Home from Gabon

December 15, 2015

by Fenton Rees

Pat got back from Gabon on Sunday afternoon, along with fellow medics Lilly Ann and Jerry Rusher. The two surgeons who had been on furlough and who Pat was substituting for arrived back at Bongolo 2 days before Pat left, so she was able to “pass the scalpel."  Pat will miss her time helping to train the residents at Bongolo, but it was time to come home.

Lilly Ann in Paris enjoying her first Starbucks in a long time on the journey home.

So now Instead of always being hot and sticky in Gabon she is now almost always too cold.  But at least there is no bugs!  And of course the jet lag is still an issue.

So this will be the final “Gabon Update”; at least until (or if) we go again.

A HUGE thank you to all who have sent emails of encouragement and prayed for us.  For we know that “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain”.

At this time of year we often times hear from Isaiah 9:6:

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us:

And the government will rest upon His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Where the initial “For” connects back to vs. 2 before:

 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light,

 Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine upon them.

Obviously the “dark land” referred to is Galilee. But in a sense it could also refer to Bongolo, where until just 80 years ago there was absolutely no knowledge of the Gospel. Then in 1935 pioneer missionaries brought the Light to a Dark land. Since then, much progress has been made, and much darkness has been pushed back. But much darkness remains, and in places there is still a significant “witch doctor” influence. So for those missionaries who live full time at Bongolo, it is a hard place to be, both physically and spiritually.  So please continue to pray for Bongolo Hospital and the continuing work of God there.

Next week we will head down to Southern California to have Christmas with Pat’s two sisters and their families.  Then just before New Year’s day we will fly to New Zealand to check up on Fenton’s mother. She is now 92 and not in great health.

All for now,

Blessings,

Fenton and Pat.