Challenge Accepted

It seems that South Africa misses me just as much as I miss it!
Earlier this week, Joe and I were asked to take on a new, temporary assignment.  We accepted.  We are now the Durban Advanced Team!
Typically, since the ship returns to the same shipyard in Las Palmas / Tenerife, there is no advance team.  We have contacts there that we have been using for years.  However, we will not be traveling back to Spain this year.  We will be going into dry dock in Durban, South Africa.  The organization sends an advanced team into the country next, or the next field service location, and countries in which we do not customarily dock.  The advanced team secures local contacts and works with local authorities to ensure a safe, hassle-free entry into the country.
We will be traveling to Durban on May 13.  The ship will be arriving approximately June 15.  The following are a few of the tasks we need to accomplish before the ship arrives.
Housing.  While the ship is in dry dock the children are not allowed to stay onboard.  This is for their safety.  So, the families will need to live off ship for several weeks.  We will locate housing close to the ship.
Medical.  We will locate a clinic, emergency center, dentist, eye doctor, and pharmacy within a reasonable distance from the ship.  We will not have a doctor, dentist, or pharmacist onboard while we are in shipyard, so we need to have locations already selected in case the services are needed.
Cell Service.  The managers and engineers onboard need a reliable cell phone network while we are in shipyard.
Transportation.  We will arrange for rental vehicles for use during the duration of shipyard.  It is more cost effective to rent a small number of vehicles for the seven weeks than to import and register our own vehicles.
Customs and Immigration.  We will work with customs to ensure that any of our containers arriving to Durban are not delayed.  We will also make sure our crew onboard and incoming crew have the necessary paperwork to clear immigration.

There are other tasks as well.  We will be busy, but it is an incredible opportunity.  This is an unusual way to serve God and support the mission.  But after meeting with the Operations Director, we realize just how much prep work is needed in order to ensure a smooth entrance into a country. We look forward to the challenge.
 I will be leaving the hospital about two weeks before it closes.  I am a little sad that I will not be there to see the last of my VVF ladies go home, but I am incredibly excited to be back into South Africa.  I love a good challenge and love making lists.
Since we are not taking our vehicles with us, Joe is free to be part of the team.  He is making a plan as to how the vehicles should be stored in Madagascar until our return.  The transportation mechanic is still here and will be onboard during the sail, ensuring that the vehicles are in good hands.

Please pray for us as we will be alone in South Africa.  We will have the support of the organization, but we will be living and working alone.  Please pray that God helps us to complete all the tasks well.  Please pray that God grants us divine encounters with the right people.