We leave soon. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) owns all media rights and I'll need to stop blogging and sending photos as soon as I sign the contract to sail (in the morning). So, that signed piece of paper awaits my last entry. Film photography is allowed and I'll be able to send letters now and then - just like the good old days! So, this will be very similar to a senior photography project. I'll journal my thoughts daily (on paper) and will photograph the old fashioned way. I prefer dots to pixels anyway! Sorry to those of you who wanted to keep in touch this way to see what's happening. A film crew will join us to keep everyone updated on TBN.
We're all ready to go. A friend gave me a pertinent book before I left Montana. It's called "Love has a Face" by Michele Perry. Michele was born without a leg and serves in dire conditions in Sudan to help orphans. My new Canadian friend (the nurse) is also reading the same book. Michele (the author) wanted to help in India where she saw young children whose eyes were gouged out just to become legitimate beggars. She's now in Sudan where war has left physical and mental scars that only Jesus can heal. I have no concept of how the rest of the world lives because I've lived a sheltered life in the United States.
Haiti - one of the poorest countries on the planet is rife with kidnapping, murder, prostitution, drug smuggling and thievery. Voodoo - the main religion, is much more complicated than most people understand. A radio friend who's a fabulous researcher looked into the roots of Voodoo and Haiti when she learned I was heading there. If you're interested in learning more about her research on Voodoo, visit: www.katherinealbrecht.com and go to Archives. Click on "Archives & Guests" then "Show Archives" and scroll down to Monday, January 18, 2010 program (the last 5 minutes of hour 1). http://www.katherinealbrecht.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=20&Itemid=129
It's been a while since the last blog - and time now for a new one. I arrived Wednesday evening in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Had a nice dinner, and found my cabin - where I'll settle in for the next two months. My cabin is port-side aft (on the left-back side of the ship). My Canadian cabin-mate is a nurse who has been in charge of ensuring vaccinations for the crew. Thursday morning, my day began bright and early - radio hours, up at 5 AM. I've allowed myself more time to rest in order to keep my immune system intact. Tomorrow, breakfast starts at 6:30 AM.
The port is in full-swing, what might look like chaos is more like a beehive, in preparation for the trip to Haiti. Each day is a step closer to our departure. The office has been almost overwhelmed with work, not forgetting to mention everyone else! We're all working hours into the night, inside and out - on the ship, on the dock, and on land.
The crew and Friendships' volunteers eat together in a large mess-hall. We start early and break into work groups. 25-50 young men from Alert came to give us a helping hand. Alert trains young men (like boot camp) to help with disaster relief situations. They're helping us now, but won't join us for the trip. http://www.alertacademy.com/iaa/
It's funny to see the dock / land area all a-buzz. Men and women on forklifts. Men and women in the galley (the kitchen). Men and women selected for watch. There's literally "no respecter of persons" here.
A typical watch in the United States is usually a shift of 4 hours on, 8 hours off, and 4 hours on. The watch that I will keep in the wheel-house will be either the 4-8 AM & PM split-shift, 8-12, or 12-4. The watch includes a Helmsman/Lookout, and an Officer, First-Mate, or Captain. On the M/V Restoration, I was on the 4-8 watch as a Helmsman/Lookout. I liked the shift because I could see the brilliant bright stars at night, sunrises and sunsets, the incredible sea-life: enormous whales that would surface next to the ship, sula birds flying over the deck and sitting on the rails, dolphins playing at the bow, and ancient turtles bobbing on the surface. I hope to get the 4-8 AM & PM watch again.
I've had to purchase some necessary things for our trip. Bungee chords are a necessity - everything moves once you're sailing. In fact, if anything is not battened down... it will fly elsewhere. Velcro is also a great tool. You can stick just about anything to the wall or something else. Line can be used to fasten things down or tie things to your belt or pants' loops. Knives are indispensable, not only are they good for safety (if a rope get's caught around your ankle) but you can quickly open packaging of all sorts. Binoculars for lookout duties, two-way radio - when you're on one end of the ship and need to quickly talk to someone on the other side, and a good pair of comfortable deck shoes - you stand for long periods on watch.
There's excitement in the air as needed supplies are loaded. Galley supplies are packed tightly in the reefers. The helicopter this afternoon buzzed around. It will later be stored on a truck bed. The loading is almost complete. Crew members have flown in from all over the country. The beehive will soon turn into an ant farm with our tasks becoming understood. Our ship duties will fall into merchant marine cadence.
Though our sailing has been delayed - our departure is near. Part of our crew will stay and set up camp in Haiti. We'll return to the U.S. to pick up the rest of the crew and more supplies. It will take us 6 or 7 days to reach Haiti. And only a few days back and forth from Miami.
Hopefully we'll be able to make a difference - to ease the bottle-neck and get needed relief to the people in Haiti.
The flight was delayed today because of mechanical failure. The windshield cracked.
It was actually great to have an extra day - very much needed. In fact, after hearing updated reports: seeing the televised devastation, and reading about the festering violence and turmoil - I considered unpacking my bags.
