GRID and NEA

Sustainable Development in Ghana

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Porridge on a Plate

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You know your team is tired when you see team members actually nodding off over their dinner plates. You know your team is tired when you see someone spooning out their morning porridge onto their plate instead of their bowl. (Sorry Angie, but that was really funny!)

Well, it is no wonder that everyone is so tired. The surgical team has completed surgeries on 196 patients and the mobile medical, dental and eye team in Banda Ahenkro provided care care to 1300 patients from thirty-three villages over two days. Yesterday alone, another fourteen patients also received vision-saving laser surgery for glaucoma. The amazing thing about this team is that no one is focused on numbers. We are focused on showing love and compassion and care to one patient at a time.

David Mensah is really happy, as he has now added a fifth ram to his collection. NEA and the team received this gift along with a big pile of yams on behalf of the General Secretary of the ruling Party of Ghana, the President of Ghana, the Paramount Chief of the Banda Traditional Area, as well as a large group of sub-chiefs, two Queen Mothers and the local Member of Parliament. So the name of NEA and the name of our team is travelling far and wide.

And it is a very good name. So good that vehicles started arriving to Carpenter last night with patients who planned to camp out and secure their spot in line for tomorrow’s clinic. At 5:00am there must be at least 100 people already lined up outside the gate. As we pushed through the crowds to get to breakfast I overheard a team member saying, “This is the only time I ever feel like a movie star!”

And so we begin our final two clinics right here on the compound of NEA. We are looking forward to the entire team being together on one site as we complete our mission, and we are really looking forward to access to REAL BATHROOMS (YEAH!!!) while we work. Bring on the Tim Horton’s coffee, Brenda!

This morning is a fresh new day and I hear the laughter of my teammates as they prepare for the day and compare notes on how their diarrhea is coming along. At breakfast, Happy Birthday was sung in 3- or 4- part harmony for our friends Anthony and Lorraine. My heart is full of gratitude for these amazing team members and our Ghanaian volunteers who have worked so hard. My prayer is that we finish well, that we finish strong, that the laughter would continue, and that God would continue to give us health and strength to complete our mission with excellence.

One of our team quotes seems like a fitting end to this morning’s post. Dr. Seuss in The Lorax said,

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.

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2015 Health Team Updates

Heroes
Iddrisu’s Story in Photos
Yaara, Nov 12
Asantekwaa, Nov 11
Nyamboi, Nov 10
Carpenter, Nov 9
Carpenter, Nov 8
Accra, Nov 7
Toronto, Nov 6

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. We are so proud of the work you guys are doing there! Wishing you a safe journey home.

    P.S – Sherry…we miss you!! (Don’t tell anyone I said that)

  3. I miss you mummy
    Can’t wait till you come back but keep going, it’s the last sprint finish
    Well done to the team great work
    ELSA xxx

  5. Hello Dr. Jen and team! Thank you Jen for keeping us all up to date on the amazing work God has laid out before you! Like the comments above the celebration service when you get home will be so emotional!

    So I’ve been giving this a lot of thought and the need for a hospital in Ghana has been so heavy on my heart! And I have a favor to ask my mom…or anyone who might enjoy shopping more than she does 😉
    Would it be possible to bring home a dozen or so bracelets or wood carvings that I could give as a gift for teachers, friends, co-workers etc? With these small tokens I’d like to make a donation to the hospital on their behalf. I know it’s really last minute and the opportunity for shopping may have already passed by but its really been on my heart to ask.
    With my thanks and my prayers for the team! You amaze and inspire me by actions xo

  6. Thank you for your wonderful stories Jennifer! Good luck with your last few days! Will be excited to hear about everything mom (Lois)! Lots of love

  7. Reading these blogs has been a true inspiration to myself and everyone who surrounds us. It sounds like such a journey you are on and I can’t even begin to say how proud we are of everyone over there. A big shout out to my Awesome Mother, Valerie B. First time goer on this trip and I can’t wait to give you the biggest hug. We all miss you and are so unbelievably proud. See you in a few days!!! Safe Travels everyone!
    God Bless,
    Cassie, Nick, Shelby and Paul.

  8. To All the Team

    Love reading the news as I can visualise all. Special hello to Angie sorry I was not there this time my friend.
    Keep up the the excellent work and safe travels home to all.

