Just wanted to post a link to pictures from our trip. Thanks for you prayers.
Pics from Togo
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Back Home
After all of the adventure making sure we had a flight back to the US, the actual traveling went quite smoothly. We arrived in Philly yesterday afternoon where Lisa's family picked us up. While we miss our friends in Africa, we are also excited about spending some time with family before graduation. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Last update from Africa!
So... our second flight was cancelled, but we are now on a third to Philadelphia! I'm determined to get Stephen home for his graduation even if we have to swim ;-) Seriously though, please pray that this flight won't be cancelled and we will make all our connection etc. We leave in the morning to drive to Ghana, and our flight to London leaves tomorrow night. Lord willing we will be in the US around 3:00pm on Tuesday.
We had always intended to write one or two more blog posts, just to tell about our last week here and reflect a little bit on what we've learned. But those will have to be done from home now - so watch for that if you're still interested! Also, we'll post a link to our pictures once we put them up on a web album.
Thank you to all of you for your birthday wishes - I had a very special birthday here. I had mango pie for my birthday cake, and I had the happy birthday song sung to me in 3 languages - French, English, and Ewe. I will never forget that.
Well, I'm signing off from Africa for the last time... (for this trip, that is!). That is sad in some ways, but we are excited about seeing people at home and what is ahead of us there. We are even more excited about what God has done in our hearts while we have been here, and to see where He will take us next! We are so thankful and full of praise to the God who made us, redeemed us, and called us - the same One who is at work in this place and in these people. What an awesome God, and what a privilege to play a part in what He is doing in the world!
We had always intended to write one or two more blog posts, just to tell about our last week here and reflect a little bit on what we've learned. But those will have to be done from home now - so watch for that if you're still interested! Also, we'll post a link to our pictures once we put them up on a web album.
Thank you to all of you for your birthday wishes - I had a very special birthday here. I had mango pie for my birthday cake, and I had the happy birthday song sung to me in 3 languages - French, English, and Ewe. I will never forget that.
Well, I'm signing off from Africa for the last time... (for this trip, that is!). That is sad in some ways, but we are excited about seeing people at home and what is ahead of us there. We are even more excited about what God has done in our hearts while we have been here, and to see where He will take us next! We are so thankful and full of praise to the God who made us, redeemed us, and called us - the same One who is at work in this place and in these people. What an awesome God, and what a privilege to play a part in what He is doing in the world!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Answer to Prayer
Just got word that we are now on a flight to DC. Thanks for all of you who prayed. God is always good, but we are thankful He choose to do this for us.
Prayer Request
We just found out that our flight from London to BWI has been cancelled because of the British Airways strike, and we are unclear as to when or how we will get home. We are working with our travel agent to figure this situation out, but as you can imagine, many around the world have been affected by this. Please pray that we would trust God in the midst of the uncertainty, that if it is His will we would be able to get home by graduation, and that we would have wisdom as to any decisions that we need to make. Thank you so much.
Btw, we are still having fun.
Btw, we are still having fun.
Hospital Work
I've realized that in all of our blogging, I haven't devoted a whole post to describing my work in the hospital. It would be a shame to never do so, since not only has it been my primary responsibility, but there have been a host of fun experiences that deserve to be shared.
Hospital rounds start at 7:30-8 each morning, during which time we discuss patients who have been admitted to the hospital and decide upon their course of care. Sometimes decisions are fairly straightforward, and at other times the cases are bizarre, such as a snakebite or tetanus. I find it funny, though, as to what may be considered straightforward – for example, I've seen so much pediatric malaria, that I can basically recite the care to be given in a variety of clinical situations, as well as how to deal with various complications. Something that is a novelty in the states has now become very routine, and I'll probably have more experience treating it than all of my attendings in residency (so if a case ever comes in, I'll have a chance to look like an all star). Another few crazy facts on malaria in Togo – it's so common that you have to consider it for anyone with a fever, and will often treat without running tests. Also, it can cause such severe anemia, that single digit hematocrits are common upon admission. My personal record is 8, though patients with hematocrits as low as 4.5 have survived. (For the non-medical people, this is a measure of how anemic a person is...doctors usually transfuse a patient when their hemoglobin is less than 7, which is the equivalent of a hematocrit of 21.)
