I know there are many wonderful definitions of teamwork, but what we witnessed on the NEA compound today redefines the word for many of us.
We knew it was going to be a big day and we were ready.
After breakfast, we gathered for a team photo under the surgical tree, and with fist pumps and well-wishes we were seeing patients and operating by 7:30 am. Each person on our team and on the NEA team did everything imaginable to support one another in caring for as many patients as possible. The kitchen staff even kept a 60-cup coffee percolator going all day in case anyone needed a pick- me-up. (I noticed Dr. Carlye and Dr. Charlie had four mugs on their desks by the end of the day.)
Those of us who have been to Ghana before noticed a marked improvement in the health of the population that today’s clinic served. Health is improving in this area around Carpenter thanks to NEA’s sustainable development, and it was noticeable to us. What stood out to me more than anything was that almost all the women were carrying purses today. It sounds like a strange thing to notice but in the past, I have rarely seen women carrying purses, as usually they use their skirt or a little black plastic bag to carry their belongings. Today, I saw purses. We did still see many diseases of poverty, such as elephantiasis, dysentery from drinking dirty river water, HIV, skin ulcers, and one case of severe malnutrition but overall, the health of this area is improving significantly.
Every team saw a record number of patients today, and by the time we gathered in the dining hall for dinner at 7:00 pm Kim informed us that over 1000 patients received care today. Our surgical team smashed their target of 300 procedures. Despite all teams reaching unexpectedly high levels of productivity on this mission, our medications, anaesthetics, supplies and eyeglasses did not run out. I am reminded of the story in the Bible about the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes and in fact, some of us were specifically praying for this miracle to occur.
There are many wonderful stories to tell of the individuals that we had the honour of serving today but there are two stand-out moments for me.
Emmanuel is the 13-year old boy who is in charge of the Monopoly Board that I mentioned earlier in the week. Today he found his way through the crowds to my chair and informed me that he was having trouble seeing the blackboard at school. Off to the eye clinic with a VIP wrist band he went, returning an hour later with a trendy pair of donated eyeglasses. These glasses will impact his ability to receive his education. (And to excel at Monopoly.)
The second memorable moment for me was when a young woman we had looked after on our first mission in 2007 came with a special thank you. It is a long story of how she was helped, but now, eleven years later, she returned as a successful businesswoman and wanted to thank our teams past and present.
At dinner tonight, Abraham expressed his opinion that the success of this mission is due to the fact that we are all brothers and sisters now. It is so true that the unity and friendship between our Ghanaian team and expat team has elevated our teamwork to a very high level and this unity allowed us to accomplish what seemed impossible. With God’s help, along with the support of so many friends and family and colleagues in our home countries, we have accomplished the objectives that NEA has given us and in doing so, we have gained much more than we have given.
Tomorrow we will gather at 7:30 am with all of the NEA staff for a final devotional time in the great gazebo. After breakfast there will be few small surgical and laser procedures whilst the rest of us clean, inventory and pack away all the clinic supplies for 2019. Leftover medication will be divided up and distributed to the local health clinics. Gifts will be given and gifts will be received. And then we will party. An end of mission celebration is planned for tomorrow evening and I’m told that food preparation for this celebration has already begun.
It has been a great day and we are truly, truly thankful for every moment of it.
Jennifer Harper says
Safe trip back Ghana Health Team 2018!
Nice group picture!
Love to my sister Martha.
Jennifer
Robert Drury says
wonderful to relive our memories thru your stories
great team … as always
great work … without doubt
great to rest on the way home …… have a safe trip
with love
Rob and Elena Drury
Doneath Stewart says
Seeing 1000 patients in one day! It must have been a very long day! God bless everyone on the team for your hard and unselfish work. Reading about how that woman life had changed as a result of the teams help in past…is a testament that the work of the team must continue for years to come.
Toni-ann it was wonderful to see you. You smiling along with Val and the treatment team…I can see true joy in your eyes. So proud of you.
