Dear Family and Friends,
Affordable health care is a basic need. Affordable health care, combined with Christ inspired compassion is even more needed. Since 1949 Cameroonians from all walks of life have found this type of care at the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) health facilities. Initially the development of this ministry was headed by missionaries. Today Prof. Pius Tih, the Director of Health Services, and his team of Cameroonian doctors and administrators have the challenge of keeping this growing ministry (that now includes 5 hospitals, more than 24 health centres, AIDS ministry, disabled ministry, village primary health care programs etc.) Christ centered. Pray Jesus’ compassion for all sinners (everybody) would be seen by the patients served, even with this growth of ministry.
Women’s groups from many North American Baptist Conference churches have sacraficially partnered with Cameroon Baptist health ministries for many years to assist patients with the provision of relief goods like blankets, diapers, baby jackets and bandages. This help (called White Cross) significantly reduces patients’ bills. The Health Services staff are very encouraged that sisters in Christ from so far away have such compassion. Thank you to all who have a share in the White Cross ministry. You are a bessing!
Cameroon medical missionaries’ current role is is in providing training (i.e. internal medicine, surgery), being agents of accountability for adequate health care standards, and providing specialized technical services such as building and medical research. The compassionate care partnership between medical missionaries and Cameroon Baptist Convention health care staff is very effective in giving Christ centered health care to many, many Cameroonians.
Those of us who work in the Cameroon Baptist Convention finances, also have a role to help the health care ministry. When I am on the field I sit on the Drug Revolving Fund committee. This committee that meets about 6 times a year strives to ensure enough revenues from patient fees are targeted for purchasing medicines and medical supplies from within Cameroon and abroad. I also work with the Health Services finance office and CBC Central Accounting Office (even while on home assignment) to ensure strategies are in place for the flow of currency outside of Cameroon to be available to make foreign medicine/medical supply purchases.
There is a Cameroon proverb, “It takes a whole village to raise a child”. Not only the parents, but other members of the village contribute to the overall upbringing of a child. The same principle holds true, as the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services offer Christ centered health care. Missionary and national doctors, nurses, ward workers, administrators, secretaries, lab technicians, pharmacy staff, store keepers, cleaners, security guards all share in the role. As do NAB church women’s groups participating in White Cross. Particpating in this ministry has eternal consequences. Let’s continue in this steadfast service.
We started our home assignment in mid October. We are grateful for the opportunity to visit our supporting churches. Hopefully we will be able return to Cameroon, God willing, by June or July.
In Christ
Walter & Florence