tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83092768862016984652024-03-05T18:24:38.502-08:00AfricaClinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-50906420868198374852012-04-16T13:35:00.000-07:002012-04-16T13:35:07.328-07:00New ChapterHi everyone,<br />
I would like to start this blog up again and make it a regular. Right now I am currently in school taking 21 units, and working two jobs. So I will try and keep up with my own goal, as long as one of you read my posts. :) So this is just a so called notice to keep you informed, so that you may keep an eye out for what is to come. I have some challenging decisions to make in the next week, and I will disclose more on those decisions when I come to a solid understanding on what I am to do. <br />
Talk to you all soon<br />
~ClintonClinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-76369878278983409352011-12-25T00:09:00.001-08:002012-04-16T13:28:39.313-07:00Merry Christmas<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hi everyone, sorry it has been so long since I have updated my Blog but here is the newest news.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">It has been nearly 3 months since I have been home from Sierra Leone Africa. It has been a tough task trying to get use to all of the happenings again. But I have persevered and come through it alive and well. Now the big question most of you want to know is “what I have been doing since I have been home?” Well here is the answer(s) to that question. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have been job hunting, moving, and volunteering in my churches youth group as a leader for the kids. I really enjoying being with the kids and helping them through trying times, or just even being a friend. One of my favorite times with the youth group was at youth convention. The convention had taken place on thanksgiving weekend, for three days in San Diego. It was an amazing time; the whole theme for the weekend was‘I am’… (I am what? That is what we had to find out) I have seen a lot of the youth grow and change, and I was also able to share my testimony with the kids. Not many people have heard my testimony, but I had felt they needed to heat it. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWp8ht4EAPKjDKiDvKKNXr0R2D4k_Yt0beRqkF71M0R-7NTlbceJkLdxqsluQqOTUQ1KK6NEkDlRQWcQMJZqyAMpgQ1qpbdq0gJK-qOAL9_ruAI-tLjQ3T5pTHJp02Z7ChnJi0_d81-t4/s1600/100_3751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWp8ht4EAPKjDKiDvKKNXr0R2D4k_Yt0beRqkF71M0R-7NTlbceJkLdxqsluQqOTUQ1KK6NEkDlRQWcQMJZqyAMpgQ1qpbdq0gJK-qOAL9_ruAI-tLjQ3T5pTHJp02Z7ChnJi0_d81-t4/s320/100_3751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Since being home I have shared many stories, and pictures. There are still a lot of stories I have not shared but would be more than happy to share them some time. If anyone ever wants to hear any of them feel free to ask. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">(Back to this story though...)<br />
Those are just some of the minor things that have happened since being home. On December 8, 2011 I was taken to the ER. I had been sick for two weeks prior to this, with fevers every other night and extreme shivers. I thought this sickness would just ware off but instead it became progressively worse. On this night I was rushed to the ER after becoming lethargic at home, with a temperature of 104.2.<br />
At the time my family and I had thought I was just extremely dehydrated but sadly we had both been wrong. I was taken to the ER and had a triage screening completed, within 5 minutes of the screening I was put into a bed. The nurse had come in and taken a full set of vitals and this is what they had found. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">BP 42/22 and dropping. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Pulse 182-200 BPM<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">SPO2 84%<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Temperature 101.0-104.2<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Respirations 8-24 <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I was not doing well at all; I was what we would call crashing in the medical field (I was dying in simple terms.). And that is not exaggerating; the doctors even said that to me….<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
I had never known what it had felt like to die; honestly I never wanted to know. But now I knew what it had felt like. The feelings coursing through my brain had been all jumbled up but I could still recall what I was feeling. I had the feeling of impending doom; I felt as if I could not make it any further in life. I was struggling. I had never felt a struggle like this ever. No energy, no power, weak, frantic and scared, what was happening to me? At the same time it was hard but I was trusting God in everything, praying constantly as well. I could not take my eyes off of the vital signs. Trying to sleep was not easy.. not just cause I could not but because it was hard for me to breath and retain a breath in my chest. It was hard thinking “if I go to sleep will I ever wake up?” I was very scared and I do not get scared to easily. At 20 years of age this is the last thought I had wanted in my head. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
I had many lovely people from my church come and visit me. With every visit was a prayer with every prayer was a silent cry inside me. But I was extremely grateful to have all of these amazing people in my life that care for me, people that love me. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Heart failure was not all that I had, I also had malaria and pneumonia. None of which had anything to do with each other. They had all been separate happenings. Good news the malaria had stayed in my liver and did not progress to my spine or any other vital organs. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
now “Why was I crashing? Why was I dying? What was happening? God answer me, Satan get far away from me” This is what I was saying over and over again. At one time I was yelling this to God. I was not angry at God I was more so angry cause I had this sickness. And no one knew why I had heart failure I just wanted to know what was going on. I was helping those in need several months ago, and now I was the one in dire need. I got the help I needed. But how did the people in Africa feel when they had something similar. That is all I could think of. During this whole time it has encouraged me to go back to Africa, and even continue on in school to get my doctorates. But I still have so many questions and only a few answers and still do. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I am what?<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">God saved me; God gave me life, God’s gift to me this year…. Life… <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I am alive<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I am strong<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I am His<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I am Loved<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I am forever<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I am grateful…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I am not dead…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">God has given me so much more than I can ever ask for. God, Prayer, Faith that is how I am still alive. Everything God does is for a reason and I can see that more and more in my life every day.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">God is love…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">And you and I are loved…<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYiWc8zAAl4x2OKi9VdR2-fJxlAHZVBYokPECz_RpCcMpSrChsSQGR353BekGA7UDa5uy3QErJAOavVdUEFnJcgp-IVdfamjNkj_RuaA2ZW6HP6AOoFM1YWBoR_ZPa4JNj5_RCp1PCtg/s1600/100_3779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYiWc8zAAl4x2OKi9VdR2-fJxlAHZVBYokPECz_RpCcMpSrChsSQGR353BekGA7UDa5uy3QErJAOavVdUEFnJcgp-IVdfamjNkj_RuaA2ZW6HP6AOoFM1YWBoR_ZPa4JNj5_RCp1PCtg/s320/100_3779.JPG" width="320" /></a>Merry Christmas, remember Christmas is about life and love not the gifts, so try and remember that this year while you are with family. Because you never know when life is over. Love…<o:p></o:p></div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-23730458749459214662011-09-28T09:18:00.000-07:002011-09-28T09:18:10.070-07:00From my Birther, to the Jungle... And every where in between.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQG5XX4izWOC4nnOsEBmLY6jEVYLHbtgaKndnrlA3ZAW5D8JiBzhgc-bUXKvWD7Cc6-KopHcb0kn17lzg7LmTtTG1qcJcPHnOlPqbZLih33eusIDTaEqydJDyizMZVCBnYOAUmhBj3I0/s1600/100_2586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQG5XX4izWOC4nnOsEBmLY6jEVYLHbtgaKndnrlA3ZAW5D8JiBzhgc-bUXKvWD7Cc6-KopHcb0kn17lzg7LmTtTG1qcJcPHnOlPqbZLih33eusIDTaEqydJDyizMZVCBnYOAUmhBj3I0/s320/100_2586.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Africa Mercy is an amazing ship, and not to mention owned by one of the worlds most amazing organizations. I consider the Mercy ship to be like Charlie and the Chocolate factory. thousands want to volunteer but only hundreds get accepted. hundreds of thousands want surgeries but only thousands get excepted. Looking past the gates of the port and over roof tops, many can see the towering blue funnel of the Mercy Ships. Many know what goes on inside but only a select few get to see the workings. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My backpack is my life, and if I ever loose it I just might die... Ok well maybe I'm exaggerating a little, if my camera and backpack where lost or stolen I would die. Ok to much exaggeration... </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHx-rbf0on8zE2_THf453vVeaKRIJJFvMRIFIWACrdBm4ShfETE07zvQjNqCE_MNlyvfLyNRUXCKMnbwZAV0fQ4pSKmR0vY6CkmYqnSLcUPdD-0-Bo5VrU1yMIWh3FGgp3YoKtsfEpSQ/s1600/blog+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHx-rbf0on8zE2_THf453vVeaKRIJJFvMRIFIWACrdBm4ShfETE07zvQjNqCE_MNlyvfLyNRUXCKMnbwZAV0fQ4pSKmR0vY6CkmYqnSLcUPdD-0-Bo5VrU1yMIWh3FGgp3YoKtsfEpSQ/s320/blog+021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunV4qsQTNFpMPv6s6vbHzFmTbhej3ru7Vht_naTKKPce-2Lxi4tVcINI6ib-P4q1hQHVzRVYyNqMk30_UZtkVDlAKng3MaI0Tf1qBYukCWWstC8MO7xEFLzxy7oBWm0bpOftoJtd3tmk/s1600/blog+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunV4qsQTNFpMPv6s6vbHzFmTbhej3ru7Vht_naTKKPce-2Lxi4tVcINI6ib-P4q1hQHVzRVYyNqMk30_UZtkVDlAKng3MaI0Tf1qBYukCWWstC8MO7xEFLzxy7oBWm0bpOftoJtd3tmk/s200/blog+020.jpg" width="200" /></a>My back is my lifeline though, and anyone Else's when they are with me. For it is almost like a walmart/ambulance on my back. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here is a list of what is always in side.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">5 Litters of water, Natural immune boosters, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Bug spray, Sun screen, Betadine, Steri strips (butterfly band aids) Band aids, Gauze pads, Alcohol pads, Saline, Bug bite cream, Music & headphones, Razor, Hypodermic needle ,Tooth brush, Deodorant, CPR mask x's 2, Penlights, Flashlight, Pen, Fisheye film camera, Minlota SLR film camera, Kodak digital camera, Rolls of film, Bible, Journal, Sandals, Keys, Money, Wallet, Sierra Leone ID, Tissues, Taco bell hot sauce. I think that is all, like I said it is like walmart/ambulance. All of this is with me at all times. And depending on where I go somethings are added.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hiking and the beach, two of my favorite things to do on my time off. Hiking is one of the most relaxing activities I enjoy, and one of the best activities that shows me Gods beauty. I have hiked in several ares here in Sierra Leone there is still alot of unexplored areas I would die to visit. But Iam not to sure I can visit them with the week I have left. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXh2yJUB7sMDNl-s58UMVmV5tAsI6Pt-B_G1peWjxIfy45p5Vb47MMcAbLBQmKjFjprtKVmhAudFoYzdmPKO6R_bTAtIO2CvUpih9aVbdDQWJwbk6Dde9YHvw9YC1sZb9tqZ_CwEtO2o/s1600/blog+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXh2yJUB7sMDNl-s58UMVmV5tAsI6Pt-B_G1peWjxIfy45p5Vb47MMcAbLBQmKjFjprtKVmhAudFoYzdmPKO6R_bTAtIO2CvUpih9aVbdDQWJwbk6Dde9YHvw9YC1sZb9tqZ_CwEtO2o/s320/blog+005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNmAb2EUe2CUpdrAr-wpW7xa_S-e2vEtW7FHQffAobdYJkJpEqFb41jmZd57fdYpw6qeUH_Bjg5oVSOpOe2gdlje_R-HAZKCllPl2puWYm1Z5_IZtGvUp5u82d8EHyM27_pb_77ugIDM/s1600/blog+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNmAb2EUe2CUpdrAr-wpW7xa_S-e2vEtW7FHQffAobdYJkJpEqFb41jmZd57fdYpw6qeUH_Bjg5oVSOpOe2gdlje_R-HAZKCllPl2puWYm1Z5_IZtGvUp5u82d8EHyM27_pb_77ugIDM/s320/blog+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ48TxCqjzaFQ3WM9pnF0UjfUqVoRSE_tH9-pBCQ4UGAZY4pMzok4FCUSqt0RncI6Qn2lijATcQC-Ytx_sNqAP9-hH_uzL4fPdu5iAnWOlA0sBCppwKKPJG6RisyJ8QGJIr5w4Wf0pZho/s1600/blog+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ48TxCqjzaFQ3WM9pnF0UjfUqVoRSE_tH9-pBCQ4UGAZY4pMzok4FCUSqt0RncI6Qn2lijATcQC-Ytx_sNqAP9-hH_uzL4fPdu5iAnWOlA0sBCppwKKPJG6RisyJ8QGJIr5w4Wf0pZho/s320/blog+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Dublin Banana Island is a small island off the coast Of Sierra Leone. It is an amazing well kept island with miles upon miles of hiking. But not on the trails one would find back home. The trails here are all overgrown and matter of fact do not even resemble a trail. Using machetes to forge paths in to the Jungles abyss on Dublin Banana Island, is all part of the experience.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjixRK_dRD4PK8uRtlKEQk99A6Y5846q0Db2_i34VR-4lvkjo5CQeGeGUBQUOK48aAwu5qi7c9sMWmRYuYk3I5lm0NyFMCgsWASLbs6z64v0-i2oW1UDc09NckHNGsFlMHRcsUXo-XBc/s1600/blog+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjixRK_dRD4PK8uRtlKEQk99A6Y5846q0Db2_i34VR-4lvkjo5CQeGeGUBQUOK48aAwu5qi7c9sMWmRYuYk3I5lm0NyFMCgsWASLbs6z64v0-i2oW1UDc09NckHNGsFlMHRcsUXo-XBc/s320/blog+008.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