Being a family medicine (almost) doctor, I've tried to spend time helping with all types of patients – OB, medicine, pediatrics, and surgical. OB cases are some of my favorite. It's been exciting to deliver babies here in Togo. I've also gotten to get a significant amount of C-section experience. A lot of this consists of assisting the surgeons here, but I've gotten to deliver several of the babies in the OR after we have opened the uterus. Additionally, there have been 3 C-sections where I have done a majority of the operation, which has been one of the medical highlights of the trip. Many family medicine residents have never done a C-section, and I've already gotten to do 3!
After rounds, I usually go up to the clinic to see patients. It's been a new experience to have to interview patients through a translator. It works for the most part, though there are many times where I've felt I'm not getting the full picture. Sometimes this is frustrating, because knowing the language really would allow me to provide better care at times. Still, we manage to consistently help people, and it's been fun to have more responsibility in treating patients.
I'll also take call every 3-4 nights, which consists of taking phone calls when there are questions about patients and going down to the hospital when someone needs to be admitted. Fortunately, most people don't come in late at night so I would usually get at least 6 hours of sleep. The responsibility of admitting patients and having to make more decisions has been invaluable, and I feel much better prepared for residency after my 6 weeks here. I don't want it to sound like my responsibilities have meant I have little oversight. I have worked with some great doctors who have watched me make decisions and taught me a wealth of knowledge. Michael Gayle is a family medicine doctor who has been a wealth of information both in clinic and treating adult medicine patients. Russ Ebersole is a pediatrician who does an incredible job of what basically amounts to running a partial peds ICU with limited resources and monitoring, yet he saves innumerable lives. He taught me much of what I know about malaria. Todd DeKryger is a surgical PA, and he was one of the main people working on my surgical skills to train me to perform C-sections. Mary Jo is our midwife, and she has walked me through deliveries. And our short term surgeons have taught me about post-op care and allowed me to assist in the OR. All of these people have served to sharpen my skills, and I think I will only realize how much they contributed to my education once I start residency.
Some other medical highlights have included:
• getting my first intubation on a pediatric patient
• giving spinal anesthesia
• seeing a child survive a severe tetanus attack (the docs here have learned that giving antibodies into the fluid around the spinal cord and brain increases survival from 15% to 85% over conventional treatment, and while a few people had recommended this before, only in the last year is it becoming recommended practice by the experts)
• getting to practice medicine alongside Lisa...and getting to hand off the first baby I delivered by C-section to her (by the way, getting the baby after a C-section is Lisa's favorite thing to do medically)
• seeing a patient with a snake bite
• pulling out a twin during a C-section
In addition to the medical aspect, it has been a blessing to also be free to address patient's spiritual needs. And God in His grace is doing a mighty work in Togo. I have seen many people pray to accept Christ in the hospital and clinic, and it is exciting to know that our love and service is playing a role in bringing these people to salvation. It is probably true that some commitments are not genuine...after all Christ tells us in the parable of the sower that many who accept the gospel initially will fall away. But He also promises that many will go onto bear fruit, so we can trust that if the true gospel is given many confessions of faith will bear great fruit. I have already seen a picture of that as many of the Togolese serving in the hospital became believers through its ministry. One chaplain shared how his mother came to the hospital, was saved, and later led him to Christ. Now he serves sharing Christ's gospel and taking part in the work of salvation God is accomplishing at HBB. One of the PA's who is also a pastor was saved after working on the construction of the hospital 25 years ago. I had the privilege of seeing a women in clinic whose chart went back to the first year in the hospital, and she shared how during her first hospitalization she accepted Christ. A quarter century later she is faithfully serving Him. To take part in caring for these patient's as full humans – body and spirit – has been the greatest blessing of this trip. Sharing the gospel or watching others share the gospel and see patients respond to Christ's mercy is and incredible thrill. Jesus told us the angels rejoice over one who is saved, so I am certain there is a large party that keeps going on for the people of Togo. Praise God that He is making Himself known and that He lets us be a part of His work.
Hospital rounds start at 7:30-8 each morning, during which time we discuss patients who have been admitted to the hospital and decide upon their course of care. Sometimes decisions are fairly straightforward, and at other times the cases are bizarre, such as a snakebite or tetanus. I find it funny, though, as to what may be considered straightforward – for example, I've seen so much pediatric malaria, that I can basically recite the care to be given in a variety of clinical situations, as well as how to deal with various complications. Something that is a novelty in the states has now become very routine, and I'll probably have more experience treating it than all of my attendings in residency (so if a case ever comes in, I'll have a chance to look like an all star). Another few crazy facts on malaria in Togo – it's so common that you have to consider it for anyone with a fever, and will often treat without running tests. Also, it can cause such severe anemia, that single digit hematocrits are common upon admission. My personal record is 8, though patients with hematocrits as low as 4.5 have survived. (For the non-medical people, this is a measure of how anemic a person is...doctors usually transfuse a patient when their hemoglobin is less than 7, which is the equivalent of a hematocrit of 21.)
