A growing family gathered at Brackenhurst Retreat and Conference Centre in Limuru, Kenya, from February 23-March 6, 2025, for two weeks of intense clinical learning and spiritual growth. Forty first-year trainees, the largest group ever, with one second year trainee attended to learn Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) leading to a recognized certificate, Advanced Trauma Care, Oncology, Urology, Pediatric Surgery, Introduction to Research, Endoscopy, and Anesthesiology. The trainees also rotated through over 15 hours of robust technical skills workshops in Orthopaedics, Basic Surgical Skills, and Subspecialty Skills. More than these skills, all enjoyed and experienced challenging morning worship in the Word with Pastor Ed speaking from the book of Colossians, “Jesus Christ Our All in All”, complemented by a robust worship team of over 10 trainees and faculty led by PAACS Grad and Tenwek GS Program Director, Dr. Akinniyi Fadipe.
A highlight of the week occurred around a “camp” fire during the annual barbecue on Friday evening, with people singing worship songs and dancing; fun was had by all. Each evening included presentations from the different PAACS training sites….all 16!! For the first time, a PAACS site, Kijabe Hospital, is living 2 Timothy 2:2 completely, with four generations of surgeons training from Dr. Jack Barasa (PAACS Kijabe first graduate) who trained Dr. Beryl Akinyi, to Dr. Joseph Nderitu, who is now training the current trainees. So often we seek to rapidly entrust responsibilities to a younger generation expecting success, yet it seems the Lord’s prescription requires four generations for sustainability.
Throughout the two weeks around 35 different PAACS’ faculty members gathered to share their challenges, struggles, and to testify to God’s provision and faithfulness. Hearts were laid bare as Program Directors expressed sadness over the disappointments of the previous year and rejoiced together over the growth of trainees who are now graduates spread across Africa. Faculty Development training also covered topics of program growth, the struggling trainee, research training, and much more. PAACS admin and presenters likely learned just as much as the faculty during the times of discussion and problem solving. Personally, these times remind me that these faculty members are my heroes in this world.
Then about 25 spouses also gathered to study the Word together, led by Suzanne Sutherland, where quite a few tears were shed while sharing and hearing about each other’s challenges and triumphs. Not to mention the approximately 40 children who also gathered under the name, PAACS Kids, coined by a PAACS Kid in 2023. The kids’ mornings were filled with sharing, fun, and hearing from older missionary kids about their experiences from decades ago, all were blessed. The younger kids even organized their own time of sharing when they didn’t have an adult MK to share with them!! A huge shout out to the PAACS Kids leadership team headed by Joanna Thelander. One can only imagine how the Lord will use these young ones as they take over the reins of spiritual leadership in the coming decades.
All sensed a higher call the evening Dr. Tim Love, Jacques Bake’s former Program Director, shared about the faithfulness and perseverance of Dr. Jacques Bake and his wife, Olga, whose commitment to HEAL Africa and the Lord compelled them to stay in Goma to treat the victims of the M23 invasion. In Olga’s words, “we abandon ourselves to Jesus.” Jacques and Olga are living examples of trust in God through adversity and risk. May we all daily abandon ourselves to Jesus. Please continue to pray for the crisis in eastern DRC.
On the last Wednesday evening the trainees encircled the faculty to lift us up in prayer and thank the Lord for our dedication and care for them. This time demonstrated a move of the Spirit through these 41 trainees. One cannot imagine how they may impact Africa for decades to come. We concluded with our usual habit of a communion service celebrating the death of our Lord until He comes again. Thank you to so many of your generous gifts which provide for such valuable and foundational events. Huge shout out to Dr. Drew Huang and Rachel Huth who were the workhorses in planning, organizing, and shepherding this conference. Please faithfully pray for the whole PAACS family.
Keir Thelander, MD, FACS, FWACS, FCS (ECSA)
PAACS Executive Vice President
