Shanksteps #127
We have been back in the US for more than a month. Though discouraged in Cameroon, God has given us the strength to push on. Since arriving back in the US at the end of June, we have traveled to many states and visited many people. We began in WV with my parents, then on to CT to visit Audreys father. A few days were spent in our old residencies in PA and NY doing medical presentations. Then back to CT. We then continued up to Maine to have a little time, just the three of us, backpacking. We backpacked about 18 miles and camped by a beautiful lake. After returning to CT we flew out to Phoenix for ASI. ASI is a meeting about how to share Christ in your marketplace. It was a real spiritual renewal and we were able to see my parents and sisters and some Aunts and Uncles. We spoke about the Koza hospital at the Phoenix Central SDA Church. Then attended the conference over the next few days. We would love to see some of you at the conference next year in Orlando, the first weekend in August 4-8, 2010. We expect to be there, though we may change our vacation schedule in the coming year.

It seems that each year the God gives us circumstances that confirm once again that He is working in our lives. While home I got an email from my friend, Dr. James Appel in Bere, Chad. He was on vacation earlier this year and ran into an orthopedic surgeon. As James described the situation he worked in the surgeon told him he should attend the SIGN conference on intramedullary nails (a metal rod into the broken bone to stabilize it). That they had a technique that did not require intraoperative x-rays. He felt that it was so important that he chose to sponsor James to go from Chad to the Conference in Richland, WA. When the money arrived it was well more than enough for him to attend. He asked the man if he could bring a friend, me, and he said yes. So after conferring about the conference I decided that this was a great opportunity.

So this weekend I find my self flying to Seattle to meet James. We thought it was near by, but after consulting a map, upon arrival, we discover it is quite a drive. We rented a car and drove to Richland. SIGN was started 10 years ago by a Dr. Zirkle and American orthopedist who has a passion for developing countries and their fracture treatment. He and a team of others, developed the “nail” that I described above. By the end of 2008 SIGN had 144 programs in 49 countries and there implant had been placed in more than 36,000 patients. So there I sat with orthopedic surgeons from all over the world. Vietnam, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, USA, Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Egypt, Guatemala and more. As you may know, most fractures I treat are placed in casts or put in traction for a few months in the hospital, however most are treated traditionally with the traditional bone setters and wood splints. This technique allows for early mobility, within a few days, and better fracture healing.

God works in incredible ways. He touched the heart of the founders of this program and they have chosen to give me all the materials to start doing this in Koza. I am amazed and VERY THANKFUL.. This will make a huge difference in the lives of even more people in Koza and the surrounding area. They run off of donations given to them to support what they are doing. They asked that we try to help them cover the cost of the materials that they gave me to use in Koza. Their cost of materials was $9200. Look up the website www.sign-post.org If you would like to help cover the cost of this incredible gift, so they can continue providing this to others, please contact me, my dad or make a donation directly to SIGN noting that the monies are for the SIGN equipment given to Koza Adventist Hospital.

God has given Audrey and I encouragement once again, to continue on in His work in Cameroon. Please continue to pray for courage and strength. In His Service, Greg

Greg Shank MD
Director Hopital Adventiste de Koza
BP 53
Koza, Extreme Nord
Cameroon

US address:
Box F
Summersville, WV 26651
current cell number 304-651-6922

phone number from US to Cameroon 011-237-7522-0278
www.missiondocs.org

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