Sick kids, sick nurses

Hi All! I'd like to post a few prayer requests if you would please pray.

1. This week they are starting to do a lot of complicated pediatric cases here on Mercy Ships... for the next 3 weeks, which means we are seeing a lot of really sick kids coming in for surgeries they wouldn't have a chance of having without the technology on the ship.
-I and some of the other nurses are not used to having pediatric patients, let alone sick or unstable ones.
- That we as the health care team on mercy ships would give them the overall very best care we possibly can
-That the surgeries would go well and God's hand would be over all, to give these kids a better life and that they would heal well with no complications at all.
-That God would strengthen and give wisdom to the nurses, and pediatric nurses
-We had a 2 year old boy come in for removal of one kidney due to severe hydronephrosis, and damage to the kidney. He looked very thin, with a big rounded belly. He had a fever >102 when he arrived for his scheduled surgery. His mom was very scared probably due to the rumors circulating Liberia that Mercy Ships is killing people and stealing their kidneys. So when the doctor was explaining the risks of surgery, the mom was freaking out a bit, understandably. Please pray for this little boy. My heart just goes out to him! He's so small and already so sickly and malnourished. I don't know if they will go ahead with his sugery. A part of me wonders if there is some other etiology to his illness. Maybe a virus that attacks the immune system, like HIV? But I had to forcefeed him tylenol last night for his fever, which he threw up, and then I give him suppositories while he screamed, "No, Oh no, momma, momma, oh no!"

2. The nurses. A stomach bug has been circulating the nursing team (and other crew members on the ship) . A few of the nurses even needed IV fluids or IV anti nausea meds. A lot of the recovery room nurses are sick. So please pray this would stop, that we would be healthy and strong and able to serve the people of Liberia and see God work in their lives. I have not gotten sick yet (Hallelujah!!) but a few of my roomies are sick, and its just miserable to be sick on the ship!


I am thankful though, so far, things have been going ok. Last night we had a busy night with all adult nurses on the ward watching over kids, and although busy and challenging, everything was going pretty well by the end of the night. We had no major complications. Thank you so much for your prayers!! May God bless you!!!