Dear Family and Friends,
Today, we are writing to you from our son’s house in Nashville, TN. We took our 4 week annual leave to come and see our newest grandson, David Samuel, who was born to Jess and Faryn 2 months ago! Of course we are also enjoying our other three grandsons, Caleb, Josiah and Daniel (all 6 and under). Needless to say, it is a very active household. Nonnie and Poppie are having a grand time. Nonnie got to be the visiting reader one day for Caleb’s kindergarten class.
We also went to Denver to see Deb’s mom. Her condition has declined somewhat, but as of this writing she has shown improvement and stability, so we are continuing with plans for return to Cameroon on Feb 17th.
Dr. Jerry Brown
Dr. Martin Salia
Two graduates from the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) surgical residency program of Mbingo Baptist Hospital were on the front line of the fight against Ebola in 2014. Dr. Martin Salia paid the ultimate price for serving his people in Sierra Leone, contracting and dying from the virus himself. Dr. Jerry Brown, our close friend who graduated from the program at Mbingo in 2013, heads up an Ebola treatment center in Liberia and was rightfully recognized as a person of the year by Time magazine last year. The Lord is using the training programs at MBH for His purposes and glory.
I (Rick) am very thankful for several colleagues in Pathology who have agreed to read slides for me during my absence; and also for volunteers who are passing through Mbingo during this time who have agreed to carry those slides from Mbingo to the US. This is making it possible for results to be provided to our patients and doctors in my absence.
The most exciting news we have is that, in recent months, a young Fulani man that Rick has been sharing with told us that he is now a believer in Jesus! His family is not in favor of this, so we will not mention his name, but please pray for him.
We are thankful for this time to be with family, for the many friends who encourage and support us, and most especially for your prayers. Please keep them coming.
Yours in His Service,
Rick and Debbie
PS. We want to continue to help make you aware of other worthwhile projects that are underway with NAB. Consider whether the Lord would have you be involved with any of those listed at the link below. This month we would like to highlight the HIV Chosen Children Project. Go here to learn more.