This is a summary and final blog from our last trip.
Saturday, February 7th’
We have all arrived home safely, and making adjustments to the time change and digesting on how this trip has affected our lives.
This has been quit the trip. I had a great team, who came to serve with a loving heart. Many people’s lives were changed because of this great team. Outreach clinics were really busy and referred 97 patients to Selian for further test and/or surgery. Many required surgery. We referred a man to KCMC for cataract surgery; a young man to Bugando Medical Centre, who had be in an accident and crushed his facial bones and a Maxofacial surgeon will do some reconstructive surgery. Then we had a sad case with a women that was diagnosed with a brain tumor, that was referred to a neurosurgeon at KCMC. I pray that it is benign and operable. These surgeries and treatments are going to be life-changing for these people, and Hope Ministries pays for all their medical services. It breaks my heart to see and hear how long these people have to suffer because of no money and/or no access to heath care.
We traveled to Bugando Medical Centre and here Dr. Goswami and Dr. Pruitt taught the doctors how to do arthroscopic surgery with the arthroscopic towers that Hope Ministries shipped to them. They did teaching in the classroom and then in surgeries. It was so awesome to see the reaction of the doctors in staff witnessing these procedures. They turned and smiled at me and said “this is so cool”! The patients were excited to see they only has two small incisions for their surgeries and were able to walk the next day. We made history at this hospital. Only one other hospital does arthroscopic knee surgeries in Tanzania, and this hospital is far away and the patients have to wait a long time for surgery and it is very costly to travel to get this help. There is no other hospital in TZ that does arthroscopic foot and ankle surgeries. We had a team evaluation with the Bugando staff on our visit and what we need to do to further develop this program. Then we visited our postop patients and we were so pleased with how well they were all doing.
We had all the local TV and Radio station personnel their taking pictures and interviewing doctors and myself. That was exciting to hear the doctors talk about how this will benefit so many patients.
A case that touched my heart, was a young man I saw at one of my outreach clinics. He had some previous hip surgery, but was having severe pain and could not walk on the one leg and used crutches. He was young and had a son, but could not work. The look of suffering in eyes, pierced my heart. He did not have money to have the surgery he needed. So I transferred him to Bugando and Dr. Alex gave him a new hip. It was a very difficult surgery! When we went to visit him on the ward, he put his hand to his heart and kept saying “thank you and God bless you”. Thanks to the many Hope donors because this young mans life will be forever changed.
One little boy who touched my heart and was so scared in surgery. The glove balloon and pictures on my phone helped calm him down. I am in love!
Saying our goodbyes the day that we leave is so difficult. I find myself crying when I have to say goodbye, especially to Julius, who is like a son to me and I could not do this without him. He has truely blessed my life. He always says “it is not goodbye, but until we meet again.
Again thanks to the wonderful team that was with me and to all the many people who have donated and supported Hope Ministries fiancially and with your prayers. To God be the glory.
Here is a message that I received from Julius:
Mama G :
On behalf of the outreach clinics, hospitals, and the communities you served, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to you for the incredible work you have done.
Your commitment, generosity, and hands-on support have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many people who needed care the most. The impact of your contribution will be felt long after your visit, through improved health, renewed hope, and strengthened medical support for our communities.
Thanx God For safely back home to the U.S.A., please know that your efforts are deeply appreciated and will always be remembered. Thank you for standing with us, believing in this mission, and helping us bring care and compassion where it was needed most.Mungu Akubariki Saaana (God Bless you very much!)