sailing we are sailing, across the seas...

It's DAY 6 of the sail...and we're somewhere off the coast of west Africa heading towards Tenerife! thankfully the seas are calm, but the boat is rolling from side to side and occasionally up and down too! walking down the corridor is a challenge - weaving from one side to the other with the appearance of having drunk way too much! we're only going at 10knots, so there are a good number of days ahead to continue to reflect, rest, spend time out on the bow and anything else to occupy oneself on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic!

During the working week I am writing policies for the ICU - this week we've been focusing on the sedation policy...its challenging and taking alot longer than we expected, but its well underway and hopefully this coming week we can move onto the next one!!

this is also a great time to get excited about Christmas and there are a number of events throughout the sail to get us in the christmassy mood - they are certainly needed, as the heat outside melts any christmassy feel their might be!

We've had a St Lucia evening - a Scandinavian tradition. here are some photos!

Winter Wonderland was last night, where the midships lounge was transformed into a christmas stalls - and i had my first taste of spiced apple (as close as you can get to mulled wine)!

I've been reflecting too on all that i've seen over the last few months in Benin. The before and after photos of some of the patients show plainly the transformation; not only physically - tumours removed, holes filled in, but also the light in their eyes and the joy in their heart. Healing has happened and hope is evident.

WARNING: THESE PHOTOS ARE GRAPHIC! and each patient has given permission for them to be used.

Wasti before and after his surgery

with his mum and Christine one of the ward nurses.



Christine before and after her surgery. Noma (a flesh eating disease) had

destroyed the side of her face.

Maria before and after her surgeries.

These are just 3 of the thousands of people that have walked up and down the gangway and visited the operating room....

I will let the pictures speak for themselves.