Mercy Ships Girls. Be my friend.

I just got back about an hour ago from shopping in town with a girl named Yvonne. It was a lot of fun. The funny thing is that not all, but many of the men say hello and like, we got free rides both ways just because we're two white girls by ourselves. The day was a good day. We headed out around 10 am, got a ride with two guys from the World Distribution Services (or something like that), shopped around one street, ate lunch on the roof or a building, and then walked to another street for shopping and then walked most of the way back until we were picked up.

For those of you who love fabric, I bought some beautiful stuff today. I bought enough for at least two bags and a skirt and I paid $4 american. I love it. It's so funny because when you pay like $10 here it feels like so much, and it's so easy to just bargain for things because it's far "too" expensive. I am though, rather sunburnt. I didn't wear sunscreen, and I was fine for most of the day until we were walking back because there were no cabs around and I definately got burnt. I do have a lovely sandal tan on my feet which amazes me because it shows my tan from today because I haven't worn these shoes out yet.

I've started to say 'eh' more. I don't know if maybe I say it at home, but I definately say it here. I'm working not to because everytime I do people comment, which means people comment a couple times a day because it's slipping out!! Also, so many words just make me laugh. At home I say 'H-core' more with camp friends than others, but here, I said that and people didn't know what I meant and were confused. That is definately an Abbotsford type thing. And like, everybody here says 'small small' and 'plenty plenty'. There's like a NCA thing here (for those of you who know what that means) which is MSA for Mercy Ships Appropriate. We'll be like, 'that's not MSA'. We can't show our knees here when we're out and during the day. Another thing is that we add an 'o' to some words like 'fine-o' and 'sorry-o' and 'bye-o'. It's really funny. It makes me just laugh when I think about the fact that I've adapted so quickly to what others do.

Speaking of adapters, this is more of a petty complaint. My adapter works but not for my straightener or blow drying which is why I brought it. So I can charge my batteries, but not straighten my hair, which speaking of hair, I cut mine. I'm going to post some pictures. They're more or less for my Mom and sisters but I guess all of y'all who read this (the so many that you are .. haha) will get to see them as well. Not a lot off. Well, actually a fair bit and I got bangs. I'm definately missing my straightener. Luckily I can borrow some of my roomies blow dryers when I need one, but I'll have to figure out what to do about straightening. It's such a petty thing especially when I think of the devestation that I see when I go out. I was really happy to go out today because I hadn't been out during the day except to orphanages and to church. It's so easy to complain about things, and I know I will probably always continue to do that, but it's good to realize that I am truly blessed.

I've started to read a book by Philip Yancey. There is an amazing library on the ship. People, when they leave, often choose to leave books, so there is quite a few books here for the borrowing. The book I'm reading is 'Disappointment with God - three questions no one asks about'. It's really encouraging, and it's definately making me think.

I'm sure that if you read my last post you could sense that I was struggling with some stuff, but I'm stepping back towards being good. I'm feeling a lot happier and content which is good, but as well, God totally revealed Himself to me last night.

Here on the ship, every moment when we're alone is precious and should be carefully used because they're rare. I was on the dock with a few people and slowly they all left and I was there by myself. There's a smoking area which is where we hang out so that those who want to can smoke, so it's more or less closed off so I sat on the very very end of the dock and just started talking honestly to God. I initiated the conversation and a little fish popped up. I asked God questions that needed 'yes' answers and everytime at the right moment a fish would come up. The fish here are I think flying fish so they do these crazy jumps, but I've only really seen them jump one to maybe four times, but I saw one that I'd say jumped at least eight times, and I really felt like it was God telling me things. It was just really encouraging and very much what I needed.

Tonight we're playing life size 'Frustration' so that should be a fun gong-show. Speaking of gong-shows ... no one knows what that means. Really funny! And to be in someone's 'good books' is a British thing which us Canadians have adapted, so Brits understand but others don't. Very interesting.

Here is a long awaited post of pictures. I'm sorry it's taken so long. The computers here take a long time for things to upload, so I had to resize all of my pictures to small format, so hopefully they'll still be a decent size. Enjoy!

Home sweet home








These kids were so incredibly cute. I fell in love with them instantly.

