Cotonou, Benin - 2009

Mercy Ships Volunteers Screen 2,500 People During Benin Screening Day

Mercy Ships held its general screening day on Thursday, February 19, in Cotonou, Benin. At the Hall des Arts, Mercy Ships volunteer nurses, doctors, and support staff screened 1,952 patients. The number was so large a second day of screening took place on Friday, and over 500 more patients were screened.

Over two hundred people were already waiting when Mercy Ships security arrived at 3:30 am on Thursday, and they continued to flow though the afternoon. Seeing that many patients in one day is challenging, even for Dr. Gary Parker, Chief Medical Officer and maxillo-facial surgeon with Mercy Ships, who has worked at nearly fifty screening days.

“We see these thousands of people,” Dr. Parker said. “Each one of these people is a fellow human being, and they all have their story, and they all have their hopes and dreams. We have to see them in such a way that respects them and their dignity as a fellow human being.”

Just-Start-Over

Did you ever get to a point in your life where you wished you could "just-start-over."

Certainly everyone gets to that point. Well, before you start over, think about items below.

• Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
• Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have sleep all you want.
• When you say, "I love you," mean it.
• Never laugh at any one's dreams.
• Love deeply and passionately; you might get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely.
• Talk slow, but think quick.
• Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
• Call you Mom and Dad often.
• Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
• Remember the three R's - self respect; respect others; responsibility for all your actions.
• Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
• When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
• Smile when picking up the phone; the caller will hear it in your voice.
• Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
• Read more of the Bible and watch less television.
• Live a good, honorable life; then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it the second time.
• Trust in God, but lock you car.
• A loving atmosphere in your home is so important; do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious family.
• In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation not past.
• Read between the lines less to help your relationships.
• Share your knowledge; it's a way to achieve immortality.
• If you make a lot of money, put it to good use and help others while you can; that is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
• Remember, not getting what you want is sometimes a blessing.
• Remember, the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
• Judge your success by what you give away and not what you can accumulate.
• And most important -- PRAY -- there's immeasurable power in it.

Our GOD is a GOD of the DO-OVER...trust Him and He will not let you down!