What is OnBoarding?

Sorry everyone, I have been trying for a while to post, but I have been putting it off until I could get some pictures from other people here.  Unfortunately that may make this a long post so bear with me.

Why are we in Texas?
What exactly is this on boarding thing?
Why are we here for 5 weeks?

On Boarding - An interactive training program involving class instruction and field practicum which conveys our ethos and culture and provides a foundation on which crew and staff can be successful in Mercy Ships.  The goal is that staff and crew of Mercy Ships will be more on the same page in our understanding of-

     The God we serve
         The community we work in
              The way we live and follow the model of Jesus

So, we finished our second week of classes and it can be described many ways: busy, challenging, fulfilling, difficult, and exciting.  We have learned many new things and made lots of new friendships.  Jess and I have the same classes except for the first and 5th weeks.  During our first week, I had BST(Basic Safety Training), and Jess had FMS(Foundations of Mercy Ships).  Normally, BST is week 5, but I will be doing some training specific to my department during week 5.

Week 1
Basic Safety Training
Its exactly what it says, training, which means learning and practicing.  In the classroom, a few of the things we learned about were: fire safety and fighting it aboard a ship, first aid and CPR, personal safety and sea survival.  Although the real exciting part were the practical exercises.

Testing out our SCBA gear.

(Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)

Our group all suited up in our fire gear.

Can you find me?

Some of the following pictures may be of me or others in my group, its too hard to tell who is who with all of the gear on.

We had to enter a smoke filled shipping container and find "Buck"

  Learning how to properly control a 1.5" fire hose.

Practicing using various types of fire extinguishers

Lastly, we had to go back in the same container with a real fire and practicing controlling the flames.  My partner and I were last in line so we got to advance even farther in and actually put the fire out.  There is a temperature gauge on the out side of the container that is usually around 500 degrees.

I have a huge amount of respect for our instructors who were right by our sides teaching us through every exercise. (even inside the hot shipping container!)

Back in the classroom for first aid/CPR

We even had to practice throwing life rings.

 On the last day we went to a pool to perform sea survival exercises.

Some of us in our Immersion Suits.  Can you find me? (I'm the scared looking one)

When afloat in a group, you stay connected by forming a train.

 Entering and exiting the life raft.

 

Me learning how to flip an overturned life raft.

 

Week 2
Jess and I were back in the same classroom together for "Faith Foundations".  Not as exciting as putting out fires but definitely rewarding and fulfilling.  We studied the nature and characteristics of God, communicating with God, prayer, and kingdom principles.  It was wonderful to dig into scripture and have some great discussions.  We also had a silent retreat this Saturday at a local state park.  It was great to get out in nature and spend some alone time with God.  We learned so much it is difficult to put it into words with out having a personal discussion about it all.  Also, I don't have any pictures of our second week because who really wants to see us just sitting in a classroom anyway?