Love always
Mom
Peter Jensen says
Two weeks of amazing good news…almost impossible to find…especially in main stream media.
Thank you so very much and safe travels home.
Peter
Kylie says
What a tangible way to show God’s love and mercy. Each of you have made an everlasting impact on the people you serve (and serve with). It’s amazing to read about the individual skills, talents, and passions that brought you to Ghana, and how, like an orchestra of mercy, God leads you to serve together in harmony. Simply beautiful! God bless you as you prepare to head home.
Please let Kim know her 222 partners have missed her, and look forward to her return! Here are a couple of verses that stood out this week in our study, from Hebrews 6:10, 11.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.
Ruth Oppenheim says
What a wonderful job you have all done together with your Ghanaian colleagues and friends. The impact of your work not only in healing , but training the Ghanaians will resonate for generations.
Have a great party and safe travels home.
Special love to my dear sister Tookie ( Leslie)
Nicole Demers says
So proud of you all for the selfless, hard work and care you provided this week and over the years. We all know, or have witnessed the uniqueness and capabilities of this team, but hearing updates and proof in the form of better health is so rewarding. It warms my heart to think of the future for Ghana’s north, thanks to GRID and NEA. Congratulations to you all for making it to the end! I will be thinking of you for the (always eventful) travel home!
Maria Martin says
So very proud of you Bex love you and miss you xxxxMimi xxxx
Jackie Harden says
God bless you all for the wonderful work accomplished!
Sandra stark says
It’s been great sharing this experience through the blogs. My faith in humanity has been sorely tested of late. The impact of stories such as these is immeasurable. Very hard to keep the balance sometimes and every little bit of good news can mean the difference between hope and fear. Your efforts go a long way in balancing the fate of humanity. You evoke our highest qualities and for that I am very grateful. Sending you all of the love and optimism I feel whenever I read of your work.
Karin Stovell says
You have finished strong Team. We thank the Lord for so many answered prayers. What a wonderful blessing you are. Enjoy your time of celebrations!
May God bring you home surrounded by His protection. Enjoy your sleep on the plane.
You’ve all earned it.
Karin & Murray
Adere Sampson says
We are extremely and eternally grateful for all the sacrifices made by the team to be here to provide these essential services to our people.
Thanks to every member of the team and all those who made this possible.
Estelle Gamby says
Can’t believe the sheer number of patients you all see and procedures performed; just amazing, and the most uplifting stories you all have to tell.
Special ‘hi’ to Anne Embleton.
Heather Smith says
It is a bit cliche to say there is no ‘I’ in in the word ‘teamwork’ but in this case I think it is more than relevant. From your very first blog post it was clear that there is a deep and appreciative relationship between the Ghanaian and the expat teams which is key to past, few resent and future sustainability.
I will also miss reading these morning updates but know that it makes reading them next year something to look forward to. You are doing good work in concert with your Ghanaian friends and it is heartwarming that ‘my Josh’ was able to join you on the journey this year.
Godspead on your travels home tomorrow but enjoy your fellowship with friends tonight.
Heather
PS: I hope the Monopoly game is still intact and the Club members still friends when you arrive next year! Maybe there’ll be a good story to tell.
Karen Ingram says
You are all truly Angels making a difference in the lives of So So So Many !
In this crazy world I am grateful for all of you who have given so generously of your selves.
Great Job! Will miss these inspirational blogs
To all of you safe travel . Hugs to Leslie . I am so proud of you .
Martin and Caro-Claire Wiles says
After reading and getting ready to respond , I read the comments first and I am with Graham,
I wasn’t even halfway through and my eyes are brimming over !!
Each year you surpass what has been going on for these past years and just to hear about the health improvements is beyond all words.
I can feel the excitement as you anticipate the festivities that will be going on in the farewell party.
Loved the pictures each day as each one speaks it’s own story.
Thanks once again for your faithfulness in these daily reports and now our prayers will be with you all as you get ready for the trip home. God bless and big hugs from the Wiles in Orillia.
