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Saturday 1:30 a.m.

Just a quick note as we wrap up the week here at the VOH. It has been one long and hard day.

We did finally get the last patients through the medical clinic this afternoon with the help of everyone doing their part and a little organization. It goes without saying that everyone did their part, used their gifts, to make this a great mission. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning at Senya was the biggest crowd we have seen there. What was us seeing 5 kids with cerebral palsy and a few of them with mental illnesses and checking out the 20 or so kids in the school there at the church----BLOSSOMED. All by word of mouth. We weren't there for anyone else and now the building was filling up fast. I ended up playing triage and writing out symptom to aid the 2 Doctors who were seeing patients in the only room in the church, the small office. Many of the symptoms were obvious as was the prescribed treatment. We finally had to leave as our time had run out. I wish we could have seen them all but I know the crowd would have never stopped. We did make a difference there in the lives that we got to touch. Please pray for Senya and all of the people that didn't get treatment.

The song "Jesus loves the little children" will never be the same if you could look into the precious eyes that I got to look into today. These little girls with dark complexions, shining skin and beautiful brown eyes with long curly eye lashes.

We did finish the night out at the beach for a meal and singing with everyone that helped us from the VOH around a camp fire. Everyone is gearing up for the travel. David and I are the only ones still going--do you think he looks like the "energizer bunny" or maybe his father. Just thinking and not very well at this time. Several of us are meeting at 5:30 to walk to the beach for the sunrise. Please continue to pray for us and know that I am missing being there as well. We have a lot to accomplish today before we leave.

Love to All,
Paul

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Sunday, March 22, 2009 8:18 AM European Time

As you can tell by the time zone above, we've made the first flight in our journey home.

We had a full last day. Many of us took a sunrise stroll down through the edge of Fetteh to the beach. We returned to do our final packing. The load on the truck was less than half the inbound load. Then we had a cultural presentation by the children that included drums and dance. It was a delight.

Our drive into Accra was also interesting as the pace was slow, and the vendors surrounded the bus. When we were turned loose at the Art Market, we endured much to make a few purchases. Some were better bargainers than others. It is always overwhelming, some thrive in the environment, others are overloaded.

We did the traditional lunch at Franky's. Fran ran into an acquaintance there. When we arrived at the airport we unloaded and repacked bags. Getting through check in was smooth. We were very pleased that the gate waiting area is now air-conditioned. Our overnight flight was on time. Here the team began to go our separate ways. Seven went to Rome, one has different connections, two return directly to Philly.

One bit of irony to note. The servings at Franky's were huge. Many could not "clean their plate." We were on the continent where our parents said people went hungry and we should "clean our plate." Here we sit on this continent where there are hungry people, but there are many that eat well as we do. While thinking of this, I remembered stareing into last night's bondfire. The size of the fire, though not big by our standards, was equal to a large portion wood used in the cooking fires that night in Fetteh. As hard as we may try, we still remain indulgent.

James
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