Trip to the Hope Centre

Last night youth went to the hope centre to play with the kids. The hope centre is a place where all of our patients go to recover or to prepare for surgery. The children there are the sweetest things in the world and they love to play games with us so it was fun to see their joy when we played with them. When we first arrived, we played football with the kids just as an ice breaker and then we began to gather together and play larger group games. We played a few games like monkey-monkey-GORILLA (our own version of duck-duck-GOOSE) and an over and under game (we stand in a line and pass the ball over our heads and then the next person passes it under, etc.). The kids had so much fun and it was great to just laugh and have a good time. We then gathered around a campfire in which two of our guys lead a few worship songs and then an African pastor lead a few more worship songs that were more familiar to the Africans. After that a day worker did a few magic tricks and then we started on the s'mores. It was the first time that any of the patients had eaten a marshmallow and so some of their reactions were awesome. We danced around and before it was too late we headed back to the ship after a long evening.

 Playing football with the patients

 Sarah holding a little girl

 

Playing 'Over and Under'

 

Monkey-Monkey-Gorilla 

Campfire

 Making S'mores

 

There was one little girl that was there who as soon as we arrived grabbed my hand and held onto me. I carried her for the entire evening. When she danced she was the cutest thing ever. I didn't want to have to leave her but hopefully I will get to see her again soon!

Waterfall Trip

The youth this weekend went to a place called Charlotte Falls and it was amazing! We had an awesome time climbing around and just being us. My friend took her DSLR which was more than exciting for me so I had a blast taking pictures of everything. The walk up to the waterfall was breathtaking and slippery. May be strange that I say slippery but it was so wet and I wore my water shoes which apparently don't have very good grip on wet mud and so I almost fell over a few times but it made it all the more exciting. It was a peaceful day although everyone came home with at least one war wound. I think that pictures will say more than just me describing it so here are a few...

 The water fall with the Sierra Leonean flag on a tree stump

 The youth hiking up near the side of the waterfall.

Chilling with my girls: Michelle, Lara, me, Carys (Left to Right)

 All our things on a wooden frame and a few benches.

 Carys and Lara enjoying the water!

 Joshua, Ethan and Jordan sitting on the edge of a rock.

This is just some of the day but we all had an awesome time and I can't wait to go back!!

In Trow Duck Shun

I guess a blog should start with a well written introduction. So that is what I will do. Maybe not well written but an introduction all the same.

My name is Hannah Palmer and I am British American. Confusing? I know. My parents are both American but I was born in England and grew up in England but I still count America as home as well. At the moment I am living in Africa. Almost two years ago we moved to a ship in Africa because we felt that that was what we were called to do. We are working with Mercy Ships and I go to school in Academy on board. I love living here and everything I have gotten to experience.

I enjoy drawing, running, frisbee (for the most part), tweeting, watching movies, going to the beach and photography. Most of them will be shown on here in some way.

I am not a very good writer, even ask my English teacher, but I do want to share my life with you all so I will show it through pictures and short stories.
Check back soon for more of my life.