Team Spirit!

 

In order to free up bed spaces on the ship, a small group of crew live off ship in each of our host nations. They are crew who work at the Hope Centre where our patients go after they are discharged from the wards for further recovery and also where patients stay who are waiting for surgery and have travelled long distances to come to the ship. The house where they live has the catchy name of "the team house", mainly because a team of people live there communally.
 
One of our good friends Leah, also a Tassie girl, moved to the team house in the Congo to begin working at the Hope Centre. She recently invited us over for dinner. I have to say what a wonderful treat it was to be in a proper "house" and to sit around a dining table and do the dishes like "normal" people. Sometimes we really miss the simple things in life. The team house also comes with some friendly canines here in the Congo, as the house is owned by another mission organisation whose occupants are on furlough. We miss our dog Barney very much so we relished the opportunity to pat Lexie and Ruby.
 
Living at the team house has it benefits like being able to see trees and grass, to have more space and pets but the guys at the team house also give up a lot such as regular internet, time in the community with their ship friends, participating in ship activities, TV, protection from malaria ridden mosquitos and other bugs and Starbucks coffee and the snack bar. My hats off to them!

Leah put in a special order of chicken and fries for us. We also had a lovely salad with avocado, a rare treat, and a delicious African tomato sauce. She also had a something special for dessert-double coat tim tams!!

Us and the doggies!