I can’t imagine a world without you there,
I can’t imagine you not sitting in your chair,
Nor can I visualize an empty spot in bed,
Your warmth, your pillow on which you lay your head.

I can’t imagine waking up alone,
No smell of coffee, no you, inside our home,
No early morning chats to start our day,
No waves and blowy kisses to see you on your way.

And cooking dinner, what use is it for one,
The very thought has left me quite undone.
Your tires scrunching gravel on your return,
And rushing to your arms for which I yearn.

I can’t imagine the loss, the wretched ache
Of me without a you, my very heart would break,
The sun would cease to shine, the sky would surely fall,
Then darkness would encase my soul, and that is all.

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“The formation of the Trust by the B.C. Government in 1974 ‘to be responsible for and to coordinate the future of’ designated Gulf Islands was a bold and visionary experiment in ecologically-based planning and governance of a particularly sensitive, rural area in British Columbia. It was given a special province-wide mandate to protect the islands in the face of predicted land development pressures. Since then, it has endured many reviews, studies and challenges and has yet to be granted the authority to truly accomplish its mandate. Nevertheless, it continues to be an active, dedicated confederation of local governments. Imagine what might have happened on these islands without the Islands Trust.” Peter Lamb, Salt Spring Island 2009

For those of you that might be interested in the story, read Peter’s article at: http://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/pdf/islandstruststory-plamb.pdf

This got me to researching the First Nations Seventh Generation thinking: “Seven generation sustainability is an ecological concept that urges the current generation of humans to live sustainably and work for the benefit of the seventh generation into the future. It originated with the Iroquois – Great Law of the Iroquois – which holds it appropriate to think seven generations ahead (a couple hundred years into the future) and decide whether the decisions we make today would benefit our children seven generations into the future.” Wikipedia

Great Law of the Iroquois: “Confederate Council, in your efforts at law making, in all your  official acts, self interest shall be cast into oblivion.  Cast not over your shoulder behind you the warnings of the nephews and nieces should they chide you for any error or wrong you may do, but return to the way of the Great Law which is just and right.  Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground — the unborn of the future Nation.”

For those of you that would like to read the full text of the Great Law: http://www.indigenouspeople.net/iroqcon.htm

This led me to reading a little about the history of Pender Island: “At the time of Contact, Pender Island was inhabited by Coast Salish peoples speaking the North Straits Salish language. There is an Indian Reserve at Hay Point on South Pender Island, which is home to members of the Tsawout and Tseycum First Nations. The Poets Cove Resort was built on an ancient First Nations village site. The provincial government’s 2007 settlement with the Tsawwassen First Nation included hunting and fishing rights on and around Pender Island—an arrangement to which the Sencot’en Alliance objected, saying those rights are theirs under the 1852 Douglas Treaty.” Wikipedia

In the middle of that paragraph above, Wikipedia refers to Poets Cove, www.poetscove.com. The resort was “built on an ancient First Nations village site”.

What does that mean? Does it make any difference? So what?

What do the First Nations Bands think about that? Has anyone asked them? Does it really matter?

Is Poets managed with Seventh Generation thinking in mind?

“The Hul’qumi’num and Saanich people who have made these islands their home for the past 7,000 years, and whose village sites and graveyards can be found in almost every bay and cove, have been left to retreat further back into their few Native-reserve enclaves, like Kuper Island.” Terry Glavin

http://www.straight.com/article/this-haunted-place

Terry’s article was written in 2005 & gives us one perspective of the interaction between cultures.

If the First Nations were thinking seven generations in advance, how does our changing the environment affect that positively or negatively? Does it matter?

Is the Islands Trust mandate a continuation of that thinking, a true partnership with the First Nations, or a vehicle for modernization, progress in our terms?

Another Ex-Pender Island trustee told me he hoped that our island could become heaven on earth.

Is heaven on earth a physical concept or an internal one?

If internal, is that eternal?

David

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On top of the work load I developed a rather nasty cold, but had to keep going or the work would simply not have been achieved. This included a six day week …10-11 hours per day. Everyone in the department had to work full tilt. When this past Friday arrived, and IMS left, I felt a physical lifting of a huge burden off of my shoulders. The result?? Every surgical tray, OR separate instrument, Ward, Out-Patient, Dental and Physio instrument was sharpened, washed, re-packaged and sterilized.

