Good morning from Al Ain!! Thursday we moved from the guest house into our own apartment!! Jana and I decided to use the British wording and will call it our ‘flat.’ When we moved from Kenya, we shipped little furniture here. That is a good thing as our books, quilting things, and other items are still locked in Customs storage in Dubai. The saga of this sad plight is another story. We have purchased some household items, and our beds arrived Thursday evening (evening deliveries are common, I am understanding), so we had a place to sleep. The move marked a special time which will make my kids smile—we have a complete set of plates that all match for the first time in many years!! In years past as we entertained groups you could choose your seat depending on the various colors of plates. No more! Well, I imagine as we seek to entertain more I will again break the set consistency and add colorful options. Today, I awoke with a major challenge. I bought a coffee pot but forgot to buy filters!! A paper towel just is not exactly as good. My gold filter is in a box in storage. Oh well, there are stores around town.

Last night we drove to Dubai to pick up Abby and Michael. Abby flew from Chicago to Paris to Dubai. Michael had a shorter direct flight from Nairobi. Both flights were scheduled to land within a half hour of each other–great planning. Having used Nairobi, Chicago, and Detroit as our major airports, we thought they would land at the same “International Terminal.” Nope. Abby was in the large terminal 1; Michael was in terminal 3. Oops. Anyway, we sorted it out, and both arrived safely. We look forward to sharing Al Ain and enjoying the holidays with family. As our children grow, we realize just how valuable and important family time is to us.

Each year I take the time to write a difficult letter I have called my “beggar letter.” Actually, the letter is more about a vision and how you can assist and become a part of the vision of CURE. When I was in private practice, I received countless letters most of which made their way into the round file. There are so many needs and so many good causes that clamor for your attention and resources. Why take the time to read and then act today? I think CURE International is a good investment of your donation, whether it may be money, time, or talent.

I have been with CURE International since 1998. CURE started with a small hospital in Kijabe, Kenya, and a dream to bring high quality medical/spiritual care to the physically disabled children within the developing world. I was the first orthopedist working in Kijabe. Over the years, CURE International has expanded across the globe. Children and families with no hope of a normal life have experienced medical and spiritual transformation. CURE often writes “Healing Changes Everything,” and it’s true.

CURE celebrates this week a very special event: CURE Kenya cheers the graduation of the first orthopedic surgery residency class! Prior to 2006, CURE sponsored training in Uganda for our trainees to get an official certificate. Kenya had no official orthopedic residency programs. CURE Kijabe had the first Kenyan government accepted program through COSECSA (College of Surgeons of Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa). The program takes five years to complete and utilizes our CURE physicians as instructors. There are written and oral examinations, logbooks of surgical experience, and recommendations. This year’s examination was in Zambia. CURE had three residents successfully pass all aspects. We are thrilled! Now there are three more very qualified, trained orthopedic surgeons for Africa—two will remain in Kenya; one will return home to Cameroon.

This is one critical reason I feel your donations are a good investment. You not only invest in the lives of needy children, but you also invest in training doctors, nurses, pastors, and medical assistants for the future. CURE seeks to train and equip nationals to care for their people. How great is that?!? Can it work? When I went to Kijabe, the executive director, medical director, physical therapist, and doctors were all ex-pats from the US. Now the CURE Kijabe Hospital is all run by national staff within the CURE International network. Does that mean Kenya is independent and no longer needs your support? No! The disabled children are very needy. Kenya is a poor, developing world country with few resources dedicated to caring for the disabled. CURE International asks you to help us reach out to love, care, and train the people of the world.

Now I live in a new location, one very different from Kenya. There are people in the UAE more than capable of paying for their needs, that is true. CURE Oasis in Al Ain serves Emirates, but the majority of our patients are ex-pat workers, families, and people from surrounding countries. For every Emirate living in UAE, there are eight ex-patriots. Oman is just across the border, and patients come seeking help; CURE Oasis never turns away those in need. Finally, the many people supporting our work allow CURE to direct limited funds elsewhere for other acute needs. The Mead family asks for your assistance to keep us working, doing what we are called to do.

So how can you become a supporter of CURE and the Meads? You can donate directly through cure.org, or you can write a check and send it to:

CURE International
701 Bosler Ave.
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Attn: Mead Family

Maybe you feel called to support the orthopedic residency so other doctors can be trained. CURE Kijabe has a grant covering some of the expenses but not all. A check to CURE along with a note: ‘For CURE Kijabe Orthopedic Residency Fund’ will designate your gift.

Many other ways exist to get involved with CURE. I am personally in need of another orthopedic surgeon willing to brave the licensing process and join me here in Al Ain. Recently replaced orthopedic texts can be shipped to the CURE address to be forwarded to our training programs. Donations of equipment, supplies, and expertise in many fields are always welcome. CURE also covets your prayers. CURE International has people serving across the globe. We are far from family, and some serve in dangerous situations. We seek to reach out in love to serve those who need love and hope. We serve because we are called and dedicated. We serve firmly, securely in His grip.