As usual I neglected this blog for far too long. For that I apologize and hope to catch you up. I also say sorry now for the horrible grammar, the run on sentences, and the scattered thoughts. I am just proud of myself for posting something. I want to give you more information and answer questions and I just terrible at putting it into writing, especially blog form :)
The start of June marked the end of our field service in Guinea, Africa and the start of a sail up north to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. It was so surreal to be waiving goodbye to a country I had so many memories and great friends and within hours only seeing water for miles and miles. I have to say moving your home without packing has to be one of the greatest things. I also must say I love sailing. There is nothing quite like the peace I find floating on top of the ocean.
The difference a day makes with the view out my window.
The highlight of sailing!
The wonderful thing about Las Palmas is that the sun doesn't set until around 9pm, so what this means is that we get to work hard until 5 and then go out with friends and grab Sangria and watch the sunset while sitting on a beautiful white beach. It was quite the life I must say.
Sangria time.
The HR office does not really slow down much, it is a year round gig, but because the hospital shuts down while we are in dock yard we got some awesome amazing people reassigned to help us out. They brought fun with them and also I chance for me to get away for a little rest.
My lovely office/home
Summertime in HR - Hat Day
I had the privileged to spend a few days in the south of France with some of my wonderful girlfriends from the ship.
Then I headed south and met up with the fabulous Kali for a road trip through Spain with some other lovely friends.
Our map at the end. (Tarragona and Somo are some favies)
I feel so blessed for this life and the time I had to regroup before heading into another busy and fabulous field service in the Republic of Congo. I even made it all the way to California for some much needed family and friend time with my dearest loved ones. It was speedy and packed, I know I missed some people and places, but it was just what I needed.
Nothing like some Old Town Pizza and good friends.
My lovely mom and beautiful sisters :)
I absolutely love living this life the Lord blessed me with, but it is waring on a person. To say it is emotional is an understatement. Everyday you are surrounded by stories that grab your heart stings, community living (it's the best and the worst), being away from those back home, making new friends, working crazy hours (you do not drive away at the end of a long day, actually you sit across from it at the dinner table), the heat, and the sounds (the constant humming of generators). When June rolled around I was in great need of this summer vacation, but the best thing that came out of it...finding myself ready (impatiently so) to get back to the ship at the end of it . I missed the community that can drive me crazy, I missed working and having a purpose, I missed Africa. Africa is so much a part of me now, it's in my blood. This life feels normal now. This is where I want to be, how I want to live, and it is home..
After two weeks and some 3,000 miles we arrived in Pointe-Noire, Congo. YAY!!! To be on African soil again is refreshing, rejuvenating. These next few weeks my office and coworkers will be busy welcoming 100+ more crew members, 200+ local Day Crew, and gearing up for the next 10 months here. The hours will be long, there will be housing stresses (I am the blessed Housing Coordinator), there will be little crisis fires to be put out and I will be tired. But all that is minor when you look at the lives that will be changed, those that will be loved and valued for the first time in years, and many locals will be trained up and encouraged through health care education. I am lucky enough to be in the front row, watching the greatest scenes take place, I get to see Jesus in action.
Pulling into port. Our new home - Pointe Noire, Congo
If you ever have any questions or want to know more feel free to email me anytime: nicoledeypugh@gmail.com
