Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
"PIZZA..."
One of the great things about living on the ship as a family is having people invest in the lives of the kids. Jeff has been doing a Bible study with Joshua in the book of Mark. But this last week they decided to take a break and make a favorite of Joshua's... pizza!
Thanks Jeff for investing in Joshua's life!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
"Dr. Bruce Steffes and PAACS Residents...."
Dr. Bruce Steffes, volunteer CEO of Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS), says that in some areas of Africa, there is only one surgeon for two and a half million people. This startling and appalling fact has triggered the existence of PAACS, which seeks to respond to the great need for surgeons in the African culture – and, more importantly, to highlight “the importance of spiritual healing as well as medical healing.”
This five-year surgical training program uses rural mission hospitals in several countries to train national physicians in modern surgical procedures, at low cost, with the aim of retaining them to practice within Africa. A nondenominational, volunteer service organization, PAACS serves Africa’s poor by maintaining faith-based health care facilities as it builds capacity within the health care system. Although mission hospitals provide many services, they only make money on surgeries. With so few surgeons, it is difficult to maintain these hospitals.
Operating under the umbrella of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, candidates must be African graduates from recognized medical schools, be less than 40 years of age, have a valid medical license in their home and training countries, and be fluent in English. Training is given at a well-established evangelical mission hospital in Africa, under the supervision of board-certified surgeons. PAACS is affiliated with the Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California.
Dr. Steffes, who is completing his eighth mission with Mercy Ships, has spent the past three months training three well-qualified trainees in general surgery, anesthesia and maxillofacial surgery. This is the second time the Africa Mercy has been a training site for PAACS residents.
Dr. Agneta Odera is a fourth-year PAACS general surgery resident from Tenwek Hospital in Kenya. She will graduate next year and plans to begin a three-year pediatric surgery training program before returning to Tenwek Hospital to begin a practice as a missionary surgeon. “Everywhere in Africa there is a need for good health care,” she said. “We have capable people, but after they are trained, they go to the west where there is more financial reward.” She is dedicating her life to being part of the solution for medical needs in Africa.
Dr. Arega Fekadu Leta is from Gimbie, Ethiopia, and is also a fourth-year PAACS general surgery resident from Tenwek Hospital. After graduation, he plans to return as the only surgeon at the Gimbie Adventist Hospital. “This program is the best way of building capacity for the neediest in Africa, since we need equipment and financial support. This is also a good way to address and expand the good news of the Gospel. Most countries (in Africa) are 75% Muslim, so there’s a huge need,” he said. “We witness to patients and crew and won’t discharge patients unless they have been told the Gospel.”
Dr. Philadelphie Dembele, from Mali, is a rising fourth-year general surgery resident from Bongolo Hospital in Lebamba, Gabon. He will graduate in 2013 and return to the Christian and Missionary Alliance Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Koutiala, Mali, where he will be the only general surgeon. “The (Mercy Ships) OR is so well-organized with many things we don’t have,” he said. “Organization is important to change things, and there’s a big difference between what I have here and what I have when I go home.”
“It makes me angry when people say that with so many differences in background that people can’t work together. Here at Mercy Ships, we are doing it, and we are doing it efficiently,” said Dr. Agneta Odera.
The training program does not feature the usual lecture approach, nor does it require the customary thesis of most master’s degree programs. That material is included in the reading, patient care, rounds, operating room, conference schedule, and the constant preparation of reports and presentations. Clinical and academic study, spiritual and ethical training, research projects, written reports, a study of current surgical texts, log-book keeping, post-operative care, hands-on training in the operating room under supervision of board-certified surgeons, and in-service examinations are all included in the training program. By 2020, it is hoped the program will graduate 20 to 25 surgeons a year.
“We are trying to make our residents the best surgeons in Africa. But, literally, the most important thing is not the 50 to70 more years we can give by physical healing. It is the spiritual healing that gives them eternal life,” said Dr. Steffes.
Story by Elaine B. Winn
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Liz Cantu and Reka Borsiczky
This five-year surgical training program uses rural mission hospitals in several countries to train national physicians in modern surgical procedures, at low cost, with the aim of retaining them to practice within Africa. A nondenominational, volunteer service organization, PAACS serves Africa’s poor by maintaining faith-based health care facilities as it builds capacity within the health care system. Although mission hospitals provide many services, they only make money on surgeries. With so few surgeons, it is difficult to maintain these hospitals.
Operating under the umbrella of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, candidates must be African graduates from recognized medical schools, be less than 40 years of age, have a valid medical license in their home and training countries, and be fluent in English. Training is given at a well-established evangelical mission hospital in Africa, under the supervision of board-certified surgeons. PAACS is affiliated with the Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California.
Dr. Steffes, who is completing his eighth mission with Mercy Ships, has spent the past three months training three well-qualified trainees in general surgery, anesthesia and maxillofacial surgery. This is the second time the Africa Mercy has been a training site for PAACS residents.
Dr. Agneta Odera is a fourth-year PAACS general surgery resident from Tenwek Hospital in Kenya. She will graduate next year and plans to begin a three-year pediatric surgery training program before returning to Tenwek Hospital to begin a practice as a missionary surgeon. “Everywhere in Africa there is a need for good health care,” she said. “We have capable people, but after they are trained, they go to the west where there is more financial reward.” She is dedicating her life to being part of the solution for medical needs in Africa.
