Day 2

Saturday at the clinic. The bulk of the people will be seen on Monday, but we were able to start seeing a couple patients today. I cast a woman named Rejoice. She lost her leg due to diabetes 7 months ago. She's only 30 years old, and she's a teacher at a middle school. Today I took the mold, modified it with my new friend Welbeck, and laminated it! only in Africa. In the US this would take me a month. But that's becuase I would do 2 test sockets before laminating! I'm definitely learning here that perfection is the enemy of good, and really isn't even an option here. Learning how to make do. But it works.

 

Today we also saw a transfemoral, another transtibial, and a Syme's. Each prosthetist is teamed up with a Ghanian prosthetist for training purposes. Also go to see the "Brace Shop". Cool - took a picture of a Ghanian orthotist with a Miami J for Michele! We love those Miami J's! They make there own KAFO joints AND drop locks! and they have an oven for plastic but no vaccuum.... could use some work here in the orthotics department also. but one step at a time. one step....

Going to church tomorrow, and the clinic back on Monday. Where rumor has it we have 45 patients scheduled!
We'll see - should have some video up on
standingwithhope.blogspot.com
you can check me out.

Day 1

I'm here! 12 hours on a plane! Great selection of movies and I picked the only one I've seen already - He's Just Not That Into You. Light enough that I fell asleep halfway through and stayed that way most of flight. Of course hourly or more wake ups to shift around in the miserable coach seat (someday I'll get to fly first class like my spoiled sister). Just kidding linds love you. anyways, finally brushed my teeth, and now we're headed to the clinic to check it out! teammates are cool so far. seems things like this do attract characters! but in a great way.

Ghana - 8 days and counting

So now comes the time for serious preparation.  Just hit me today.  Haven't even made a packing list yet!  At least I'm ready shot-wise.  Just finished up my typhoid vaccine on Sunday.  Should double check when I need to start my malaria pills...what am I going to wear?  what food am I going to bring?  and how am I going to fit 10 liners and 20 bottles of Dial soap (thanks to my awesomely supportive and thoughtful mother) in a suitcase?  and do I even have my big suitcase here?  

and that's just the physical preparedness.  the Holy Spirit has been tapping for me to do some spiritual preparations.  One of the things I've been thinking about lately is how I'm going to see this trip as different from my everyday job.  I love making prostheses and I really do think my day to day job is fun.  But you know how it is - no matter how cool I still get bogged down in the day to day details.  rushing to get things done, bummed when my test socket fitting misses the mark, dealing with insurance crap.  at least that's one thing I won't have to worry about in Africa.  

and also thinking - should this be different from my day to day job?  Yes my patients will be Ghanians, which is an obvious difference, but a lot of my patients are just as in need of legs and arms here in North Carolina.  and I have a daily chance to serve them and serve God and tangibly show the love of Jesus every day.  and yet I let the ticking clock and cynicism about compliance and payment get in the way of my first priority - to LOVE as an ACTION.  To listen to them just because they need to feel the undercurrent that they are valuable and worthy of time and effort and love.  So I only hope and pray that this experience in Ghana changes my daily life here as well.

But I way digress.  

Amazingly, I don't have to do any financial preparation.  God has provided GLORIOUSLY through some truly awesome people (thank you if you read this!).  He raised well over my required amount.  My healthcare to prepare took exactly the amount I was planning on contributing myself (ouch!) and just this week I found out I'll be getting a $250 refund from some that my insurance company decided to pay after all - just enough spending money.  God has provided in every exact way that only He can do.  I know that really in the details is where I see that only God could be in control.  I could never plan enough to make these things work out.  and He says - is that all you wanted?  that's not even a challenge.  

So in conclusion - TO HIM who is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine - to Him be the glory. 

and please pray that I prioritize both my physical and spiritual preparation for this trip over the next week +1.