Health Care Reform: From the Outside Looking In

Perspective. It is an interesting word. Before I moved to an African third-world country my perspective of the world was much the same as most Americans, but that has greatly changed over the last seven years. My perspective about money, clothes, schools, electricity, and even garbage have all changed. I used to think that one thousand dollars a month meant a person was impoverished. That a school with 40 students to a teacher was over crowded. That it was normal for a person to own a car.

After moving here I found out that one man's trash is another man's treasure. (Most people around the world buy and wear the used clothes that Americans throw away). I found out that internet, satellite, and air conditioning are not essential to man's basic existence. I found out that what I took for granted, and even at times disdained as below standard, was beyond reach for most of the worlds 6.7 billion people. I found out that my perspective about the world was pretty jilted and out of proportion with the global reality. It was a hard lessons to learn that things I used to complain about could not even be fathomed by most people.

All these ideas came crashing back to me as I read the response of so many people that were involved in the American Health Care reform debate. I would read quotes like this, “The access to good health care is a fundamental right of all people,” President Obama. "This is the civil rights act of the 21st century," Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. Or, "We are the ONLY CIVILIZED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD without universal health care!! So ... now (we) become like the rest of the world" comment to AP report on health care. "President Obama should be applauded for his tenacity in waiting to help out the little guy and all those who fall into that category. For far to long we the hardest working of all Americans, the ones that barely survive on a week to week basis, will have one less concern for ourselves and their families." Response to CNN report.

I am not some much concerned if the reader is a jubilant supporter of health care reform or a defeated protestor to this form of health care. The many thing that I want a person to see is the perspective of about 5.5 billion other people around the world. Weather the person is angry that 30 million people do not have adequate health care, or angry that the government is socializing health care, I want the reader to see the facts and gain a small perspective of what my friends here in Ghana face in regards to their health care.

Dease and Death Rate Facts:
Last year in America a total of 1,527,624 people died from health related causes. These numbers are sad, and each digit represents a life and a story. But, lets compare these facts to some others. Last year in the world 1,324,487 people outside the United States died from Tuberculosis; 990,000 people died from malaria; 281,972 new cases of Measles were reported, with most of them being fatal outside the United States. :Last year 27,000 children die around the world everyday, because of preventable causes. That is 9,855,000 children that die every year out side the United States be preventable causes. That means for each person in America that died wih health care, 10 children (not counting adults or teens) die from common problems such as, diarrhea, influenza, food poisoning.

Do these facts mean that I want the Untied States to have undeveloped health care. No, in no way at all. I just hope to put this in perspective for those that have slipped into to viewing the world in an unclear way. This means that though people say that health care is a fundamental right of mankind, 6 billion people have never tasted it.

Health Care Costs:
In the African country of Burundi- the average person pays 91.4% of their annual income on health care expenses. In Ghana- the average person pays 65.8% of their annual income on health care expenses. In the United States- the average person only pays 23.5% of their income in medicine expenses.

Physicians and Nurses:
In American there 26 doctors for ever 1,000 people. In South Africa there are 8 doctors for every 1,000 people. In the country of Togo there is only 1 doctor for every 1,000 people. In America there are 94 nurses and midwives for every 1,000 people, in Ghana there are 9. In America there are 46 beds in a hospital for 1000 people. In most African countries there is less than 1 nurses for every 1,000.

Infant Mortality and Skilled Health Personnel:
In American 99% of all children are born with skilled health personnel present. In Peru 73%. In Ghana, 50%. In the country of Chad only 14% of all births are attended by health personnel. In the United States for every 1,000 births, there 6.26 deaths., in South Africa there 44.42 and in Mali there 102.

(All facts provide by the Center for Disease Control and Global Health Fact Organization www.globalhealthfacts.org , www.cdc.gov/nchs/FASTATS/death.htm)

Do these facts prove or disprove the need for American health care? This is not the point! At times what a person needs is not answers but perspective. In a time where people are fighting over the rights and needs of people, it is sometimes best for those people to hear about the plight of other people. Some times seeing some from the America viewpoint is not enough. The people of America might want to ask themselves what is the perspective of the other 6 billion people that co-habit this plant with them. How do they see our current health care system?

