I couldn't help but explain to the Cameroonian who was helping us with customs what that flag means to the free world, holding back tears as I did

Dear Benefactors,

It looks like all of the stuff made it here. Some of the confusion was that some of the boxes were not numbered and some of them had the same numbers on them. Also there was not much around the C-arm and the c-arm was not tied down, so we thought that someone may have gotten some of the boxes out of the distal end of the container. The flag was indeed flying proudly when the container was opened. We respectfully took it down and folded it in the proper triangle fashion.

I couldn't help but explain to the Cameroonian who was helping us with customs what that flag means to the free world, holding back tears as I did. He agreed, but then he probably did not have much choice. It is good that I took 2 Cameroonians with me to help with all to the things involved with the container.

When we got it out of port, the driver from the port that transported it out to be loaded to our waiting truck took it to an area where about 20 young African toughs were waiting to "help" for a price. In fact they were quite insistent.

At that point I had had it and was going to face all 20 of them and see who was the toughest, the 20 of them or me. One of the Cameroonians with me suggested (quite emphatically) that we simply move the truck instead of me going to battle. When I think about it, I guess his idea probably made more sense than mine. At least since I am alive and able to type this letter, his approach seems to have made more common sense than mine. 

The portable x-ray machine works fine. Today we saw a patient that may well have a common duct stone. My chief resident asked what we should do. I was so pleased to tell him that we will take the new portable machine to surgery and do an operative cholangiogram. 

It was really moving to realize that we have not had a patient with common duct stones for the 3 years that I have been here and as soon as one shows up, we now have a portable x-ray unit. God is so good. I met with the hospital administration today and they are profusely thankful for what you have done, as am I. Bless you!!

S&C Pokey