The sweat beads on my nearly naked body as I lay under my mosquito net. Mosquitoes buzzing around my mosquito net. The power is out in this section of Ndjamena, the capital of Chad. I switch on the ceiling fan just in case it comes on overnight. I drift off to sleep thinking of what has transpired over our vacation to the US.
We left Cameroon discouraged and needing vacation. We decided to talk about Koza whenever there was opportunity. That lead to about six different presentations while we were back. A friend of mine in Chad mentioned that there was a conference about placing intramedullary nails in Washington state. He had been given money to attend and offered to fly me out too. It was a great orthopedic conference where we heard about placing the SIGN nail. I wrote about this in our last email. We received a donation of equipment to start this technique in Koza. This was a HUGE answer to prayer, and a huge improvement to the care we will be able to give the people of Koza with long bone fractures. Then my previous residency in Sayre, PA (Robert Packer Hospital) decided to give us other medical equipment and suture to bring back after doing a presentation there. Also MAP international, who partners with Ethicon, donated suture to take back as well. These were all answers to pray
er.
We arrived at the airport in WV with EIGHT check in bags. Well that was a hit in the wallet as extra bags have gotten much more expensive. After discussion on how to enter extra bags, we were entered with all 8 bags. We had a 6 hour layover in Dullas Intl Airport. We affirmed that all bags had arrived there with the agent. At departure we were called up to the counter. The agent said “Im sorry, but it appears that Economy class is full!” There was a tense pause. Then he said “so we have placed you and Audrey in business class. WOW, God gave us another sign of His continued leading in our lives. We traveled to Paris in the plush, wide seats that recline to nearly flat to sleep, and slept the whole way. In Paris we were also moved to business class, God is amazing.
We arrive in Cameroon with the usual knots in our stomachs. Though God has shown us recently that He is leading we still doubt Him. We are just like the Israelites in Bible times. “God why have you sent us out of the land of plenty to the desert?” We are anxious of what problems await us in the terminal. Audrey renewed her passport this year and her visa was in the old one. In the terminal was different that we expected. We entered the Ndjamena airport, passed immigration without difficulty. Then on to claim our baggage. We found the taxi person that we use ready and with part of our bags already piled together. We waited and eventually got all 8 bags. Our last two flights into Ndjamena we had lost bags so this was amazing that all arrived safely. As we left the baggage area we had to stop by the customs officials. This is usually the most difficult place to pass as we have many bags and they want their pockets lined. He looked at our donation documents and let
us pass with very little harassment. Outside he came to find us, and harassed us for about 10 minutes trying to get money from us. We finally left after much discussion.
We arrived at the Catholic mission compound where we were to sleep, without electricity. With profuse sweating we drifted off to sleep.
I am now awakened at 4:30AM to the Muslim call to prayer. It is Ramadan and it seems especially strong over the loudspeakers this morning. I am unable to sleep any longer. I realize the power is back on, I turn the fan on. the fan doesn’t work. I cannot sleep any longer and choose to write you.
God has again showed His power. It is amazing to me that the God who created the universe has an interest in our lives. He spoke and our solar system was made. He spoke and galaxies were thrown into space. We know of millions of galaxies thanks to the Hubble telescope. So in spite of our insignificant planet in space, God chose to create humans here and loves and cares for each on of us. I praise Him that the God of our universe cares for me and my flight and my luggage! Praise HIM! In His Service, Greg
Shanksteps #128