Ali's African Adventures

What a wonderful gift the blogosphere can be. I have a new friend whose words are well-crafted, whose insights draw me into her work, and whose compassion seems limitless. She doesn't know we are friends, however. I am a lurker in her world. Fortunately, she lets me in via her blog, Ali's African Adventures.

Ali is a pediatric nurse with Mercy Ships on board the world's largest non-governmental hospital ship, the M/V Africa Mercy. I don't know how she finds the time to blog with the work she is doing, but I'm glad she does. I look forward to her posts because she has opened a door to a culture that I may never visit. Right now, the M/V Africa Mercy is posted off the shore of Liberia, so that's my view through her blog.

Recently, she's written an engaging entry about teaching a young Liberian woman how to type and use email. And about how Liberians reacted with joy to Barack Obama's election. And how she cares for children who have had to endure all kinds of surgeries, children whose antics can even make her laugh. And how she learned to "back a baby"--tying an infant to her back to carry the baby around.

I draw your attention to Ali because I like introducing my cyber-friends to each other. I also suspect she would be grateful for your prayers as she cares for some very needy children and battles weariness in the task.

(Photo: Ali with one of her patients.)

Comments

[Tim Challies]

Don't tell anyone, but Ali's blog is fast becoming one of my favorites. I don't remember how I found it, but I think Google Reader recommended it to me. Blogs like this that simply share a slice of an interesting life represent the blogosphere at its best.

[Sandrao]

Thanks for sharing, I always find it interesting to hear about special blogs like this one. There is so much out there on the internet that sometimes it's hard to find the good stuff like this one! I am very happy you made the introduction..

[AliRae]

So, you want to know the weirdest thing, my lurking friend? My bunkmate (who I first had contact with through an online nursing forum, who eventually came to the ship, and who ended up sleeping above me) woke up this morning, sat up in bed and told me I was famous. "Your face is on the front page of a blog I've been reading for ... oh ... a year now!"

That blog, of course, being yours. And yet another connection is forged. Does anyone else feel the world shrinking around us?

(And, as a PS, I find time to blog when I'm lying awake in my bed can't sleep because either the dang generators are shaking my whole ship, or they're chipping paint somewhere that might as well be directly underneath my pillow!) =)

[tyronebcookin]

Her blog, along with many other personal mercy ship bloggers can be found at -

http://mercyshipslinks.blogspot.com

AND if you are interested in what we serve for dinner on the ship I host the menu at my site - http://tyroneandstephanie.com

Why? Because I am the chief cook

My wife also works as a nurse with Ali, we are all close friends.

[Carolyn McCulley]

That's great, Ali! It is indeed a small world when the Holy Spirit is working among us to accomplish His work. Blessings on your work!

[Jennifer]

Thanks for the link! I LOVE perusing Mercy Ship blogs, and in general reading of fellow servants doing hard things for the Lord with all of their hearts. Such witnesses are a great encouragement to me as I work with children in Bolivia.

Thank you also for your uplifting, informative blog! It keeps me plugged into Christian life in the US from afar.

[Tom]

Nice post!

Compassion also does great work helping children in Ethiopia. I've sponsored children with them since 1984. You can view photos of children waiting for a sponsor at http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm.