. . . I saw the figure of Jesus, standing barefoot on broken glass . . .

Today I got the opportunity to help with screening. The typical process when the Africa Mercy arrives in a country is to have a mass screening. Due to the elections that are coming up, Mercy Ships decided to change their screening process to avoid too large crowds for everyone's safety. Because of this change, I didn't think I would have the opportunity to take part in any sort of screening activities. However, I lucked out. I got to go help escort patients.

Our day started out at 6:30, when we left the ship for the handball stadium. We arrived to a long, orderly line of people. I helped to put out caution tape to direct people where they needed to go, and then it stared to rain. Fortunately it was a quick storm, and we got underway with barely a hitch.

My job was to guard the gate and escort patients to the area where they would be assessed by the medical professionals to see if they were eligible for surgery. I used my limited French to see how people were doing and interact with the children who were there. The day was a mixture of heartbreak and joy. One nurse told me they should write a book on how to tell someone their tumor isn't big enough for surgery. I got to watch her do just that a moment later. A man with a small tumor on his jaw came up. His face fell as she said it wasn't big enough for surgery. His friend scoffed but she explained that due to the limited time and resources of the ships, we had to prioritize the tumors that were life-threatening. The men walked away, and we all felt sad.

But there was hope! I escorted a man with a giant facial tumor to the screening area. I clumsily asked him how he was in French. "I speak English." was his response, in a clear, strong voice. I was taken aback, but in a pleasantly surprised way. He was scheduled for surgery, which was so encouraging.

As I looked over the line of people, I thought about how each and every one of them is made in the image of God. How Jesus died for each and every person there. Mercy Ships tries to have prayer teams available for the people who are turned away from surgery. I like that, because it shows that even if we can't help them physically, we still have hope in the great Physician. Only He can provide the hope and healing we all yearn for.

I was not able to take my camera to the screenings, so besides the picture of me in scrubs, the other photos were taken by Mercy Ships photographers on a different screening day.

I have decided I have to have a job that enables me to wear scrubs!


Professionally taken Mercy Ships photos: