Transition + Memories

Sometimes one just needs a slower morning in bed. Cozy. Comfortable. Smoothie in hand. The satisfaction of having just finished a book. 

I was supposed to go to brunch today, just a stone’s throw from the house. But it’s raining cats and dogs, the wind is howling, and something in the air has my allergies acting up. Or has it turned into a cold? It’s really hard to tell.

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Today I am going to bring you a combination of entries. First, a post that I started last week when I was feeling the rawness of transition. It's not polished, but that's how transition feels, so I'm going to leave it. Then, I'll share some short snippets of my life in recent months. Chronologically, it seems backwards, but actually there is logic behind that order. 

Transition is challenging and those of us who travel go through it quite often. But in experiencing transition over and over, we know that the passing of time not only helps ease the effects of jetlag but also gives the mind a chance to adjust. For me, it often takes just a few days to notice my attitude shift - to feel more positive again. Then what remains are the memories that I've made and that I cherish - both beautiful and challenging - in a country and with people that I hold close. 

Small beach near the Port

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Transition: 

At the end of February, I boarded a flight in the wee hours of the morning direct from Dakar to New York. The early morning rise for my PCR test followed by packing and helping to deep clean our apartment left me feeling quite tired. I have a terrible track record for being able to sleep on planes, but this time I did rest well even if a good night's slumber wasn't mine.

The days leading up to my departure, I didn't know what to feel. Perhaps it would be my last time in Senegal. My purpose for being there was to prepare for the arrival of our ship the M/V Africa Mercy. She docked the 1st of February. I'd passed on my knowledge and many contacts to my colleagues living on board and submitted the latest version of my handover report. Except for a few outstanding items, my work there is seemingly done. 

Transition home is always a bit challenging. This time perhaps even more so. Preparing for the ship to return to Dakar was a trying season - one that required significant flexibility, patience, grace and commitment. However, in the coming and going, in collaborating with partners, in getting to know the city more, I grew quite attached to Dakar. And with the ship back, I wasn't exactly ready to leave. 

The two weeks leading up to my departure I was very busy. My first days home, I felt like coming to a screeching halt, as if I was the road runner in Bugs Bunny cartoons. 

While in Senegal, I had an awareness of what was happening with our partners and on board. Coming home I feel largely out of the loop. 

Once the ship arrived, I was on board nearly every day. I've always appreciated the ship community and it was really nice to reconnect with old friends. My social life is quieter back in Virginia. 

Also, I didn't really recognize it until I was leaving, but my whole team is either still in Senegal or has transitioned to serving on one of our ships. 

And yet, towards the end of my time in Senegal I was ready for a break. I wasn't happy with my attitude. I needed more time in nature. I needed some rest. 

Here she comes!!

The start of any field service is both tiring and exciting - this one even more so than most. In 2020, the M/V Africa Mercy had to leave Senegal quite suddenly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That meant surgeries were postponed; patients who had been pre-selected had no option but to wait or seek care elsewhere. Yet, a beautiful story emerged. Largely thanks to one of our Senegalese crew, those patients were called month after month. We didn't know when the ship would return but it was important for us to keep in touch and ultimately keep our promise to those people. So, you can imagine the exhilaration of seeing the ship sail in to the port and hearing a prayer on the ship's intercom moments before the first surgery started. But still, fatigue is very real. Our set-up period, when we prepare the hospital and the dock space to receive patients, was shorter than normal. This field service, we're implementing so many measures to prevent and manage COVID-19. As with the rest of the world, we've had to navigate supply delays and shipping challenges. Our quantity of alumni crew on board is smaller than usual. All this is hard, but what's special about Mercy Ships, is that the crew and the wider Mercy Ships community provide a lot of practical assistance and spiritual and emotional support to one another. We go through the hard together and collectively keep our faith at the center of what we do. 

Gangway coming down - my favorite part!

Arrival Day Outfits (by now covered in Harmattan dust)

As someone who likes to serve and help others, it's hard to take a step back when I know there are things I could be doing - especially to support my colleagues and friends in Senegal. The first few days home, I was feeling grumpy and bored because the pace of life was so different. I felt a lack of purpose. But time in nature and some very nice weather has served me well. My attitude is changing. 

Towards the end of 2021, I read a quote that really spoke to me: Wherever you are, be all there. Too often my mind is on the past, the future, or generally wandering. I was really convicted by that quote, but since early February my goal to be in the moment more has not been on my radar at all. I was too distracted. 