I have learned what it is like for most people of the world in regards to their health care. I have sat in the emergency waiting room of the major hospital in our city, while waiting for two days to get help. I have seen the bodies rolled in from accidents. Most people in the world visit their family members in hospital wards that are over crowded. People laying on the floor in their own blood hoping not to die while hoping for a bed and time to see the doctor. Nurses treating 100 patients at a time. Medical equipment that is archaic at best and broke most of the time. Most of the equipment and tools being used or the off sourcing and waste of the American health system. My wife has helped and visited women that have needed to be feed, bathed, and dressed each day at 5:00 am in the morning because the hospital staff cannot afford enough employees to do the work. People daily watch people die, because the basic medical supplies that could save their lives could not be obtained. This is the world’s take on the ‘fundamental’ rights of all men to health care.

The perspective to be gained is this: America has been blessed with good health care! America was founded on these truths. “That we hold these truths to be self evident that ALL men are created equal.” But some where along the line, after decades of having the best, people have begun to believe that just because they are geographically located in 50 united states called America, that somehow they are more equal then 95% of the world’s population. Does this mean that America health care has to be equal to the rest of the poor countries of the world. NO! But, next time the reader hears someone raise their voice and complain about the horrible state of the American medical system, just remember. It is just their perspective!

*****(All photos are copyrighted workers of William Huan. William is a Baptist photographer. All photos taken of West Africa are sold and the proceeds are given to the Baptist Hospital of Northern Ghana. The reader can visit his site at http://gallery.williamhaun.com)*****

Our Prayer

SOVEREIGN GOD,

Thy cause, not my own, engages my heart,

and I appeal to thee with greatest freedom

to set up thy kingdom in every place where Satan reigns;

Glorify thyself and I shall rejoice,

for to bring honour to thy name in my sole desire.

I adore thee that thou art God,

and long that others should know it, feel it, and rejoice in it.

O that all men might love and praise thee,

that thou mightest have all glory from the intelligent world!

Let sinners be brought to thee for thy dear name!

To the eye of reason everything respecting

the conversion of others is as dark as midnight,

But thou canst accomplish great things;

the cause is thine,

and it is to thy glory that men should be saved.

Lord, use me as thou wilt,

do with me what thou wilt;

but, O, promote thy cause,

let thy kingdom come,

let thy blessed interest be advanced in this world!

O do thou bring in great numbers to Jesus!

let me see that glorious day,

and give me to grasp for multitudes of souls;

let me be willing to die to that end;

and while I live let me labour for thee

to the utmost of my strength,

spending time profitably in this work,

both in health and in weakness.

It is thy cause and kingdom I long for, not my own.

O, answer thou my request!

***(please not there are a few new post that are further down on the blog, that have just been published today, but are posted under early dates)

Baby Steps

A day for baby steps. Today marked the start of our first visitation that was scheduled to include church members. Andrew and his family went to the Atonsu area to visit around the school, while my family and I went on visitation around the Ahensan area.

The most exciting part about today was the fact that I was joined by one of our men. Robert has been saved and baptized. Since he works nights he is able to visit with me, while everyone else that attends the studies tries to witness at work or school. (Many of the people are not available at this time, so they are encouraged to witness and give out tracts).

It was such a blessing to see him come walking up. (We are hoping he will be one of the first to start learning how to witness). He had a big smile on his face. Today he had decided to wear a new red and blue polo style shirt and some nice dress trousers. It was so exciting to see him put his best foot forward.

After a short time of prayer, Robert and I went in one group, and Patty and the girls went in another. The many focus of this Wednesday time is just inviting people to services. Robert and I sent door to door giving people invitation.

It was an encouragement to hear Robert explain to one Convention Baptist man, that our church was different and that the visitor needed to come and see the differences. Also I was asked if I was a Mormon, since they have already visited the area. (Here if a person is a foreigner and another foreigner from another church group or cult, reaches an area first, most people think that the foreigner is just another member of that church or cult). For this reason, the people as well as Robert had the opportunity too hear today some of the things Mormons teach and why our Bible Studies are not the same.

Overall all it was really nice to visit together. The cup of joy seemed to be full to the brim later when our family told Robert good bye. What a joy to watch people take baby steps.