It is amazing how looking out the ship I see nothing but housing and mountains. But once out on the road, there is a nice mix of mountains, flat land and rolling hills. It becomes to look more like Africa, than an over populated country. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqJkeYDolcX20LhwOXQnzMDxF7VnUkbbQtPGxJAAogVDAw-Qzl0V9bYrVSKzDPVHedfGpAhbya2oQ5rZDdCzIZuiMmhq9J8erVC1FDsXEW6BDL4MAJ7yarloqfsazW7_qzucjaxtVOtM/s1600/blog+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqJkeYDolcX20LhwOXQnzMDxF7VnUkbbQtPGxJAAogVDAw-Qzl0V9bYrVSKzDPVHedfGpAhbya2oQ5rZDdCzIZuiMmhq9J8erVC1FDsXEW6BDL4MAJ7yarloqfsazW7_qzucjaxtVOtM/s320/blog+011.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbR5IfQQKCgZhjspafL2yxWeZbVIlRxaO-_BUFReZ-aySoI1xTYiNCB1chqpItwGHmfd60qv4hHArrwLrBoMjEx7wVId4KrfJsqqijVx6x-80w7JxYj2kfB9rHIpqrRyOAT-Zl_Z6C5g/s1600/blog+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbR5IfQQKCgZhjspafL2yxWeZbVIlRxaO-_BUFReZ-aySoI1xTYiNCB1chqpItwGHmfd60qv4hHArrwLrBoMjEx7wVId4KrfJsqqijVx6x-80w7JxYj2kfB9rHIpqrRyOAT-Zl_Z6C5g/s320/blog+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Cities that lay screamingly awake by the Bay<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2m6edO-THXBxQweNmgpHES_XNGPrYWfYgmngIHSk9u1joA_0eIqyY5HtGAumJtOfr9gChoVGuKPedVKs2hMTvNtjUz1Ow3su35yoPel-k8kXGssriBSr0DDTXD799IcwQEihRfta9Xc/s1600/blog+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2m6edO-THXBxQweNmgpHES_XNGPrYWfYgmngIHSk9u1joA_0eIqyY5HtGAumJtOfr9gChoVGuKPedVKs2hMTvNtjUz1Ow3su35yoPel-k8kXGssriBSr0DDTXD799IcwQEihRfta9Xc/s320/blog+003.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Boats that have wise sayings painted on the side of them, <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0Jdo2aWlUg_kZ49bB4ueWZmUHONUGebQjC4_YCmgP3z68boUfDuW3IiTvcWtZvDca48EApV7ZU4L_lUzZX5aiR4_ZAb59ISwRYx1REpqQgw3Y3VMU1utqbKdS74fUh2WpO-DyjVQgdc/s1600/blog+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0Jdo2aWlUg_kZ49bB4ueWZmUHONUGebQjC4_YCmgP3z68boUfDuW3IiTvcWtZvDca48EApV7ZU4L_lUzZX5aiR4_ZAb59ISwRYx1REpqQgw3Y3VMU1utqbKdS74fUh2WpO-DyjVQgdc/s320/blog+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> And of course creatures and insects that crawl all over.. It is fascinating to see what God has created. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Man the beauty of it all. I'm truly going to miss being here in Sierra Leone, working with the locals, providing hope for the lost, and discovering what God has created. But I will not say I'm never coming back, for I know I will be back in Sierra Leone.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAAY6y8BQWx5FU9-A9cIytOTcRM1G-bK8dQayMlegIpNuxc5b8mAaTGyCKuWyWeye4rIzddW6CO1tTIuEAEvZPnYwqzS2HJL7rnMXJJmPr_ThHT7CNmYZP7HHMTg6uUZSjdjAdP1B1JM/s1600/blog+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAAY6y8BQWx5FU9-A9cIytOTcRM1G-bK8dQayMlegIpNuxc5b8mAaTGyCKuWyWeye4rIzddW6CO1tTIuEAEvZPnYwqzS2HJL7rnMXJJmPr_ThHT7CNmYZP7HHMTg6uUZSjdjAdP1B1JM/s320/blog+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Locks, Barb wire, and rides in crowded vans with chickens!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;">Honestly what more can I ask for, all my memories are exciting and full.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;">The more time I spend with the locals the more I understand my purpose in life. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;">the more I value what I have such as family, and a loving God.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">The mystery that lays behind a locked door, or a towering center block wall topped off with razor wire.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: right;">This is how I view the world, for every door and every wall contains a history. And the curiosity that courses through my brain, makes me wonder what is beyond the wall or the sky? what is below the ocean? where does the world end? and where does it start? This is my adventure and to answer all those question is a mystery. All I know is everything starts and ends all the time. nothing is ever static, or lasting but God is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">*Sadly this is all coming to an end. But this is the start of the begging of the rest of my story*</div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-78212281464439403012011-09-22T09:48:00.000-07:002011-09-28T05:49:41.134-07:00I was not in an editing mood for this blog. So sorry in advance.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjam8sqeMnyj7J1Qsk4_F0CE74lDaascWldBX8e_rrwYE9ykMXoaFuy0Wcr3Dl57OwLrsQkWgoxPd9ARRg10sqSZnqPAJ_9yg5XAdeLIYaTS4PLZaUbvQRlI2vJyGeqojtlehrjLcM_Iy4/s1600/new+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjam8sqeMnyj7J1Qsk4_F0CE74lDaascWldBX8e_rrwYE9ykMXoaFuy0Wcr3Dl57OwLrsQkWgoxPd9ARRg10sqSZnqPAJ_9yg5XAdeLIYaTS4PLZaUbvQRlI2vJyGeqojtlehrjLcM_Iy4/s200/new+001.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqAc90nhQvWYM_L1tHJg4dRJR76UdbhgW6cUPMQ8FFyi-tNwE_5eyyoz-YZ6LF-RrnOxvkw74xWkAzAK_IPGSD0QqwXWnmYQRFqUbPZdWBG-yjoEGncA2SGGwUCa_hiNO6NihPSchNUk/s1600/new+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqAc90nhQvWYM_L1tHJg4dRJR76UdbhgW6cUPMQ8FFyi-tNwE_5eyyoz-YZ6LF-RrnOxvkw74xWkAzAK_IPGSD0QqwXWnmYQRFqUbPZdWBG-yjoEGncA2SGGwUCa_hiNO6NihPSchNUk/s320/new+010.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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What would it feel like if Gods grace did pour over us like rain? Let’s revert briefly to one of my other posts. I had posted a quote that went like this. <br />
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” What if Gods grace where to pour down like rain? Dripping with your grace oh Lord, I stand and worship you.” <br />
Well what if I could tell you I knew what that feels like? What if I told you, you know what it feels like?<br />
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Today was one of the rougher days I have had here in Sierra Leone. Sad, depressing, heart wrenching, all of my emotions came together and came out in anger. So for a good majority of the day I did not talk to anyone really. Except for my patients. And I love talking to the patients even when they do not understand me, I still enjoy it. They just make me so happy. But that was half my day the other half was filled with sitting in front of a computer screen. Giving the inatiment screen looks of confusion, and the patient charts as well. Trying to decrypt the doctors writing, entering the information into the database, and scanning the entirety of the chart into the system as well. This is a very time consuming job. The more I sat at my desk and argued with thoughts of what a word could be, or if it even was a word, I became restless. When I get restless, I get very edgy or hyper. Sadly it was not the hyper mood today. Getting to the edge of my mental capacity one of my coworkers (Rosie) came up and was talking to me. She was telling me about this family and an amazing story (I will post this soon so I can not spoil it) and asked if I would like to participate in something for this family. And of course I jumped out of my chair and quickly answered with a "YES!" Like I said this story will come in time, so be patient as I am having to as well. So I had told Rosie that this was what I need to turn my day around. And she had said "well good I’m glad... Hey do you want to come on an adventure with me after work at 5." I replied "I would love to... if I get off in time." Rosie said "well meet me at reception at 5 if you can come." I was determined to get off at 5. Even if that ment leaving some of my work from today for tomorrow, and yes that is exactly what I had to do.<br />
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The past few days I have been so wrapped up in my work I forgot my whole purpose. Work became more like work, than something I had enjoyed. I have not let work become like that to me until this week, sad but true. So let’s just say I was out of perspective. And this adventure was one to be sure to put me back in the game for God. I have noticed over here if I lose sight of God for the smallest amount of time. I get insanely tired and weak; I just end up feeling over worked... Interesting little thought wanted to share with you all. <br />
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Back to the storie... I met Rosie up at reception and 1700hr. It was raining out side, and we had met up with several other people. We decided to still go on this adventure because it was only sprinkling. All the sudden it starts to rain, then pour, then drench. (yes I said drench that comes after pour) despite the drenching we had carried on this little adventure we had. Rain could not stop us. As we where walking I had an amazing thought. The wetter one gets fully clothed the harder it is to move. And the more energy it takes to move. (I’m sure we all have experienced this.) That was not my thought by the way but if you have not felt this then do what is said next. If not jump into a pool or take a shower in heavy jeans, t-shirt, and running shoes, after go walk a mile. Don’t forget it is drenching the whole way. <br />
Now you get use to it after a while put you still notice the exerted energy leaving your body. So anyways. Here is the thought. I was thinking this is like Gods grace on everyone in the entirety of the earth. We have all felt his grace pour on us. Mater of fact it is pouring over you right now, it is pouring over everyone. We are just so use to how it feels we do not notice it in our lives.<br />
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As we continued to walk towards our adventure, we soon arrived at this so called compound. Where one of the local volunteers on the ship lives. He invited us into his house and was very hospitably. Here is where I start to get back on track. This man named Pabalani's house was as big as my room back home. No I take it back my room at home is larger than his house. Funny thing is the colors are the same as my room. This is what I needed to see, this is what I wanted to see. Here I was sitting on a small wooden chair in the corner listening to the conversations being exchanged. Pabalani works on the ship 40+ hours a week, works at a good news slum church, and runs a school for kids that need help. How amazing is he, he gives all his earnings away, cause he has a heart for God, of God, from God. <br />
What more can I say?<br />
We have so many opportunities in our lives to help others, spread the word of God, and just be encouraging. But how many times a day do we take action on all of the happenings around? This is where Gods grace comes in, we are still alive right? If you are reading this I’m sure you are. We have a lot of what we want, a lot of things we do not need, and a lot of what we do not deserve.<br />
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Gods grace is the same for everyone; he has saved us all and given us all life. What more can we want or ask for? Seriously be thankful for this amazing gift you have. Notice the wear of grace on you, notice that it has always been upon you. We are just so use to living with it on us we forget about the amazing grace we have found. Or should I say the amazing grace that has founded us? Find it and just hold it do not let it go to the weigh side of life. <br />