Being a family medicine (almost) doctor, I've tried to spend time helping with all types of patients – OB, medicine, pediatrics, and surgical. OB cases are some of my favorite. It's been exciting to deliver babies here in Togo. I've also gotten to get a significant amount of C-section experience. A lot of this consists of assisting the surgeons here, but I've gotten to deliver several of the babies in the OR after we have opened the uterus. Additionally, there have been 3 C-sections where I have done a majority of the operation, which has been one of the medical highlights of the trip. Many family medicine residents have never done a C-section, and I've already gotten to do 3!
After rounds, I usually go up to the clinic to see patients. It's been a new experience to have to interview patients through a translator. It works for the most part, though there are many times where I've felt I'm not getting the full picture. Sometimes this is frustrating, because knowing the language really would allow me to provide better care at times. Still, we manage to consistently help people, and it's been fun to have more responsibility in treating patients.
I'll also take call every 3-4 nights, which consists of taking phone calls when there are questions about patients and going down to the hospital when someone needs to be admitted. Fortunately, most people don't come in late at night so I would usually get at least 6 hours of sleep. The responsibility of admitting patients and having to make more decisions has been invaluable, and I feel much better prepared for residency after my 6 weeks here. I don't want it to sound like my responsibilities have meant I have little oversight. I have worked with some great doctors who have watched me make decisions and taught me a wealth of knowledge. Michael Gayle is a family medicine doctor who has been a wealth of information both in clinic and treating adult medicine patients. Russ Ebersole is a pediatrician who does an incredible job of what basically amounts to running a partial peds ICU with limited resources and monitoring, yet he saves innumerable lives. He taught me much of what I know about malaria. Todd DeKryger is a surgical PA, and he was one of the main people working on my surgical skills to train me to perform C-sections. Mary Jo is our midwife, and she has walked me through deliveries. And our short term surgeons have taught me about post-op care and allowed me to assist in the OR. All of these people have served to sharpen my skills, and I think I will only realize how much they contributed to my education once I start residency.
Some other medical highlights have included:
• getting my first intubation on a pediatric patient
• giving spinal anesthesia
• seeing a child survive a severe tetanus attack (the docs here have learned that giving antibodies into the fluid around the spinal cord and brain increases survival from 15% to 85% over conventional treatment, and while a few people had recommended this before, only in the last year is it becoming recommended practice by the experts)
• getting to practice medicine alongside Lisa...and getting to hand off the first baby I delivered by C-section to her (by the way, getting the baby after a C-section is Lisa's favorite thing to do medically)
• seeing a patient with a snake bite
• pulling out a twin during a C-section
In addition to the medical aspect, it has been a blessing to also be free to address patient's spiritual needs. And God in His grace is doing a mighty work in Togo. I have seen many people pray to accept Christ in the hospital and clinic, and it is exciting to know that our love and service is playing a role in bringing these people to salvation. It is probably true that some commitments are not genuine...after all Christ tells us in the parable of the sower that many who accept the gospel initially will fall away. But He also promises that many will go onto bear fruit, so we can trust that if the true gospel is given many confessions of faith will bear great fruit. I have already seen a picture of that as many of the Togolese serving in the hospital became believers through its ministry. One chaplain shared how his mother came to the hospital, was saved, and later led him to Christ. Now he serves sharing Christ's gospel and taking part in the work of salvation God is accomplishing at HBB. One of the PA's who is also a pastor was saved after working on the construction of the hospital 25 years ago. I had the privilege of seeing a women in clinic whose chart went back to the first year in the hospital, and she shared how during her first hospitalization she accepted Christ. A quarter century later she is faithfully serving Him. To take part in caring for these patient's as full humans – body and spirit – has been the greatest blessing of this trip. Sharing the gospel or watching others share the gospel and see patients respond to Christ's mercy is and incredible thrill. Jesus told us the angels rejoice over one who is saved, so I am certain there is a large party that keeps going on for the people of Togo. Praise God that He is making Himself known and that He lets us be a part of His work.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Things I miss, things I don't!
