they weren't successful. We chalked it up to the ramen noodles being too soft...Maybe next week...spaghetti noodles!

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-23976355825730519962010-04-19T21:40:00.005Z2010-04-28T20:52:38.823Z

As it has been pointed out more than a few times to me...I have reached the half-way mark of my time here with Mercy Ships. Pretty crazy to think about how the time has gone. Most times, I still don't know where it went. Yet, looking back, time seems to be doing this impossible thing in my head, where it feels like the days are passing by fast, yet I also feel like I've been at this for a lot

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-46857484990631733042010-04-14T21:13:00.004Z2010-04-14T22:36:52.172Z

Last week, I received two parcels!!!One from my grandparents back in Hawai'i,and another from a dear friend in Thunder Bay, Ontario.I got lots of goodies and a homemade video, too!Pretty sure I was grinning from ear-to-ear all day.:-)P.S. My friend, Hannah, does a Wordless Wednesday...This week, Miriam and I were featured...hard at work, of course!

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-6074137817931315622010-04-11T21:52:00.008Z2010-04-17T11:54:49.386Z

I must admit that I am in one of these moods again. Where I don't really want to bother with technical communication. I don't really want to respond to e-mails...and I know that I should blog, seeing as how my last two blogs were Wee Word Wednesdays...but, I also don't know what to blog about. As I type out this little diddy, I know that I have two blog drafts left unfinished. The words that

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-89214896595054462302010-04-07T21:27:00.007Z2010-04-08T22:44:59.876Z

front...inside...and back...Josh told me that it says,"To Tatiana. From Josh."What a cutie.:-)I was told that he was insistent on making a card for me, even though his brother could do four cards in the time that it took him to do one.His insistence has made me feel very special indeed.Thanks, Josh!

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-78562042048226274282010-03-31T22:18:00.004Z2010-03-31T22:51:36.784Z

So...in order to kind of motivate myself to take more pictures (as the drive to do so has died down after being here for a few months and with being busy at work), I'm starting a new kind of blog post. I stumbled across this magnificent idea that a friend of mine here on the ship, Allison, does for her blogs. She calls them "Wordless Wednesday", where she just posts a picture or a few based on

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-72412245992578998562010-03-29T20:35:00.003Z2010-03-29T20:49:02.166Z

It happened today. We lost our first patient, Anicette. Hard to say that it happened, hard to believe that it did. Hard to admit it...because somehow in my head, it doesn't quite match up with the hopes of what I came here to do, in my own little way. "To bring hope and healing..."Somehow, death doesn't seem to be the answer to that. How does the loss of life equal hope? How does the

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-49474095938409476592010-03-25T19:20:00.006Z2010-03-25T21:52:44.513Z

Today, we did a narcotic count...where we verify the amount our ledger says we have in stock to what we actually physically have in stock.I found that my math skills are quite lacking...how one gets 3433 less 10 to be 3333, I'll never know...Once we corrected my little mathematical blunder, things matched up...and we were happy.Let's hope that I'm better at counting in fives...(pictured some

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-51506997579075091532010-03-24T20:43:00.006Z2010-03-25T22:02:37.938Z

For the record...I am Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Filipino. Yes, it's a mouthful, I know. I don't know how many times I've repeated those six nationalities to others. I've said it so much, that there is an order in which I say it (and apparently, type it, too.) - Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Filipino. Yep, they are all accounted for.No matter where

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-44024047353134990842010-03-16T23:15:00.009Z2010-03-18T22:30:26.868Z

And dance. Or at least, clap your hands.I have finally experienced something that I hear the ward nurses gush about.When I hear about African dance lessons/dance parties on the wards, spontaneous worship...Sounds awesome, right?So, Miriam and I have been testing whether or not a clinical aspect to our job here would be beneficial. Now, many of you might be thinking..."Clinical...as a pharmacist

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-36510950978526692932010-03-10T22:18:00.008Z2010-03-12T10:49:40.535Z

Since I can't share everything with you (it's basically impossible), I do try to share what I can. And, I have decided to share with you things that make my heart happy while here on this ship. Things that I see, and I can't help but smile. Hopefully these little snap shots I share with you will cause you to smile as well... - walking down the corridor and hearing singing...only to see that the

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-18292979764440375202010-03-07T12:53:00.004Z2010-03-09T22:11:58.453Z

For those of you who may have been concerned with my last post, I must apologize. I realized a little too late that it was a bit short and didn't really explain much. As you may or may not know, the Togo elections have taken place on Thursday. On Wednesday night, our shore level was taken away as a safety precaution, not because we were in any immediate danger. Even though some people feel a

