So often it is too easy to focus on the massive need here and concentrate on those we cannot help, yet forget how God is working not only through those who have had successful operations but also in the many other ways I see everyday but too readily overlook.
Edem and his Mum
We went to a church service at the Hope Centre a few sundays ago. This is the centre in Lome itself where we send patients who are recuperating from their operations and still needing some kind of input regarding dressings, nutrition or simply needing somewhere to stay because their homes are too far. It has a brilliant patient life team, similar to the one who works in the hospital, who work to show God's love in looking after the patients in all ways. They have services every evening and on sundays and we joined in for one of these. Was great to see Edem and his mum again, especially as she gave her testimony as to how God had brought them to the ship. The mass on Edem's face had been growing for many years and she had sought medical attention at some of the hospitals near to them in Ghana. However after giving all the money she had available they told her there was nothing they could do. Her husband subsequently kicked her out of the family home and she sought refuge with her parents, all the time still desperately praying for a solution. She heard of Mercy Ships and our visit to Togo through some other friends and arrived with Edem on our screening day. She spoke of God's goodness and mercy to them and just spoke of giving him all the praise for the immense change he had brought about in giving Edem back his childhood.
Lulu post op
Lulu was a little girl who suffered burns to both her feet and came to us to have the scar tissue, which had formed following this, released. She had poor mobility before but is now able to walk around and has some very special bright pink shoes which she loves!
Togan came to us after receiving radiotherapy treatment to a lesion on his jaw, which resulted in destruction of his mandible. His surgery and post operative recovery were difficult, leaving him needing to be on a feeding tube for a month following it. At times the skin around the wound looked so fragile and friable we didn't know if it would heal and slow granulation took place a millimetre at a time. Many people were praying for his healing and after just over a month on the ward we were able to let him go home. It really was our pleasure to have him as a patient for such a prolonged time as he was so inspiring with his faith and joy as at all times, whether things were going badly or not, he would be reading his Bible and would always greet you with a smile and greeting! He also became the comedian and father of the ward, looking after all those who came and went.
Tani
Sibi had a cleft lip repair and here she is with her Mum following the operation.
Papakey and Toyi both proudly stand showing their new noses!
Psalm 115 'Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be all the glory'
A verse I know I've shared before but one I just feel sums up all our work here, without God who cares so intimately about each of our patients and their stories and who has brought them to us and will continue to look after them in the palm of his hand, we would have nothing.
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