MissionDocs.org

Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Saying Goodbye…
Saying goodbye to my family was the hardest thing i have ever done… as my dad leaned over, gave me a kiss, and said “I will see you in 9 months sweetie”, it hit me. My whole life will turn upside down in the next 36 hours. I don’t know what to say… today was the first time i didn’t want to get on the plane, but also the time when i wanted to be in Cameroon in a second. I am praying to God and asking for him to protect me. Its all up to me now. I’m on my own. I am thankful that Caitlin will be arriving two weeks after i get to the hospital in Koza. It was so interesting. The other day, my dad was reading the World Adventist magazine (really don’t know the name of it), and he found an article from the conference president of northern Cameroon. He was talking alot about the Adventist school and the ADVENTIST HOPSITAL in Koza. It made me have a boost of confidence for some reason. Also.. i talk to the doctor that was there for 5 years. He told me that i would have an amazing experience, and that i didn’t have to be afraid. The director of the hospital told me how i’m going to be picked up, what the name of the person who was picking me up was, and all kinds of encouragement. God is good… and working too. I am about the board the flight from Portland to Denver Colorado. From Colorado I go to Wasington DC, then to Adis Adaba, and then Djemena or something. I am praying my heart out that God keeps me safe. I miss all of my family and friends, but i know God is calling me here. I will overcome! Jeremiah 1:19
Posted by Elissa

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Hello Friends and Family,
I want to give an update on what I understand is happening at Koza and ask for your continued prayers. First of all, we continue to search for jobs for Audrey and I in the NW. We have had a number of options, and as of yet have not been able to finalize things. We are praying for God’s continued leading in our lives, that we know where He wants us to be. Our daughter is doing well in school and we look forward to seeing her more often.

I have talked to Yves Kemdje, the administrator of Koza Hospital and I hear the need for a physician still continues. Before we left we saw three cases of Cholera at the hospital, as the rainy season started. I hear that they have treated more than 220 cases of Cholera. They have had about 6 deaths, which is very good under the circumstances. The nurses continue to treat malaria, pneumonia, typhoid, meningitis, dysentery and other types of infectious disease. The hospital census continues to be 25-35 on average. When we went to Cameroon the hospital was 4-6 months behind on salaries because of the absence of a physician. Currently the hospital continues to be able to pay the salaries each month. But a physician is NECESSARY! If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering or working on a permanent basis in Koza, please talk to me, to Adventist Health International, or the General Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.

There are two student missionaries in Koza this year. They are from universities in the US that have chosen to take a year out of schooling to serve overseas. One of them keeps up a blog about her thoughts, and feelings, and occurrences at the Koza Hospital. I will start forwarding these on to you all, so that you can know first hand what is happening there. I have included one below. Please pray for Koza and the continued need for a physician there. Sincerely, Greg Shank

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Up and Down Feelings
In the last couple of days, i have received much word about the happenings in Cameroon as well as information about what to bring to protect myself from disease, mostly Malaria. The most recent news is that i’m going to get Malaria no matter what i try to do to protect myself… I will never be able to give blood if that happens (I’m really into that). Its been a crazy couple of days for me and my feelings. One moment i’m stoked, the next i’m terrified… I am afraid of the unknown, but excited for the experience. There is no doctor there, and recently i’ve been reading the doctors blogs. How am i going to survive? Is there going to be help? i can’t be a doctor! I had two very wonderful people come by my house yesterday with encouragement i don’t even think they know they gave me. The first woman that stopped by was Christie. I was busy for a little bit, but came over to sit down and talk to her for awhile. She had given my mom an envelope, and began to tell me that she collects antiques. For her birthday, she wanted to get this beautiful antique barbie that was made the year she was born. She decided that the money would be better used for my trip and wanted to help me with the money. I was shocked and stunned… $100. Praise God for humble people:) Juanne came by later in the day and i was astonished to see the things she blessed me with. She had come over and and brought medical books, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, blood pressure cuffs, and more! The book that answered my prayers was a book called “Where There is No Doctor a village health care handbook”. Just hours before she stopped by i was overwhelmed with the responsibility of being some kind of superhero. The only superhero is the Lord himself and no matter what happens, HE WILL PROVIDE. He has been amazing me with His faithfulness through people, providence, and words of comfort! “…If you have a deep personal faith in God you’ll be able to say to any mountain of difficulty, ‘Out of my way!’ and God will help move it. You can do anything for Him when your faith is in Him” Matt 17:20
Posted by Elissa