What I miss about America:
•Wal-mart
•Ice-cream!! (especially mint chocolate chip)
•Going to church and worshiping in a language I can understand
•The bathrooms (enough said)
•Taking care of my own house – yes, even cooking and cleaning!
•Driving down the road without feeling bruised from all the bumps
•The food, and how easy it is to get it
•My cell phone... oh yes, and the people I talk to on it! (so I guess really what I miss is talking to my far away friends and family)
•Getting together with friends... no translators necessary
•Wearing shorts!!!
•Being able to invite people over to my house
•Um, did I mention ice cream?
What I don't miss about America:
•Work (ok, maybe I do miss it a little bit...)
•Doing my own laundry
•Rude, unfriendly people
•Being so busy it's hard to fit in the really important stuff, like people
•The news – I haven't seen a headline since I've been here
•Traffic and commuting (a 3 minute walk to the hospital is nice)
•The obsession with stuff and entertainment
What I will miss about Africa:
•The huge smiles on people's faces just from saying hello
•The bright colors people wear
•The little babies tied to their mother's backs
•Being awestruck every time I see the enormous loads women carry on their heads, and feeling small that I couldn't even carry that much in my arms
•Afternoon siestas! Seriously, how can they manage a 2 hr afternoon break in the hospital here and some days at work I can't even manage a 5 minute one?
•The beautiful harmony and rhythms in church
•The fruit! Pineapples, mangos, bananas...
•The sweet, friendly people
•Being with my best friend (Stephen, in case you couldn't figure it out) all day long
What I won't miss about Africa:
•The potholes big enough to lose half your car in (I finally found a place with worse roads than Baltimore city)
•Sweating
•The smell of sweating
•Bugs – little ones, big ones, slimy ones, crawling ones, flying ones...
•Bargaining for everything I buy (Stephen would put this in the “what I'll miss” category, but not me!)
•Never being able to just blend in and be normal
•Feeling filthy rich
•My new best friend, Cipro (only fellow medical people or fellow travelers will understand this one, but I don't think I want to elaborate...)
•Malaria pills
•Wal-mart
•Ice-cream!! (especially mint chocolate chip)
•Going to church and worshiping in a language I can understand
•The bathrooms (enough said)
•Taking care of my own house – yes, even cooking and cleaning!
•Driving down the road without feeling bruised from all the bumps
•The food, and how easy it is to get it
•My cell phone... oh yes, and the people I talk to on it! (so I guess really what I miss is talking to my far away friends and family)
•Getting together with friends... no translators necessary
•Wearing shorts!!!
•Being able to invite people over to my house
•Um, did I mention ice cream?
What I don't miss about America:
•Work (ok, maybe I do miss it a little bit...)
•Doing my own laundry
•Rude, unfriendly people
•Being so busy it's hard to fit in the really important stuff, like people
•The news – I haven't seen a headline since I've been here
•Traffic and commuting (a 3 minute walk to the hospital is nice)
•The obsession with stuff and entertainment
What I will miss about Africa:
•The huge smiles on people's faces just from saying hello
•The bright colors people wear
•The little babies tied to their mother's backs
•Being awestruck every time I see the enormous loads women carry on their heads, and feeling small that I couldn't even carry that much in my arms
•Afternoon siestas! Seriously, how can they manage a 2 hr afternoon break in the hospital here and some days at work I can't even manage a 5 minute one?
•The beautiful harmony and rhythms in church
•The fruit! Pineapples, mangos, bananas...
•The sweet, friendly people
•Being with my best friend (Stephen, in case you couldn't figure it out) all day long
What I won't miss about Africa:
•The potholes big enough to lose half your car in (I finally found a place with worse roads than Baltimore city)
•Sweating
•The smell of sweating
•Bugs – little ones, big ones, slimy ones, crawling ones, flying ones...
•Bargaining for everything I buy (Stephen would put this in the “what I'll miss” category, but not me!)
•Never being able to just blend in and be normal
•Feeling filthy rich
•My new best friend, Cipro (only fellow medical people or fellow travelers will understand this one, but I don't think I want to elaborate...)
•Malaria pills
Saturday, May 15, 2010
You know you're in Africa/Togo when...
