Blog 5 (15/02)
Hello Hello!
What another fun week it has been :)
Despite working this weekend it was rather fun. On Saturday
evening the ship paid for the Screening Advance team to go out for dinner! We
went out to a wonderful pizza place called Greenfields. The tables are all
outside in a courtyard with large trees overhanging. I had a calzone, it must
be 6 years or so since I had my first and it was satisfactory but I did regret
not having a pizza rather. Again it was great to get off the ship and socialise
informally with fellow crewmates.
I received my tailored shirt (see photo) and pants back! I
love them :) il be sure to get more shirts made!
On Sunday I worked the morning shift and then had the
afternoon off. Obviously I much preferred getting work over with and reading in
the sun even if I had to rise at 5 30. I researched the topic of ‘corruption’
from the books I brought with me, as that was the Sunday evening meeting topic.
This was helpful to get my head around the topic within the context of Africa.
The talk confirmed my conviction of not wanting to pay a single
bribe/coffee/gift while in West Africa.
After the service many gathered around a TV in mid ships to
watch the final of the African Cup of Nations. This was between Zambia and
Ivory Coast. There was one poor Ivorian and the rest were rooting for Zambia,
even though not one crew member was from there! After 2 hours of no goals the
resulting penalties were super tight. In the sudden death Ivory Coast missed
and Zambia converted, winning their first AFCON and making many semi-supporters
happy.
On Monday I jumped at half a chance and joined some nurses
in going to town. It turned out to be very successful as I did a few things I
had been wanting to. We went through the market (see Photo), to the Supermarche
(which has an excellent selection of imported things, some of which are not
even available in CT) and to the Artisan market. I found ‘Toms’, which I had
been looking out for, while in the market. Toms are very well made and
comfortable shoes that are sold in Europe and America for around 50$. When a
pair is purchased, one complimentary pair is sent to Africa of South America
for a poor child. I turned out to be that child, for 15$ :) they now appear slightly too big so I will take them whenever I am going past
and hopefully change them. The Artisan Market was good because it is away from
the madness and hassling of the streets! I would like to return there for
gifts.
That evening I waited on the dock to play soccer but again
it was not happening. So me and 3 other guys went up to deck 7 on the starboard
(right) side, aft(back) to where there is a netted outdoor area. Fortunately I
brought my mini ball so we could play 2 on 2. It was such a crazy workout even
though it was only about a 12 by 4m pitch.
Yesterday I relaxed at the pool (which has been filled!). Its
so nice and quiet up there. Because of the ships sway, the water moves to and
fro, more than one might think.
Last night I joined a team that were heading out to a local
church to show the Jesus Film. Its incredible how the team just sets up a
generator, speaker, screen, mics and projector from the Land Rover. The air is
such a good temperature at that time of the day where one is quite comfortable
in a shirt and pants. The audience sat on the opposite side of a fairly used
dirt road while neighbours walked and bikers scootered back and forth between
the screen and us. About ten or more people gave their lives to Jesus! It is so
great how we would applaud every one of Jesus’ miracles or wise words against
the Jewish priests. Something I couldn’t see happening in our traditional
churches at home. The film had the local language of Ewe as a voice over but it
was obviously still clear what was going on.
Tonight I have returned from my first ward visit! The
‘Befriend A Patient’ program paired me with Komla. Komla is a Togolese man who
had a tumour in the back of his throat removed last week. He doesn’t speak
English so there is a translator present to help the conversation along. He
really wanted to stretch his legs so we ended up walking up and down the
corridor for about an hour! He did have a breathing pipe coming out of his
neck, which has since been removed but he would hold the bandage as though it
were sore when he spoke. Even though he said it wasn’t. The tumour had been
blocking his windpipe at times so it is a great thing that it was removed when
it was. I’m not sure when he will be discharged but he does say that he needs
to get back to work (as a taxi driver) so that his family receives money. None
of them have been able to visit these past ten days since his house is about
60km away. I will try and see him as often as possible and promised that I
would write him a letter tomorrow night which would be translated, either by PC
or I’ll ask someone to :)
This weekend I hope to go NorthWest for a night, to Kpalime
(pronounced Palimay). There is a YWAM (youth with a mission) base there and
good hiking! I’m looking forward to my weekend off!
This is rather rushed as it is late and it has been a long
day (I ran after work as well!)
Love ben
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