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The walk back to the ship was amazing. It had stopped raining for 10 min while we where getting ready to leave. As soon as we said a prayer it poured down rain, and did so the whole walk back. I guess it was God saying, LOOK MY GRACE IS UPON YOU DO NOT BE ANGRY OR OVER WORKED just rest in me. <br />
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Psalms 45:2 hebrew <br />
12:28 hebrews 13:6 <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5Rcq6t7-s6TG_y4usI3WLUaiBoq98zr_DYACxba9f9-VrQljShsSTv09rqXMgWOjGcrCI3muxJjqBIeDasfNJALKLajsFfmkBmypzMFLG9LAOb1cXnEZrKq5f750b08jLaSfZ7dN6xg/s1600/100_1201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5Rcq6t7-s6TG_y4usI3WLUaiBoq98zr_DYACxba9f9-VrQljShsSTv09rqXMgWOjGcrCI3muxJjqBIeDasfNJALKLajsFfmkBmypzMFLG9LAOb1cXnEZrKq5f750b08jLaSfZ7dN6xg/s320/100_1201.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdebUA9xDcOistT0bzv-jzBLK1H_6Cq-20gbaqCNhZmlKugdp4MXtEkFy3hrefhf74J5QAVpISbqQoFppFBPsxMpoNkz7YhqYwyOJ7nC0bNZd9QSxS9UIKd70c83zwFdSppZ1SzMHjyM/s1600/100_1198.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdebUA9xDcOistT0bzv-jzBLK1H_6Cq-20gbaqCNhZmlKugdp4MXtEkFy3hrefhf74J5QAVpISbqQoFppFBPsxMpoNkz7YhqYwyOJ7nC0bNZd9QSxS9UIKd70c83zwFdSppZ1SzMHjyM/s200/100_1198.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-75515196560855361522011-09-09T14:50:00.000-07:002011-09-09T14:53:13.136-07:00Tired<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
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*I tried to put photos on this blog, but the system is not letting me. Sorry everyone*</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalms 109:21-25 </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><sup>21</sup> But You, O GOD the Lord,<br /> Deal with me for Your name’s sake; <br /> Because Your mercy <i>is</i> good, deliver me.<br /> <sup id="en-NKJV-15778">22</sup> For I <i>am</i> poor and needy,<br /> And my heart is wounded within me.<br /> <sup id="en-NKJV-15779">23</sup> I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens;<br /> I am shaken off like a locust.<br /> <sup id="en-NKJV-15780">24</sup> My knees are weak through fasting,<br /> And my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness.<br /> <sup id="en-NKJV-15781">25</sup> I also have become a reproach to them;<br /> <i>When</i> they look at me, they shake their heads.<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowing what I want to write about, I can not seem to find a way to open this Blog. As I was searching the Bible for verses to open with, I actually found verses that pertain to my topic but they more so contribute to my life in this very moment...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the last two weeks have been very wearing and tiresome. I have been having trouble sleeping at night, and had trouble waking up in the morning due to lack of sleep. But yet I still found time to press on in my outreach. The two verses I had come across were more than words on paper they were and are my life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Job 4:2-6 </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup>2</sup> “If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary?<br /> But who can withhold himself from speaking? <sup id="en-NKJV-12934">3</sup> Surely you have instructed many,<br />And you have strengthened weak hands. <sup id="en-NKJV-12935">4</sup> Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees; 5 But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; It touches you, and you are troubled. <sup id="en-NKJV-12937">6</sup> <i>Is</i> not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This verse is my life... The bible and all within the pages seem to be more real here in <place w:st="on">Africa</place>. I guess that is cause back home I do not have the interactions like the ones I have here in <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Sierra Leone</country-region></place>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arms that can be engulfed by my hands, bones that feel like glass beneath my hands, skin as gorgeous as diamonds, but as dry as a desert lacking rain. That is <place w:st="on">Africa</place>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet Manjia Sesay, my friend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Manjia Sesay a 79 year old a woman who has an amazing story. She has been blind for over 5 years and now has the chance to see the world in a whole new setting. At 79 years old Manjia was shunned from her village and mocked for being blind. People would say. "Oh! Make way for the blind woman" everyone would say that and yell it to her, mocking her. Manjia's response would be this "Do not mock me for this is the way God has made me. You mock me you are mocking God." That is what I call a response, and of course that response did not deter people. They started to add on to the saying. "Crazy blind woman" but that never stopped Manjia from giving the response every time. Manjia is a petite young woman, when I say petite I mean petite. I can take my hand and wrap it around her upper arm almost twice. As I wrapped the blood pressure cuff around her arm and started to inflate the cuff to the prescribed 180mm/Hg. for every 10-20 </span><span class="st1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">millimeters of mercury haemoglobin pumped, I was afraid I was going to crush her arm.</span></span><span class="st1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Her bones had felt as if they where glass beneath my bouldering hands, her skin was worn and worked from decades of work in the African sun from picking rice. This Ma’ is my role model she has a sharp personality and a keen style. She had also taught me a little about British football, telling me about all the teams and the best players. I can not wait till after her surgery to see her face when she is able to see. It will be a site worth seeing when I see her face and she sees mine and the surroundings for the first time in years. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As my journey in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region> comes to an end, my story will carry on. I have big dreams for the next few years. Dreams that will carry on or so I pray will. I have the opportunity to come back and serve with the Mercy Ships in Togo West Africa next year. I have been praying about coming back and I would like everyone to pray as well. For this is what I was called to do when I was ten years old. Being here is like a dream it all feels like déjà to me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In a thousand different ways, by joys, by suffering, by ease, by loss, now touching us softly as a slender reed, now plunging us in some furnace of adversity, God is moulding and tempering our souls to the pattern of the perfect life"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-C.J Perry. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The truth that courses through out that quote is love of God for us. God would not do what He is doing in our lives today if He did not love us. Even though it seems He is hurting us sometimes, the out come of life is more pleasant in the end. The only love in the world for us is Gods love. Other than that love is undefined. There is no definition that can explain it and no one person that can tell you what love pertains of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is a mystery but the only true love is from God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My time here in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region> is coming to an end… For now!</span></span></div>
Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-89434895510814957952011-08-26T04:00:00.000-07:002011-08-26T04:00:06.597-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wednesday, August 17 2011 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The rainy season is here in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region> for it rains for hours and sometimes days at a time. And when I say that I’m not talking about it sprinkling down rain, it is more so a baptism of rain. Trying to keep patients dry that come from admissions (on the dock) to the ship is merely an impossible task to accomplish. The journey that is made from admissions to the peri-operative room is immense. Going from the waiting area out side, up the 40 step gangway, down 2 flights of stairs and down a several hundred foot hallway while rocking on the sea, is more challenging than it sounds. Sure it sounds challenging enough, but factor in the patients who have never seen state of the art technology nor a hospital that floats. As this journey is made 52 times a day (on the eye team alone) it becomes a high quality workout more than anything. As the rain was pouring down in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region>, Mercy Ships did not stop the work of the Lord. Armed with umbrellas and raincoats, the brave ventured out to gather patients from the admission tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“When you stop looking at the world with your eyes… and start looking with your FAITH… then you will no longer be blind” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– Daniel Wiafe, Jr</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The umbrellas and raincoats that we are armed with had quickly failed their use. Dripping wet the we make our way to the patients, for rain will not stop us. The acerbic walk back to the peri-op room with patients and workers hands intertwined, is a glory walk for both of this kind. There is nothing like leading the blind, being everything for the ones in the dark. Watching out for every hazard that awaits an unexpected foot to catch, and cause mischief in many ways. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: white;">Isaiah 42:16</span></span></u></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: yellow;">I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn</span> <span style="color: blue;">the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I</span> <span style="color: red;">will not forsake them</span></span></i></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #001320; font-size: 11pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As the rain continues to brutally beat down on the people of Sierra Leone Mercy Ships continues to be hope and healing for the lost. As the patients patiently sat and waited in wet clothes. The eye team had an euphony, why don’t we put the patients in the hospital gowns and dry their clothes? Well we did just that. Mind you the people of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region> hand wash and hang dry their garments, so the concept of a clothes dryer is much vaster than what one could comprehend. The looks on the faces where not all that enthralled, with the warm clothes in hand. Until this one Ma came in with her 1 year old child this is when I saw the expression I had long been waiting for. As the mother was holding her child in her arms we gently took them both out of their clothes. We gave the mother a gown and a blanket from the dryer. After the mother changed she wrapped the child in this grandiose warm blanket. As the mother was cuddling her child, we snuck her clothes and her child clothes out of sight. The mother never noticed that her clothes had disappeared until we brought the clothes back in and placed them over the still cold baby and mother. The mothers face lit up I have never seen anyone so happy before. She took the clothes and her baby, held them close to her face and formulated the most wonderful smile I may have ever seen. She was perplexed by the warm clothes needless to say. It is the small things that we as a well off civilization do not notice. Such as a dryer, something we don’t even think about when we use it we just know how to start it. The wonders that swim my imagination are vast. But now seeing the poorest of poor, the things I would stress about back home are microscopic details to life. Details that do not even exist, details that are not needed in imagination. For there are people who will never experience, have, or feel the simple things we are able to experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: 11pt;">He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” </span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">John 9:25, NIV</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“What if Gods grace were to pour down like rain?