Adventist Mission

Meet Bill & Trixy

Adventist missionaries to Cameroon

About Trixy
Trixy Franke is the only daughter of her parents and sole sister to her only brother. Wisconsin is where she was born, but she says Virginia is where she grew up. As a hobby she raised guinea pigs (for pets, not dietary delicacies). Trixy was home-schooled through grade 12. Mary Washington University in Virginia is where she studied chemistry and biology, taking off six months to experience medical missions at Heri Adventist Hospital in Tanzania with Dr. Ouster. Trixy says of her experience in Tanzania, "It was here that God revealed to me that I was not only suited to survive, but thrive, in African mission service."

On returning Trixy was singularly focused on becoming a medical missionary doctor, choosing Loma Linda University for her medical education. She took a fourth year elective to Africa, visiting and working at three rural Adventist hospitals (Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda). During her family medicine residency program at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center she was able to go to three more Adventist hospitals (Malawi, Chad, and Nepal).

About Bill
Bill Colwell, Jr., the youngest of four brothers, was born and raised in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. He is imprinted with four seasons, the crisp air, and colors of autumn. He moved to California for college, graduating from La Sierra University and pursuing his dream of working in the Hollywood film industry.

God blessed his six years in Hollywood in many and varied ways. Bill says "Everything I needed to know about being a missionary I learned while working in Hollywood." In fact he believes it was this time that prepared him for six years of work for the Quiet Hour, an independent and supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Bill's association with Loma Linda University (LLU) began in 1999. His fascination with education was nurtured by Lisa Beardsley, who encouraged him to pursue a masters degree, and in 2006 he completed his M.Ed. in global leadership and administration. He served the School of Medicine for five years and moved to a new position for the Schools of Nursing and Public Health. When Bill relocated to Indiana for Trixy's residency program, he worked full-time for the School of Public Health, working with faculty and students to better utilize technology, the Internet and so forth for better collaboration in the teaching and learning process. He also taught a leadership class.

How on earth did Bill & Trixy get together?
Because of his job Bill met all first year medical students. "It was bound to happen" he says about finding one particular student more interesting than the rest. He remembers the first day he saw Trixy: she was wearing a Fredericksburg Century cycling T-shirt. Bill relates, "I had just completed my fourth century ride and that intrigued me. Well, that, and she was pretty attractive to me."

Having spent much time together over the first five months of Trixy's first year at LLU, Bill suggested their friendship had "potential for much more." Trixy was kind but firm in her "No" saying she had come to LLU to study medicine, to be a missionary doctor, not to date or marry.

More months passed and with Bill daily giving his friendship with Trixy to God, Trixy changed her mind. Bill proposed to Trixy a year later at the Wild Animal Park during their "Festival of Lights" by the animated Princess kissing the frog display. The were wed six months later on Friday the 13th. The ceremony started with a full communion service, followed by dinner, and the at-one-ment ceremony. Sabbath was spent sharing about marriage, God, and friendship. They left the following Sunday for their honeymoon.

Bill and Trixy are the "proud parents" of dog-child Jordan, adopted in California (who incidentally has her own Facebook Fan Page) and Milo (pronounced "me-low") the cat-a local Cameroonian. Cali, their beloved guinea pig did not make the trip to Cameroon. She has retired to the doting care of friends in South Bend, Indiana, U.S.A.,-she sends photo updates via email from time to time.

Where on earth are Bill & Trixy?
Between them both, Bill and Trixy have visited 49 states and 24 countries. They have shared experiences in Belize (their honeymoon location), Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, the Netherlands, South Africa, France, (and of course the U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico). Today they call Buea, Cameroon, home.

Trixy is the medical director and sole physician at the "7th day" Adventist Health Centre, while Bill is the development officer.

What about the Health Centre?
The Health Centre opened its doors to patients in 1971. At the time it was at the far end of town "in the bush." Not too much changed until 1995 when the University of Buea (the only English-language university in Cameroon) opened. The population grew rapidly and with the population increase, so did construction. Now the health centre is considered "mid town" and the university is at the far end. Located on the main road through town, the Health Centre is the easiest one to access. The Health Centre has a new inpatient wing that is nearing completion.(This was a 1999 Thirteenth Sabbath offering project) Soon, it is hoped, that new equipment will be sent from the U.S.A. for labor/delivery, surgery, generator, and the laboratory.

Why Cameroon?
Since her time in Tanzania, Trixy has loved eastern Africa. In her six months there, she learned enough Swahili to converse with the locals. It was her dream to return to East Africa. Many avenues were explored--Ethiopia, Rwanda, and even Malawi in Southern Africa. As the doors closed one by one, Bill and Trixy set before God the calling they believed had come from Him. "Wherever you want us to go, we will go," they prayed. As they were about to give up and secure work for Trixy in America, a call came asking if they would consider WEST Africa. A quick trip was made to meet the staff as well as the conference and union administrators. With numerous indications that God was with them in this call, they accepted.

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More from Bill and Trixy

No Strings Attached
The Future You Hope For
The "Great" Missionary