Screening Day

What is Screening Day?

It is hard to describe but will try.

At the beginning of each Field Service we have one mass screening for potential patients. It is advertised for weeks on the radio, through churches and by word of mouth. We invite people with certain medical problems to come and then we see if we can help them. Often the line starts forming days before hand as people are desperate for help. Once they allowed into the Stadium they are lead through different stations manned by Mercy Ships Crew. First the go through pre-screening to see if they fall in to the areas that we can help. At any point if we can no longer help they are given the opportunity to see a counsellor and visit the prayer station, as hard as it is we can't help everyone. Then they are escorted by Mercy Ship Crew to Admissions where their medial history is taken and vitals are noted by nurses. Then they are escorted to see the different Medical specialists, Orthopedics, Paediatric General Surgery, Maxilla Facial, Plastics and VVF(birth injuries). After the Surgeons confirm they can help they are given a full medical screening by physicians and anesthesiologists, then they are scheduled for surgery, before they can leave they visit the lab for blood to be drawn and the pharmacy for vitamins and iron tablets to build their build so they will be ready for surgery. The final stop is for a photo to be taken and attached to their file so surgeon can use these to prepare for the surgery. They now are ready to leave the stadium and with the precious Surgery Card staying which date they must report to the ship.

Yesterday we saw close to 2, 000 patients who all went through this process! Not to mention the 4, 000 friends and family who came with!

(To capture a small part of Thursday please have a look at the YouTube Video on the left)

Words can express what it was like to play a small part of the Screening Day on Thursday.

To be able to look into the eyes of a child who's face has been eaten away by a tumour and know that in spite of what you see, is a little person that God loves with His whole heart and who He want to make whole.

To hold the hand of a little girl who's fingers have been melted away by a radical burn and know that she is 'wonderfully made' is hard to comprehend with the rational mind, rather it is something needs felt with your heart.

To witness the joy on a little boys face, who has only one functioning leg and a make shift crutch, as he beats you playing soccer was priceless.

To see the faces of adults and children alike light up, as you do something as simple as blowing bubbles, was a reminder of how simple treasures do not have to cost anything.

To realise that no matter what i thought i was there to give, could never measure up to what i received!

I will never forget what a privilege and honour it was to be there and see God moving in the lives of the people of Benin.

I can't wait to see what God brings to completion as we spend the next 10 months in Benin. I will keep you posted!