The sun was not out….neither should we have been, but indeed
we were. 5:30 am came too early, but we were loaded and ready to hit the road.
Off to Ada we went!
Ada is an island village. There is a school, church and many
homes there. Some of the residents never leave the island while others commute,
by boat, some days of the week.
Our team, plus a team of hospital staff, loaded two fishing
boats ready to go have clinic on the island. It took about 20-30 minutes to get
from dock to shore. There was a nice breeze blowing as we took in the scenery
and mentally prepared for our day ahead. Our boat time was complete with sing
alongs, of our new Ghanaian worship songs and, of course, “Row, Row, Row Your
Boat”. We soon arrived on shore where we unloaded and headed back to where our
clinic would be held.
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| The hospital team across the water from us. |
The island was beautiful. It was neat to get a glimpse of
the way people live there. Our clinic included eye exams, blood pressure
screenings, HIV testing, Malaria testing, breast exams, doctor visits, prayer
and pharmacy. All of us got to participate in different parts of the clinic.
The response from the people was incredible. We had to shut down sign in because
we were running out of time. We ended up staying about 3 hours longer than
planned, but it was evident that we were needed there.
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| Unloading at the island. |
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| Janice performing Malaria tests. |
For some of the ones who never leave the island this was the
only medical attention they have received since this time last year. It was
awesome to be involved with this experience.
Lina was in the prayer section for most of the day. Her
experience there told us all our purpose for today. She had the opportunity to
lead a woman to Christ. She did not speak English, but one of the Manna Mission
pastors translated for Lina and they lead her through the prayer together.
Lina’s experience was God’s reason for us all being there at the time that we
were. He knew what that woman’s spirit yearned for, but He needed an avenue to
fulfill her heart. That story will forever live in our memory, as will all of
the people blessed by our services on the island today.
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| The woman Lina had the opportunity of leading to Christ. |
It is amazing to see how God uses each person in a different
way. Through the counting of pills, the taking of blood pressures, breast
exams, prayer or even just a touch on the arm. God used our experience to touch
the lives of His people. An island secluded from everyday civilization is still
not secluded from God’s grace. God sees each one of us because He has a call on
our lives. Even the people residing in Ada can see that God cares for them.
I, as I am sure the rest of my team feels, will never forget
the experience of Ada. From travelling on bumpy roads, to loading up a fishing
boat, to ushering a woman to Christ – God used today to bless so many lives.
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| Leaving Ada - the children helped and escorted us out. |
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| The children of Ada waving goodbye as we left. |
Upon conclusion of the clinic we packed up and headed back
to the mission house – our home here in Ghana. We ate, rested and talked about
our day. After a couple of hours it was time for half of our team to do their
first presentation at the hospital.
It had been a long day, but they went to the hospital at 9
pm ready to teach the night staff about neonatal resuscitation, pediatric burns
and triage management. The teaching was successful and they had some good
pointers to enhance their next two teachings in the days to follow.
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| Chelsea and Caren teaching over neonatal resuscitation. |
The adventures of today will forever be engrained in the
memories of this team.
Kayli Koger
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