KRB Update #2153 April 2, 2010
Keith R. Brinkman Mercy Ministries – Togo 2010

For us in Programs on the Africa Mercy, we have the activities of the Hospital, Off Ship Programs and Mercy Ministries. I would like to use this update and share with you some of the Mercy Ministry opportunities and partnerships we have for Togo 2010. Ines Kronester is our coordinator on board and she does a great job in assessment, oversight and leading several of the activities herself. Mercy Ministries provides off-ship ministry opportunities for crew working alongside existing ministries demonstrating hope and healing to those who can’t be reached and helped through our onboard services. They are available to all crew on a Sign-Up basis.

Some of the opportunities include:
** Missionaries of Charity in Kpalime – HIV/AIDS hospice for primarily female, but they have some men and children – visit one-on-one, crafts, Bible lessons, etc.
** Poupomniere – a place with approximately 50 abandoned, orphaned, half orphaned babies & toddlers – a time to love on some little ones and to play and sing.
** Ephata Deaf School – private school – 125 students during the week along with about 40 ‘boarders’ whose families live far away and thus the boys stay there. They use American Sign Language due to the visit of a US missionary many years ago.
** Avenir Enface – weekend center for about 50 HIV orphans – a time of singing/dancing, Biblical lesson, crafts and fun/play activities inside and outside. I joined the team at this site the Saturday before last and even though we were a bit limited due to language, it was a great time with some special kids.
** Maison Bethel Orphanage – cares for 35 children – we visit on Saturday mornings sharing a Biblical story, craft time and of course singing with all the hand and body motions.
** Brigade Mineur – youth detention center for boys 14-17 years old – limited to only activities inside as it is a detention center.
** Youth With A Mission (YWAM) – assistance with home work and music lessons with 35 community children plus a monthly activity on the last Sunday of the month. See photo — > I joined them this past Sunday for this activity – great time with them as we shared about Palm Sunday. We had palm leafs to wave as some of the children re-enacted the story of Jesus coming into Jerusalem and then we showed how to make the palm leaf into a cross.
** Campus Crusade – Jesus Film in French for adults and for children and also in Ewe – the language spoken by over 1 million Togolese people. Starting on Tuesday evening.
** Hospital CHU – visits to the 3 pediatric wards at the large government/university hospital – about 30 patients and caregivers in each ward. This is in partnership with YWAM and Assembly of God.
** IMPP Special Needs School – visits to a school with about 50 special needs children – children’s lessons, crafts, playing games, sports and having fun and loving on the children.Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support for this field service and throughout the year.

KRB Update #2152 March 20, 2010
Keith R. Brinkman Togo 2010 Field Service

For this year, we are here in Lomé, Togo from February 10th till August 16th. Togo was the first nation we came to in Africa back in 1990 (while I was serving at the International Office in Texas). Here are some of the projects that will be happening as we help to bring hope and healing to the Togolese people.
Mercy Vision (Reducing Blindness in Togo) Project Objectives: To train one cataract surgical fellow from Togo. To provide mentoring for five African and international surgeons in cataract removal and prepare them for service in a developing country. To provide 1,500 specialized surgeries to correct blindness due to cataracts. To provide 100 specialized surgeries to correct blindness due to pterygium. To provide about 30 eviscerations/enucleations for people needing palliative benefit. To evaluate and treat 12,000 patients for basic eye disease in community clinics.
Outlook of Hope (Providing Maxillofacial Surgeries and Surgeon Mentoring)
Project Objectives: To provide 375 specialized surgery for people affected by maxillofacial deformities (tumors, complications of injury, or infections). Of these, 100 will be cleft lip and/or palate procedures. To mentor two international surgeons in advances surgical techniques that are suitable for service in a developing country.
Reconstructing Hope (Providing Reconstructive Surgery and Surgeon Mentoring)
Project Objectives: To provide 85 specialized surgeries for patients affected by plastic reconstructive conditions, including burn scar contractures, chronic ulcers, benign and malignant tumors, combined fingers, and swollen limbs, etc. To mentor 2 international surgeons in plastic reconstructive surgery techniques.
Specialized Surgical Solutions (Providing General Medical Procedures) Project Objectives: To provide 170 specialized surgeries for people affected by general medical conditions such as hernias and goiters.
Hope Reborn: Togo (Fistula Prevalence Reduction and Surgeon Mentorship)
Project Objectives: To mentor 4 surgeons and their nurses in advanced surgical techniques to improve access to proper health care. To provide 60 surgical procedures during the surgeon mentorships. To provide whole-person, psycho/social/spiritual counseling and care to all women affected by VVF or RVF who are screened or receive surgery in this project.
The Orthopaedic Project (Providing Ponseti Training and Orthopaedic Surgeries)
Project Objectives: Train and mentor 10 West African medical personnel in the Ponseti casting technique. During this training, Mercy Ships anticipates performing 50 clubfoot corrections. Provide training to manufacture braces for feet and legs to maintain corrections. Provide 90 specialized procedures for children affected by orthopaedic conditions, including neglected trauma and childhood musculoskeletal conditions. Provide physical therapy on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
Togo Smiles (Providing Dental Care) Project Objectives: To provide dental care for approximately 5,700 people (about 10,300 procedures) affected by tooth decay, infections of the mouth, and small oral lesions. To provide clinical dental hygiene services to 600 people. To provide 550 dentures to patients requiring replacement. To provide access to basic oral health education to 5,700 clients in the dental clinics. To instruct and mentor 30 teachers to teach oral health in their classrooms.
Restoring Hope (Addressing Mental Illness, Epilepsy, and Trauma) Project Objectives: Train and mentor 30 health care workers from different health care facilities in Lomé. Train and mentor 60 medical professionals to improve utilization of basic diagnosis, treatment, and counseling skills. To train and mentor 60 church and community leaders in mental health awareness and counseling. Offer training and mentoring for 50 teachers and 50 social workers and 50 corrections officers and prison fellowship workers, and 50 military leaders in mental health/illness management and basic counseling skills. Offer a five-day children’s camp to improve the self-esteem of 50 children, and to increase church leaders’ ability to work with children.
Food for Life (Increasing Food Security & Providing Agricultural Mentoring) Project Objectives: Train and mentor 9 staff members from 3 different Togolese non-government organizations (NGO) in biblical agriculture concepts and natural (organic) farming methods. NGO trainees establish demonstration gardens: 1 garden per Togolese NGO.
Plus Palliative Care, the Hospitality Center, and the Church Leaders Conference in Lomé – those objectives have not been finalized/confirmed yet for this field service.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support for this field service and throughout the year.