Celebration of Sight

I am slowly catching up to my blogs :) 

On April 13, I went to the dock at 7AM to help out with "Celebration of Sight", which is the last appointment cataract removal patients have with Mercy Ships.  In one of my earlier posts, I wrote about how Mercy Vision takes on the worst of worst cases, which means the patients that come here are either blind or almost blind in both eyes.  

First, I'll explain briefly how the cataract removal process works. A patient comes to a "screening day," which is where they get examined to see whether they are possible candidates for the operation.  If chosen, they get 2 more appointments, after which they get the date of surgery.  So far, the process to here is a few weeks.  Surgery for cataract removal is about 5-20 minutes! That is crazy to me because I just can't believe it is only a 20 minute procedure for a blind person (due to cataracts) to see.  After surgery day, they get another appointment the day after to make sure everything is stable.  The last and final appointment is 4 weeks later and is called  the "Celebration of Sight".  Here, they do a final screening and some tests on the patients to ensure the quality of their work.  At this appointment, they also remove another cataract that forms due to the scar tissue.  After all the patients have their final appointment, all the patients and staff gathered together and eat some snacks, listen to a sermon, sing songs, and dance.  

For me the best part of the celebration was hearing the patients share their testimony.  A man that came here heard about Mercy Ships from his uncle, who received eyeglasses in 2009 when Mercy Ships was last here.  The man could not believe that his uncle had received the glasses for free, so when Mercy Ships returned he thought he would go and see if Mercy Ships could help him.  He came to Lomé with the help of a relative and a stick to guide him on his travel.  A bit embarrassed, he admitted that when he got here, he thought if he offered some money he would be selected for surgery.  He quickly found out that all of Mercy Ships' services are free, and that selection was random.  He gave thanks to God, for being merciful and gracious to him by giving him his vision back. 

 

Many patients who come here for this celebration are really proud that they are able to come alone.   Before their vision was restored, they either had someone always guide them or they had to use their guiding stick  It’s such an amazing celebration!  

Be Blessed!

Matthew 15:31

The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing.  And they praised the God of Israel.