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dripping with your grace oh Lord, I stand and worship you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What if Gods love was a like a vast ocean?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I would let it come and drown me in its entire splendor.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Funny thing is all this is true, Gods grace does pour down on us. And his love drowns us every day. Most of us do not notice what we have until we are lying on the ground crying for what we want. Funny thing is what we want is what we have, so open your eyes and enjoy the small things in life. Do not worry about the bills or where the money to pay them is going to come from, do not worry about running out of your favorite food. Do not worry about your life and what it will be in the next several minuets, hours, days, months, years. Just focus on how people see you as a Christian and focus on what God has in plan for you. In most cases face down on the ground we all think…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ m embarrassed, ashamed, stressed, lost, and confused. All my doors are shut before me and I have no where to go, so I will just sit here and scream to You (God) till You (God) push me through a door.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Be like Jesus cause… This is a small charm of Jesus life, so why should we complain when some one has it worse?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">If anyone is going down this road I encourage you to read and pray, we do not constantly have to be on the look out for an open door. But as long as our focus is on God he will provide.</span></div><h3 style="margin: auto 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Matthew 14:22-33</span></h3><h3 style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: auto 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Read this story… Now apply… As sill as it sounds it is so true. Being in <place w:st="on">Africa</place> I have learned this over and over again. The more I rely on and focus on Him and His plan my weeks go well. Yes I have a lot of spiritual warfare at the same time, but honestly I do not mind the war that is against me. But when I stumble and take my eyes off of God and doubt, I begin to sink into self pity. And I tend to cry out God save me, and he replies “I have saved you now come”. As God speaks those words to me He comes beside me picks me up brushes my knees off. Like a father and says try again my son. My God is patient, kind, loving, and understanding. This is not just a metaphor, this is a physical experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The ship I see every day, it is truly amazing to be working here.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIMvVI36b0zO_AeRxMJQtPbVSxKLFJ236_NXseiwb0ZOG53jEDbzN7MsXB1e1Uq5DVE3WNwevpuKSZwWGr9IaFI3I31rGY-M1Qz0zEZc5XJZrGPPRuKhS_o0olDiWGB5RQ0FHTNwAum4/s1600/100_1845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIMvVI36b0zO_AeRxMJQtPbVSxKLFJ236_NXseiwb0ZOG53jEDbzN7MsXB1e1Uq5DVE3WNwevpuKSZwWGr9IaFI3I31rGY-M1Qz0zEZc5XJZrGPPRuKhS_o0olDiWGB5RQ0FHTNwAum4/s320/100_1845.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioed-G2NlODK_HjmrZ4T4wW1fKcVsVF1mvHzQeKUCKnuTrm7yDHVevLBG3mjPlPvcC-gPUPZ4cS3MoRNOTinkuu3Om59HHVOcn36zsTOELIYXQyWQsQRx6YY3Fy5jPNjcC7Rizzm32k0c/s1600/100_1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioed-G2NlODK_HjmrZ4T4wW1fKcVsVF1mvHzQeKUCKnuTrm7yDHVevLBG3mjPlPvcC-gPUPZ4cS3MoRNOTinkuu3Om59HHVOcn36zsTOELIYXQyWQsQRx6YY3Fy5jPNjcC7Rizzm32k0c/s320/100_1846.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> To the right.. This is my Buddy Amar, he left the ship on monday cause he has completed his treatments. He was like my child. One day I went to visit him and he came running up with a Bible in his hand and said. " I want to read to you Clinton. I think you need to hear this." and well lets just say God uses everyone. This day was one of the harder days I have had and this just broke me to hear him read to me while sitting on my lap. (Notice he has my stethascope Dr. Amar) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4YJPeOMqhYAMvdKq2fjh5SsZhby6YLl10GY6xyihD6f6tRNaIIaUd9hks27j9ISW0VeoQLxz9bZCapzKDeNb8N9A8c999U2OrHd-x4tBMtmthkgX2VQ8XTPDuycsfzrKVALJQCBo8sM/s1600/100_1921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4YJPeOMqhYAMvdKq2fjh5SsZhby6YLl10GY6xyihD6f6tRNaIIaUd9hks27j9ISW0VeoQLxz9bZCapzKDeNb8N9A8c999U2OrHd-x4tBMtmthkgX2VQ8XTPDuycsfzrKVALJQCBo8sM/s320/100_1921.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IJNuxICODWa6KyjODHonk8svuglQ4EejD62Xw0SFZzk9Qq-D6NMpEWkv0PwEMKhU35_iERT-ffVsWpJqQ9RvajXszbuR9e8dnAa8dLeN8C79CxjRZhniHNQWjF8eNrlfPl4AoDf0NrA/s1600/100_1979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IJNuxICODWa6KyjODHonk8svuglQ4EejD62Xw0SFZzk9Qq-D6NMpEWkv0PwEMKhU35_iERT-ffVsWpJqQ9RvajXszbuR9e8dnAa8dLeN8C79CxjRZhniHNQWjF8eNrlfPl4AoDf0NrA/s320/100_1979.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> This is something I see and do everyday. Im more than thrilled to help out and be a servant of God. But when A blind eye comes up and asks "Why can't you help me" The hardest question known to man. Well to me at least. Most of the time I want to tell them why and walk the other way. But instead I stay, pray, and endure the tears that come from the blind eye. I comfort those who can not be helped, and I help those who can be helped. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzth5Svam_E6wgbYAz1bu-m4Y0YE3eqREqO60rTHyuJLx_-aE9w-oI4Nz7nhSwxXM_hJDoF7CslBTdXagVqOh4CYFbnSw1G6G6SDpJ3r1zZehrYO70dgE8f1EnFvGdZbV6e2IZiPdLQo/s1600/100_1987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzth5Svam_E6wgbYAz1bu-m4Y0YE3eqREqO60rTHyuJLx_-aE9w-oI4Nz7nhSwxXM_hJDoF7CslBTdXagVqOh4CYFbnSw1G6G6SDpJ3r1zZehrYO70dgE8f1EnFvGdZbV6e2IZiPdLQo/s320/100_1987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYF8diB3feIn9DhTHX4pdD5RCb1D2iwu75nCz02vRfpVUFT4ceaFFc0u-r8jHDldJq8nqEbKfhoVSxRiT79KWD-gon-4ERZzfhzO4wKP0PuEziIfX5bokBltL_3QXPuvMmkhRcJD1DbpI/s1600/blog+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYF8diB3feIn9DhTHX4pdD5RCb1D2iwu75nCz02vRfpVUFT4ceaFFc0u-r8jHDldJq8nqEbKfhoVSxRiT79KWD-gon-4ERZzfhzO4wKP0PuEziIfX5bokBltL_3QXPuvMmkhRcJD1DbpI/s320/blog+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQdhcSw0knUUau-5dWidpimEmsKHumGM87Pv8bRpXEH4HUTyyy7pvK4Vb1GlQsZjDadNzyK2agO6usg7LuwmkfqwPgIYCNgxk_hEI_zhnkere1Q38283tXBG0aUafm1flYHFfqF_Ilsg/s1600/blog+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQdhcSw0knUUau-5dWidpimEmsKHumGM87Pv8bRpXEH4HUTyyy7pvK4Vb1GlQsZjDadNzyK2agO6usg7LuwmkfqwPgIYCNgxk_hEI_zhnkere1Q38283tXBG0aUafm1flYHFfqF_Ilsg/s320/blog+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg4nt3iyV-H6-OAGPKp7rofhg961g0xLMhMO2nSsLOwQGjmqf2R8JNlWlHciYmBz04F1aK_Xa_Hr5hpY7xh0V3X8e0J1zokuq4Nfxjxouxx0qJ1KE4Qh0EwD_LN-WaK84izdaj9kmdNk/s1600/100_1841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg4nt3iyV-H6-OAGPKp7rofhg961g0xLMhMO2nSsLOwQGjmqf2R8JNlWlHciYmBz04F1aK_Xa_Hr5hpY7xh0V3X8e0J1zokuq4Nfxjxouxx0qJ1KE4Qh0EwD_LN-WaK84izdaj9kmdNk/s320/100_1841.jpg" width="320" /></a>This patient had the last name Thompson. I had to get a picture with him. I actualy have a picture of his signature and mine on the patient chart. I will share that some other time tho. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EXkPljzA7dC2vMlyxSZRSnfwu8Lzy2LtRbHLAG19iA5IThLF1CJGhAB4G9Yj3FBI00ghw9EkG7s-_4oJBv9WjAFtFVjSKxluPHOpvjnF8_FzAw3AVj-vvdfM3Hc-l-C7dJm5b2t-quc/s1600/100_1388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EXkPljzA7dC2vMlyxSZRSnfwu8Lzy2LtRbHLAG19iA5IThLF1CJGhAB4G9Yj3FBI00ghw9EkG7s-_4oJBv9WjAFtFVjSKxluPHOpvjnF8_FzAw3AVj-vvdfM3Hc-l-C7dJm5b2t-quc/s320/100_1388.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Im Just the guy from a small town in California, doing what God has called me to do.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It is you who makes it possible for me to be here, with your prayers, gifts, thoughts, and words of encouragement. Thank You!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">(I’m no journalist, so I do apologize for the grammatical errors and spellings)</div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-32022888999446254992011-08-17T10:17:00.000-07:002011-08-17T10:17:03.716-07:00<span style="color: yellow;"></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: yellow;">Luke 10:23 </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> "Then He turned to His disciples and said privately,</span><span style="color: yellow;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">'Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see:'"</span><span style="color: yellow;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">I feel so honored and privileged to be in <place w:st="on">Africa</place>. I feel even more honored and privileged to say I' m working for my God!</span><span style="color: yellow;"></span></span></span></div><br />
<div align="right" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Philippians 1:29 </span><span style="color: yellow;"></span></span></span></div><div align="right" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">29 "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him but to also suffer for His sake"</span><span style="color: yellow;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Two of the most amazing captivating Bible verses that catch my attention everyday. Every time I see them I’m just in awe, it feels like I have discovered something new every time I flip to those two passages. Now what everyone has been waiting for pictures and captions. Sorry I don’t have any stories to tell but I want to save some for when I return home if I ever return home, that is. Well enjoy! </span><span style="color: yellow;"></span></span></span></div></span></blockquote><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">This one of the many children that I would adopt here if I could. He was the funniest little guy, but shy once in front of the camera.</span><br />
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As screening progressed on Monday morning at a small hospital called<span style="background-color: black;"> <span style="background: yellow;">Kissi</span></span> there was this child with his mother waiting in the cue. More so the mother was waiting and the child was playing the screaming game. I came over with my camera to take a 'snap' of him; he quickly quieted down as soon as he saw me smiling at him. This is one of the kids that could <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The things that I see at the school are interesting. I will give you all a break down on this later. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TzIL7M2qvDsHdNo7yRXyl_3_hOhkDVBPRF4rY5bpJll4y4GTKLpVUL2qa-y8yJwQ0Iu3te9fFT4Sx54oq5OO0S_FQBh3UHXSqiJGHSFbO7VJnCRaZGz2XSayk1NQhJVNVRlCnFn6uKc/s1600/blog+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TzIL7M2qvDsHdNo7yRXyl_3_hOhkDVBPRF4rY5bpJll4y4GTKLpVUL2qa-y8yJwQ0Iu3te9fFT4Sx54oq5OO0S_FQBh3UHXSqiJGHSFbO7VJnCRaZGz2XSayk1NQhJVNVRlCnFn6uKc/s320/blog+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A painting of the Anastasis out side of the port gates. This was from 2004 last time mercy ships was in Sierra Leone</div><br />
