Here are the contents of this month’s Family Newsletter:

• Family Update
• Broadcast Update
• FamilyTalk Programs on Immunizations aired last month
• Grounded Radio Program on the Immunization Debate
• Publication Update
• His Brain, Her Brain may be saving our marriage
• Blast from the past
• Events of the last month
• Upcoming Events

Family Update
Well, winter arrived with fury in the last day. Snow, blowing snow, howling winds, ice, low of minus 17 degrees, and a wind chill of 40 below zero. I’d call that winter for sure!
Barb and I just returned from a week in Ecuador. I taught two days at an International Medical Conference in Quito that had over 1200 attendees. My talks were simultaneously translated into Spanish. Barb said I sounded pretty good in Spanish. Since Quito sits at 9500 feet above sea level, the temperatures were cool to chilly. We enjoyed visiting the city a great deal. Also, our time spent with the HCJB missionaries at Hospital Vozandes – Quito was very fruitful.
We also spent two days on the edge the Amazon jungle at a mission outpost, Hospital Vozandes del Orient (Voice of the Andes), in a small village named Shell. We had a fabulous time visiting a small group of committed missionary doctors, nurses, and staff. I especially enjoyed rounding with the doctors and spending most of one night in the OR with the incredibly skilled missionary surgeons (thanks to Stan Pletchett, MD, and David Graham, MD, for allowing me to be with them in the OR).
We also enjoyed touring the Nate Saint house. Nate was one of the five missionaries martyred along with Jim Elliot in the Amazon jungle. The five men flew into the jungle from Shell. Here are some of the details.

• World-wide attention focused on Shell in January 1956 at the news of the disappearance of Saint and four other missionaries – Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, and Roger Youderian. They had been trying to reach the Huaorani tribe, and had been making aerial reconnaissance missions. When they landed in Huaorani territory they were killed by the natives, their bodies thrown into the Curaray River. Once again, Shell served as a base of operations, this time for the families of the victims and rescue workers.
• Two years later, in 1958, the Hospital Vozandes Del Oriente opened its doors as the first hospital in that region of Ecuador. The hospital was the dream of Nate Saint, who donated both land and time to work on its construction before his death in 1956. It served an estimated 65,000 people who lived on the eastern side of the Andes and in the jungle. In 1985 a new Hospital Vozandes was opened on the other side of the Motolo River, and the old hospital was converted to a guest house, lasting until 2007 when weather and termites forced it to be torn down.
• In August 1964, Nate Saint Memorial School opened in Shell for missionary children. The school was the realization of an idea Saint had of starting a mission school. He believed it was important for children to go to school close to home. The school was started by MAF, and later was transferred to HCJB who now operate it.

Back in Quito, we visited community development projects, taught students and residents, visited the equator, and toured the old town and cathedrals–all of which were fun side trips.
Overall it’s a beautiful country from the beaches, to the lush vegetation, to the amazing diversity of birds and butterflies, to the towering spine of the Andes with peaks above 20,000 feet, to its many volcanoes (we say one huffing some threatening smoke and ash), to delicious fruits and vegetables and juices, to its ancient haciendas and barrios, to its many native tribes … all in all a delightful trip.
After a couple of days rest, we’re off again. In toto, we’ll only be home 6 out of a 30-day stretch. We’re thankful for the opportunity, but also quite enjoy when we’re home.
When I can, I’ve been working hard on two current writing projects: (1) my first solo novel, Hazel Creek, and (2) Guy Talk: A Christian physician answers your not-so-stupid questions about your body, which is a book for guys going through puberty. #1 is due to the publisher on March 15, while #2 is due February 15. I think I’ll make both deadlines.

Broadcast Update

• FamilyTalk Programs on Immunizations aired last month

The programs I recorded with Dr. James Dobson on immunizations will aired on Wednesday and Thursday, January 26-27, 2011. You can listen to or download the programs from the FamilyTalk Web site. Part One on childhood vaccinations is here. Part Two on adult immunization is here.

• Grounded Radio Program on the Immunization Debate

FamilyTalk received so many comments about the programs mentioned above, that Dr. Dobson’s son and co-host, Ryan Dobson, and I went on his Internet Radio Show, Grounded, to continue the discussion. You can listen or download the program, after registering for free here.
Publishing Update

• His Brain, Her Brain may be saving our marriage

There are few things more gratifying to an author than to learn that his or her book has impacted a life. Barb just received this email about the book we coauthored, His Brain, Her Brain: How divinely designed differences can strengthen your marriage:

I have to tell you that I believe your book might be in the process of saving our marriage. I truly was beginning to wonder if my husband had lost his mind … did not understand WHY in the world he didn’t see the situation as I am seeing it.
And I have since learned that he TRULY IS NOT SEEING it the way I am, because he isn’t processing it as I am !!
Cannot thank you enough for putting it down on paper in black and white so we can both digest that we ARE different and it’s ok, God made us that way!!)

• Blast from the past

Barb and I received this nice note from an acquaintance from our Bryson City days:
Walt, we want to thank you for all you do for so many; Focus on the Family, Bryson City books—all 3, your work in the medical field. Please thank Barb also, we appreciate the value of a marriage team effort.
It is our prayer that God will continue to bless you all in great abundance of health, happiness, and prosperity. We miss seeing around Bryson City.
We enjoyed having you and Eric eat @ Mom’s Swain Hotel (Mildred).
Thanks again Walt.
Keith’s words were an affirmation and encouragement to me.
Events of the last month

• Jan 6, we celebrated Barb’s birthday (she’s quit counting, but still looks like she’s somewhere south of 39!).
• Jan 7-9, we flew to Tulsa to be at the Winter Retreat of In His Image Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Richard Swenson (futurist and best-selling author) presented some stimulating lectures we enjoyed. But, we were most blessed to be able to visit with the residents and candidates for this year’s intern class.
• Jan 22-29, we were in Equator ministering through HCJB Global at a conference for health professionals. I’m deeply enjoyed the honor and privilege to be able to share three presentations with the attendees, who came from all over South America. My teaching was on the principles of incorporating one’s Christian faith into medical practice—and seemed very well received.

Upcoming Events

• Feb 2-6, we’ll fly to Ft. Myers, FL, and then drive to Naples for the AMA’s RUC meeting.
• Feb 4, Barb will speak at a luncheon at the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs on our book, “His Brain, Her Brain: How divinely designed differences can strengthen your marriage,” and also do a book signing.
• Feb 4, that night Barb and I will speak at the evening Book Club of the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs. I’ll do a reading from “TSI: The Influenza Bomb,” my second novel, discuss current and future writing projects, answer questions, and do a book signing.
• Feb 6-10, we’ll be in Atlanta visiting Scott, Jen, and their two girls. We’re looking forward to our time with them.
• Feb 10-13, we’ll be in Orlando for the wedding of a dear friend and all the associated festivites.
• Feb 17-20, Barb and I will be in Scottsdale, AZ, where I’ll speak at a medical CME event on “Childhood Obesity.” Barb and I will also speak together on “His Brain, Her Brain” at the same event.

Past Issues

• January 2011 https://www.drwalt.com/blog/?p=3785
• December 2010 https://www.drwalt.com/blog/?p=3635
• November 2010 https://www.drwalt.com/blog/?p=3386

You can get more information on many of my upcoming events here.