This is a crew announcement...
This is Grace, I am just writing this post in order to notify you that I have started my own blog. If you are interested in seeing it, please click here.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Through The Eyes of a Nine Year Old
I don't like to be nine very much because there's one more year before I can go around the ship by myself. Natty and my other friends, who are already ten, can go up to deck 8 and the Town Square by themselves but I don't get to.
Sometimes kids who are not ten yet run around even though they aren't supposed to. I don't like that. It makes me feel a little bit annoyed because they aren't supposed to. My parents tell me it's a ship rule and I have to follow it even if other kids don't and their parents don't make them. Grrrrr.
My mom and dad say that we need to set a good example and that the bible says we should obey people in charge. I think that it would be fun if there didn't have to be older people in charge but I guess if there weren't then it would just be chaos. I'm not exactly sure what that means but we did a game in PE and Mr. Calvert said it. I think it means when everything is out of control and crazy (my sister added crazy).
When I'm ten then I will be happy because I can go up to deck 8 by myself, I can go to the computer lounge by myself, and I can watch PG movies. Oh yeah, then I get to have a later bedtime, too. And birthday presents.
But there are still some fung things to do now. I like it when my parents take me places to play and hang out. I also like to do PE and Drama in school. They are fun subjects. I like living on the ship because the classes are small and there aren't very many people. Sometimes there are yummy things to eat. It's fun that we get to sail to lots of different places. And we get to be in new places but still have our house with us. It'a also fun that we get to drive in Landrovers and go to African places. Like last weekend we went to somebody's house. My parents say that it was the house of the acting US Ambassador and his wife. They invited us over to eat muffins and play in their pool. I guess most kids don't get to hang out at the houses of people like that. It's also fun that presidents and people like that come to our ship.
- Malachi
Sometimes kids who are not ten yet run around even though they aren't supposed to. I don't like that. It makes me feel a little bit annoyed because they aren't supposed to. My parents tell me it's a ship rule and I have to follow it even if other kids don't and their parents don't make them. Grrrrr.
When I'm ten then I will be happy because I can go up to deck 8 by myself, I can go to the computer lounge by myself, and I can watch PG movies. Oh yeah, then I get to have a later bedtime, too. And birthday presents.
But there are still some fung things to do now. I like it when my parents take me places to play and hang out. I also like to do PE and Drama in school. They are fun subjects. I like living on the ship because the classes are small and there aren't very many people. Sometimes there are yummy things to eat. It's fun that we get to sail to lots of different places. And we get to be in new places but still have our house with us. It'a also fun that we get to drive in Landrovers and go to African places. Like last weekend we went to somebody's house. My parents say that it was the house of the acting US Ambassador and his wife. They invited us over to eat muffins and play in their pool. I guess most kids don't get to hang out at the houses of people like that. It's also fun that presidents and people like that come to our ship.
- Malachi
Monday, September 10, 2012
Locking Shields
Today was one of those days. You know the kind I mean. I'll no go into details but suffice it so say that most of it revolves around being offended; either me offending others or them offending me. It seems like 'taking offense' is spreading like the plague in the first few weeks of this field service and in times like this, when I am reflective and prayerful, it is so easy to see the hand of Satan at work encouraging 'offense' to create division and broken relationships. A very wise friend shared a few days ago an image he had about all of us, in addition to putting on the Armor of God, needing to lock our shields together and advance as a team to that we all remain protected and the line unbroken.
Really, the things that offended me were not particularly major and allowing myself to be offended was a reflection of my lack of willingness to lay down my 'rights' and die to self. It really isn't worth the energy to be offended and it certainly isn't worth the harm that it does to relationships. Choosing to be offended weakens the line and leaves others unprotected.
Will those of you who read this and are followers of Jesus please pray with me that the Lord would crush the spirit of offense in the crew of the Africa Mercy, that He would replace it with humility and a willingness to believe the best in others, and that we would live up to the admonition given in Galatians 6:9-10 - "So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." (The Message).
Pressing On,
Peter
Really, the things that offended me were not particularly major and allowing myself to be offended was a reflection of my lack of willingness to lay down my 'rights' and die to self. It really isn't worth the energy to be offended and it certainly isn't worth the harm that it does to relationships. Choosing to be offended weakens the line and leaves others unprotected.
