Sunday morning came quickly and our team was on the road just after 6:00 am for the long journey to Carpenter. We are so grateful that our travels were smooth and we had no unexpected surprises. We are also very grateful that Graham’s role-call system worked perfectly and no one was left behind at a rest stop. Phew! Ten hours later, we pulled onto the absolutely stunning grounds of the NEA compound.
The NEA staff created a massive receiving line to greet each of us as we came off the bus. The kids were not supposed to be there but somehow they made a case to Dr. Mensah that they should be part of the ceremony! It must have taken a good thirty minutes for us to make our way through the line greeting one another. There were hugs, tears, songs of thanks to God and welcome speeches by Abraham and Dr. Mensah who was bubbling over with excitement.
While fourteen of our team members’ feet touched Carpenter soil for the first time today (of course we singled them out in front of this big crowd), the rest of us on this team have collectively been to Carpenter 189 times since 2007. So you can see why this place feels like our African home. We are just so comfortable here. The NEA staff are like family. We have watched the kids grow up, and we know all the nooks and crannies of this compound like it was our home. We sleep in our same beds year after year, and some of us even leave things in our closets! The familiarity of it all is very sweet and meaningful.
After our traditional spaghetti supper, it was time to dry our tears and get to work. To me, it was a miracle to watch an exhausted group of teammates work together so cheerfully, enthusiastically and efficiently to unpack 200 hockey bags and boxes. Within a few hours, a medical clinic, nursing station, pharmacy, dental office, eye clinic, laser clinic and a surgical centre were taking shape. It was a sight to behold.
We are giddy with excitement about what is planned for tomorrow morning, but you will have to wait for the next update to hear what happens.
To our families and friends, please be assured we are safe and sound, well cared for and ready as ever to begin the work that has brought us back to our African home.
Dr. Jennifer Wilson, MD, CCFP(EM), FCFP, DIMPH
Tammy Smith says
This is wonderful – using your gifts to help others!! It warms my heart?? Sending loving wishes and huge bear hugs to our nephew Josh Smith who we very much!!??
Jodi-Ann Stewart says
Hey Toni!!
I’m happy you all arrived safetly! The work you and your team are doing is absolutely amazing! You look very intense while you are creating deworming prep, I need that motivation for school ?. By the way, I’m loving the team spirit shown through all these Ghana gear t-shirts, you all look great, where can I get one? I can’t wait to see more photos too!
Also. Toni, if you are feeling a bit home sick – it is snowing in Ontario right now, so one you’re already winning! And two, I’m listening to ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey for you. Listen to that and it will be like you’re home! Expect, you know without the cold.
Love yooou ?
Susan Phillips says
Oh so wonderful to see at last that you’ve landed safely and up and running.Thankyou Jenn for your blog.Love the pics esp all those beautiful shining faces and the hospital walls started.You are the most generous,devoted ,hardworking joy filled medical team ever .
My thoughts and prayers are with you constantly and miss each and every member.Know that you are loved from afar.
Many many blessings Sue and Mac Phillips
Penny says
I love to get these daily updates and to see the exceptional work everyone is doing. Martha, we miss our ‘Guardian Angel’ but we are managing, and delight in knowing what great work you are doing. Our prayers and blessings go to everyone, the whole of Shepherd Village are so proud of you all.
Dawn Crawford says
Great to see all the photos & to be able to keep up with your excellent work, good luck to you all especially Northampton’s best! we are all thinking of you all & sending love xx
Ted Hicks says
Great pictures bringing back great memories; good to see everything/everyone has made it in one piece! Best of luck to everyone over the next couple of weeks, especially Robbie, Jo, Elsa and the UK crew. If it was not for this small thing called a degree I foolishly signed myself up for I would love to be there too; however, one unqualified Hicks child per trip probably fills up the quota.
Sending all the best from Cambridge – Elsa if you could pick me up a bucket hat while you’re there that would be fantastic xx.
Ps: The house has burnt down, I lost a leg playing rugby and I crashed the car, but otherwise nothing to report.
Janice Austin says
so thrilled to see these pictures after such a long day.We pray all continues to go well and will trace your progress with great interest reporting verbally to our local Justice and Peace charities
Lindsay Cressey says
Hi Dr David (Cressey) and all the team , it is fantastic to see the photos of the new build . You look very pleased with the back up oxygen supply ! You are all doing such an amazing job . Sending you lots of love from Lindsay , Ben, Cc, Tucker and Millie xxx
Amanda Hawkins says
So glad you all arrived safely!
