It’s been a roller coaster of a time for us. Since the last posting we have had confirmation that
Joey’s condition is not as serious as we were initially made to believe by the doctors and we are really grateful to God for this assessment. In addition, we have had the opportunity to meet and discuss the needs of
Nixon Hospital with many people who have the desire and means to help with the rebuilding of
Nixon.
Joey with a group of Nursing Students
One of our objective is to set up a scholarship to assist nursing students at Nixon Nursing School. We believe this will help build the capacity of health personnel in Sierra Leone and also to encourage them to stay in the villages where there is the greatest need for health personnel. A number of churches and individuals have caught our vision and pledged to support this programme. We hope to set a procedure soon to ensure how best to administer this programme.
Whilst in the UK, and with the help of friends and the Methodist Church, we have been able to put together a video depicting the challenges we face at Nixon. (Click on link to view. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebr4lVvDmn0). This video has been widely viewed and has generated many positive results. We are working on these leads which will hopefully yield some very fruitful projects in support of Nixon. We will update.
Another area of keen interest to us is to establish health links with health institutions in the UK and other parts of Africa. Such a health link we hope, would lead to capacity building and exchange of personnel and ideas between these organisations. We are presently in discussion with a medical school in the UK and are hoping this will lead to a fully fledged health link. There are plans in place to host four students from this school who are scheduled to undertake their medical electives at Nixon. Part of their programme would include a need assessment with proposals for moving the health link forward.
Last but not least, we have been in Jamaica for the past 5 weeks and even though it was meant to be a time of rest, this did not happen. We, however, have been to the beach far more times than we were able to in the past 12 months. Being in Jamaica has enabled us to attend the internment of the remains of Joey's dad who died last September. We were unable to attend the funeral, so this was an opportunity for closure for us. Thank you to all who sympathised and prayed for us during that period.
At the internment ceremony
Also, whilst in Jamaica we took the opportunity to baptise and dedicate Janelle to God. She never cried throughout the ceremony and the Officiating Minister commented on her being the most gentle baby he has dedicated. We are thankful for her gentle, quiet, pleasant spirit.
We thank all for their support in phone calls and prayers. Please continue to pray for the Lord's direction as we await arrangements to be made for our return to Sierra Leone. Also, we need prayers for healing without surgical intervention for Joey's condition and that this will not hinder her return to Sierra Leone. Also, for the children to remain healthy during our stay in the UK.
