Etienne and Paulette hosted a Christmas Eve feast and an all night wake in their courtyard.  The Christmas story was told and acted out by the MIAPE Church.  Songs and testimonies were shared with the nearly 150 neighbors and friends who attended.  Pray that the seeds sown during this evening will take root and produce faith that will grow in the lives of those who have not yet received the greatest gift of all.

The MIAPE Church shared together in a meal and a time of prayer bringing in the New Year together.  Paulette also hosted a special meal for the two or three engaged couples in their community to encourage them in their preparation for marriage.  Pray for the witness in all aspects of life of the MIAPE Christian community.  While they continue to follow up on the two villages where they provided free medical evangelistic outreaches, they are targeting a new unreached village for this next dry season.  Pray for spiritual fruit from these efforts.
 

MIAPE Church Community

The political climate affected the number of patients seen at CEH during September through December.  Tribal hostilities and threats, occasional travel restrictions and curfews limited the number of patients who were able to travel safely for medical care.  Since January 1, the patient visits are climbing back to pre-election numbers.  Pray for this increasing volume and the staff who are prepared to serve them.  Higher volume of patients is welcome as the revenue received from patient care helps pay staff salaries.  More importantly though, these patients hear the gospel through the introductory preaching at the beginning of the day, the Christian literature available to them, the Jesus Film which is played almost every day, and the witness of the staff.

Patients waiting for medical care.  Jesus film playing on TV.

The expansion of the services and facilities continue to speak of God's blessing on the work and the faithfulness of partners through prayer and financial support.  The Surgical Building, funded by Autumn Ridge Church in Minnesota, is scheduled to have the electrical and plumbing installed by a team of men traveling from the U.S. in February.

Ward C, funded by The John Slater Memorial Fund, a Tocco family gift, and the Lankton Estate Gift, is nearing completion with the roof being the next phase of this project.  The electrical and plumbing crew arriving in February will also work on this building.

Ward C and Surgical Building (left)

With the reality of additional services soon to be available to the patients in surgery and overnight care, the personnel needs are growing.  CEH is looking to hire ten additional nurses to adequately cover the surgical rooms, recovery rooms and the wards for extended patient care. 

Currently there are 32 workers on the medical/administrative staff and 16 workers on the construction/security staff.  All of the medical workers are believers and three of the construction workers are.  Contract services for specific projects are also used on construction projects.  God has blessed the work with many good workers.  Please continue to pray for the additional staff needed. 
 

Nurses and Technicians holding refresher course certificates.

 The MIAPE missionary staff has been invaluable in their servant leadership throughout the hospital. Job, who is leading the inpatient services, just completed a refresher course for the last wave of nurses and technicians hired. One more missionary nurse from Cote d'Ivoire  who would lead in surgical services when open is currently being recruited.   Plans are underway now for a conference in Mamou next September to train Christian medical staff.  Dr. Steve Merry from MAYO Clinic will lead this conference.  It will be open to at least 13 Christian Medical Institutions that have developed in Guinea and possibly some from the neighboring nations.  As you pray for more staff, pray for this quality training which will be of benefit to many Christian medical workers in West Africa.