Sunday, March 25, 2007

All but the Lains have left Africa and are making our way back to Knoxville. Some are in London and some are in Rome. Tomorrow, we will all come back together in London and leave for Knoxville via Chicago. We all have many stories to tell and unforgettable experiences to process. All are ready to see their loved ones at home. We are scheduled to arrive in Knoxville at about 10:30 P.M.

5th Africa Blog

March 22, 2007 Thursday, Katie Smoak

Everyone is still very busy with their various projects.
Kym and Kaleigh have been putting up bulletin boards left and right. The teachers are so very appreciative and receptive to their work.
The clinic numbers continue to increase each day. There were over 400 people checked in this morning by the time the doctors began at 8:00 a.m. These people begin there day at day break. Needless to say Dr. Denton, Dr. Smoak, Dr. Phillips, & Dr. Gentry are very weary when they return to the house in the evenings. The numbers are so large today that Sandy is playing doctor.
Blake, Rachel, & Sully are working hard in the pharmacy. I think they will have malaria treatment down pat by the time they return state side.
Jordan and Hunter are “stuck” doing vitals once again. At least they will have learned some very good life skills; how take blood pressures, pulse, temperature, and weight. They have also learned a little triage. Ask Hunter about his “absolutely worst horrible ever in his life ever experience” when he comes home. I think his emotional health may be stunted.
Loretta is using her physical therapy here more than she ever imagined. She is working with a cerebral palsy child that lives in the village each day for an hour. And Dr. Gentry referred a stroke patient to her yesterday.
Ryan, David, & Joyce are so very busy in the eye clinic. Everyone wants eyeglasses or drops. The need here is so overwhelming at times.
Anna and Katie have established a reading program for the interns that are coming in early May. We used all the resources that the Village of Hope had on hand. This proved to be a challenge (it is hard to make copies and print out lesson plans when there is no electricity). However, Anna and I worked around the obstacles. I must say the most fulfilling part of our day was working with the children one on one in the afternoons. The children are so sweet and so very happy. Each child is so eager to learn.
Jean has worked and worked with Fostina and the other preschool teachers. She has been busy modeling teaching methods. Jean has worked tirelessly in the preschool.
Once again Daniel preached in the village of Fetteh. He also held a preachers conference this morning. Daniel has been a great spiritual influence for all that he has touched this week.
Mark, Sandy, & Joyce have organized the medical supply closet. You cannot imagine the job they tackled. All I can say is once where there was disorder there is order. You can actually go in and find what you need when you need it! It was a hot dirty thankless job but they did it!

Please pray for Anna; she had a little episode of dehydration this morning. She is much improved. Vaughn and Bradley; there is no cause for concern; I promise.

I must close and return to the trenches. The Ghana team does feel your prayers and could not be here without the support of our church family. We thank God for you each evening.

4th Africa Blog

Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Shawn GentryMedical BlogWednesday completed the 3rd day of our medical clinic. We have served about 750 patients from all age groups and many walks of life. Today was a challenge trying to serve almost 400 patients; with the last portion without lights, fans or electricity.The people are very grateful for the various forms of assistance (glasses, medicines, physical theragpy) but the team has received greater blessing bringing the loved of Christ to those who desperately need it.Blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Daniel's Africa Blog

Wednesday, March 21, 2007Dear Church,It is hard to describe what it is like to be awakened to the sounds of children singing about Jesus and heaven. In Ghana, that is my 5:30 am wake-up call and it is a wonderful way to start a day. There are three certainties about every day in Ghana: it will be hot, a football (mango) will be kicked, and an irresistible smile will engage your heart to let you know that God is real.About our team, the attitude and willingness to serve is off the charts. God is at work through them and it is an amazing thing to watch. I have enjoyed preaching and teaching children and adults, the highlight being the opportunity to preach in the village of Fetteh last evening. I begged them to stay and sing one more song as they were leaving their place of worship. What sounded normal to them, was one of the most extraordinary worship sounds my ears have ever heard. Having said all of that, I must admit, that I miss the sounds and smells of home. Three Krystals, an order of chili cheese fries and a 32 ounce diet coke with lots of ice would be good right now. What would be even better would be a hug from Melanie, Morgan, Seth, Jamie, Ulanna and Aaron. Since I can’t be there to hug them, I ask you to do it for me. I love you!Your Preacher,Daniel