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-43580470023717660712010-03-03T20:49:00.002Z2010-03-03T20:53:11.730Z

Once again, our shore leave has been revoked.But, this time, not in preparation to sail.This time, it's for our safety in preparation for Togo's elections.Everyone...please pray that the people of Togo are allowed to use their voice and choice without fear of any kind of retaliation.Please join us in praying for a peaceful election process...From tomorrow, through to the end of announcing the

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-50133611521004796112010-03-02T18:50:00.006Z2010-03-02T23:07:28.235Z

We also dispense blood!A bit of a different concept than what one would be used to in a hospital back home. All too many times, do I remember refusing a nurse or a physician for certain orders with the response, "You have to contact the blood bank for that."Well, here on the Africa Mercy...we have a different type of blood bank. The warm, walking, talking kind. Yeppers...our crew is our blood

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-2018933558734853302010-02-28T23:07:00.003Z2010-02-28T23:20:20.110Z

...when you didn't know that you wanted something to work out until it doesn't......when everything seems to be going against you......when nothing goes your way...today was one of those days.i cried in frustration.actually sobbed a little bit, i was so frustrated.cried, because i didn't know it would mean so much.and it did.and it does.it's funny how easily you can be defeated.i kind of don't

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-11973823219597109202010-02-28T11:23:00.006Z2010-02-28T13:41:17.043Z

Quite an ominous title, I know. Now, before anyone infers that I am in the depths of depression or that things are not right with my ship world...please give it time and hear the blog out.I am constantly finding out how things work here on the ship...learning new things every week as I experience them personally or through others. One thing that I learned this past week is how exciting it is to

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-63133462227064078092010-02-24T23:05:00.003Z2010-02-24T23:23:26.504Z

Hospital evacuation drill. Done.Patients arriving...in progress.Surgeries to start...TOMORROW.And, so it begins. From where I stand, all the wards are stocked, as is our recovery room and OR pharmacy. And to me, that means...everyone is ready to rock. Judging by the excitement in the air, I think there are many others who feel the same way that I do.For many of you who don't know me...I tend to

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-882301208399188842010-02-23T22:45:00.005Z2010-03-02T21:27:41.401Z

Hey Guys!As promised...here is a peak at the Oak Fountain Hospital, my new work place for the next few months...This sign greets you at every entrance into the hospital on Deck 3 from the top decks.What one of the wards looks like here at the hospital. They are all on the port side of the ship. There are 5 beds on each side of the room.This is our ICU section for the outreach. We just have 3

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-3610314159814530082010-02-21T22:23:00.016Z2010-02-23T12:03:27.079Z

Hey Everyone...Sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you. Last I wrote, I was preparing to head out to our first official screening day for the outreach here in Togo. What can I say about it? It went well. Not a lot of people came, which is awesome, since that is what we were praying for. We did, however, get surgeries booked, x-ray and CT scan appointments booked, as well as

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-73295194566065883832010-02-14T22:50:00.012Z2010-02-22T23:37:40.504Z

I have been here for three weeks already. Weird. Although, I must say, that things are starting to pick up...and it didn't take too long to get the ball rolling. After our briefing meeting once docking in Togo, we started unbracing things in the hospital. In the pharmacy, it meant removing the braces on the rolling racks, unsecuring the cupboards, and moving boxes around (lots of moving boxes

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-24532665192120228402010-02-11T21:33:00.008Z2010-02-12T18:24:18.708Z

Today, like every Thursday, we had our Community meeting. It's a time where we all meet together, go over a few announcements, have praise and worship, and a speaker. Okay, maybe it's like church on Thursday night. I remember Sarah saying that they were her favorite meetings, and I think that I am starting to understand why. Here on the ship, it's nice to gather as a community, and to focus

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-12665029635359305622010-02-10T22:20:00.010Z2010-02-12T18:23:29.023Z

Okay, okay...I know that we were never in Kansas to being with...but...you know...Anyhow, the point of this blog is to let you all know that we arrived in Togo safely and smoothly. The captain and his team did an excellent job pulling into port, and it was amazing seeing the welcome and celebration that our arrival received. So, I apologize...but this isn't going to be a lengthy-wordy blog much

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-38498096354413594792010-02-09T21:37:00.003Z2010-02-09T23:06:54.114Z

...AND THEN WE'RE IN TOGO. Hahaha, that sounds pretty exuberant, I think! Spirits are pretty high here on the ship, as people are laying out on Deck 8, trying to cool down while gazing at the starry night sky or talking about where to go on shore level. In Togo, things will shift yet again, as more people join the current crew. We will be preparing and setting up the hospital after the sail..