* There are more military personnel at the TV station than the border (because coups are the greater threat)
* You're excited to have a lizard roaming your walls because the bugs are worse than the reptiles
* A good machete is half the price of a small jar of peanut butter
* Kids love talking with you because you're a stranger
* A good road equals only a couple potholes every ¼ mile
* The woman carry more weight on their head than you could in your arms
* Your attempts at kicking a soccer ball are great entertainment to the local children
* 85 degrees with 85 percent humidity is one of your more comfortable days
* You're happy the electricity was out ½ an hour (instead of ½ a day)
* Your church service has more rhythm and harmony than most of your CDs
* Someone you'd consider anemic in the US is a candidate to donate blood
* Modesty (for women) means not showing any of your thighs, but clothing above the waist is optional
* You know people who never graduated high school, but speak 4 languages.
* Cats are a delicacy (no, I did not eat one)
* You are bored with diagnosing malaria, but your professors back in the states are stoked to make the diagnosis
* You've seen twins delivered by C-section without an MD in the operating room
* A shopkeeper insists he's not ripping you off because his sandals are made with “Italian plastic”
* A nine passenger van carrying 12 people is considered below capacity
* People run alongside a semi-truck going up a hill with cement blocks so they can stop the truck if it starts rolling backwards
* A simple greeting brings out a huge smile
* Your pictures of medical conditions are better than the textbooks
* You can buy Barack Obama boxers in the market (a few booths over from the fish)
* A shopkeeper knocks 20% off his “very-final price” (as opposed to his first “final price”)
* Dancing and drums are normal in a Baptist church
* You've been far more blessed than you have served, and “sacrificing” time and comforts to come is a great misnomer, because your joy is far greater than anything given up
* You're excited to have a lizard roaming your walls because the bugs are worse than the reptiles
* A good machete is half the price of a small jar of peanut butter
* Kids love talking with you because you're a stranger
* A good road equals only a couple potholes every ¼ mile
* The woman carry more weight on their head than you could in your arms
* Your attempts at kicking a soccer ball are great entertainment to the local children
* 85 degrees with 85 percent humidity is one of your more comfortable days
* You're happy the electricity was out ½ an hour (instead of ½ a day)
* Your church service has more rhythm and harmony than most of your CDs
* Someone you'd consider anemic in the US is a candidate to donate blood
* Modesty (for women) means not showing any of your thighs, but clothing above the waist is optional
* You know people who never graduated high school, but speak 4 languages.
* Cats are a delicacy (no, I did not eat one)
* You are bored with diagnosing malaria, but your professors back in the states are stoked to make the diagnosis
* You've seen twins delivered by C-section without an MD in the operating room
* A shopkeeper insists he's not ripping you off because his sandals are made with “Italian plastic”
* A nine passenger van carrying 12 people is considered below capacity
* People run alongside a semi-truck going up a hill with cement blocks so they can stop the truck if it starts rolling backwards
* A simple greeting brings out a huge smile
* Your pictures of medical conditions are better than the textbooks
* You can buy Barack Obama boxers in the market (a few booths over from the fish)
* A shopkeeper knocks 20% off his “very-final price” (as opposed to his first “final price”)
* Dancing and drums are normal in a Baptist church
* You've been far more blessed than you have served, and “sacrificing” time and comforts to come is a great misnomer, because your joy is far greater than anything given up
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Our Mango Adventure
We have returned safe and sound from our trip up north – and with quite a collection of good Africa stories to tell! We are in such a comfy environment down here in Tsiko (though that word is relative I guess – some may not call it that). Our trip up to Mango was our first real “rustic” African experience, and it was kind of fun!
So Mango is... hot and ugly. It is the hottest place in Togo (think 120-130 F). The town is mostly brown mud huts with either corrugated tin or thatched roofs (not sure which is better), with a spattering of concrete buildings in various stages of decay – all with a liberal supply of trash and garbage surrounding them for decoration. The people there come from a number of different tribes such as the Filane, Tsikose, and Housa (yeah, totally guessing on the spelling there). These tribes are considered the lowest and most despised in this area, and most of them are some sort of Muslim, or Muslim/fetish combo. Mango is one of the largest cities in northern Togo, yet it has been completely ignored by the government and even most mission organizations. There is virtually no medical care available there. Though the town is Muslim, they begged ABWE to start a hospital in their town like the one in Tsiko, even knowing that it will be an evangelistic Christian hospital. The need there is tremendous, and the people are beautiful and just as sweet and friendly as they are down south. So a team of church planters has moved up to Mango to prepare the way for the hospital (named Hospital of Hope), and construction is underway on the site which should open in 2014. Stephen and I are really excited about what they are doing there, and are praying about whether it is a place that the Lord would have us come back to.
