Angie in Africa: A big plunge

A big plunge
I feel like I talk a lot about how I heard about Mercy Ships and how I got here so fast. Well I guess that is how I work with big decisions, I have a clear idea or push to do something and I have to do it. I felt that about two weeks ago, but this time it was to get baptized. I have never been baptized before but have thought about it before from time to time. I had never felt though like I did that night that I needed to do it and that it should be before I go home. I decided to tell some friends my idea before I chickened out and I think that helped because I had said it to someone else and they did not think it was crazy in fact they were supportive, as good friends are.

I was able to speak to Mae, who along with her family have been on the ship for almost three years but have been serving with Mercy ships for about 15 years. I told Mae what I wanted to do and again I was met with support and encouragement. Well things started to develop and soon enough we had a plan for a day at the beach the following Saturday. I tried to keep it as small as possible with just those people I am closest to, it ended up with about 30 people including a few of the families that I am close with. It was a great day, it was sunny and the waves were crashing.

Mae spoke a bit about the call to be baptized in obedience to God, and well I tired to talk. I am a crier so it is not surprising at all that I was crying and could not talk. So we headed into the water, remember when I talked about waves crashing well it was not the easiest thing ever to get our feet. Everyone would yell at us that a wave was coming and we would try to stay sort of still and above the water. I think that it was perfect because it helped me not be so emotional and be able to laugh at it, of course even when getting baptized I was a spaz, that is fitting. We finally were able to get our footing and well, I was baptized!

I was so relived that it was over, I had been so nervous and anxious. We got out of the water and Mae asked people to pray. It was a moment that I will never forget, standing on the beach in Togo, surrounded by my ship family praying for what is next in my life. I am so blessed to have had the people there who were able to make it and wish I could have had my family there with me, but I know it was the right timing to do it even if that meant some where not able to be there.

The rest of the afternoon was perfect, we had a few long tables, groups and families where all mixed up and we just hung out and ate. Thanks for to all who where able to come and to those of you who were so supportive even from the other side of the world. It is crazy to think about all that has happened in my life in the past two years, I can’t even imagine my life had I not come to the ship two years ago. I can’t imagine who I would be, had I not meet the people I did, made the friends that I did and grown the way that I have. I am so sad to be leaving my floating home but am very excited to be a little bit more settled and to be able to spend time with my family and friends that is not a vacation but actual time investing in relationships again.

I have just over two weeks left; I have had count downs and paper chains to when I go home. Not because I hate it here but because I need to be aware of the time I have left and enjoy it all and spend that time with the people I will miss so much. I will carry these two years with me where ever I go, they will affect the way I see the world, the way I see joy and pain. The way I teach and talk to students. The way I understand God and question Him all at the same time. I have been changed by these times; it has been two years of my life, not a cruise or a vacation. Two years, or nearly 22 months, is a long time when looked at in isolation but over the course of a life not that long but none the less hugely impactful. I know that there are many more great things to come in my life and I am so excited to start on the next adventure. Love you all and see some of you soon!