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</div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-25678169052136657702011-07-24T05:42:00.000-07:002011-07-24T05:42:19.435-07:00What do you think?<div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: yellow;">It is called Atrial Fibrillation, A-Flutter and A-Fib. A dangerous medical problem that I have seen here in sierra Leone a lot more than I would see at home. The scary thing is people walk around with this condition like it is nothing. In <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">America</place></country-region> we have the luxury of going to the hospital at the immediate sign of any medical problem no matter how small. Some of the common cases of A-fib are found from; Congestive </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/n/pmh_adam/A000158/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="color: yellow;">heart failure</span></span></a><span style="color: yellow;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/n/pmh_adam/A007115/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="color: yellow;">Coronary artery disease</span></span></a><span style="color: yellow;">, and pericarditis. Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac that covers the heart, the<span style="color: black;"> <span style="color: yellow;">sac that covers the heat is also known as the pericardium. This is caused mainly by HIV infections in third world countries. Those are some of the causes of a-fib. When A-fib is in progress the heart pumps so quickly that adequate blood supply is lacking volume. And when that is the case lack of oxygen comes into play. In laymen’s terms the medical field calls it “the walking dead”. Medicines that can help are vast. But are mainly limited to blood thinners, like Warfarin and aspirin two simple drugs. But not so simple to get here in <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Sierra Leone</country-region></place>. With the lack of medical help and knowledge people who have A-fib have a higher chance of fainting (syncope) Strokes, heart failure, and MI Myocardial infarction. There are medicines in the world to help. But</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: yellow;"> the medicines that are available are either pricey or hard to obtain in most third world countries. In the states if one where to have A-fib, medics would rush the patient to the ER. From there the nurses and doctors would be at ones aid, the simplest fix for A-Fib is to put one on an IV drip with a small dose of magnesium.(thats only helps temporarly) For magnesium is what helps muscles relax and the heart is the most productive muscle. So therefore the magnesium relaxes the muscle of the heart and cause a desirable out come. That is how simple we have it in the <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">USA</place></country-region>. And I’ m very grateful for the medical practice we have established in the <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">USA</place></country-region>. But the problem in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region> overshadows my gratefulness of what we have as Americans or whatever nationality you may be. The problem here in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region> is that a lot of the doctors use traditional medicine techniques. (Natural herbs) There are resources for medicines; the thing is they are typically expensive for the Locals of Sierra Leone. </span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: yellow;">Being here in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region> I though that I might see HIV/AIDS every where. But I do not know what the difference between you and I are from an HIV/AIDS patient. We look the same, think the same and talk the same. I was under the impression of being able to see the physical deteriorating signs and remnants of the so called infections. I have interacted with the people of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region>, not knowing and not caring about what sickness they have. I am not here to find out who has what, or to even diagnose what one has. Nor am I here as a medical reviewer for the eye team. I’m here to do Gods work, and to offer</span><span style="color: yellow;"> a </span><span style="color: yellow;">lifetime to the people of this</span> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">multifariously </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">perplexed<span style="font-family: Arial;">admit the fact either</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color: yellow;">country. That is my job </span> <span style="color: yellow;">nothing more or less, for I work for God and with God. I’m not ashamed to admit that fact.. </span></span></span></div></span></span><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishvzEJRzL15XnHcL9UGmVt7R1q8TlRmiekoTHDi-RHnlpM3HSGeGOu_35WlH3irhidaZ4BgqhDioTtz8ZGFy5o8iKj0yrJ_QeTSKt2ylAFPBXOZh3AYi2ig43Eut9OrpI7DvS3ASt_9c/s1600/workplay+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishvzEJRzL15XnHcL9UGmVt7R1q8TlRmiekoTHDi-RHnlpM3HSGeGOu_35WlH3irhidaZ4BgqhDioTtz8ZGFy5o8iKj0yrJ_QeTSKt2ylAFPBXOZh3AYi2ig43Eut9OrpI7DvS3ASt_9c/s320/workplay+013.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: yellow;"> *Warning* this is not a happy story, Welcome to my life. This little boy made me cry. He is 2 years old and was fine 1 month ago. He could see fine and had no problems. Until an HIV infection had set in. his right eye (the almost normal eye) was like the left eye 2 weeks prior. This boy is blind for life, and may never live to be 5. one of the most shocking realities in Sierra Leone. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MwO0VdymxCs3tlsz2S1kG8p4y0qhKEOC_JcIdk4jsJRQxoK7DQ6FwqotwQcifUBqhVmmYUk1tPismN51JK5edaq-xujGjMYJoA4pokvw4fwO6go4_TZxO1pXOW-Q2dpyVMH71nNIlB8/s1600/workplay+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: yellow;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MwO0VdymxCs3tlsz2S1kG8p4y0qhKEOC_JcIdk4jsJRQxoK7DQ6FwqotwQcifUBqhVmmYUk1tPismN51JK5edaq-xujGjMYJoA4pokvw4fwO6go4_TZxO1pXOW-Q2dpyVMH71nNIlB8/s320/workplay+011.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: yellow;">Sorry if this made you cry. But why should I be the only one experiencing this side of life. there is more than just malnourished children here in Sierra Leone, there is more than just distended stomachs, hernias, and tumors. There is life...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zTMzwP14FIKpIEJRcyTn1m0WfwXUgOloHjKaD0IZ_Q66Y77u6j6T2hSdSuvq0s-k1mH4oZTpRc43hfz80DovOha4FrqvuElWCqGxUzkx5rpeqSE6SgX7qhljKLE4yqVpgEflOhcTlo4/s1600/workplay+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: yellow;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zTMzwP14FIKpIEJRcyTn1m0WfwXUgOloHjKaD0IZ_Q66Y77u6j6T2hSdSuvq0s-k1mH4oZTpRc43hfz80DovOha4FrqvuElWCqGxUzkx5rpeqSE6SgX7qhljKLE4yqVpgEflOhcTlo4/s320/workplay+019.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: yellow;">Some of my friends that I made at a screening sight. It was towards the end of the day, and I was praying to God.</span></span></span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: yellow;">"God how can I witness for you when all I do is work?" </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: yellow;">Well God has a sense of humor because I got a sudden burst of courage and energy to sit with the men in the picture. Not just for 5 min. But for 45 min, the gentleman on the left was the one I was focusing on. We talked about faith and Gods love. Every now and again there would be a random person that would listen to the conversation but as I would turn to them to let them know I was talking to all they would look away. As if they where ashamed or embarrassed but they soon came around to listening and acknowledging what I had to say. I do not know what I did that day; all I do know is that I contributed to Gods kingdom and possibly shaped someone’s life.</span></span></div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"></div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: lime;">Being here in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region> encourages me to press on with my life’s desires. </span></span></div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 33.05pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 33.05pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Serving God, thru the skills he has provided for me. </span></span></div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 33.05pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 33.05pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2<span style="color: lime;">.)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: lime;">Going to medical school to get my Doctorates. So that I may be able to build my own organization such as Mercy Ships.</span></span></div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 33.05pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 33.05pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: lime;">3.)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with a vast criteria for medical relations</span>.</span></span></div><div style="margin: 5pt 11.9pt 5pt 15.05pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: lime;">The 3 trinkets of my imagination that lay above</span> are dreams and life goals I pray about all the time, with a plethora of other trinkets from the recollection of my thoughts. I feel this is my life goal, I feel this is what God wants me to do with my life. I just feel so guided and lead thru all of my thoughts, actions and prayers. </span></span></div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-59336050164526857202011-07-18T12:37:00.000-07:002011-07-18T12:37:06.784-07:00The Life I Love<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The life I m living for God is the best life by far. I have made some amazing friends and met amazing people on my journey so far. But more than that I have learned so much more about God, than I would have learned in a life time back home. I would like to apologize for not keeping my Blog up to date, it has taken me some time to get use to my hours and time management. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So<span style="background: white;"> a lot</span> of you are probably wondering. "What does <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Clintons</place></city> job entail?" Well I will tell you.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My job covers a lot around here in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region>. My job title is Eye field team-Medical reviewer. Sounds like an easy position but not for me, especially when I have to tell people they can not have surgery or are permanently blind for life. A medical reviewer is a person that does assessments on a patient(s) and the assessment foretells the health of the person. And by looking at that one must make the decision of surgery or no surgery. I'm also a ships driver; therefore I get to drive the ships vehicles into the field where we screen. And I also do airport runs to pick up new people. And the last part of my job is Medical Scheduler, after the patients are approved for surgery I enter them into the data base and make sure we have bed space for them. That is my job description in a nut shell. I work anywhere from 12 to 14 hour shifts a day, most days starting at 0545.</div><br />
-The process<br />
Field screening => 2nd screening => Surgery => 1 day, 2 week, 6 week/YAG (post ops.)<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Alright enough logistics here are some photographs and stories. Enjoy!</div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_axyTxaNnWMGpx9-ZV5lh0ltHp5hmzBxkDQA3WUTe-HCYWaydvD3xC9XGALxMfS7MJMsv56JsCqNnTN0dlCMS79MVTj7GOJ648mvk5QinoMMEDKOzf1D-67wOeYuTXNuveruHhrhTyY/s1600/afm+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_axyTxaNnWMGpx9-ZV5lh0ltHp5hmzBxkDQA3WUTe-HCYWaydvD3xC9XGALxMfS7MJMsv56JsCqNnTN0dlCMS79MVTj7GOJ648mvk5QinoMMEDKOzf1D-67wOeYuTXNuveruHhrhTyY/s320/afm+001.jpg" width="320" /></a>This is the view from the top of the ship known as Deck 8. The water key of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region>. Ships are always in and out of the port and there is constant staking and re staking of containers all hours of the day and night. </div>It is amazing at how much trading goes on inside <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region>. It is a poor country but cheap for trading storing or importing items. <country-region w:st="on">China</country-region> is one of the largest sponsors of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</place></country-region>. For they have Chinese funded hospitals, colleges and Sections of land.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ4ELIwxzlhFdkX7WKcv62SGyErZ8wqaD6ckqpNwl8UqdG1E4NykkhN7WdQRRPGmGX_1D0KM4MUh49IeRM_5JDjnqKuRnB925rEuIKSgw_a4jFYvG09T_JeYSnrBDUGpz_u9eGwHw3lc/s1600/afm+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; float: right;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><shape alt="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ4ELIwxzlhFdkX7WKcv62SGyErZ8wqaD6ckqpNwl8UqdG1E4NykkhN7WdQRRPGmGX_1D0KM4MUh49IeRM_5JDjnqKuRnB925rEuIKSgw_a4jFYvG09T_JeYSnrBDUGpz_u9eGwHw3lc/s1600/afm+005.jpg" id="_x0000_i1026" o:button="t" style="height: 240pt; width: 223.5pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ4ELIwxzlhFdkX7WKcv62SGyErZ8wqaD6ckqpNwl8UqdG1E4NykkhN7WdQRRPGmGX_1D0KM4MUh49IeRM_5JDjnqKuRnB925rEuIKSgw_a4jFYvG09T_JeYSnrBDUGpz_u9eGwHw3lc/s320/afm+005.jpg" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Thompsoc\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.jpg"></imagedata></shape></span></a><br />
