Singapore

Sunday, our entire LDSC group went to church in Singapore.  We took the train, then walked a few blocks to get there.  All services were in English as it is the official language in Singapore, even though most people speak Malaysian or Cantonese in their homes.

Here, we are 1 degree North of the Equator.  The climate is extremely humid and hot making the vegetation very lush and tropical.  I really enjoyed seeing the many different plants.  Singapore is a beautiful city.  It is very clean and there is green everywhere.  The public transportation system is one of the best in the world.  They told me that one can take the train faster than driving a car.  It was very fast.  This country is very strict with it's laws and punishments are harsh, so I suppose that is how they keep it so beautiful.  There is no graffiti anywhere.  Gum chewing and spitting are against the law.  These things are punishable by caning.  Drug trafficking carries with it a capital punishment.  

July 5, 2010, we disembarked leaving Singapore.  As we headed out of the harbor, we saw many other ships.  Earlier in the project, before I arrived the Japanese military was onboard participating.  We passed them at sea yesterday.  All hands of both ships stood on deck and saluted as we went by.  Then, they all took off their hats and waved them.  Afterward, the Japanese sent their LCAC (hovercraft) to do a friendly drive by.

Monday, I began orientation in my work area which is CASREC (Casualty Receiving.)  Specifically, I will be doing discharge planning, which is one of the busiest areas to work in!  I will be reviewing discharge teaching with patients via interpreters, assisting them off the ship onto a bandaid boat and escorting them back to shore.  I will also be doing at least one day in a Medcap, which involves working in the clinics onshore.  This group has been known to see as many as 1800 patients in a single day!

Our mission in Indonesia is to plant seeds of goodwill and regional stability.  It is also to exchange information between countries and each other.  10+ countries and 17 NGO's have come together to make this happen and I'm thrilled to be a part of it!  The project involves surgery, medical, dental, veterinary, engineering, training and equipment repair and community relations.  It is amazing to me how many different things are being done here and the vast and varied knowledge of all the people here who have come together to serve our brothers and sisters in this part of the world.  I'm told that the area we will be visiting is so remote that most of the people there will be getting their first look at a person from another country!

I've met many people onboard from the US, Canada, England, New Zealand and Australia.  Some are military, some are not.  We come in all ages and colors and from various educational backgrounds.  Some are volunteers, some are paid (military).  We all have different jobs from cleaning and cooking to nursing and surgery.  One thing I'm finding across the board, is the spirit of service... to the people we will be visiting and to each other.