Welcomed Back

As I look at the setting outside my starboard window from here in Lome, Togo it seems as if I had just left the Africa Mercy in port in Cotonou, Benin. The containers lining the port, the guards at the gate, endless streams of motorcycles carrying everything imaginable along streets, round-a-bouts and sidewalks.

Many of the faces are the same but so many of the long-term staff have changed and moved on from their time with Mercy Ships. The key anesthesia support staff has not yet been replaced and it is often a challenge to bring us "new" volunteers up to speed quickly so as not to impact the ability to provide the care needed for so many waiting for surgery in the remaining weeks.

We ran three theatres today - ophthalmology, ENT and maxillo-facial. Tomorrow marks the beginning of next group of VVF women coming for surgery. They arrived aboard ship today. Drums accented the celebration as almost dozens of  women prepared for to receive a most incredible gift. The Lord has plans and a future for each of them that will change their lives as much as the transformation we see with cleft lip and palate repairs. They have already begun to to celebrate.

In some ways it is much like home - too many patients; too few inpatient beds. The ward and hospitality center are overflowing, yet somehow everyone is pulling together to help each one receive their miracle.
I am truly grateful to play a small part in realizing the dream.

Gary