Evaluation Day

Today, the physicians made their rounds to the children who have cleft lip and/or palate at MBHOH, in addition to a few others with different medical issues, to look for anything out of the ordinary before the surgical team arrives in June – an important step. The good news is they didn’t find anything abnormal and it gave the team a chance to take a deeper look into their precious eyes and give a few hugs in the process. It was inspiring to watch the genuine compassion overflow from their hearts and sense the doctors’ connection with these kids.

I was reminded that these little ones share a common bond with you and me. Like us, they are children of God and He deeply cares about them. We share the same identity and worth – made in His image. While circumstances might tempt us to think otherwise, God’s word is true and when it is difficult to believe due to circumstantial evidence right in front of us, we must choose to believe. When we choose to believe as long as it takes, eventually it miraculously gives birth to Hope. And we all know Hope does not disappoint. This team may not solve the orphan crisis, but they have helped lay the foundation in hopes of changing the identity crisis for about 15 children. God knows, after all He is the “…author and finisher of our faith.”

Debra Strausser takes a break from writing evaluation notes with Jasmine

Dr. Ed Fannon, pediatrician and head of International Rotations at Geisinger Medical Center, likes what he sees.

Dr. Erica McElroy checks the heart of a baby who will soon receive an operation

Katherine and the nurses finish their training and gather for a group photo

Resident Sarah Cates puts her stethoscope aside for a moment

Dr. Fannon evaluates a baby with a cleft lip