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A Sterling Start

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After a few short hours of sleep, our journey to Carpenter continued Sunday morning on domestic flights to Kumasi, followed by a rather toasty coach ride to Carpenter. Kim kept trying to communicate how hot the bus was, hoping for a bit more A/C, only to have the driver advise her “Ma’am … it is because of the weather.” Point taken.

Apparently overbooked flights are a problem in Ghana, too, and so with hugs and high fives while shoving Cedis in their pockets, we left behind Dave our assistant logistics lead (sorry Heather) and Greg, our advanced care paramedic (who by the way had been travelling from Fort McMurray since Thursday) to figure out a plan B. Resilience is one of our team values, don’t you know!

So 66 minus 2 of us rolled into the compound of NEA around 2 pm to be greeted by our dear friends, brothers and sisters and of course the children at NEA. The circle we formed as we held hands and sang a Ghanaian song of thanksgiving to God was just such a massive circle. I was perhaps a tad emotional remembering it was exactly 10 years ago that my feet hit Carpenter soil and this beautiful partnership began. After an exchange of greetings, hugs and introductions in the 35 plus degree heat, we enjoyed mushroom soup from Frank’s mushroom farm and fresh bread from Kate’s bakery, and then we got to work.

The next 3 hours was a sight to behold as 200 hockey bags and cartons were unpacked. By 7 pm the training room was transformed into a massive pharmacy, medical, dental and nursing station as well as a logistics home base. Our eye team was so far ahead of schedule they bragged they were prepping for Wednesday’s clinic. And our surgical team … oh my. By 7 pm our first 15 hernia patients had been screened and prepped for Monday’s surgeries and those 60 boxes of equipment suddenly became 2 operating theatres and a recovery ward.

The best part about 7 pm was that Dave and Greg rolled in to a standing ovation after a nice air conditioned VIP coach ride to Kumasi where NEA staff liased with them. We were particularly happy to see them as we had all decided to go on a hunger strike (after lunch, of course) pending their arrival. A wonderful spaghetti dinner was had by all as eyelids began falling at a rapid rate.

Our first patients couldn’t wait until we were open for business, as two of the children booked for hernias were sick with malaria. Dr. Anne, our team Pediatrician, Dr. Lisa, and nurse Kathleen, who are all first time team members, jumped to action and the kids were cared for and treated by torch light under the surgical tree and the watchful mentorship eye of our veteran Dr. Sue. The kids will have their surgeries on Friday.

First patients for the team.

As Dr. Rob said to me, “It has been a sterling start to our fortnight.” What a choice of words. My favourite words today came from my dear friend Magdi … “I’m just so happy.”

What a day it has been as we begin our service to this incredible organization at NEA and as we lend a hand to our local Ghanaian health care colleagues who continue to leave their posts and journey towards our team headquarters.

My husband always teases me that I’m supposed to be writing blogs … not books, but it is as if a week’s worth of stories happens in one day here.

Load of love back home to our friends and families. Your blog comments are coming through and being read to the entire group at meal times and they make us laugh and cry because we miss you all!

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Comments

  1. (Add to my last email just sent…) Hi to my sister Emilia Burca from my home Church in Kitchener-Waterloo. Is Africa stirring your passion to be all God has created you to be?! Blessings on you girl!

  2. Hi Meliss hope you are having fun whilst burning in the hot sun. Its really cold here. Went to drama today and got to help out with the lighting of the play felt really important. Mum reads me the messagez people send and she always starts crying she keeps saying she is so proud of you. I will chat to you again soon. Love you. Chaz xd

  3. I hope you all have a wonderful two weeks and help many people (and it looks like you’ve already started). To the eye team, please drink plenty of water so that you don’t melt in the clinic!
    I’ll be reading your blog posts/books and sending good energy your way!

  4. Dear Team, I will pray for strength, endurance, wisdom, healing hands, no drug shortages, a fantastic bonding and spiritual experience, and happy guts. I miss David, Brenda, Jennifer and especially Martha who I would have loved to assist…didn’t work out this year. May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.
    Ardith

  5. On behalf of everyone at Shepherd Village we are happy and thankful to see everyone arrived well and sound, especially to our wonderful pharmacist Martha!! May God give everyone strength, health, good spirits and keep everyone cool in the coming days.
    Please keep the blogs coming as all the seniors and staff are delighted to hear news and about the wonderful work!

    Have a great day!

  6. You are doing a great job guys! Work hard, have fun, enjoy the weather!
    Ebbie
    Northampton General Hospital
    England

  7. Enjoy reading the updates on the Ghana Team and the wonderful work you are all doing there. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Blessing to you all.

