Top Gun

Unfortunately I am one of those people who has good intentions to read my bible, but don't read it nearly as frequently as I should. Since I had the day off though, I went out on the dock to read from the bible book "My Time With God" that Amy gave me. A Norwegian nurse named Esther came and sat next to me and after chatting a bit, she said "ok no more talking I need to do my quite time"(for those of you who don't know a lot of Christians refer to quite time as time they spend with God, reading the bible praying etc.) So after about 20mins, she invited me on a walk to a store with her and another Norwegian girl named Christine. Turns out Christine's parents were missionaries and she lived in Madagascar for about 7years growing up. Esther is here for I think 5 months maybe? But she also was in Thailand after the tsunami for 2 months with YWAM and was in Ecuador for 2 months while she was in nursing school. I am amazed when I meet people and hear what they've done.



Thursday nights are the group service (like a church service) in the international lounge. We had an amazing speaker from England named Phil. He spoke on how many say salvation is free for everyone, but being a follower of Jesus can be a big sacrifice. He talked about how people in history have had to watch their families suffer and die because they were unwilling to deny Christ. He talked about when he and his wife first came on Mercy Ships he felt like it was a big sacrifice, but for him, it really isn't. We have beds, air conditioning, and frapaccinos. He went on to say how it was difficult for Jesus as well. Jesus, who paid the ultimate sacrifice--who died on the cross for our sins so that we could have eternal life with God. The pastor spoke on Matthew 26:39 "...Jesus fell to the ground and prayed,"My Father, if it is possible, do not give me this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want." WOULD YOU BELIEVE THAT THAT WAS THE EXACT PASSAGE I READ ON THE DOCK THAT DAY!! Me who neglects to read my bible like I should happens upon the exact passage. But that is God for me. I have never been one of those persons who "hears God speak" or anything, but He tends to give me those little signs like here I am, I see you, I care about you, etc. It is amazing how God cares about each and every individual in ways that are personal to us. I am in aww.

Now if you are not familiar with Top Gun--my favorite movie as a teenager--this might be lost on you. Thursday evening after dinner was volleyball. I was up near the net, and someone turned on some music during our last game, and it was "Danger Zone"(highway to the danger zone) by Kenny Logins, which is a Top Gun anthem of sorts. And although it is not the song that plays during the volleyball game in the movie, it still cracked me up because there I am playing volleyball in a reddish type dirt that looked like sand, on a UN military base next to the ship, with the sun setting in the backround. The only thing missing was the topless navy guys.

One week down and I have learned so much already and I have barely started working. I am working PM shift today and 12 hour days over the weekend, so keep me in your prayers. Hope all is well at home. I think about all of you often! Love you!