The US-based global charity Mercy Ships sent the Anastasis to Cotonou, Benin, West Africa earlier this month to carry out its mission. The outreach has proved to be successful so far. An estimated 5,000 people waited in line throughout the day hoping to be selected for free surgery onboard the Mercy Ship.

The mission is one which has been created on plans and visions of a massive scale. It involved over 200 Mercy Ships crewmembers, assisted by 50 local translators. With well-equipped medical facilities on the ship, people are allowed to receive tumour test results in minutes, and be treated with prompt medical operations.

As medical personnel examined prospective patients, other volunteers gave out water to those waiting and entertained children with face paints, music and balloons.

Screening Co-ordinator Sorina Fadden remarked, "The whole screening went remarkably well. It was calm and peaceful, with less moments of tension in the waiting crowd than we expected."

A total of 228 were finally scheduled for surgery while many had non-surgical conditions requiring glasses or eye drops.

The Mercy Ship is docked in Cotonou until February 2005, providing free onboard medical facilities as well as base support for onshore educational and developmental projects in Benin. An estimated 37% of the Beninese population live below the poverty line, and the average life expectancy is just 51 years. The next station of the ship will be Liberia in March 2005.

Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships believes the nature and character of a loving God must be demonstrated both visibly and verbally. It is committed to bringing hope and healing to the poor. Today there are three hospital ships - the Anastasis, the Africa Mercy and the Caribbean Mercy.