My friends Freerk and Jemima (Guianese, but she has family in Norway, hence Norwegian flag) and I in front of both the Africa Mercy and the Logos Hope.  As the Logos docked into port today, at least 200 Mercy Shippers stood waving and cheering from the dock, and more from across the water on the ship.  We've been excited for their arrival for months. 

A Candle Light service in the warehouse on the dock, celebrating Christ's birth through singing and dancing, including some patients who were in the wards on the ship.

 A special Christmas party for all of the Malagasy Day-Crew!

The Galley Day-Crew.  I love every single one of these crazy people with all of my heart.

Adorned with Santa hats, the Galley Day-Crew are (as always) the most jolly of the lot.

       Merry Christmas y'all!  The Africa Mercy is celebrating this special time of the year with all sorts of multi-cultural festivities and open love for Jesus and His holiday.  Today, the day before Christmas Eve, the Logos Hope docked in port right beside the Africa Mercy.  We have all known that this floating library, which provides books and evangelism to nations in need of both of these all across the world, would be arriving one day in Tamatave.  Boy did this day come up quick!  Everyone on the ship is super excited, and the few weeks of the Logos' stay will be packed with the two different crews befriending and learning more about each other's service of hope through Christ.  

       There have been several holiday festivities over the weeks, ranging from an Australian driven Candle Light service to the Holland tradition of Sinterklaas to Norway's celebration of Santa Lucia Day, which consists of beautiful voices and a crown of lit candles!  We also hosted a Christmas party especially for the Day-Crew, where I witnessed some of their own traditions and songs.  The Galley Day-Crew, whom I have grown to love so much, had a blast singing and dancing in the dining room. Their joy that afternoon was so overwhelming to me.  The gift of seeing such people, some of whom live in absolutely terrible conditions, dance and sing in a community of family-like love is truly an emotional gift greater than any I've ever experienced before.  

       Thank you so much, everyone who is reading this, for being interested in the mission that Mercy Ships has to offer.  The Christmas season on the ship has given my mind so much to ponder at present and for future Christmases, when I look back and remember the incredible service that I'm so blessed to be a part of.  When I remember the astounding joy of my Malagasy brothers and sisters, shining like the sun through such dark clouds of rain.