​Greetings to our blog friends and prayer partners!

It is hard to believe it is already Monday. Realizing that we have answered the call to our Lord and Savior to be in service to Him, we are calling ourselves Team Jesus. We attended devotional and staff updates at Mercy Hospital. Some of us completed rounds with Dr. Amara attending to 8 patients. A pregnant woman in labor arrived early Sunday morning. The labor did not progress as expected. Dr. Amara was called in and an emergency c-section was performed at 2:30 am. For this to happen, the anesthesiologist had to be picked up from home, other staff was called in and the maintenance coordinator, Mohammed, was called in to fire up the generator  to provide enough power to be able to administer the anesthesia. All obstacles were overcome systematically and efficiently with the arrival of a big baby girl. Mom and baby are healthy and happy with plans to discharge home Wednesday. (insert photo). Other patients were evaluated, all doing well and progressing as expected.

One man checked himself out from the hospital in Freetown to transfer to Mercy Hospital in Bo where he preferred to receive his treatment. After a week of care at Mercy, he is feeling better, his vitals and symptoms are improved and he is expected to discharge home today. When we entered the room of our last patient, she immediately began praising God and Mercy hospital for improved health. She continued to tell Dr. Amara of her improved symptoms. Following evaluation, Dr. Amara agreed and she should be ready to discharge home today. It is evident that the Mercy staff is a well-oiled, professional caring team that works together to provide best patient care.

​If you would like to support Mercy Hospital or join us on a medical mission team, follow these links: 
Learn more about Mercy Hospital.  
Learn more about mission teams.

Team Jesus work continues with maintenance issues, teacher collaborative program and outreach.
​And He called His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, heal every disease and every affliction. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Matthew 10:1,8.
Mercy Hospital heals 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

For the love of His children,
Vicki and Karen

Two busy days and what a fabulous time! We have had some internet connection challenges so haven't been able to post until now. 
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So far we have toured the facilities and had orientation to the programs. Doug and Debra conducted 2 days of Advanced Programming, Budgeting and Training Techniques workshops. Wonderful exchange of ideas. Julie and Kerry have worked with the Child Rescue Centre social workers and gone on a school visit. We have had a chance to purchase fabric at the market, and gifts for our sponsor children, whom we will this weekend. Chris, Sonja and Kristen have been observing the different areas at Mercy Hospital, culminating in the birth of this beautiful new baby girl this afternoon, who the parents named Sonja. And here she is just 20 minutes old.

​Having done so much already, it seems like we have been much longer. And so much more to come.

​The July team had a special treat when they got to help with a "Social Day" at the CRC. Students from the Child Rescue Centre, Jonathon’s Child Care, and SOS Children’s Village were invited to an afternoon of fun and fellowship at the CRC compound. 

Children were organized into “houses” identified by color (blue, white, purple and yellow), and the members of the July UMVIM team helped the CRC staff provide supervision and do several fun activities for the kids. 

Gary Gilkeson shared that the highlight of the day for him was helping a blind girl from SOS learn to ride a bike for the very first time, with Gary holding fast to the bike as she rode. “She wanted to keep going and going until I had to quit from exhaustion,” he laughed.  Tina De Boeser shared her experience reading to a little girl. "Many animals she wasn’t familiar with so I had the chance to explain and do some fun animal voices. We were all a little sad when our time in the library was done!"

On Sunday, some of the July team members visited their sponsored students at home.  It's a special time for the sponsors, the kids, and their families, and a wonderful opportunity for the missioners to learn about the lives of the children they sponsor.  On Monday the rest of the team is scheduled to go on home visits.

Outreach team ready to head out to village.