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The scenery here is breath taking and amazing as you can, the beauty of Gods creation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7YkokkJBqY3AQed4JYksrmV2lkq7K6pjDDwyD8vAy5iuODvSKqphZ3H_5PhidfOiLdAklP36xm1Co61dj7hjcIt0WfmxOYDFPGL4imiugI32fPVvTJJSJ0HBAwgf9RSGnjdNQi5MoWU/s1600/afm+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7YkokkJBqY3AQed4JYksrmV2lkq7K6pjDDwyD8vAy5iuODvSKqphZ3H_5PhidfOiLdAklP36xm1Co61dj7hjcIt0WfmxOYDFPGL4imiugI32fPVvTJJSJ0HBAwgf9RSGnjdNQi5MoWU/s320/afm+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDleD8iZmkJvJ7xvu01igNUDC9FopP70d3dd3yX0CutTT5jNKhr4FY817pxWujHE_mJAmK3JVitIBxMxPP7oEW8K7rpbpc7dk_rBumxZxKMXuVhD4aCsPTxb04Q3Qv7rX5iJ4kvCgv5s/s1600/afm+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDleD8iZmkJvJ7xvu01igNUDC9FopP70d3dd3yX0CutTT5jNKhr4FY817pxWujHE_mJAmK3JVitIBxMxPP7oEW8K7rpbpc7dk_rBumxZxKMXuVhD4aCsPTxb04Q3Qv7rX5iJ4kvCgv5s/s320/afm+005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> sun sets and countless trails that lead into the jungles abyss. All of the images reflect back on Gods grace for us. That is how I view it. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOcGrAWpfqNM1EnGXrthh9FI2C96NJM0EuPTMr4eWnIzxTxfCa-QGd2Ttk0b_sCMq5hDz-EMaDSU7FFEzZUe3e2wQHf8LoVOmwpov58g9nr4dqRP-e6jPmY3FJXBX0SshI4zQoB4LbUs/s1600/afm+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; float: right;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><shape alt="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOcGrAWpfqNM1EnGXrthh9FI2C96NJM0EuPTMr4eWnIzxTxfCa-QGd2Ttk0b_sCMq5hDz-EMaDSU7FFEzZUe3e2wQHf8LoVOmwpov58g9nr4dqRP-e6jPmY3FJXBX0SshI4zQoB4LbUs/s1600/afm+014.jpg" id="_x0000_i1027" o:button="t" style="height: 240pt; width: 180pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOcGrAWpfqNM1EnGXrthh9FI2C96NJM0EuPTMr4eWnIzxTxfCa-QGd2Ttk0b_sCMq5hDz-EMaDSU7FFEzZUe3e2wQHf8LoVOmwpov58g9nr4dqRP-e6jPmY3FJXBX0SshI4zQoB4LbUs/s320/afm+014.jpg" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Thompsoc\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image004.jpg"></imagedata></shape></span></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3l7GMsNG1MuztT2I3nWOYRuLrrYFYtAHA4SL-ERuJr1-2ZXjkKHNNXV6yHQET01BBV-vf8IefqBBgNldd3P9z2fZcmeipgrx8CMhQQgAKsSVJJO4x7dDF2CGEipRzagPukh1RKO9YpU/s1600/afm+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; float: left;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><shape alt="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3l7GMsNG1MuztT2I3nWOYRuLrrYFYtAHA4SL-ERuJr1-2ZXjkKHNNXV6yHQET01BBV-vf8IefqBBgNldd3P9z2fZcmeipgrx8CMhQQgAKsSVJJO4x7dDF2CGEipRzagPukh1RKO9YpU/s1600/afm+024.jpg" id="_x0000_i1028" o:button="t" style="height: 112.5pt; width: 150pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3l7GMsNG1MuztT2I3nWOYRuLrrYFYtAHA4SL-ERuJr1-2ZXjkKHNNXV6yHQET01BBV-vf8IefqBBgNldd3P9z2fZcmeipgrx8CMhQQgAKsSVJJO4x7dDF2CGEipRzagPukh1RKO9YpU/s200/afm+024.jpg" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Thompsoc\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image005.jpg"></imagedata></shape></span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RGO5patc7usCLlMKMUcxE6G2XudU3CLHHq3hOYMjnkoxwyHvOTkuTYZW0e2hNV0wIxzy7UIiLB593lvQnC-ONU4OAZbTju_c2JUqYvYfYBdXUSjXbNhm3wTx1jdKYNPAHRC6sBs1Tuk/s1600/afm+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RGO5patc7usCLlMKMUcxE6G2XudU3CLHHq3hOYMjnkoxwyHvOTkuTYZW0e2hNV0wIxzy7UIiLB593lvQnC-ONU4OAZbTju_c2JUqYvYfYBdXUSjXbNhm3wTx1jdKYNPAHRC6sBs1Tuk/s320/afm+031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The views and sites are breath taking. But the vast reality is there are always two sides to a photo. The one you are seeing and the one I see on the opposite side of the camera. If I had turned the camera around on most of the shots taken you would see the poorest of the world. You would see the dirt and grime that consumes this country. You would see the poverished malnourished homeless people of the town. Even at the most amazing beaches like the one above, one would see the poor and helpless. It is heartbreaking to see...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I see countless lines of people waiting for screenings for medical dilemmas. But that is not all they are waiting for, they are waiting for hope and compassion. Something that is scarcely offered in this world today.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0Au3sixYdyLFcD5biVfMOzkqsBJsPa0uIYYmlcpeCrCYvo-JMH6F99qNlZxZiWp3Jn8OVX2dLKq3caXQ0lynN__Ss9GHohxblxy7-N8Rd9yDEKsWPG9-FSelH9CQs2snlLDGSEaRaVU/s1600/afm+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; float: left;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><shape alt="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0Au3sixYdyLFcD5biVfMOzkqsBJsPa0uIYYmlcpeCrCYvo-JMH6F99qNlZxZiWp3Jn8OVX2dLKq3caXQ0lynN__Ss9GHohxblxy7-N8Rd9yDEKsWPG9-FSelH9CQs2snlLDGSEaRaVU/s1600/afm+015.jpg" id="_x0000_i1029" o:button="t" style="height: 240pt; width: 180pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0Au3sixYdyLFcD5biVfMOzkqsBJsPa0uIYYmlcpeCrCYvo-JMH6F99qNlZxZiWp3Jn8OVX2dLKq3caXQ0lynN__Ss9GHohxblxy7-N8Rd9yDEKsWPG9-FSelH9CQs2snlLDGSEaRaVU/s320/afm+015.jpg" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Thompsoc\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image006.jpg"></imagedata></shape></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw-6AoqWuM5uHlIkhjy6wGeLRoOZSpCGKSAmbOVO5SyXXoI9B0ugp1d1yCz8YF2snPr8mQD1TU9NzyxF-6LflH04RypqAVZlhhS6pDeCmc076VSYNKFbgjhq2xybBNF9XjuC0aWs3_nI/s1600/afm+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw-6AoqWuM5uHlIkhjy6wGeLRoOZSpCGKSAmbOVO5SyXXoI9B0ugp1d1yCz8YF2snPr8mQD1TU9NzyxF-6LflH04RypqAVZlhhS6pDeCmc076VSYNKFbgjhq2xybBNF9XjuC0aWs3_nI/s320/afm+002.jpg" width="320" /></a>This is what we call screening day! The masses of people come. Some days it feels like you can not face the crowd or the day, and give what is expected such as the services we offer. But that is the work of Satan amongst the team.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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But in the end you see the compassion and love the people receive.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdEmR189t2J19rQ6jxOyDw5_a0W5aQVbM1Hwf6U6IHRwD0ph4S4285ayGl5uRPaVCBef0hAMTViJ7aoNaEE7WM5801edMJXZ1w9wog5ubeIbJwgZfOrZN9YftZBHgGCF_Td2d155H4cA/s1600/afm+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdEmR189t2J19rQ6jxOyDw5_a0W5aQVbM1Hwf6U6IHRwD0ph4S4285ayGl5uRPaVCBef0hAMTViJ7aoNaEE7WM5801edMJXZ1w9wog5ubeIbJwgZfOrZN9YftZBHgGCF_Td2d155H4cA/s320/afm+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDsUeyY2KQ1JrnA3oWAiQFhFs08WuJOiTLjiK82GVsF3cbptym2fOjZWuusLdrV-zGkYH5kLCZxBMOqLekGQnkEigi_IJRKmXZxf2ZjPD40mJFUXbk4LJIY-nLf7M0-rbJguRQDqrn8E/s1600/afm+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDsUeyY2KQ1JrnA3oWAiQFhFs08WuJOiTLjiK82GVsF3cbptym2fOjZWuusLdrV-zGkYH5kLCZxBMOqLekGQnkEigi_IJRKmXZxf2ZjPD40mJFUXbk4LJIY-nLf7M0-rbJguRQDqrn8E/s320/afm+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Keep an eye out for my next Blog, I hope to have it up in a week.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <span class="sectiontableentry2"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Matthew 6:25-27 </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVbhPOnOp-pOXibLFHHPq0smQJCQ9yGnAwj2pP-2bU9XuekJYCc4lw8ixIv6qa-a96v1alsSwQGw1v_DiEYe5ICZqaXEOYYWjxyiBxx2QREkOQf6i5NTcoK7CziOBqCCqXpPjsI0U31I/s1600/afm+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVbhPOnOp-pOXibLFHHPq0smQJCQ9yGnAwj2pP-2bU9XuekJYCc4lw8ixIv6qa-a96v1alsSwQGw1v_DiEYe5ICZqaXEOYYWjxyiBxx2QREkOQf6i5NTcoK7CziOBqCCqXpPjsI0U31I/s320/afm+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgS6WNnXqLOVc2AT1VOiDDuEfBYHUIS84TfIxx5Jro04FFs2thunkgvYa0hQD1oRYZlqrtkc6ZGhyphenhyphenBGbDnGsdJa6-SP8-jhS56bffQPWHcuE6w8f2cTygygKQD9QuihMGfNCGl-LK6CY/s1600/afm+006.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><shape alt="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgS6WNnXqLOVc2AT1VOiDDuEfBYHUIS84TfIxx5Jro04FFs2thunkgvYa0hQD1oRYZlqrtkc6ZGhyphenhyphenBGbDnGsdJa6-SP8-jhS56bffQPWHcuE6w8f2cTygygKQD9QuihMGfNCGl-LK6CY/s1600/afm+006.jpg" id="_x0000_i1032" o:button="t" style="height: 112.5pt; width: 150pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgS6WNnXqLOVc2AT1VOiDDuEfBYHUIS84TfIxx5Jro04FFs2thunkgvYa0hQD1oRYZlqrtkc6ZGhyphenhyphenBGbDnGsdJa6-SP8-jhS56bffQPWHcuE6w8f2cTygygKQD9QuihMGfNCGl-LK6CY/s200/afm+006.jpg" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Thompsoc\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image009.jpg"></imagedata></shape></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9UbzvA8NfeeqpUznn5bOYZ8SPDvZvRw0BCy35ov9Sj0XGWAVA9cksP1T8xhBpKHiZVobb1NV9Be68fBGG2OKMFqa-d-qXhCs3zuK70P0g93Qxxa-7mNajIyD4kPnkOxWTzRa1lvOeb4/s1600/afm+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9UbzvA8NfeeqpUznn5bOYZ8SPDvZvRw0BCy35ov9Sj0XGWAVA9cksP1T8xhBpKHiZVobb1NV9Be68fBGG2OKMFqa-d-qXhCs3zuK70P0g93Qxxa-7mNajIyD4kPnkOxWTzRa1lvOeb4/s320/afm+014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-83933100281896362032011-06-16T13:54:00.000-07:002011-06-16T13:54:48.580-07:00Not 1, Not 2, But three haunting questions! Actualy maybe 1,001!!!One thing I have noticed for the few weeks I have been here in Sierra Leone, is that I have at least 5 questions a day that lack an answer. The three that stick in my head every day are.<br />
1.) How should this mission trip feel?<br />
-I mean I ask people, and it is always a different answer. What answer is the right is the right one, or is there really a right answer?<br />
2.) Am I doing everything physically possible to please God?<br />
- I have come to the conclusion that one can only do what one can do. But should I be doing more?<br />
3.) Is my focus in the proper area?<br />
-That is as simple as can be!<br />
Okay that was not three questions it was more like a total of 5. But most questions can be answered by a question, which in the proper context can lead to another question. The problem with most questions is that they can leave one feeling convicted. (well so I think) But then again maybe that is all part of the plan! Gods plan that is... But the conviction I have experienced here IS a good conviction, cause it has shown me things I need to change in order to learn what I'm suppose to learn! This has helped me answer some of the questions I have had, not all of them but most of them. Some questions still linger in the air around me like the three above. some times I think they are answered and then I notice they are not even close to being answered. It is amazing out here and amazing to see how much God is moving in Sierra Leone amongst the people. But at the same time it is amazing to see how the devil is working in the same are not even a foot away. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u><em>Story Time...</em></u></strong></span><br />
Last night me and a group of people where driving across town in two of the Mercy Ships Rang Rovers. We where stuck in stopped traffic for most of the ride. The windows where down it was 1930 (730 pm) Dark and lots of traffic. In Sierra Leone everyone either drivers or walks. there was this gentlemen that had come up to the window of the car rambling something, who knows what it was. It was not Temmne, or Krio or any of the other languages that are spoken here. It was a very unique language. Both rang rovers caught in traffic as the one I was in sat two car links behind the first. this man was walking back and forth between the two saying things only to us. I looked in his eyes and I saw something. (my job over here is nothing but looking into people eyes.) This man did not have any medical eye problems. He had mentally something in his eyes, I have never seen anything like it before. the only words I can use to describe it would be, Pain, and anguish. that is what I had felt when I looked into them. Wat was he saying still? I have no clue nor does anyone else that was in the two Rang Rovers. I just got this feeling that he was not a person... as we finally started moving he stood in the center of the street. Arms crossed over his tall lengthy body staring at the two Mercy Ships vehicles with a look of anger,rage and fierceness. Who was he? What was he? Was he what I think he was? or was he simply just a person? I may never know.<br />