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-5537807762799927392010-02-07T15:04:00.003Z2010-02-07T15:33:04.458Z

So...as you all are aware, we set sail for Togo on the 31st of January...and yes, we are still sailing. I think that we have been sailing for 7 days now...and have about 4 more to go. Some of you may wonder why it takes so long, and the reason being is that this Danish ferryboat can only go so fast! I do believe that we are sailing at about 12 nautical knots per hour (times that by 1.51 to

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-64692149319971563982010-02-05T15:25:00.014Z2010-02-05T17:11:06.339Z

So...I realize that I have been here for almost two weeks...and I have not shown you guys what the ship looks like...on the inside! My apologies! So, I have decided that this blog, will do just that. I do recognize that I should also write another update and I have a few other blog ideas...but one thing at a time. ;-)This is reception...I know that there is no one behind the desk here, but

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-4077783035856746662010-02-02T07:51:00.000Z2010-02-01T23:10:32.497Z

For those of you who don't know yet...we've set sail. Yes, we are sailing the Atlantic blue...TOGO BOUND! We left the port in Tenerife around 2 pm yesterday afternoon and haven't stopped since. You can only imagine how excited we all are. But, we must be patiently waiting with anticipation, as I think that we have about 10 more days of sail. As exciting as this is, sailing doesn't sit well

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-4400073702381661402010-01-30T10:36:00.005Z2010-01-30T23:27:28.500Z

There are so many things that run through my head throughout the day. So many things that I would like to share, or think that I should share with whoever is out there. And, I start constructing the lines to my next blog in my head. But, as soon as I sit down at the computer, it seems that all those pre-formed lines escape me. For instance, I am pretty sure that I sat here staring at this

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-1991633649507108042010-01-28T23:11:00.013Z2010-01-30T10:26:31.785Z

So...I thought that I would finally post some pictures...like I had promised of my week in Tenerife...and with the ship.While here on the Mercy Ship, the crew has been told that Discovery Canada will be sailing with us and staying with us until the first surgery in Togo. They will be filming life on the ship and all that fun stuff. Ever heard of the show, "Might Ships"? Well, it's going to be

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-39837642335884103402010-01-28T06:38:00.003Z2010-01-30T18:08:55.625Z

I can't believe that it's Day 4 on the ship!! Time seems to be going by pretty quickly and the days seem like they are blurring together. Time flies when you're having fun?On Monday, we were given the day "off" so to speak, but still had meetings and orientations to attend. In one of the orientations, the speaker told a story about one of his trips to West Africa. He said that he was standing

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-45007926531770003292010-01-25T15:13:00.008Z2010-01-25T23:13:22.071Z

...Well...technically, I'm on a ship...the only reason why I know that there is a distinction is because they tell you the difference in one of our Mercy Ships orientation manuals ('A ship has a main deck and a boat does not'). But, I just thought that the title would be fun...that, and I did promise a few people that I would entitle one of my blogs as such.I have spent the last week vacationing

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-37015196246550470372010-01-18T00:03:00.003Z2010-01-18T15:57:33.730Z

Here I am, currently sitting at the Calgary International Airport, getting in all my last calls. Thanks to everyone who was been wishing me well, and praying for me.My nerves got the best of me for a bit...got really anxious the last two mornings about my impending departure. And...kinda made a fuss about going this entire morning. But, once Graham and Steph took me to the airport, my nerves

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-31758145369011011202010-01-16T07:40:00.003Z2010-01-16T07:55:45.989Z

Less than 48 hours to go...I've spent this last week doing nothing but packing, looking after last minute details, and spending time with friends. No complaints. Living life like this makes being unemployed look very appealing...minus the packing part.Today was the last big push for moving out of my place. I rented a U-Haul, and thanks to the help of my good friend, Jonny, I was able to move

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-7222234070716222782010-01-13T08:24:00.008Z2010-01-13T09:43:19.073Z

I know that some people may think it funny that I had designated a "test packing". But, let's face it, I'm a girl. And the tendencies for girls is to over-pack when preparing for trips. So, I thought that in light of this (because, unfortunately, I more often than not tend to over-pack), I should try to see if all of the things that I wanted to take to Africa would indeed fit in the

