Well, I think it's about time that we wrote about what we actually did in Nigeria. There were 11 of us from the US who got involved with the trip through Global Health Outreach, the part of CMDA that deals with planning these sorts of trips. When we got to Nigeria, we joined Pro-Health International, a Christian medical organization that seeks to reach the poor of Africa for Christ by providing free medical care. They've got a video up on their website that really provides a pretty good idea of what our trip was like. I'd recommend checking it out at http://www.prohealthinternational.info/
On the video, a doctor describes being surprised by the size of the whole undertaking, and I felt very much the same way. In Jalingo, there was a good-sized old hospital building that currently has a staff of one (a doctor named Folu who worked with us on the trip). We came in Monday morning with 2 busloads of people and a large truck filled with equipment and set up a clinic, pharmacy, lab, operating room, post-op ward, HIV-AIDS counseling unit, eye-care unit, and dental unit. During the first week, the doctors and pharmacy saw 1442 patients, 57 surgeries were performed, the eye care team saw 478 patients, lab and HIV counseling saw 478 patients, and 230 patients received counseling from the evangelism team (headed up by one local pastor). The next week in Wukari, doctors and pharmacy saw 2336 patients, there were 62 surgeries, the eyecare team saw 522 patients, the lab and HIV counseling groups saw 128, and 1180 patients received counseling from the evangelism team (this time headed by six or seven local pastors).
In other words, we saw a lot of people! But believe it or not, there were still many people who we were not able to help. To avoid general mayhem toward the end of the day, a predetermined number of cards are distributed at the start of the day to the first people in line. Everyone who didn't get a card was told to try coming back another day. I don't know how many people we turned away each day, but regardless of the number it was always hard to know that there were people whose needs we wouldn't get a chance to meet. One of our most frequent prayers during the trip was that God would allow those who most needed help to be seen, and that he would provide both physically and spiritually for those that we didn't see.
On the positive side, it was cool to see that God was using us in the places we went. I can't tell you how many people told us thank you or God bless you as we were walking through the hospital, and with a sincerity that you seldom see from someone that you've never met. I think it's interesting that during his ministry here, Jesus spent most of his time teaching and healing people. While we were not performing miracles, I do think in both cases that physical healing provides a powerful illustration of God's love for us, and for the way that he is at work in the human race.
Perhaps I'll end with a story from the operating room. A man came in with a tumor on the bridge of his nose. The tumor was the same size as his nose, giving the impression that he had two noses. As the surgeon worked on the tumor, he commented that the man probably could not even recognize himself in the mirror anymore. And whether or not he could recognize himself, I'm sure he had come to hate the way his face looked. After he had finished removing the tumor, he told the man, "God has given you your face back." And that is not unlike what God has done for the human race. We were created perfect, but by choosing ourselves over God we have become disfigured by sin. Our disfigurement is the hatred, discord, greed, and so on that so disheartens everyone who stops for a second and looks at the world in which we live. However, through Christ God has dealt with the source of this sin, and has begun to heal the human race. In effect, he is giving us our face back.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Travel
I think a good topic for the first post describing our trip is travel. Although travel is not the most important part of a mission trip, it certainly is a part of any Mission trip. In our case, four to six (depending on how you're counting) out of the 16 days that we were gone were spent traveling. That's at least 25% of the trip! Furthermore, problems while traveling can lead to problems like missing luggage (which is a problem when that luggage contains the general anesthesia machine), or missing people. However, God was certainly at work while we were traveling. Although there were five pieces of luggage filled with medical supplies that didn't arrive until Wednesday of the second week, and although one of the doctors from the states was in a car accident while traveling to visit her parents in Calabar, God kept all of us safe, and we had everything we needed to accomplish the work that He had given us to do.
The most interesting part of the travel were the bus trips. After a full 24 hours spent in planes and airports, the 11 of us from the states spent the night in a hotel in Abuja. The next morning, we met Vincent, our driver, boarded one of the Pro-health buses, and set out for Jalingo. It didn’t take too long to notice that there are several differences between driving in Nigeria and driving in Chicago. For starters, Nigeria must have as many motorcycles as Chicago has cars. For ex, there really aren’t lanes in Nigeria. You just move to the left of someone moving slower than you, being sure to honk so they know you’re there and hoping that you don’t hit anyone driving in the opposite direction. Also, in Chicago you generally don’t see herds of cows wandering on the road, or goats that dart in front of your bus. And while Chicago certainly does have potholes, Nigeria has "sinkholes," which are 20 yard sections of pavement that are missing.
With all these obstacles, you might get the impression that Nigeria is not the safest place to drive. Well, you'd probably be right. However, Vincent was simply an amazing driver, and never once did I worry about our safety. Laura has said at least several times that Vincent was the best driver she's ever met. God certainly used him to answer many of our (and your) prayers about travel safety. And that's a theme (God using Christians from Nigeria to provide for us) that you'll probably be seeing again in later posts.