We had agreed on a price! It was a Toyota Tacoma in good condition. I suspected that we would close the deal at the dealership that evening and pay with my check. The manager asked the financial person fill out all the paperwork with me and sign EVERYWHERE! Then he wouldn’t accept my check. He used other stalling techniques. This immediately inflamed me as it had in Cameroon, when I was being taken advantage of by a government official, who was suppose to be doing a public service that he wanted pocket money for. Very irritated, I left the dealership and went back to the place we were staying. It is a small room attached to a large building. Has a bed and bathroom, and we are very happy to have a place to stay. I returned the following day after “wiring” the money to them that they required, and we drove away with a beautiful truck.
There is a scale of life stressors, and amongst the top few are a broken marriage, loss or moving a job, change in a house or living situation. Right now I think we are high on these lists. No job, no house, no stability to our lives. Now at least we have one solid vehicle and can move around without rental cars. We are very blessed to have interviews lined up and that is encouraging. We did an interview in Oregon in a location that was very nice, as well as the hospital and staff. We are praying for God’s guidance on what He wants us to do and where he wants us to be. It is often hard to differentiate our desires from what we feel God wants us to do. Often we wish He would be very obvious about what He wants us to do next. I have heard and feel that this is part of the growing process of our faith. That God does not direct us as we direct our children. He allows us to choose, and gives much less guidance than we would give our children. But it does not diminish my frustration for the desire of being lead in an open way by Him. He has done that for us but does not always choose to do it in every circumstance.
As far as I know there is still no doctor in Koza, and I have not heard of anyone being interested yet. PLEASE PRAY for Koza Adventist Hospital! The last I heard they had had more than 40 cholera patients and had lost only 3. They desperately need a physician. Again I offer to any physicians reading this message, if you are interested in a mission opportunity in rural Cameroon, or have considered long term mission service, please contact me, or Adventist Health International, or the General Conference of Seventh Day Adventists. We are looking for committed people who want to help in rural areas. The earthly remuneration is minimal, but adequate, the heavenly remuneration is eternal.
As I am now back in states, we will continue to support the Koza Hospital with funds and donations. If you would continue to support he hospital, as I will, you could continue to send it to:

Summersville SDA Church
Box 2128 Hwy 41
Summersville WV 26651

Labeling it for “Koza Adventist Hospital”. We will insure that the money makes it out to Koza with the next available person to hand carry it there. If you have any specific way that you would like the money used please specify that, and we will comply with your desires.

Please continue to pray for us as we look for jobs and for Koza Hospital for a physician to choose to cover the hospital on a long term basis. Greg

Unfortunately this is our last Shanksteps from Cameroon. As you already know, from previous shanksteps, we are moving back stateside to be near our daughter Sarah and be in closer proximity to our families. It is with sadness that we leave.

The past few weeks, even months have been hectic ones. Sarah, our daughter, was able to come out to visit us for the summer. After school she flew out and has been with us since. She has helped replacing screens on the hospital windows and doors. this is a daunting task, especially with all the “help” of patient families and workers that are to be doing other jobs. But many were recovered. I have been doing a couple operations a day and Audrey covering the majority of the hospital with 35-50 inpatients. Often when the rains start the census drops to 15-20. But so far this year it has maintained higher numbers. I am thankful for that, and hope that the income will help, before the lull without a doctor sets in, and salaries become hard to pay.

We are very concerned about the hospital. As of yet, I have not yet heard of a replacement for us. We are trying to get a local doc in the mean time, unsuccessfully. I feel lead to make this move, but am very concerned about a hospital decline like when we arrived here. If you are a physician and have considered long term missions, please do not hesitate to contact myself, or better yet, Adventist Health International about working at Hopital Adventiste de Koza. Please pray for this hospital. Greg Shank