After just a few short hours of sleep we boarded the coach buses and enjoyed a smooth and beautiful journey to the North. Just after 11:00am local time we paused together under a mango tree for a Remembrance Day reading by Dr. Josh and a moment of silence.
Our journey lasted nine hours. As we pulled into the gates of the NEA compound, the driver laid on his horn for a solid three minutes to announce our arrival. We think this is how we might begin to announce our arrival home in the future! All of the NEA staff and their families greeted us in a receiving line that seems to get longer and longer every year. It was a sweet reunion. After a song and prayer of thanksgiving to God for our safe arrival, Abraham thanked us for our commitment to this program. He believes the motivation for people who take risks and make sacrifices of this magnitude is simply because of love.
Over the next two hours I witnessed the epitome of teamwork and cooperation as a medical clinic, nursing station, fully stocked pharmacy, eye clinic, dental clinic as well a surgical theatres and a recovery room popped out of nowhere. Everyone pitched in, even the children.
Our traditional spaghetti dinner, enjoyed by all in the dining hall, was prepared by Patience, who looked stunning in her white uniform and cap. It is also a tradition during our first dinner together that Dr. Carlye, who is our team doctor, gives us strict instructions regarding the two most common team health issues in Ghana: diarrhea or constipation. Funny how none of us mind this type of conversation over supper.
The work continued throughout the evening until eyelids literally started to drop. A well deserved night’s sleep awaits us all under our mosquito nets. As I drift off to sleep I’m thinking of so many special moments that I noticed today. I’ll leave you with a few….
I noticed Val caring for a little boy with a cut on his leg who somehow found his way in to the unpacking area.
In the midst of setting up the surgical theatres, I noticed Dr. Dan and Dr. Simon tucked away in a consulting room already examining tomorrow’s surgical patients.
I noticed Ashley and Emilia skipping across the field late at night to the theatre making sure the sterilizer wasn’t blowing the place up.
I noticed team members sitting in a large circle helping pharmacy prepare 5000 doses of deworming medication.
I noticed the massive task that our pharmacists Linda, Sherry, Martha, Alexa, Lisa and Kirlis have to set up an entire pharmacy in a few short hours. They would have pulled an all-nighter if we had let them.
I noticed Sandra coaching our first time nurse Toni-Ann on our triage system while Joan was coaching Alisha Anna and Anne on how to use the rapid HIV and malaria tests.
I noticed Greg, our paramedic, sitting on the floor with our trauma bag contents sprawled out just to be sure he was prepared for any emergency.
And finally, just as the sun was setting, I noticed our eye team had recruited a long line of children who were, with such pride and such ease, transporting all the boxes of eyeglasses to the clinic on their little heads.
It is time for our work to begin. Tomorrow as we have the honour of providing care to all the NEA development staff and their extended families, while operations will begin in the surgical theatres.
All because of love, indeed.
This post is one in a series of Ghana Health Team 2018 Updates. You can subscribe to receive these updates by email.
Sue Cornforth says
A big shoutout to our “Sista” Sue for all that you do. Glad to hear you and your team arrived safe and sound and are set to help and change the lives of so many with your courageous journey.
Can’t wait to read all the upcoming blogs and your realm of stories upon your return.
Love & hugs
“Sista Sue”
PS – Hubby Mac sends his love and support. He tried to get into the blog from his home computer but couldn’t get connected.
Pauline Pankewich says
You are such an amazing group. May God watch over you as you spread his love amongst the people in Ghana and bring healing
Blessings to everyone including the patients
Naomi Atkinson says
Glad to hear you made it safely Sending hugs to Dad(Dr. Simon) and Dan
Xxx
Edythe and Nancy S.V. says
What an amazingly wonderful,dedicated, caring group you are!!!
Our Thanks, Love and Prayers are sent, not only as to a Team , but to each of you individually. The Blogs are great and have been very informative.(Thanks). We (Nancy and I only know one of you personally- -so”-Hello Martha”– you are truly missed here but we know that you are being such a blessing to so many over there. We pray that God will bless , guide and protect you and the entire Team throughout the nights and as you begin each new day serving Him , as you so faithfully are serving others.
Love Edythe and Nancy
Sandra Stark says
Great blog. Love the posts. Thank you Jenn. Hi Carlye. Hi Greg. I saw you in the circle creating worm kits – or was that deworming kits :). Such great news to read. Have a great time. Your work inspires love in us. I get kinder with every post I read :). Sandra
Faith Atkinson says
Glad it’s all going well!! Keep up the good work. Good luck with everything and will keep updated with the blog. Looking good Dad- say Hi to Dan too!