  8. So good to hear that you all arrived safely!!! My heart and prayers are with you all everyday my dear friends!!! I, as well, truly enjoy and savour each blog allowing me to journey with you in spirit!! May God continue to strengthen this wonderful team with all that you need to minister health, hope, and healing to our beautiful Ghanaian friends !
    Kelly Bruce

  9. So good to hear that you all arrived safely!!! My heart and prayers are with you all everyday my dear friends!!! I, as well, truly enjoy and savour each blog allowing me to journey with you in spirit!! May God continue to strengthen this wonderful team with all that you need to minister health, hope, and healing to our beautiful Ghanaian friends !
    Kelly Bruce

  10. Hi Dr. Angela Yoon. I am glad to read the updates and to hear of the safe arrival of you and your team to Carpenter.
    I am so proud of you being a part of the great integrated medical team and staff that serves and
    shares love and compassion with those are less fortunate. Hope to endure against the hot weather for next two weeks. I pray for you in every early morning hour.

  11. Hi Dr. Wilson, Dr. Jensen and team

    I was so happy to see that Kelly had shared your first blog…your words make us feel that we are a part of this amazing mission…may this journey be as rewarding as your very first 10 years ago… god bless each and every one of you….be safe ?? Jan

  12. Sending our love and prayer for you all…..especially Esther B. Your willingness to give so generously for these dear folk is wonderful. May your energy be sufficient for tomorrow and wisdom and grace be on you in abundance. xo

  13. We are so happy to hear that your team arrived Carpenter safely!
    We are praying for you and for your entire team several times a day! God bless!

  14. Like so many others have written, Jennifer you have a talent and gift for writing that makes us feel connected to you all so far away. I stand in awe of the goodness, kindness and unselfish acts of charity you all are performing for these children of God. You are miracle workers to many of them I’m sure. Kaitlin we miss you so much!! Tiana asked me yesterday if you were still flying in the sky and hoped you weren’t going to be burned by the sun!!! Mom and Ashley send loads of love and hugs. We are rooting for all of you.

  15. Reliving my recent experience of Ghanaian heat/roads/buses through the blog, and so pleased to hear how quickly you have got into life-saving mode amongst the needy people of the Northern Region … sending powerful vibes to all your elbows …

  16. I hope you’re doing alright in Ghana dad. Everything is fine here and we’re all doing well – even though the house is a bit messier now you’re not here
    We won the match 4-2 at the weekend in case you were wondering.
    Lots of love
    Finlay

  17. Very glad to hear that you all , including our daughter Anne , arrived safely .
    Best wishes to everyone , keep up the good work , -4 deg C here today , no need for air conditioning !
    Keep the pictures and news coming ,
    Best wishes,
    Jo and Chad Smith

  18. Love your updates and all the information you are passing on for all the different groups. Glad to hear all of you arrived safely and have the equipment all set up. Always a great idea to go on a hunger strike AFTER A MEAL!!!!! Sounds like there is a lot Passion and Energy to help you to do this great work.

  19. I have thoroughly enjoyed your 2 updates and can’t wait for more!! Please say hi to Dan and Barb from their cousin Tanja :).

  20. So pleased to hear your early progress and I’m holding you all, and my English pharmacist friend Karin, in prayer. I pray for every patient and person you meet, and that God will use you to the benefit of all. God bless xx

  21. I hope you all enjoyed the uncomfortable bus journey and big wave of 35 degree heat – Its freezing here!
    We won our netball match on Sunday 20-23, and I played all of the match!!!!
    Good Luck for your first clinic tomorrow and save all of those lives.
    I am missing you, lots of love to Robbie, Jo and Ted
    xxx

  22. A great first blog to read whilst eating dinner ! Sounds like you guys are doing amazingly well – we pray that God continues to bless all the great work going on and keeps you safe. Hope ‘nurse Ted’ is keeping up with pace of it all ! -love Charlie, Elijah, Debs and Simon xx

  23. So glad all the team and the supplies have arrived safely and you’re off to a great start. My heart is there with you all and I know you’ll have an amazing experience.

    This is my verse for Ghana that I keep on my mirror:

    “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.” Proverbs 31: 8,9

    You are all in my thoughts and prayers as you serve our Ghanaian friends. Thanks for the updates, they are awesome!!

  24. Wow, I hope at least it was the air conditioned bus that I got thrown under! Thanks for the concise and well-written blog. It always amazes me that you get there in time for the people that can’t wait one more day.
    Much love to the whole team!
    G

  25. Way to go everyone. Really a treat to read these updates. Greg, glad to hear you got to travel in style. 🙂 Big hugs to you and Carlye.

    xoxo James, Louisa and Kaili

  26. I am deeply moved by all of you and what you are doing! God bless you and keep writing please I really enjoy this. What a first day!

    Love and hugs to Barb and Dan xox

  27. your all already doing a great job and I’m sure you will continue throughout the rest of this fortnight. I’m very proud to be Son of Dr.Anne who sounds like she is already doing a great job.
    keep it going.

