Mercy Ship log. Date 05-11-11.
Walking Freetown.
Today! Dane’s 18th B-day! Liz is feeling better! Rain! Rain! And more rain! Hot office! Fun video footage of Alie and Abdul! Too much let’s slow it down some…
I’ve been slowly acclimating to my job duties, orientating on the ship as a crewmember, and settling down in our new home. These may seem like relatively simple tasks, but typically (in a more normal situation) each takes at minimum two weeks. It’s been pretty overwhelming, but Jesus has been making it work. I would like to get to the point of really focusing on the patients rather than just taking care of myself and Liz. So far I’ve just scratched the surface on how impactful Mercy Ship’s services are to a country… I’ve been too busy trying to find laundry soap, get my body clock in sync, and go on a orientation scavenger hunt and have 200 things signed-off (wrinkled neck look). As for seeing the country, you hear a lot of crew talk about how hard it is to “get off the ship.” It is quite difficult because 1) everything of comfort someone may find on the ship and 2) everything outside the gates is extremely uncomfortable. While this may seem like a given (of course one of Africa’s poorest countries would be “uncomfortable”) but even for the most basic outing—a simple 5 
minute walk through the neighborhoods—one must be “on” and alert the entire time. Here is a starter list of what to be aware of for your nice, peaceful 5 minute Freetown stroll:
Watch for that group of children kicking their soccer ball at you (they like to do that and/or show off a little), watch for the other one trying to take your water bottle, give that one a high five and say hello, jump out of the way from that speeding taxi (distance between honk and impact: 2 seconds), don’t fall into the gray water open sewers/deep ditches (this is harder than it seems), don’t step in that horse poop (wait, I haven’t seen any animals on the streets!)(seriously), don’t get lost and keep your bearings, don’t step in that vendor’s peanut basket (suspiciously set on the ground directly in front of where you’re walking)(“You break it you buy it”), watch out for the rest of your party, don’t be rude (you are Christ’s representative), and lastly relax and enjoy your walk!
To be fair, it’s not quite fair to put any lofty expectations on the degree of peace I receive from an afternoon walk. I almost sound like the photographer who has the subject tilt his face toward the light, position his hand into an awkwardly balled-up fist under the chin, and twist his body so it faces the camera, and then only to say, “Great. Now relax.”
On the plus side, it’s quite an adventure (pinball is fun after all) and it really makes one appreciate 
the ship. Thus I can see why people say it’s hard to “get off the ship.”
I have an adventure planned for this upcoming weekend; perhaps we’ll be able to see Bunce Island, the biggest slave fort on the West African coast. Even Black Barth, some famous pirate fellow, attacked the fort in 1820. There are so many historical landmarks around here that are steeped in history you have to consciously look beyond (without trying to disregard) the poverty and filth to see and appreciate them. But that’s what these people want visitors to do. They’re quite proud of their country, as one should be for any country he lives in (regardless of problems)(I’m talking to you America!), and I have not once ever asked a local about “the war.” They want to be known for something else, and they will come down to your level to help you appreciate Sierra Leone. If you joke with a passerby on the street about the reckless taxis speeding by with high-treble disco music thumping, they will wholeheartedly laugh and joke right along with you.
Now, off to work (I have to log some footage, “The Witch of Freetown) and then maybe by then Liz will be awake!
