Hello once again friends and family,

Where has the time gone?!? We can't believe that it has nearly been four months since we first sent out our first emails to you. Our time in Kenya and Liberia has gone fast. It has been both fulfilling and challenging. Coming down to it though, we are more than ready to be coming home! Our journey home will begin tomorrow (Dec. 12) when we begin to sail from Liberia to the Canary Islands. We will be flying out from Tenerife on Dec. 23 and flying to Madrid, Spain for Christmas with a friend of our's from NNU. This week we look forward to sailing on the open ocean!! This place has been busy --many things to be done to prepare for the sail. Things like taking down tents that patients would wait in before coming onto the ship hospital, loading all the vehicles onto the top deck of the ship, tieing everything down EVERYTHING on the ship that might slide around when we sail, loading enough drinking water for journey to Tenerife, securing things in our cabin(s), and even checking for stow-aways. Swimmer's watch has been an interesting duty that we have both signed up for, which entales signing up for 2 hour blocks to watch the waters for those that might be approaching. We have seen swimmers and turtles as well. Jeremy has really enjoyed this extra job. We were told today that our offical depature would be tomorrow afternoon! This last week Kristin had her last night shift on the ward and now the hospital is closed and everyone is cleaning like crazy. Everything three times over! Things get pretty dirty around here! Jeremy has been working hard in the dining room, but was able to get away this evening to play ultimate frisbee one last time. :) Today I (Kristin) went to the market one last time and couldn't believe that it was my last time to walk the streets of Africa. Last time for now at least, who knows. A man came begging for money, he persistantly stood at my side while looking in a shop and waiting for me to turn to him. Then I realized he had no left arm, likely lost in the 14 year long civil war here that ended only 4 years ago. He then asked for water, I couldn't deny him that. So I told him to find someone selling water and I would buy it for him. I did so and never saw him again, and ran to meet up with the others I was with before I was lost in the mob. I never saw him again but was reminded of the Living Water that Jesus offers us, if only I had had time to share this kind of water on the busy market street.

Prayer Requests: If you remember us in your prayers, please pray specifically for safety during the sail and for a smooth journey--wisdom to those in command, good weather, and no encounters with "other ships". Pray that we don't get sea sick and are able to enjoy the sail. We'll be working together in the dining room during the sail as well, so pray that this is a good experience for us both. For a safe journey to Madrid, then to Amsterdam and then home through Seattle. Also if you could pray for us as we begin to process all we have seen and done, and ponder all the things the Lord has done and taught us.

and ...


MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!!


We feel blessed to be here and have been surrounded by such a wonderful atmosphere and assortment of people. We had difficulty transitioning here, but as we leave, we have realized how this had become a temporary home. They have had many Christmas events already, even Santa Lucia (Scandanavian celebration of lights), and the ship has been turned into a winter wonderland (though we are confused when we walk outside and immediatly begin to sweat in the heat). We are just so excited these days -- as we look to Christmas and the miraculous gift of Christ coming to humanity -- as we look forward to celebrating in Madrid with friends -- as we prepare to sail -- as we look back on our trip and see how God orchestrated it in His timing -- and as we look forward to returning home.

Blessings to All!