First impressions in Madagascar

I arrived to Mercy ships in Toamasina on June 1st, 3 days after leaving Richmond. Jet lag is a real thing.

My first day working on the units was yesterday. Two things right off the bat need to be incorporated into our hospital protocols. At 10:30 every morning all the surgical patients get up and walk up and down the hallways dancing to African music including kids. Then at 2:30 every day all the patients that are able go up to the seventh deck and sit in the sun, then there is staff line dancing with whoever is able. No one seems to be on their phones here in public places, people are actually having conversations.

It’s very moving to see these kids get range of motion back after having contractures released after years of no treatment or rehab for severe burns, and seeing their thankfulness to God for healing.