Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbels

Dear everyone,

Wow, it’s already December!! Time is going unbelievably fast, and the end of field service is now getting very close. That means a lot of wrapping up, finishing things, planning, packing, and saying goodbye!

The past few weeks here on board have been filled with many different things, exactly what I love ; ) !!

“Bubbles” was a theme that came back often! On Sundays I often teach at a local church. We start with a small group of kids in a building next to the church, about the same size as my little classroom on board. The group grew incredibly fast—so fast that the kids no longer fit in the building. Just imagine: a classroom (where we normally have 4 kids onboard), but now filled with 60 kids and chairs (because those always had to be carried along). One of the lessons was about the rainbow, God’s sign of faithfulness. Together with the kids, we went outside where, under great excitement, we made huge bubbles. The kids absolutely LOVED it and were jumping, cheering, and dancing (and we were just as enthusiastic)!!!

Together with all the elementary kids, we went to the Hope Center. This is a Mercy Ships location on land where all patients stay before being admitted to the hospital or after being discharged. We drove there in two fully packed cars. The kids had prepared all kinds of activities to do with the children at the Hope Center. It was a super fun afternoon filled with singing, dancing, eating, crafting, and playing. Of course, bubbles could not be missed here either!! The kids enjoyed it so much that I even went back after school to collect all the materials so they could keep playing and enjoying themselves a little longer.

It is so special to see up close how much changes in the lives of these patients. At the Hope Center, there was also a little girl I had met a few days earlier. A very bright little child with the cutest curly hair and extremely cheeky! She had a small tumor near her jaw that required surgery, but unfortunately she became sick, so her operation was cancelled. During the afternoon at the Hope Center, my students played and crafted with her. A few days later, I heard that a spot had opened up and she could still have her surgery such wonderful news!! After the surgery, I went with my kids to visit her in the hospital to play with her and give her a garland. A few days later, I saw her again at the Hope Center and she ran straight up to me to give me a big hug! She is recovering very well and is joyfully turning everything upside down wherever she goes (an amazing child ; ))).

Just a few more weeks and then I’ll be in the Netherlands for the Christmas break. At the beginning of January I will fly to Texas to do onboarding another adventure!

I am incredibly grateful for all the beautiful people I get to meet, the friendships I get to build, and all the wonderful places I get to discover. I truly enjoy it and it makes me very happy!

📸: Joshua Chau

Veloma friends,

Norah