Tracey Barkey says
God is good! Thankful for all the answered prayers. Have a wonderful time celebrating tonight! The long journey home begins soon so safe travels to you all.
Tracey
Jo Dodds says
I have so loved reading your daily posts.. how inspiring they are! Wow well done to you all on your hard work and dedication to helping all these people! You should all be very proud and enjoy your celebrating and safe journey home to you all. Love and admiration Jo Dodds xx
Bob Harper says
Fabulous – can’t put emotion into words.
Darlene says
Good morning from Muskoka,
I will also admit I had tears almost every morning reading your blogs. Reading about the young boy making his way through the line to tell you about having a hard time seeing at school, that put a smile on my face with tears running down my checks.
You should all be very proud of yourselves, for how you changed so many lives in just a 2 week period. Thanks Sherry for telling Alisha about your adventures and now she can tell us about hers.
Safe travels
Judi and Randall says
What an incredible journey! 1000 people in one day! You are an amazing group of people! We too are going to miss the daily blogs but we are looking forward to hearing Dr. Kate’s stories when she gets home. Enjoy your celebration and safe travels to all.
Trevor Smith says
Record numbers treated and health levels rising, nothing like leaving on a high. Well done everyone, you are all inspirational God Bless and fae travels.
JANE COX says
i REITERATE THE ABOVE COMMENT.
i WANT TO SEND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MR HICKS FOR TAKING MY DAUGHTER ON THIS LIFE EXPERIENCE WITHOUT MR HICK’S SUPPORT KATIE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE LAST TWO WEEKS. WELL DONE TO ALL THE TEAM IN MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
XXX
Judy Lilly says
I am so heartened by GRID’s accomplishments in this time of such bad news every day. Your dedication is truly inspirational. I will miss your daily posts but will look forward to another mission next year. Very proud of my niece Sue as this was her 5th trip and I am sure there will be many more for her.
Meghan Simpson says
I’m am over the moon to learn that the overall health of the area is improving so notably. It is clear that so many long term goals are being met. I am also thrilled to hear that so many records were broken on this trip! 300 surgeries has been a target as long as Mary Poppins has been on the team and I can picture her doing some serious happy dancing. Way to go Mom and the rest of the surgical team and all of the other amazing volunteers! Everyone at home is so proud of you.
Rebecca Ferguson says
We are So proud of your work to finish strong! Enjoy the party and some rest on your travels home! Hugs to Jenn and Jess and Emilia from all the Fergs. And Bry says hi to his logistics team buddies!
Graham Wilson says
Ok, i’ll admit it, I cried! It is so amazing to see the effects of this mission over the years. I’m so proud to be conmected to this great team. Jenn and Jess, we can’t wait to get you home. Safe travel to all my Lovelies! (Maybe adding ‘my’ in makes it creepy?)
See you in two days.
Much love!
Graham
Phil says
As another extraordinary fortnight draws to a close, it is a beautifully fitting analogy you use of the family to paint these wonderfully vivid pictures of the relationships you have created. Your mission is evidently so much more than supplying much needed healthcare, the transference of skills, the care, love and attention shared, the gratitude shown and the enormous impact it has on all participants of the mission to see first hand what the art of the possible truly is is in essence a demonstration of the best of humanity. We are after all one world, one human race, separated by some arbitrary lines on a map (and the odd ocean!) that should mean nothing in the persuit of health and happiness.
Thank you so much for sharing all the wonderful stories, and have a fantastic party tonight!!!
Travel safely (with no flat tyres!) and special love to Dr Anne
Phil xxx
Suzy cawthorn says
And what a team, wonderful work you are all doing, so kind.
Tiara Folkes says
Reading about the woman returning as a businesswoman made my heart swell. It is those impact that help an entire family, and village; it will change the course of her life and others she comes into contact with.
Happy I could read about your journey. I will miss these post as they have become a staple of my morning.