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February 17, 2005

Anastasis update

I wrote in the post Shame to dancing about some women undergoing operations on the Anastasis. Following what was already a traumatic experience, their condition, VVF, had left them often isolated and feeling unclean and ashamed. The Mercy Ships website reports:

"One by one, they spoke of childbirth that lasted 3-5 days; of reaching a hospital too late to save the baby; of returning to live with their parents when they found themselves incontinent. One woman, now aged 35, had lived with a fistula for more than 20 years after her first and only pregnancy. A slight girl, believing herself to be 14, had already borne and lost twins before the pregnancy that caused her fistula three months ago."

The operations change their lives and, when the women leave the ship, they get given a new set of clothes and have a celebration. Jenni at Vessel of Mercy, who is on the Anastasis writes of her time spent with these ladies, and has posted some photos of the women celebrating in their new clothes. For me, this is a real picture of what Christ does for us in lifting us up and clothing us in his righteousness to new life and celebration. It is a particular joy for me to see the photo of Fatmatou, one of the Fulani ladies there.

Posted by Keith at February 17, 2005 11:14 AM