My head tells me to stay home. But my heart won't comply. When my heart knows - it moves me. It's a force all it's own.
About 12 years ago, I went in a different direction. I was drawn to embark on a voyage to the Mediterranean, working with Operation Jabotinsky with Livets Ord (a large church in Sweden) www.livetsord.se. Six months in advance, I started packing my bags to set sail with the M/V Restoration - helping Russian Jews to Israel. http://www.livetsord.se/default.aspx?idStructure=531The financial circumstances in my life at that time made it hard to consider the trip. But deep inside I knew I would go and I started to pack. My trip was paid through a miraculous avenue. And it was an unforgettable visit.
Another time, back in 2003, for whatever strange reason - I wanted to work in the fishing industry in Alaska. When summer-time came, I went knocking on company doors (literally) to see if I could get on a fishing boat or processor. This short paragraph cannot describe the divine appointments I encountered, the ship that I ended up on, and the incredible people I met aboard. What timing. If you want to have a glimpse, visit http://newsradiomagazine.blogspot.com/ I posted the stories of George, Lino, and Moses - 3 of Sudan's Lost Boys. Each boy (now grown men) asked me to pass their account to others (they were on that ship). That summer's journey became my senior photo project for graduation at the university. The Lost Boys memories of their tragic experiences in Sudan were displayed for the show that winter.
I'll never forget that trip nor the thread of tapestry that connects me to others. From the beauty of Alaska, to the hardship of the work, and the people I met. It's etched in my memory. Oddly enough, that fishing processor, the Discovery Star is the sister-ship to the M/V Integrity. The one we'll sail to Haiti with Friendships www.friendships.org.
The Captain of the Discovery Star one day struck up a conversation and casually asked "So why are you here?" The story on both sides revealed the incredible work of what I believe to be a purposeful Creator. I learned that the Captain's wife, who met our ship in Homer, worked with "Shared Hope" - an organization that helps women out of prostitution. The Captain's cousin - Linda Smith, was a politician in D.C., saw the hopelessness in India and called her friends and acquaintances in the United States to contribute financially. Both Linda and the Captain's wife followed a calling and commitment to end these horrific rings and bring hope to shattered women. http://www.sharedhope.org/
A significant birthday...
A couple of years ago, I started thinking about giving myself a present for an upcoming big birthday. I wanted to do something special, something that I'd put aside in my "Someday Maybe" mental box. So I started a subconscious search. Visiting New York City was a possibility, a desire that I'd had since I was child. A kindergarten teacher sparked my interest when she brought back pictures for "Show and Tell" of her trip to New York City. New York City was a favorable birthday choice, so I put it on my list.
While an acquaintance was chatting with someone in my presence last winter, I was immediately drawn to the conversation. They discussed a sailing school that one of them attended in the San Juan Islands. Learning how to sail was it! And in the San Juan Islands! I acquired the details, logged onto the sailing site and signed up for a summer full-week course near the time of my birthday. A dear friend joined me on the trip. And I'll never regret following my heart that summer. There are so many examples. Sometimes I weep (from the profound impact) of God's love in my life.
Now this...
Words escape the excitement and overwhelming peace that now fills my heart. My dad used to say "Follow your heart, not your head". On many occasions I went in the other direction, and learned how life was drained as I put my dreams on hold.
I'm learning what it means to face life's challenges by following an inner peace. When I listen, it always leads me to a unique purpose and place, and on an adventure. The peace always comes when I follow my heart. Solomon once said - "Guard your heart - out of it flow the issues of life".
So...
The situation in Haiti seems insurmountable. News reports reveal staggering numbers of casualties and overwhelming medical need. Surgeons can't perform amputations fast enough. Bodies are piled along the streets. The stench is unbearable. Prisoners have escaped. People wander in shock. Children - now orphans. Loved ones, gone. It's a mess.
And with all this news, I have peace. I'll get on that plane tomorrow.
Tomorrow I fly out. Many people have concerns about the dangers now in Haiti. I too am concerned - though am not stressed or anxious. In fact, I feel peace. I'm one of not quite 30 crew on-board the M/V Integrity. Friendships updates their Haiti Relief page frequently now. For those who want a quick link, click the big picture of the ship at the top of this blog or go to: http://www.friendships.org/Disaster&Relief.html
It's ironic. I need so little for the trip. And the little that I've packed may be more than most Haitians have right now. So I'm reminded of gratitude and grace.