A highlight of the past two weeks was the arrival of my former bunkmate Anna from the UK. She had been back in Sierra Leone doing training and workshops in the Ponseti treatment method for club feet, and checking up on last year’s patients from Mercy Ships. It seems as if Anna has found her calling, and has chosen her one spot in the world where she can truly work for the betterment of humankind. Sierra Leone has won her heart, and she is busy working to find funding to develop a program to treat what is called neglected club feet.

One in 700 babies is born with club feet in Sub-Saharan Africa. The statistics are only slightly better elsewhere, with even higher reports in India. The actually cause is still a mystery. The Ponseti method of club foot correction involves casting to reposition the foot. It can only be done up to 5 years of age, when the bones of the foot are still malleable. After this point the only treatment is Orthopedic Surgery…an impossibility in Sierra Leone when there are no Ortho surgeons practicing.

While with Mercy Ships and on this most recent trip, Anna was training health care professionals in the Ponseti method. Every time the clinics would advertise for babies to treat, the line ups would also be filled with those over 5 for whom there was no hope. Anna met two Surgeons from Ghana whose hearts became really touched by these neglected club foot patients. At the end of their training these Doctors agreed to volunteer some of their surgical time to help these patients…if Anna could come up with the ways and means to run the program in Sierra Leone.

Anna has been busy connecting to agencies that might help her, and visioning her program in Sierra Leone. In between all of this, we have been able to share many meals and great conversations on board together…and even a movie or two! How I have missed her.

The first week she arrived was the week of her birthday. We celebrated with cupcakes, cookies and African dancing on the dock. It was a lot of fun, and she really enjoyed it.

The first weekend she was here she and my boss Missy went to Ghana for a few days and traveled quite far north. They arrived back Sunday night and by Tuesday evening Missy was having emergency abdominal surgery for a ruptured ovarian cyst, and an appendectomy to boot! There was no better place for Missy to be in West Africa than on the Africa Mercy. One of our General Surgeons performed the surgery and Missy is now recovering nicely.

Now for an update on George and Frank. They have been super busy taking lots of courses beyond the Sterilizing course. They have been taking Word; Excel and Navigator- a platform specific to Mercy Ships. Their computers are used daily for classes and studying…as well as email, Facebook and movies from time-to time! They are meeting lots of people and having many great experiences while on board. One weekend they were able to join a group of kids their age and travel up north in Togo. Exciting for them. Thank you, thank you once more for your generous support of these two great guys.

The Sterilizing course is going well, with our final exam at the end of May. We plan to have a small graduation for the students involved. From that point those that feel prepared will go on in early June to write the on-line certification through IAHCSMM (International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management).

A Surgeon was here last month who is planning to build a hospital in either Togo or the Ivory Coast (the location dependent on funding). He approached me to say that he needs to hire 4 sterilizers and wanted to employ the best in Togo…which he described would be in our department! Both Mark and Holaly speak French, and Dr. Andy has taken their info with him. I mentioned that if needs be, George and Frank might be able to access a French emersion course which could make them eligible for this opportunity as well. It is all still a distance away (December 2012), but the chance for this to potentially happen is very exciting.

Both Mark and Holaly have applied to follow the ship as Day Workers. Should they both be selected, our department would remain exactly the same as it is now until I leave in December. At that point Alice (who is also taking the classes) has been scheduled to come into the Sterilizing room from the Galley, and a team member will be selected to replace me as Team Leader.

We are now approaching our last month of surgery here in Togo. The month will be filled with Max Fax, General, Eye and ENT surgeries. We then pack up for the sail to Tenerife and the dry dock period. I will be writing a manual for the department on our sail to Tenerife and will be assigned to another department for our sail to Guinea in late August.

I have applied and have been accepted for a leave of absence to take care of John’s sister and brother-in-law once again in England during the dry dock period. As there are no surgeries during this time period, I am free to return to Reading to help to care for them. David has been placed permanently in a Nursing Home, and Ann is still at home with care givers. My presence there will enable the family (Ann and David’s children) to save some money from the private nursing care, and to take a much needed holiday. They have very kindly paid for my flight to England and back to the ship. I leave the ship June 29th, and return August 12th.

