We Treat, God Heals...

We were greeted by a beautiful sunrise that burned through the dust for the first time in a week. It is noon now, and the temperatures have already climbed well over ninety degrees. The day started with Rounds, and the Lord continues to bless all of the patients in the healing process. There is a lady here who has been here for the better part of two weeks that arrived very ill, but has been improving slowly. We had talked yesterday about further testing that would need to be done in the nearby city to evaluate her for rare causes of her sickness. She was transported to the city, had blood drawn, and preliminary studies demonstrate that she may be HIV positive and maybe be suffering from sequelae of AIDS. She will be sent back to the city tomorrow for further testing, and if preliminary tests are confirmed, she will remain there for treatment. I learned that most believe that there is a 20% rate of HIV positivity in Guinea, quite low when compared to eastern and central Africa, but significant, just the same. Pray for this women and the thousands of others who suffer the effects of this horrific disease. The church here in N'Zao is holding educational meetings about AIDS next weekend, and my friend Jairus will be teaching, and would appreciate your prayers. We received news today that a major workers' group has announced a working strike for tomorrow due to dissatisfaction with the government. Usually, because N'Zao is so remote from Conarky, the Clinic is rather unaffected, but there is a chance that some workers may choose to stay home if they feel it is too dangerous to travel. Fortunately, Mondays are non-operating days, and we may only be affected by several more no-shows than normal. It's just a reminder that political unrest is prevalent all over the world, but God remains in control. I learned today while at church, that the motto for Hope Clinic is " We Treat, God Heals ". This is just the simple summary of which I have been writing to many of you. I came across a book in Dr. Yaraduono's library entitled "The Hand on My Scalpel" written by Dr. David Thompson, a gentlemen who has served in Africa as a surgeon his entire career, spanning well over 30 yrs. I read it in a single sitting, and must relate to you that it is one of the best books I've ever come across. It is tragic, yet humorous, and an excellent portrayal of many of my own experiences over the last two weeks. I encourage you to get a hold of a copy, and enjoy. A visiting pastor from a nearby town spoke today from Luke 8 and described the story of Christ ordering the storm to calm, saving his disciples from certain peril. His point was to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, which is the exact summary that my friend Jairus presented last week from Mt. 14. Both men emphasized that when life takes a turn for the worst, we must stay focused on our Lord, and not our own abilities. I shared with my wife, earlier this week, that while trying to repair Modey's femur fracture, we came to an impasse, discovering we could not get the two ends of the femur to align. Jon Erikson, one of the founders of Hope Clinic, had asked to scrub in with us that day, having taken a special liking to this boy. When I shared with the crew that day, that I was unsure of how to adjoin the ends of the femur, Jon quietly asked permission to pray. We all stopped, laid down the instruments, and bowed our heads as Jon prayed. He asked for wisdom, God's power, and healing for Modey. It was a simple prayer, but when completed, God had given me a thought to paralyze the patient who was under a spinal anesthetic only, in order for the muscles to relax. The medicine was given, and shortly thereafter, the two ends were realigned, and available for plating. After all was done, Jon credited me for my calmness, courage to take on a case outside of my training, and unwillingness to succumb to discouragement. I quietly shared with Jon that it was his willingness to stop and pray, to call upon the Mighty Creator and Great Physician that allowed us to help Modey that day. Do I think it is a coincidence that the only two sermons I have witnessed in Africa both emphasized fixing our eyes on Jesus? I know my own conclusion, and allow you to establish your own. The rest of today should allow for reading in preparation for next week's cases and some time to relax as well. I have great anticipation for what God has in store for us this week. Thank you all for your time and energy to stay in touch. God Bless, Jeff