People come together in times of trouble. And in many cases, that's surprising. The book Capsized by James Nalepka & Steven Callahan (author of Adrift) is a true story based on a trip gone wrong - 4 guys who hardly knew each other adrift for 119 days in the Southern Hemisphere. The trimaran flipped in a gale. Their space was only 22" high and the width as small as a double bed. The men were emaciated and tired from hunger, thirst, and cold. They didn't get along. A large fish swam into the submerged upside-down cabin and Jim caught it. The author described the situation:
[Rick speaks first. "I think this is a good time to look at what's in front of us.We've caught our first food. Slowly we're coming together as a team. Ithink in order for us to make it, we have to do even better than this. Butfor now let's be really thankful for what we have." There is a short silence after Rick stops, and then I say, "I really feel likesomebody's looking out for us right now. Whatever that power may be, it'sreal and it's working and I'm real thankful for this meal. I think it's a good signof things to come." John adds his own words. "I just think this is wonderful. I think it's fantastic.We're finally sitting down as a crew together for a meal. We're having a good time.I hope we can continue to carry this on." Phil looks a little uncomfortable but also seems anxious to say something."Uh, thank you for this food in front of me. I know now that there are fish outthere and that we have to keep catching them. Thanks, Jim." He pauses fora moment before he adds, "Amen, Let's eat." In our own clumsy way, we have individually and together begun a ritual thatwill precede every meal for the rest of our voyage: We will appoint one of ourranks to say an official grace. As long as I live, I will never eat again withoutacknowledging my humble gratitude. Grace serves to acknowledge powers upon which we depend, powers greatereven than the sea. Grace also serves as a forum. Before a meal, we can talkindirectly about what bothers us, without attacking our mates, with a small uncharacteristic measure of self-control. The rest of our lives are also touchedby grace. We know now that we must live with one another. We still argue a lot.Who wouldn't, crammed together like this? but now, even in stormy timeswhen we're often ready to rip somebody's head off, within five minutes of a fightwe find enough generosity within ourselves to apologize.]
Photography Copyright by Julie Langaker - Lake Charles, Louisiana 2009 & 2004
I learned that I need to be in Louisiana by Wednesday. The ship's leaving earlier than expected. I won't need to pack very much. Just a couple pairs of jeans, some light shirts, and a jacket. Of course - a personal first aid kit, hat, and knife (a sailor without a knife is like a cow without a tail). My bag can get pretty full if I'm not careful. On the "Discovery Star" - the fishing processor which was the sister-ship to the one I'll be on, sailed from Seward, Alaska to Bristol Bay around the Aleutian Islands. What a beautiful (but grueling) trip. We were only allowed to bring one large duffel bag (no luggage). It gives you more space in your cabin when you can just fold the bag. Fortunately, I'll have just one cabin-mate, a woman from Canada. On the "Discovery Star", I had five cabin-mates. There are so many things that I need to do before Monday. The lists are piling up in my head.
When we sail, we'll notice quick changes in temperature. The Haitians are already setting up make-shift shelters to get out of the heat. The temperature's around 90* and the humidity is awful. Our schedule aboard the "Integrity" has already changed. We'll sail immediately to Haiti to offload needed cargo and return to the U.S. to pick up more materials . Friendships has already established years of relief to Haiti, so they're ready to go. Yesterday I finished the last of my shots. My doctor mentioned that Cholera will be rampant as well as Typhoid. Fortunately, I won't need to worry about water contamination. But Dengue Fever and Malaria will be of concern. I probably won't step off the ship on this first leg of the trip.
I'm starting this blog to share about my journey to Haiti. I'll embark to Haiti from Louisiana in a few weeks on-board the Mercy Vessel (M/V) "Integrity" with Friendships. Friendships is an organization that provides relief to storm-torn or disaster-ridden countries. Their focus of work is mainly in the equatorial hemisphere, though they provided help in Galveston, Texas and Louisiana during the hurricanes. Through donations and volunteers, Friendships provides food, shelter, and medical help to people in need. The full-time staff and leaders of the organization don't take a salary and have volunteered their personal time, effort and money for years. I know because not only have I been told, but I've seen how they live (and I thought I was frugal)! For those who're interested in Friendships - click on the Haiti link: http://www.friendships.org.
To begin - I know I'll need to pack light. There's very little room for stowage on the ship. I'm not worried about traveling across the water because I've never been seasick. I know I'll need need a big dose of shock absorbent, because the closest I've been to a 3rd world country is Mexico and Russia. And neither country during the times of my visit were enduring such tragedy. Even now, I can't imagine the things that will invade my senses.
TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) is sponsoring Friendships for this trip. TBN is now broadcasting their efforts through Friendships - and you can probably get televised updates.
Haiti is unique. My dad (Port Captain for Friendships) told me that Haiti is the testing grounds for people who want to work with this organization. Volunteers get to see the world in its raw, painful, and undesirable state. He said that Haiti is full of corruption, poverty, and darkness. You can see and feel the difference on the island as you cross the border from Haiti into the Dominican Republic.
I have peace about going - but am tentative about what I'm about to experience. As people are trying to get out of the country, I'll be coming in. The closest place I've been to "Hell on Earth" was near the equator when I was on the Mercy Vessel "Restoration". We were passing through the Panama Canal. It wasn't the people, place, or culture that I despised. It was the the humidity and heat. I vowed that I'd never return. The heat remains - but the "Hell on Earth" now doesn't just mean heat - it means death, despair, and disease.
During this trip (with permission) I'll provide as much information and as many pictures as my spare time will allow.