I took this picture from the train on the way to the Bong Mines.

This is the hallway into my room. I'm in the second little cubicle.

This is my lovely apples bed

This is to show that my entire closet is smaller than from my hand to elbow
The view from my bed.

The past few weeks have been some of the most challenging of my life. I'm in a constant battle with a lot of things, but God has amazed me with how He is truly willing to come to where I am.

I've never struggled so much with both my faith and with the ability to be loved by Christ. I've done things in my life that looking back I realize how completely unworthy I am of the grace of God.

As hard as it is to believe, I know that God simply asks for a heart that is willing, so I just have to figure out where I am with Him.

Anyways, prayers are always appreciated. I don't understand God, but I am working my way towards being willing to love Him again.

As well. This is a hard day knowing that two months ago life changed so drastically for someone whom I do call sister. It didn't affect me all day, but I do mourn Nate, and I miss him. Whenever I sing and play my worship songs I'll often find notes from times I would lead with him. Though tears are not something that come when I want, my heart is broken again today as I remember.

Staring at my mirror
It's become crystal clear
My scars are starting to be seen
They show the world where I've been
This charade of life
Has left me tired
It's cutting like a knife
And causing my soul to burn in fire
I never expected to need this much grace
I had thought I was doing will in this place
The hand I held onto has slipped away
I don't know if ever again I can get it to stay
My core of life is in a blaze
I'm lost in this maze
My eyes have glimpsed what they never should have seen
I'm ashamed of where I've been
I'm locked in handmade chains
That are stuck together
Hope seems impossible to gain
And I don't know how to put my broken everything back together
I never expected to need this much grace
I had thought I was doing will in this place
The hand I held onto has slipped away
I don't know if ever again I can get it to stay
Maybe one day I'll be washed clean
With skin and life that truly gleams
But until then I'll sit and cry
Partially because I do know why
I never expected to need this much grace
I had thought I was doing will in this place
The hand I held onto has slipped away
I don't know if ever again I can get it to stay

(Slipped Away - Nadine Schroeder - September 18/07)

Jesus you took my hand and told me where to go
You pointed me to this place
and said, 'child you're never alone'
I believe in your words and I believe in your power
These are the words of my heart

My eyes don't see you and my hands don't feel your touch
In my heart, mind, and soul I know you are with me
But right now I'm lost in the blue blue sea

Jesus you took me from the sinking sand and told me it was you that I should sow
You taught me to make you my foundation's base and said, 'you'll never be on your own'
I trust in your words and I rely on your power
These are the words of my heart.

My eyes don't see you and my hands don't feel your touch
In my heart, mind, and soul I know you are with me
But right now I'm lost in the blue blue sea

Jesus I do believe in your words and I trust in them too
I cannot live wihtout your power I love you Lord, I do
This blue is swallowing me
So give me faith to trust
Strength to carry on
And the ability to be honest with you because

My eyes don't see you and my hands don't feel your touch
In my heart, mind, and soul I know you are with me
But right now I'm lost in the blue blue sea

(Blue Blue Sea - Nadine Schroeder - September 9/07)

prayer request

A definate prayer request. I've learned why the ship is so hot. There are 2 a/c systems and one is down which means like 5 levels of the ship are without cool air. It's brutal to work. I have never been this gross and so nasty and all that comes along with heat. Please pray that the engineers fix it quick, because everyone onboard is having to deal with it, and it is very hard. Some of the usual meeting rooms cannot be used because they are like ovens and you can barely function in them. I am so thankful that my room is on a still fully A/C floor, but it's tough because everywhere I work is HOT HOT HOT!!!
Also, some of you know that I had bronchitis before I came. I am having a lot of trouble getting rid of my cold. The change from cool A/C air to hot hot hot air is tough and lots of people are coughing. I am done with all of my antibiotics, so there is not much more I can do. Please please please pray for healing for me.
I love you all.

