Taxi Driver with a Pilot's Certificate

You may remember that being a 'mission pilot', serving under Adventist Medical Aviation, was the initial attraction to the 'mission field'. Here we are in beautiful 'down town' Lassin Cameroon without an airplane. So, what does a 'grounded' pilot do?

The local taxi drivers were allowed to charge only 2000 CFA to transport people between Lassin and Kumbo. Well, they had been 'over charging' to the tune of 2500 CFA, some higher. The tolerance of local highway officials ran out. Toward the end of January they ran a crack-down. They put all the taxi drivers in jail, impounded the cars and demanded repayment of over charges. "Tough love"

Well, that made it difficult (nearly impossible for locals) to travel in or out of Lassin. I realized that medical care would be impacted, so I volunteered to drive our 4WD Toyota Corolla Tercel car to Kumbo for medical emergencies that came to the Baptist Health Center of Lassin. Health center workers were very grateful. February 1, I took a young man with 'peritonitis' and his father to the Banso Baptist Hospital in Kumbo. I saw the young man's father on the 7th and was told that surgery went well and the son was recovering well. On Sabbath, the 13th, while walking to church, this young man greeted me with a big hug and thanked me for saving his life.
Later, I learned that the surgeon had declared that this condition would have been fatal if one more day had passed without treatment.

The taxi drivers are out of jail and have their cars back, but the offer with the health center continues; free emergency medical transport. This is really a big deal since the taxi drivers hold out for 20,000 CFA for emergency runs to the hospital. On Sunday, February 7, I was asked to take a young man with a heart problem to Kumbo. When I set eyes on him (Marcus), I knew that he was in big trouble. Off we went with two of his brothers, my friend Divine, and a fellow who wanted to see his son in the hospital. We made record time, 24 miles in 1 hour 50 minutes; typical time is 2.5 hours.
We beat up the car. It's not necessary to tell you that the roads are rough. About 10 minutes from the hospital Marcus announced to his brothers that he could feel his body failing and he told them 'good-bye'. They began jostling his face, praying, and encouraging him. Ten minutes after arriving at ER, word came to me, "the man is finish". Within a half hour the ambulance became a hearse. The trip home took the usual 2.5 hours; no need to rush. On the 8th, I attended the burial at the family home. The family expressed their thanks for my attempt to help save Marcus. What do you say?
We tried. I offered my condolences.

Also, on the 8th, I repaired the solar electric system wiring at the same Baptist Health Center here in Lassin. A little creative wiring had to be undone. The lights in the office work again.

February 13, I was asked to take a man in his 70's with unstable temperature and high blood sugar. A large crowd of people, including the Fon ("fawn"), had come out to wish him well. When the Fon saw me he gave a wry smile and said, 'You again?' The man made it to the hospital. How I wish that these people would come to the health center as soon as they realize that they are in trouble. I attended his burial at the family home with Divine on the 14th.

February 17. A messenger arrived at our front door from the Lassin Health Center asking me to transport a lady to BBH in Kumbo. This gal in her 20's was 5 months pregnant. She had been bleeding for some time. The doctors were concerned and wanted her to have an ultrasound and get some medicine at the 'big city' hospital. The gal looked so strong and vibrant that I was tempted to ask if this was a 'real' emergency. Nothing doing, who knows how the baby is.

Today, November 19 is market day. I was shopping for pineapple, oranges, cabbage, onion, 'pumpkin leaf' (cooks up like spinach- pretty good), tomato, the basics. I saw a strangely familiar face. She was the mother of the gal that we carried to the hospital. 'Ma' told me that the gal and her baby are doing well at home now. She is using 'meksin'
(medicine). Apparently she has a history of difficult pregnancies.

Are you wondering if I'm drumming up funds for an airplane? Nope. If necessary, the little car can scramble up those dusty rocks that threaten to disassemble it. The 1 hour 50 minute record time stands. I have done the 'time' math for use of an airplane. It goes something like this: 15 minutes to load the patient into the car and drive to the airstrip. 15 minutes to check out the plane, warm it, get cows off the air strip and 'taxi' into take-off position. 20 minutes to fly to Kumbo. The patient will require transfer to a local or hospital taxi and be driven to the hospital, about 20 minutes. This assumes that light and weather permits and that no transportation delays exist. Total time: about 1 hour 10 minutes, saving 40 minutes. The big problem now is not time, but education; (get to the clinic early).

Note: If you have your doubts about our health care here, take this into consideration. There are many facts that have been omitted from these stories. The guy with the heart condition waited 3 days before coming to the clinic. The guy with the unstable blood sugar and temp had damaged his health for years, then spent weeks trying 'traditional' medicine from the 'Erbalist'; that's what they call him now. We used to call an Erbalist the 'Medicine Man'. Get the idea?

What is the point? It's this. Because we're sharing the blessings that God has given us, the community of Lassin appreciates our presence even more.
One of the night watchmen at the clinic asked me if he could join us in worship this Sabbath. He has been very friendly, but has had a 'wait n see'
attitude. The ice is melting. Last Sabbath a nurse from the clinic had the Sabbath school lesson. Another nurse's aide type completed his 3rd bible study on the 18th. We are not trying to 'buy' Christians. I don't think that Jesus was trying to buy followers either. The gospel seed is being planted. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Steve & Carol