Comments
I love reading your stories.

As a nurse, it's a nice reminder that as much as I complain about our lack of staff or lack of supplies or lack of ... whatever, there is a God who is bigger than all of us who loves babies in Togo as well as babies in Alabama. And he has prepared your heart and your mind and your spirit, and given you a love for the African people, and is allowing you to go and do His will there. And it makes all my worries and complaints feel so insignificant.

Thanks for the reality checks :-) I think you're a great nurse, and an even better woman of God.
#1 April on 2010-02-05 16:20
Thanks so much for writing your experiences which are now yours and ours by the grace of God. Both myself and my four daughters read your blog daily as you post new ones. Their ages are 22, 14, 11, and 10. We are encouraged, and encouraged to pray by your words. And every now and then I send your link to my own parents and sisters and a friend or two when I think it will speak especially to them.

Precious Abounding Grace to you,

scott
#2 Scott D. Andersen (Homepage) on 2010-02-05 16:22
I love your God, I love your work, I love your blog. Please keep writing. I can't wait to work with you in this new place "where God is". God bless.
#3 Patty Harral on 2010-02-05 16:25
Thank you Ali. Your blog has been a part of my Google Readers Feed list for a long time now and your stories fill my mornings as I drink some tea and try to wake up. I am challenged and encouraged by your devotion and love for our Lord.

I may not always comment, but I am always reading and sending you good thought and prayer.

What is the address where my family could send you some stickers? I know my son would love to paint you a picture or sending the other kids a truck of his to play with!
#4 Renee (Homepage) on 2010-02-05 16:31
I'm always reading and praying for you, so thankful that you and your HOJ have been called to this work. I don't comment often enough. I will be watching excitedly while you serve in Togo, because I sponsor a precious boy in Lome. I can't wait to learn more about his small country. (He draws me precious pictures but is not very forthcoming with the cultural details. :-))
#5 Cyndi (Homepage) on 2010-02-05 17:02
Well I am glad you blog! When your blog pops up in my google reader its the first one I go to. (ok, honestly if I've had a bad day I save it for last because 95% of the time I cry) Thank you for sharing your stories w/ us. They have opened my world to beyond myself. Praying for your new journey and all the lives you'll touch by serving Him.
#6 Valerie on 2010-02-05 17:30
I will be living on board vicariously through you and your thoughts shared in this wonderful way. You have more readers than you know about since I have shared your blog site with others! Thank you for your work, your caring, and your sharing. It not only warms my heart, but teaches me as well! And there in lies another exclamation mark!!!
God bless - and tell me if you meet Varli from Liberia coming to have his titanium plate removed.
Love, Nicky
#7 Nicky on 2010-02-05 19:14
I love your blog and read it regularly. You are really being His hands and feet to the people of Africa! I am praying for you and I can't wait to see who you will meet and help in Togo.

Christie
#8 Christie on 2010-02-05 20:20
Just wanted to comment that yes, people like me are lurking out here on the internet, reading and not commenting (in my case, because I only found this blog last week, and have been reading my way through from the beginning because I like reading the whole story!)... but just because I'm not commenting doesn't mean that I don't get a moment of excitement any day when I see your blog pop up on my reading list!

(what an awful sentence - but I did want to express my appreciation, even if incoherently)

love

Catherine
#9 Catherine (Homepage) on 2010-02-05 21:31
your posts are always an encouragement to this stay at home mom! :-)

i pray for you often and i always think of what an inspiration you are and big heart you have!

I know God is going to surprise you in so many ways and i look forward to reading about them!
#10 jenn Grant (Homepage) on 2010-02-06 08:45
I've read every post since your first in Liberia and some have made me cry, others have made me smile and most have made me praise the amazing Lord we serve.
#11 lauren berk on 2010-02-06 12:38
Ali, I read your posts, every one of them. I miss you while you are away. I pray for you every day, and in a very small way, that makes me a part of all the wonderful things you do while you are there. Thank you for that opportunity. God bless you and yours.
#12 tricia (Homepage) on 2010-02-06 14:47
Ali, your posts have been a blessing to me. Remembering that others are doing the work of the Lord keeps my faith up.

I too feel the need to write, write, write. It helps keep things in perspective.
#13 Amy (Homepage) on 2010-02-07 14:11
Keep up the great work!
#14 Caroline Robertson on 2010-02-07 20:48
Hey Ali!
Thank YOU for writing! I am a teenager whose mom found your blog and told me that I should read it because it's "about a Christian missionary nurse working on a ship."
Okay, so those weren't her exact words. But from your blog, I have received inspiration to be a nurse as well. I read all your stories and I click on all the pictures and I think what it would be like for ME to work on the Africa Mercy. If it is God's will, maybe I will get the opportunity. Keep writing! Keep being God's servant! May God bless you and your husband.
#15 Hayley on 2010-02-07 21:25
Ali, thank you for teaching us, thank you for sharing, thank you for touching my heart each and every time you post. I too have followed you for a while now and am so happy each time you post. You bring good to this world. Thank you and God Bless You! Steph
#16 Steph on 2010-02-08 18:59
Well, I love reading about your work and adventures and how you are meeting God in the world. I link to your blog from mine because I hope my readers (all-very-few of them! *smile*) will be inspired to come take a look.
#17 Ellie (Homepage) on 2010-02-08 21:00
I'm so glad you are writing and I'm glad you are back in Africa. I love your stories...I cry, I laugh, I pray and I always come away with a much bigger world view. There is so much more to life than this middle class American life I live. Thanks for stretching my world. Can't wait to see how God will work in this new destination!
#18 Shellly on 2010-02-10 15:13
hey im a young teenager and ever since my cousin went on a mercy ship it has been my life dream is to go on a mercy ship! i am so glad that you are writing this blog because it makes me want to go more i cant wait to help many people like you do and i thank you so much for doing this! im praying for u everyday and hoping ill be in your place one day! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
#19 grace on 2010-02-15 13:08
Grace, that's so cool! I'm so excited that I can help keep your dream going. My sister has a Jack Johnson quote on her wall: Don't let your dreams be dreams. ... it's the first thing I thought of when I saw your comment. You've gotta come live this crazy dream when you're older!
#19.1 Ali C. (Homepage) on 2010-02-15 13:20
I lurk, I definitely read, I pray, I frequently cry, I rarely comment- I just don't have the right words. But I thank you for sharing!
#20 Amy (Homepage) on 2010-02-17 15:30
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