Next Field Service in Lome, Togo is Well Underway

 

Initial reports from the Africa Mercy say that the patient screening went very well! An estimated 3500 people patiently waited to be seen of which 1600 were selected for further screening. Keep watching Facebook for continued updates throughout this Togo Field Service. Thank you for your prayers and support 

The 2012 field service in Lomé, Togo, is in full swing and a series of screenings have started to take place. Many patients who had received surgery will be checked again and patients who were on a “waiting list” for surgeries will finally receive a long awaited free surgery.The Mercy Vision Eye Team also started screening potential patients. Dr. Wodome, an accomplished Togolese ophthalmologist, will be training a fellow Togolese eye surgeon throughout the Togo 2012 Field Service. Dr. Wodome is an alumni Fellow of Mercy Vision training under Dr. Glen Strauss, a testament to the life-changing training Mercy Ships provides. The Eye Team will be screening at four different locations around Lomé on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the field service. The team is also asking for prayer for additional eye technicians to join the team in empty slots and for wisdom as they seek out patients for surgery. The Dental Team under the new leadership of Sieh Moore, Dental Coordinator, is excited for the beginning of the field service in Lomé, Togo.  The team is setting up at the same location provided by the Ministry of Health in 2010, except this time, the Ministry is using the ground level and thus the Dental Team has the 2nd and 3rd  level of the building and a tent outside for patients to wait while they receive oral health education.  The bi-weekly screenings have started in January and will be held every Monday and Thursday mornings.  The next 18 weeks are sure to be filled with extractions, fillings, hygiene teaching and many patients.
We pray a blessing over the ship and her crew and pray that every encounter to be a life changing one.

Family Update

Since our last blog post we have visited England and spent time with family for two weeks over the Christmas Holidays.  This visit was primarily to see Brenda's dad who has had a serious of falls resulting in a lengthy 4 month Hospital stay and ultimately the decision being made for him to move into a Nursing home to receive 24 hour Nursing Care.  Heather & Dave and their girls (Brenda's sister) also flew in from Australia to support Gill our older sister and spend quality time together with Dad.  It was a special though short visit. 

This lovely picture above shows dad with his three girls

Another highlight of our time in England was being able to spend time with Matt & Steve.  Getting all the kids together at the same time doesn't happen too often these days so it was very special.