I know I made Mango sound like it's all awful, but it's not. The town is surrounded by savannah-type plains, and during the rainy season (which I think is from May-November ish) there is actually green grass and a spattering of trees – nothing like the stunning tropical jungle down in Tsiko, but beautiful in its own way. I believe the land is brown the rest of the year. Just outside of Mango there is a river and a dam, which has formed a large lake where hippos now live. So of course we went to see the hippos and happened to get some amazing views and pictures. Those things are enormous! It seemed like they were as big as a bus with their front teeth about the size of my entire body. They were so cool – as long as they were in the water and I was safely on the bank! =-) Oh yes, and on the ride up to Mango the people we were riding with stopped at a small wildlife preserve. It wasn't big enough to have large game like lions and elephants, but we did get to see things like zebras, antelope, crocodiles, wildebeasts, water buffalo... it was beautiful!
Ok, so a few good Africa stories. I grew to dread the bathroom up there... yes, the bathroom. The first night I went marching in there and flipped the light on to find a dead somewhat-smashed lizard (which I know had not been there an hour before) right by my bare foot, which I think I might have just stepped on. And there were about 70 ants (giant ants!!!!) crawling around all over it and the bathroom floor. Our hostess was on the phone with her grandmother in the US, so I determined I'd have to clean it up myself. Gulp. Well, almost by myself. My hero (Stephen) came in to take care of the lizard. I then scrub the lizard blood off the floor and begin to smash ants and chase them around with a broom I found, trying to sweep them down the shower drain (the shower was just a drain and a faucet in the corner of the bathroom anyway). Well, that seemed like a good idea until they started to come up the drain! Oh, did I mention I had shoes on at this point? I don't think I took those things off the rest of my time there. That was just the beginning of that shower experience – by the time it was over I had knocked the faucet off at least twice and completely tore the towel rack off the wall. I really don't know how I managed that. Also, I was told they had no hot water. That was a joke, because really they had no cold water – the water was whatever temperature it felt like being, and that was always hot! I was usually sweating just as much after the shower as before. Anyways... I admit I wasn't sorry to see our little simple, mostly clean, mostly vermin-free bathroom when we got back down here!
We had a few other fun adventures – like piercing a baby's ears and taking stitches out of a man's face. Like I said – no medical care there! The ear piercing would also make a good story, but maybe another post as this one is already too long. The trip back was also kind of an adventure. It went quite smoothly, but taking an enormous bus on crumbling African mountain roads with people who can't speak English can possibly present some challenges. I had two concerns, and therefore two prayers – that I would not have to go to the bathroom on the 8hr trip (squatting by the side of the bus like the African women just wasn't going to cut it for me) and that we would get off at the right stop. I am pleased to announce God graciously answered both! In all, it was a very exciting trip. It was exciting to see and hear and imagine what God is doing and will be doing in Mango. Please pray for this town, that God would use this new hospital to spread His gospel in a place where it has never been before.
P.S. - We will eventually post pictures, probably as a web album, but the internet is too slow here so we will have to do it when we get home!
So Mango is... hot and ugly. It is the hottest place in Togo (think 120-130 F). The town is mostly brown mud huts with either corrugated tin or thatched roofs (not sure which is better), with a spattering of concrete buildings in various stages of decay – all with a liberal supply of trash and garbage surrounding them for decoration. The people there come from a number of different tribes such as the Filane, Tsikose, and Housa (yeah, totally guessing on the spelling there). These tribes are considered the lowest and most despised in this area, and most of them are some sort of Muslim, or Muslim/fetish combo. Mango is one of the largest cities in northern Togo, yet it has been completely ignored by the government and even most mission organizations. There is virtually no medical care available there. Though the town is Muslim, they begged ABWE to start a hospital in their town like the one in Tsiko, even knowing that it will be an evangelistic Christian hospital. The need there is tremendous, and the people are beautiful and just as sweet and friendly as they are down south. So a team of church planters has moved up to Mango to prepare the way for the hospital (named Hospital of Hope), and construction is underway on the site which should open in 2014. Stephen and I are really excited about what they are doing there, and are praying about whether it is a place that the Lord would have us come back to.
