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.