Hope International Medical Mission (HIMM) 2021-22 Report
Hope International Medical Mission (HIMM) 2019 Report
HIMM 2019 almost never happened. In May 2019, the HIMM Board approved our return to Ghana for the 5th time in five years to continue screening the local people for common ailments that produce untimely deaths among them. In addition, the Board approved the implementation of our strategic initiative to build a clinic in the village of Agordome. We began putting a schedule and itinerary together and sent the word out inviting people who might be interested in traveling to Ghana with us. Pastor Gary had at that time indicated an interest in travelling with us and by September 2019, we were sure at least three of us, Pastor Gary, Joy and I would make the trip. As we readied to purchase our tickets, it became clear that Pastor Gary could not commit to going due to family issues and so Joy and I purchased our tickets to travel on December 23 and 28th respectively. By the middle of October, we had the shocking discovery that our son Edem has Stage 4 pancreatic cancer and so we determined to put the trip on a pause or at least postpone it for another time. Meanwhile, we have been soliciting support for the trip with the FBC Mission Committee approving support for the trip and several church members began donating toward the trip. By the middle of December, we had received the largest funding of any of our trips. FBC ladies led by Mrs Eva Davis, campaigned for reading glasses and tooth brushes and hauled in three big bags full!. Thus, we felt the Lord was encouraging us to make the trip despite the shocking news about Edem’s diagnosis. After much prayer and thoughts, we concluded that the mission trip should go on but to let Joy remain with Edem while I travel alone to carry out the mission trip activities.
So on December 28th, 2019 I set off from TLH Regional International Airport on my way to Accra, Ghana, with stops in Atlanta and Amsterdam. I arrived in Accra at 7:55 pm the next day, December 30th, 2019 with folks waiting patiently at the Kotoka International Airport to receive and welcome me. I spent the night with one of my nephews in Accra before setting out to the village location from where we have staged the mission activities. That evening, turned out to be a time of marathon prayer for the mission and especially for the Lord’s presence, to demonstrate His power and show His people He is the Omnipotent God whom we serve through Edem’s diagnosis and treatment. I thank the Lord for Pastor Eric Gleku who led the prayer time that evening.
At this point you may be asking how could we carry out the medical screening without our doctors from the US? We engaged two Ghanaian doctors along with four local nurses and a pharmacist. In addition, there were several volunteers including University students who stepped up to help us (see below).
The two Ghanaian Prescribers, James and Emmanuel (above left) and volunteers (above right and below) provided the needed expertise to accomplish our goal to demonstrate God’s love to folks who need to experience it the most.
On the first day of the medical mission, December 31st, 2019, we set out to the village called Dalive and by the time we got there at 9 AM, there was a long line of people awaiting our arrival as shown below.
The people were registered, vitals were obtained, and those needing to see the doctors were directed to a doctor while those needing health access cards (these purchase access to see a doctor in Ghana) and eye exam for reading glasses were attended to. Below are a few pictures of day 1 at Dalive with local HIMM associates (below left) and officials of the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) (below right) who are tasked to issue the health access cards. 
Above: Patients waiting for their turn to see a doctor or to receive their health access cards in Dalive.
We ended the first day around 7 pm and when all was said and done we had given out 374 health access cards, medically screened and issued medications and reading glasses to well over 200 individuals.
The next day, we paused, took time off to have some needed rest on January, 1st before the next activities on January 2, 2020. By this time, word had gone out that our next location was going to be Agordome and by 6 AM, folks had begun gathering and forming lines before our arrival at 8:30 AM. Below are pictures of the people waiting as we arrived.
Like the first day, our activities involved registering the individuals there, taking their vitals and directing them to either obtain their health insurance cards, see a doctor or have an eye screening for a reading pair of glasses. Overall, on this second day we issued 806 health access cards, screened and examined several hundred patients for common ailments, issued appropriate medications for each person with an identified illness, provided reading glasses to all who were found to have a need and toothbrushes to children.
Cutting the Sod to build a Clinic in Agordome: Also on January 2, 2020, we began to implement our strategic initiative to build a clinic in Agordome. The rationale for this initiative was to encourage the local folks to utilize their cards for regular clinic visits to check their vitals and not wait until we visit the area on a next medical mission. Below, you will find the land donated by the village (below and left) and the cutting of the sod to begin building the clinic by Hope International Medical Mission, Inc. (Below and right). It is important to note that while HIMM played a leading role in all our activities we rely heavily on the prayer and financial support of First Baptist Church, Tallahassee.
Above: In this picture, the local leadership cut the sod to open the land for Hope International Medical Mission (HIMM) to begin the building of the clinic.
Medical Mission to the People in Kpekpo: On January 3rd, we carried out the last outreach to the people in Kpekpo. The preparation for this last mission was much easier to do as it occurred in the village in which we resided. We also had help from one of my friends and a former colleague at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Faculty of Pharmacy in Kumasi, Prof Reimmel Adosraku. Like the other missions, the patients arrived very early and waited patiently as shown below.