Dr. Arega Fekadu Leta is from Gimbie, Ethiopia, and is also a fourth-year PAACS general surgery resident from Tenwek Hospital. After graduation, he plans to return as the only surgeon at the Gimbie Adventist Hospital. “This program is the best way of building capacity for the neediest in Africa, since we need equipment and financial support. This is also a good way to address and expand the good news of the Gospel. Most countries (in Africa) are 75% Muslim, so there’s a huge need,” he said. “We witness to patients and crew and won’t discharge patients unless they have been told the Gospel.”
Dr. Philadelphie Dembele, from Mali, is a rising fourth-year general surgery resident from Bongolo Hospital in Lebamba, Gabon. He will graduate in 2013 and return to the Christian and Missionary Alliance Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Koutiala, Mali, where he will be the only general surgeon. “The (Mercy Ships) OR is so well-organized with many things we don’t have,” he said. “Organization is important to change things, and there’s a big difference between what I have here and what I have when I go home.”
“It makes me angry when people say that with so many differences in background that people can’t work together. Here at Mercy Ships, we are doing it, and we are doing it efficiently,” said Dr. Agneta Odera.
The training program does not feature the usual lecture approach, nor does it require the customary thesis of most master’s degree programs. That material is included in the reading, patient care, rounds, operating room, conference schedule, and the constant preparation of reports and presentations. Clinical and academic study, spiritual and ethical training, research projects, written reports, a study of current surgical texts, log-book keeping, post-operative care, hands-on training in the operating room under supervision of board-certified surgeons, and in-service examinations are all included in the training program. By 2020, it is hoped the program will graduate 20 to 25 surgeons a year.
“We are trying to make our residents the best surgeons in Africa. But, literally, the most important thing is not the 50 to70 more years we can give by physical healing. It is the spiritual healing that gives them eternal life,” said Dr. Steffes.
Story by Elaine B. Winn
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Liz Cantu and Reka Borsiczky
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
"Priceless..."
Monday, September 5, 2011
"Presentation..."
Since we have been attending the church in Waterloo since we first arrived in Sierra Leone. We wanted to do something special for Pastor Daniel at the church. He is going to be ordained in October. We arranged with someone who was coming to the ship from the US to bring a special present for Pastor Daniel, a new embossed NIV Study Bible.
We presented the Bible to Pastor Daniel on Sunday, he was so touched and surprised. He turned to the church and said: "This Bible is not just for me, but it is for all of us. We can learn together."
We presented the Bible to Pastor Daniel on Sunday, he was so touched and surprised. He turned to the church and said: "This Bible is not just for me, but it is for all of us. We can learn together."
Saturday, September 3, 2011
"An Acrostic..."
This is an acrostic from a mother of a patient.
M-My heart leaps up for joy
E-Endless happiness I've got
R-Restless and pain have gone
C-'Cause you are special doctors from God
Y-Yes, thousands of Sierra Leoneans have been cured
S-Surely, goodness and mercy are yours
H-Homes from west, east, south and north
I-Indeed testified your worth
P-Praising you for your good works
Written by Mrs Elizabeth. Mother of an only child who has a successful operation in August. I thank you all. God will continue to bless you.
M-My heart leaps up for joy
E-Endless happiness I've got
R-Restless and pain have gone
C-'Cause you are special doctors from God
Y-Yes, thousands of Sierra Leoneans have been cured
S-Surely, goodness and mercy are yours
H-Homes from west, east, south and north
I-Indeed testified your worth
P-Praising you for your good works
Written by Mrs Elizabeth. Mother of an only child who has a successful operation in August. I thank you all. God will continue to bless you.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
"The Beach..."
We have only been to two beaches here in Sierra Leone. The first time we went was to River Number 2. It took us two hours to get there and two hours to return. The beach was great but the trip there and back was difficult.
So, this past Saturday, we decided to try another beach, Bureh Town beach. The ride there was much better only one hour...that I can deal with. It does not have the "extras" that the other beach has meaning...a toilet and chairs....but it is a beautiful beach that rivals any beach in Hawaii.
The day was rather over cast with drizzles of rain and one downpour. But that did not stop us from enjoying the ocean-walking and talking with friends and just plain relaxing.
So, this past Saturday, we decided to try another beach, Bureh Town beach. The ride there was much better only one hour...that I can deal with. It does not have the "extras" that the other beach has meaning...a toilet and chairs....but it is a beautiful beach that rivals any beach in Hawaii.
The day was rather over cast with drizzles of rain and one downpour. But that did not stop us from enjoying the ocean-walking and talking with friends and just plain relaxing.
The kids playing in the waves....
Deb walking, pondering and taking pictures of the scenery...
Sitting around talking with friends...
Hanging out with friends on a large rock...
Walking with friends on the beach...
Enjoying family time...
Having an amazing lunch made by the locals...fresh caught tuna, rice and a great sauce with "small small pepper"...
Enjoying the beauty of the beach...
Playing in the sand by the trees...
It is nice to have these breaks in the routine of the ship. We can spend a week on the ship without going outside or at times even realize it is raining out. It was a definite much needed time of rest. Thanks God for making such an incredible creation for us to enjoy!
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