Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Updates from Jos & Abuja


Updates from Jos & Abuja (updated 8/10/11 4:15PM EST)

Faith Alive Hospital Team:
Today the team again served at Faith Alive Hospital. Brian finished his Captain's Report, which he has been compiling by visiting and shadowing various members of the Faith Alive Hospital staff over the last week. It contains, observations, lessons, comments, and suggestions for discussion by the hospital's leadership. Bill continues to assist with the installation of a security and intercom system throughout the facility. He is finalizing the connections between individual rooms and the main system. Emma is working with doctors in GOPD - General Outpatient Department. She says that she "has learned a ton." In the afternoon, the team participated in the weekly staff meeting, joining together at the end in prayer.

The team also attended a meeting of the Faith Alive Hospital Borehole & Latrine Committee. The committee is made up of Dr. Chris, Pastor Ben, a finance representative, and representatives from Hwol Yarje and Bakin Kogi. They provide each other with status updates, share difficulties and solutions and explored future water projects in two communities. Tomorrow, the team will be traveling to Bakin Kogi and Kafanchan to serve in the Faith Alive Hospital outreach programs in those cities as well.

Anawim Home Team:
On Tuesday, the team spent the morning back at Anawim Home's primary school. Each team member has connected with a particular class, and is helping to lead graduation preparation. Each class will share an American song during Saturdays graduation. The time at school has been an opportunity to get to know kids throughout the entire community, beyond just the Anawim Home children.

The team met with several benefactors of Anawim Home, meeting specifically with members of a local church who have begun supporting the Anawim Home ministries. During lunch, Sister Oresoa shared some of the children's heartwarming stories about how they have come to live with her at Anawim Home. Many have had tough roads and yet continue to smile and exude such joy while with the team at Anawim Home. In the afternoon, Tyler played football (soccer) with the boys and Joey completed fixing the office computers.

Today, Jess, Adrienne, Kathi and Tyler returned to school again to continue teaching and playing with the primary school children. Gin Gin served in the clinic, assisting with triage and HIV/AIDS counseling. Joey continued to lead the older Anawim Home children through separate beginner, intermediate and advanced computer classes.

In the afternoon the team visited one of Anawim Home's farms. The Sisters of the Poorest of the Poor own the land and rents the space to local farmers as a source of both food and income. The team visited with a tribal nomad community living in the area surrounding Anawim Home's farm as well. Sister Oresoa agreed to begin teaching the villages' children later this month, so that the children can learn English. It was an interesting experience - the community was inquisitive and intrigued to see "white people" for the first time. The day ended with evening prayer. Tomorrow, the team will spend time with the students again, visit commercial sex workers, and the travel into the city to shop in the Abuja market.

Photo:
1. Gin Gin, Joey, Adrienne, Kathi & Jess after teaching at Anawim Home school

No comments: