Going Home...

We are really excited to say that our mission here has been accomplished. We have been able to do what was needed in the amount of time that we have been here and... (wait for it...) 

It is now time for us to come home!!!

Firstly, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support, prayer and giving.  As you know...we have been the Envision Site Coordinators at Bongolo Hospital for a while now.  We have been hosting teams and medical visitors as well as serving in a variety of other capacities. The last few months have been a blur of hosting teams, work projects, hospital tours, nightly de-briefs, days working in the Operating Room and on maintenance. We have also been involved in sending out cost estimates, airport runs, missionary work-out classes, meetings, meals, making new friends, and hosting events. 

It has been really cool to look back on all the past blog updates to take a peek at what we have been up to in the last year.  

However, the Envision “season” has come to an end and the rush of teams is over. Our major responsibilities will be wrapping up in mid-November and we plan on arriving back in Michigan on Thanksgiving Day.

We are getting really excited as we begin to look to the future.  We will be transitioning to the States where we will live in Michigan for a few months.  Alicia is officially going to Physician Assistant school at Philadelphia University, so Dan will be making trips back and forth to Philly to find a job.  We are hoping to move out there sooner than later to really establish a community of friends where our new home will be for the next couple of years.  

We have thoroughly enjoyed becoming part of the Gabon Missionary family, and we have a lot of tough good-byes ahead. We will be leaving with the confidence that God has used us to work toward His Kingdom.  We have definitely been encouraged by the love and support both here, and at home.

We have a few prayer requests:

• For a healthy transition back to the U.S. and then to Philadelphia
• That Dan is able to quickly find a job in spite of the tough economy 
• That we find great support in friendships as we arrive to our new location and next chapter in our lives
• For the field as we are leaving that they will be able to continue the work and fill the gaps that we will be leaving
• For the journey and financial portion of our return home
• That we finish strong

Thank you again for all the encouragement along the way. We are praying that we can continue God's work both now, and in the future as we start the next chapter of our lives together.

Can't wait to see most of you in November and December!

Dan & Alicia

The President is Coming to Town

Last Wednesday, the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, paid the village of Lebamba a visit.  

I am representing Bongolo Hospital with my
Hospital polo-shirt!

What an honor to see the President so close and so willing to get out of the big city of Libreville, to visit his people in the village.

Here are his guards standing at attention waiting for him to pass by
on the red carpet.

I love the Gabonese patriotism!

On Thursday, the First Lady, came to visit the hospital.  She specifically wanted a tour of the Dental Clinic, Maternity Ward, Eye Clinic, and Pediatrics.  Everyone was in a buzz, getting the hospital in top-notch shape.  It was really fun to be a part of it!

  

PAACS Graduation

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; but teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Last week, we got to experience our first PAACS graduation.  It was an awesome experience, and we thought we would share a little bit about the PAACS program with you.

PAACS is the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons.  In 1996, this program was created by David Thompson along with Loma Linda University as a way of ensuring that there are surgeons from Africa being trained to work in Africa.  (The whole teach a man to fish concept!)  The program is a way of discipling Christian doctors and training them to be amazing surgeons who will one day return to their country to serve God's people there.  

Jean-Claude Bataneni is the most recent graduate from the PAACS program (the 8th from Bongolo Hospital).  He just returned this past weekend to his home-country of the Democratic Republic of Congo to build the surgical program at the Nebobongo Evangelical Hospital near his home-town.

  Christine (his wife) is also a medical doctor that will be working there (what a great team!)

This is Dr. Loua Ruffin from Guinea.  He is the Senior Resident now that Jean-Claude has graduated. 

This is Dr. Philadelphie Dembele from Mali.  

This is Simplice Tchoba.  He is from Gabon...this is very exciting for the PAACS program here.  He will be staying to work at Bongolo Hospital for at least a few years after he is done with his residency. 

This is Jacque Ebhele from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This is Anatole Nzanzu also from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  He is very excited in this picture because he is no longer the rookie.  

Here is the newest addition to the PAACS program at Bongolo Hospital.   This is Fabruce Ramaherimamonjy from Madagascar (the newest rookie).  

It has definitely been an honor to work with these guys down in the O.R.  They are very kind to the patients and staff that they work with, and they are always willing to answer my questions (which can be quite a few sometimes).  They are fun to hang out with, and their families are great as well!  


We are asking for prayers for Jean-Claude and his family.  They are going through a huge transition in their life with a 2-year old and a baby that is almost a month old!  They have their hands full...that is for sure.  Please pray that God would be their strength when they grow tired, and that God's hand would be in the building of the surgical program at their new home.  


Alicia