On this Page we would like to share with you as we progress in the current Field Service to the people of Benin.
19 February 2009- First Screening day at Cotonou, Hall des Arts.
We served along with many of our fellow crew members at screening. Rob served in Security and kept the end of the long line calm. Denise served as a Patient Escort mainly from the Pre-Screening (the front of the line) to take them into the stadium to begin the long screening process or if we couldn't help them to a prayer station (if they wanted prayer) or out to the exit gate (compassionately - this was very hard to do)
Statistics say that 2,773 came to screening (not including their family members) of these 513 were scheduled for surgey on the Africa Mercy. Many of those coming for screening were for eyes and were referred to our eye clinics held 4 times a week in various places by our Field Eye Teams. After more intense screening there, if they are able to be helped by surgery, the Field Eye Team will schedule them for surgery. Approximately 600 people were referred to the eye clinics from the pre-screening and are not included in scheduled for surgery number.
23 February 2009- Wards open on Africa Mercy
Patients arrive and are prepared for the first surgeries to begin on the next day 24 February 2009
Each morning as we begin our days we can look out of the window of our cabin and see the line outside forming of the people coming for surgery as previously scheduled. This is a part of our routine as we are reminded daily of why we are here. We don't know the stories of each persons life and how they have come to this point in their lives. However, we do know that by the grace of God they are here and by His grace we are here. Touching one life at a time with the gifts and talents God has given to each of us. Individually we could not do this...collectively as God has assembled us here in this place for this time we can make a difference. Thank you for your continued prayers for all of us.
We wanted to share with you some of these stories of lives touched. We will be adding some of these stories. Today we can't seem to get the uploads to work. We'll try again later.