I Received A Christmas Letter Today

I received a Christmas letter today from Don Stephens, the Founder/President of Mercy Ships. He states that he is thankful for the work that has taken place in Benin and then goes on to tell us a numeric account of the lives that were positively affected by the work done in Benin on the Africa Mercy. Please permit me to share this with you.

Mercy Ships accomplishments 2009
Thanks to your generous and ongoing support, the 2009 Mercy Ships Benin Field Service served 67,219 people.

This meant:
33,851 eye evaluations and other treatments;
13,174 oral health education;
10,175 dental patients seen;
7,083 pairs of sunglasses distributed;
5,689 pairs of reading glasses distributed;
3,521 cataracts removed;
1,161 general surgeries;
996 reconstructive and plastic surgeries;
794 dental hygiene patients;
570 other eye surgeries (pterygia and stabismus);
231 orthopedic operations;
154 obstetric fistulas repaired;
185 cleft lip and palate repairs;
119 church & community leaders trained in mental health;
50 prison officers and workers trained in mental health;
28 patients received palliative home care;
25 oral health teachers trained;
23 local agricultural trainees;
19 mental health workers trained;
19 families trained in wound care;
18 community eye field workers trained;
10 agricultural staff trained;
6 Burkett's Lymphoma patients received palliative support;
2 local surgeons trained;
2 local eye surgeons trained;
4 local surgeons trained in fistula repair;
2 dental assistants trained;
1 hostel constructed for agricultural college;
2 church leaders conferences attended by 602 attendants;
12,000 people watched the Jesus Film

This was one of the best Christmas letters I have ever received.