Dear Family and Friends,
There are currently several negative stories in the news from Africa. Thankfully, however, we are fine and not experiencing any problems from these matters.
The Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa is tragic in the countries where it is occurring. There have been many deaths and great fear of the infection. It has mostly been reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone which are 1600-2300 miles west of Cameroon. We have begun talking about how we can prepare in case ebola reaches into Cameroon. Fortunately, we have a very nice isolation ward (private rooms) which was dedicated last year. This could be quickly adapted to care for these patients if needed. A large part of the cost of this ward was paid for by our churches in North America.
The conflict with the Boko Haram is in northeastern Nigeria and the extreme north of Cameroon. It is more than three days drive from us. We have noted that the government has increased security in our area, but there is no indication of any real problem at present. All of the western missionaries were removed from the north of Cameroon due to increased risk of kidnapping. We all feel reasonably safe here in the Northwest Region. We always remind others that the most dangerous part of being in this part of the world is traveling on the roads. God has always protected us from that danger.
We do sincerely appreciate the prayers offered on our behalf. Being where God wants us reassures us that we are safe, and that no harm can befall us that He doesn’t allow.
We had our third graduation exercise since beginning the CIMS residency program (Christian Internal Medicine Specialization). We now have five graduates working in all four of the large hospitals operated by the CBC Health Board. Dr. Kamdem, this year’s graduate, will stay with us at Mbingo to assist with our endoscopy program. We appreciate working with him. We now have two graduates at Mbingo which decreases the need for expatriate physicians to provide patient care and assist with the resident teaching.
We began our seventh year of the Internal Medicine residency on August 1. A lot of progress has been made, but much remains to be done. We currently have fourteen young Cameroonian physicians training with us (eight residents and six “house officers” (interns). It is a great opportunity to help them advance their medical skills and to grow spiritually. (Additionally, the surgical training program has nine residents. )
There is a lot of construction at the hospital now. The new student hostel building will have the floor for the third level poured next week, then the final pillars and roof. It will provide much needed housing for conference participants, students, and volunteers, including six one-bedroom apartments on the third floor.
We are also working to complete the outpatient building and soon should have the roof over the part of the building we work in. This means that finally it will be dry inside. We will also get much needed classroom space for teaching, a new amphitheater, and space for a large x-ray department. We will be able to think of getting our own CT scanner for Mbingo – a needed addition for our patients. The second floor, nearing completion, will house the surgery outpatient clinics and outpatient surgery.
Thank you for your prayers on behalf of the work here, and for our safety, which we never take for granted.
In His service,
Dennis & Nancy