Newsletter Info

Hello Everyone!

I sent out my newsletter for this month via email today. If you did not get it and would like to receive it please email me your email address at jeska297@hotmail.com. I know I don't have everyones address, and I also know I don't have some of them entered correctly. So let me know.

If you don't have an email address and would like to receive a hard copy let me know that as well.

Have a week!

Beach Church

This morning 9 of us loaded up in a car and headed to White Sands Beach to have beach church. Once we arrived there we set up speakers to an iPod had a worship service and then we all shared what was on our hearts. As I was sitting there with the sand between my toes and the sounds of the waves crashing in the background, the Lord reminded me of something. It was a simple realization, but made a rather profound impact. I looked around the table and it hit me, there were people from all over the world present. England, Australia, Sweden, and the States were all represented. I was reminded that regardless of the fact that even though we are all from different countries, different home towns, different religious backgrounds, different occupations, and very different comfort zones we were all there for the same reason. The love of Christ had compelled us to leave our normals and head to a country that was not our own. This is a place where we can put all of our other difference aside and bring focus to the driving source of our lives. It was not about what each of us are going to get out our experiences in Liberia, It was not about the new and exciting adventures we will encounter while here, it was not even about the growth we will be subjected to. We are simply a bunch of ordinary nobodies trying to exalt Somebody. It is often easy to forget what compels us, it is even often easy to forget the compeler, it is always good to take a moment to readjust yourself on what matters most.


For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
2 Corinthians 5:14

New Dental Pictures

New dental pictures! Check out more from the dental pictures link on the right hand side of the page.

Dance Party---Mercy Ships Style

Tonight we had a dance party on the dock. It was great fun!!!, until we were so rudely interrupted by the rain. :) We had laptops, ipods, speakers, and lots of dancers.

Here are a few photos from the event:
Fellow dental team memebers......
The Running Man????
Michael Jackson-Thriller haha

Mail Plea

Hello All!

Sorry I have been slacking on emailing and blogging this week. I had a visit from the stomach bug. It started on Monday and is still causing small small problems. I stayed home from work on Tuesday and took it easy at work the rest of the week.

I also wanted to tell those of you who have been sending me letters/cards/packages thank you!!! It is a wonderful things when I get mail. I love mail. For a few reason #1 it makes me feel special #2 it keeps me updated on things at home #3 it helps encourage me often times for the entire week #4 it makes me smile when I stop and think that this card/letter had made it all the way from Illinois/Missouri and is now in my hands in Africa.

So keep the mail coming!!!!!! Every few days when I get home from work I take a look at the mail board and look to see if the US has received mail for the day.


Here is my mailing address:
Mercy Ships
M/V Africa Mercy
c/o Jessica Campbell
PO Box 2020
Garden Valley, Tx 75771

Rainy Day in Africa

It has rained ALL stinkin day today and after about 9 hours of sitting on a ship trying to entertain ourselves Elise and I decided to head outside and burn of some energy in the rain. We ended up getting VERY wet..... I have learned to embrace the rain....and accept it as part of every day life here in Liberia. After all we are in RAINY SEASON.

Before we played in the rain!!!!!





After we played in the rain!!!

VBS

Last Saturday afternoon 8 of us went to a church about 20 minutes from the ship to do a mini VBS for all the kids in the village. We were expecting to have about 100 children tops however we ended up with about 250 children. We had a delightful time. We sang songs, did drama skits, read a bible story, made a craft, and even handed out the best store bought cookies ever Oreos. The children were having such a good time that they decided to teach us a few songs and even perform a dram skit of their very own for us. To our understanding there were lots and lots of kids who attended the program who do not attend church. The pastor thanked us and said they pray that just by having us come that more kids will be drawn to attend church. We left there with hearts full of thanksgiving and we were honored to be given this opportunity to share Gods love with these kids. God has such a way of turning things that are meant to be a blessing to others into a blessing for you instead.

Christmas in July

Today the Africa Mercy crew celebrated Christmas in July. One might ask what you do to celebrate Christmas in July and my honest response would be I have no clue. Regardless we celebrated with goodies, gifts, fellowship, and decorations. It was kind of a tease to me….. I walked into the midships lounge this morning and to my pleasant surprise It was Christmas time in there. I had to look at my watch and double check the date. For a minute I thought I was dreaming that it was December and Christmas and time to go home. I was thinking man 6 months REALLY went by fast…. And I am not sure I am ready to go home just yet maybe I will extend. Haha :) Below are pics from Christmas in July Mercy Ships style.

Sushi in Africa

Last night a group of us Mercy Shippers went out for dinner at a Japanese restaurant. It was very nice even when compared to Western standards. I was very surprised/impressed when I walked in the door. It looked like a restaurant that would be nestled in between the Chocolate Bar and another hip hang out place in Lafayette Square in St.Louis. I for the first time tried sushi. Haha I know it sounds like an oxymoron- sushi in Africa but it was VERY delicious. I had smoked salmon sushi. I must say I think this will be a frequent stop for me while I am here, especially because it reminds me of home. Every time I miss home I will go there and just imagine I am in Lafayette Square eating dinner with all my best friends back home…… I guess that will have to tie me over until December. Here are some photos of our evening. We had a GREAT time!

PS I have new photos posted….click on the link to the right to check them out.