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-5184900853182913662010-01-08T18:37:00.002Z2010-01-08T18:44:26.708Z

Today is my last day of work. Wow. That came quickly. Sometimes is seems too quickly, yet I remember when I thought that this day wasn't coming quickly enough.9 more sleeps according to my count. Just enough time to get everything done, I do believe. Everything is possible. All things are possible. Yet, I remember not too long ago when I had my fair share of doubts that it was...I love it

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-89440001509614396752009-12-30T04:26:00.003Z2009-12-30T23:41:34.993Z

Christmas has come and gone, and New Years is just around the corner! My, how the time is flying by sooo fast! I had every intention of posting right before Christmas, or on the day of...but, time did escape me yet again, and I some how found myself too busy to sit at my computer for a few minutes. Weird, I know. But, to my credit, I also spent the Christmas holiday working, so maybe not so

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-82361004384850283902009-12-19T21:55:00.004Z2009-12-20T02:24:20.104Z

For those of you who know me, and know me well, what I have done here in this picture will not surprise you. For those of you who are just getting to know me...the title on the board says it all. I'm choosing to be aware that my days here in Canada are numbered...Now, this may seem like a logical and natural thing to do, seeing as how it puts everything into context and gives one a timeline to

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-42807561370206958112009-12-14T04:18:00.003Z2009-12-14T04:20:02.214Z

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-43037578323290430732009-11-11T08:59:00.005Z2009-11-19T02:34:30.785Z

66 days left. Just 3 days shy of 9 weeks. A little more than 2 months.I guess it's safe to say that the count down has somewhat officially started.66 days until I leave.Sometimes, it seems a bit crazy to think that the day that I was waiting over a year and a bit for is now on my doorstep. It's making me come to terms with the fact that this is actually happening...as surreal as it may or may

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-57831397049257311942009-10-28T04:15:00.003Z2009-10-28T04:42:11.494Z

So...my flight to meet up with the Africa Mercy in Tenerife...is BOOKED.Wow. Leg One. Down.Thankfully, my travel agent, Rikki, with Menno Travel made it super easy for me. As it stands, I should be leaving in the middle of January...leaving Calgary, going to Amsterdam, then Madrid, then Tenerife. It's going to be a long day of travel...and when I say day, I mean day. I think all-in-all...with

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-64687295703081844772009-10-09T02:14:00.005Z2009-10-09T19:36:20.864Z

Yesterday, I had my travel clinic appointment at Medisys. My nurse was Chelsea, and she was really awesome. She told me that she wanted to do the Mercy Ships, too...but, then she got married. She also said that she looked a bit more into it, and she's sure that her husband could volunteer, too. I told her that they should still see if they can volunteer together. How awesome would it be to

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-77811194696464144832009-10-07T06:42:00.003Z2009-10-25T20:10:10.059Z

Yesterday, I went to Tehillah Monday. The speaker's name is Trevor Meier. It was awesome. It struck me. Even left me shaken.Ever just wanted some thing that you wanted sooo bad to go sooo smoothly - without a single bump in the road? Ever think about how that never happens? That's how things seem to be going for me right now. Ever opportunity for doubt to creep in...it does. Some thing in

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-78095217753065380482009-09-30T04:12:00.000Z2009-09-30T04:21:09.032Z

So - as you guys have heard from my last post - I have e-mailed the current pharmacist aboard the Africa Mercy...and she replied! It's very exciting for me to have someone to talk to and ask questions. And - it's great to have someone's input, who has been there, and is doing that!From what I have gathered from her e-mail, she is from the UK and is a long term volunteer on the Africa Mercy.

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-50180115897126584942009-09-18T21:02:00.001Z2009-09-18T21:03:43.971Z

So, when I finally started this blog, there were lots of things starting to happen...My spot on the ship for 2010 was completely confirmed. My volunteer dates were set. The country we were sailing to was now official. I knew where I need to fly to in order to meet up with the ship, and where I was flying from to leave. I had time to research all the information I needed to get the ball rolling..

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710963471164117841.post-18864806437951117882009-08-24T15:29:00.000Z2009-10-03T15:34:11.743Z

So, if you’re here, you’re probably wondering why you are here.I have decided to start this blog as a way of keeping in touch with everyone while I am away. It’s a way for you to check up on me and keep updated…at your own leisure, of course.So, now you may be wondering, “Where are you going?”.For those of you who don’t know yet…I am going on a medical mission in January 2010 with a Christian

tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14269197023458364692noreply@blogger.com3