All in His Timing (Stranded in Chicago)

Well, our adventure started off a little differently than planned. We set of for the airport on Wednesday, March 6th, at 8am. We were travelling in two groups. One group was flying out of Tyler, with connecting flights to Houston, Chicago, Brussels, and finally Guinea. The other group, which I was a part of, was to fly out of Dallas, with connecting flights to Newark, Brussels, and then Guinea. The plan was that the whole group would reunite in Brussels and fly together.

Waiting for Our Flight to Newark

 However things do not always go the way that we have planned. Due to bad weather in Newark, our flight was delayed so much that we were eventually rerouted through Chicago. We met up with the other half of our group who were already there and together we boarded the flight to Brussels. We were taxiing out to the runway when the pilot announced that the plane was having mechanical difficulties and we were going back to the terminal.

Stuck in the Chicago Airport

By the time the airline had found another plane, it was going to be too late for us to catch our connecting flight to Guinea out of Brussels, which only flew out two days a week. We were stuck. The weather was far different here than in Texas, and was usaually at or below freezing. For many of us, including me, our luggage had continued on the flight to Brussels without us and we were without our luggage. Those who still had their luggage were generous and shared their clothing so that all of us were able to stay warm. The airline put us up in a hotel for three days, and we toured Chicago together.  It was such fun, We went to the Chicago Art Museum, Millenium Park, Lake Michigan, and the John Hancock Center.



Standing on the Bridge from the Art Museum to Millenium Park

Millenium Park

At Lake Michigan

In the John Hancock Center

It was wonderful to watch our entire group trust in the Lord's timing. We are on our way to Guinea again. With the Lord's help, this time we may actually reach our destination.

Onboarding Program ~ Basic Safety Training

This week was the final week and classes focused on Basic Safety Training. We learned basic fire safety skills and then had firefighting practical. We suited up in our firefighting gear, including SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) to help us breathe while working in smoke filled spaces. We practiced putting out different kinds of fires and rescuing people trapped in a burning building. With the help of the team, our more claustrophobic team members overcame their fears and every member of our team passed the test.  

Group Photos in Our Firefighting Gear

Celebrating with Prithvi After We Passed the Search and Rescue Practical

Getting Ready for the Indoor Fire Practical

John and I After Finishing the Fire Fighting Practical

Putting Out a Gas Fire (I'm the one in the front)

Entering the Container

Celebrating Being Done with Gabriela

 After fire safety classes were completed we did one day of CPR/First Aid training. I found this part of the class rather boring, as I have to renew my training every year as a nurse, but I took the opportunity to help others in the class who had not been trained before.
The last two days of training focused on water survival. We learned about abandoning ship, liferafts, flares, life jackets, and life preserving skills. The last day we had practical training. We went to the local pool and practiced what we had been learning. We demonstrated our swimming ability and practiced putting on gumby suits (bright orange survival suits) and jumping into the pool, flipping over and overturned liferaft and other water safety skills. I absolutely loved this part of training, it was so much fun and I loved getting a chance to swim. Some members of the team struggled with this practical as they were not strong swimmers, but with the support and encouragement of the team, once again, everyone passed.

Jumping Off the Diving Board

Enjoying the Water

Successful at Putting on My Gumby Suit

Enjoying the Water in My Gumby Suit

Practicing Huddling Together to Stay Warm

Practicing Travelling Together in the Water



Flipping over the Liferaft

 

The beginning of the next week we have one final day of class, and we were done! We received our certificates of completion of the Onboarding Program and have begun our packing. It is time to leave for Guinea. Our field service plans have been changed, due to restricted travel in some areas of Guinea due to some protesting that is going on. So we will find out when we arrive what our new assignment is. Africa here we come!

Goofy Photo With Our Certificates

The Proud Team With Our Certificates

Onboarding Program ~ Volunteering

This week of the Onboarding Program we focused on working with those we serve, focusing on worldviews and cultural differences.
We are working on learning some basic French phrases, as the primary language in Guinea is French. I am finding the French language extremely difficult to pronounce, though I think I am starting to understand the basic rules.

Evening Game Time

The Mercy Ships staff here volunteer at the local food bank once a month and I had the opportunity to go with them this week. We packed 2540 meals for underprivaleged children to take home with them after school so that they could have three meals a day over the weekends. I loved that the staff here at the IOC take the time to help in their community here, even while they work for Mercy Ships.
I had the opportunity to go to Dallas on Saturday with a few other members of my group. We had fun exploring downtown and watching a local street artist. Then we went to see the Kennedy Memorial and finished the day of with some delicious Thai food.

Enjoying the Sunshine

At the Kennedy Memorial

Fun Downtown

Walking in Downtown Dallas

A Walk in the Park



Spray Paint Art



Street Artist using Spray Pain and Fire to Create Art

 

Thai Food for Dinner

We were excited to learn that another charity organization called Sevenly will be selling shirts from February 25th to March 3rd to benefit Mercy Ships.  I helped the staff here to prepare by helping to tie tags to over 1500 Mercy Ships bracelets, which will be mailed along with every shirt that Sevenly sells.

Onboarding Program - Having Some Fun

This week classes focused on personal and interpersonal development. We talked about different personality types and how they affect communication, interaction, and conflict. I have learned a lot about myself and how my personality affects the way that I interact with others, and how I approach leadership and conflict. We are also studying more on prayer and hearing God's voice, and I am loving the time that we take everyday to pray as a group.
One of the families working at the IOC had our entire group over for the evening for dessert and fun. The food was delicious and there was much laughter to be had.  

With Jeremiah and Shea at the Bergstrom's

Gracie and I

 

Robin and I at the Bergstrom's

Fun with Chris

 

Fun with Esther

Gracie's older brother, Caden, turned 8 years old this week and we threw him a birthday party.

Celebrating Caden's Birthday

We have started planning our field service construction project. We will be building a playground near a local hospital and school for the neighborhood children. We will also be doing VBS for two days at a local school.
We have had a full and active weekend this week. On Saturday our group decided to go to the local zoo. The zoo was beautiful, and I loved seeing all of the animals. The pair of white tigers were my particular favorites.

Me and My Lovely Roommates on Our Way to the Zoo

Fun at the Zoo



Enjoying the Tigers at the Zoo

I met my great aunt at the zoo gate just before closing time. I had not seen her in ten years, but when I had learned from my grandfather that she lived just twenty minutes away from the IOC, I called and arranged to meet her. We went out for dinner at a local restaurant and had a lovely evening together catching up on the last ten years.


Me and Aunt Vikki

On Sunday we went to Cowboy Church again and then watched the children's rodeo that was held afterward. It was so fun to watch the children practicing their roping and riding.


Children Praying Before the Rodeo

Then, on Sunday evening 60 minutes aired a segment on the Mercy Ships and our entire group gathered together to watch. If you have not seen it you can go to my link and watch it. They truly did a wonderful job, and our entire group cheered at the end of the segment. Many tears were shed. I am looking forward even more to joining the crew of the Africa Mercy. We are truly blessed to be joining such an amazing organization.