Central Market Pictures

Friday afternoon for part of our date time, my wife and I went into the Central Market of Kumasi, also know as Kejetia. Kejetia is the largest open air market in Africa. It cover over 3 square miles of land. The picture that is seen below is just one of the transport station at the market. If a person wants to, they can get a car to almost anywhere in Ghana from this spot. (sorry the panoramic picture is so small, the blog will not allow it to be any bigger).

(If you click on the picture it will pull up bigger in another screen)

Here are a few ladies from a market in down town Kumasi. They where very gracious and allowed me the opportunity to take their pictures.

This are some of the spices and medicines that can be found in the market. Almost anything that a person wants, can be found in the market. (That is if they sale it in Ghana). In the following picture there are two spices that I want the reader to take note of, the first is a purple red flower. It is used to make a local juice called Sobolow, it is much like Kool-Aid. It is very read, and most churches that do not use wine, use this flower to make the drinks for the Lord's Supper. Patty and I bought about 2 ghana cedies worth. This gave us a nice large bag, that should last the future church a long time. Also in the middle of the pictures, about 2/3 of the way up, a person can see a grey blue bucket. If a person looks closely they will notice that it is filled with dried chameleons. These are used for local medicine and also at times, ju-ju.

Here are other spices. Some are used for making a black eyed pea recipe called Waakye. Others are MSG, salt, white pepper, whole black pepper. garlic, and many others.

The evening sky setting over evening traffic as Patty and I try to make it home after our date.

The Courage to Try Again

Friday morning, I saw something. One of those things that swells pride in the breast. It might have been a small thing to some people, but to me it was a shiny beacon of courage. Most people think that courage is the thing that a person must have to do the big things, but most often courage is not this at all. Courage is the ability to do the little things that have never been done before. It is the decision try again. It is the chance to start over, or go against the grain. It is the second home run in a World Series for Lou Gehrig , or a Rosa Park, deciding to sit on the front of the bus, or even American settlers throwing boxes of tea off a boat. The fact is, weather they happened for personal, social, spiritual, or moral reasons, they each dared in a way to do something for the first time!

On Friday I saw one of these times of courage. It was not earth shattering. Fact is that most people in the world or in Ghana for that matter, will never hear about it. But it was a act of courage. It was about someone trying to do something that they had failed at before. This is Edison courage that does not quite though it fails 700 times.

On Friday as I was walking to the bus stop I saw a student walking up to the same stop to catch a tro-tro. At first I paid no attention to the student. I thought it was just another student going home after school. But, after a second thought, I took another look. After a second quick glance, I thought that the student was older. But I decided it must be a student that was held back in the Junior High (it is very common here for people to be delayed in school for three or four years because some times it is difficult to gather together the money to pay school fees). But as I stood at the junction, my mind kept telling me that something was different about this student. So, I decided to try to sneak another peak, without being seen. I was shocked by what I saw.

She was not just a normal student! She was a few years older. It was the normal schoolgirl at all, but grown up women. She was about 40 years old, and she was wearing a school uniform. This might not mean much to the America reading this, but to a Ghanaian this is huge. Everything in our culture is built upon status, age, and order, much like a simple form of a cast system. For this reason, once someone pass through a stage they will not want to go back. It would be like jumping back down the ladder. (This is one reason most young men work so hard at growing facial hair, it raises them up a few steps).

But, here was a mature lady in a school uniform. I mean the full thing. Here they wear a set outfit for school. Most public schools it is the same. Boys wear brown shorts, and a orange shirt, with white socks and black shoes. Girls wear a brown and orange dress, and white and black shoes. The lady standing at the junction was wearing the white lacy socks, black tennis shoes, the orange and brown dress. She lloked a student all the down to her black kids back pack. She had even cut and breaded her hair so that she could go to school.

After a few second of peaking at this lady out of the corner of my eye, my curiosity got the best of me and I ask her if she was a student. This is what see said. She had never finished Junior High school, and wanted to learn how to read and write. So she decided to go back to school!

