Jim and Rose

Dr Jim Unger and his wife Rose are our first repeat short-term Mission Doctor couple.  Jim is an OB-GYN from Shreveport, Louisiana and he and Rose were here last April.  They made an even bigger commitment this year returning for 3 months.  They spent April at Padre Pio Hospital in Douala covering for the OB-GYN while he took his yearly holiday.  Padre Pio is a very busy hospital serving the people in the poorest area of Douala which is home to 5 million people.  They average 300 deliveries per month at Padre Pio which kept Jim extremely busy.  He did 8 Caesarian sections in a single 24 hour period.

Rose and Jim at work

Jim and Rose were happy to leave a hot and humid Douala in May and return to Njinikon in the mountains of the NW Province.  Their presence has allowed Dr Dabo (OB-GYN) to take his first holiday in 2 years.  Rose is a trained surgical nurse so she has been working as Jim’s Nurse.  She is enjoying her time back in the OR after being away from it for many years, 
 raising their 3 daughters.  Terry and I have enjoyed renewing our friendship with Jim and Rose.  We have had some spirited card games with them many evenings.
 
Terry left for her holiday last weekend.  She was anxious to meet our new grandson Andrew back in Washington state.  I will be joining her in a month’s time and until then Rose will watching over the 2 remaining Dr Jims.  It will be nice to have them here for the up coming month.  Their daughter Marcia is finishing her 2nd year of medical school at LSU and will be here for 2 weeks in mid June.  We are all looking forward to her arrival.

Jim and Rose

Jim, Terry, Rose and Jim Jr.

Jim and Rose Unger left after a very successful mission here the last month. Dr. Jim put in very long hours working with Dr. Dabo who is the OB-GYN who has been here since October. Jim is an excellent teacher and Dr. Dabo appreciated “the Professor’s” help immensely. Everyone appreciated his kind and friendly style of care.

I know the children in the orphanage will be missing the attention Rose showered on them the last month. I believe the children will continue to benefit from the advice she passed on to their caregivers.


Jim and Rose with a farewell gifts


Terry and I will miss the warmth they added to our life here in Njinikom.

Good Friday

Archbishop Cornelius of Bamenda

Good Friday is a National Holiday here in Cameroon.  Apparently the Moslems were given 2 National Holidays and likewise the Catholics were given 2.  There is not the same separation of Church and State that we have back home.  

Outside of Church

This afternoon the Hospital Staff will meet and do the Stations of the Cross between the Hospital and the Church.  Other groups will likewise start the Stations of the Cross from other areas then we will all meet for Good Friday Services at the Church.  Holy Week is looked forward to here with great anticipation and is actively participated in by many.  Easter Morning Service will be a wonderful event.

Rose, Terry and Sr. Delphine

This day I will never forget.

Tuesday Terry, Jim, Rose and I accompanied 15 Sisters and hundreds of parishioners from St Anthony’s to the Chrism Mass in Bamenda.  It was an absolutely amazing experience as thousands of people from the entire diocese celebrated at the Cathedral with the Archbishop and all the priests of the diocese.  We were there an hour early for the 5 hour mass. 

One of the Sisters had told me before mass that I would not even notice the length and she was right.  The enthusiasm was unbelievable and the 500 member plus choir was amazing.  The offertory took over an hour for the people to bring in all the corn, rice, oil, livestock, bananas, plantains and more.  The diocese uses the gifts to feed the poor.  Many people waited hours outside the cathedral to march down the aisle with their contribution.  I was chosen to carry the oil for the blessing of the sick and present it to the Archbishop.  I was honored to join these amazing people of Faith.  As Jim Unger said, “This is a day I will never forget.”

Jim and Rose

Dr. Jim Unger and his wife Rose arrived here this week for a 1 month mission.  Jim is the head of the OB-GYN Residency Program at LSU Medical School in Shreveport, LA.  Jim is working with Dr Dabo, the OB-GYN here at St. Martin de Porres Hospital.  They have been putting in long hours this week but both of them are enjoying each other as Jim loves to teach and Dr. Dabo is enjoying having a colleague to discus cases with.  

Rose is working at the orphanage.  Having raised 3 girls she has been able to pass on motherly advice to the caregivers.  

Terry and I are enjoying Jim and Rose’s company.  We look forward to the rest of their stay with us.