When I first signed up for Mercy Ships, we were supposed to be working in the OR throughout the summer. However, the change of the dry dock period from December to the summer changed that. At first I was annoyed by the change, but now in retrospect it does present a good opportunity to help out John’s family.

Many thanks to each of you for the many ways you have supported me in this journey so far. From emails, cards, parcels, financial support, blog postings …the list goes on and on.

May all that you have given to others, come back to you a thousand fold!

All best wishes,

Jane

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These words came from a song I heard this week & got me thinking about the power of positive energy. The reverse is the drain of negative energy. We get to choose.

Moving from island to island in the Salish Sea, I get to listen & watch these powers in action. It’s amazing what people are accomplishing, that believe they can, & then act. Others are drawn to this power of positive thinking.

When negative energy enters the room, it draws down the wattage of the positive ideas & is often presented as “I’m just trying to be realistic.”

Reality? Who’s?

Intention has a lot to do with the outcome of any successful endeavor. Is this about ‘me’ or ‘us’?

What about love: “the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another”. Wikipedia

Creativity is a talent available to all of us. When we combine our creative talents with those of others, we can accomplish almost anything. This process requires allowing for the ideas of someone else besides ourselves. Negativity can often silence the ideas of others.

This is beginning to sound like a real stew, a mixture of emotions, thought, & intention. Our physical bowl holds unlimited potential combinations.

Is it a matter of life or death?

Possibly, David

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Many of us who live on the Gulf Islands have a very independent streak, non-conformists, so I was wondering about the differences while trying to explain that we seem to have more in common.

I then read this:

“Ancient Hinduism has long focused on the expression ‘Atman(self) is Brahmin (God).’ This simply states that at the deepest core of who we are, we encounter the realization of our oneness with all things: we are a part of God. The innermost self is the outermost force. This doesn’t mean that you are God, but it does mean that God is you! The words used to explain this vary from person to person, but the ‘experience’ of awakening to this truth is universal.

All of the great spiritual practices have the power to help us reach this point of identity & transcendence in which we realize that we’re a sacred being. They help us understand that every struggle is an opportunity to find a deeper quality of freedom. Every challenge brings a lesson & a step closer to realizing that there’s a force within us that is eternal, indestructible, & beautiful beyond words. After such a realization, we are never the same again. The false self burns away in the light of the innermost spirit, & the soul begins to shine.” ‘Return To The Sacred’ Jonathan Ellerby

‘This doesn’t mean that you are God, but it does mean that God is you!’

So we are individual but one?

‘The false self burns away in the light of the innermost spirit.’

The false self, ego?

We are co-creators but we want to go it alone.

How can we ever be comfortable with our false self?

Wouldn’t it make sense to get in touch with our underlying eternality?

If we could, might the opening question be irrelevant?

Can we ‘see’ through the fog of physicality?

Does our mirror reflect the ‘soul’?

Who are ‘we’?

David

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I was listening to some music the other day, soul music, which led me to looking up the definition of soul: “The soul – in many traditional spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions – is the incorporeal (and immortal) essence of a person, living thing, or object.” Wikipedia

I then reread a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “It is as though in solitude the soul develops senses which we hardly know in everyday life.”

Picking up Charlotte Gordon’s book, ‘The Woman Who Named God’, she references Adam & Noah: “It seems possible that God had learned something from His experience with these two earlier partners in creation.”

I don’t know about you but this last quote jumped out at me. How could God learn anything from one of us human’s? I thought (s)he was Divine, all knowing?

By the way, is God someone/thing we meet in a future place & time, the Source of all that is today, a part of our being, the soul, or all three?

Is this trip a circle?

Getting back to God learning something from us, Charlotte Gordon does go on to refer to Adam & Noah as ‘partners in creation’. Is that creative ability or instinct, which is part of all of us, connected directly to the Source?

When we tap that source within, are we tapping our divinity? Is it like connecting a battery & allowing the current to flow through us?

If we are tapping the creative Source, then anything is possible. We can direct the energy to positive or negative results. We use our mind & emotions as the steering wheel.

With this co-creative ability, we might want to watch out what we think. Is our soul really ours?

Are we a robot run by an unseen force? Do we have free will?

