Final VVF Dress Ceremony

Today was the final Dress Ceremony for the Madagascar 2014-15 VVF program on Mercy Ships. For those women finally healed, dry after years of struggle this is a wonderful occasion to mark a new beginning. Our crew pampers and tries to help showcase the beauty and joy hidden for years. 

But not all are healed. Despite our best efforts some will not get a new dress, or be honored on a special ceremony. It must be profoundly disappointing to watch your ward mates successfully transition to a new life while you wait. Unhealed. Still Leaking.

One of these women had to cancel her appearance at today's ceremony. Though not leaking, complications brought her back to the OR this afternoon. She will not be one of those able to turn the page and embrace a bright future. Her struggle continues.

And yet she is not alone. She has been covered in prayer by each shift of nurses working on A ward. The VVF team cover her in prayer. She is loved and encouraged and supported continuously. A hospital ward now vacant has been turned into a 24/7 prayer room for staff and crew to pray for patients still remaining; waiting for their healing. 

It is possible that all may not return home healed. And yet every patient that took the risk, made the journey, asked for help - each has been loved, welcomed, blessed, accepted, covered in prayer, befriended, and encouraged. They may not all leave with the healing they sought, but they will not return home empty handed.