I Didn't Want to Say Anything . . .

Until I had proof!  This summer, I ran with the DINOSAURS!  

Get it?  They're Te-Rex's!  Go have a great day!  Margo (:

Kids Everywhere . . .

Kids everywhere are just the same . . . 

First they pick . . .

Then they chew!

Everyone Loves a Rover!

Truth be told - we are missing the Land Rovers just a bit!  They generally look like this . . . 

Shiny and clean . . .

And the people inside frequently look like this because  . . .

 No one's throwing up and . . .

They can see what's coming!

Yet we complain about pot holes!  Go figure . . .  Margo (:

Our Journey Home . . .

One of my favorite things with the Africa Mercy is that crew say "Good-bye!" and as we left last Thursday, this group not only said "Good-bye" at the bottom of the gangway, but then they raced down to the end of  the dock so they could say "Good-bye" one more time!

Some of them look pretty happy to see us go!

And so began our journey to the ferry . . . Note:  This was a "good" traffic day!

There is traffic coming from the other direction!

Need any last minute purchases?

Woah - glad  we didn't turn that way!

We walked on board the ferry . . .

Sailed past Freetown . . . 

And the good ship Mercy!

To the end of the road that brought us to the airport!

And so it was with great sadness that we left Sierra Leone last Thursday and began our journey home.  To everyone back on the ship, American Airlines served us pizza Friday night!  Did you get yours Thursday?  To everyone who prayed, while our flights were crowded, they were also smooth and on time (except for Chicago to Minneapolis, eh, Jana?)  Thank you for sharing our blog and our time with Mercy Ships.  We'll send out an "end of service" report soon!  In the meantime, we're reverting back to e-mails and ending this blog (we think)!  Catch us back at 3mszupke@frontier.com.  Hugs . . . Margo (:    

Home, Sweet Home!

You may think we mean our home here in Minnesota, but we're going to take you back to the Koontz Cabin 6315 aboard the good ship Mercy and let you see why we enjoyed our summer accommodations:

Our dining room, living room & kitchen

Micah's room (along with Grace & Eli)

Our bedroom (as well as Dara & Peter)

Still sleeping!?! (in Xavier & Malachi's room)

Leaving Africa!

This may well be our last blog from the good ship Mercy as we depart at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow!  We had an absolutely glorious day with the kids at Bureh Town Beach!  But our most exciting news - we ran down to the ward to say good-bye to Samuel - and he's been moved to the Hope Centre!  Our goal is to pack tonight and run up and say good-bye to him in the morning (much more fun than posting another blog!).  Look for more pictures from the States!  Until then . . . Margo (: 

A Glorious Day!

Our day started off with a visit to Hope Centre.  We picked the right art project and had a whole host of people join us.  Here's Melissa showing the boys what to do:

In the afternoon, we had a delightful "Fruit of the Spirit" fair, with the kids going to booths on love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness and self-control. Check out these photos:

Tom gently bopping the hat off of Tommy

Patricia at the "Love" booth

Wondering how our day could get even better, I ran into the captain who invited us up to the bridge!

Micah steering the Africa Mercy

Sam in the Captain's Chair

No reason for the day not to continue getting even better!  We had a nearly perfect Parent's Night with a good turn out and chocolate afterward!  Enjoy your day!  Margo (: