Extreme Sports

“Extreme sports (also called action sports, aggro sports, and adventure sports) is a popular term for certain activities perceived as having a high level of inherent danger. These activities often involve speed, height, a high level of physical exertion, and highly specialized gear.”
(Wikipedia)

We have a little saying on the ship: Christian Extreme Sports. Basically we are referring to a short term crew member who comes to the ship and does everything and anything that they can possibly sign up for every day of the week, all weekend and all the minutes and hours in between. Ok, so much of what we do does not hold an inherent amount of danger or really involve speed but it often involves physical exertion and I am pretty sure that land rovers have some specialized gears. So when my parents announced their visit to the ship, I relished my new role as Christian Extreme Sports Coordinator. I made sure that I covered all the bases, no stone left unturned and a truly cultural experience was to be had as well as discovering the inner workings of the ship and ministry as a whole!

 

At least one night off the ship is always a mandatory part of the Christina Extreme Sports itinerary. Above Mum and Dad pose, perilously close to the edge of the scenic and iconic Diosso Gorge, where we roughed it for a night.

Working hard at the Gorge.

Orphanage number one-the Baby Crèche. I could tell Mum and Dad were a little shell shocked. They had barely recovered form our night away. It was a little confronting, I must admit. I am not really a baby person but Mum was in her element. Does God have a sense of humour-probably. The first baby that was placed into my reluctant arms was a severely malnourished baby who did not have a good prognosis due to the fact that he cannot absorb proteins. I don't know if he is still with us. It was shocking to see.

 

 

Dad with the littlest one. Dad told me that he will always remember this little baby when he looks at his thumb because that was the thickness of the baby's legs.

I can confess that a large part of Christian Extreme Sports is the food. If you are a true enthusiast, then insect and plant eating in the jungle is a must do as well as "street meat"(preferably from an unknown source) obtained from a street vendor. Mum and Dad weren't quite up for that but they did get to a little taste of Africa on Tuesday African night on the ship-black beans, plantains, cabbage stew and rice.

Next on the list was a trip to the Handicapped Tailors. At least babies can't talk so the language barrier had not really hit until now. Dad commented that, that was one of the most difficult things, not being able to communicate effectively. He did manage to remember a few words of his high school French. Also, just to help Dad feel like he was really participating in some Christian Extreme Sport, the craft of the day was jewellery making. Mum and I loved it.

 



Mercy Ships Christian Extreme Sports must include at least one, if not more, screenings, participating in security and crowd control. Here we are at the dental screening. Early mornings and being drenched in torrential downpours are a special bonus of the screenings. Mum spent lots of time with the mums with babies strapped to their backs gesturing wildly in an effort to communicate. I thought I had a great rapport going with the ladies as we were all laughing together. Once again hand gestures assisted as I discovered the source of their amusement. It was not my excellent hand gesturing wit, but my unzipped fly!

Not sure if this is pre or post fly embarrassment!

Dad had the honour of assisting the Dental Team Leader, Sieh, a former day worker from Liberia, now experienced veteran of the dental clinic, specializing in screenings and triage. The crowd was very patient and quite and Matt, the Off Ships Security Officer was very calm and kept the crowds orderly. On the way there he told us that the lines would be very bunched up and one of the first things he does is go to the end of the line and get everyone to take a few steps backwards. So it was a mish-mash of glorious, coloured African material that greeted us, separated only by babies on backs.

The screening gig had the added bonus of a tour of the dental clinic and steaming hot donuts from a street vendor, dripping in oil and wrapped in newspaper.



 



Back to food again. To coincide with their visit it was very nice of the ship to decide to add to the Christian Extreme Spots experience by scheduling a crew/day crew BBQ and community meeting on the dock. Balancing a  plastic plate full of food on your knees whilst sitting on a fold out chair (purchased from the ship shop), swatting mossies and flies is practically a rite of passage! Afterwards participating in some African singing and dancing are a must! Mum made the rounds and managed to talk to at least 227 crew members and a couple of patients who made it down from the hospital.