    Sue Johnson ( 2 timer volunteer theatre nurse )

  9. Wow! Praise be to God for all the hard work you are doing in our Saviour’s name! I can picture my Mom Leslie trying to sing multiple parts of the harmony by herself during Happy Birthday as she always does. Reading about all of the lives you are all changing every day is truly moving and reminds me of Hebrews 13:16 – “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
    Enjoy your last few days helping everyone that you can – we are all so impressed over here, I can tell you. We’ll see you soon, and so to close, remember our favourite verse from Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

    xoxo Scott

  10. Your mission is ending soon, leave with no regrets, because you have done great stuff there and should be only proud if it. These people needed you and the future is bright.

    Natascha, “pasta con almejas” is waiting for you! 🙂

  11. These daily blogs have been the highlight of my day for the past couple weeks! It has been amazing to follow the team’s journey and hear about the tremendous impact that you are having on so many lives. The work that is being done by this team is truly extraordinary and an inspiration to all of us. The incredible impact that you are having and the lives that you are saving is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team. A special shout out to my dad, Dr. Bill, for his continual efforts to give back and amazing work. I’m so proud of you Dad! It has been inspiring to see him take part in such a wonderful initiative and I hope to follow in his footsteps one day. After hearing just a few of his stories, it sounds like an amazing experience. However, I’m glad I haven’t heard any stories of him trying to take a selfie with a lion yet! Can’t wait for everyone to be back home safe and to hear about all of the amazing accomplishments you have made! Keep up the great work!

    Love Hailey

  12. Hi to all,

    Jennifer, thank you so much for your stories. I have enjoyed everyone. You guys are doing amazing work. Congratulations!!
    Safe travels home.

    Janet

  13. There are perhaps two words for me that reflect what you are doing
    Both need to be said in your best Welsh accent
    Phenomenal and emotional

    So proud to be able to say I know some of you
    Enjoy the last 2 days at home
    Gather your last bit of energy to for a huge final push before your party on Friday night with all the NEA

    LOVE TO Dr Jo from all of us
    great work

  14. Carly and all the team over there , we are very proud of you doing all this great work. These people must think you are like god! If you ever doubted why you went into the healthcare field you will always treasure the many people you have helped ….. Forever!
    Safe travels home and can’t wait to hear your stories.
    Hugs from All if us in Sunderland

  15. One of my favourite quotes! Enjoy your last few clinic days.. what an incredible experience and incredible feeling saving so many lives.. A true inspiration! we look forward to hearing many more of your stories upon your arrival home.. I can only imagine all of the emotions that will come back with you all what an experience… Continue all the amazing work thanks for sharing Jenn, each post brings some tears both happy and sad big hugs team my hat goes off to each one of you!!

    Stephanie

  16. Congratulations to everyone on the Health Team and the local staff for doing so much for others in such a short time. Jenny, the quote from The Lorax is describing you. Of course, this is your mother writing. Your mom

  17. Jenn, your blogs have been truly inspirational, just like your team and the wonderful work it has undertaken over the last 2 weeks.
    May God bless your final couple of days, safe travels home.

  18. AMAZING WORK GUYS . YOU ARE DEFINITELY SOMETHING SPECIAL . BUT ANGIE THE PORRIDGE ON A PLATE WE WOULD EXPECT THAT FROM KIMMY (: LOL
    LOVE & SUNSHINE
    GARY

  19. Hello Jennifer and Team, the work you are doing sounds just amazing. I told Pastor Dale the reporting service was going to be more emotional than ever before. I am going to bring you a sham wow. Yesterday I read this verse from my devotional (and thought of this team) Proverbs 31:8 “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,for the rights of all who are destitute,speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” I enjoyed the stories of your heroes. They are “standing in the gap” until the hospital can be built. I know you are weary and drained but I hope you have time to hear from the “heroes” I know there ; Rans, Jacob, Charles, Gabriel and others. As you all give ALL of yourselves, the Ghanians may have opportunity to share with you their deep rich organic faith. My devotional verse today again speaks of the vulnerable and uses Romans 5:6 ” when we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” We are all vulnerable.
    Looking forward to your safe return home and the reporting service, I will be there with a sham wow …….and maybe a bucket.

  20. Your work is amazing ! So glad to hear the good news is out about your successes.