You are all an amazing bunch of people and what you are all doing is inspirational.
Love receiving the updates to see the pictures of how the clinics have come together is fantastic. Well done
Someone give my son Dan a big hug for me please ?
Love you son x
Katie rivett says
Hello my Lovelies!!!
I’m Literally finding myself waiting for this email daily.
Thinking about you all so much! Every hour of the day I’m like ‘oh they’ll be doing that now’ like clockwork! Sure I’m doing everyone’s head in at home haha.
I wish I was there with you but I’m watching from afar enjoying every second of your journey with you.
Proud of you all.
Bex can you go and say hello to the ostriches and emus for me please!
Noodles (he knows who he is), I miss you at work & I hope mr Rob is looking after you. Me and Ashley provided Neil the dentist with an exceptional sterilisation service last year, including love letters so I hope you’re keeping up tradition.
I could go on, but I’ve got two weeks of this so I’ll save some for next time!
Love always, Katie uk xxxx
Olivia Wilson says
Everyone looks great!! Hopefully dad and Josh aren’t ruining our family’s reputation over there. Much love!
Erika Smith says
I am so incredibly proud of the work you all do to help so many people. I followed your journey last year as my brother Joshua Smith, was/is one of the optometrists on the mission. It is so incredibly humbling to see how hard you all work for such an amazing cause. I couldn’t be prouder of my brother and his kind and loving heart. Thank you for all that you do! I am thinking of you all during your next few weeks and I am sending healing vibes your way. I was also so glad to see a picture of my brother’s smiling face in today’s blog! Keep up the passionate work you do and know that I am cheering you all on from Canada.
Martin and Caro-Claire Wiles says
So excited to see all the work going on for getting everything set up in preparation for all the work ahead. The enthusiasm and team spirit is what will keep you all fired up . God is with you and may you feel His strength from day to day.
Much love from the Wiles in Orillia.
Karin Stovell says
We’re grateful for your safe arrival & will continue to pray for you as you begin your mission. Wonderful to see the pictures & familiar faces.
May God bless you & watch over you all as you bring health & healing to our brothers & sisters in Ghana.
Greetings to David & Brenda
Murray & Karin Stovell
Doneath Stewart-Forrest says
Happy you all arrived safely and God watched over your steps. Blessed are the hands that does His work. You are all in my prayers.
Toni, you are very focused on performing deworming prep….for 5000…Wow! I can only imagine the gratitude in the eyes of the people in Carpenter. Keep up the good work my daughter. XOXOXO
Sandra says
Hi Carlye. Not sure if you received message from Aiden and I? I don’t see them. We had a wonderful weekend. Boys were fantastic. So good with their younger cousins. Lots of snow today. Beautiful sparkly night. Just shovelled driveway. Think snow when you get hot. We love you.
Margaret Weir says
You are all such a blessing to this community, and your shining example is an encouragement to those of us back home.
Julie French says
Live, love, live the updates and pictures! Such a powerful statement you are all making! Living through you all vicariously! Someone give Leslie Feddery a big hug for me! Praying for all of you!
Wendy Higman says
So lovely to see all your smiley faces! Great to know that you have arrived safely. You are such a wonderful bunch of competent, caring practitioners and I know you will achieve so much over the next two weeks. Missing you already Dan!! Sending love and hugs to you all from the Higgies xxxx
Lizzie Lake says
I am curious about the doctor in blue shirt with the 2019 Physicians team. Could it be George Arnold? looking so much like his dad? I am also curious about the surprise.
Torey Smith says
So exciting seeing all the photos! I am Josh Smith’s youngest sister – I can’t tell you how proud I am. You’ve selflessly donated your time and experience to make a difference, just like mom said. It certainly runs in our blood! I know we have big shoes to fill but I admire you for your example!!
Simon Hale says
What an amazing bunch of beautiful people you all are. Quite how you managed to get set up after the journey from your respective homes to the airport, the subsequent flight to Ghana and then the 12+ hour bus journey to Carpenter is beyond me!!! And it looks like some serious graft too! Very impressive.
Very relieved to hear that you all made it there with no dramas and looking forward to reading about all the amazing work you are about to undertake (again)…
Big love and good luck to you all. And to Rebecca Jones, I’ve been thinking about you all day and I miss you much. Love you xxxxxx