  28. Thank you Jennifer. It is so lovely to hear you have all arrived safely and have made such great progress already. Josie and I are eagerly following your updates and trying to imagine the 35 degree heat! It sounds like you are all working hard to make your trip a tremendous success. We wish you all well and want to send love and hugs to Dan.

  29. Amy and auntie Sue,
    So happy to hear everyone arrived safe and sound. We are constantly thinking about you and all the team and the amazing work everyone is doing. Wonderful to have the blog to see your adventures. God Bless
    Mike and Dyan

  30. So glad all of you finally arrived. This is especially for Martha, our caring pharmacist.
    I was overseas for 38 years and wish I could be with you but age crept ( think “rushed” ) on.
    Am 83 and am with you in thoughts only. Enjoy the heat, soon you’ll be back in ice and snow.
    Coming week-end a snow storm has been promised for Toronto, Ontario.
    Will follow your reports with great interest. Dr. K.J. Kreuger

  31. Dr. Jenn please keep writing your beautiful updates! I love the details you give to help us picture the scene unfold. I close my eyes and imagine the feeling the team must have to have received such a warm welcome at the compound. The circle of worship gives me the chills. Hands held, and songs of thankfulness to God for His faithfulness even before a bag is unpacked speaks volumes. Thank you for sharing that powerful moment with us. Praise God from who all blessings flow!

    Ps: Please give mom a big hug from the boys and I ??

  32. So Glad you all arrived safely. I agree, Jennifer don’t listen to your husband, I wait patiently, to receive these emails to hear all about your good work and to be updated. What a start! Love to Elena & Rob. My prayers are with you all.

  33. What great news to hear of the safe arrival of all team members and materials to Carpenter! Another answer to prayer! We were thinking of you all and praying for you in our Sunday morning service yesterday. We are truly excited for what God is doing through our beloved team and our precious Ghanaian brothers and sisters. From all of us at UBC to all of you, God’s richest blessing of wisdom, strength, compassion and joy for all that you will face in the coming days! We have delightful memories of so many of you. Can’t wait to hear more of what God is doing through you! We are so grateful for our partnership with you! Regards to all, and especially to our dear brother and sister, David and Brenda Mensah.

    As the prophet David prayed before the congregation of Israel, so we pray and give thanks for you:
    1 Chronicles 29:10-13 (NIV)
    10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
    “Praise be to you, Lord,
    the God of our father Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.
    11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
    and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
    for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
    Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
    you are exalted as head over all.
    12 Wealth and honor come from you;
    you are the ruler of all things.
    In your hands are strength and power
    to exalt and give strength to all.
    13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
    and praise your glorious name.

    The grace of the Lord be with you all!

  34. Jenn – what a delightful way to start the morning, hearing that your team arrived safely and is all set up to serve. I loved Kim’s hints for the need for A/C (Hi Kim!) . I’m joining everyone here in praying for you daily. It is so exciting to think about all the lives that will be changed because of this mission.

  35. Always love to start my day by reading your blog of the GHT adventures. Hard to believe 10 yrs of service to people of Northern Ghana has passed! My best wishes to all of the GHT! Wish I was there with you, again.
    Betsy Convery

  36. So wonderful to hear of the safe arrival of all of you in Carpenter. Loving the unpredictable things handed to you in West Africa is part of the joy of being part of such an amazing team and mission. Love Africa!!
    I’m so jealous!!
    We will think daily of each of you on the team and send energy , love and resilience your way!
    Love Dr John and family

  37. Thanks for the thorough updates! Sounds like things are going well and it’s HOT too! Good to hear that everyone is healthy and safe and your amazing work has begun! I’m with Steph. Keep the updates coming as time allows!

  38. Yes, Jennifer, it’s fabulous reading this very entertaining account of this amazing experience. Loving being able to follow along.. I cannot believe this is only one day.
    Hi to Barb and Dan xx

  39. I agree – Jennifer keep writing like this.’
    Hi to my sister Martha B.
    Jennifer

  40. Blessings on all of you for the love you show and the good work you do

  41. Praise be to God for the many hands doing tremendous work. Your team are in my prayers. The work you are doing is touching the lives of many. Your service to others us an example of what we should all strive for. The compassion, endurance, fortitude, patience is a blessing to those being touched by all your work. God is Good. He is shining through each and every one of you. Prayers to those being helped by your many gifts of helping/healing. And prayers to all of you!!!

  42. Thank you, Jennifer! Starting my morning reading your update. Already teary-eyed, at the thought of how God will use each your team these next two weeks. So amazing how God has brought each person there with a purpose. Praying for you all, for wisdom, strength, joy, health, and safety! love from Uxbridge!

  43. Jennifer, don’t listen to your husband and keep writing those books/blogs. It’s the only contact we have with our daughter and it is absolutely awesome to get details of the work that you are all doing there (with some interesting side bar stories). If this was only a day’s worth of activity the “fortnight” to come, it will make a very interesting novel to behold.