I haven't really got any adventure stories for you lately. On, Monday night, I think that was then, we had a sweet bonfire. It was by no means a typical Abbotsford bonfire, namely because it was very small. However, it was fun. We sat out in the smoking area and made a fire (meaning, as you know me, someone else made a fire) and then we just sat around. One of the guys here, Sean/David (both his names) told a not at all scary story that still caused me to think while I was trying to sleep. It was fun.
I'm starting to feel like this is home. Yet at moments I feel like I wish I were at my house and hanging out with people that know me well. Last night was sweet though. I hadn't played piano since before I left and I hadn't really sung sung since I got here, so last night I was just about ready to die! I sat down at a piano with another girl to sing stuff and then others joined and it was a sweet little imprompto time of worship. Needless to say, my singing secret is out. I had considered not singing just so that I could be known as more than the musician, but it's alright. Now that it's out I'm going to sing on worship teams and stuff, so that'll be fun.
Um, tonight we might go to a 'party'! I'll find out what that means. I think it's like 45 minutes away or something like that, but it'll definately be good to be out of the boat. I haven't left since Saturday to the bong mines, and I haven't even been outside today.
My work today consisted of going to rooms to set up for new people, having nurses sleeping in the rooms because they work nights, and then not being able to do my job. So, we made cookies today, we had to set up/clean up for 3 little events, and I just now made the bed because I figured I needed to do it before the day was up.
I can not begin to explain how incredibly hot it is here. I have never been this hot. Even when it's windy, it is starting to be cool. If I were at home, I would be in tank tops and shorts, but here we always have to cover our knees (it's an odd Liberian culture thing where the men look down on while being turned on by women with exposed knees) and we can't have on thin strap tops on. So, I am switching between my coolest and lightest stuff because it is hot. Even in the A/C ship, it's hot because there's so much going on. And then when you cook with a non-household (meaning larger and hotter) oven it heats up the little room you're working in, and when your own room has no windows, it just gets nice and toasty. I am definately excited to go out. I think if I can find someone, I'll header outside for a bit just for a walk.
If you feel like it, feel free to pray for me. I'm meeting lots of people, and starting to form friendshps. Pray that I find lasting relationships and that I get to know some great people. Pray that I can be an impact even in the capacity of my job. Pray that I will find true joy in my job, and that the ship will miraculously be not so hot. Pray that the food will get better because it is definately not very good for the most of the time. And pray that I will get all my funding in and that I will take specific time each day for God.
I love you all.
P.S. If you have any simple with relatively easy to obtain ingrediants recipies that you would love to send me, I would appriciate it. We have to make stuff all the time, and I want to make good stuff, and to me, that means things from Canada!
P.P.S. I know this is rather demanding in a way, but I would truly appriciate it if you leave a comment. It's hard with this whole time change. I'll write people at any point in the day, and almost always it's not until the next day that I get a reply. Probably the hardest thing to deal with is the time change with home. I guess you could pray that the time change would vanish!

