PAACS Ethiopia 2nd biannual retreat of 2013

I have so many blogs floating around in my head, but the days are flying by and we will leave for the states soon.  We will be on home assignment (aka family and friends time, cheddar cheese time, holiday time, time to see all of you time!) from December through March.

One of the hardest things about leaving for a few months is tying up loose ends.  Making sure all of the things we usually do are covered…which also includes making sure we have adequate surgery coverage.  God has provided surgeons for this time and we are very thankful!  There are 4 different surgeons coming from the US and Norway, some who have been here several times.  In addition, we are very blessed to have a PAACS graduate come and live here and teach the residents and work with them for the entire time we will be gone.  Dr. Arega is Ethiopian, but graduated from the PAACS program at Tenwek in Kenya.  He is on his way to start a new PAACS program in Malawi, but will graciously be able to be here while we are gone.  This is a huge blessing and answer to prayer.

Here is a small report about the great time we had last month at our PAACS retreat…

PAACS Ethiopia 2nd biannual retreat

On October 4^th through 6^th, the PAACS Ethiopia team met for their second retreat.  The retreat was held in Soddo on the Soddo Christian Hospital Campus.  The residents’ broke in the new PAACS apartment building as they all stayed there together for the weekend.  The staff from Myungsung Christian Medical Center (MCMC) arrived from Addis on Friday night and everyone enjoyed dinner together at a new restaurant in Soddo with an Ethiopian manager who lived in Texas for more than 30 years. All were gathered on Saturday morning with a time of getting to know each other better.  During the games we discovered that Dr. Moges was one of the only ones without corrective eye wear, only Paul Gray had ever experienced general anesthesia  (better yet his operation was completed by Chi Chung) and that no one in the group was an only child.

Saturday morning was filled with times of worship in both Amharic and English.  We received a word from a local pastor who is currently completing his masters from Fuller Seminary.  He spoke to us on John chapter 15, about the Vine and the branches.  He encouraged us that the “Father is the gardener” and just like any good gardener, He will help us along the way in hopes that we will produce fruit. After several sessions of studying the Bible and discussion, we had a time of prayer for the program and for each of the graduates as well as the current residents.

Group worship

Saturday afternoon the staff and senior residents attended a Residency Review Committee Meeting.  They discussed plans for the future and requirements from the government to maintain accreditation within Ethiopia.

RRC meeting from back L around to back R- Paul Gray, Jon Pollock (General Surgeon at MCMC), Wendy Willmore (PAACS faculty at new site in Tanzania), Wayne Koch (ENT on PAACS Commission), Jodi Ross (admin), Netsanet (administrative assistant), Seigni (3rd year), Daniel Chang (PAACS faculty at MCMC), Chi Chung (PAACS faculty at MCMC)

While some were at the meeting… a football (soccer) game was organized with all of the PAACS residents playing against the OR staff.  (It was a rematch; the PAACS residents won the game last year.)  It was a close game, with the OR staff winning by a few goals.

Moges and Ebenezer running the ball down the field

the winning OR staff

On Sunday morning, everyone participated in an English church service.  There was an encouraging podcasted message on sacrifice by John Piper.  And Mark and Allison Karnes served everyone communion.  After the service, the Addis team parted ways for the 5 hour drive back to Addis.

Group shot.  It was a great time to be together and encourage one another and grow closer in our relationships.

Back row: Dr. Wayne Koch (visiting ENT, PAACS Comission), Dr. Efason(2nd year), Dr. Seigni (4th year) Paul Gray (PAACS Ethiopia program director), Dr. Chi Chung (MCMC Site Director)
Middle row: Pastor Zodie (retreat speaker), Dr. Moges (3rd year), Dr. Ebenezer (1st year), Dr. Ronald (3rd year), Dr. Jon Pollock (MCMC faculty), Dr. Bob Greene (visiting ortho sugeon), Dr. Ben Martin (visiting Emory 4th year resident)
Front row: Yerusalem (wife of worship leader), Pastor Muller (worship leader), Netsanet (PAACS administrative assistant), Dr. Gezahegn (1st year),Dr. Surafel (2nd year), Cissy (Ronald’s wife), Jodi Ross (administrative assistant), Becca Gray, Dr. Chang (vascular surgeon and faculty at MCMC)