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History Will Mark This

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The young Ghanaian man in the Amsterdam airport listened as Dr. Sue and my daughter Jessica shared who we were and why we’re going to Ghana. He knew very well the challenges of the Northern Region of his country. He thanked us on behalf of all Ghanaians for crossing continents to help strangers and concluded by saying, “History will mark this.”

We are here. All sixty of us and all of our medications and supplies arrived safely (minus one personal bag which is en route from London). Our program and protocols and systems are ready to go, and I noticed some of our leaders fine tuning these things even as we flew through the night. (I love my Type A friends who may have a touch of OCD.) Other than one small flight delay, our travel was seamless, and we are grateful for those who prayed for our safe arrival.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at a lovely hotel. Soon we will begin our journey northward. Our dear friends at NEA will be waiting to greet us under the mango trees and once our reunion with them is complete, we will begin the massive task of unpacking.

“History will mark this” was a thought-provoking comment for me, and I realized that perhaps the significance of this mission for the Ghanaian people has dimmed for me over this past year. How easy it is to forget what life would be like without access to a doctor or a dentist or medication. How can we even fathom that a surgical illness — even a simple hernia— could be a death sentence for many? What would a day be like for us without our contact lenses and glasses? I choke up when I remember that without health care, only two of my five kids would probably be alive and well today.

My BBC news app reminds me every day of the evil and destructive events that seem to be marking our current times. What a privilege for us to be part of an effort that is born out of kindness, love, compassion, and justice for our global neighbours. While we may never show up in any history books, I’m reminded that our annual visit to the Mo Land marks something very significant — the arrival of hope and healing for men, women and children who are just like you and me.

GHT 2018 UK Team Members
GHT 2018 Canadian Team Members

 

This post is one in a series of Ghana Health Team 2018 Updates. You can subscribe to receive these updates by email.

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Comments

  1. Hi,
    Wish I were there.
    Thinking of you and praying that all will go well.
    Greetings from Shepherd Village, Scarborough, Toronto.
    God bless,
    Dr. K.J. Kreuger.

  2. So proud to see my sister-in-law Jennifer going on her second trip back with this wonderful team. Your work is so important and thank you for your example of love ??. Safe travels and you all are in my prayers.

  3. We are praying for you all as you deliver this much-needed help to our folk in Carpenter. May the Lord protect and guide you all. Have fun as well.

  4. We are so inspired by the sacrifices that you are all making; taking the time out of your busy lives to help others who are less fortunate. Truly wonderful. Wishing you all great success yet again this year. Take good care of our dear friend Jane… we miss her already ??
    The Renzettis

  5. Love the photos and the updates. Jenn, I could pick you and your daughter out immediately ! Will follow along on your journey. Thank you for all that you do.
    Love Tracey

  6. Grateful for the teams safe travels.
    Wonderful to see your “gang” picture
    Excited to see and hear more of God’s presence with each of you.

  7. Our daughter was a member of the Canadian team last year (as a student). She has tremendous memories of the work that was done in Ghana. What I read from the post and what she added to them when she was back made a tremendous impact on our family. So I figured I would follow this year’s team, their exploits and the work they would be embarking on.

    With all the division and hate we read about on a daily basis, it is great to be reminded that the human spirit of helping and caring is truly alive and well.

    I wish you all safe travels and god speed.

  8. Thank god 4 people like u volunteers – so proud of u all but especially our much loved daughter Becky. Have an amazing time. Keep safe. Much love 2 u all. The blog is great – thank u.

  9. It doesn’t seem a year since I followed your endeavours in 2017. Following you on here, your time there seemed to pass so quickly but what you achieved was phenomenal! It was something that has a profound effect on Ashley Gayton and his telling of your determination, devotion and sheer hard work, on his return, was amazing.
    I’m glad your traveling is over but now the journey begins! I wish you all a successful time there and achieve your targets. You all are a bright light shining in what can be perceived as a rather dark world. Be well and safe and Ashley we send our love.
    Ashley’s Dad

  10. My thoughts and prayers are with every single one of you.
    Remembering and reminiscing about my time with the 2015 team: knowing the good work you are doing brings me joy and overcomes my sadness that I couldn’t join you this year.
    All the best. Angie

  11. Hello all. Great reading. Very inspiring. Gets us all thinking about our lives and our values. Useful focus for sure. Much more useful than the usual news. Just know you are creating healing on many fronts, not just in Ghana. Lots of love to all.

  12. Glad everyone arrived safe,I hope the last leg of your travels went well.

    Have an amazing time and know the work everyone’s doing there is incredible

    Please let Toni-ann know we are all very proud of her and miss her already. Big hugs from Karlie. Can’t wait to hear all about this trip.

  13. I am so grateful to know that your team has arrived safely. Glad to see my friend Leslie’s smiling face front and center?The work that all of you are doing is so selfless and important I am so proud of the work you are doing !

  14. Good luck to you all. Especially Alisha, so proud of you for joining this team.

    Maryanne

  15. What awesome looking teams from Canada and the U.K. I get goosebumps reading the blog and what you are all going to accomplish soon. Leslie you are looking good and ready to spread joy. Glad you have all arrived safely. I won’t complain about about a few snow flurries. Take care

  16. Glad you have all arrived safely! Looking forward to reading about the wonderful work you are doing! Hugs to our Afia!

  17. We’re grateful to God for your safe arrival & will continue to pray for you as the work begins.
    May He give each of you the wisdom, physical strength & good health you need for your time in Ghana.

    Murray & Karin Stovell

  18. Praise the Lord for safety as you traveled and for your safe arrival.
    Our prayers will continue to be with the team as you begin this years’ medical and surgical procedures for those who have been waiting anxiously for you and for good health everyone.
    Much love
    Martin and Caro-Claire Wiles in Orillia

  19. Elsa and I attended her Remembrance Service at school today and whilst (jenn!) singing the words of the following hymn I though how apt this was for GHT 2018.
    For the healing of the nations
    Lord,we pray for one accord,
    for a just and equal sharing
    of the things that earth affords
    To a life of love in action
    help us rise and pledge our word….

    -Just and equal sharing was the sentence that made me think of your amazing work you are about to undertake to try and address the imbalance in our world in a small corner of Africa.
    ‘Love in action’ indeed !!
    prayers and love to all
    welcome to the newbies
    Jo Charlie Elsa and Ted xxxx

  21. What a humbling and noble experience for you all. This is what I want to read about in my news app, not the latest episode of inhumanity but the continuing unassuming humanitarian efforts that go unnoticed every day. You make a difference.

  22. Glad you have arrived safe and sound. Great work you are doing to help the lovely people of ghana. Mr Dan Higman and Rebbeca Jones. Best wishes to you both. From Maria Assefuah .x

  23. You represent the very best of Britain and Northampton and makes us all very proud, with the wonderful, work, support and relief that you bring to the sick and needy of Ghana. Have a safe journey and we look forward to reading and then hearing about your experiences when you get home.
    Love and best wishes, Andrew and Susanne Langley

  24. Good luck to you all and safe travels, really proud of you especially Sara who I am lucky enough to call my friend xxx Love Tans xxxx

  25. Hello!
    Thank you for the blog.

    It helps us at home to know you are safe.

    Great work you are doing.

    Love to my sister Martha.

    Come back soon.

    Love Jennifer & Christopher

  26. Praise the Lord for safe arrival. May God continue to keep you in good health as you serve the many that will arrive at your clinics. Thank you for the time you take to keep us informed.