The most interesting part of the travel were the bus trips. After a full 24 hours spent in planes and airports, the 11 of us from the states spent the night in a hotel in Abuja. The next morning, we met Vincent, our driver, boarded one of the Pro-health buses, and set out for Jalingo. It didn’t take too long to notice that there are several differences between driving in Nigeria and driving in Chicago. For starters, Nigeria must have as many motorcycles as Chicago has cars. For ex, there really aren’t lanes in Nigeria. You just move to the left of someone moving slower than you, being sure to honk so they know you’re there and hoping that you don’t hit anyone driving in the opposite direction. Also, in Chicago you generally don’t see herds of cows wandering on the road, or goats that dart in front of your bus. And while Chicago certainly does have potholes, Nigeria has "sinkholes," which are 20 yard sections of pavement that are missing.
With all these obstacles, you might get the impression that Nigeria is not the safest place to drive. Well, you'd probably be right. However, Vincent was simply an amazing driver, and never once did I worry about our safety. Laura has said at least several times that Vincent was the best driver she's ever met. God certainly used him to answer many of our (and your) prayers about travel safety. And that's a theme (God using Christians from Nigeria to provide for us) that you'll probably be seeing again in later posts.
Monday, September 1, 2008
We're back!
Well, we’ve made it back to the states! Before we begin to describe everything that went on, we’d like to thank you again for all your prayers. It is simply amazing to see how many of the different requests on the prayer list that we put up were answered. God was certainly at work on this trip.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Our first week...briefly
Hello friends!
We have made it safely to Nigeria where we spent the first night in a hotel in Abuja. We then took an 8 hour bus ride to the town where we set up our clinic, Jalingo (in Taraba State). This past week has been long, tiring, and adventurous. We have really connected as an American team, but we have also joined about 30 Nigerians serving with us on this trip. It has been wonderful to work together as a team and get to know the culture.
Andrew and I have already done things beyond what we thought we would do! Since Tuesday, Andrew has been assisting with surgeries in the OR (operating room). I have been a lot of different places. I have helped to sort pills in the pharmacy, hand out and fit people for glasses, helped in the OR, and stood in on a few eye surgeries. So Crazy!!!
We have both been able to pray with individuals from Nigeria and talk with them about their faith. The Nigerian people are very welcoming and glad that we are here. This may be the only communication until we return, but many thanks for all the prayers and please continue to pray for the great work the Lord is doing over here! God has definitely been at work on this trip and we can't wait to tell you more when we have time and the means to write.
Love,
Andrew and Laura
We have made it safely to Nigeria where we spent the first night in a hotel in Abuja. We then took an 8 hour bus ride to the town where we set up our clinic, Jalingo (in Taraba State). This past week has been long, tiring, and adventurous. We have really connected as an American team, but we have also joined about 30 Nigerians serving with us on this trip. It has been wonderful to work together as a team and get to know the culture.
Andrew and I have already done things beyond what we thought we would do! Since Tuesday, Andrew has been assisting with surgeries in the OR (operating room). I have been a lot of different places. I have helped to sort pills in the pharmacy, hand out and fit people for glasses, helped in the OR, and stood in on a few eye surgeries. So Crazy!!!
We have both been able to pray with individuals from Nigeria and talk with them about their faith. The Nigerian people are very welcoming and glad that we are here. This may be the only communication until we return, but many thanks for all the prayers and please continue to pray for the great work the Lord is doing over here! God has definitely been at work on this trip and we can't wait to tell you more when we have time and the means to write.
Love,
Andrew and Laura
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Prayer Guide
We are not sure how often we will have internet access, if at all in Nigeria, so here are some daily prayer requests that a member of our team provided for us and you. Be sure to look for pictures and updates after our trip!
August 15, 2008
• Pray for the US team as we prepare to leave our families and loved ones.
• Lift up our team leader Bob Coulter, RPh as an anointed man of God, able to hear and discern what needs to done as he leads a successful medical team
• That each person coming to join this great commission would submit to God in forming a great t.e.a.m. (together each accomplish his mission)
• Our Nigeria partners, pro health international, as they finish the last minute details
• For the eyes and ears of the Nigerian people to be open to the gospel
• Safe overnight travel to Amsterdam and to rest in God knowing all of bags (full of medications and supplies) will arrive with us in Nigeria
August 16, 2008
• For all team members to have made their connecting flights with continued travel mercies as we leave for Abuja, Nigeria
• Team unity as we meet pro-health international members
• Overnight stay in Abuja, Nigeria to provide a freshness of spirit, mind and body
• Team leaders of both teams to coordinate events for next weeks as god will mandate us to do
August 17, 2008
• Prepare us for the nine hour ride up north to state of Taraba
• For relief from jet lag in preparation of what God is calling us to do
• Ease of travel through each city giving us favor with security personnel
• Set up of medical clinics with med packing (as time permits)
• Divine health for entire team
August 18-August 22, 2008
• Morning devotions and prayer time will be invigorating as team members become aware about what God is doing is their lives
• Orientation time to be short as team leaders come together in deciding flow of care
• Prayer for the first hospital we will be serving, for the people to see Jesus in us
• Those needing to be seen will be given a ticket and for all of us to pray with each patient
• God’s strength in working in hot weather, loss of personal space and crowds of people pressing on us to be seen
• For the surgery team to complete those procedures that God has ordained
• God’s wisdom in treating patients
• Signs and wonder as miracles are performed
August 23 and 24, 2008
• Rest in God knowing we have left those not seen in God’s hands
• Those dedicating their life to Christ will be rooted in God’s unchanging word and hear God’s call for their life
• A day of relaxation and rejuvenation
• Worship God with our national partners in the local village church
• Prepare us for the second hospital we will be ministering
August 25-August 28, 2008
• Short time for set up in new location with each team member willing to serve God in all areas needed
• For the team leaders to not be stressed but impressed with what God is doing
• Fatigue to not be in our vocabulary as God leads us to see those needing to be treated
• For our bodies to be fed on the Living Word of God during our quiet times
• More than enough medications and supplies (but it is not about the medications)
• God’s healing power to be manifested
• Our faith in God will be even more strong
• To depend on the Lord for everything
August 29, 2008
• A shorter bus ride back to Abuja, Nigeria after completing God’s mission
• Good memories to be formed of our trip to Nigeria
• Rest in Abuja
• Visions and dreams to Dr. Iko as he continues to lead pro-health international to serve and to give
August 30, 2008
• As we leave the country of Nigeria, God’s continued blessing over the people
• Prepare us for final departure to return back to United States
• Travel mercies as each journey back to his/her hometown
• Time to reflect on what God’s call is in their lives
August 31, 2008
• Arrive back to home sweet home….
