Wednesday October 15

Halfway through my time and having absolutely no regrets about being here. In the UK I'm sure I wouldn't see the type of old injuries to eyes that I've seen here. Quite amazing. And these make up part of my working day. I'm so pleased that I have an eye speacialist nurse working with me as we did a couple of things today that I hadn't seen.

But the beginning of the day started with a lovely story. One I had heard before but nonetheless worth listening too. it was about a baby born very prematurely. Doctors told the parents to prepare for the worst. Certain the baby wouldn't survive the dad tried to talk to the mum about a funeral service but she was determind the baby would live. Doctors at every stage of slight improvement continued to prophesize gloom and doom. As a new born prem her parents couldn't even cuddle their baby as her nerves were so underdeveloped it caused her immense pain. Despite all the odds the baby did survive and at the age of five years, talking non stop to her mum while watching her big brother play ball suddenly said,"Can you smell it?" "Smell what?" she replied. the daughter repeated her question. Thinking she meant the oncoming rain her mum said "Yes it's the rain". "No can you smell Him?" she asked. Her mum was now really puzzled. Then the light dawned. As christians her parents had prayed for her. What their daughter had remembered was the smell of Father God who had laid her gently on his chest to cuddle her her when her parents couldn't.

We too can know that closeness of God. I hope that as I work with patients, praying with them before they come through for surgery that they will be come aware of the closeness of Father God.

I have also apart from listening to stories done some work, been to the gym and walked to Benin. Part of making sure that I don't injure myself on Saturday when the OR team enter into the games that are being held here to celebrate 30 years of Mercy Ships. We have been assured that we don't have to be fit for the games but it's worth taking precautions! These will be followed by a BBQ on the dock and then a vidoe of 30 years of Mercy ships and a worship service. Should be a fun day.