For everything there is a season. 

This season in Senegal has passed. I may be away for a few months. A few years. Maybe forever. We will see. 

To return to the USA, to be able to work remotely for a time, to have some comforts of home - all of those things are gifts. To be able to rest and treat my body well with exercise and healthier foods, those are gifts too. They are to be embraced. For such a time as this. 

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Memories:

Over the holidays, a close friend and I decided to WhatsApp one another every day for a couple of months about what we’re grateful for. Some days I’m bubbling with things to share. Other days it’s a struggle to come up with one item. However, I’ll admit that once I do, often more thankful thoughts come to mind.

I’ll close out this blog with some memories as written in my makeshift gratitude journal. They'll give you a glimpse into my life in Senegal. 

Today I’m in precautionary quarantine since I just entered the country. As a result, my world is quite small. But I am thankful that I got a kettle for my room and have had many cups of tea as a result. The hotel gave me Lady Grey, which I haven’t had for so long. Forgot how much I enjoy it. Also, had beautiful sun and warmth streaming through my window this morning. Was so comforting and relaxing.

Quarantine View

Tonight I walked with a colleague to get takeout at a restaurant. We’ve never been there. Once at the place, we realized we didn’t bring enough money. I was about to run home to get more but the cook said don’t worry about it. He told us we could bring the rest tomorrow. On est ensemble (we are together). That was so trusting and kind.

Today we went progressive food shopping…the American food store, the organic shop and a big supermarket. You know for me that was great! Oddly, one of my joys from today was the lunchmeat my colleague bought from the deli. It looked and tasted like what we buy at home.

Today I did my first meeting completely in French. It was an easy topic and it was quite messy but I got through and got my questions answered. The perfectionist side of me is a bit disappointed that it wasn’t better executed, but I am also quite pleased with my courage and that gives me more confidence.

Senegal just won the Africa Cup of Nations this evening and the streets are full of celebration. I just love that soccer is something that the whole country gets behind and supports. Turn volume up on video below - courtesy of Kate Pitchford - to hear the excitement in the air after the win. 

This morning my colleague and I had to go to the market to look for locks. We waited for a while for one of the sellers to go find the specific type of lock we needed at his friend’s stall. Meanwhile, I had a great time people watching. My favorite part was the corner stand. Two ladies selling sandwiches made on the spot with fresh baguettes. I couldn’t really tell all the options, but they included noodles, hardboiled eggs, tuna, French fries, mayo, Maggi sauce, hot pepper sauce etc. Kind of odd. They had a constant flow of customers. I wonder when they get up and whether they work all day.

It's Friday! Thankful that I was able to have coffee and go on a walk by the water with a colleague I have barely seen this whole Advance period - even though we live ~15 mins apart. We saw one of our Senegalese friends who has a store under a canopy by the beach. Such a nice guy who tries to teach us Wolof - unfortunately we aren't very good. Thankful for ship food, especially the fresh veggies and nice assortment of tea at the moment. And thankful for a long chat in the café with ship friends from when I was in Cameroon and Guinea. 

Today was an odd day in that I left for the airport at 10:30 am along with some colleagues to pick up medicine that came by air freight. We were surprised by how well it was all going but then we ran into a hiccup - our oversight. It took most of the day to solve. Besides feeling like so little was accomplished today, I am thankful for many things 1) there were donkeys by the building. I have grown quite fond of donkeys lately so that was fun. 2) I got to spend a good amount of time with colleagues, two of whom I didn’t know very well 3) everyone was quite chill about the wait 4) our partners were quick to offer help 5) we were welcomed inside to share a Senegalese lunch with the people working on site (meaning all grab a spoon and dig into a shared plate of spicy rice, ground peanuts and beef – very good) and 6) we accomplished what we set out to do!

Final CET 7 Dinner (6 countries represented)

Today our first patients were admitted for surgery tomorrow! I am not living on board but hope I make it to the ship before Dr. Gary prays over the intercom. Will be a very special moment…happens before the first surgery of each field service. I did make it…literally just in time!

I am thankful to be home. Mom had Starbucks ready when she picked me up which was sweet and is likely to thank for keeping me going most of the day. I have already unpacked which took a few hours but feels like a good way to start the week. Mom made a tasty Moroccan chicken dinner in the crockpot; happy for homemade food. Plus she baked a few things; I am getting spoiled! Lastly, thankful that I am going to bed by 9 PM. So tired!

Landing Early AM in NYC