Climbing the Trails to New Places

















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        Saying Goodbye to the Global Mercy Ship in Sierra Leone Traveling Home    Tiredness crept over me, as white clouds swept the sky.   Day dreams filled my empty moments, allowing peace to calm the way.      Turning toward tomorrow, t ime defined with openness.             Aging into wisdom years,  embraces new joyfulness. Birth blesses a beginning,  death the destination known.   Prayers for the journey back home, guiding steps directing way.               Resting into quiet nights,  incubating dreams of hope. Waiting for the morning sun,  brightens the dark of the day.    Written by Linda Atwood on her journey home, 17 October 2023  
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                                               The Global Mercy Surgical Ship Experience The Mercy Ships organization continues to offer surgical support in Africa. The decision to focus on Africa developed with the realization of the great need for free and safe surgery. Fifty percent of the West African population is located along the coast. The Africa Mercy and Global Mercy surgical ships offer care to those living on the coast and also throughout the country.  Globally, 5 billion people lack access to safe surgery. Children and adults die every day from treatable surgical treatment.  Managing the operational details of a ship requires a full time captain, engineers, and many deck crew to keep everything in excellent ship shape. My single cabin became a sanctuary for relaxation at the end of busy days. My schedule as a counselor for the crew was meaningful...
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Joining the Global Mercy ship

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  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...
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