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 #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
#126 Shanksteps
It has been three weeks now that we have been in the US. We have been in WV, CT, PA, NY. We are soon to go to Maine, Phoenix, Seattle, and Spokane.
God has blessed the hospital and us in our absence. First, We left the hospital without physician coverage. We had contacted people to find a doctor for the past 6 months. No one was available that we were aware of. After leaving there, God provided a doctor. One week after leaving Koza, Dr. Jason Lohr wrote from Ile Ife, Nigeria saying there was a physician who could come. He arrived there a week later, and is covering the hospital.
Second, we are trying to get a land title for the hospital property. Apparently this is not found anywhere. A cell tower was placed on the land without benefit to the hospital because of the lack of a title for the land.. We are concerned about other land encroachment possibilities too. So to ensure this does not happen further we are starting the process for the land title again. The man who was to come survey the land asked excessive sums of money (corruption) to do his job and refused to come out to Koza to perform the task. Eventually, with numerous meetings with his boss, he came out and after many problems with him, he has finish the survey. We are now waiting for the paperwork he is creating.
Third, the work at the hospital is progressing. Usually during our absence the hospital has very few patients. This time, there are around 30 patients still in the hospital and so finances are less sparse than in years past during our absence.
Fourth, different construction projects are reaching an end. With the help of the Loma Linda University Medical Auxiliary, two toilet buildings were built that can be emptied when full. And buildings in the back of the hospital were refurbished to be housing for visiting students or single people. A couple years ago a tin roof covering was built over the worship/meeting area. Some construction needs that remain are: rewiring the entire hospital from original wiring, and building a large visitors house with multiple different rooms under one roof, and a deluxe private room (for more wealthy clients). Thanks to the Medical Auxiliary and others, the money is available to rewire the entire compound. All we need now is someone willing to do the work. If anyone know of an electrician or electrical engineer, who would be willing to come and evaluate the wiring and tell us what kind of wiring (size, length, kind…) we need, please let me know.
We have seen God’s continued intervention in our lives and in the functioning of the Koza Hospital. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are often frustrated and seeing His working, encourages us to continue. Thank you. Greg
Shanksteps 125b followup
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 I do not understand, when my view is so finite. Mounagui died the day after surgery about 12 hours afterwards. Though I do not understand, I like Job in the Bible, I choose to follow Him even though I do not understand here on earth. I look forward to knowing in Heaven when I can ask Him face to face. Praise to our Saviour! Greg
I recently heard from our friends Gary and Wendy Roberts who lost their son to malaria in Chad. Please pray for them, as this is going to be the hardest time of their lives. May they, like Job, choose to honor God in spite of what has happened.
