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Ghana- Hanging On [1]
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Date: 2023-05-23
I had intended to post a story every Tuesday around noon Eastern time letting everyone know what is happening with John and the people he is working with in Ghana, with additional bulletin-like stories during the week when and if any new developments arise (as they usually do.)
My apologies for being a bit late today. I had some connection problems earlier and then had issues with either this site or my computer (in all honesty, probably my computer) but hopefully everything is finally resolved.
John is my friend in Ghana who works to help those who come to him in desperate situations. Though poor himself and in fragile health, John has a big heart and he does what he can for those who have nowhere else to turn.
John has been ill for the past week or so now. He is weak from passing blood (probably from bleeding ulcers) and has been more or less bound to his home. So things have slowed down and he is unable to travel to others or to check in on how they are doing.
Some of the people in our small circle have cellphones and can get in touch with him that way but not all do. The only way John can keep in track with them is by personal contact. In his case that means walking long distances and he simply cannot do that right now.
Our main concern right now is Anabel, the four-year old girl who was abandoned by her mentally ill mother. We have been arranging for her care in a center that helps children when their parents cannot care for them themselves but of course being institutionalized is not a good thing and as soon as w can we will try to do something better for her.
The problem right now is that Anabel has come down with the measles. At her age, and under her circumstances, this is very worrying.
I admit I was worried that the center might insist that she be removed from their care. They had threatened to do that earlier when she came down with a rash and of course measles are a much more serious problem than a mere rash. Also the measles are contagious and I was concerned they might simply refuse to have her with the other children. And right now we simply have no other place to take her.
I have only heard from John twice since last Friday, which is worrisome in itself, but apparently the care center is still keeping her with them. She is very ill. He said this morning that she is ‘sweating buckets’. Last Friday he said that her mouth was so filled with sores that she was having trouble swallowing.
Our other immediate health concern is baby Vicky, who is not yet four months old. Apparently her navel did not heal well after birth and is a continuing (and perhaps worsening) problem. Haddi and Zenabu, her parents, have been texting John begging for help but right now there is very little we can do. The end of the month is always a difficult time for us financially.
I have no new information on our teenage runaway, Eliot, or abandoned five-year old Gofred. Or on the others, who each deserve their own stories. But that will come as I can.
For now any prayers, meditations, and kind thoughts for poor Anabel would be much appreciated. To lose her now would be just devastating.
A little post script, the photo for this story is a picture John sent me of his neighborhood. I am not sure if it is in Buduburam refugee camp or Accra or perhaps even somewhere else in the area. But I thought you all might find it interesting.
God bless.
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