faces

Another week has passed here on the Africa Mercy.  More surgeries.  More screenings.  More faces.

Last weekend, we welcomed Dr. Richard Newsom back to the ship.  He has worked with Mercy Ships on short-term assignments for the past few years, and this year he is with us for two weeks.  Hailing from the U.K., he is almost as fast as Dr. Glenn, which is a welcome treat.  In four days of surgery last week, we did over 60 cataract and pterygium surgeries.  He runs about 10-12 minutes per surgery, so with two O.R.'s and four beds going, it keeps us busy on the peri-operative end.

The week before Dr. Newsom arrived, we did some additional screenings in Goderich and Lumley, two fishing villages right outside of Freetown proper.  They are in the opposite direction of our screenings sites in Hastings and Waterloo, so our goal was to reach a new population.  Both sites were mildly successful, but probably produced more photographic opportunities for me than surgical candidates for the doctors.

On our way to Lumley, we drove up a very steep road that curved up along the hills overlook the city.  The road was so narrow at times it felt like we would tip over the edge and down the hill if I leaned out the window too much.  Just left of center is the National Stadium, site of our first mass screening in Freetown.

This is the view from behind the Lumley Faith Assembly of God Church.  The lodge at the very top of the hill used to be the residence of a government official, but now sits empty.  Needless to say, this area is considerably wealthier than the Kissy area where our main screening site is.

Inside the Lumley Faith Assembly of God Church.

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him."  Psalm 127:3

"My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice!"  Proverbs 23:15

The Goderich Faith Assembly of God.  It is as small as it looks.  The space was a bit of challenge, but we made it work.  No matter where we screen, we always gather a crowd of curious on-lookers.

Starting with a pair of school kids on their afternoon break, my audience quickly grew into a mob of very excited children wanting me to "snap" them.  They were pushing and pulling just to get in front of the lens.

"I was thrust into your arms at my birth.  You have been my God from the moment I was born."  Psalm 22:10

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations."  Jeremiah 1:5

"Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."  Mark 10:15 [MSG]

"My child, never forget the things I have taught you.  Store my commands in your heart.  If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying."  Proverbs 3:1-2

"And what a relief to see your friendly smile.  It is like seeing the face of God!"  Genesis 33:10b

Alfred

"Live footloose and fancy-free; you won't be young forever.  Youth lasts about as long as smoke."  Ecclesiastes 11:10 [MSG]

"You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you." Psalm 8:2

"No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it—what God has arranged for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 [MSG]

Friday night, the Eye Team had a mid-term dinner outing to a local restaurant called Mamba Point.  It was a welcome treat to get off the ship and have some not-mass-produced food.  Our meals began with some finger foods: delicious roast peanuts, perfect popcorn, and garlic toast.  This was followed with warm pita bread and hummus and moutabal (kind of like hummus but made with eggplant).  Then came what I actually ordered: grilled kebabs of lamb, chicken, and steak, stuffed falafels, and ground lamb in puff pastry, heaped with grilled tomatoes and onions, and covered with some more pita bread.  All very delicious.  

And to celebrate America's birthday, the ship had a good old fashioned cookout this evening.  It was held on the dock and decorated with donated balloons in red, white, and blue.  I went straight past the grilled steak to head for the hot dogs!  I've been craving a hot dog since I left home, so it was a nice treat.  

I almost forgot to report the outcome of the three-week trivia competition.  At the final game last week, my team came in a respectable second place.  The questions were considerably harder than previous weeks and included more movie and song clips, nautical terms, obscure Bible trivia, and Sierra Leone facts.  Even though we did not snag first place that night, we did snag first place in the overall competition and were rewarded handsomely with a voucher for two free large pizzas at the local Crown Bakery.  We are all looking forward to our victory outing.  

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your thoughts and prayers.