Lebamba, Gabon

The big news around here is the fire at the compound. It occurred the week before we came. The news reached Bongolo Hospital’s praying partners prior to our departure from Dayton.
It started as an electrical fire in the storeroom for the medications. Dave Thompson was one of the first to arrive at the building. He grabbed the fire extinguisher from his car. That was good for about 10 seconds! Within minutes a “bucket brigade was formed and water delivered bucket by bucket put the water out.
A portion of the roof was destroyed, a lot of smoke damage occurred to the ceiling of the building and two refrigerators were destroyed. In all, about $7,000 US of damage. It could have been much worse.
The only medications lost were those in the one refrigerator. It was filled with hemorrhoid suppositories. As I told David Thompson, “What’s the story? They’re supposed to put the fire out!”
The government is going to reinforce and update the bridge to Lebamba across the Louetsi river. They started work this week. This is the famous bridge that replaced first hollowed out canoe transport and later ferry shuttle across the river.
The Minister of Roads for the whole country has a home in Lebamba. He met with Dave this week who apprised him of the project. Dave really likes this official. He says he has done more for the road system in Gabon in the last two years than had been accomplished in the 20 years before. Thanks to this minister, within the next two years the road between Libreville and Lebamba will be completely paved.
The Chinese government is working on this road project in exchange for iron ore, wood and other resources. It was so strange on the drive here to see Chinese workers and Chinese camps along the way.
The last bit of big news around here is that there will be a Presidential election in Gabon on August 30 to replace President Omar Bongo who died in June. 23 candidates are running, three of whom are going to make campaign stops in Lebamba today including the deceased Presidents son, Ali Bongo!
This area is very lush with tons of vegetation. Dave says that if they were to leave the compound, the jungle would probably engulf the place within five years.
For all of the wonderful growing conditions they have virtually no fresh vegetables around. When asked why there were no gardens I was told, “There’s just too much sun and too much water!” I guess too much of almost anything might be bad.
The time has gone by quickly. We’ve been “in country” 10 days now. We leave for Libreville in just four days to begin our journey home. Thank you for all of your prayers and partnering with us in this trip.
Dr. William (Bill) Wilson