Next adventure was the Hope Centre (Hospital Outpatient Extension Centre) where patients are accommodated after they are discharged from the hospital while they have dressing changes and physio. It also houses patients travelling long distances to come to the ship, pre and post surgery. I decided that Mum and Dad were getting the hang of the Christian Extreme Sports thing so I let them go by themselves. The patients and caregivers at the Hope Centre were told the story of Daniel and then they made lion masks. The kids(and the adults) really love making crafts!

Dad making lots of new friends!

 

Mum spares a hug for an ortho patient.

Ok, so everyone needs a break from Christian Extreme Sports! For the first time ever, during our time in Africa,we found a little place that serves an iced mocha with half a glass of whipped cream! Mmmmm.

 

Carrying on with the resting theme-Mum tires out a recliner at the Twiga Hotel. (Unfortunately we had to abandon the recliners as the headrests gradually all collapsed leaving us in fits of laughter.)

The are those who live on the edge even more so than those who live on board. Some of our crew actually volunteer to live off ship in what is fondly known as "The Team House". These crew work at the Hope Centre and take care of off ships maintenance work. Part of my schedule involved a meal at the Team House with the our lovely Aussie mate Leah who is the Hope Centre Coordinator. She arranged with the local cook, who prepares meals for the Team House crew, to treat us to chicken and fries and a traditional Africa tomato sauce (I will never be happy with Heinz again).

The dental screening was just a precursor for the eye screening with it's pre-dawn start, excessive mosquitos and sprinkling rain. Dad and Mum had a ball (I slept). Mum was pretty chuffed as she got to sport a radio until she accidentally activated the "Everyone evacuate out of here now" button.

Mum and Dad in their Christina Extreme Sports uniform- high visibility jacket and UHF radio.  

On a previous visit we gave Mum and Dad a extensive tour of the ship, including the engine room. However on that visit we were in shipyard in the Canary Islands and both the Academy and the hospital were non operational. We also didn't make it to the bridge. Not this time! I gave the full tour of the hospital (we are not permitted to take photos), the Academy and the Bridge! Mum and Dad took turns in the Captain's chair. Apparently being Captain for a second is also part of Mercy Ships Christian Extreme Sports!

 

 

Dad at the helm with Navigational Officer, Charles.

Perhaps the epitome of the Mercy Ships edition of Christian Extreme Sports is a stint in the OR to observe surgeries. Not for the fainted, I will say. There is no observational gallery or glass partition. You are right there, centimetres away from the blood and gore, the smell of burning flesh permeating the nostrils while grinding, sawing, chipping, stretching and other unnatural sounds that should never come from the human body are heard. But this is where miracles happen. This is what we are about and if you can be brave, you will witness first hand the skill of our volunteer surgeons, anaesthetists and OR nurses and see for yourself how hope meets healing!

 

Mum and Dad added a couple more orphanages to their already packed schedule. Above dad works with some young men at a local boys orphanage. They also took Jess out to Espace Orphanage and spent time playing with the kids. Mum even remembered how to jump rope again!

 

Final fling-back for more frappes the day before Mum and Dad left. Every Christian Extreme Sports schedule needs some time to wind down before you jump on a plane. Above Jess is pleased with her dessert collection.

If I could make a brochure for Mercy Ships Christian Extreme Sports then this obligatory photo would have to feature!! One must always have a photos at the bow of the ship!

Time for one more photo before our goodbyes. Mum and Dad had an amazing time experiencing a bit of the Congo. For us it was such a blessing to have them on board during a field service. As their second visit to the ship, and after experiencing both the shipyard phase in Spain and the field service phase in Africa, they can now empathise with us on a much deeper level. The things we miss, the things that frustrate us, the things that bring us joy and the things that bring us heartache. They have seen the ship at it's peak, a thriving hub of 40 nationalities working as one for a common cause, to bring hope and healing to poorest of poor, while glorifying God. 


As for me.......I reckon there is a job for me at the local Christian Extreme Sports Travel Agent, yet!