Sunday, November 06, 2005


Greetings to all from the Anastasis. Praise God for His goodness and faithful promise fulfillment! Let me first apologize for my lack of pictures on the blog. I may email selected photos using Microsoft outlook for lack of a better option. Let me also apologize for any medical jargon that slips through in my writing. See a nurse or doctor if you do not understand. Thanks to those who are reading, commenting, and praying.
yesterday we took our entire medical staff and many volunteers to JFK hospital in Monrovia to conduct a final screening for our surgical patients. Over 500 Africans had appointment cards from a previous Mercyships screening, and were given a final answer as to whether they would receive an operation or not. Surgical candidates were guided by volunteer transporters through a confusing maze of screening stations set up throughout the hospital. People were screened and then prepped (simple H&P and labs) for eye surgery (cataract removal), plastic surgery (skin grafting, benign tumor removal, and other procedures), and maxillofacial surgery (goiters, large facial tumors, cleft palates, cleft lips, facial noma, and many things I've never seen and don't know how to describe). Musicians played African worship music as many people waited in a large entrance area. Liberian interpreters were assigned to each station to facilitate effective communication. Amidst the stagnant heat, foul smell, and dirty floors, children were given balloon animals, coloring books, and stickers to pass the time. I was simply amazed at the amount of children we saw! I was assigned to the lab station, and performed more pediatric blood draws than I ever imagined (or wanted). For those who were not selected for surgery, a prayer tent was set up and staffed by Mercyships disciplers, chaplains, and volunteers. For many sick Liberians, receiving 1 cold cup of water, or feeling the touch of a hand was more than they had been given in years. These people have been hurting for a long time.
I was also amazed at the teamwork I observed within the crew. The teams involved included the medical team, security (very important!), the galley, general crew volunteers, drivers, and interpreters. A nurse practicioner from the States and anesthesiologist from the UK did about 180 H&P's in 12 hours-- that's amazing! As nurses we took vitals, recorded histories, handed out pre-op meds, drew blood, and made appointments. It was hot, smelly, dirty, boring, and exhausting. Thanks to our galley, we had fantastic food and cold water all day! I drew blood on the last patient @ 7 pm, and we packed up the rovers to head back to the dock (about 25 minutes through downtown Monrovia). Monrovia on a Saturday night in the back of a Land Rover the day of a political ralley-- now that's an experience I'll have to share with you in person! Praise be to the Almighty God for the rest he has given me-- I'll be ready for my 1st shift on the ward tomorrow.

2 Comments:

Blogger Patricio Texidor said...

Hi Daniel,

Sounds like you're getting into the real action of missionary work. What a beautiful way to use your life and training. Soak up every sweaty minute of it...I'm sure you will treasure this experience for many years. I didn't realize you were going to be working outside the ship. Your lack of a description for a Saturday night in Monrovia speaks volumes. I'm not sure I want to keep those images in my mind for very long of you in the middle of that place. But God put you there...I guess He can get you out, eh? Take care of yourself and come back safely. I want to hear from you in person all about Monrovia on a Saturday night!

Your uncle that loves you,

Pat

11:15 PM  
Blogger kinderwerk said...

You make me miss the Anastasis ! I used to live there... Been back for 4 years now. My dad was a GP, Dr. Harting, maybe you've heard of him... Well, keep up the good work!

2:56 PM  

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