Where in the World is Christina???: Been in Benin...Get to go to TOGO!

We have "landed" in TOGO!!! And this experience was one for a lifetime! There are a few feelings that I think will stick with my for the rest of my life, and many of them have occurred here with Mercy Ships. One of the big feelings was walking up the gangway for the first time, and looking back once getting to the top, and realizing that this was going to be "home" for the next two years! And it has become that to me, though small, and uncomfortable at times, it feels like a home. The next big feeling was the day we sailed away from the port in Benin. I dont think Ive ever had that same feeling, until again today. Its a feeling that overtakes your whole body, and words cannot explain the excitement, anxiety, nervousness, and over joyed feeling! Watching our ship drift away from the port, trusting that it actually floats, and will stay that way through the roughness of the ocean's waters was an incredible feeling. Its the feeling that comes over you when you know that you are in the Lords care, and that He will protect you, no matter what comes along. Then, today, again I had this same tingle in my soul. Watching the land creep up closer and closer, hearing the familiar pounding of the African tribal drums, and the voices of the people praising the Lord, singing songs of thanksgiving for our arrival, many of the African songs we knew, gave me the shivers of glee all over again. You are the most High...You are the Most High God! This song was sung and played with the trombones, trumpets and drums upon our docking in the Lome, Togo port. This picture will never fade from my memory.

Please join me and our ship in prayer as we begin a new adventure, and new journey, a new outreach---stretching even up to the norther parts of the country. Please pray that the Lord would give the country peace during the presidential elections, and that we would stay protected. Also, pray for the patients and everyone that we will come into interaction with during the next 6 months, that HE will shine through each Africa Mercy Crew Member, and that many would come to know Him as their own personal Savior, through our actions and our ministry! Please pray for safety, health, Spiritual protection (as this is the Voodoo capital of the world), and wisdom for each crew member, along with strength and courage to do the things that the Lord places on their hearts. I am so excited for this outreach! And I look forward to meeting and reaching out to the Togolese, making friends and building relationships that reflect our true purpose for having life here on Earth.

I am also excited and am praying for opportunities for my students to interact with the Togolese, and expanding their biblical worldview, shaping their faith and beliefs. Please pray with me for this next semester, that has already began with a crazy sail, not only for the students but for the teaching staff. One big prayer request from the Academy side of things, is that we as a teaching staff (which is the best staff that we could have ever asked for!) is planning on attending a Teachers Confrence (ACSI) in Nirobi, Kenya to learn more about...well basically everything! We are going through an accredidation process right now (which is an abundance of work for 12 teacher and staff!), and this opportunity would be a blessing in every way to our staff! But funds have not come in as we have projected, and we must raise about $700 per teacher to cover airline travelling. Everything else has been raised. (Thank you Lord!) We know if it is in the Lord's will, this will be made possible, and He will make a way! This conference will be a 4 day conference during the Easter weekend.

Here are a few picture from our sail from Tenerife, Spain to Lome, Togo:

Danae and I Sailing into the port in Lome, Togo!

A VERY rough night at sea = disaster in the classroom.... (and this is after securing the room!)

Sailing away from the dock in Tenerife, Spain....this is a little bit of what it felt like leaving Benin... (Yay! this thing really does float!)

In our dock in Tenerife... if you look really hard, in the port hole to the left of the flag...you can see a red bouncy ball...one of my students miraculously kicked the ball straight up into the hole while playing kickball for the very first time!!! (and this wall is about 40 feet high!)

Our dock in Tenerife... there is a trumpet player playing on our arrival and departure! Oh how I loved Tenerife!

Jesus and I walking on Water!!! (hehe! thank you to my 6th graders! ;) I do not know where they come up with these things! but it always makes me giggle!)