My Ghana Adventures: So Worth the Sacrifice

It was a little sunny for their eyes, but these kids are adorable

Last night my group decided to have FHE. We talked about Mosiah 18:27-29 and how we need to impart more abundantly and serve others. As we are here helping with eye care, we see so many other problems and it's easy to think that this isn't the biggest problem Ghana has. We could help in so many other ways. Often times, people are not very grateful for the service we provide for them either. I guess we assumed everyone would be so cheerful and happy about receiving medication, or glasses to see, but sadly they aren't. However, then we meet people who need our help so much. A few days ago, a young mother of the age of 24 came in. She had a newborn baby and a 2 year old baby. She was almost completely blind in one eye and her other eye had terrible vision. She could only see things close up and received the results of "counting fingers at 1 meter" on her visual acuity eye test. On Thursday, she will get surgery on one eye that will help her see. At this moment in her life, she needs vision most. She cannot help her young children if she cannot see. Sight is a huge challenge for her. Helping people like her makes this all come to life. It's so worth the sacrifice to be here. I feel so blessed to be here making so many new friends. Marlin K. Jensen once said "The quality of our daily relationships with others is the best indication of what we think about Christ." With each patient I help, I am reminded of the importance to love each of them as Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love them.

Just a short explanation on a couple people we have helped.
-one little girl was 2 years old, because she is getting the medication she needs now, she will have her vision restored. If she would have waited, then she would have ended up completely blind in few years.
-One man was 97! He is going in for surgery on Thursday.
-A young mother I helped today brought in her two daughters ages 3 (Mirriam) and 5 (Erica). All three of them received eye medications, and the mom got glasses. While she was gone getting the money, we played with the ball and then ate suckers. {picture on left}
-one man was brought in by his grandsons. He had late stages of glaucoma in both eyes. He was just about completely blind. Sadly, not much can be done for him because it is too late. But we were able to help all his family members so that they don't get to that point.
Anyway, below are some pictures of the place we went to today! We went to Agona Abodom. It was in a super cool church and outside there were a million children. My heart melted seeing all of them. They are so cute. I just want to bring them all home with me.
Oh ya, and did I mention, we went to a place called Zoo Zoos and they had all this African food, but they also had hamburgers and fries!! It's sad when you eat a hamburger and are happy at how "healthy" it is because it's not straight rice and bread but has some veggies on it. Happiness in a meal. Only 10 Cedis. Which is Less than 3 dollars. And we were all so full.