3rd Africa Blog

March 20, 2007 Blake ChasteenAfrica. Today was an unbelievable day... Just like every other day since we have arrived. When I say unbelievable, I mean it in the truest sense of th word. Not just amazing or mind-blowing, but honestly, it was unbelievable.Not everyone understands my story. I was not coming on this trip. 100%. My passport had not come in time, and despite every attempt and effort I had made, I would not be attending a trip I had once been so excited about. A phone call on the day of departure was the determining factor and all of the sudden Africa became a serious possibility.When God so clearly and directly intervenes in your life, you begin to ask why. To me, that question was answered before we even left. As I quickly told my story to my friends and relatives, they all said the same thing back. "There is a reason you're going Blake. Be prepared because God is going to use you."Now while you're frantically throwing stuff into a backpack, this doesn't hold a lot of meaning. However, halfway into the flight to London, I began thinking. (right about when I finally started breathing again...)...Wow, I'm going to Africa...Right now! This is so UNBELIEVABLE... What does God want me to do? Everyone keeps saying it, but am I really ready?...Since arriving in Africa, nevertheless, I thought I must be mistaken. The first day I got to know the location, and the second two days I was trapped in the pharmacy. Halfway through the second day of handing out medicine, I wondered if this was really some great, amazing work, kinda disappointed. I began to see my week melting away in the African sun -- unfruitful and not amazing.That night the ice cream arrived for the children. They began to chow down and yet again, I was unattached to any of them because of my days spent in the pharmacy. Suddenly, through the smiles of those little orphans, I realized something different.God wanted me here for a reason. He wants us all here for a reason. But in my case, God did not have me here to solve Ghana's economic woes. Most of all, God wants me here to become set on fire for him. Rededicated. Re alive. While I know I am doing work for him. God knew exactly what I needed in my walk with him. Africa.So next time you pray or any of us pray, remember.God always has a reason...But sometimes it is more importantfor the giver to give, thanfor the gift to be received.Be faithful and pray for us to be blessed through this.in His service.Blake (and the team)PS Blake is Freshmen at Maryville College ~ I have so enjoyed getting to know him this trip! - Katie Smoak

