Saturday 18 October

What a fun day I've had and busy too. If any one ever thought Christians were stuffy they need to meet the crew of mercyships.

It's the 30 year anniversary of Mercy Ships and to celebrate we had a challenge afternoon followed by a BBQ and then a time of reflection.

So first the challenge afternoon. A team of six of OR's best, all volunteers, no cajoling required, met on the dockside along with 19 other teams of six to take part in ten activities around the ship and on the dockside. Teams included cheeky monkeys, the All Blacks - complete with the Huka, some strange looking western style cowboys, the "dentrimentalz" - dental team, I-Spy, the eye team and various others.

I feel we did things the right way round. Started in the dining room with a table tennis challenge, then a memory game (a version of Kim's game) basketball challenges and darts. Off to the swimming pool with strange ducks and hoops and things began to get a little wet. An onion & spoon obstacle race (eggs would be messy on Deck 8) and then the water really began to flow. Throwing balloons between teams followed by seeing how much water we could get from one bucket to the next using just a mophead. By now we were really working well, had sorted team tactics and managed to fill the bucket to overflowing -the first team to do so. However we felt we hadn't gotten quite wet enough so the buckets of water went flying. No-one was spared. Even our official got wet and we didn't lose points!
We tied for the fastest balanced broomhandle race but it was the bean bags that let us down. Although we actually scored quite well and had the highest personal score for one of our players it was there that we lost the vital points and became the first place losers (second place). We actually won the most number of games but hey - it was really good fun and we have a certificate now hanging in the OR department.

The BBQ was only slightly delayed and considering all this is done either on the ship or dockside we had a great time watching the sunset as we all ate outside. the rain began just as we were walking in to the ship. The presentation in the lounge was a mix of speakers who had worked on other Mercyship vessels and powerpoint presentations. This was followed by a celebratory chocolate cake in the midships lounge area otherwise known as town square.

Having walked 4 miles first thing this morning with a friend to a particular shop around doing my washing it's been a remarkably full day with a lot of laughter. God I'm sure was laughing with us and enjoyed seeing his people play.