The past few days have been very busy at the pharmacy. We have been working around the clock to get the medications ready for the various Medical Civic Action Programs (MEDCAPS). We received the medications for Indonesia three days ago and had to get them ready by today, when the first MEDCAP departs for the field, from the ship. The mission in Indonesia has been subdivided into five MEDCAPS, visiting five different locations in Indonesia. The readiness and availability of medications and supplies is by all intents and purposes the foundation on which the whole mission stands. It is therefore imperative that we get the medications sorted, pre-packed, labeled and ready to go as scheduled. Thankfully everybody at the pharmacy has been willing to put in long hours to ensure that these tight deadlines are met. The mission recognized our effort with this short clip of us busily at work on its website.

We have through this remarkable effort made ready, medications and supplies for 4 of the 5 MEDCAPS and are ahead of schedule for the last MEDCAP, which leaves for the Islands of Talaud on the 9th of June. I happen to be a team member on this 5th MEDCAP. We leave the ship on the morning of 9th June 2012 for the Islands of Talaud for our medical mission, staying in tents overnight for 4 nights and returning to the ship on the 13th of June. My team had an orientation yester night on the mission and our living conditions while on the field and we left the meeting with the knowledge that we will basically be living in tents and living on MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) for the length of our mission. The opportunity to touch thousands of people in these remote Islands and to deliver healthcare to them however makes these little sacrifices worthwhile, fulfilling and even exciting. Alexis is on MEDCAP 2, which departs the ship tomorrow morning for the same Islands my MEDCAP will be visiting. She will be returning to the ship on the same day my MEDCAP will be departing the ship.

I had the honor to be selected yesterday to represent the various NGOs on the ship at a dinner held in honor of Kristen Bauer, U.S Consular General (ambassador) to Surabaya, Indonesia here on the ship. At the dinner, the ambassador conveyed to us the impact of the mission, the profound gratitude of the people of Indonesia for the mission and life in Indonesia. I also had the opportunity, at the dinner to interact with some Navy Captains and medical personnel onboard the ship.

I also depart the ship tomorrow morning as part of a community relation team for a sporting event in Sulawesi with the beautiful people of Indonesia. I understand it will be a soccer match. I look forward to bringing the whole stadium alive with my soccer artistry. Stay glued here for updates of the match……