Listomania (not the song)

Things that surprised me about Africa (specifically Togo):

1. Everyone has a cell phone

2. There are no dogs anywhere

3. How much people love to see a white guy acting like an African

4. You can buy movies on the street before they are released in theaters in America

5. Liquor is cheaper than water

6. The beauty of the country

7. Maggots that borrow into your body

8. How a simple joke can diffuse a tense situation

Things I love about the ship:

1. You get to eat every meal every day with people you love

2. Watching day volunteers react to 'ship culture'

3. People will help you with anything you need

4. Getting in a land rover with 9 other people and realizing none of you are from the same country

5. Seeing a sick person enter and a well person exit

6. A 20 second commute to the office

7. Lifeboat drills (sometimes)

8. Having no idea what the next meal is and the surprise when you see it

9. Long talks on deck 8 with people you barely know and with people who are your best friends

Things I miss about home:

1. Having people over and cooking for them

2. Seeing my breath

3. Ordering food at a restaurant without it being an ordeal

4. Helping people move

5. Green grass and tall trees

6. Stopping by someone's house to say hello

7. Grocery shopping

8. Family and friends (of course)

Things I've learned about God in the last year:

1. His kindness leads us to repentance

2. He is always good

3. He works best through a community

4. He breaks down dividing walls

5. He has a personality

6. He presents different sides of himself depending on circumstances

7. He desires my redemption more than I do

Things I used to believe that I no longer do:

1. I'm a pessimist

2. Shame is an appropriate response to sin

3. I need to keep my armor on to avoid getting hurt by people

4. It is difficult for people of different cultures to relate to each other

5. Poor people are always unhappy

6. I will never be truly happy

Things that I hope will happen in 2011:

1. Lots of Sierra Leonese people will get life changing medical care

2. I meet a woman who will become my wife

3. My heart will soften even more for the impoverished

4. The community on the ship will become tighter and less divided

5. I will continue to work on and make progress with my issues of being motivated by power and acceptance

6. Hospital supply become a well oiled machine that never breaks

Reactions that I want you to have to this blog:

1. Wanting to come and work on the ship (if you're not already here)

2. Wanting to experience Africa

3. Wanting to pray for the ship and Sierra Leonese people and me

4. Wanting to discover new things about God

5. Hopefully a smile or at least a pleasant thought or two