Thank you for your prayers and concern for our Screening which was on August 20th at a large venue here in Conakry. On the day, they estimated more than 6,000 people. I had the privilege to greet those who came inside the compound and getting them in the right lines to see the screening nurses or the Eye Team. I had the great joy of seeing some of my patient friends from 2013 in line also. I love being able to welcome them even if it was only briefly. For some, I will see them here on board in our hospital. Over 3,300 spoke to the screening nurses and 785 were selected to return for further evaluation and with the Eye Team over 2,300 people. Screenings continue in four interior cities – Mamou, Boke, Kankan, and Nzérékoré as this is a large country and travel time and travel costs may be prohibitive for poor patients. The Eye Team continue regular screenings in Conakry to identify the poor who are blinded by cataracts, adults and children.
Life has returned to the hospital on deck 3 and the tents on the dock. I enjoy my ninety-second walk from my cabin to the office through the hospital hallway. One of my former patients from 2013 returned for additional surgery. I had the privilege to visit him in the Maxillofacial D Ward. We also went together for the Sunday Service here in the hospital. He was known as the ‘Prime Minister’ in D Ward! He has been discharged and reunited with his wife and small children. I asked him about his experience now and in 2013 and he shared with me how pleased he was with the healthcare and the love expressed. I encouraged him to find others who may have similar problem and to bring them to the screening in Mamou next month – as he can share his personal story and experience and give them confidence and trust.
Photo Caption: Pre-Screening Day-I am in the yellow vest and white pants.
You may wonder how our former surgical patients are doing. Well, for some that I get know I am able to stay in contact with via text, Messenger, and WhatsApp. We do conduct some surgical evaluations where we invite some surgical patients back for an evaluation so that our healthcare professionals learn as they make so many of the critical decisions. Plus if the patient needs additional surgery, we can arrange that. Some of the plastic reconstructive patients came earlier and on Friday around 50 maxillofacial patients – I spent time with some of them on the dock – some even carried laminated photos from their time with us. Those here in Conakry, I hope to meet up with later.
Together on the Africa Mercy, we had the privilege of Dr. Chris Ampadu, a Ghanaian and a friend, coming and sharing with the crew and also with our day crew serving with us. He is known for his speaking on the subjects of ‘Hope for Africa’, Worldviews and Wholistic Development. A few items I captured from his presentations are: *Proverb for Development “…if you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go with others.” *Coram Deo: before the face of God – Faith, Reason, Science, Theology, Business, Ethics, Missions, Politics, Justice, Evangelism, Art/Music, Nature, Devotional Life, Community Service, Bread, Gospel. *Excellence is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. *No Ordinary Children – Every child has a name, a passion, a story, and a place in history. There are no ordinary children. He shared so much more and I bought his recent book on ‘Your Work, Your Vocation, Your Worship and Your Life’.
Photo Caption: Chris Ampadu sharing with us the senior leaders on board.
Prayer Requests: * Identifying the remaining surgical patients – may they receive their healing and hope in their lives. *Our interactions with the people of Guinea as we share life together – our lives, our actions, and our words are a witness *For those healthcare professionals we are mentoring to increase knowledge, skill and a compassionate and professional attitude.