Things aren’t letting up in Jos, Nigeria. HSU's Dr. Phillip Palmer reports, “The number of patients in the outpatient clinic in the hospital seems to have exploded this week. We have had the opportunity to work with patients with polio, peripheral nerve injuries, strokes, back pain, neck pain, foot pain, and spinal cord injuries. We have enjoyed seeing the smiles of joy as patients reported that they were improving, and we have seen the pain in the eyes of those for whom physical therapy offered no benefit.”

Elayne Palmer had planned to work with the boys at the transition center, but her driver had to work for another family that day. She decided to go to the hospital and read to the children of women being treated for VVF.

Armed with six Little Golden Books, she walked to the hospital compound. Before whe knew it, she had 4 little girls hanging all over her. She wasn’t sure if they’d understand or even be interested in the stories, but, “They were captivated! The Saggy, Baggy Elephant and the Golden Egg book, which were loved long ago by my own children, were now being enjoyed by these precious girls. The most touching moment was when I pulled out The Christmas Story. Amina, an absolutely adorable Hausa child, murmmered along with me as I read, then she touched Jesus on every page and said, ‘baby,’ in English.”

The smiles among adversity that Luke noted in an earlier entry have had an impact on HSU student Eryn Mikel as well, “It is so honest and so meaningful. Every time you turn around, someone else in greeting you and smiling the biggest smile.” The photo below is of several of the widowed Nigerian women mentioned previously. They are being taught to sew as a marketable skill and will receive a sewing machine if they complete the 6-month course. They have nothing, yet they smile.

These people are just generally joyful. Despite the poverty, sickness, and death, these people have reason to smile. It makes me pray that my joy will never be dependent on my circumstances.”

Luke Palmer talks about a recent break in the grueling routine, “Friday and Saturday, the gang headed out to the Yankari Game Reserve in search of adventure. The encampment we stayed at was overrun with baboons and warhogs.

Baboons are the funniest creatures. One time, I saw a big baboon with a yellow bag in his mouth. Not too far behind him were a few African university students trying to figure out how to get their bag back.”

A number of HSU folks are returning from mission and service trips abroad in the next week. We hope to share some of these with you. Dr. Palmer and his crew return next week to hot showers and air-conditioning, with memories of a lifetime.