The Joy of the Lord Missions, a Christian charity organization, in collaboration with the Canadian Relief and Development Agency, organized a free health screening and feast for over 6,000 people, including the aged, vulnerable, and people with disabilities in Nkoranza, Bono East Region.
The initiative, held on May 10-11, 2025, coincided with Mother’s Day celebrations. A team of 40 doctors and nurses screened beneficiaries for various health conditions, including hepatitis B, diabetes, high blood pressure, malaria, and sight issues.
The founder of the Joy of the Lord Mission, Theresa Sarpong, in an interview with Fabea FM’s Apiah-Kubi, emphasized the importance of renewing hope for the aged, who often face isolation and marginalization in healthcare.
The mission provided additional support, including a hearty meal, monetary gifts, clothing, wheelchairs, and sunglasses for the visually impaired. “One small act of love can change a life forever,” Theresa stated.
She encouraged caretakers to take advantage of authorized clinics and hospitals for regular medical check-ups. “Our hope is that this event offers a moment of joy, fosters friendships, and a sense of renewed belonging,” she expressed.
“We conduct this event annually around Mother’s Day to renew hope for widows, widowers, elderly, those living with disabilities, and the vulnerable who are ostracized and unsupported by the community,” Theresa added.
Participants expressed gratitude for the initiative, highlighting the financial constraints that often prevent them from seeking medical care.
BRIEF:
Praise the Lord,
By the grace of God, we were able to conduct the health screening and the Renewed Hope event in Nkoranza for the widows, widowers, elderly and ones living with disability this past weekend.
Saturday was the health screening. Although we planned to start at 9 AM, people began arriving as early as 5 AM and waited patiently at the entrance until the gates opened. We are so grateful for what God did and for the incredible support we received from the local Saint Theresa’s Hospital. About 45 healthcare workers came-including four doctors, six pharmacists, several physician assistants, and many registered nurses, led by a charge nurse who is a Catholic nun. Their teamwork was outstanding; they arrived early, worked together seamlessly, and provided any supplies we were missing, such as hand sanitizer, face masks, and glucometers.
By the time we arrived at 7 AM, around 300 people had already gathered. Since this was a health screening, we did not keep people waiting. We began with a prayer and a brief health talk on stress, forgiveness, and the importance of letting go of bitterness. Then they went through different stations: initial assessment by nurses, blood pressure/blood sugar checks, and consultations with doctors. We estimate between 400 to 600 people came in and out throughout the day. By God’s grace, everything went smoothly.
The patients were deeply appreciative, especially those who discovered for the first time that they had high blood pressure or diabetes. We provided education on diet and lifestyle. Many people expressed their gratitude to JOLM and the Canadian Relief and Development Agency for not only come all the way from Canada but also for providing the care, medication, etc. We finished seeing the last patient around 4 PM. We also prepared and served 45 meals of jollaf rice and chicken for the healthcare team, who were very appreciative. We’re so thankful to God for the work He did. Everything went beautifully.
On Sunday (May 11 – Mother’s Day), we held the Renewed Hope event. We estimate over 5,000 people attended.
We began the day with a morning breakfast. We purchased 120 trays of eggs and we were able to serve the majority of people who came. We provided eggs, bread, fruit, and porridge, which was especially helpful for the elderly, as some had woken up as early as 4 AM to wait for their buses. I believe the first bus arrived at 6 AM or even earlier. As people arrived, they received breakfast and a ticket to claim their gift – an African cloth.
The program began with worship, led by Sister Rebecca and Brother Emmanuel. After worship, I shared words of encouragement and testimonies. We also offered counseling and spent time rejoicing in God’s presence.
Afterward, elderly women counseled the younger women and widows on maintaining their homes and raising their children. The younger women also encouraged one another. We sang songs together, and everyone-mothers, fathers, uncles, and more-joined in. It was a joyful time where everyone seemed to forget their troubles, toils and sorrows. The minister also joined us, prayed, and shared a beautiful message, encouraging people to give their lives to Christ. After so many years, this event has been one of the most significant in my life. Everyone spoke well of it and was happy.
We were able to distribute the wheelchairs, and many people were moved to tears. There was a lady who always carried her husband, who had one leg amputated and could not move. They could not afford a wheelchair, as they are very expensive in Ghana. For them, receiving a wheelchair was an answer to prayer, and they were overjoyed. Some people who were crippled or lame had to roll themselves across the park because they had no access to wheelchairs. Others carried their loved ones on their backs. We prayed for them and gave them wheelchairs.
Afterward, we distributed the African cloth, which is always a highlight. Everyone wanted one, and by God’s grace, we gave out what we had.
Everyone who came also received a lunch of jollaf rice and chicken.
May the Lord richly bless you all. Bless the dear ones that donated. After the event, we came home and had thanksgiving prayers – thanked God for all of you. Thank you all for support for the Joy of the Lord Missions. I thank all the donors. I thank everyone that contributed to make this event possible and also prayed for us and prayed for the events. By God’s grace, the Nkoranzas events were completed successfully.
On Tuesday, Lord willing, we will be moving on to Kumasi. The health screening and Renewed Hope event in Kumasi will take place on May 16 and 17. Please continue to pray for God’s work in Ghana. May the Lord richly bless you all. Greetings from JOLM. God bless you.
For further details, call Evans Asamoah Kwasi, Ambassador for the Joy of the Lord Missions in Ghana, on 0550026426.
Source: Apiah-Kubi – Fabea FM.