Love Atkinson’s/Moretons 🙂 xxx
Erika says
Thank you so much for the updates! The selflessness and kindness you all possess and are showing is so admirable. My brother is Dr. Joshua and I am not surprised that he was the one to do the Remembrance Day reading; we have all grown up to honour those who fought for our freedom. I am so proud of the work Joshua and all of you are doing to help others. Thank you for the work you do both at home and abroad!
Stacy Wilson says
So exciting! Thanks for the updates. We are praying for the team and for the lives that will be forever changed.
Rebecca says
We are so proud of all of you and are praying daily!!! Love to Jenn, Jess, Emilia and the whole team! Love from the Fergs
Liz jones says
So humbling reading your blogs following the progress of all u volunteers in Ghana. Thank u 4 taking the time 2 keep us at home undated – so moving. Well done all of u we r so proud of u. Special love 2 our daughter Becky who makes us proud very day.
Nichola Blunt says
So pleased to be hearing of safe arrivals and great team work. Love to all, (special hugs to Eric and Mumma Sue!) hope she’s perfected her patient dischargee dance!! Looking forward to the next blog.
See you all next year! Love from Nichola xx
Karen Rennie says
Grateful you had safe passage. Praying tonight at St Paul’s Leaskdale for you all as you launch another marathon of love.
Jane May says
Fabulous. My sister, Anna is on her first trek to Ghana. So proud of her. Love to read the blog to keep in touch. Way to go to the team.
Jane
Torey says
I can’t say I’m surprised Josh was the one to lead the Remembrance Day moment of silence and reading. So proud of you, my brother! Last year at this time looked so different, but now here you are – doing the thing your most passionate about and helping thousands while you’re doing it.
Can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
The Cunningham Family says
So pleased to hear you have all arrived safely & are set up & ready! Great to hear that the eye team had some little helpers! Sending lots of love & good wishes from Northampton!
Sam, Zach & Grace xx
Rick & Ingrid Otter says
Not surprised how the eye team recruited the kids!! Dan & Barb seem to have that effect! Glad to hear everyone and everything arrived safely, minus the one personal bag, hope it arrives soon.. Take care and wishing everyone the best and hopefully not too much diarrhea or constipation!!!!! Looking forward to your continued posts, you are so good at it!
Heather Smith says
Happy to hear you have arrived safely and in good time I think. It is no surprise to me that Josh gave words of remembrance; when at UWaterloo, he petitioned to have classes break so students could attend local Remembrance Day ceremonies. In NB, schools (including universities) are closed in Remembrance Day. I love reading the blog; Dr. Jennifer you have a way with words. Godspeed in your important work ahead.
Josh’s mom
Tiara Folkes says
Happy you all safely made it to Carpenter. Greatful for blog updates. It warmed my heart to read that Dr. Smith did a Remembrance Day reading.
Be safe.
T.
Tiina Beaudoin says
Dear GHT –
Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) wrote:
“Christ’s Body”
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours;
yours are the only hands with which he can do his work,
yours are the only feet with which he can go about the world,
yours are the only eyes through which his compassion can shine forth on a troubled world.
Christ has no body on earth now but yours.”
God bless you every one!
Tracey Rosenfeld says
Such Wonderful Work, because of Love. Thank you for sharing Jenn. So inspired by what you are all doing. So happy you arrived safe. I am sharing with my neighbors in Wisconsin. I love all the things you noticed throughout your time so far. LOVE you Jenn, Congratulations to this amazing Team. Tracey Rosenfeld
Hicks family says
Thinking of you all as you finish your first day and hope all is ‘awesome’
Wishing you strength and good health for the next 2 weeks. Will miss you here but know that you are doing such needed work there …
Love from rainy Northampton
Jo Charlie Elsa x
Kathy Downes says
So grateful for these blog updates. I admire your work. May you stay healthy and safe in your journey.
Margaret Callcott says
Very inspiring. We are thinking of you Val and all your team.
Love .margaret & Bob
Brian Feddery says
Happy to hear you all arrived safe and sound in Carpenter. Hugs to my wonderful wife, Leslie. Impossible to say how proud of you I am.
James Jensen says
I love getting these updates. Glad you all arrived safely. Way to go Carlye & Greg, congrats on being awesome, sending love from all of us. 🙂
Austin says
Despite the long travel and the flurry of activity that started when you arrived (and will no doubt continue), I know everyone back home appreciates you taking the time to update us all on the good work the team is doing.
