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The North American Baptist Conference was represented at the Steer Conference in Bismarck – shown here along with Caryn Young (left) and Kristi TenClay (center).
Having returned to the US in August, it has been a privilege to once again connect with individual supporters and churches. In October, I had the privilege of attending the annual Steer Missions Conference held in Bismarck, North Dakota. Caryn Young of the International Office preceded us to set up the NAB booth. There we met Kristi TenClay, as well as former missionaries to Cameroon Rod and April Zimmerman and Wilma Binder. Paul and Melissa Ewing, formerly in Japan, were also present. The Steer Plan provides an innovative way for ranchers to give to international missions. Steer furnishes the funds for a farmer to purchase an animal, typically a bred heifer. The farmer, in turn, agrees to feed and care for the animal until it calves. Proceeds from the sale of the animal’s offspring are then made payable to Steer – which directs the funds to a mission agency of the farmer’s choosing. It was much appreciated when Steer funds were directed to my support a few years ago.
Meanwhile in Cameroon, challenges continue with road closures and periodic lockdowns – most recently related to the start of the school year. Despite these challenges, the work in Mbingo Baptist Hospital continues under the able leadership of Mr. Dickson, our senior administrator. Himself a former patient in MBH, Mr. Dickson has a very interesting testimony – which he has permitted to be shared in this forum.
Born into a Muslim home in 1977, Mr. Dickson was given the name ‘Amadou.’ As a child, he often accompanied his father to the local mosque. From the time of his birth, Amadou’s mother had struggled with leprosy – suffering the loss of parts of her fingers and toes. She subsequently died in 1989 when Amadou was still in primary school.
By his mid-teens, Amadou had developed some peculiar skin lesions, which he described as “red patches” on his extremities. One day, a government worker arrived in their village to conduct a sanitation survey. Noticing Amadou’s skin changes, he decided to test them and discovered they were anesthetic. At that juncture, there was concern that, like his mother, Amadou had developed leprosy. He was instructed to travel to Mbingo Hospital for care. Upon arrival to Mbingo in January of 1994, testing confirmed the diagnosis of leprosy (today called Hansen’s disease). Amadou then began treatment on an out-patient basis, with an eighteen-month course of therapy. Released from care, he returned home to tend some of the livestock back in their village – primarily pigs, fowls, and goats.
The animal husbandry responsibilities required Amadou to be very active. Eventually, he developed an ulcer on his left heel – which was not properly cared for on account of the loss of pain perception. This development compelled a return trip to Mbingo in April of ’94, at which point he was admitted to the Ulcer Ward. It was during this time that he met missionary doctors Jerry Fluth and Rodney Zimmerman. They recommended that Adamou remain in Mbingo for continued wound care and schooling – which could be offered through resources provided by the American Leprosy Mission. Amadou also heard the Gospel message during his hospitalization.
Recognizing the importance of appropriate wound care, Amadou prepared to relocate to Mbingo Hospital. Briefly returning home to sell his animals, he noted a recrudescence and worsening of the heel ulcer. Following the advice of the missionaries, Adamou moved to Mbingo by September of ’94 – at which time he entered secondary school. Completing high school in 1998, he was subsequently awarded a grant through the American Leprosy Mission to attend the University of Cheung. While in university, Amadou decided that – quite apart from the Islamic teaching that He was merely a good man – Jesus must be Lord and God. In 2002, Amadou placed his faith in Christ Jesus. During his university years, while making frequent trips back to Mbingo, Adamou was discipled by Dr. Rodney Zimmerman – who he regards as his ‘spiritual father.’ Following his decision to become a Christian, Adamou changed his name to “Dickson.”
After graduating from the University of Cheung, Mr. Dickson was offered employment in Mbingo as a social worker. As his administrative skills became evident, he was given additional responsibilities – eventually heading three other departments of the hospital in addition to social work. In recognition of Mr. Dickson’s exemplary work in Mbingo, he was granted additional training in Germany and Kenya – which led to his being awarded a master’s degree in 2014. With these credentials, he returned to Cameroon, where he was assigned to the administration of two other hospitals prior to his appointment as senior administrator of Mbingo Baptist Hospital in January of 2023. And so, Mr. Dickson is now heading the very hospital where he was once a patient on the Ulcer Ward. Thanks to the care and guidance of former missionaries Dr. Jerry Fluth and Dr. Rodney Zimmerman, he was helped not just physically and materially but also eternally.
Senior administrator of Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Mr. Dickson – seen here in his office.