I don't even know where to start anymore! Each day just builds on itself and my eyes are just opened to an incredible world of need. But you cannot helped but be touched by the children. They are so happy and they have so very little. I met a young man named Daniel earlier this week. He has several medical conditions that have kept him from walking his entire life. He is probably nine or ten years old. He had surgery aboard the Africa Mercy a couple of weeks ago and now is recovering in our Hospitality Centre. (and no that is not a typ0 -- although I have found several in these entries, but you have to understand it is very late each night when I post!!) Long very wonderful story -- but the reader's digest version is I saw him walking on crutches today. He walked to me --- struggling for every step with the biggest grin on his face. So proud. He recognized me from several days earlier. He was one of the children that you just will never forget.

Jennifer became particularly attached to another young boy. He gave her kisses and followed her around and just loved on her. He just giggled and laughed as he and I played a stupid "give me five" game that he seemed to enjoy. I would move my hand until he hit and he just giggled and giggled. He had the most beautiful eyes you have ever seen. When we pulled away from the Centre, knowing that we would not have the opportunity to go back there again on this trip........Jennifer cried like a baby, which in turn got my weepy little eyes filled with tears.

I have also become friends with a precious 4 month old baby named, Anicette. She was born with a cleft lip and is sooo tiny. I asked her mother if I could touch her child and she couldn't believe I even wanted to. In this culture, which is voodoo based, a child with such a deformity is considered an evil spirit. All I saw was a beautiful little girl. As I touched her and actually picked her up in my arms the mother began to cry. I asked the translator if I had done something to offend her. He assured me I had not, but that she was "just very sad" that she had such an ugly baby and she couldn't believe I cared. He actually serves as like a spiritual counselor and has been working with her for a month. While he does think the mother is getting there emotionally, it is still very hard for her. Anciette surgery is not set until August......she needed to be big enough to survive the surgery. She has already been the guest of Mercy Ships for one month.

I am helping to host a VIP group for the next few days that offer to bring some much needed assets to Mercy Ships. They are a wonderful group. We took them to see the Hospital in Contonou. Definitely a third world hospital, but it is operated by a NGO. The government has nothing to do with it. While it was clean (sort of) it made me really want tell those at home that say they don't have access to health care. Think again! You could be here. We toured the ORs and inspected our instrumentation and actually have offered to design a piece of equipment specifically for Dr. Strauss that doesn't even exist! I know that doesn't make much sense.......but trust me it is a HUGE deal! The President of an OR group of nurses is with them as well as his organization is looking to help Mercy Ships recruit nurse volunteers.

Love you all...........keep sending those emails. The encouragement and the prayers mean so much. I need them to get thru this very long days.