We are the World

The following videos are a reflection at our midway point, here in Njinikom.
We hope you enjoy them.

We Are The World
This video has some of the visitors who have come to help us.  It really is a “Thank You” to all the people that support us here in Njinikom.  Your support helps so many, so many you will never see, so many whose lives are touched for…….. forever.

Dear Family and Friends,

We hope all is well with you and your loved ones. We have been blessed this year in so many ways and we thank you for your love and support.

The children continue to attend St. Anthony’s Catholic School and have participated in many school activities.  They have also started a home schooling program through the Baptist Church, which includes time with the other missionary children in Cameroon twice a year.

Jennifer and Brent are balancing the work in the hospital and home schooling.  We really enjoy working at St. Martin De Porres and especially appreciate the staff and the presence of the Sisters in the hospital.  Their commitment to the people they serve is truly a witness of Christ here on Earth.

We returned to the US in November to take our every 10 year Family Medicine recertification exam which we, thankfully, both passed. Now we are enjoying the holidays with family and friends. Kids are enjoying their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins and even got to throw a few snowballs!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and may Christ’s peace and love be with you throughout the year.

A Big Thank You !

Dr. Earl and Rosemary Parrish just finished 6 weeks volunteering at St. Martin De Porres.

Dr. Parrish is a plastic surgeon and Rosemary is a nurse. They both worked together many long hours, both in Njinikom and at Mbingo. So many patients were able to have surgeries that were life changing; surgeries that would be impossible in this part of the world without their presence.

So a Big Thank You Earl and Rosemary from all of us at Njinikom and Mbingo!

Therapeutic Committee Review

Each week we review all new HIV patients who qualify for HIV medications.  Patients qualify for HIV medications based mainly on two factors: clinical stage and CD4 level.   We also review those patients who are failing treatment.

The meeting is a time when counselors, nurses and physicians come together. Each person
plays an important role in deciding the  treatment regimen and identifying barriers to treatment adherence.

Though it can be difficult hearing the various patient stories, it is also a testament to the love and care the staff have for the people we serve.  We are blessed to be a part of this committee each week.

Sean Igelman is a recent graduate in Chemistry from Brown University and comes from Brent’s hometown, Medford, OR. His father is a Dermatologist and knows and collaborates with Brent's sister who is also a Dermatologist in Medford.

Sean has spent the last two months  working at the hospital, learning about the culture, and experiencing healthcare in Cameroon. He's had the chance to work in the various departments of the hospital, go to outreach clinics, spend time at a school with a Peace Corps worker, work on a HIV study, mentor the local youth in AIDS education, as well as, be a science tutor for our children. We've really enjoyed having him here and look forward to the possibility of his younger brother coming next year.

Julianna Abeh is a 94 year old lady.  She comes to the hospital, every few months for her high blood pressure.

This photo she is accompanied by her granddaughter.  It is always a joy to see her smiling face.

There has not been a case of Ebola in Cameroon.

We are becoming concerned though, as the outbreak in West Africa has come to Nigeria and a separate outbreak is occurring in the Congo.

St. Martin De Porres Hospital has patients daily from Nigeria and our "Big" cities Yaounde and Douala.

We have have been preparing for the possibility of Ebola with talks and protocols but praying that it doesn't arrive and for those being affected.