Headed To Texas | Training for the Ship

It was touch and go for a minute if I could even go to Texas for training this month. Bags packed on Monday, I got a message that I might not be able to come due to the covid spike and lockdowns around the country. After conversations throughout the day and emails, I found out around 5pm I could come! The next morning I loaded my car and hit the road. It was a great drive considering the snow the day before! There was still ice on one half of the highway between Memphis and Little Rock, so all the trucks and cars drove in the left lane for miles, but really it was an uneventful drive.

I do not like driving on dark winding roads with the constant notification on my navigation app “no internet service”… I had gotten a text from someone named Beth who was staying where I was on the Mercy Ships “Internation Support Center” campus, that she would save me dinner and help me in. I turned into the totally wrong spot - a truck entrance. Thankfully figured it out and got to enter through the main gates. I huge sign and anchor greeted me. I stopped to take the moment in - this was the most real Mercy Ships has felt for a year and a half. The first time I’ve seen the logo in person on something since a booth at Urbana 2018!

Beth came out to help me carry myself up into my room. We chatted and ate dinner. I went into my room and closed the door with a huge deep breath. I was here. It’s happening. It’s real. AND I have my own room and bathroom (living the elite life here at the ISC!)

Memphis.

Texas

Entrance of Mercy Ships International Support Center

My Room

Own bathroom

My Desk