How do I begin to chronicle this fabulous birthday? It began with my roommate Esther singing me a hushed version of Happy birthday in our dark cabin while the others slept. I stepped outside my cabin and was greeted with a huge “Happy Birthday Jenna!” sign plastered on the wall beside our door, and a card for me from dear friends. Big smiles and rounds of happy birthday continued as I ate my breakfast and received morning report as I got on shift. During our morning prayer, Lanita prayed that I would have a blessed birthday, and was it ever! I was greeted spontaneously all day by so many people. I felt SO special! Mid-morning I had an iced frappucino delivered to my ward, graced on the top by a lovely flower made of chocolate and caramel sauces. Dad and mom called me on the ward to wish me a happy birthday. Oh how wonderful they are!!! At lunchtime the bell was rung to get everyone’s attention in the dining hall, and the whole room sang happy birthday to me. I felt like such a big deal all day, and I honestly couldn’t have felt more loved and cherished by people I’ve only met within the last few weeks! I am astounded at the goodness of God. He knits his people together in love for one another. He uses us to build one another up and cheer one another on. The fellowship of the kingdom of God is immeasureable!
By the end of my shift of work, the birthday celebrations had only just begun. I was told I needed to be ready by 4:15pm to leave for dinner with a bunch of friends. The only problem we foresaw earlier in the day was the planned fire drill for the afternoon. So, we decided to be ready for dinner by 3:30. When the fire alarm went off, and we had to muster out on the dock in our dress clothes. I felt a little conspicuous, but it was fun. Some of my nurse friends who were dressed up (and in heels no less) volunteered to provide care for the “injured” and had to carry a guy on a gurney up and down steep staircases. They said it was quite a hilarious affair!
Amazingly we were ready to go by 4:20pm! Three vehicle loads of people came along to celebrate with me at Golden Beach restaurant. There were at least a couple dozen people there. Again, I felt SO special. We had a big long table reserved in the outdoor patio, and we ordered some delicious food. I even had two monkeys and a cat at my party! Well, the monkeys were chained up outside the gate to the restaurant, but they were entertaining! The cat, like most others I’ve known, explored under the table, probably hoping for some scraps to be thrown his way!
The food took quite a long time to come, but we had fun waiting. We had a pre-dinner dessert to tide ourselves over. Cupcakes! Some dear friends made and decorated dozens of cupcakes and brought them along to the restaurant for my birthday celebration. They were fabulous!
As we continued to wait, we went out onto the beach and waded in the water, took lots of pictures, and just hung out talking and enjoying each others’ company. I just soaked it all in. It was a very memorable time, with the waves crashing on the beautiful sandy beach, shared with friends who are already dear to me. The waves sometimes came in with a ferocity that shocked me, especially when one splashed up and soaked me to my waist in my dress! Ha!
After we moved back to the table under the roof, it began to rain. A warm, lovely rain. That was another good part of my day, eating dinner in the rain. My friends chided me at ordering rice with my meal, when we really eat rice two times a day here on the ship. I also ate the cucumbers that were offered to me, which we have on the ship pretty much every meal. Well, I like rice and cucumbers a lot! What can I say?
We returned to the ship just in time for community meeting at 7:30pm. We had a nice worship time and sermon. Afterwards there was an African worship team that played African songs in the Starbucks café area for over an hour. It was so much fun! We had a spontaneous dance party to the upbeat praise music. “By my side, by my side! You are always by my side!!” I’ll never forget that song! We danced, formed a train, danced some more, sang, worshipped God… what more could I ask for on my special day?
My final birthday wish was to have a cinnamon roll out on the dock. Wilderness Ranch staff – you know what I’m talking about!!! Probably over 30-40 people came out and we had a cinnamon roll, with me in the centre and they sang me happy birthday! How good that felt! I love being the gooey part in the middle! Everyone really enjoyed it! I’m glad I could share one of my favourite things with Mercy Ships staff!
It has now ended with two very dear friends Lanita and Katelyn wishing me goodnight with hugs and love. Thank you God for giving me life, for calling me your own and giving me the gift of wonderful friendships! To God be the glory for every good thing in my life! AMEN!
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