Today was hands on all the way...from the sun first appeared over the hill this morning until it set in a beautiful red ball in front of us tonight

Because of a family bereavement the Clinic Driver was unable to bring the new Doctor yesterday so we set off early this morning in the ambulance and collected him from Kumasi

Back at base it was all hands on deck as the task of moving all the delivery suite items to the new building was completed

This was preceded by a massive attack on cleaning, scrubbing, washing, mopping and a number of other chores aimed at providing comfort and the appropriate level of hygiene for all patients

               
 
Talking about Patients the Clinic saw almost 30 today  and it the late afternoon Matron told us she expected to have three babies delivered either tonight or tomorrow

One didn't wait and the first baby boy was born in the Hospital just before 6.00pm - who knows what tomorrow will bring

The atmosphere around here is electric and our sense is that the presence of the Team has been a great encouragement - the only thing missing has been the other Members of the July 2008 Team

That group will remember Bissmark and Paul - from the Paradise Club - we were were speaking today and they spoke fondly of our time there last year

We are now off to a meeting with the Clinic Administer and the new Doctor to review progress and in due course we look forward to updating everyone on the details of the trip

Regards

Tom

On the first day  the new Clinic was open two healthy baby girls were safely delivered

When we got back from Kumasi the proud Mums were waiting for us to take pictures of the new arrivals before setting off home on foot

They were like little angels - the babies that is - and guess what.... I got to kiss them!

   

We'd gone to Kumasi to finalize travel arrangements for our homeward journey and also to pick up items which will be needed for some of the practical jobs we are going to undertake tomorrow

We keep meeting people with whom we had contact last year - which is really nice

As there are power fluctuations tonight I'll stop now and hope to provide more information tomorrow night

Regards

Tom

We wakened today again to a clear blue sky and a wonderful sight over the Lake

Just as we were getting organised  - and as usual I was last in the shower - James popped his head round the corner and said the Local Minister is here to see us and to dedicate the new Clinic

You can imagine the splutter as I tried to make myself presentable and join the others

Rev B Archibold chatted to us and then in a short,  yet meaningful act of worship dedicated the Clinic to the Glory of God and for the benefit of all the people of this beautiful area

Mr Archibold went on to say that the Clinic could now be used by the staff here and that an application would be submitted to have its status upgraded to that of a hospital - that was a great start to the day

Our Church Service lasted almost two hours and that was nothing to do with the length of time James preached!. There was so much happeneing and as it was a Harvest Service some of the items of produce were auctioned at the end

We got such a welcome and did our best to sing our own words to the Twe version being used  by the congregation

Planned visits to the Chiefs in Atafram and Amakom took place later and agin the work of the 2008 Team was acknowledged

In Amakom the main topic of conversation was Denis Bambrick whom they would like to see back again

With the act of dedication and the Doctor starting tomorrow we really feel as though things are now moving

The Clinic Administrator has not  - despite strenuous efforts - been able to arrange a meeting with the Bishop because of his heavy workload right now  and we'll have to wait to see how that works out over the next two days

It was great to hear of the success of the Church Picnic and to know you enjoyed weather similiar to ours

Regards for now

Tom

Having arrived on Wednesday evening to 30º it hasn’t got any cooler yet….in fact we have already experienced up to 35º

 Yesterday morning we considered our options for travelling to Kumasi and for a variety of reasons decided to travel by road

 It sounded and seemed a good idea at the time and despite an enthusiastic if sometime impatient driver, a late start, extensive road works and a lot of traffic the journey took 6½ hours

 What a delight to be met by Sammy and Charles – two friendly faces from the Clinic whom we know well from last year

 I was a bit concerned when I saw they we in an ambulance and was quickly reassured when they said it was the vehicle with most room

 We had dinner in Kumasi before making our way to the Lake and for the benefit of the Ghana Team I had ‘spring rolls’

 On arrival at the Lake we couldn’t resist – despite the late hour and the darkness – the temptation to have a look round the Clinic and we were really impressed

 We are staying in the home used by the Jernigan’s and it enjoys a beautiful location with extensive views of the Lake

 This morning we joined the Staff for devotions led by another friend Ebenezer who along with the others gave us a right royal welcome

 The staff were really keen to give us a tour of the new building and we didn’t tell them we’d already had a sneak preview

 We made our way to Kumasi for necessary supplies e.g. food and to change some money and undertook this journey by boat firstly to a village called Abona – next to where we stayed last year and then by local buses – I don’t think I’ve ever been in as many vehicles in one day as I was on that return trip today

 Back at the Clinic we met Dr Richard Tweneboah – the General Manager of the Methodist Health Services Kumasi Diocese and Dr Kwabena Ayim, the Doctor who is taking up Post at the clinic on Monday of next week

 It was a very positive meeting during which Mr. Tweneboah expressed deep appreciation for what had been achieved with our help and assured us the facility at Amakom would contribute significantly to the provision of Health Care in the area

 Dr Ayim confined his commitment to the project and in an on going discussion highlighted the range of equipment which will be required

 This is a challenge for us and one no doubt will be explored on our return

 Sorry to go on so much but I thought you’d want to be kept up to speed

 Regards

 Tom

 PS – Sheila – this piece is for ‘your eyes only’ – I love you to bits and really miss you  xoxoxo

PPS - as I was posting this blog we had the greatest thunderstorm you've ever seen