If we can cut the connection, then I believe we have a say in the outcome. Dust to dust is the trip our physicality takes. Getting in touch with our soul might make for a longer trip, Wikipedia’s definition of soul above had in brackets the word ‘immortal’.

Music has a way of resonating, but I’m not into soul music yet. Maybe I should dig a little deeper, discover the real beat.

Is it the beat of my heart?

David

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Adventure after adventure seems to pile up here in Togo.
Last weekend a group of 15 of us ventured to Ghana to attend the wedding of my cabin mate Annika from Germany, to Idrissa from Sierra Leone. It was a big deal trying to get there. First of all, we all had to get Visas, which included:  colored photos; a trip downtown to take in the visas and a trip to pick them up again. Did you know that Canadians and those from the UK get a cheaper Visa fee than the rest of the world?
We left at 6:30 am on the day of the wedding. First we walked to the local taxi stand…then hailed and negotiated the fee for multiple cabs to take us to the border. There we had two check points to cross, photos taken, passports stamped, room after room to fill out paper work etc. How many times does one need to say “I am going to a wedding in Ghana”?

We then entered two vehicles (one of which had been pre-arranged…how did we get so much luggage?), and the journey really began. In Ghana there is about 50 miles or more with huge speed bumps every ¼ mile. Our driver would go incredibly fast…only to screech to a halt…to progress over the speed bump at a snail’s pace… to drive like a maniac to the next speed bump..to screech to a halt etc. etc. I wanted to scream “Stop that”, but clearly that was not the polite thing to do.

The scenery was not that fantastic, but as we got closer to the city (3 hours later) we encountered an incredible traffic jam. At this point, our driver assumed the role of the chauffeur from a James Bond movie…dodging this way and that…changing lanes…squealing tires…back roads…back lanes..onto the highway again etc. We decided the best way to cope was to simply close our eyes. As the minutes passed, the anxious groom kept calling the cell phone of our driver…adding to the angst.
The wedding was at 12:00 noon at the Registrar’s office. As 11:30 approached, we realized that changing our clothes into wedding attire, was simply not going to happen…we would be lucky to make it at all! As 11:55 came, our van screamed into the parking lot, and a sweaty, dusty bunch fell out of the van and into the wedding chapel. Wait…you must be ‘pinned’ with a piece of cedar complete with ribbons to support the entrepreneur at the wedding facility…don’t forget to pay$!

The room for the ceremony was split in the middle by an aisle. I realized with horror that we were sitting down as someone else’s service was going on. When that one was over, we were directed to move to the other side of the room, and our ceremony began. For a civil service, it was impressive how the magistrate ensured that both parties actually wanted to get married….as “This is a serious thing, don’t you know”.  In the middle of our service, the door flung open and the next candidates strolled in. I am sure they wondered what kind of vagrants this mixed marriage couple had invited. When I say that the Africans were dressed up..well there are just no words to describe their outfits.  The African bride herself was in a very fussy traditional western wedding dress. All of the women sported large and fancy head coverings. The fathers of the bride and groom were wrapped in African cloth, similar to a toga- in tribal style.  And us? Well sandals, running shoes, shorts, and T shirts just about sums it all up! After the ceremony we stood gathered on the grounds for pictures, and were serenaded by yet another creative businessman who played “Here Comes the Bride” on his harmonica!

We were able to change after the wedding, and we all cleaned up well for the reception. It was held at a very western hotel. The party was a great mix of western ways combined with African drumming and dancing. There were over 8 countries represented. We stayed overnight at a Baptist Mission house. The next morning the bride’s Aunt prepared a lovely bunch for all of us. It was just so normal to sit in the breakfast area in sunlight and take time over a cup of coffee. To be able to hear the birds singing and not the sound of clacking bowls and loud conversations was heavenly indeed-almost brought me to tears!
We returned to the ship that evening. As we crossed back through the Ghana border, the guard I had seemed very interested in who married whom. When I said it was a German woman that married a man from Sierra Leone, the guard said, “Oh, the man has money now”. I could not resist adding, “More importantly, he has love”.

Since serving on the Africa Mercy is much more than weekend adventures, I share this story of a great re-cycling project here on the ship. It is great to see how many things can be recycled in Togo…not because of environmental concerns, but rather out of need.   Cast away cans are made into crafts, plastic bags into purses and bags, and even tires into shoes.

