Update from Barbados

This is Joyce McElroy that is along with the group from OM down in Barbados.
We have been moved to “SEA” all day today — we had many plans for today going on land to the beach, shopping, & there was a really nice couple that we had plans with tonight also. Randy & Kim Grebe had arranged a van for us & were planning to take us down to the boardwalk @ 5:30 P.M. today. All our special plans were changed @ 6:00 a.m. this morning when the captain announced that we would be moving very shortly & anchoring out to see.
Apparently we were moving too much because of the “SWELLS” at the port we were in, so we had to move. There is also a “flour” boat coming in tomorrow that was getting out spot & we were going to have to move on Tuesday anyway. We are not sure how long we will be out sea at this time. The disappointment is that no one got to go on land today unless necessary. Our mission of being able to minister to the locals boarding the ship is not possible. I am sure your Dad has told you that the ship is “bigger than Life” ministry in where the locals come on board, they visit the huge book fair, & then most of them stop in the International Cafe. At this time, we have an opportunity to talk & minister to them if they will allow us to.

Today was our off day as well as most of the crew. Tomorrow we have assigned duties here on the ship & most of us will have something to do, but not the intended mission. Dave (our leader) is trying to arrange a trip for us on Wednesday night at a local church & possibly spend the night with families of the church. We will have to let you guys know how this works out for us.

“Ship Life” is very unique to say the least / today we have swayed back & forth all day. The weather has been a little ruff & being out to sea, we constantly moving when it is like this. The cafeteria seems to be the hangout. The food is normal food & there is plenty of it. We have coffee, Fruit punch, pink lemonade, milk, water, & juice some of the day to drink. We have plenty of bread that can be toasted & people eat quite a bit. There is usually a choice of fruits at each meal. Plenty of cereal in the mornings & you will definitely have to ask your Dad about the “FISH STICKS”. We will never look at a fish stick the same way. We definitely will not go hungry while we are here & the amazing thing is no one that is on board seems to be overweight. Could be all the stairs we have to climb multiple times a day — there are 7 decks, so depending on where you are going you could be going up & down all day. There are some shortcuts, but “NO ELEVATORS”. Your Dad has decided he is going to get a workout plan going when he gets back home (LOL). I am trying to encourage him though.
Well I better go / we have our team meeting & we have a hard time getting everyone together. One gets here & another leaves. Then that one gets back & another leaves / anyway you get the idea / it has been a big joke with the guys & I am trying to keep them in line (LOL). Talk to you soon.