This was so amazing! Now I know coming from a nation where older people get there GED all the time, this might not be amazing, but think of it this way. Imagine if each person that wanted to get a GED in the United States had to go back to public school again. They had to dress up like all the pre-teens. Carry a back-pack and sit in class with the kids! That is just what this women decided to do!

I was very impressed, I tried by best to encourage her. I told her that I thought what she was doing was great! I told her that I hoped she continued. But, then again it probably did not matter to much, if she was that determined she was going to finish no matter what.

As I rode away in a taxi, I sat there wondering. I was amazed at the courage of a 40 something women. Someone that was bold enough to do something that is rarely if ever done. Even when I mention it to the taxi driver, he told me that he had heard about it. He said it was so amazing that a local radio station reported on it.

So to this women, come to think of it, I did not even have time to ask her name, here is a poem that her actions seem to fulfill.

The Things That Haven't Been Done Before

The things that haven't been done before,

Those are the things to try;

Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore

At the rim of the far-flung sky,

And his heart was bold and his faith was strong

As he ventured in dangers new,

And he paid no heed to the jeering throng

Or the fears of the doubting crew.

The many will follow the beaten track

With guideposts on the way.

They live and have lived for ages back

With a chart for every day.

Someone has told them it's safe to go

On the road he has traveled o'er,

And all that they ever strive to know

Are the things that were known before.

A few strike out, without map or chart,

Where never a man has been,

From the beaten paths they draw apart

To see what no man has seen.

There are deeds they hunger alone to do;

Though battered and bruised and sore,

They blaze the path for the many, who

Do nothing not done before.

The things that haven't been done before

Are the tasks worthwhile today;

Are you one of the flock that follows, or

Are you one that shall lead the way?

Are you one of the timid souls that quail

At the jeers of a doubting crew,

Or dare you, whether you win or fail,

Strike out for a goal that's new?

Everyone has a Story

Every shape, size and color is present. From the ivory white of the Scandinavian to the ebony black of the West African, the jet black hair of the Chinese to the bright red hair of the Irish. People are sharing their stories. Faces are lite up with joy and the bystander can see head nod and eye brow raising and a million other cultural ways of giving agreement.

Language after language is heard, some in the clicking Xhosa, some in flowing French, even others in languages to exotic and rare to be named or described, but each one tells a story.

This last two weeks three stories where added to the ones that all believers will hear someday. Each one might one day be told in a different language: Kasim-Nankana, Nzema, or Asante, but the end will be the same, each person received eternal life.

The first stories main character is a a middle aged Nzema lady named Veronica. Veronica's sons have been attending our Bible study for over a year now, and because of her sons, she decided to attend a few months ago. After attending my wife started the Way of Peace Bible study with her. Veronica seemed to be very interested, and learned very quickly. Though she said that she had a lot of questions, she wanted to wait until the Bible study was completed. She told my wife that she knows from being a teacher, that many times questions will be answered if the student will just listen.

The weeks quickly passed and the truths of salvation began to become clear, but still though Veronica knew that she was as sinner it was hard think about dying and what would happen afterwards. No one naturally wants to think about a subject that for many brings doubt and fear.

This two weeks ago Veronica became sick. At first she thought that it was just a another case of malaria, but after two days it would not go away. Could it be more, she thought, as Wednesday came, the symptoms became worse. She told her husband to just go to work, and that she would stay home and rest. (Her husband is a teacher also). Her oldest son Moses had gone to school already, and her younger two boys where getting ready to go to school when she collapsed on the couch. She could not breath! So matter what she did, the air would not come. She felt the lungs closing, and her chest tightening! The two young boys just began to cry and say, "Mommy, don't die, please don't die!"

Veronica, said that only one thought kept coming to her mind, "If I die, then what!" She said that she prayed to God, "Please God let me live, and I will listen, I want to know how I can know what will happen to mean after death! Please let me live!" Just then as she finished her prayer, her lungs opened and she could breath again.

She told the boys to go to school, and she went off to the hospital. At the hospital they told her that she had typhoid, and gave her the proper medicine. By that Saturday, her strength had returned, and she was ready for my wife's visit.

After one hour of study, Veronica would not let Patty and Emily go. She kept asking question, and then told them the story. She told Patty that no matter how long it took, she wanted to understand that day. So after a few more hours of study, Veronica placed her faith and trust in Jesus Christ, and added her name to the Book of Life.

