Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Complete - personal hygiene...well we're still working on that one...

This weekend brings to an end a very exciting and full chapter of my life, as the Spring 2012 Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) has come to an end. I have greatly enjoyed my time at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and count it as a privilege to have studied here for the past few months.

Dave with his studying buddy, Christian

In addition to the blessings of good training, the DTM&H has been a fantastic opportunity to make friends with doctors from literally all over the world. Christian, my good friend and studying buddy during the past few weeks, is a senior Infectious Diseases registrar from Denmark. Other countries of origin include New Zealand, Taiwan, India, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Germany, Spain, Norway, the UK and Canada (and many others). A number of the students are Christians (with a few of us going directly to the mission field now), and it has been a tremendous encouragement to fellowship with them during this time. The bond that Christians (from all nationalities and backgrounds) have in Jesus is a wonderful thing!

Dave's friends Gwen & Natasha.  Gwen is off to The Gambia and Natasha to Uganda.  

Whilst it is great to have “the paperwork” following this course of study, ultimately I feel that this training has helped prepare me (as best possible) for the style and challenges of work in developing countries. It’s almost scary to think how little I knew about many tropical diseases prior to coming here (I can count on one hand the number of people with HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria that I have treated thus far). I think the complement to all this theory will be the practical experience in Zambia – which I am currently nervously anticipating.

The school of tropical medicine

Most significantly I give thanks to my darling wife and our great God for their support and encouragement during these recent months. Mary’s tireless efforts have meant that life for us as a family has remained relatively sane. It is such a tremendous blessing to have her companionship and encouragement on the journey this year, and I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful wife.  Thanks also to all our family and friends who have been supporting and praying for us - your encouragement has been greatly appreciated!  D

Let the holidays begin!  We're off to Oxford and London for 10 days