Today was a truly wonderful day. Our morning began with a special time under the gazebo with the entire team and all the NEA staff. Chef Abraham gave an inspirational devotional on Romans 12:5-8 which speaks about how we, who are many, form one body as we each use our gifts to serve. He challenged each of us to play our role well on this team of over 100 members so that together we can be vessels of healing to so many. He concluded with the quote, “What you are is a gift to you; what you do is a gift to God and to mankind.”
The Canadian team presented three plaques to be hung on each of the operating room doors in honor of David Mensah, Brenda Mensah and Moses Mensah. Moses was David’s father who died at a young age of a hernia in the village right next to the compound. It was a moving moment to realize how easily his life could have been saved by a procedure that hundreds will receive in these two weeks.
After breakfast Brenda surprised us with a visit from a local tailor. Can’t wait to show you our outfits!
We also had a surprise visit from 2 optometrists and an optician from Sunyani who heard about our eye program and decided to donate 2 weeks of their time to help Doc Martin, Marion, Jacques and Brigitte in the nut house. (They run the eye clinic in the peanut storage building on the compound!). Amazing.
New team members went on a tour of the compound while the veterans set up for the staff clinic which began after lunch.
By the time we all congregated hot and sweaty for dinner around 7 pm, the team had completed 22 hernia procedures and just under 200 NEA staff and families were seen by the medical, surgical and dental team. Overall, we noticed a big improvement in the health of the staff on the compound this year.
We are all too tired for a costume party tonight. Off to sleep to prepare for a very busy 2 days in Nyamboi village.
Jennifer
Karen Graham says
Thanks for the post Dr. Wilson! I am glad to hear the compound clinic day went well. My thoughts are with the team as they complete the first couple of full clinic days. I remember feeling very overwhelmed after these days and thinking I was not going to be able to keep up with the pace but the people we were serving and the team mates I was with inspired me and soon the fears melted away. I echo Robin my Physiotherapy team mate – take care of yourselves so you can serve the many beautiful people in Ghana.
🙂 Karen
Robyn Synnott says
Hi Everyone!
I have been thinking of you all daily! I’m so glad to hear that things are going very well so far 🙂
I hope you’re able to enjoy those peanut butter and banana sandwiches as much as I did!
I’m so excited to hear more stories about all that you are seeing and doing.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Thinking of you,
Robyn
Rene, Amanda, Emily, Opa and Oma, and Skruffles says
Good to hear you are off to a good start! There was some first snow in Boston area and Northern Ontario of the season, so enjoy the heat. Halloween was a great success with mild, balmy weather; yet, we may need a dental team here too after all the consumed “cavity on sticks”. Good to read your progress and we enjoy your blog writing. We pray for your team every day.