Ghana (MNN) — Nearly a quarter of child deaths in Ghana are caused by malaria, a preventable disease. The CIA reports people living in Ghana and Burkina Faso as being at a "very high" risk level for major infectious diseases. With such serious health risks in both countries, external medical care is welcome.
An HCJB Global Hands team had their work cut out for them, then, when they took a three-week trip to those countries. Dr. Steve Nelson quickly met up with a six-year-old boy in Ghana with a 106-degree fever. The child was treated for malaria.
The Global Hands team accomplished an impressive amount of medical work while on this mission. They helped over 1,000 sick patients, many of whom were suffering from or at risk for malaria.
The team was also able to de-worm and supply vitamins for 500 to 600 children. Medical clinics were conducted for two radio partners, one in Burkina Faso and one in Ghana. Checkups were also provided for orphanage, school and clinic outreach ACTS Ministry in the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou.
"What you have done is an invaluable contribution to the advance of the ministry," says Etienne Kiemde, executive director of the Burkina Faso radio partner Radio Evangile Developpement (RED).
The team contributed to ministry not only with their love through doling out medicine, but also through the gift of the Gospel. The Global Hands group was able to talk with thousands of children about Jesus, to reach out to Muslims, and to show a film about Jesus through RED. Their work in medicine lit the way to the Great Physician in actions and in speech.
The team members are now safely back in their homes, but the testimony of their work lives on. Pray that the Lord will continue to work in the hearts of those who heard the Gospel for the first time. Pray that the legacy of this team's sacrifice would live on through lives changed in Burkina Faso and Ghana alike.
If you would be a good candidate for an HCJB Global Hands trip, view a list of opportunities at www.hcjb.org.
