further

an update on where we are after monday's tragedy. (by the way, i was on ship as medical coverage and so was not part of the events of monday. my job, though i didn't know it at the start of the day, was to be in prayer over each of the groups of crew who returned as the captain spoke to them about the events they had experienced)

those injured in monday's event were transported to local hospitals by the mercy ships crew. all but 2 have been released after being observed overnight. the other 2 need further care, one of them needing surgery. we are working in partnership with the hospital to make sure they obtain all the care they need.

i wish it were that easy for the crew. it is like watching the walking wounded. so many hearts are broken and no words can really describe it. to me it looks the same as a mother who lost her child to illness and no words will contain the pain or fix it--her world is forever changed. the same for the crew. it has been eye opening to us to see that level of desperation that we cannot truly fathom. it has been eye opening to some to see the spiritual warfare. and because we all believe that God has called us to this time and place, the work goes on whilst trying to work out what we can of monday's events. we are all looking forward to meeting our first patients (scheduled in the upcountry screening). they arrive on the ship on sunday afternoon for surgery on monday.

how can you pray?

• for comfort (for the crew and the people of sierra leone who reportedly are deeply shamed by monday's events)
  
• for peace to fill the hearts of the both the crew and the people of sierra leone
• for healing (for both the crew and the ones injured on monday)
• for wisdom (for the sierra leone government and the leaders of mercy ships)
• against the spirits of darkness at work in this land and people
• for the Holy Spirit to be loosed in the ship and country to spread light in the darkness and to do a mighty work in the land
• for the people we could not see on monday to somehow connect with us so we can provide the care that many of them spent half a year's wages on just to get to the ship
  

also, if you'd like to read what the experience was like from one of the nurses who was there, check out my friend deb's blog here. it is absolutely heartbreaking.
also you can check out cyle's blog here which describes more of the chaos and pain.

pray

Yesterday (Monday, 7 March) was our first screening day in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Today our hearts are broken. I would like to share with you the statement sent out by Mercy Ships. Also, please know that no crew members were physically hurt in the events of yesterday though most carry some heart wounds now that were not there before.

"Mercy Ships is deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred today during medical screening at the Freetown National Stadium when a crowd stormed the gate resulting in several injuries and one life lost.

Mercy Ships personnel working at the site attended the injured and accompanied them to local hospitals.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the individuals and families of those affected by today's events. The occurrence of this incident in the course of activities intended to restore lives is tragic. We move forward with tremendous sadness, but great determination, to assist as many people as possible in the next ten months," stated Mercy Ships Founder, Don Stephens.

Mercy Ships exists to serve the forgotten poor and has served Sierra Leone five times over the past two decades, also helping establish two land-based health care facilities. For the next ten months, Mercy Ships will be providing surgeries for qualified patients while working alongside the Sierra Leonean Government to support its five-year healthcare plan and strengthen the functions of the national health system.

Please keep the people of Sierra Leone and the Mercy Ships crew in your prayers, not just today but in the months to come. "

thanks,
natalie