A bit about our burn patients...

Burns are devastating. There’s no other way to describe them. They hurt a lot and the damage can be quite extensive. But we have very brave patients and we serve a big God who has brought healing and joy despite the pain these patients endure.

Most of the burns we see here on Mercy Ships have happened years ago, which means our main goals are to give patients mobility of whatever arm/leg/finger is stuck in place and cultivate new skin with skin grafts. This is a slow and painful process. The main things we do to accomplish these goals are obviously surgery, high protein diets to promote wound healing and exercise.

Patients come aboard the night before their surgery and are immediately started on our nutrition protocol based on their weight. This includes a nutritional powder mixed with water that is packed with vitamins, a liquid protein called Promod and if they are under weight they get a packet of sweet peanut butter stuff, which is about 500 calories. Surgery follows the next day to straighten or free whatever the scar tissue had tightened into place. In the picture below you can see a teenage boy who sustained 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns to the right side of his body. Before surgery his right arm was stuck to the right side of his body due to the skin tightening or contracting into place. The surgeons were able to free his arm and then place skin grafts over the exposed areas. The dark places of the wound are the skin grafts.

Lastly, we do exercises, because without exercise or stretching of the skin grafts, the skin would just tighten back up and mobility would be significantly compromised again. The little girl I am holding in the picture is being very brave during her exercises, despite the intense pain she feels with only slight movement of her fingers.

For as many tears that are shed, there are just as many, if not more, smiles and giggles. These patients, adults and children alike, are so joyful in spite of the long healing process, countless dressing changes and painful exercises. Every time I walk onto the ward I am met with warm greetings, tackle hugs and big smiles. Evidence that the Father is not just healing the outside, but also the inside.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. Every time I talk to my Mom & Dad they tell me you are asking about me and continuing to lift me up in prayer! This is huge. Mercy Ships could never do what they do without prayer. Please continue to go boldly before the throne and ask for continued healing and courage for these burn patients!