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Okay now some pictures for you all! Thank you all so much for your prayers and support it means allot to me. I love you all Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxkdFnfiRUQFMV_kQpxF8el0jUUxQeHZ7u7FfT7-7tD5KqsGdO95mg934gCREuQX_T3sTrvB0c-MX7gF7pJy2UCZ0bUy8dAATrWdvM92Xhj7pVxlMhwwsUg4jR2ZeawsiD8CyP_Yt9Ls/s1600/clinton+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxkdFnfiRUQFMV_kQpxF8el0jUUxQeHZ7u7FfT7-7tD5KqsGdO95mg934gCREuQX_T3sTrvB0c-MX7gF7pJy2UCZ0bUy8dAATrWdvM92Xhj7pVxlMhwwsUg4jR2ZeawsiD8CyP_Yt9Ls/s1600/clinton+003.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lungi Airport</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme8i_TGsdeKAKN2jNLI45zZsZBGZ_ALSBj2NxcDZF7gENZNJcY9bIArOH7m0VvrtqWXmS0gX1pU-3bDAkh9vmrpJ_eHrv27FoWcSc6hZlcDa2lR1W_rB80SzdRo_UJyvP83mUFUw5SSI/s1600/clinton+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme8i_TGsdeKAKN2jNLI45zZsZBGZ_ALSBj2NxcDZF7gENZNJcY9bIArOH7m0VvrtqWXmS0gX1pU-3bDAkh9vmrpJ_eHrv27FoWcSc6hZlcDa2lR1W_rB80SzdRo_UJyvP83mUFUw5SSI/s320/clinton+005.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>Front of airport<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaTzmNAYs19RWxu55IQUClzTk4evWfQ6ciReM8xmMyDEz_jlUcDfTJIPPQdbdCVeGdqy5Q-VM8moD8taf1oL22hFjqL-c5iug1zFzTc_KVuY95l8QWaFPokFxximcTFfF3hFKox2UgpQ/s1600/clinton+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaTzmNAYs19RWxu55IQUClzTk4evWfQ6ciReM8xmMyDEz_jlUcDfTJIPPQdbdCVeGdqy5Q-VM8moD8taf1oL22hFjqL-c5iug1zFzTc_KVuY95l8QWaFPokFxximcTFfF3hFKox2UgpQ/s320/clinton+021.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">People I get to see and help</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB0o6N9bUgxXW_-uFNT59TmudhmIn2deo41huK8VVG0hIZZElxSzsGNcN7KvioQr00M5E6UNMxUvVrf5cEkye7MwKT6tDPyyWBbY90exMRySYJF6IHZiuNlZ5VDCZo_Zl76opPoVDBlw/s1600/clinton+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB0o6N9bUgxXW_-uFNT59TmudhmIn2deo41huK8VVG0hIZZElxSzsGNcN7KvioQr00M5E6UNMxUvVrf5cEkye7MwKT6tDPyyWBbY90exMRySYJF6IHZiuNlZ5VDCZo_Zl76opPoVDBlw/s320/clinton+007.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the vehicles I get to drive =D</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlkpcFcoMQavoFU3Ple6I7IznzqgEsLIpsFzvKe5aoWYrKXrVP6pVASwz2n-8A4DYmdRkxnWM8OR8EeO4VS7dde_X_DFLyW3d7Vp0gVAU8zicG9iZflMJF5lxJUUGnff6xFUTLzArnsE/s1600/clinton+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlkpcFcoMQavoFU3Ple6I7IznzqgEsLIpsFzvKe5aoWYrKXrVP6pVASwz2n-8A4DYmdRkxnWM8OR8EeO4VS7dde_X_DFLyW3d7Vp0gVAU8zicG9iZflMJF5lxJUUGnff6xFUTLzArnsE/s320/clinton+008.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Small part of Sierra Leone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfxegHotTN2E5sU8ONmSwN1KDcb7C61tg0sP81nZ2ye-RuxriuaME19B2pocZaAFsKrUDKv2McpKxGKg83dNQfPcsvKKmejFq4unuiOVPc0BICviQmSVhdN_-4cp7lSuU0WeIAqPTHQI/s1600/clinton+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfxegHotTN2E5sU8ONmSwN1KDcb7C61tg0sP81nZ2ye-RuxriuaME19B2pocZaAFsKrUDKv2McpKxGKg83dNQfPcsvKKmejFq4unuiOVPc0BICviQmSVhdN_-4cp7lSuU0WeIAqPTHQI/s320/clinton+020.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my office two to three days out of the week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to the left is a small desk and I see everyone before Surgery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm trying to take as many pictures as possible, but it is really hard to when the country has been over exploited. People have hit my camera out of my hands and told me not to take snaps (pictures). So I will try for some more candid shots. And I cant take them in the hospital with out proper clearance due to HIPPA regulations. Well hope you all enjoyed keep an eye out for a new post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">!May God bless you in all things!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">All thoughts expressed are the thoughts of the writer and not of the Mercy Ships.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Independent Blog</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-73591219360791166122011-06-10T14:31:00.000-07:002011-06-10T14:31:28.637-07:00!!AFRICA!!Hi everyone, I would first like to say I'm sorry it has taken me a while to put a new blog up. I have been very busy as soon as I landed I was put to work in a way. I had left California at 750 on Wednesday morning and from there I was on my way to Africa with some stops along the way. the first stop was in Washington DC and we where grounded on the tarmac for 3 hours due to weather. After that short wait I was making my way to Brussels. The ride over was amazing, flying above a thunderstorm is amazing in a lot of ways. well here are some pictures for now I will give you all a actual report in a few days. but first here is my work schedule.<br />
Monday 630: Field screening at Kissy Eye Clinic/and another random location<br />
Tuesday 630: Pre-screening for surgery at the Mercy Ships<br />
Wednesday 630: same as Tuesday/sometimes a random field screening<br />
Thursday 630: same as Tuesday, every six weeks is a YAG day (celebration final treatment for cataracts)<br />
Friday 630: Field screenings<br />
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ok so I cant upload photos but i will figure it out. thanks for reading.Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-62596256188271536162011-05-07T08:54:00.000-07:002011-05-07T08:54:00.105-07:00Love.. Thirst... Death<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love, Thirst Death…</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE something one searches for in life. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">THIRST will always be in all lives, for one always thirst for success, love, and acceptance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DEATH always wants us… but it will only receive us when it is our time. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE-</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">THIRST-</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DEATH</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DEATH-</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">THIRST-</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">à</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2345 Friday May 6<sup>th</sup>. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me and my two sisters Lyndsie and Kirstie where driving home from College group at church. I live in the back of Temecual Wine Country, off of Glen oaks RD. on our way home we see several cars off to the side of the road. I drive up slowly to notice on this dark road this scene. Total of 5 cars, a hummer, a truck and a small four door car. Those cars had not been involved in this accident. As I approach further<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into the scene there is debris everywhere. A black Camaro sits off to the right side of the road front in crushed. Left side of the road, a 4 door Toyota flipped on its side undercarriage towards the road. The roof of the car was pointed towards a field away from public view. I pull over immediately and go into EMT mode.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1<sup>st</sup> Corinthians 4:11 “to the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless.” </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I run over to the car with 5 people standing by the car. I say “my name is Clinton I’m an EMT” everyone clears out of my way. And one lady said “there is one gentleman in this car.” (the flipped car) I run back and grab me EMT bag. As I re-aproach the flipped car I ask about the other car. Lady “ the drive fled the scene.” As I briskly walk over to the over turned car I see a man standing at the window, just waiting. As I go to the car I get my flashlight out of my bag and assess the patients. Noticing there are two patents not one. Assessment notes.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Patients: 2</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sex/race/age: (1) male late 20’s Mexican (2) Female late 20’s Caucasian </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will not go into detail about the scene for I do not want it to be to graphic.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The man that was waiting by the car, I could not see his face. I saw his silhouette. Long hair greyish colored could not see his face, he had a blue shirt on blue jeans grey and yellow nikies. And some work gloves. I smashed the windshield of the car and pulled it away from the car. And the gentleman was holding the window back as I crawled in to the car. This gentleman asked me if I needed anything I said no. he had placed his hand on me as if the car where to roll over (for it was unstable) he could pull me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was making my way in I heard him praying. I was in shock the car I crawled into I saw a Bible a skillet cd and a movie stub. I was face to face with the Bible. The gentleman that was praying was praying something like this. Well this is what I could hear. “Dear Lord… Lord my God… Lord Jesus, you know their hearts… Lord My God you know them.” After that the prayer faded away, cause a fire truck had pulled up. I checked the drivers(male) pulse. To check his pulse I could only get to one arm. The arm I got to had blood running down it. I touched this innocents mans warm blood… my hands where covered in it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his pulse was weak and thread I felt three beats and I had disappeared. I quickly moved to the lady her skin was already cold. I crawled out of the car.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John 5:24 “most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life. Shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gentleman removed his hand from me. I walked about 10 feet to the medics and gave him an update. It took me about 30 seconds to do that walked back to the car. Helped the firemen hook a four lead up, that had read flat line on both patients. Cleaned up my gear and tried to find the man that had helped me so I could thank him. I looked all around for the clothes he was wearing for I did not see his face. I could not find him anywhere. After I got cleared I left for home with my sisters. After twenty minutes of talking to my parents I had gone to take my shower. Doing so I had noticed I cut my knees, legs, hand, arm, stomach, and chest by trying to get into the car. But I had not noticed for I didn’t feel any of that happening. As I read my Bible after my shower my dad comes in and talks to me. I was telling him about this guy… and my sister comes in and says “wait what are you talking about?” so I explained to her again just as I did to you. She was standing on the opposite side of the road where the flipped car was. And she said “Clinton! There was no one there with you no one was at the car with you when you broke the window, no one was holding it back.. Everyone was just standing and watching you.” I was shocked so what did I see?! Who was helping me? Who was praying behind me? Who had their hand on me to pull me out if the car rolled? Why couldn’t I find who it was? My Dad said “it was either your guardian angel or the peoples you were trying to help. It was someone guiding you through what you needed to do” what I always hear stories about this and it has happened to me? I asked again to both my sisters “you sure no one was there with me”(crying while I said it.) “yes we are sure no one was there.” The only question this angel asked was if I needed anything or wanted his gloves. I was calling off vitals and all he said was “Okay!” in the calmest voice ever. Psalms 91 this is all what I was feeling nothing bothered me at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love My God, I love my Savior. I believe in all things from Him Now.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-9132777386904178902011-04-11T16:37:00.000-07:002011-04-11T16:37:12.637-07:00Almost There.<img height="364" id="il_fi" src="http://s.chakpak.com/se_images/580676_-1_564_none/alone-no-one-to-support-me-wallpaper.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="564" /><br />
I cannot walk this walk all by myself, but you can walk it with me. I just got my website set up through Mercy Ships. If you want to support me, all the info will be on this Link. Remember you are my Support. Thank you all in Advance.<br />
