Hello everyone!
Yes, I thought it is time for my second newsletter!!
Well here goes:
Okay, let's see, I've ended off with the Easter weekend on the previous email...
The one other place I desperately wanted to visit, was Edinburgh (more so that I can say I've been in Scotland)! Now, Edinburgh is a beautiful place. Helen, Winnie and I went via train to go and explore this stunning city. When we got there, I suggested for us to go onto a city sightseeing tour (I thought that might give us a better idea of what is happening in Edinburgh). So, we hopped onto 1 of the buses, went around and saw what the city had to offer from a touristy point of view... We went past a building where Sean Connery studied. On the tour, we got these headphones on and are listening to a pre-recorded guided tour of the city, as we got to this building (where Sean Connery studied), his voice came onto the recording!
After our sightseeing tour, we went to the famous Edinburgh Castle. We agreed to spend 3 hours there, although 2 was enough for me. It was very interesting and I even saw the "Crown Jewels". It is beautiful! Looks really expensive - which, of course, it must have been.
After that we went home, and now I can say that I have been in Scotland!!!
Anyway, that's basically all the traveling I have done since I came here (see my previous newsletter for the other traveling)...
Work has really been busy. Kevin (my boss) came back from his time in USA (where he was on holiday and also BST - Basic Safety Training - ). Now, I only had 3 weeks to learn basically all I had to know for my job, because Kevin was sent to the Anastasis (ANA). Some Department Heads were being sent ahead so that they can see how an outreach is being "closed" and also to see how everything works living on board a ship, etc. Then they (most of them), will stay there, some will come back for the start of the Africa Mercy (AFM) to get loaded up, etc. Now, Kevin will most probably not be coming back for the start of the AFM. We will meet him there once the ship gets there. The ANA will basically "pass the baton" once the AFM gets there.
Now, this decision of the ANA starting the Ghana outreach, was made, because the people are anxiously awaiting us - we have an advance team in Ghana, as well as because the AFM is still a while away from being ready to go. The AFM will hopefully meet them sometime in October 2006.
Currently the plans are to have 1 week in Rotterdam, Holland for a PR event in beginning of October 06. Then to meet the ANA in Ghana. Have a transition period where everything and everyone to be part of AFM will be moved onto AFM from ANA. To continue in Ghana till end of Feb 07. Then to go straight to Liberia for some time. The rainy season in West Africa - most "severe" in Liberia apparently starts in May / June. They want to see if AFM can work in that and how it will be, etc.
Currently the AFM is in the AYP Tyne Shipyard in Hebburn, Newcastle. Once it is basically finished, they want it to move to Blyth, which is about 10 miles north from here. They are hoping this will happen in July 06.
Tuesday nights we have a prayer meeting that usually takes place on the ship. We have been praying for a variety of things and we have definitely seen answer to prayers. For instance, there was terrible fighting going on between the King of Nepal and its people. Lots of riots, murders and lots of innocent people who were getting hurt. The king didn't want the people to have democracy or something. So, we prayed for peace to come back, the people, especially the families of our security guards (who are Nepalese) to be safe! As well as the king to give the people democracy or whatever. We prayed specifically for these for 2 weeks. The Wednesday after the 2nd Tuesday I went onto the CNN website and there, MAIN newsflash - the king has "surrendered"! God is GREAT!!! And that was just 1 example.
It is just absolutely wonderful to see God move! It is good to get feedback on things we prayed for. Very encouraging!!!
On the 15th of May, Penny, Kathy and Winnie went to the ANA. They were the first of about 37 (incl. kids) people who are being sent to the ANA.
Penny's got a big responsibility ahead of her, for she is now the Head Receptionist on the ANA!!!
Penny and I went to a church in Sunderland a while ago on a Sunday night. It is actually the church of a friend of her on the ANA, who she met when the ANA was in Cape Town last. After church, this guy, Milo, came and chatted to us. He is a Christian for 1 year and started preaching only 2 months after becoming a Christian! That's amazing!!! He then asked if he could pray for us (which we never mind). In his prayer he asked for wisdom for me and he mentioned that he saw both Penny and me in a hot air balloon flying over Africa. He said we must give the hot air balloon more gas. This basically he interpreted as that we already took 1 huge step (getting into the balloon - i.e. coming to join the AFM in the UK). He said us having to give the balloon more gas, meant we must just take one more step. He said he got this picture from God (which we both believe)!
Then, as we were about to walk out (after the prayer), he just suddenly said to me that this will be the year of confidence building for me. That after the year, I will be very confident. He said a lot of hurts will be healed. Remember that he doesn't know us from a bar of soap. This was definitely God speaking through him!
13 May a couple of us girls went to see the play "My Fair Lady" in Sunderland. It was basically my idea, luckily they wanted to really see it as well. It was really good and enjoyable.
I have been to the movies a couple of times since I've been here. I have seen "Take the lead" with Antonio Banderas, "Eight Below" with Paul Walker and of course Mission Impossible 3 with Tom Cruise! My next movie I want to see is Pirates of the Carribbean 2!
Thu, 25 May 06 (23:09)
Debbie was visiting this evening (one of Penny's Sunderland friends I met a while ago). It was really great. We chatted about everything and nothing and God!
We prayed for each other. When she prayed for me, she got a picture of a crystal vase with beautiful flowers in it. She said that I am the vase and God's the flowers. Also that the flowers and vase REALLY compliment each other! It is really awesome! She continued to pray for me saying that I am beautiful and a blessing and a perfect gift. THen she got another picture of God pouring out gifts over me and that He has got SO much to pour out over me, but He doesn't want to spill it, so He is pouring out a little at a time. That it's like: I am getting presents and my arms are filling up and I don't have space to put it. She also continued by saying that God is making me into this really trustworthy person. That He wants to whisper things to me that He can't whisper to anyone else. Things that are intimate? secrets?. Then she ends off saying that: WOW, God is really going to give me a lot of wisdom!!!
God is SO GOOD AND AMAZING! WOW!!! Thanx God! Bring it on....
Now, I shared with Debbie the prophecy of the hot air balloon that Miles gave to Penny and me. She said she thinks the next step is a "Spiritual" step. That it might be that God wants us to surrender all to Him! To let go of something - no matter what. (Now I am not sure what it might be, but I am sure that God will reveal it to me in His time!)
Now, I think you are more updated on me and my life! Till next time!
Remember to let me know how you are! Send me pictures!!!!
Lots and lots of love!
Mathilda
