Thursday, December 31, 2009

2009

What a year it has been on the Africa Mercy in Benin!

996 reconstructive and plastic surgeries;
185 cleft lip and palate repairs;
1161 general surgeries;
2 local surgeons trained;
3,521 cataracts removed;
570 other eye surgeries (pterygia and stabismus);
2 local eye surgeons trained;
33,851 eye evaluations and other treatments;
7,083 pairs of sunglasses distributed;
5,689 pairs of reading glasses distributed;
18 community eye field workers trained;
154 obstetric fistulas repaired;
4 local surgeons trained in fistula repair;
231 orthopedic operations;
10,175 dental patients seen;
794 dental hygiene patients;
13,174 oral health education;
25 oral health teachers trained;
2 dental assistants trained;
28 patients received palliative home care;
6 Burkitt's Lymphoma patients received palliative support;
19 families trained in wound care;
10 agricultural staff trained;
23 local agricultural trainees;
1 hostel constructed for agricultural college;
19 mental health workers trained;
119 church & community leaders trained in mental health;
50 prison officers and workers trained in mental health;
2 church leaders conferences attended by 602 attendants;
and 12,000 people watched the Jesus Film and many made a commitment to Christ...

Behind all these numbers are the people of Africa that are forever changed. Also, hundreds of crew that came to volunteer their skills and time to make it possible to serve this many in need. Thank you to each of you out there, without your financial and prayer support, this list would not be here. The year in Benin was amazing and life-changing for me and I look forward to seeing what God does in 2010!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Go Back

It has been a week since I left the Africa Mercy and returned state-side for the holidays. After traveling for 36 hours, I went out for mexican food the first night I was home. The following days have been a whirlwind of emotions and events- celebrating my dad's birthday, Christmas, and now reconnecting with people. The real adventure came when I got in my car for the first time in 11 months to drive to Wal-Mart. Too many choices on every aisle... I even found myself hugging a box of my favorite special K cereal. :) I am finding deciding on what movie to watch with my sister, what drink at Sonic, who I shall see today, what's for dinner, or what city will I drive to next weekend?... are difficult questions for me. Too many options.
The most common question people have asked me: What are you doing next year?
That is easy for me to answer: Go back. Go back to the Africa Mercy and the people that make up the amazing community onboard. Go back to the people of Africa that are in need of healing. Go back to share hope. Go back to serve. Go back to love. No other options, but this.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Wordless Wednesday: HOME


Words cannot express how happy I am to be home... after being delayed in Tenerife, rerouted midair, shuttled to Gatwick because of snow, van ride to my hotel, bussed to Heathrow, delayed more in London, missed flight in Houston, delayed again before arriving in DFW (without luggage) to my family welcoming me HOME.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Wordless Wednesday: Bridge & Bow





Wordless Wednesday Disclaimer: Kind of ironic title, wordless? Well my camera sadly broke this weekend, so I had to rely on my dear friend, Hannah, to provide pictures for today's blog. :)

:)

The views expressed here are solely mine and are not the opinion of AWC/Mercy Ships.