Adventure to the Bong Mines

So yesterday was definately an adventure. I woke up at 5:45 and once I was ready headed upstairs. A bunch of us met to go to the Bong Mines. We met at 6:30 and then drove to the train station. Once we were there we waited (Liberia time is a lot different than Canadian. If a Canadian says to be somewhere at 7:15, you'll leave probably by at least 7:30, in Liberia, you might not leave until noon). We waited and waited until I think around 8:30 when they started loading our land rovers onto the train and then we all climbed on. They had like a flat bed type of thing. Rather like the float I stood on when I was in the Santa Clause Parade in Vancouver. So they drove the trucks up a little embankment and then drove onto the flat bed. They strapped the trucks on so they wouldn't fall off. Once it was all ready we could climb on. We could sit on the land rovers, in the land rovers, or just sit on the side. The important thing was if you were standing -- hold on! So I sat on top of the land rover with my pillow that I'd brought along due to being told by many people that that was a very good idea! So, we drove past the UN base, and then through lots of villages where the children would scream and yell with joy to see us and then through the jungle. It's not like jungle jungle, it's more like forest, but that's not the right word. It's just like, really green, with trees!! So yea. About 2-3 hours later we arrived and once they were able to, we unloaded. While we waited for our trucks to come off we talked with some of the people and played with the kids. These children are so cute Mom. I now have felt the call from God to adopt from the Ukraine and from Liberia. So, 2 children at least of mine shall probably be adopted! So, finally the trucks came off and we drove maybe 10 minutes to a lake. The lake was quite flooded so the usual "beach" was gone but we still sat there. We ate lunch and then some of us swam. I even climed up some rocks on a cliff like thing and jumped in. It was SO scary, but I wanted to do it. I made myself do it twice. The funny thing is that there were some African men across the lake on another cliff thing yelling at us to "JUMP!!! JUMP!!!" It was rather funny. The lake is just thing like, wierd thing. I can't explain it to you, but it's definately not a typical lake! So once we were done swimming we sat on the "beach" for a while and then drove back to the train station because it was when we were supposed to leave. They weren't ready and told us to come back at 5. We drove into the town and walked around there for a while. A couple of us went to their hospital/clinic and that was cool. We didn't go inside but it was cool to see it anyways. So then we got back and loaded up the land rovers onto the train. They still weren't ready, so we sat around for a long time. By a long time I mean about an hour or so I'd guess. So it was raining at this point so I sat inside the land rover. After a long long long long while we finally started leaving, but then went backwards, then forwards, then backwards. They were adding these train cars filled with wierd stuff that somehow they make money from, and they were having trouble connecting some of them. So finally we started on our way but felt a lot slower than the way there. Usually, in the fast, these groups have got back at like 4-5 pm but we got back just before 9pm. Mary-lou was beside herself feeling so bad. "I send my 'baby's' out on here and they didn't get back until now". Turns out a lot of people had been worried because we were back so late and none of the cell phones had been working so they weren't quite sure if we were alright, but they were trusting that we were. Mary-lou was sweet enough to save for me and Joy food as well as some others she had known were going. She just felt so bad because she told us this was going to be so fun and she felt horrible. However, it was a lot of fun, and it was a great first Saturday.

Arrived in Africa

I am here in Africa.
Traveling was fun. Flying into London made me want to travel there because it's so beautiful. One of my landings (into Ghana) made me think I might just die, and I wasn't sure why God would let that happen before I'd done more stuff for His kingdom, and then the next day sitting in the Ghana airport, my 12:40 plane arrived at like 3 so we left at like 3:30 meaning I arrived at the supposed to be around 3:30 arrival time instead at 6 and then went through lots of customs. Funny thing in Africa (well, not so funny, more of an annoyance), the bags from the airplane take about an hour to get inside because the workers (about half of them) sit around, and they have one truck to bring all of the bags. So, a LONG time after arriving, like 7:15 I finally got my bags. After being told that carts cost money, I carried my bags and went outside. The men were quick to help me find my Mercy Ships people.
...side note...
So I'm flying from Ghana to Liberia. We stopped off in the middle and my seat partners switched. Before the switch, the man beside me asked to borrow my pen. Fine with me. He then wrote down his name, address, phone number, and future American phone number, because he plans to be there by March or so. I guess we'll "meet" up and before "friends"!! I knew from others telling me that the African men would hit on me, but I didn't realize how much. I'm getting smiled at like all of the time, and I've quickly been told that I am never to ever travel alone off the ship, especially at night, and I usually should have a ship guy with me!
So, arriving in Monrovia was fine. Met up with the people, and drove the 1 1/2 hour drive to the ship. Once arriving at the ship, I realized how incredibly HUGE this ship is. I almost said boat there, but I have also learned that this is NOT a boat. It is a ship because it has a main deck or something like that. I don't know. All I know is that I live on a massive ship. It is the largest non-government hospital ship in the world. I think it is probably just about the same size as the cruise ship I went on. I walked up a long set of stairs, was introduced to a hostess and receiptionist, told the emergency procedures, and got my badge. The VERY KIND thing that they do is that once you arrive they take a picture of you. So nice after traveling for two days! Then I took my bags downstairs to my room and saw that while it's a huge ship, it's a TINY room. If you know my old house, you know my sisters old room. Well, that was a big room, this is not! The entire thing is probably as long as her room. You walk in and on the left is a door to the bathroom where showers are to be 2 minutes long! Well, I showered SO fast this morning, and I hope I did alright for time. Then there is a hallway and three little parts in the hallway. I am in the second little compartment. My room is about the size of my old bathroom at my old house. Which means, if you were never at my old house, very very very very small. There's a closet on the right which gives me about the size of your computer screen in width and floor to almost ceiling for my stuff. I managed to fit it all in, which was amazing. Then on the left it a table which underneath is stored all of my bags. Above the table is like a thing on the wall that I can put stuff on, and then to go into bed, I step onto my roomies bed, onto a table right on the corner as so not to break the table and then up into my bed. My bedspread is green apples! It's rather lovely. I didn't particularily sleep last night, but you know, that's kinda to be expected when you're in a new home, country, continent. You also can hear the ships engines running all of the time.
I was told last night that I would have time off today until 6pm when is my tour (which means I'm lost all day) so I worked on a bunch of my paperwork, realized I'm missing a lot of needed paperwork, and that I can't buy anything until my funds come in or I pay with my own money. So you can pray that funds will come in soon. If you happen to be a person who is donating or has donating, please have funds in before the 7th of the month or else I have to pay with my own money. They will hopefully give me grace for this month, but I'm going to have to figure something out!
I don't know if I mentioned this, but it is so extremely crazy sweltering hot here! I had no idea it would be this hot. Even with the ship A/C I am so warm and constantly sweating, even when just sitting.
Oh yea, my new email is
Nadine.Schroeder@mercyships.org
Feel free to send me stuff there or my hotmail schrodine@hotmail.com but just be aware that hotmail is extremely slow here and often not working so you won't get replys any time soon. I just looked out the window and noticed that it is pouring rain like crazy. I had thought I might go for a walk, but I guess not. In this heat I forget the rain, but it pours rain at like really hot heat.
Anyways though, this is longer than I thought it would be. I love you all.