Congrats on the progress so far, and all my best to the team.
Caitlin Skerratt says
It’s so great to hear that you all arrived safely! I can hear Ahraham’s voice and beautiful words so clearly. I wish you all a strong and smooth start – let the work begin! Please give my mom a big hug from me. Good luck!
Meagan Olson says
We are so thankful for your safe arrival and the wonderful warm welcome you received! the 3 minute horn was a nice touch ?
We will continue to pray for strength, endurance and all you do be done with great love.
We look forward to these inspiring daily updates.
Please give an extra big hug to Mama Joan from us.
With love and prayers The Olson crew
Anthony says
So good to know you (and all your gear) have arrived safely. Quite a journey. Hope all continues to go smoothly. Looking forward to following your progress over the next 2 weeks. Warm wishes from rather frosty Ontario and the Shearing family.
Karen Ingram says
This morning I eagerly read your blog while having my coffee. I am grateful that this amazing and talented team arrived safely ! I was quickly brought to tears but am not surprised regarding the dedication of this team setting up , getting ready to change lives .Know that we are so proud of all of you. Stay well . Be safe .
To my friend Leslie they are lucky to have you! Enjoy doing what you do best !
Hugs .Kare
Judith Gooding says
What a wonderful start!
I am looking forward to reading the blogs each day, and I pray God’s manifest blessing and Presence with the team as it ministers.
Wendy Higman says
Lovely to hear you have all arrived safe and sound and are cracking on with work already! Great photo of a very smiley Simon! Looking forward to reading all your updates over the next couple of weeks Jennifer. You make the experience come alive for those of us thinking of you all every day and wondering how you’re getting on. Lots of hard work to come for you all but never fear Dan has been practising hard to ensure you have a wonderful musical interlude at the end of the week! Love to everyone from all of the Higgies xxx
Elenor and Gary Paisley says
So thankful for your safe arrival in the North. Always such a challenging journey.
We eagerly anticipate each update and yes, tears come as we read the latest news.
Continuing in prayer for safety, health, energy, and wisdom as you jump in at the deep end, so to speak.
Martin and Caro-Claire Wiles says
So thankful to hear that you have arrived safely in Carpenter .
My eyes are brimming over just reading about all that has already taken place with the setting up and last minute preparations for the beginning of the clinics and surgeries.
Our prayers will continue to be with the team and all who come to you for treatments and also that everyone will stay healthy and be free from the “bugs” that could plague you.
Lots of love from the Wiles in Orilia xoxo
Sean Morrison says
I’m happy to hear that everyone arrived safely to Carpenter. Lucas and I are looking forward to keeping up with the Health Team’s busy days via blog.
Sean
Ellie Smith says
Sending a big hug to my mum, Jane! Not surprised she found the children instantly and had them working and helping with the optometrist parcels. She’s like a magnet to kids…
Ellie xx
BERNADETTE CORCORAN says
Happy you made if safe and love seeing the updates. Prayers to the team as you continue spreading your blessing to all.
JANE COX says
Mr Hicks you have made my daughters year by taking her along on this wonderful journey. Enjoy Katie Rivett
Mary Bristow says
Glad you arrived safely! So thankful Jenn for your informative updates and pictures–after long days when you are tired yourself! Your blog helps to reassure loved ones back home that indeed all is well. God bless you all as you carry out His plan!! Hugs and kisses to Megan from the children and all of us.
Margaret Hart says
Glad you are all there safe and sound. Looking forward to reading your updates Jenn. Sending prayers and strength for your busy days ahead.
Margaret
Trevor Smith says
Inspiring blog as ever, great interest at Christ Church for the ongoing blogs. Pleased you arrived safe and sound, you are all in our prayers.
Sounds like Jane has taken her “pied piper/baby whisperer” role from Canada to Ghana by getting the children to help with the spectacles.
Jennifer Harper says
Glad you made it safely!
Love to my sister Martha.
Jennifer
Graham Wilson says
We’re so thankful that you made it to Carpenter safely! Our prayers are for energy and strength (and no diarrhea) for you all.
Love to Jenn and Jess (and everyone) from the Wilson house
Phil Zeidler says
Wonderfully moving as always, tears of pride in the eyes after the first blog, not sure I’m going to cope, I thought it would be easier second time around!!!!
With Love Indeed to you all, and go and change peoples lives for better for ever
from sunny Northampton
Kaitlin says
I live for these posts every morning =).
Wish I was with you guys! Sending love and prayers to all!