Chadian Refugees Experience Christ’s Love

By Dr. Tim and Dr. Huyen Bartholomew

Editor’s note: The Bartholomews are Alliance Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA) workers, assisting with the PAACS (Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons) program in L’hopital Protestante de Ngaoundere, Cameroon. Edited excerpts from their recent newsletter illustrate the couple’s life-changing ministry.

Though PAACS officially began January 1, we’ve been operating on patients since early October-the needs are so great. Recently, we’ve seen patients from great distances.

mariamaOne young woman with whom we’ve spent a lot of time-Mariama*-is a Chadian refugee. Suffering with a jaw tumor (ameloblastoma) for some 10 years, she had concealed it well with a scarf. A United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees group brought her to the hospital.

After two trips to the operating room, and several weeks in the hospital, we were able to remove and reconstruct her jaw. We have a dental clinic here that also constructed a free denture for her, which really made her happy. (See big smile in the accompanying photo.) It would’ve been great to be in her village the day she arrived home.

Aminatou* is also from Chad. She was shot in the face with an AK-47. Her jaw was locked shut because the bone and muscle were destroyed. We did have several opportunities to share the gospel message with her. Though she is of the majority religion in Chad, she was amazingly interested in what we had to say. She’s called us a few times since going home, and we hope to see her again.

These patients are two examples of people we’ve been able to help because of those who’ve graciously supported our work. We are grateful to be able to show Christ’s love without being restricted by the almighty franc.

*Names have been changed for the protection of privacy.

What You Can Do

Praise God for the opportunities to minister God’s love to refugees in Cameroon. The Bartholomews also request prayer for the Lord’s help to exhibit his love in a difficult hospital work environment.

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