FOURTH QUARTER 2010; NEWSLETTER FROM DR. KRISTEN SCHMALTZ

GUINEA, W. AFRICA

Greetings from Guinea, West Africa,

Today, November 16, is the holiday of Tabaski where Muslim Guineans celebrate with mosque prayers (Abraham killed a sheep in place of Ishmael), eating a holiday meal including sheep meat and beautifully dressed people (especially all the kids) circulating thru the neighborhoods. Children are given treats and money. Last evening we heard the electoral commission's announcement that Alpha Conde received 52.5% to Cellou Dalien Diallo's 48.5% of votes from Nov 7 election. Reaction to this was swift--celebration in C's supporters areas and rock throwing, fighting & subsequent military gun shooting into the air to keep people inside and calm for hours last night and a bit today. It was a bit loud and the shooting was very near to my home last night!

Monday, November 15, CEH saw patients until violence broke out before election results but in anticipation of a noon announcement which was delayed until 9pm. We decided to send everyone home early to be safe and with family in town 15km away, so we mobilized all CEH staff to quickly receive payment and serve medicines to patients. The last 20 patients were done in a record 15 minutes!!! Everyone arrived safely and rock throwing youths were quelled by military force presence here in Mamou.

About 3 weeks ago we experienced similar violence in Mamou by demonstrations over ethnically targeted displaced people. Youth threw rocks & the town was shut down unfortunately trapping all our CEH school kids at the Bambino Christian school whose courtyard was locked down for security of kids and teachers. At least half of CEH employees (about 45 people) have one child or more enrolled there. A flurry of cell phone calls were made from CEH to teachers/ pastor in the school and once again we decided to quickly finish our patient load and send CEH workers to home/ school to get kids. I picked up Sere and Nene (my househelp Rougie's 6 year old twins) amid much rejoicing & tears!! With market closings finding food for daily sustenance is a challenge.

Wise Christian, Muslim and social leaders have been counseling youth & general citizens in meetings to remain calm and not strike out at those different from them. By and large calm and order have been held. At CEH our admin committee decided to limit political and ethnical-related conversations at work. It has been an inspiration working together- despite difficult, stressful times with servant, peace-minded people in this country.

I've also had the privilege to work with missionary colleagues of many Christian faiths serving in Guinea in various regions- Dalaba (to the north), Faranah (to the east) & Conakry (in the south) in recent weeks. My trip to the forest region in the east a few weeks ago was necessitated by paralyzing truck problems and a sick missionary child . Thankfully both 3 year old Debra who had severe croup and my truck's fuel injection system were cured!! In the meantime I enjoyed fellowship and initiating a medical working relationship with two CMA missionaries. They even invited me to their Fouta Thanksgiving celebration next Thursday!! CEH is hoping to accommodate a Canadian CM&A team coming to fit eyeglasses right after Thanksgiving. I have been working with a missionary on this. Patient volume started to pick up a bit for a few days but is uncertain now. We are hopeful for a peaceful democratic future for Guinea once reaction to & resolution of the election happens.

Your support is needed all the more for me to assist in the continuing work at CEH. If you wish to help, this could be sent to Compassion Evangelical Hospital, P.O. Box 870, Southfield, MI 48037 with "KMS-100" noted in the memo line. As always, your prayers for the CEH Ministry and the people of Guinea are most appreciated.

News Update (11/17/10): A State of Emergency has been declared for the country until the Supreme Court declares the winner. Saw only 6 patients at the hospital today, and most markets are closed so finding food is a challenge. We need peace; in this Advent season may the Christian Prince of Peace bring that to this nation.

In His service,

Dr. Kristen Schmaltz

Guineadoc@yahoo.fr