<a href="http://www.mercyships.org/page/outreach/view/crewmates/thompsoc">http://www.mercyships.org/page/outreach/view/crewmates/thompsoc</a>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-30395770804112781172011-04-08T18:26:00.000-07:002011-04-08T18:26:09.048-07:001,185 Words of Sadness...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is this what it is going to be like in Africa?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday April 3.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I went to Disney Land with my older sister, while we were enjoying our time something happened. I had received a text message from a friend Jamie, saying that she was in the hospital. First response, “are you ok? What’s wrong? I’m praying for you” typical response for any one tells us they are in the hospital right? Well she had told me they did not know what was wrong, I figured typical doctors. She had kept me informed throughout the day, wanting me to come and be with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have come right then and there, one problem I was in Anaheim at Disney Land and she was in Fallbrook. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was being selfish you can say because I was not there for her and yes I admit I was sadly. I forgot to tell you she and I are very good friends, who have been through a lot together and I mean a lot. So I had continued on with my day and told her to keep me posted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tuesday April 4</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I woke up and got ready for work, as I do every Tuesday. I had decided to text Jamie to see how she was. Several hours passed before a reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I was at work she texted me saying <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I really wish you could be here with me, I’m alright just really sick and can’t hold down food”</i> I replied <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I wish I could be their too. Can I come by after work? Have the doctors found anything out yet?” “Yes! You can come by after work I cannot wait to see you Clinton! And yes they said I have a severe kidney infection”</i> I replied <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“awww that sucks I’m sorry well I will be by around 5.”</i> I go to the hospital and see her lying in bed looking very sick. My heart quickly saddened for her. for I knew the discomfort she was in. for 2 years ago I was in the hospital for different reasons but knew the discomfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had stayed with her for several hours and told her I would be back in the morning. I came back the next morning and stayed until I had to go to work. She was asleep when I had arrived so I prayed over her. I prayed in the car on the way to see her, and as I was walking to her room. She awoke after I had prayed for her, with a smile on her face. We talked for a while and she had no new news. As I left her room I had wished I could stay. Later that day she had asked if I could stay the night with her, and I had to check with my mom to make sure it was ok. Getting the all clear from my parents I proceeded with my day. After work I went to church played in the high school worship band and left to go stay the night with her. I arrived and her family was still with her, so we all gathered around her and prayed for her aloud. I wanted to cry, I wanted to cry every time I set eyes on her, even every time I said her name. For it was truly sad. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night I got 20min of sleep making sure she was ok the whole night and making sure the nurse was keeping an eye on her. For Jamie was and is my best friend. Everything went well, minus some slight breathing problems that got resolved. I prayed so much that night, I had prayed more for her than anything in the world. I was on my knees once while she was asleep praying for her. She woke up and asked what I was doing and I told her I was praying she had asked me to pray aloud. That alone made me cry but I did so, as soon as I said amen she fell asleep once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From that moment 12:30 till 7:45am I had said so many prayers. One particular one at 3:00am it went like this.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dear God</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>….. I have said prayer upon prayer tonight, hoping you will miraculously heal Jamie. She is only 21 years old and has so much more life to live, please take her pain suffering agony and worry away My Lord. I hate seeing her like this. I know you are there and do everything for a reason, whatever the reason take all the bad parts of this sickness away… She doesn’t need this right now and neither does her family. God please make this a miraculous recovery, and shock all that see Lord My God.”</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last part of that prayer was said over and over and over again. There was more to the prayer but this is all I could remember. This was a 45min prayer, The longest prayer I had ever said. 7 o’clock rolls around and she shoots up in bed with a smile on her not so sick looking face. And says can you take me on a wheel chair ride? I was shocked several hours ago she looked so very sick. What was going on? I took her on the ride, and had to leave shortly after so I could make it to work. I had left and told her to call me with the new update. I got a text instead, 45 min after I left. Before I opened the text I knew it was going to say “they have to keep me another night” cause she was so sick. I opened it and what did it say? Not that! It said “IM GOING HOME TODAY! THE TEST CAME BACK CLEAR!” that made my day for the whole day I was up for 36 hours with no sleep and having to go to work. I did not care, because she was better. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I could not help but to think is this how it is going to be in Africa? Emotional, stressful, wearisome? Will I be saying thousands of prayers, praying over thousands of people the same prayer I said for my friend? I wish I had that answer but all I know is it probably will be but more intense. If so am I ready for that? Will I get burnt out? Will I be sitting along a bed side crying and praying? I had all of a thousand questions and only two answers for them both being “I do not know” and “I better be prepared”. well one can say this was preparing me for what is to come with this Mercy Ship journey. But I can say it showed me prayer is the greatest answer man has ever gotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this wasn’t all about Africa but it was about a learning experience leading to Africa. Thank you God for listening and answering. Jamie I’m glad you are home and safe. To everyone out reading this Prayer is strong! Prayer is the strongest answer man has.</span></div>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-40865157020662592722011-03-22T09:48:00.000-07:002011-03-22T09:48:38.037-07:00You can stay Hungry for 10 min, but the kids in Africa stay hungry for days.Hello everyone, i have just received my final paper work for the Africa Mercy Ship. Time is going by so fast now that everything is coming into place. Well all the easy stuff that is, the hard part still remains. The hard part I'm talking about is the support i need in order to; eat safe and healthy food, have a safe place to sleep, and have proper equipment for the duties I will perform. As well as Emergency money, and personal expenses. (Laundry, toiletries, snacks etc...) I know times are tough but anything well help. Anything from 3 quarters to $300.00<br />
<img height="170" id="il_fi" src="http://www.diomedia.com/cache/170/01/AB/NT/01AB-NT3S.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="127" /><br />
I will need a total $5,700.00 for this missions trip. Keep in mind I'm not paying $5,700 for a vacation! I'm paying to work for God. An average American spends $45-$75 on fast food a month, $15-$30 a week on coffee, and over $100 on movies a year. It may not seem like a lot but that is a little bit over $1,400.00 a year. That equals out to,2 months for me in Africa.<br />
I currently need:<br />
$2,000.00 for my plane ticket.<br />
$2,720.00 for room and board<br />
$1,000.00 for emergency/personal. (for prescriptions, Emergency evacuation, laundry etc...)<br />
<img height="190" id="il_fi" src="http://www.bestwaytoloseweightever.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/de3e5_fast-food-restaurants.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="250" /><br />
So what I'm challenging you with is this. every time you are hungry, being on your way home from work or a day outing. Think I can just wait 10 min and make my self something at home. I'm not asking you do this all the time but just once a week. And place the money you saved in a jar or coffee can, and when ever you feel you have accomplished a set goal. Donate it to my missions trip. so that i may further expand the Kingdom of God. it is not just me that is going on this mission to spread Gods word, you will be also. for you wont physically be their but your heart will be.<br />
<img height="145" id="il_fi" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVqUOjoLNzg/TXdeh6q52fI/AAAAAAAABZA/i7tUPRYYWwE/s220/mercy-ships-logo.gif" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="197" /><br />
The Mercy ship has great resources to donate. you can donate by going online (link soon to come) to a special link that will allow you to donate with a credit or debit card. you will receive a tax code for your donation, or i can send you a brochure that has the same code as the web site. Or you can mail your donation directly to me. Its up to you, either way I will be grateful for what I receive prayers and all. I leave June the 1st and will be back October 10th. I will still be accepting donations while I'm on the ship. Last note you can donate online once or have an automatic donation come out every month.<br />
Thank you in advance for supporting me in Gods work.<br />
Clinton ThompsonClinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8309276886201698465.post-30148817946582362742011-03-02T09:01:00.000-08:002011-03-02T09:54:45.132-08:00The StartHi my name is Clinton Thompson and I am an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). I graduated my class June of 2010 with an EMT National Registry License. On January 4th I had submitted an application to the Mercy Ships. After filling out nearly 64 applications in 7 months for Ambulance companies and Hospitals. It was impossible to find a job at the age of 19 for not very many companies could afford insurance for a 19 year old. Let alone most of them where skeptical that a 19 year old had a license for medical practice. So after being rejected time after time, I had prayed to God and told him I would not fill out any applications till January.<br />
January rolls around and the first application i had submitted was for the Mercy Ships. two weeks passed and the mercy ship approved my application and cleared it for a medical EMT position. which was a miracle cause in the opening letter of the application it stated time and time again <em>"All medical positions have to have two years medical experience prior to the mercy ships." </em>I had thought their was a mistake with clearing me for that position so i let Human Resources know. They had replied back promptly reassuring me that they really liked my application and letters. So i took the position with out hesitation. I will be embarking on a journey to Sierra Leone Africa June 3rd 2011.<br />
<img class="rg_hi" data-height="185" data-width="273" height="185" id="rg_hi" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQH32uPzI7fgpbIbJasO5PI3ThRYunNVGiprGt3mb7SUOywyj60ZQ" style="height: 185px; width: 273px;" width="273" /><br />
<span style="color: black;">The position is for the <span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><u>Eye Team Medical Reviewer. </u></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Duties I will perform will all be done in a field setting. Meaning going out and finding people in need of medical attention. I will be giving physical assessments eye assessments and clearing patients for surgery. As well as provide proper medication and teachings of God to the people of Africa. Working 5 days a week 12 hour shifts. I'm very eager to get over seas to preach, help treat medical problems, and just have a fun life changing time. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia;">The only short fall is that i need...</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia;">$2,507.00 for a plane ticket</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia;">$4,640.00 For room and board</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia;">and money for my medical equipment and travel items.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia;">i will have info if you would like to help up shortly.</span></span>Clinton Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16497353598541772493noreply@blogger.com0