Linda Atwood's Global Mercy Journey

The Global Mercy Ship ~ 27 May 2022 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another".                                                                           ~ Romans 12:15 ~ Dakar, Senegal The crew aboard the Global Mercy ship quietly greeted sister ship, Africa Mercy, as we came into the Dakar, Senegal port on 27 May 2022. Arrival into Senegal was a respectful time as we joined the country's three days of mourning. Senegalese families and the community mourn the loss of the 11 babies who died in a hospital fire. It is time for prayer and corrective action as we seek healing in a world filled with many tragedies, including the 19 children and 2 teachers killed in Uvalde, Texas. Feelings of sorrow are mixed with rejoicing as the Global Mercy begins her first mission as a hospital ship. The Mercy Ships mission is to "bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor, following the 2,000 - year - old model of Jesus". The

Tenerife, Spain 14 May 2022 Hello from Tenerife, The Global Mercy ship will set sail for Senegal in a few days - May 24, 2022.  On May 17th, we start a quarantine which involves a mandate to stay on the ship to help keep the crew COVID - free. It will take four days to reach Dakar, Senegal.  Fortunately, the multiple tours of the ship and my self-guided wandering helped me to now navigate without getting lost. I continue to develop routine in and out of my office. The unexpected role of being a barista, to help the chaplains serve coffee after Sunday worship and meet fellow crew, is developing. The barista role will not be put on my retirement resume due to a self-identified talent limitation!!! The Global Mercy Ship is a beautiful vessel. The hospital is amazing and the equipping phase is nearing completion. The Global Mercy is the largest civilian hospital ship.  Here are the statistics referenced in a Wikipedia entry:  “The 174 m, 37,000-ton ship features 12 decks. The hospital, loc

  May 2, 2022 Dear family and friends, My Dream Volunteering on a hospital ship became an interest of mine over 50 years ago. During my youth there was a hospital ship called the SS Hope which was in operation from 1960 to 1974. My dream created a plan to finish a nursing program and join the hospital ship. However, when I graduated from Mankato West High School, the Hope Project retired the hospital ship, putting a stop to my dream. I moved on to completing my nursing degree at Saint Olaf College, and focusing on family, more school, and work.  Life continued with many blessings to help manage sorrow. During the pandemic years, I traveled from one family home to the next, and enjoyed time with multiple generations. In December 2021, I said goodbye to my father and in April 2022 welcomed a ninth grandchild. Now I am inspired to find adventure in my third trimester of life. My hope of being crew on a hospital ship was renewed when I thought about my graduation (retirement) from a 25-yea