Sunday June 15

I've had a very relaxing day today. One of the great things about being on the ship is being able to take time over breakfast on Sundays. It lasted for an hour this week - not that I was eating constantly but able to sit and chat about all manner of issues with a wonderful variety of people. Finding out about how different cultures view the world.
Went to a different church this morning. The pastor is one of the day workers here at the ship who talks to the eye patients before they come in for surgery and will also pray with them. This is what makes the ship so different. Patients are asked if they would like staff to pray with them. Few refuse.
After the service Christian, who drove the landrover to get us to church was found sat with a small boy who had a fever. What I was really touched by was the way in which 2 of the young girls who are also working on the ship got together with Christian and I as we prayed for the child, who it seemed had wandered to the church. We did also try to get a message through to his mother that there would be a doctor in the village the next day and that if she took hiom there the doctors would be able to help.
Once back at the ship it was a quick lunch, easy as its a packed lunch at weekends but included seeing someone eat apple spread with nutella, (americans have some strange tastes) then off to the beach. There was confusion about the numbers going in how many vehicles but all those who wanted to go managed to find a seat. The beach was white-ish sand with a few bits of black and the waves were brilliant. Those who know me very well will be amazed by the fact that I went in the sea of my own volition and absolutely no cajouling needed. It was warm enough to not scream with cold but no so hot that it was unpleasant. There was an strong undercurrent and standing up was quite difficult if the wave was retreating. I also walked along the beach for a bit to the next beach. Walking with a camber of 45degrees is interesting if not hard work but I had the company of one of the ship's electricians who's from Bristol and he kept me regaled with stories as he's worked on Africa Mercy and the former ship Anastasis.
We came back and having thought I felt the odd drop of rain I was pleased to be in the bus 5 minutes later as indeed it started to rain. An hour later it was raining as it only can in Africa. Multiple stair-rods!! Then, during the service tonight, there was a good deal of lightening skipping around the ship and out at sea.
Hannah, my cabin "roomie", is studying for her licence exams in the US which she sits in August so I just had to come and have coffee at Starbucks. It's just so tough....
Just as well I'm back in OR tomorrow or you might think I'm here on holiday even though I worked a 42 hour week last week!