Today was our last day in Ghana, and the trip has flown by. As the trip comes to a close and we fly home tomorrow, I can’t help but reflect on how God has moved in my life and lives of the people of Ghana this week. I’m a pharmacist and was fortunate enough to participate in multiple aspects of our medical clinics this week. Not only did I get to work in the pharmacy but I was also able to work in intake which included taking patient’s vitals, getting a brief medical history,

In the book of Revelation 7:9-10, John accounts the following from his vision of Heaven: “As I looked out before me I saw there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, every tribe, people and language standing before the throne and in front of the lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10) For the past y

“You shall love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” I have read these words written by Matthew many, many times. We are given these words to draw closer to our Lord, and fulfill His great commission. Today we had the incredible pleasure to run the first clinic out of the Nzema Baptist Hospital. This was something we were al

Today marks the end of our first full week in Ghana. During that time, the missions team has prepared, run and torn down 3 clinics serving hundreds of impoverished people in several villages who have little to no access to medical care. We also participated in the local church service with Kyle Gustafson preaching a message on adversity and have represented Cuyahoga Valley Church at the commissioning of the Nzema Baptist Hospital. The conditions here in Ghana have tested our

Joshua 1:9 says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” These words were meant for my son, Joshua, at his dedication ceremony in the fall of 1988 but over the years since I have referred to them often for encouragement in my own life. Pastor Rick Duncan officiated that ceremony and years later also initiated a stirring in my heart and soul to take on what he call

Tonight, we are sitting on wooden benches in the dirt road intersection of the village of Basake under the Ghanaian night sky. Many of the team members, including myself, are picking local plant nettles, known as “Take Me Home” by the Ghanaians, out of the bottoms of our dresses and pants. Genesis, one of our Ghanaian pastors and translators during the week, yells into the microphone that broadcasts over loudspeakers, while a grainy Ghanaian online music video plays on a port

Today we had our first full 8 hour day of clinics in Enzinlibo village. It was exhausting to say the least. We had a lot of “win” moments and some moments of confession amongst the African heat, along with a few small variables. Even thinking through all of those “tough” moments, all I can look back and say is God is so good. We were able to see over 215 patients today despite only having three doctors on this trip! Praise God! The Gospel was shared with all of those patients

Throughout these last 6 months preparing for our trip, my heart was daily reminded of God’s faithfulness. He has been so faithful to this team and we have seen his faithfulness remain true since arriving into Ghana. You may ask yourself, “Where have you seen his faithfulness in the midst of so many random and unexpected hiccups during the first couple days of this trip?” Honestly, at times it was hard to choose to trust when we were all so incredibly exhausted. But, then I he

I have never taught a kid how to use silverware, but I’d imagine it would be something like I experienced. Today, I explained to each patient how to put a thermometer under their tongue, through a translator, in a schoolhouse-turned-clinic, in the bush of west Africa. Kids peered in through the windows and giggled, as they watched their fellow villagers try to raise their tongues to the roof of their mouths. My new Ghanaian friends were not the only ones feeling a bit awkward

I find myself sitting here in the JFK airport during our nine hour layover- expectantly waiting for what this trip has in store for us. For many different reasons, the planning for this trip has been exceedingly difficult. Changing plans, changing team makeup, and changing expectations have created a run-up to the trip that has been incredibly stressful on everyone. How Amy (my wife, pharmacist, and logistics expert) has managed it all to this point is simply beyond me. I thi