It's screening day!

I feel like I should have a grand report for you...but I don't...yet.  I'm trusting that there will be a grand report - a God sized report on this day and its success. 

Nick is there...I'm looking forward to hearing about and experiencing screening day through him later tonite. 

As I prayed for screening day, God made it very clear that I was to stay on the ship...it's interesting when what the Lord tells you to do isn't quite what you thought He was going to tell you to do (that sounds familiar). 

My duties (marching orders!) for screening day: stay on the ship and pray...and bless the other moms (mainly by being an emergency contact for their children)(Every child must have an emergency contact if both of their parents are off the ship). It's been a privilege to do those things...

It feels a bit awkward and yet completely comfortable to be here on the ship when 97% of everyone else is off the ship!  I'm being reminded again and again that nothing beats being where God wants you.

It was an absolute honor to stand on Deck 7 this morning at 5:45 and again at 6:45 with my friend and co-worker Pam and pray for the convoy of vehicles as they were pulling out (I should've taken a picture!!).  Honestly, my heart was so overwhelmed by it all that I couldn't speak...just tears and prayers from my heart that I knew the Father was listening to.   The phrase that He kept saying was "I am enough."  He is enough for every person that is lined up for screening.  He is enough for every crew member as they deal with language barriers and heat and sickness.  He is enough for all of the heartbreaking things people will encounter today.  He is enough for security and protection and provision and schedules.  He is enough...hallelujah!

The little snippets that I've heard have been that there are thousands of people going through the screening lines...and that it's very hot   The fact that the people came is evidence of God at work - the Advance Team wasn't confident that the word about screening day had spread as it should have.  And it may be hot but, other than a brief shower this morning, there's been no rain -- "no rain" was a specific request!

So if you happen to be reading this on Monday, September 3, please join me in praying for the screening as it is going on right now - and will probably last late into the evening (with the possiblity of it continuing tomorrow). 

Here are a few quotes from friends' facebook pages over the past 24 hours or so:

For every Mercy Ships medical screening we pray fervantly that God sends us the people who have the conditions that we can treat. On Monday, Sept 03, we are holding our major medical screening in Conakry, Guinea. Prayers that the people who we can help make their way to us are much appreciated.

Got to make BBQ ribs for 400 people today. Hope they enjoy them, they'll need the energy tomorrow when we do our Medical Screening. We could see 3 or 4,000 people tomorrow in need of medical attention. Please keep us in your prayers the next 36 hours as they begin set up, secure the area tonight and process all the potential patients tomorrow.

Please pray for the Africa Mercy crew and all the people who will come for screening day on Monday. We anticipate that around 3,000 people will come to seek medical help. Pray for strength for the crew, wisdom for the doctors, safety for all... and for the Lord to be made known in all we say and do.

Tomorrow is the screening day for our time in Guinea. People were already starting to line up tonight in hopes of a life changing surgery. Please pray for this big day tomorrow that those in need would come and all would go well.

Please pray for those who come hoping for healing. Many will be helped, but many will not. Pray for both camps. Please also pray for our crew as we see up to 4,000 folks come through the screening line. Pray also for safety and favorable weather (it's rainy season!).

Big day here at Mercy Ships...screening day. Please be praying for us.

Our God has begun a good work - He will be faithful to complete it.

Surely (absolutely) there will be more to come!