I know I made Mango sound like it's all awful, but it's not. The town is surrounded by savannah-type plains, and during the rainy season (which I think is from May-November ish) there is actually green grass and a spattering of trees – nothing like the stunning tropical jungle down in Tsiko, but beautiful in its own way. I believe the land is brown the rest of the year. Just outside of Mango there is a river and a dam, which has formed a large lake where hippos now live. So of course we went to see the hippos and happened to get some amazing views and pictures. Those things are enormous! It seemed like they were as big as a bus with their front teeth about the size of my entire body. They were so cool – as long as they were in the water and I was safely on the bank! =-) Oh yes, and on the ride up to Mango the people we were riding with stopped at a small wildlife preserve. It wasn't big enough to have large game like lions and elephants, but we did get to see things like zebras, antelope, crocodiles, wildebeasts, water buffalo... it was beautiful!
Ok, so a few good Africa stories. I grew to dread the bathroom up there... yes, the bathroom. The first night I went marching in there and flipped the light on to find a dead somewhat-smashed lizard (which I know had not been there an hour before) right by my bare foot, which I think I might have just stepped on. And there were about 70 ants (giant ants!!!!) crawling around all over it and the bathroom floor. Our hostess was on the phone with her grandmother in the US, so I determined I'd have to clean it up myself. Gulp. Well, almost by myself. My hero (Stephen) came in to take care of the lizard. I then scrub the lizard blood off the floor and begin to smash ants and chase them around with a broom I found, trying to sweep them down the shower drain (the shower was just a drain and a faucet in the corner of the bathroom anyway). Well, that seemed like a good idea until they started to come up the drain! Oh, did I mention I had shoes on at this point? I don't think I took those things off the rest of my time there. That was just the beginning of that shower experience – by the time it was over I had knocked the faucet off at least twice and completely tore the towel rack off the wall. I really don't know how I managed that. Also, I was told they had no hot water. That was a joke, because really they had no cold water – the water was whatever temperature it felt like being, and that was always hot! I was usually sweating just as much after the shower as before. Anyways... I admit I wasn't sorry to see our little simple, mostly clean, mostly vermin-free bathroom when we got back down here!
We had a few other fun adventures – like piercing a baby's ears and taking stitches out of a man's face. Like I said – no medical care there! The ear piercing would also make a good story, but maybe another post as this one is already too long. The trip back was also kind of an adventure. It went quite smoothly, but taking an enormous bus on crumbling African mountain roads with people who can't speak English can possibly present some challenges. I had two concerns, and therefore two prayers – that I would not have to go to the bathroom on the 8hr trip (squatting by the side of the bus like the African women just wasn't going to cut it for me) and that we would get off at the right stop. I am pleased to announce God graciously answered both! In all, it was a very exciting trip. It was exciting to see and hear and imagine what God is doing and will be doing in Mango. Please pray for this town, that God would use this new hospital to spread His gospel in a place where it has never been before.
P.S. - We will eventually post pictures, probably as a web album, but the internet is too slow here so we will have to do it when we get home!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Balancing the glorious and the mundane
I guess the mood to write hasn’t struck me very often this past week or two, because Stephen has done all the updating! Let’s see… I’ve been doing a lot of odds and ends the last few weeks. If anything, it’s taught me that life “here” is just like life “there”. I’m not sure if I can describe what I mean by that… I guess that all the mundane daily tasks of life still happen here. Much of the missionaries daily lives are taken up with ordinary things like paperwork, housework, maintenance, etc. Not everything is fun and glorious with inspiring results. The last few weeks Stephen has been busy with more of the fun and glorious stuff (though he might disagree with that) and I’ve been busy helping people with more of the mundane and ordinary stuff. It has made me think about what is more pleasing to the Lord. There is a surgeon who lives here 6 months of the year, and he just left to go back home. Before he left he was talking about how doing surgery always seems to be the more dramatic and glorious thing, but how he believes the nurse’s aid who shows kindness to a patient is just as much, if not more, valuable in the Lord’s eyes. Perhaps we sometimes have it backwards. Perhaps the Lord does not care so much about the result of what we do but the attitude and the motive with which we do it.
