Monday, July 23, 2012

What happened in Togo?

Do you ever wonder what happened before we arrived in Togo?  After all, we got there on the last day of surgeries and things were being packed up.  I snagged this from my friend Jodie's blog.  Read and be encouraged by the ministry of Mercy Ships.  

Legacy in Lome


When we depart from each country that we visit it is our prayer and desire that we have left behind a legacy, a legacy of hope, a legacy of healing and a legacy of God's love in action. Most of us will never know the sheer desperation and isolation that those in developing nations face when struck down by an illness, a birth defect or one that appears later in life. When the Africa Mercy sails into the ports of some of the poorest nations on earth we have a job to do, a God ordained legacy to leave behind.
Eye Surgeries (Mercy Vision)
*  794 Eye surgeries performed
* 1,718 UV blocking sunglasses, 1,160 reading glasses, 43 prescription glasses dispensed
Maxillo-Facial Surgeries (Outlook of Hope)
* 315 Max fax surgeries including 34 cleft lip and/or palate repairs


Plastic Reconstruction Surgeries (Reconstructing Hope)
* 72 Plastic surgeries
*509 Physio encounters
* 409 Occupational Therapy encounters


Specialised Surgical Solutions
* 219 General Surgeries (mainly hernia repairs on young males such as the man above)

VVF (Vesicovaginal Fistula) Surgeries (Hope Reborn)
* 49 VVF Surgeries
Above a VVF patient celebrates in her new dress and head dress given to all the VVF patients.

Togo Smiles (Dental)
* 9,688 Dental procedures performed for 4,649 patients
* Dentures for 454 patients
Photo above is the dental team celebrating their 3,000 patient in Togo 2012 field service.

Palliative Care
* 14 patients regularly visited

Plastics and Ortho Follow Up (Togo 2010 Patients)

Patient Life Program
* Available to our patients 24/7 providing counsel and comfort as well as taking care of the practical needs of the patients.

Capacity Building
* Workshops held so that highly skilled personnel can train many different groups of professionals on issues such as mental health and trauma.
* Children's Camp held for 30 local children.

Leadership Conferences
* Average of 892 leaders attended various conferences.

Food for Life Agricultural Training
* Training trainers in modules such as composting, mulching, soils, animal husbandry and nutrition.

Anaesthesia and Midwifery Conference
* 121 Health care professionals and 18 students attended a two day conference.

The Hope Centre (Hospital Outpatient Extension)
* 1035 people participated in community health education on subjects such as malaria, worms and immunisations.
Above a Hope Centre day worker teaches patients and caregivers about the affects of worms.

Day Worker Education
* 36 Hospital day workers received instruction in various health care matters
* 15 day workers received instruction in palliative care matters
* 1 day worker received instruction in sterilization

Mercy Ministries
* Hundreds of crew members were regularly involved with ten local partners. In addition, and in partnership with a group of local church leaders, the Jesus film was viewed by thousands in their local language. Hundreds expressed commitments to Christ and requested prayer.
Above crew members visit the Quatre Libre with YWAM.

Donations
* Mercy Ships was able to make dozens of donations to hospitals, clinics, WHO, other mission and aid organisations, churches, church leaders, schools and libraries. As well as corporate donations, hundreds of individuals crew members made donations of both cash and possessions to local individuals and organisations.

These numbers are obtained through the sacrifice of volunteer crew, prompted into action by the whisper of the Holy Spirit, from every corner of the globe, offering their skills and talents, funded by those at home to leave behind a legacy that will remain long after the Africa Mercy sails away.

Monday, July 16, 2012

On a personal note . . .

Matt started driver's ed classes today!  In two weeks, we're hoping he has his permit!  Watch out, world!

I went to a sleep clinic today to determine if my enlarged thyroid was causing me sleep problems.  In the end, I was working with two doctors who determined it wasn't.  Why am I telling you this?  Well, in my ONE hour appointment (which probably should have been only a half an hour), I was able to share Mercy Ships.  They came in asking me questions because one of the other doctor's I'd seen earlier this year, had put it in my medical records that we were serving on board this summer.  I'm not sure there's a call for sleep specialists on the ship, but how cool that they wanted to know more, they let me tell stories and they asked a lot of great questions!  To God be the glory!   

Check it out!

Something fun to watch!  My hero, Jay Swanson, who drove to the top of Mt. Teide and rescued me, put this together!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

The Anastasis

Named after the noble white ship that brought hope and healing to so many, our puppy, Anastasis, had surgery yesterday to remove a tumor that was starting to hamper her windpipe.  She looks bad, but she is recovering nicely!



Friday, July 6, 2012

Adjei Family . . .

We received word today from the Head Chaplain aboard the Africa Mercy that Gina Adjei passed away in Ghana this morning after courageously battling cancer.  We had her son, Daniel, in summer program last year.  Please pray for her husband, Lawrence, and their young children, Daniel and Esther.  Thank you.    

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Worship on the Bow . . .


If this works, you'll see the video Reka Goodson took of the crew singing "Jabulani" on the bow of the Africa Mercy.  If you look left, you'll see me unsuccessfully attempting to do what Reka successfully did!  Enjoy!