Updates from Jos & Abuja

Updates from Jos & Abuja (updated 8/5/11 2:15PM EST)

Faith Alive Hospital Team:
Today, Jonathan had the opportunity to volunteer in the phlebotomy lab at Faith Alive Hospital. Please note, the highest level of safety precautions and procedures are in place at all times. Missionaries may chose to volunteer in areas such as these in the hospital, where their skills and expertise may be put to use.

The team also had the opportunity to view the operating theater this morning with Elder Bot. The hospital has done over 300 surgeries in 3 years with only 1 fatality. Emma served in prenatal care, where 20 expectant mothers are staying - they anticipate that one may give birth tomorrow. Like his team members, Bill was tested for HIV this afternoon and also did research for the hospital. Brian toured the various facilities and compiled notes for his Captain's report.

Tonight, the team will eat dinner with Dr. Chris and Pastor Ben. Then they will be meeting with Dr. Chris' mentoring group - 8 young men he is investing in for leadership in different areas, including education, medicine and art.

Anawim Home Team:
The team traveled the rest of the way to the burial of Sister Oresoa's family friend, today. The dress and music were both impressive, and different than we are accustomed to. The team will spend the rest of the weekend in Benin City for other events related to the burial, and will visit other communities in the surrounding area to feed the poor and assist with Sister Oresoa's ministry in Benin City.

Some additional details from Anawim Home Team from the last few days:

From Wednesday, August 3:
Anawim Home's health clinic for CSW (Commercial Sex Workers) is open to the community on Wednesdays. After breakfast, the team began preparing for that - making bags of food supplies, holy water and toilet paper for each of the women to take home with them after visiting the clinic. During clinic hours, Gin Gin shadowed a doctor, Kathi assisted with counseling, Jess and Adrienne spent time with Anawim's young mothers, while Joey and Tyler gave computer and typing lessons to four of the young boys. It was the boys' first lesson with a computer, yet by the end they were able to successfully navigate MS Word - their faces lit up every time they learned something new. The boys have also been learning American card games. "Go Fishy" is a group favorite so far. In the evening, the Bishop paid Anawim Home a visit. He is a close friend of Sister Oresoa, and made a special trip just to welcome us. ALL of the the Sisters were excited for Bishop Anthony's visit, and started an impromptu dance and song.

From Thursday, August 4:
On Thursday the team was joined in morning prayer by Sister Nuala, a visiting Sister leading the Anawim Sisters retreat this week. The team gave her a parting gift of American crunchy peanut butter. During breakfast - Peter, one of Anawim's young boys, killed a chicken so we could watch the process. A new experience for everyone. The chicken was cooked into a stew, for our lunch. The team then set off on a five hour car ride, headed to Benin City for a weekend of burial celebrations. The ride gave the team a chance to see some of the smaller villages, all with stark poverty. The monastery is pristine, peaceful and a great place to rest and reflect. We took a walk through the herb garden where the Brothers run, and then enjoyed a shower (with hot water) and a good night's sleep.

Photo:
1. Jonathan serving at Faith Alive Hospital
2. Brian entering TB lab with his Faith Alive Hospital Captain badge