Transatlantic

Bonnie and I have been friends for ____ years, lets just say since our college years. When she invited me to travel with her, I was on board. All I had to do was send in my $$ and 6 months later we met in Miami on the ship, Rivera of the Oceania cruise ship line. A bottle of champagne awaits us, bon voyage. Two of her friends from California joined us, mostly for dinner and a couple excursions. We had lots of laughs and girl chatter over scrumptious food! Our first port is King's Wharf, Bermuda. We toured all over the island on a beautiful day. Oh, to be on those pink sand beaches! The houses are painted in multiple colors with white roofs and lots of churches. Our one shopping stop in Hamilton was fruitless. For me, the pictures are my souvenir. The next day we sailed on a glass bottom boat to see the reefs. When ships sail into Bermuda ports they need a local pilot to navigate around the reefs and 400 ship wrecks. We enjoyed this cruise around the island but the fish scatter with the shadow of the boat, it's definitely not the same as snorkeling over a reef. Another beautiful day, more shops and a rum swizzler, the local drink. This next picture shows a tour bus and the wonderful flowers of the island. The next four days we are at sea, sunny, breezy, 60s. Lots to do on board ship: art classes, lectures, entertainment, dining, high tea and for our friends the casino. Then we come upon the jewel of the Atlantic, the garden isle, Madeira Island, Portugal, at dawn. Our tour includes the city of Funchal and a cable car ride to Monte then to the botanical gardens. Everyone has a vegetable garden and flower garden, many grow bananas. The decorative cobblestone streets are typical of Portugal. We also stopped at an embroidery factory as Maderia is known for their embroidery. The local drink is poncho served in shot size glasses. After climbing the hills of Monte and the gardens we take a Poncho break. Maderia Island has won many European garden competitions. The weather here is much like southern California. Another couple days at sea before our next port in Tangiers, Morocco. The weather gets a little rough and we don't go out on the decks. Time to read and watch movies: Elizabeth, The Kings Speech, The Full Monty, Anna Karenia, The Impossible, Casablanca and Argo. Finished the book "Unbroken". We arrive in Tangiers, our guide is Syied (phonetic spelling). First stop is a performance of dancers, gymnasts, a magician and musicians in a beautiful tent. The non-alcoholic drink, mint tea. We drive into the countryside to Hercules Caves. Large caves where the Atlantic rushes in is located at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, the Straits of Gibraltar. Hugely commercialized. We drive on to the light house Cap Spartel also at the entranced to the Mediterranean. The vendors add to the color of this scene. As we travel the land, our guide tells us the history of Morocco, the economy (20% unemployment) but many new businesses and also a primer on the 5 pillars of Islam. Today is their holy day and many in the city go to the mosque. The market place is busy and he guides us through the old city, the kasbah. So colorful and the sounds of the call to prayer. We were given the choice to shop on our own or go to a shop that the guide suggests, the whole group followed our guide. All the time in the kasbah we had men trying to sell us jewelry and purses, they were relentless. I guess we felt if left on our own we would be harassed too much and maybe get lost in the winding walkways of the old city. It was a wonderful experience to see this living, thriving, ancient neighborhood and observe the people and their crafts. We returned to the ship and sailed another day to Barcelona, Spain. No touring there but home calls me. Bonnie and I say good-bye to our plush accommodations and wonderful service. Cheers, dear friend, a great adventure.

Winter Break Savannah

Today is the perfect day to reminisce about our recent trip to Savannah. On winter's last day, I expected Michigan to look a little more like spring, so maybe a little spring thinking will help. This really is today! We love going to see grandchildren, no one in the world will greet you with such love and enthusiasm! Hugs, kisses, smiles, ahhh. These are the ones, givers of such good gifts. They also want to show us their Christmas gift, a trampoline where I sprouted noodle legs. This book, one of their favorites, is 53 pages long! They tell me when I say the wrong word, oops. It was all about a bus with children that shrank and went into the eye, ear and nose. Now that's a fun way to learn your anatomy. Saturday mornings can be quiet, even with two sets of twins! Mom and Dad have a rare moment to enjoy some cuddling. Later that day, Ang and I get some pampering at the Westin spa, yes it was heavenly. Tom, Dan and the children checked out the local boat show. Each boat was to be toured. Another new addition to the back yard is there new play house from Uncle David! Lots of imagination and stories to tell about playing in here. Cooper the policeman who pretty much tears the place up and Claire fixing the meals. Then of course a monster shows up. Great fun! Between a wonderful seafood dinner at the Westin, great worship at Savannah Christian and even a visit to a War World II Air Force museum, we enjoyed our stay. One big disappointment for grandma is that she missed seeing the tooth fairy. Claire's loose tooth just wouldn't come out until Monday morning before school. Even though I slept in her room for four nights it wouldn't leave her mouth. I always did want to see that tooth fairy. Maybe next time, there are going to be a lot more loose teeth at this house, right Hudson, Cooper and Tucker?

