Hope and Healing in the Hospital

Today I worked a day shift on B Ward.  This unit is currently where all of the plastic surgery patients are admitted to, and then where they return following their surgeries.

Initially I was supposed to have seven patients and I was thinking, "Okay, here goes...I am not sure I will be able to actually do this, but here goes...".  I was really relieved that there was a shuffle in the patients, and I ended up with only five.  One was a pre-operative patient and the others were fairly stable post-operative patients.  My patient went for surgery early on in the day, so for most of the shift, I had four patients.

It has been great being able to send and receive people to surgery, as at home I have not worked in a surgical ward since I was a nursing student.  There is a lot of teaching required to orient patients and their family members to the ward, and show them what to expect after a surgery.  I really enjoy that part of nursing as well!

I am amazed at how God has been working over the past few days!  Even today, one of the adult patients on the ward began crying without any noticeable reason.  I could not understand her, especially as her French and Fon were more mumbled with the crying, and that made it difficult to find out what was wrong.  The other patients' caregivers were laughing and would not explain things to me, but eventually one of the day crew translated for me.  She was not having pain, as was my first thought.  I found out that she had a recurring nightmare, and was very scared from it.  Through a translator, I told her that I too have had bad dreams, where I would dream something similar over and over again and wake up feeling terrified.  As many of the patients on the ward have Bibles, and Mercy Ships is a Christian organization, I had the freedom to let her know that she can take her fear to God and He will give peace.  Her Bible was in French, so it took a few seconds to figure out which verses I wanted to show her, but then found and highlighted Philippians 4:7-8; verse 6 is also important, but the main part I wanted her to see was verse 8:

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8

I explained that if her thoughts do not line up with this list of a way of thinking, it is not good.  God can give peace, and she does not need to fear or dwell on those thoughts of fear.  This is a good reminder for me as well.  As Christians, we ought only to think about things that are:

• true
• honourable
• right
• pure
• lovely
• reputable
• excellent
• praiseworthy

Patient Blandine recovers from surgery.  Photo credit to Mercy Ships Benin 2016

Patient Valentin has some downtime with his dad.  Photo credit to Mercy Ships Benin 2016

Patient Michelle recently returned from surgery and is waking up.  Photo credit to Mercy Ships Benin 2016

Patient Oleg having his dressings changed.  Photo credit to Mercy Ships Benin 2016

Nurses with some pretty cute plastics patients.  Photo credit to Mercy Ships Benin 2016

D Ward patients being entertained.  Photo credit to Mercy Ships Benin 2016

Patient Djamiou playing with the computer.  Photo credit to Mercy Ships Benin 2016

Patient Djamiou hanging out with his favourite nurse.  Photo credit to Mercy Ships Benin 2016

There are other ways in which God has been working and proving Himself mighty and faithful!  Please pray that the patients in our hospital recover quickly from their surgeries, and that we are able to show them the love of Christ and provide the best care possible while they are in our wards.  Please also pray that for the Christian patients/caregivers, their faith will be strengthened in our good God, and for salvation to those who are not followers of Christ.