Updates from Ethiopia

Dr. Chala completed the five-year Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons general surgery residency at our hospital, and we celebrated his graduation on Saturday. He is a terrific surgeon, a strong advocate for his patients, and a loving husband and father. Like the medical missionaries who trained him, Dr. Chala will be a missionary surgeon in Ethiopia.

Recently, a young mother brought her albino baby to clinic (left photo). Even though the baby did not have any health problems, the mother needed Dr. Mary’s help. The neighbors were sure the baby’s father must be a “forengi” (foreigner), yet the mother knew this was impossible. Dr. Mary took the baby in her arms and explained albinism to all the onlookers. Sometimes this is what community health looks like.

Kurt with two of his closest associates, Philemon and Gary, discussing the maintenance of the leach field–a treatment system for the hospital’s sewage (right photo).

Today is our 30th wedding anniversary! We actually dreamed of serving together overseas one day, and we are so happy we get to do that at Soddo Christian Hospital.

—Kurt and Amy