Will those of you who read this and are followers of Jesus please pray with me that the Lord would crush the spirit of offense in the crew of the Africa Mercy, that He would replace it with humility and a willingness to believe the best in others, and that we would live up to the admonition given in Galatians 6:9-10 - "So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." (The Message).
Pressing On,
Peter
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Guinea
Conakry, Guinea is our home for the next 9 months. Guinea is a bit smaller than the state of Oregon with a population of just under 11 million. Islam is the major religion, with approximately 85% of the population adhering to it. The average life expectancy is 58 years. It is ranked 178 out of 187 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index. Guinea is the second largest producer of bauxite in the world. French is the official language but there are 24 other languages spoken in the country.
The need for both the specialized surgeries that we provide and the light of Christ in the nation are quite evident. We are looking forward to new adventures, personal growth, and to be used by the Lord to help accomplish His purposes in this country.
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| Malachi's class on arrival holding their Guinean flags. |
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| The view of the dock toward the stern of the ship. |
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| The view of the dock towards the bow of the ship. |
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| Sunset over the harbor on the sea side of the ship. |
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Making Waves
We set sail from Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Thursday and are on our way to Conakry, Guinea, where we will spend 10 months sharing the love of Jesus with one another and those who we have been called to serve in the nation.
Seas have been calm and it has been a great voyage so far. We saw some whales off of the starboard beam today and then played sock golf in the afternoon (a bit tough to explain in writing).
There are many aspects of living on a ship and doing what we do that are challenging and trying. However, being at sea is something incredibly special and we are always reminded of our blessings as we sail.
Here is the view of the sunset out of our cabin window the other day:
Seas have been calm and it has been a great voyage so far. We saw some whales off of the starboard beam today and then played sock golf in the afternoon (a bit tough to explain in writing).
There are many aspects of living on a ship and doing what we do that are challenging and trying. However, being at sea is something incredibly special and we are always reminded of our blessings as we sail.
Here is the view of the sunset out of our cabin window the other day:
Soon...
I was appalled to see that it's been over a month since my last post, especially since my previous one promised BST pictures "soon". Evidently, that's a relative term. So here's a bit of a catch up.
BST Photos (thanks to Josh Young):
After 12 days in Texas assisting the BST course Grace and I flew to the Seattle area for 6 days. We had a great time connecting with family and friends. Here is a photo of Grace with some of her cousins:
Canary Islands. While Grace and I were in the United States, Dara and the boys had to move ashore because the Africa Mercy was in dry dock, which isn't a safe living environment for kids. Mercy Ships obtained quite a number of donated and reduced rate hotel rooms on the south end of Gran Canaria. They were in the hotel for 19 days. They generally had a good time but 19 days is a long time to live out of a hotel room.
That pretty much brings us to the end of our time in the Canary Islands.
BST Photos (thanks to Josh Young):
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| How not to handle a hoseline :) |
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| Fake smoke - I promise. |
Canary Islands. While Grace and I were in the United States, Dara and the boys had to move ashore because the Africa Mercy was in dry dock, which isn't a safe living environment for kids. Mercy Ships obtained quite a number of donated and reduced rate hotel rooms on the south end of Gran Canaria. They were in the hotel for 19 days. They generally had a good time but 19 days is a long time to live out of a hotel room.
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| The hotel they stayed at. |
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| They got to go bowling, which Xavier had never done before. |
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Stars and Stripes
We did our fire field exercises yesterday (I'll try to get some photos soon) which involved Search and Rescue, Class A and Class B fires, and a simulated Class C fire. The students got to use portable fire extinguishers, protective fog pattern to access and shut off a fuel line valve, and indirect hose stream attacks on a pallet fire in a shipping container. I think our max temp was around 700 degrees. Not too hot but hot enough.
Grace has been hanging out with her friend Bess who we know from the ship. Their family has been kind enough to allow us to stay in their home while we're here.
Tuesday the 17th we fly up to the Seatlle area for a few days before heading back to the Canary Islands to meet up with Dara and the boys (who we both miss very much!). I will be giving the message during both services at Crossview Church in Snohomish on Sunday the 22nd. Any and all are welcome to attend. We're looking forward both to that and a brief opportunity to reconnet with family and friends in the Northwest. Please contact me at peter.koontz@mercyships.org if you live in the area and would like to get together for our brief time there.
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