• The ability to share the trip, as God would want us to do
• No reentry stress as we return back to our daily lives
• Thanking God for protecting us on our trip and our families and friends while we were away
Thank you for standing in the gap for global health outreach and pro-health international.
August 15, 2008
• Pray for the US team as we prepare to leave our families and loved ones.
• Lift up our team leader Bob Coulter, RPh as an anointed man of God, able to hear and discern what needs to done as he leads a successful medical team
• That each person coming to join this great commission would submit to God in forming a great t.e.a.m. (together each accomplish his mission)
• Our Nigeria partners, pro health international, as they finish the last minute details
• For the eyes and ears of the Nigerian people to be open to the gospel
• Safe overnight travel to Amsterdam and to rest in God knowing all of bags (full of medications and supplies) will arrive with us in Nigeria
August 16, 2008
• For all team members to have made their connecting flights with continued travel mercies as we leave for Abuja, Nigeria
• Team unity as we meet pro-health international members
• Overnight stay in Abuja, Nigeria to provide a freshness of spirit, mind and body
• Team leaders of both teams to coordinate events for next weeks as god will mandate us to do
August 17, 2008
• Prepare us for the nine hour ride up north to state of Taraba
• For relief from jet lag in preparation of what God is calling us to do
• Ease of travel through each city giving us favor with security personnel
• Set up of medical clinics with med packing (as time permits)
• Divine health for entire team
August 18-August 22, 2008
• Morning devotions and prayer time will be invigorating as team members become aware about what God is doing is their lives
• Orientation time to be short as team leaders come together in deciding flow of care
• Prayer for the first hospital we will be serving, for the people to see Jesus in us
• Those needing to be seen will be given a ticket and for all of us to pray with each patient
• God’s strength in working in hot weather, loss of personal space and crowds of people pressing on us to be seen
• For the surgery team to complete those procedures that God has ordained
• God’s wisdom in treating patients
• Signs and wonder as miracles are performed
August 23 and 24, 2008
• Rest in God knowing we have left those not seen in God’s hands
• Those dedicating their life to Christ will be rooted in God’s unchanging word and hear God’s call for their life
• A day of relaxation and rejuvenation
• Worship God with our national partners in the local village church
• Prepare us for the second hospital we will be ministering
August 25-August 28, 2008
• Short time for set up in new location with each team member willing to serve God in all areas needed
• For the team leaders to not be stressed but impressed with what God is doing
• Fatigue to not be in our vocabulary as God leads us to see those needing to be treated
• For our bodies to be fed on the Living Word of God during our quiet times
• More than enough medications and supplies (but it is not about the medications)
• God’s healing power to be manifested
• Our faith in God will be even more strong
• To depend on the Lord for everything
August 29, 2008
• A shorter bus ride back to Abuja, Nigeria after completing God’s mission
• Good memories to be formed of our trip to Nigeria
• Rest in Abuja
• Visions and dreams to Dr. Iko as he continues to lead pro-health international to serve and to give
August 30, 2008
• As we leave the country of Nigeria, God’s continued blessing over the people
• Prepare us for final departure to return back to United States
• Travel mercies as each journey back to his/her hometown
• Time to reflect on what God’s call is in their lives
August 31, 2008
• Arrive back to home sweet home….
• The ability to share the trip, as God would want us to do
• No reentry stress as we return back to our daily lives
• Thanking God for protecting us on our trip and our families and friends while we were away
Thank you for standing in the gap for global health outreach and pro-health international.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Thanks for all of your prayers and support
We are overwhelmed at how each one of you has impacted our lives these past many years. We are so thankful for you in our lives and are excited to be partnering with you for this service. We will keep you as updated as we can and we can't urge you enough to pray for this trip and what the Lord can do through us, the team, and your prayers and financial support. We will update you soon!
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