I stepped off the plane after an 11 hour flight from Paris to Antananavario, Madagascar. I immediately felt the much warmer temperature. I met up with the Mercy Ship representative and 6 other people arriving on the same plane to work on Mercy Ships . There was Jodi, a PT and hand therapist from Indiana, Verghese an anesthesiologist and Medical school professor from Pennsylvania, Jenn a 4th year anesthesiology resident from the same hospital, Linda a 4th year surgical resident from Kenya, Elana an infection control nurse from South Africa, Diann an OR logistics nurse, and me. Each was here to serve for a different time period: Verghese, Jenn, Diann and Linda for 2 weeks; Jodi for a month; Me for 3 months, and Elana for a year.
We got through customs, then picked up our luggage and headed outside. It was dark and the warm humid air felt soft and inviting. There were palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze. I closed my eyes not believing that I was actually here! I had the intention to come to serve on Mercy ships last February and it is happening!! The world feels open and and anything feels possible! What else can I dream of doing??!
Ann's-Mercy-Africa-Service-Trip 
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