Winter Break

We have had an old fashion winter in Michigan,lots of snow, but then it thaws and we begin to think of the possibility of spring. Time after time, just when we think it's the last snow plow or sidewalk shovel, here comes the snow, like today. Yesterday it was 50 F. I wouldn't call us snow birds, by any stretch of the imagination, but last month we needed to step away from snow for more than a day or two. Must be the entire country is experiencing interesting weather, we did head south but not necessarily to warm weather but lots of warm southern hospitality. How fun to spend an evening with Angie's family. Aunt Patsy made us a wonderful beef stew and cornbread muffins, yum! After breakfast with a candle on his blueberry muffin, Tom celebrates again after dinner! Mary & Larry surprise Tom with a cake and party for his big birthday. We hadn't been to Gulf Shores AL since spring break in 1995. The area has many more businesses but the beach remains pristine. This day was about 40F and blustery. Mary doesn't let grass grow under her feet, she is a woman on the move, very good for me. We hiked (Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge), walked, shopped and went geo-caching. Spent an afternoon at the beach flying kites and wonderful meals (thanks Larry for the beer butt chicken and fresh shrimp). I learned to play dominoes and we visited a couple local joints. Here are a few pics of beach and surf and a heron sneaking up on a bucket of ghost shrimp. Those pelicans are riding a wave from a lake, must be lots of fish under the water. Years ago, Tom had this kite in the air all afternoon but this day it remained on the beach. It didn't begin to dampen the beauty of wind, sun, salt air and the joy of being at this beautiful place in February. Thanks Mary & Larry for your invitation and hospitality. No picture of Larry who is working in his home office with his assistant, Rock. Stay tuned for Winter Break in Savannah.

Honduras, Again

Friends will say that it is so good of me to travel to help the poor of Honduras. I am always uncomfortable with this statement. I really feel, it is a privilege and a blessing to be asked to help. It's a long trip and we have to be careful to avoid contaminated water and food but that is the extent of our sacrifice. The teams are always a different mix of people and each group seems to have their own dynamic. There is some I know and some I am meeting for the first time. When we sign up for a date, we don't know who will be going except for Mark and Becky who coordinate the trips. It is all in God's plan. It is for His purpose and praise. Here is our group of young and old, me being the old.

This year, after sleeping in comfort and hearing the sounds of the night (crowing roosters & barking dogs) we wake to clouds that burn off by the time we reach the surgery center. Each morning we have breakfast at the mission house and spend time in devotions before leaving for the clinic. It is a wonderful way to begin the day with songs of praise and prayer. We pray again with our patients.

In contrast to working in the states, there are no times set for the schedule. We usually care for the youngest patients first, then as they show up. Lunch break is when our meal is brought in and we shut down the OR for lunch. We stay until the cases are done for the day (6-7pm). Everyone helping each other and enjoying our work. No chaos. This year I worked with a plastic surgeon. We see a lot of cleft palates and cleft lips. Our patients are poor, they will never be able to pay for this surgery so it is such a gift. The parents cry with joy when they see their child after surgery. I heard a story about a Honduran woman who had this surgery at the age of 36 years several years ago. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she smiled and said, "I have never been kissed on the lips." We often take for granted the medical care we have access to in the USA. Here is a before and after photo.

We work for 5 days and then spend a day of recreation. This year, several of the team risked their lives on a zip line 1200 feet above the valley floor in the clouds. It was a cold rainy day but each one that went came back to us after 6 zip lines across the valley and down the mountain. I was not one of them. I couldn't imagine I would have the courage to hang from a wire that far above the earth. The next picture gives you some perspective of the platform and cliff.

More my style was our ride through the country side, photographing wild life and visiting a pottery shop.

This little girl was quite the sales girl. She is 7 years old and counted to 10 in English. I taught her to say "I love you" in sign language. Her grandma has the shop next to her home.

This was a fun group. We had lots of laughs and great devotions and discussions. Thursday night we had a Non Talent Show. That took all the pressure off for any expectations to impress. Everyone took part in the fun. We had a couple guys sing and dance a rap, one wrote a poem of our trip, another gave a lecture, a terrible guitar player, an 80s dance to Rocky, a quote of a very mediocre poem and an Amelia Bedelia style skit on how to make oatmeal and another skit of our work in the OR with props. Pretty much it lived up to its name as non-talent.

One of our team members remarked about how the year before he had such a calmness come over him during and after his Honduras mission trip. Jesus brother James says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you," James 4:8. We are filled with Christ as He promises and our work and time together is to His Glory and not our own. We are blessed, for sure but it is God's work.