“Necessity is the Mother of invention”, so the saying goes. Nowhere is it more apparent than in the physiotherapy department onboard the Africa Mercy. When patients’ legs are put in casts, they can’t wear shoes – but they can’t go barefoot, either. The Rehabilitation Team has found a suitable, inexpensive, and easily available way to give each patient the foot protection they need during their recovery. The answer is . . . tire shoes.
Anama Latta, a day-worker in physiotherapy, is responsible for producing shoes from tires in various sizes to accommodate patients. He gathers old tires from motorbikes and begins by removing the wire inside with a knife. Then he measures for sizes – 10″ for large, 6″ for medium, and 4″ for small. Using a box cutter, he cuts incisions to mark where he will use the scissors to cut through. Next, he cuts three holes on each side. Then proper lengths of polypropalene ribbon are used to tie the shoes on. Anama says the tire shoes are stronger than other footgear they might use, and they provide more protection on the sides of the foot. “When I was a child in Togo, I used to wear shoes like these to go to my Daddy’s farm,” said Anama.”They protect better than flip-flops, and the cast doesn’t get wet.”Tire shoes last longer than ordinary shoes, and patients can walk easily in them. Anama says he enjoys making the tire shoes. “This is one way I can help the patients and the Rehabilitation Team, and I’m happy to make them.”
I wonder if Canada’s tire re-cycling tax pays for tire shipments to Togo?

May you always be well dressed for the adventures that await you!
Jane

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Marco Tempest might expand the meaning of the word reality:

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/124657-marco-tempest-tells-the-story-of-magic-at-ted-with-kinect-powered-augmented-reality

Don’t kids have an imagination that stretches even what Marco can conjure? Sam, our grandson, was 5 yesterday & he had everyone dressed as Pirates, a world quite real to him.

“The reason we don’t solve problems is the answers interfere with our concepts.” Samuel Lewis

Each of us perceives the world in a different way. That is our reality.

Meatloaf sings, “No matter what they teach you, what you believe is true.”

When you go to this next video hit skip the ad & start the video at 2 min 30 seconds for the words (or you can watch the whole thing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYx4ITSeCtw

How can we actually get along as a Universal family if we all ‘see’ things differently?

“Only when we begin to think as an extended global family, that not only includes our own species but all of our fellow travelers in the evolutionary sojourn on Earth, will we be able to save our common biosphere community & renew the planet for future generations.” Jeremy Rifkin ‘The Third Industrial Revolution’

So what we believe is true, what we perceive we believe to be true, how does love enter the equation?

John Lennon:

“Love is real, real is love

Love is feeling, feeling love

Love is wanting to be loved

Love is touch, touch is love”

So do our feelings reveal reality or do they distort the real world?

So was Meatloaf right?

In case you missed the lyrics to his song here they are:

“No matter what they tell us

No matter what they do

No matter what they teach us

What we believe is true

No matter what they call us

However they attack

No matter where they take us

We’ll find our own way back

I can’t deny what I believe

I can’t be what I’m not

I know I’ll love forever

I know, no matter what

If only tears were laughter

If only night was day

If only prayers were answered

Then we would hear God say

No matter what they tell you

No matter what they do

No matter what they teach you

What you believe is true

And I will keep you safe and strong

And sheltered from the storm

No matter where it’s barren

A dream is being born

No matter who they follow

No matter where they lead

No matter how they judge us

I’ll be everyone you need

No matter if the sun don’t shine

Or if the skies are blue

No matter what the end is

My life began with you

I can’t deny what I believe

I can’t be what I’m not

I know, I know

I know this love’s forever

That’s all that matters now

No matter what…”

This song was actually written by Andrew Lloyd Webber for his musical “Whistle Down the Wind”.        What is The Truth?

Only time will tell.

David

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The first thought that hit me was ‘I won’t be able to……….’, but I won’t bore you with the details as you can probably fill in the blank from your own life experiences.

I decided to take some time to sit quietly & read thus running into the following quotes:

“The greater danger is not that our hopes are too high & we fail to reach them. It’s that they are too low, & we do.” Michelangelo

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams & endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau

“What is now proved, was once only imagined.” William Blake

This last quote led right into: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

This quote came from an amazing young lady on the following video: enjoy

One of the books that I sat down with this week was the ‘I Am Discourses’. If you are not familiar with those just google them.

