UNO CARDS !.!

People have been asking me all week are you glad to be back? I keep saying yes, even though until tonight I have not been all that excited about my return. Tonight I went down to look in my office for my ID card and on my way back to my room I ran into this little boy who was hooping around on his good leg and crutches while he dragged his casted leg behind him.

He was kicking this huge soccer ball down the hallway the same time I was walking down it. I stopped and kicked the ball back and forth with him for a few minutes and thought to myself I must go I don't have a lot of time. Just as I was getting ready to walk away he reached deep into is pocket and pulled out UNO cards. He said in his best broken English.... "Lets play UNO." To myself I was thinking man I was just about to go up to work out, then I have this to do and that to do...... only a few minutes that all I have is a few minutes.

He hopped and I walked over to this platform like hiding place under the stair way where we sat and began to play UNO. About one minute into the game he said to me MERCI MERCI BEAUCOUP and pointed to his casted post surgery leg that was propped up on the over sized soccer ball. It was at that very moment when my attitude of missing home switched over to I am GLAD to be back and nothing else on my things to do list matters at this every moment except playing UNO.

I had never ran into that boy before, and I certainly did not perform the more than likely life changing surgery on his leg. Regardless his heart was so full of gratitude that he was wanting to thank anyone he came in contact with.

We played 5 games he of course won 4 out of the 5. He was so cute when he had a move he would slap the cards down with attitude and confidence. He knew he was good...and I was not playing the awww lets let the hurt little African boy win the game. I tried to beat him but I couldn't.

Isn't it funny how the simplest things can be used for the good. How in a moment your attitude can be turn around. Thank Goodness for that moment.

Son Bon

Today I was walking in the door of our dental clinic as one of our translators was walking out. Just about the time we passed each other I felt someone grab my buttock, and not just your oh I accidently brushed up against your butt kind of feel. It was an on purpose grasp. I did a quick turn over my shoulder to see if it was my translator and realized it was a middle aged female patient who was sitting on the bench waiting to get treated. I looked at her with a confused look on my face I am sure and she said Son Bon oui son bon-- it is good yes it is good. Then the lady sitting next to her took it upon herself to cop a feel and make sure she agreed it was good as well, and she did.  I did not know how to respond so I said Merci beaucoup- Thank you very much.

I was not sure if I should of felt violated or if I should take it as a compliment. I am guessing it was a compliment given the fact that after the lady had her tooth pulled she came and gave me a hug and said Merci. I knew my first day back would not leave me without a story to pass along.

I am back.....

I arrived back to the ship Friday night at 8:30 my time. I walked up the gang way and the Gurkhas (the security guards from Nepal) greeted and welcomed me back. They said are you hungry we made you food?  So I walked up to the front desk turned in my passport, received the key to my room, dropped my bags off at my front door,hugged my roommates, and made my way to the Gurkhas room for some dinner. With-in 15 mins of arrival I found myself sitting on the floor of the Gurkhas cabin eating Nepalese food. I thought to myself..... how does this happen ?.? 

and yesterday  I fell a sleep on a lounge chair with my surroundings being palm trees and the ocean. 

Tomorrow BACK TO WORK.....................

Vacations is over..... time to head back.

My 10 days at home are over and tomorrow morning I leave to head back to Africa for another

 6 months. My time here has went by really FAST..... and I have been really BUSY, but it has been GREAT. Come Friday 1pm your time 7pm my time I will be 

back on the Africa Mercy. Time flies when your having fun!  

Here are a few pictures of my time at home. 

Cards VS Cubs- CARDS win! 

THE ZOO! 

Forest Park in the Summer Time... is sooooo Nice!
Nate's Graduation

It's Broken....

One of our Land Rovers DIED on the way home from work a few weeks ago.

This is how you get a car started in Africa where there are no tow trucks.

Push Push Push. hahaha

There is a rainy season everywhere.

Come to find out  West Africa is not the only place on earth that can bring on a decent rain storm.......... Central Illinois put on a rather nice rain performance of its own this afternoon. 

What a Long day

After 26 hours of travel time I am finally home. I arrived in St.Louis yesterday afternoon. It is wonderful being home and seeing my family. Today I am enjoying this wonderful weather. Windows are opened the wind is blowing, I can go outside and enjoy myself. Actually get ready and not break out in sweat 5 seconds after walking out the door. Last night I made a stop by the grocery stores and forgot how GREAT it is to be able to buy fruit and yogurt and actually be able to decide what and when I want to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh the things that excite me.

However I must admit I do think of the life that is going on on the other side of world at this very moment. I wonder what my roommates are doing, how the dental team is doing, if we had any interesting patients yesterday and today. If things are going smoothly.

It is funny how different the two worlds I live in and love are. How blessed I am to know such different worlds and ways of life. For both our unique and lovely in their own ways.

Good Morning World. about 4am Monday morning.. 2hrs from landing in Paris.

I am in Paris, and more rain.

The smallest LARGE coffee ever. Portion control people.

Chicago. So close to being home.

Chicago sky line from my window. Next stop St.Louis. WOO HOO!

Oh back to the land of green grass and farm land.

And there it is the ARCH the official landmark that tells me I am home.

HaPpY mOtHeRs DaY!

Happy Mothers Day MOM!

You are so WONDERFUL that I thought I would fly home to spend 2 weeks with you.....SURPRISE!!!!!!

Oh wait you already knew this.But you are WONDERFUL.

I am flying out today and will be home until the May 21. WOOHOO!

The Rain Is Starting.....

The rainy season is coming... and with it it brings flooded roads, water in the generators, water in the gas, unhappy patients, and a messy clinic. But we must carry on and all we can do is SMILE and embrace the rain. :)


The Road to the clinic this morning. This is actually a good day for this road.
Please cover the generator before water gets in and it stops working. Do you like our covering a sheet of TIN. That is me begging them.

Rain from deck 7 Saturday night. It was crazy blowing wind. You could not even open the door without getting drenched.

Last week there was a rain storm in the middle of the afternoon and I did not bring my rain coat soooo Emmanuel and I made rain coats out of HUGE trash bags.

The work must go on. Rain or shine!.... and this is only the beginning of the beginning. :)

Land Rovers and the Dental Team

Land Rover Owner International Magazine (the world's best selling Land Rover magazine) is exploring the possibility of featuring Mercy Ships and our use of Land Rovers in one of their issues.

So we ( the crew) have been asked to submit any photos that we might have work or play with the vehicles in the shot. Given this opportunity the Dental Team decided that we were GOING to make the magazine.... haha so here are our submissions. Regardless we had a BLAST taking the pictures today. :)

You never know in the future you might see our picture in Land Rover Owner International Magazine.