ICMDA
Part 1
I had barely known what it was in full, though many times it was echoed in my circles. I heard so many testimonials about it and yet never paid that much attention. It was 2024, the month of April, the Easter holiday. The ICMDA East Africa Regional conference had been advertised and members encouraged to sign up. I looked at the cost and consulted with my pockets and it was a solid vote, we could not afford to go. So it was, I heard about it now as another motion to go through but I had already made peace with my fate.
A few days to it, a friend of mine pulled me aside and seriously interrogated my lack of enthusiasm about the matter and I admitted to the facts with the reason of my financial disabilities and then I heard about the bursaries and then I enrolled, very late yet when I called the lady said, yes, there is still room for that. I cannot fully explain neither will I bore you with the details, the point is by God’s grace I was signed up and all my expenses fully catered for the conference, guess what? It was in Rwanda!
I will try not to let the hosting country steal the shine of the conference itself but believe me it was quite the experience.
Something that stood out, apart from the thrill that comes from visiting a new country and experiencing a new culture, was the sense of unity. It was deep and refreshing. It was as international as international could get, on the cultural night, I was simply overcome, even the Indians had a special song and dance and it blessed my heart. To be in such an atmosphere, to see nations coming together to celebrate God. The conference had a single pulse, whether you sponsored or were sponsored, whether you taught or listened, whether you are black or white or something in between, we were there for God and what glory it was!
No distinctions of race, status or whatever else put people apart, just unity in Spirit as the body of Christ. Not to mention those were all professionals or aspiring professionals. It is encouraging to see men stick to the old rugged cross despite all that life throws at you and here I mean wealth and titles that so naturally make us less mindful of God. I want to be a medical professional who is mindful of God, devoted to His service by serving others too. And I see in the International Christian Medical and Dental Association, a community to fuel that and nurture it too.
~Joanne✨Apio✨
Part 2
Fond memories make residence in our heads and have the childlike habit of popping on a Random Tuesday in the middle of a hair salon appointment. That arrested face that shouts serious business only suddenly gives way to warmth and the folds of your face take shape to reveals that beautiful smile that creases the corner of your eyes.The effortless giggle could prompt the salonist to bend her neck to ascertain levels of sanity. You might be very ready for Tuesday but not for this.
One such memory was the ICMDA regional conference to Rwanda. I know you might ask what good can come from a conference… That is why I am here. Should I begin with the lovely road trip that had us crossing through the pearl of Africa and watched the undulating rolls of hills come into sight as we approached Kigali ? Spoilt for choice. The beautiful mix of nationalities made interactions more exciting. I am certain my Kenyan compatriots won’t forget the unrelenting devotion of our Ugandan brothers to arouse us for the Morning glory every 5am. The experience of a different country was exhilarating, the helmeted motorist, precipitous landscape and crowded trees of Kigali made the stay worthwhile though foreign. For a moment I missed the bussle and hustle of Nairobi. The experience falls short without mentioning the food, my comrade background begs me to make mention. The dishes ranged from Kenya’s Chapati and Ugali to Uganda’s Matoke and crushed G-nut to Congos coveted Cashew nuts, it was nothing but spectacular.
The conference was capped with the beautiful theme “Brothers keeper” that spoke into the useen ties that held the ICMDA East African team. I saw it in the interactions, in the kindness, in the warmth that endured through the whole five day conference. It was a thousand memories made in a moment.
~Kiror✨Cynthia✨