I was thinking as well. I wrote a lot about hard stuff going on. I am completely overwhelmed, exhausted, tired, and just confused about a lot of things, but I truly am doing good. I know within the next few weeks I will get to know all the halls and stairways. (there's 7 decks, and 3 colours of staircases all which lead in different areas, things are everywhere, and I am completely lost). As a hostess I will soon be giving tours though, so I know I'll be fine. But no matter how much I guess I've vented into this blog, I am doing good. I feel confident that God has brought me here. I would truly appriciate comments if you're reading this just so I can know that I'm writing to more than just my siblings.

Oh yea, another thing. To those who wonder what Mercy Ships do. I've semi-mis-informed you. The ship will be at our current port until December. We do not move around. Patients come here for surgury and stay until they are better. I will post more about the other stuff as I know. I do know that I can do work in the prisons, orphanages, homes for the elderly/handicapped, and much more. I'll update as I get involved in things!

I miss you.

Overwhelmed

I am overwhelmed by the grace of God.
In church today I was supposed to be commissioned, however through miscommunication the prayer during the sermon didn't occur, however I was prayed for after the service by a group of people and it is amazing to feel a crowd around you in agreement that you are doing something good and that God will be with you.
The service was amazing. The focus was on short term missions and I was encouraged the entire way through that the path I will take has already been walked on by God.
Tomorrow.
In less than 20 hours I will board that plane.
I am excited.
I feel like these posts have been full of fear, but today I feel like God is ready and is holding me, and will be with me. Though I am overwhelmed by many things, mostly I am overwhelmed by the grace of God and the ability that He has to amaze me.
Today after buying shoes I saw a bus arriving home from a trip. I recalled how when I went to Mexico three years ago we arrived in the same parking lot. Looking over, I saw my friend who I had not been able to give a proper goodbye to. As well I saw about six people who I had not expected to see until next spring.

God is good!

I can't promise what my internet access will be in the next months, but I will update as I am able.

I truly appriciate all of your prayers and I look forward to telling you how much I felt your prayers. Please especially pray from Monday to Wednesday as I will be traveling and there are a lot of things I have to do while traveling that are scary such as changing terminals, and not knowing if one of my flights will actually occur and at what time. Again however, my Mom has reminded me that I am going in places where the national languages are English, so I'll be alright. As well, with God on my side, do I really ever have any possible need to fear? No way!

My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. (Jeremiah 24:6-7)

Isaiah 40:3-5, 26, 28-31

A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.