Monday, December 11, 2017

The changing world (28) Jul 1974

Found a chameleon on our verandah. Spoke at hospital weekly staff prayer meeting. Had to break news of a relative drowning to an hysterical Italian family. "Oh tar out my heart' the mother wailed. David Carling, medical superintendent told staff we were to receive government grants bu the price was accepting non-christian students. Our policy has been a Christian hospital training only Christians who have to be prepared to participate in services on the wards and ray before procedures,
  We had regular visits from UK medical students on elective placements. Non-one so memorable as the lively and Reformed Marianne Sced (later James and consultant in psychiatry and geriatric medicine). She was the first person I met who had confronted fellow students on homosexuality.In my day there were no gay societies. They had not been out of the closet long enough to be so bold. Looking round the new pharmacy built on the upper site where wards and theatre have operated for several years. Enjoyed fellowship with Ivor Thomas, Reformed Australian medic.
 Packing for the pharmacy to be transferred to the new building. July 23 took our effects to Jos for transport to Borno and pleased to find our sea loads have arrived safely. July 26 collected the Landrover in Jos for our Limankara stay. As we prepared to move once again we enjoyed the hospitality of colleagues for meals. David Calcott administrator and wife Ruth, nurse. Wells, Trevor accountant and Jean, medic. Kitchens, Aussie medic and Carlings. I recall David being away a lot speaking in various countries and we were asked to pray for such strenuous ministry. my reaction was how much he must love it. I would as one with speaking gifts. I was of the opinion that there were two kinds of missionaries, those who did the work and those who travelled the world talking about it. Tho be fair, David Carling did lots of both and I am probably open to accusations of envy of the globe trotters. However David did give birth to SUM's biggest white elephant the floating operating theatre on Lake Chad. A marvellous project and who was to know the lake would shrink. I presume that is why we heard no more of the boat. July 31 Katy flew to Maiduguri with the boys. I drove 459 miles in 12 hours, a long and boring drive with a Nigerian to share the wheel. Via Bauchi, Gombe and Bus. A journey no expat would be doing in recent years thanks to Boko Haram. Dinner with Janet Blackburn.

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