After some time of rejoicing and prayer. Patty told her to take care of herself, so that she could regain her strength, to this Veronica said, "I want to get better, but I am not worried about death anymore, so even if I don't, I am fine, because now I have peace!"

The second stories main character is a Kasim-Nankana man, that is a brother to one of our converts. He arrived in Kumasi a few months ago to gather enough money to start a farm in the north. His family has the land, but if he is to take care of his elderly mother, he would need to money to buy the seed crop for the farm. For this reason he came to Kumasi to stay with his brother.

Andrew and I knew that we only had a short time to reach him, since he was only planning on staying in Kumasi for four to five months. Bismark his older brother, started to bring him to Bible studies right away. Peter, for this is the name of this young ma, does not speak much Twi, since he is from the north, but luckily for us he speaks semi-fluent English along with his local language. Andrew began English Bible studies with him and worked at braking down the false Tradition and Charismatic teaching that had been filling his mind.

Last week on Friday, our little team made the two or three mile walk to they family shanty, hoping that Peter was around. This morning the Lord was at work, and Peter would be working the evening shift at work, so he was available to talk. Andrew sat with him in the small one room wooden house, as I spoke to his senior brother outside. After about two hours, Andrew and Peter came outside.

Peter is a fairly well built man, much like his brother. They both look like body builders, so when he came out with a child like grin, that a person would she on a young child in the United States at Christmas, I was hopeful. After greeting them, I asked Peter why he was so happy.

This is what he told me. "I am happy this day, cause I know truth now. Before I did not know, that a curse was over me, that I was a sinner, and that I could not brake curse with my own power, but now I knows that Jesus blood has broken this, and paid for my sins. He is my only hope, this is why I am happy."

Pray for Peter has Andrew and I seek to have him taught and baptized before he travels. Also pray for the Lord leading for him and us, after he travels to the north.

The finally story for today centers around an Asanta man named Asamoah. I have written about Asomoah and his accident in past journal entries. It has been almost a month since his accident, and the doctors have told him that he is fine for now. He does have a skull fracture, but the hospital has said that they want to wait for the swelling to reduce before they make any further actions.

This last week Asomaoah's story has had a good chapter added to it. Many people have been telling Asomoah that he has been cursed. That someone cursed his grandfather. They tell the family that the reason that they all drink so much is because of this curse, and until this curse is broken, they will never be free from it power.

Taking this idea, I took Asomoah to the Bible. I showed him that no one has cursed him, but that because of the sins of Adam and Eve, we all have been cursed. That this sin curse is in all of us, and covers and controls everything in this fallen world. I showed him that just like in traditional thought, the Bible says that forgiveness and the braking of this curse can only come through blood.

This teaching seemed to be making ground, but there where times that I was not sure how much his head injury was affecting his memory. But finally after tree weeks, the pieces began to fall in place. On Friday, while some young school children in America where praying for me and Asoamoah (I was told this by the teacher, that they where pray at the same time that I was witnessing)the Lord became to really open Asomoah damaged eyes.

After two hours he eagerly prayed and accepted Christ has his eternal hope. Afterwards I tried to encourage him to tell friends of the decision that he has made.

It is a joy to relive these three story again today, but it will be a greater joy to hear them again someday in heaven.

Simon Says

Simon Says is a great classic game from my childhood. One person is Simon and then the other players have to listen to whatever he says to do to ensure that they stay in the game. They must do everything they are told, but of course only if "Simon Says".

This fun game reminds me of what happens on the mission field some times. Well- intentioned missionaries are the Simons. They come to the field to lead and help the nationals to get the work done. Before long, the people learn the rules. They see that they need to follow the commands of the leader, and no matter what happens they cannot stay 'in' unless they follow what Simon says. Even if they think it is right, unless Simon the missionary tells them to do it, they will not move.

