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September 2011
Mbingo Baptist Hospital
Cameroon, West Africa
16 September was a special day for the Sparks family! Not only was it Suzanne's birthday, but it was the sixth anniversary of our arrival to Mbingo Baptist Hospital in Cameroon. Six years have gone very fast and we have witnessed many transformations in our own lives, the people we serve, and the hospital.
There are now nine surgery residents that represent four West and Central African countries. Many people have been physically and spiritually saved. The hospital staff has gone from a family practice doc, an ophthalmologist, and several Cameroonian general practitioners, to a hospital that has residency training programs in both Internal Medicine and Surgery, a Chaplaincy training program, part of a Nursing school, Pathology services, Nurse Anesthetist training, Orthopedics, ENT, OB-Gyn, and Ophthalmologists. In addition, the PAACS Surgery Residency Program just received accreditation by COSECSA (College Of Surgery of East, Central, and Southern Africa). Ours is the first program accredited in Cameroon and is tied for the first program in Central and Western Africa.
Steve holding a worm
God is moving so fast, that most days we simply try to keep up. God's vision of what is possible is always exceeding our farthest dreams. He is stretching Steve daily to meet the spiritual, surgical, and administrative challenges that daily come to us.
Please pray that God will move in a new way in the lives of the patients, staff and docs here at Mbingo.
This picture shows the needs of doctors in Africa, and the need for Christ and surgeons are higher.
Number of inhabitants per doctor
And now for family news! One of my favorite TV commercials of all time is for an office supply store; it shows a dad happily skipping up and down the aisles of the store, gleefully throwing school supplies into his cart, while his two children trudge mournfully behind, and background music is playing It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Hah! Yeah, I kinda used to feel that way at the beginning of the school year, but not so much now that most of our children have to go away for school. Thank the Lord for our Joe! Otherwise Steve and I would have an empty nest, which I really don't feel ready for. But I thought this would be a good time of year to update you on the kids' progress, and fill you in on some other prayer needs.
Maddie has just started her second year at Baylor University in Texas; her major is in secondary education, with an emphasis in math. Yep, she wants to be a high school math teacher. Crazy! She's been doing very well in school, and loves attending Baylor (they just won their first three football games - GO BEARS! ). She has made a great batch of friends through the school's Swing Dance club, and has been enjoying the Texas cultural experience. We were so grateful that she was able to spend about seven weeks with us this summer, and we had a marvelous time. God is good!
Annie (age 17) is a senior this year at Rain Forest International School (RFIS) in Yaounde, Cameroon's capital. She and Cory board in a hostel that also houses eight other M.K.'s, who are all cared for by the hostel "parents". Annie has absolutely blossomed during her years at RFIS, and we're grateful for her growing maturity, both emotional and spiritual. This year she's taking three Advanced Placement classes, singing on the school's worship team, has joined the Running Club, and is playing "Olivia" in the school's upcoming production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Whew! Makes me tired just thinking about it, but Annie has always seemed to have plenty of energy to spare, so I'm sure she's going to do just fine.
Cory is a sophomore at RFIS, and has slipped right into RFIS and hostel life without a hitch. He turned 15 on Sept. 13th, and when he left for school a month ago was within two millimeters of his father height. Watch out, Dad, it's only a matter of time! He's also in the running club, the weight-lifting club, and plans to join the basketball team when the season starts. We were also a little surprised when, despite his never having performed in a play before, he landed the role of "Duke Orsino" in the school drama! I can't wait to see him strut out on stage and say "If music be the food of love, play on…."
As for Sir Joey, what can I say. He's a character! He'll be 9 next month, and just started 3rd grade here at home with Teacher Mom. He's does very well in math and science, but was recently diagnosed with two learning challenges, both of which seem to be fairly minor, PTL. But even though he struggles a bit in reading and writing, he's making definite progress, and is always cheerful (and energetic) in the classroom. He has always been very responsive to music and loves to sing, but at the same time is also a slugger with a baseball bat, so it will be interesting to see where the Lord leads him in life. Being the only child left here at home has been a bit challenging for him, but we're adapting.
Please Pray for God's work here and for us, that we might represent Him well, that lives are saved (spiritually and physically), and that His kingdom moves forward against the enemy. We are struggling like everyone else right now with finances and we thanks all of you for your giving and your sacrifices for us and the Kingdom. Also, please pray for RFIS - the school plays an absolutely vital role in keeping missionaries on the field, and is always in great need of teachers who are willing to serve God by serving missionary families.
We are praying for you too! God bless,
Steve, Suzanne, Maddie, Annie, Cory, and Joey Sparks
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