International Evening of Worship

There are so many nationalities on this ship. So many differences. But there is one common thread that unites all of us. We all love Jesus.

So tonight we celebrated our differences and similarities in the form of an international evening of worship. There were eight nations that took part this evening.

The Welsh sang a song in Welsh. The only Polish crew member shared an Easter worship song with us. The German speaking nations (Germany and Switzerland) shared some of their songs too. A crew member from the Dominican Republic sang a song from one of his nations worship artists. And the African nations sang too.

The Ghanaian's and Liberians had the entire crew on their feet singing and dancing. It was something quite spectacular.

The South Africans sang Bayete Inkosi and I'm Walking in the Light of God, including the Afrikaans and Zulu verses.

Bayete Inkosi:
Bayete, Bayete, Inkosi
Bayete, King of Kings
Bayete, Bayete Inkosi
Bayete Inkosi is King
King of Kings

Who can match Your greatness
Who can know Your power
Who can search Your richness
Who can deny You are crowned
Lord of all

You are crowned King of Africa
You are crowned Lord of all
You are crowned King of Africa
Who can deny you are crowned
Lord of all

Walking in the Light of God:
I'm walking in the light of God
I'm walking in the light of God
I'm walking in the light
I'm walking in the light
I'm walking in the light of God

Ek wandel in die lig van God
Ek wandel in die lig van God
Ek wandel in die lig
Ek wandel in die lig
Ek wandel in die lig van God

Siyahamba lapha khosi
Siyahamba lapha khosi
Siyahamba lapha khosi
Siyahamba lapha khosi
Siyahamba, hamba
Siyahamba, hamba
Siyahamba lapha khosi
Siyahamba, hamba
Siyahamba, hamba
Siyahmaba lapha khosi

A Taste Of Home

Last Tuesday, just for a while, I felt like I was in South Africa.

The worship band from my home church, LinkWay, appeared on Gospel One (a local television station that we are able to receive on the ship) to promote their latest (and first) CD 'Reign in me'.

LinkWay Worship Band

I was glad to be able to share a piece of where I come from, with my friends from different parts of the world.

Watching the worship band from church, on a ship!

LinkWays promotional video is available on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lgmrp5gC2g

My First Week in Kindergarten

I have survived my first week in Kindergarten!

It has been a challenging and good week. And one filled with many lessons -I have learnt that Kindergarten students need help putting on their shoes and getting out their stationery. And they certainly don't have the same attention span as an eight year old!

And I have learnt that I really enjoy spending the day with them. They make me smile. A lot.

Here are some pictures of my classroom:

The entrance to my classroom:

My class library:

From the back of my classroom:

From the front of my classroom:

Another angle from the back of my classroom:

Teacher Handbook

Teacher Handbooks are not known for their gripping content.

Teachers are requested to read the handbook at the start of each academic year. Many teachers (including myself) reluctantly read the handbook to brush up on certain school policies like homework and familiarise themselves with procedures for class excursions, assessments, etc.

This year, I found myself smiling while looking through the Mercy Ships Academy Teacher's Handbook. How many schools have a policy for teachers to follow about 'hair appointments' or 'seasickness'?

Most days when I look outside the window and sea fishing boats sailing past, I don't blink an eye. It has become my normal. Sometimes it takes something as minor as a heading in a handbook to make realise that my life has changed drastically!