The sad thing is that many times the African missionary does not even know he is playing the game. He does not know that his money, style of teaching and preaching, and misunderstanding of intercultural servanthood have started this game of Simon says. The people have learned by small unspoken things - by things the missionary might not even perceive. They know in time how the game is played. Those that want to stay close to the missionary learn to listen for what Simon says. This then means many times in African societies that all the missionary gains is yes men and lackeys, not the strong men with the ability to lead. The kind of men he really needs. (I am not saying it is wrong to tell people what to do or have strong leadership, but this is not the same as Simon says. The sad thing is many people including missionaries do not see their Simon Says tendencies until after the missionary leaves the field. At these times their ministry falls apart, but most often this is blamed on poor national leadership. The truth is that most often it's
because the game is over, and no one knows how to play without Simon.

The reality of this mentality has really affected the way that we try to lead and help people here. How does someone lead and serve at the same time? How does someone give directions while letting people learn to listen to the Holy Spirit?

In a culture where everyone has been told to listen to the 'white guy' because that is what must be done, how does a missionary teach people to look to Jesus and not a guy that many people think has all the knowledge, money, and answers?

These questions have been hard to ask, and have been even harder to answer! As a believer in the Bible, I know God says that once a person is born again, the Holy Spirit will live in them. That Spirit is their guide and teacher. Also they have individual soul liberty and God can guide them and teach from His Word! The key then is to allow them to learn how to hear the voice of God, not just the voice of the missionary. If all they learn to do is listen to the missionary's voice, they will never listen to God when the missionary is gone.

With this said, what does this all practically mean? In one word -- PATIENCE! This is the hardest thing that I have to do. As an American, I am programed to program. I am trained to push, advance, and perform! I have been told that I must force everything to happen in an instant. In our microwave culture, if it is not hot and ready in 15 minutes it is not worth the hassle. This idea has bled over into our missions works. The missionary wants results!

He feels the press to have converts, baptisms, and men that will surrender to the call to preach! But, what he has forgotten is that at times it takes time to grow the Banyan Tree. When it grows,though, it will never fall. As he waits for the growth, he gets frustrated and angry. Soon he cuts down the Banyan Tree, and plants the Police Tree. (This is a local name for a tree here that grows very fast, but has very shallow roots and is very, very thin). This tree grows in no time, but its shallow roots and small trunk means that it will easily fall when the rainy season comes.

I hate to be patient just like every other person in the world that has been programmed to go, go, go, but I have learned that I must not become Simon.

This said, I was reminded of this fact again this last week. On Friday a young man named Nat called me to his house. He told me that he is very interested about becoming a pastor. He told me that he was so serious he even broke up with his long standing girl friend, because she said she would not be a pastor's wife. He told me that he did not know God's will, and wanted me to pray for him.

The moment I heard this, two forces began to work in me! Simon the missionary and the other guy that has learned Patience. Simon was yelling, "Just tell him that God wants him to preach. He is a good guy! He can really do it! He feels this way because he is called!" The temptation comes to try to stand up and tell him what God wants! To stand up and say, "Simon says, go preach!"

Pushing the voice of Simon down, and sitting on my dreams and goals, I tell the young man how to know God's will. I tell him that I will be praying, but that he has to learn what God wants him to do with his life. I tell him that the Holy Spirit is his guard, and that if he will really seek the Lord, He will tell him what He wants him to do. I tell him it is a very good thing to want to be in the ministry and God will not hide His will from him in regards to this matter.

As we talk more about what a pastor must be out of the first book of Timothy, and discuss things, Nat says that he would love to help us more and tells us that he loves to attend Bible studies. He also tells me that he is even thinking about dropping out of community college to study the Bible. (Nat has about two months left to finish before he graduates). Here comes Simon again, "Yeah, tell him to drop out, he can start helping you with all the work! Soul-winning! He needs to start having classes with..." Simon continues the incessant muttering in my ear.

Andrew and I encourage him to finish what he started. He made a promise to finish school and even if he is called to preach it will serve him well to learn to finish what he starts.

Overall, after about two hours of talking, Andrew and I left Nat. He has a lot to pray about, and we have a lot to pray about as well. Our waiting and patience begins. Now we have to wait iand pray, trusting God to guide him, instead of the missionary. Now, we have to allow the Lord to call him and give him 'full proof' of his ministry. The truth is that the will of God will never be thwarted, but man's will will not stand for long.