As we approach the end of our fourth mission (my second) to Guinea, it is a time of giving thanks to God and to:

• 2,230 unique surgical patients who received 2,442 specialized surgeries – see graph
• 7,937 unique dental patients who received over 41,000 procedures
• 33 palliative care patients – adults and children
• 30 clubfoot patients – babies and children

and their caregivers, family and friends who have walked through the healing process with them.

For the surgical patients, 21% were children and 79% adults and 55% men and 45% women. As you see in the above graphic, only 66% of the surgical patients came from the port city – Conakry, the rest were from the interior or neighboring nations as we do seek out the forgotten and often they are in the interior. Together bringing hope and healing.

Yes I work with our planning, budgets, tracking expenses, travel, reports – narrative and statistics – though I don’t see a number but I remember the patients who have become my friends: Oumar, Drissa, Mamadou, Keita, Thierno, Abou, Hannah, Moses, Leno, Daouda, Alpha, Amara and many more during the past ten months. Some of them I am still in contact with as they have gone home (Messenger, WhatsApp, text) and with others that is not possible.

Later this month, I share an update on Medical Capacity Building and Mercy Ministries.

Prayer Requests:

• Health and safety for all of our crew traveling and safety and protection while in the shipyard while many important repairs and maintenance take place.
• Our preparations for the next field service in Senegal – customs, immigration, patient selection process and the selection of the right day crew to serve with us.

Keith