Blessings in Bosomtwe & Beyond

Growth in Ghana

Today as I write I am blessed by growth on multiple fronts.

One. The construction is moving forward rapidly.   During this week the walls are being plastered in the Inpatient Care Centre, plumbing being installed, ceiling and roofing put in place and painting beginning.

Two. Video/singing/preaching have taken place and lives drawn closer to Jesus in Duase and Dompa this week, led by Michael Bentum (Ghana, the project manager), James Sarpong (Ghana), Louise Monroe (N. Ireland) and Rebecca Hillman (California, USA).

Three. Nicolas is healthy and growing (pictured below)

Four. Our family is growing spiritually as God gives new perspective and guidance through the help of our leadership.

Five. The clinic capacity is going to BOOM this weekend as a team from Charlie and Mary Kay Jackson lead a team from Dunwoody, Georgia, USA in a medical and construction outreach trip.  We expect 200-300 patients each day for the visiting doctors, nurses and pharmacists to attend to while the other team members will be laying ceramic tile in the new Inpatient Care Centre.  They are keeping a blog about their trip, click to read.

Speak Up, Defend the Rights

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

                       Proverbs 30:8-9 (NIV)

“But from above, in the eyes of God, sorrow and joy are never separated. Where there is pain, there is also healing. Where this is mourning, there is dancing. Where there is poverty, there is the Kingdom.”

by Henri Nouwen

A Smile from Nicolas

Nicolas is sending you greetings from Ghana today.  He is healthy and two months old! 

Last night he slept 7 1/2 hours!!!  So nice.

As we were in Accra for meetings all last week, he is very glad to be back in familiar surroundings back here at home in Amakom (in the quietness of the 'bush').

I'm reminded of Psalm 128:3,4

"Look at all those children, there they sit around your table as vigorous and healthy as young olive trees. That is the Lord's reward for those who fear him."

Invading the Impossible

  The doctor had been working for hours seeing patients after the long drive from Kumasi.  She remarked that this one child needed to be referred to a hospital because it was in need of a transfusion. Afrifa, the laboratory technician, heard this and quickly told her that 'no, we can do it here' - the doctor was totally shocked!  It was the first time that it's taken place here since we purchased the necessary supplies and tests from a donation by a church in Alabama. Wow, how great it is when we can be there to provide the needed care, love, and support for a child in need.

A little later on in the day, I had been checking out the constructions progress of the Inpatient Care Centre (workers pictured) that is underway and as I was approaching the road on the way back to the office I saw surveyors with their tripod and scope set up right in front of the Outpatient Building!  After greeting them and welcoming them here I asked what they were doing...working on improving the road. Without much further inquiry they said it would be gravelled and tarred with a deep roadbed, widened, and done properly - a contractor has been selected.  Later I 'googled' and found this article from a Ghanaian Parliament floor discussion on the improvement of our road. It's slated for 1st quarter of next year!  WOW!

Upon returning to the office I had a meeting with Sammy Adu, the administrative accountant, who let me know that with the expansion of the laboratory the status of the facility must be upgraded in order for us to be reimbursed by the National Health Insurace Scheme. We are able to be an accredited institution due to our membership in the Christian Health Association of Ghana.

Later this month we will be receiving a QBC Autoread Plus, QBC Centrifuge and Workstation, along with the Paralens system for malaria and blood parasite detection (some funds were received for this, more $1000 is needed if you would help, email Andrew). In addition, with the building of the Inpatient Care Centre (sponsored completely by churches and individuals in Northern Ireland), our status will need to be upgraded since we will have an Operating Suite (operating theatre, minor surgury/small procedures room, post-operation monitoring recovering room) in order for claims to the National Health Insurance Scheme to be paid.  The status required is 'hospital' - this is huge news!

On Tuesday, Juliana is to meet with the registrar of the Ghana Medical & Dental Council regarding her medical license - we are expecting a breakthrough! 

Many days lately we have seen victory in situations and as we approach these new things this next week, we go confidently trusting Jesus.  He is our strength and joy.