Screening

waiting in the lines

Almost two weeks ago now we helped with the big surgical screening that Mercy Ships holds at the beginning of the field service. This screening spanned two long days and saw 2,550 potential surgical patients line up for evaluation. Of those, 443 were scheduled for surgery, many were given referrals to follow-up specialty screenings, but lots were turned away because they were not suitable for surgery for one reason or another. These people were given the opportunity to be ministered to by prayer teams. A couple of screenings were also held in the north part of Benin, but the one we were involved in was the major screening held at the Hall des Arts in Cotonou not too far from the port here. I just recently got my photos cleared so I am now able to write about it. line stretching from stadium - in upper right

The line of patients stretched several blocks down the street from the stadium where stations were set up for medical evaluations, blood draws, scheduling, etc.

young orthopedic patients

I floated around most of the day on Thursday, Feb 19, and a few hours on Friday as well making photos of the lines and whatever I could record of the event. I consumed more than a gallon and a half of fluids on Thursday due to the heat and my constant movement. I'm sure it was not easy for some of the sick who came to wait in the lines in the sun. People from the ship passed out water and, to my knowledge, we didn't have any heat casualties. I also really felt for the guys working security who spent the entire day in the sun with no shade. Jenny worked all day both days in the, also very hot, stadium doing surgical scheduling, scheduling the patients who would receive surgery through much of 2009. Joey also participated, along with the other junior high kids from the Academy, working with the children who came to the screening, some with medical needs and others who had come with their parents or caregivers. The screening was a really incredible event. The orchestration required to do something like this was impressive, but also the kinds of scenes that presented themselves throughout the day were often just amazing. We felt quite blessed to have been able to participate.
"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." 2 John :6

John