It's Friday, or at least that's what someone just told me in the Ship Shop (the ship's mini grocery store). I'm so confused! It seems like I missed a day somewhere. I guess that was my travel day, eh?
We had a nice morning visiting with some "old" friends, and this afternoon will be filled with 1:1 meetings. This evening we begin the Fund Raising Seminar with the first session. Please be praying for Wade as we have recently learned that approx. half of the crew attending will be African crew members. As you can imagine, their approach to fund raising can be quite different than those of us in Western nations, and Wade wants his information to be relevant to everyone.
Last evening's Community meeting was wonderful. Worship was led by a dear Ghanaian friend of ours, and it was so beautiful...such a mix of cultures. For those who don't know, there are approx. 40 different nationalities represented in the crew on the ship, and even more different denominations and church backgrounds. So, it is a "melting pot" in the truest sense of the word. I love to see so many of God's children worshipping together!!
Wade's message was very simple yet profound. He spoke on "Praising God in Difficult Situations" and I shared Brianne's story. There were not many dry eyes present in the International Lounge last night. So many have approached us and shared how our story has impacted them. I have been thinking of Rom. 8:28 "For God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose." God surely has used Brianne's life and our challenges with Bri to minister to others.
While visiting the Ship Hospital yesterday we saw a man in the "ICU" who was on a ventilator. He was very sick with an abcessed tooth...It was a reminder again of how blessed we are in America to have health care available to us. This poor man got an infection in his mouth that a simple antibiotic could have taken care, and it nearly took his life!! He is doing much better now, but had the Africa Mercy not been docked in Monrovia at this time, this man would probably not still be here. Yet again, I am reminded of the impact of Mercy Ships in the world, and so grateful to be a part of this amazing ministry.
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About Me
- Sharon Cox
- Growing up in a dysfunctional family led me to declare to myself at a young age that I would one day "be in control of my life." After meeting my husband on the mission field, we returned to the States to begin our family, and received the suprise of our lives when our first child was born at 26 weeks gestation. She spent the first 9 1/2 months of her life in the NICU, and I found myself back in the place of being "out of control" of my life. What I know now, that I didn't know then, is that "out of control" is exactly where the Lord wants me to be!
3 comments:
Sharon & Wade,
I am enjoying following your journey from Richlands, NC. Sharon, you're doing a great job with the blog; keep it up! May God continue to bless you both on this trip and return you home safely and refreshed!
It's so great to be able to receive daily news all the way from Liberia. May the Lord pour out his grace on you and all those you minister to.
p.s. I have to say, the fact that you are in "Monrovia" makes me chuckle because I live in Monroe, WA and we jokingly refer to ourselves as "Monrovians." :>)
Sharon and Wade - what a blessing that you are finally getting to see first hand what for so many years you have already poured into ... God is faithful, isn't he!
Hugs, Alberta
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