Shanksteps Chad 2022 #5
Hi, Aud here. Usually Greg writes the Shanksteps because his surgeries are just so interesting. I’ll write today to give you a little taste of what this part of Africa is like. Today is Saturday, the Sabbath, and we make this a day of rest. Last evening, we had a fantastic vespers at Megan and Andrew’s home. All the missionaries on this campus got together for dinner, singing and discussion. The food was amazing, the singing was fun, and the discussion was definitely thought provoking. We discussed missionary/physician burnout and working to fatigue, and where do you place the boundaries, or do you place boundaries. Jesus worked until he was exhausted, BUT didn’t turn people away when he was tired, because he had Compassion. See Matthew 14:8-14. It was a very interesting discussion.
This morning, we went to the “bush church” under the mango tree. Some of the missionaries piled into the 4-Runner, while Greg and I took a motorcycle. About half-way there, the Toyota picked up a bunch of kids who were also headed to the bush church. It was a wonderful experience, and church the way I believe “church” should be; a bunch of Jesus lovers meeting under a mango tree, singing songs and hearing the stories about Jesus’ love.
After church, Greg and I took a detour back to the compound, stopping at “foret du singe” (monkey forest). We weren’t able to get close to any monkeys, but probably saw 8-10` leaping through the forest. They tell me they are protected in that forest.
After church and a visit to the monkeys, we came back to the hospital for Greg to see a couple of patients. Soon after, we left (again via moto) for the river. All the missionaries, including some from a nearby village, all brought food for potluck lunch and we spread mats under the trees next to the river. The food was fantastic and so was the company. After eating, we went for a dip in the river. Boy did that water feel great in the 100 degree heat. The name of the river is the Tendjile river, but we have always referred to it has Hippo River due to seeing hippos bathing, and hearing of people being bitten by the hippos over the years. Today no hippos were present. I have been to Bere, Chad many times, but this is was my first time to the river. I guarantee it won’t be the last.
Greg and I left the river early to see a couple patients and get ready for surgery. On the way back, the moto ran out of gas about halfway home. So Greg pushed that moto about a mile back in 100 degree heat.
Now we are back at the hospital compound and getting ready to do an appendectomy.