Above Left: Patients at Kpekpo wait patiently for their turn to be registered. Above Right: Registration of patients
Top left: Prof Adosraku works with a patient to identify an appropriate pair of reading glasses. Top Right: Found a match!
At the end of the outreach to the people of Kpekpo, we had issued 1470 health access cards, hundreds were able to see the doctors and were prescribed medications, reading glasses were provided to the needy and the love of God was extended to so many.
Thanksgiving Service after the Close of the Mission: And as has been the case during our medical missions, we ended up with a thanksgiving worship service with all the local denominations attending. Below are some pictures of highlights of the praise and worship activities.
Progress on the building of the Clinic: And just before I was due to return to the US, I paid a visit to the clinic building project to see what progress has been made. Below are pictures of where they were on January 12, 2020 and as you can see, I even tried my hands on laying some bricks.
Summary of Hope International Medical Mission, 2019 Activities: What a blessing it has been to be a part of the medical mission to Ghana this year. Despite the initial uncertainties, the Lord has been very faithful. Within a very short window of about 2 months, we were able to raise the funds for the mission. I don’t have adequate words to express the depth of my appreciation to Board members and especially the HIMM donors. It takes a different level of understanding and the love of God for each of our donors to do what they have done. May the Lord continue to bless your efforts toward achieving the goals of the Great Commission, Matt 28:18-20. And the King will reply, Truly I tell you , whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me; Matthew 25:40
Above left: Members of the Board of Directors of HIMM, 2019 Above right: Building the traditional way
As a result of your contribution and support, this year we have provided health cards to two thousand six hundred and forty-six (2646) people. In addition, we have provided treatment for countless number of patients, issued reading glasses to the needy and shared the love of God with the neediest among us. Thank you once again for your support. The medical Health Center has begun and I know with your support and help we plan to complete it this year, furnish it and put it into operation. The Lord is good! Below please find Q&A pertaining to Hope International Medical Mission’s activities.
Q&A Pertaining to 2019 HOPE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL MISSION
December 28, 2019 – January 13, 2020
What do you hope to achieve during the trip to Ghana? The medical mission to Ghana was partially inspired by the knowledge that the average life expectancy of Ghanaians is ~63 years (US is ~78.6) and is worse for those living in the rural areas. Thus, the primary aim is to share the love of God and promote good health through health screening and treatment. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 2:16
What do you think is responsible for this low life expectancy? Several factors contribute to low life expectancy including poverty and the resultant failure of those in the rural areas to consistently access the healthcare system made available through clinics provided by the government of Ghana.
What do you practically do during the trip? To access healthcare in Ghana one must have a health card which must be renewed each year. The health cards enable a patient to see a doctor and obtain basic medications if available for one full year. So our medical team along with Ghanaian health professionals go to the villages and screen the people for their health status and then provide the health cards for each person. In 2016, we screened the sick and provided health cards for over 600 patients, in 2017 for over 1300 and last year we provided over 1950 patients with the health cards. In addition to the health cards, we provide medications and reading glasses needed by the patients. There is a worship service after our activities to give thanks to the Lord and share the gospel message with the people.
How do you fund the trip and pay for the cost of the health cards? Each health card costs 25 cedis or about 5-6 US dollars (depending on exchange rate), yes, five to six dollars to have access to a physician for a year! We also recruit local healthcare professionals to play roles for which they are adequately compensated. Last year, through the generosity of many here in the US, we were able to raise the budget needed to cover the overall expenditure of over $25,000.
How do the villages we serve look like? Most of the villages are less than a thousand people, but we set up at a place such that people from the adjoining villages are able to join us. In general, these villages have little or no modern amenities; no electricity, no indoor plumbing, very sparse and uncoordinated transportation and the patients walk to where we set up to receive our service.
What type stores do they have or not have? Where do the children go to school? There are no stores in the villages but they travel to towns on “market days” to purchase basic necessities. Children walk many miles to and from schools in the towns.
Where do the parents work or how do they make a living? The primary means of living is subsistence farming, fishing or selling goods which must be heavily supplemented by children who complete their education and are able to work in towns or cities away from the villages.
What are the faith traditions there? What is a typical church like? Many churches in the areas we visit are some shape or form similar to churches in Europe or the United States as these were originally planted by missionaries from the Europe and US.
What is next for HIMM in 2020? We intend to return to Ghana in December 2020. Meanwhile we continue to raise funds to complete the clinic project and to begin the clinic operations on our return in December 2020. We invite you to travel with us if you can, contribute to HIMM in any way you can and especially keep us in your prayers as always.
Can you help us to help them? The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt 25:40. Hope International Medical Mission is a 501 C-3 not for profit organization. All donations go directly toward aiding some of Ghana’s most vulnerable and are tax deductible. You can donate at hopeinternational0218.org or call Steve Burgess (850-508-9141) or Seth (850-443-3322)