Shanksteps #41
So we are back in Cameroon. We will tell you about
our journey next time.
So what do you think of babies being born in taxies
on the way to the hospital, in ambulances…? Where do
you think a hospital workers wife would deliver?
I was at the front of the hospital when one of the
nurses pushed in a poos-poos. (this is a hand
pushed/pulled cart with two wheels used to carry
anything heavy) He headed for maternity. I called
after him to see if he needed me there. (Normally the
nurses here deliver all children in the hospital
unless there is a complication) He said no things
were fine. I questioned further as I saw a woman in
the cart. This normally means a very, very ill person
because they cannot walk, thus the poos-poos. He
said, no, it was one of the workers wives and she
already delivered. She had gone to visit his home and
the baby “came outâ€! I guess the cord and placenta
were still there so he was taking her to maternity to
wait for the rest to be done.
After being gone for nearly 2 months Koza is still
the same. Other than coming back to one MAJOR
personnel issue it is nice to be back. We are very
grateful for the octogenarian couple, Drs. Ketting,
who covered the hospital while we were away. All the
staff and population have great respect for both of
them and very much appreciated the work they did here.
Also we are very grateful that the generator is
really fixed this time. Dr. Ketting made it possible
while they were here to obtain a good mechanic from
Maroua and got it fixed. So our generator need is
fixed. He also started a “fuel fund†so that we do
not need to operate or work in the dark. As diesel
fuel is expensive $4/gal. I’m sure we will have many
more dark nights but at least when we need the lab
working or the OR running we will be able to start it
up. I am also very grateful for a gift that was given
to me from my previous surgical director. It is a
rechargeable headlamp that is really bright. If you
surgeons are interested check out www.enovamedical.com
Very good for the mission field. We also want to
thank each of you that have sent donations to my
father or our church. I was able to bring it back to
Koza with me. We have started with replenishing
medications that were low and have started measuring
broken glass windows so as to replace them. This will
diminish risk to patients and us… We thank you so
much for your help to the people of Koza.
For those of you who plan far ahead, we plan on being
back in the US in July and August again next year. We
were very happy to see those of you that we could and
hope to see more next year. Please continue to keep
us in your prayers as we work here for HIM (Christ).
In His Service, Shanks