2nd Africa Blog

So sorry the blogs are not going out in a timely fashion. The electricity keeps going out. Then once the electricity is back the server is down.Here is blog No. 2March 19, 2007 ~ Rachel DentonGreetings, friends in Farragut, Tennessee, & beyond.We've survived our first real day of work in the Village of Hope. Not surprisingly, it was another day of blistering heat and sun. We sweat ed our way through our various jobs, occasionally relieved by the breeze coming off of the ocean. Regardless of the breeze, though, the heat was stifling, inside and out.The clinic-goers arrived early in the morning, gathering in the shade of the tree in front of the clinic. They arrived via taxi, bicycle, and by foot. The doctors set to work, "healing the sick," as my dad likes to say. Jean and I headed to the nursery school to meet with Fostina, the director of the preschool. While Jean explained the concept of a skills assessment to Fostina, I sorted through several dozen decks of flashcards with topics ranging from feelings to analogies. I was supposed to be separating preschool level flashcards from grade level, and the analogies set worried me because as a high school senior, I still know people who can't do analogies. I then spent a good half hour wandering around in search of Anna and Katie who, incidentally, I never located. (From Katie - We were in the library/computer lab getting reading assessments off the Internet for reading packets & trying to send out the first ~ then the server went down) When I made it back to the nursery school, I learned that the kindergarten teacher had been called upon to translate in the clinic since the designated translators were MIA. I was sent to the kindergarten classroom to help the teacher. To my great surprise, I was handed a pointer as the teacher took a seat in the back of the room.One counting/spelling lesson and an out of control worksheet completion later, I had affirmed my one-time statement that I would never teach elementary school. It was lunch time and I gladly escaped to the house where the group was congregating over ground-nut paste & jelly sandwiches. After hearing about the overwhelmed state of the clinic, I thought perhaps I would be of greater use in the swamped clinic. I found it relatively deserted, wo I meandered over to the makeshift pharmacy, or collection of medicine-filled trunks enclosing part of the village church where already-examined patients would bring their prescriptions to be filled. I found myself scrambling to find antibiotics & ointments and malaria treatments while trying to decipher the instructions from the Ghanaian pharmacist. WE distributed vitamins and pain relievers to nearly every patient, providing malaria medicine to at least every other.I noticed that many of the people sitting patiently in the chairs and solemnly taking dosage instructions in their native tongue bore peculiar horizontal markings below their eyes on their cheeks. The marks were common almost exclusively to the elderly, and during a lull in the flow of patients I asked the pharmacist what the marks meant. Halfway into my question I noticed identical marks on HIS face, and embarrassed, I prayed that it wasn't an offensive topic. Fortunately, he gladly explained the significance of the identifying tribal markings. Originally, children were cut on their cheeks at six or eight months of age. The orientation and location of the scars then indicated the child's home region and tribe affiliation. He continued, almost regretfully imparting the attitude of the younger generation. They feel the ritual uncivilized, and so it has been almost completely extinguished. His own children, even, are free of the traditional markings. Similarly, the livelihood of the local village had always been fishing until recently the young men and boys opted to go to school instead. Now the tradition is continued only by the old men.All in all, it was look into a culture that, while advancing in technology and prosperity, is slowly losing the face of its heritage -- and consequently, its identity.

Village of Hope ~ Written by Katie Smoak

The Ghana team has arrived (except Kym, Kaleigh, & Ryan)! We arrived late Saturday evening. Our flight was on time and uneventful. All the trunks made the trip. Everyone’s luggage arrived except Joyce Phillips. Please pray that the Lains and Joyce’s luggage arrive this evening.

Upon arrival at the Village we unloaded our bags and trunks; found our beds; had a short meeting and went to bed!

Sunday morning we worshiped and it was beautiful. The men kept praying, “Thank you God for the cool weather.” It is funny how the Ghana definition of “cool” is different from the USA definition of “cool”. Daniel delivered a most appropriate and moving sermon. It is so evident that the Holy Spirit is working thru him. At the close of the service; we sang Firm Foundation for the congregation. It was wonderful to see all the smiling faces.

Sunday afternoon a malaria prevention class was held. The parents of the children who attend school at the Village of Hope were in attendance. Sandy did a great presentation; Mark, Tommy and Jean performed a short drama on how malaria is contracted. Mark was the victim, and Jean the mosquito. It was quite humorous. After the presentation; some of the team went into Feteh and the beach; some took naps; others played with the children; while others brained stormed about the week.

It is the custom for the children of the Village of Hope to lead the evening worship service. It was so moving to see these children lead the singing and prayers. When Daniel realized that the young people led the evening worship; he asked Jordan to speak. I must say I was very proud! Jordan introduced himself and had just begun his lesson when the electricity went out! He stayed so cool. He said, ”Can you hear me in the back?” and continued speaking. Someone did give him a flashlight so he could see his notes.

The team was planning on unpacking meds last night but could not without electricity. We had a meeting with our fearless leader Mark and Randy led our devotional. I think the devotional was my favorite part of the day.

This Monday morning finds us unpacking meds for the clinic. People are already lining up for the clinic. The clinic doesn’t start until 9:00 but they are already here!

Please continue to pray for us; we have a lot of work to do and very little time. The people here are so loving and appreciative of each gift that you have given them.

Pray specifically for the Lains and Joyce’s luggage. Mike’s stethoscope is in Joyce’s bag!

hello from GHANA TEAM

WE HAVE ARRIVED IN LONDON AND ARE AWAITING OUR FLIGHT TO ACCRA. THE LAINS HAVE BEEN DETAINED DUE TO WEATHER. PRAY THAT THEY ARRIVE SAFELY.