REPORT OF THE JULY 2008 MEDICAL MISSION TO ARCHBISHOP

Arrival
The team of 4 from USA arrived on Saturday morning, 19th July 2008. They were met on arrival by Rev. Fr. S. S. A Okai, Mrs. Sarah Middleton-Mends, Mrs. Elizabeth Addoquaye, Rev Fr. Bernard Antwi and daughter and Ven. Daniel Torto. However, Jimmy Myers arrived on Friday, 18th July and was met at arrival by Rev Fr. Cecil William who also hosted him for a day. On Saturday, Fr. Cecil William and Jimmy Myers joined the other team members to Sealane Hotel, Prampram. The 5 member team for the mission is Frank Myers, Jimmy Myers, Charles Schaffernoth Jr (Team Leader), Harold Vandeveer, Ashley Schaffernoth.
On arrival at Prampram the team took off to Ada for site seeing, Rev. Fr. Addoquaye welcome the team. He led the team to see one of the mysteries of life, (the Volta Lake and sea meets but they don?Äôt enter each other).

Medical Mission
On Monday 21July and Tuesday, 22 July, the medical mission took place at Buako, from experience the Akwaaba were asked to come over to Buako for treatment. Unfortunately, on Tuesday there was a heavy down pour which disrupt the mission. We have to close two hours after commencement of the programme.
On Wednesday, 23 July the medical mission was held at New Ningo. Attendance at New Ningo was very encouraging and overwhelming.
Medical Staff: Dr Ayer engaged the services of two doctors, two pharmacists, one medical assistant, and six nurses including nutritionist. 313 children and 309 adults were attended to.

Prison Ministry
The team visited the Osamkrom Prison Camp in the Central Region. It has about 120 inmates mostly youth. The Warden/OIC and his officers performed a welcome ceremony (The welcome address of the Warden is attached). Bibles (English, Ga and Twi) were distributed to both inmates and officers. Blankets each was also given to the inmates. Jimmy Myers gave a word of exhortation. The inmates and officers were refreshed by the team. They reciprocated the good gestures by offering the team some lunch. On our return to Accra, we paid a courtesy call on the Director-General of the Prison Service, Mr. William Asiedu, we had a fruitful discussion and he assured us of his support and thanked the church for the good work she is doing.

Youth Rally
In the evening, the group met with some of the youth at the St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church, Mamprobi for a youth rally. Fifty-Two youth attended Ashley Schaffernoth was the coordinator of the programme. Rev. Fr. Samuel Ankrah, Frank Myers and Charles Schaffernoth spoke at the rally which lasted for about 2 hours. After the rally, there was light refreshment which was sponsored by the team.

Visit to Ga District
On Friday, 25 July the team visited Oduman, Obeyeyie and Nsakina to see the progress of work on the school building. They were happy with the work so far done and it is their wish that school begin next academic year in both places. Later the team paid a courtesy call on the Chief and elders of the people of Oduman. (Address of the Chief is attached). One significant remark made by the chief was that since we have fulfill our promise of building a school for the community, they are now convince of our credibility as a result, they are going to give remaining plot on the site to the church.

Returning to Accra, they had a meeting with some members of staff to discuss issues of interest to both the Diocese and the Branches of the Vine and the program for the October Mission. The meeting was fruitful and helpful. About 20 people have registered for the October mission including 5 youth.

Communication Center
Charles Schaffernoth and Ben Ayitey for 3 days (Wednesday ?Äì Friday) worked assiduously on the installation of the satellite dish and other accessories. By the grace of God, the Diocese has now got her own satellite dish, thus, making it possible now for Archbishop and staff to hold conference with the Branches of the Vine in-house.

The Diocese treated them to a farewell dinner at the Bishopscourt. They described their mission as very successful.

Submitted by.

Ven. Daniel Torto
Director of Program

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