On January 2nd, I made a quick trip to the wards to check the medical supply status. As I normally do, I greet the patients with a "good morning" or "Bonjour." I'm fairly restricted to two languages even though most of the patients speak Susu or Fulani.
After I checked the inventory, I picked up a few needed supplies. When I came back, the ward erupted in applause! I thought I was in the wrong place or missed something, but they were just wishing me a happy new years and sharing their joy with me. Yes, I was surprised, but also marveled at the grace of God being lived out every day for these dear women.
What is amazing is that B Ward is home to VVF patients. One would not normally think of a VVF ward as a happy place, but it truly is.
Last year I read a book entitled The Hospital By The River by Dr Catherine Hamlin. It's an amazing story and I recommend it you.
Dr Catherine Hamlin and her late husband started this hospital dedicated to caring for women with obstetric fistulas. They researched and developed the initial surgical procedures. Dr. Hamlin still runs the Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia today.
Mercy Ships doctors also train local surgeons in current VVF procedures.
For those who would like a shorter version of this condition see the link below.
Mercy Ship VVF Link
The birth of a child should be joyful. But for many women in developing nations, it’s the beginning of a downward spiral into pain, loneliness and poverty. For those without access to routine medical or surgical care during and after delivery, chronic medical issues such as incontinence can lead to spousal abandonment and community ostracism. These medical problems – vesicovaginal fistulas and rectovaginal fistulas – are relatively unknown in western countries where cesarean sections are widely available. They occur during prolonged or difficult labors, and they can have devastating physical, emotional and spiritual consequences.
Mercy Ships doctors, nurses and other caring volunteers provide a holistic approach to treatment. In addition to medical treatment, they are showered with love, acceptance and head-to-toe healing.
Ward B is where the women recovering from VVF surgeries stay. They are in B Ward for 2-3 weeks following surgery. In that time they developed into a nice happy community. Most of these women have tragic backgrounds and have been outcasts in their villages. In B ward they share stories, laughter and joy. It's not uncommon to see the whole ward up, out of bed and dancing down the halls with drums and singing! (This is not your typical hospital). Not all surgeries are successful. Some of the women here have had VVF surgeries in the past, and still have no healing. There are some very difficult conditions, and many heart breaking stories.
To see the transformation that takes place while they are on the Mercy Ship is wonderful. This really is a great example of bringing hope and healing to the worlds forgotten poor. They experience caring community life. Something they desperately need and long for. They learn to share their joy with others. Even clapping for the supply guy.
Mercy Ships has a special way of celebrating their return to society: They hold a ceremony and give each woman a new dress that symbolizes her beauty. The women also leave the ship with follow-up instructions and knowledge to take back to other women in their communities.
A few weeks ago there was a dress ceremony in B ward. There were lots of drums, singing, dancing and stories (with multiple translations) taking place. Since a picture is worth a 1000 words, here are a few thousand words to describe hope and healing.
I hope we can all find more ways to surprise others with joy, hope and love.
Chuck
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