Christmas Day 2008
From my home, cabin 4236 on the Africa Mercy, to your home, a very Merry Christmas
Monthly Archives: December 2008
Cabin Door Gifts
Following the Dutch tradition, on Christmas Eve we place a shoe or boot outside our cabin doors. Then during the night we the crew have the opportunity to drop small gifts into the shoe or around the shoe of our fellow crew members. So on Christmas morning, I opened my door and saw small gifts all along my entire hallway (Deck 4 – which is the main accomodations deck for singles and couples).
Christmas Brunch
Christmas Brunch was wonderful – on the 25th from 9am-11am – since we have just arrived from Africa, we were all excited for the fruits – including one of my favorites – strawberries. Our Food Services team did a great job all around. Most of the crew volunteered to help in one way or the other.
Christmas Eve Rene & Philip
For Christmas eve we had a wonderful dinner in our dining room followed by the Christmas Eve Service. With me in this photo from our table is Philip from Sierra Leone in the middle and Rene Tolno from Guinea on the right.
Christmas Batik
My friend from Ashaiman, Ghana made this wonderful batik for Christmas for Mercy Ships. It is displayed in our International Lounge for the Christmas Eve Service.
Sunset from the bow
If the weather permits (meaning the waves are not coming over the bow), the deck officers open the bow for the crew to go out after dinner to watch the sunset. I am in the midst of the group there as my friend Marcin from Poland has taken this beautiful photo. Though the sunset was not terrific, it was just enjoyable to be out there.
Sail out of Liberia Dec08
My last shot of Central Monrovia in the background. This was taken a couple days before we sailed out of Monrovia. I have basically lived in Liberia for two entire years. I have mixed emotions about leaving, not knowing when I will see the people here again, especially the children at the orphanages that I have been so involved with.
Academy Christmas Play Dec 08
The children and teens in the on board Academy put on their Christmas play this year in the International Lounge. The drama was written by three of the high school students and it was called ‘Christmas in 2210’. They all did an excellent job. Every one was involved including those in the nursery program.
Kids Crafts Dec 08
As part of our Christmas celebration, one evening we had ‘Kids Craft Night’ in the cafe area. As you can see from the photo, the children are using popcorn to make strands for their Christmas trees.
Santa Lucia Dec 08
Our Scandanavian crew shared one of their traditions with the entire crew of the ship – Santa Lucia – they sing various songs in their various languages and my friend JP shared some of the Christmas story, but with a Liberian accent. The whole event happened in what we call ‘Town Square’ in the middle of the ship.