The essence, what I believe, I am.

But does that really apply to me, aren’t I limited by circumstances that others don’t have to face?

How can I ever get beyond the difficult circumstances & challenges that are unique to me.

Well, you probably have been wondering why I titled these thoughts, The Homeless Boy.

Should I say enjoy?

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a6b_1323559127

On the other side of every problem is an opportunity, the trick is to ‘see’ the other side.

David

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Last weekend I was asked to join a small group to go hiking just outside of Lomé. We drove for about twenty minutes and hiked a short way to fields which stretched far ahead in the distance. The plan was to hike from this location to Lake Togo…but we stopped short when we discovered a river, surrounded by marshland.

In the river was a huge dugout canoe, filled with people, their wears and even a motorcycle! It was built out of one log from the Balboa tree – a tree which grows incredibly straight, and very large in circumference. We talked to the boat owner about being able to hike through the fields to Lake Togo. This caused an uproar of laughter, as the locals envisioned the white folks trudging through the marshes. A few of our group seemed bent on walking, but the thought was cut short by the word ‘crocodile’.

Negotiations then began to secure seats for nine in the canoe.  I was not sure why we could not wait for the next boat (it turned out there were many) but we all stumbled our way into our seats, and sat four to a bench. The water was shallow at points and we kept hitting bottom. The ‘driver’ had only a long pole to propel us through the water, and seemed quite upset with us – although we paid much more for our ride than the average passenger. He spoke with a very loud and angry voice. His companion told him to be quiet… “After all it is business…you should be thankful”, he stated.

We travelled for 30 minutes up the polluted and meandering river. At one point some passengers farther back must have shifted their weight, and water poured over the side and down into my pants. I tried to sit as far to one side as possible…but …oh well, it will dry!
We landed upriver and began our two hour hike on a completely flat and dusty road (oh for the hikes in BC!). The road led us to a well developed village complete with schools, medical clinic, churches, mosques and cemeteries. Apparently there was a road into this village from the north, but most folks without transport take the water route. We met many children who shouted “Wabo” (Yabo)..meaning white man. People came outside of their huts to see the white people who were dumb enough to walk in the scorching mid day sun….and my, was it hot!

After two hours, we back tracked to the river bank. There we met Mister Grumpy (now happy that we had returned to his boat for our homeward ride). I was dismayed when we seemed to cut ahead of an elderly gentleman and his wife who were also waiting to take the canoe transport. He looked perfectly resigned to the fact that in Africa, the white man seems to always go first! Despite questions and then protest, one can never seem to negotiate these things…they simply fall out that way.

There seems no better way to convey to you the stories of our work here, than by sharing a patient’s story.

Wapondi’s Circle of Love

There is a wide circle of love surrounding Wapondi Napo. Because Wapondi was born with a cleft lip, her family is very protective of her. However, in Bassar, their home community, there were some who were afraid of Wapondi. They thought she was not good for the village.

Soon after Wapondi was born, her mother and father traveled to the nearest hospital in Socado, hoping to find a way for their daughter’s cleft lip to be repaired. There they waited in admissions for three days. They were given were some liquids and were sent away, being told that there was no treatment for their little girl in Togo.

While this news was difficult to hear, Wapondi’s family accepted the condition. They focused on taking care of their baby and giving her all of the love and care she needed to thrive. One evening, while the family was watching television, they saw an announcement that Mercy Ships was offering a free medical screening for many conditions, including cleft lip. Wapondi’s parents   immediately agreed that they had to take her to Lomé for the screening.

The family made the eight-hour journey to Lomé, and arrived at the screening site with Wapondi at 4:00 in the morning. They joined an already long line, but were seen and accepted for surgery. Once onboard the Africa Mercy, Wapondi’s cleft lip was successfully repaired by Dr. Gary Parker, Mercy Ship’s surgeon and Medical Director. Within a few days, eighteen month old Wapondi was clapping and giggling with her usual energy.

The family can now return home to Bassar ,to a very special celebration in honor of Wapondi’s transformation. The family is thankful to everyone on Mercy Ships who added Wapondi to their own wide circle of love and caring.

May your pole always be long enough…as you ply your rivers of life.

Jane

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