Good things, good things, good things.

 

Sharing bread is a symbolic mark of the new community of life in Jesus and it is God who supplies the loaf as we pray ‘Give us this day our daily bread. True sharing goes deeper than this as seen in the Acts of the apostles, after receiving the spirit at Pentecost the new community of believers shared in an unparalleled way so that no one was in need.

In Chad the government has continued with the francophone tradition of a subsidised national loaf, probably more inspired by events surrounding the French revolution than by the bible. It is imported wheat in a stick like baguette rather than local maize or millet boule which is the true national staple. I find that a baguette at 125 CFA/20p is a good way of giving to people asking for help on the streets in the city, it makes sure that the help is eaten by those asking for it. Locally produced gas is also subsidised, smaller bottles which take a burner costing less per kg of gas than larger ones that you attach to a cooker. This helps the less well off and discourages the use of wood and hence deforestation in the Sahel region. Sharing resources and meeting peoples need is a good thing whether it is the government or individuals who are doing it.

 

It is said that an army marches on its stomach, perhaps the French long loaf was even invented so that Napoleon's troops could carry it inside their trousers, which may or may not be true, but all the same is a funny image. Anyway 3 meals a day keep the troops happy and ready for action. What is the equivilant for a hospital? I guess a hospital works  through its stomach too, and th pharmacy has to meet the need for drugs. Four regular drug rounds and filled prescriptions mean that patients can take what they need to get better.

 

 

We have always prided ourselves at GII on having a much better availability of essential generic drugs at affordable prices than many other health structures. We have bought the vast majority at the Central Government pharmacy but lately that supply has become less regular and for various reasons we have been having to send more people to buy their drugs in private pharmacies at much higher prices. This is both a loss for the patient and for the hospital.

Realising the essential need for medication Elizabeth, the pharmacy technician, bought the subject up at a morning prayer meeting and prayed for an improved supply. God had already heard and answered her prayer before she spoke, I had a phone call from Campus Crusade for Christ who had a supply of essential medicines that they wished to give to us so that the hospital would be better able to serve the people of Chad and show Gods love. It was a substantial gift, about 3 months expenditure on medicines, mainly antibiotics and painkillers, but it will free up resources so that we can restock other lines too. A real blessing.

The Director for Health of Ndjamena talking to the press

The small ceremony was transmitted that evening on Chadian National TV and radio which along with an unrelated article on BBC Afrique this week will have raised again the profile of the hospital which may make us even busier than usual.

And so to the next problem, do we have the medical staff to cope? This is even more important than the pharmacy and probably more difficult to solve. Our Chadian Doctor, Antoinette, has unexpectedly been recruited by the government and is leaving at the need of the month. A joy but a mixed blessing. She will hopefully come back and help with night and weekend sessions. Andrea and I will be away from the hospital in July and August. It is a quiet time of year, with the rains impeding access and people wanting to be planting their fields but we still do need adequate cover. Dr Michaela is returning to Germany as her husband has gained a University teaching post which means that for the moment the only sure medical practitioner for July and August is Dr Isaac and that is not sustainable. We need to find new permanent and temporary staff urgently, is it possible to find a solution? We are urgently asking BMS and CEF for help in this and we have faith in our Father God, as His Son said

Is there a man among you who would offer his son a stone if he asked for bread?

No.

A snake if he asked for fish?

No.

How much more will your heavenly Father give you Good things, Good things, Good things.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Godspell after Matthew's gospel