Smiles in South Sudan

I am excited to say that I am headed back to South Sudan with the Cleft Lip Team! After our trip last year Sudan suffered through some major political instability, and that's putting it lightly. We knew there were still many people who needed us to be able to come back, but we had no idea if or when we would be able to return. Thankfully things have settled enough for Samaritan's Purse to send the team for another year, and I am so privileged to be able to be a part again.

We have some interesting challenges this year, so please be praying. The operating rooms we usually use, as well as the recovery room, are all being renovated. They have set up a makeshift OR in another area and the recovery will be....somewhere. It's always an adventure :). 

Additional prayer points:

- Consistent power and water supply to these makeshift areas. 

- No lost bags! And smooth clearance through customs. Many of the team members, myself included, are carrying trunks full of medical supplies that we can't work without. 

- Safety and health for the team and our patients. Many of these patients travel miles for several days to reach us and receive their surgery. 

- Security and stability where the political environment is concerned. 

- For our chaplains and the other wonderful Sudanese members of our team. We couldn't do it without them!
- We will be doing slightly more complex surgeries this time. In the past we have done cleft lip repairs only, but this year we are hoping to do several cleft palate repairs as well. It means longer surgery time, more painful recovery and sometimes having to work hard to get the little ones to eat and drink after.

That's all for now. Stay tuned for pictures and stories, as always.