While Stephen has been in the hospital or clinic all day, I’ve been able to get a more well-rounded view of what life here is like – and I like it! I’ve been in lots of villages and markets, even a few of the people’s homes. We are different, but we are also so much the same in the truly important things. But I also really like being in the hospital, especially when Stephen and I can work together. Yesterday I got to follow a Togolese nurse (Mawuli) around so that he could show me the ropes in the hospital from a nursing perspective. Fortunately he spoke English – but it is still rather intimidating when I don’t know what I’m doing and he was under the impression that I did! For instance, how in the world do you run an IV without a pump? And how in the world do you mix medications? And how do you know when a baby ate last if it isn’t charted? And how in the world did I get stuck with giving shots and suppositories, two of my least favorite tasks of all time? ;-) Again, it’s so different… and yet so much the same. But you know, nursing is simpler here and I like that.
This weekend Stephen and I are traveling to a city up north called Mango. It is in a Muslim area, and ABWE is building a new hospital there (the town actually begged them to) which should be done in 2014. We are very excited about this project and what they are doing – we’ll try to write more about it when we come back. Pray for us – it’s an 8 hr drive on bad roads. Some people we know are driving us up, but we’ll be coming back by bus on Tuesday (sounds kind of adventurous to me!) We’ll try to post soon after we return, but I don’t think we’ll have access to internet until then.
While Stephen has been in the hospital or clinic all day, I’ve been able to get a more well-rounded view of what life here is like – and I like it! I’ve been in lots of villages and markets, even a few of the people’s homes. We are different, but we are also so much the same in the truly important things. But I also really like being in the hospital, especially when Stephen and I can work together. Yesterday I got to follow a Togolese nurse (Mawuli) around so that he could show me the ropes in the hospital from a nursing perspective. Fortunately he spoke English – but it is still rather intimidating when I don’t know what I’m doing and he was under the impression that I did! For instance, how in the world do you run an IV without a pump? And how in the world do you mix medications? And how do you know when a baby ate last if it isn’t charted? And how in the world did I get stuck with giving shots and suppositories, two of my least favorite tasks of all time? ;-) Again, it’s so different… and yet so much the same. But you know, nursing is simpler here and I like that.
This weekend Stephen and I are traveling to a city up north called Mango. It is in a Muslim area, and ABWE is building a new hospital there (the town actually begged them to) which should be done in 2014. We are very excited about this project and what they are doing – we’ll try to write more about it when we come back. Pray for us – it’s an 8 hr drive on bad roads. Some people we know are driving us up, but we’ll be coming back by bus on Tuesday (sounds kind of adventurous to me!) We’ll try to post soon after we return, but I don’t think we’ll have access to internet until then.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
3 Continents Down…3 to Go
As many of you already know, delivering babies is my favorite part of medicine. It is amazing how God has created human life and brings it into the world, and I continued to be in awe of this process. On Monday, while on call, I got to deliver my first baby in Africa…it never gets old and I always find it such a joy to take part in this process. Now, I can say that I’ve delivered babies on 3 of the inhabitable continents (also Asia and N. America). We’ll see if I can ever add to that in the future.
Lisa and I are continuing to enjoy our time. I’m continuing to serve in the hospital, and she has been helping out the last two days watching kids as the missionaries have team meetings. Can’t believe we are half way through our trip. Thank you for all of you prayers. You are in our thoughts too.
Lisa and I are continuing to enjoy our time. I’m continuing to serve in the hospital, and she has been helping out the last two days watching kids as the missionaries have team meetings. Can’t believe we are half way through our trip. Thank you for all of you prayers. You are in our thoughts too.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A Snake Bite
This hospital never has a dull moment, and I love bouncing around from C-sections to traumas to pediatric malaria and seeing such a wide variety of cases. Last Tuesday, a small, elderly man came in during morning rounds. He had been farming out in the fields, when he felt a pain in his left foot and looked to see a snake had just bitten him. His sons quickly brought him into the hospital...as well as the dead snake in a plastic bag. (A note on this from our hospital's treatment manual: “First try to determine the type of snake responsible for the bite... If the snake has been killed, ask to have it brought in to determine the type [which allows us to know if our anti-venom {rare and expensive} will work], but in general, it is not wise to try and kill the snake, since more people are then at risk for bites.” Hope none of you ever have to use this trivia).
We identified the perpetrator as a saw-scaled viper (I would post pictures if internet was faster...it was 3 feet long, and fortunately it was fully dead, because my pictures are from a few feet away). Its venom causes victims to bleed to death, and when the man arrived he already had some bleeding from his mouth and nose. Fortunately, the hospital's anti-venom covers this snake, though even when treated there is still the risk of bleeding to death and the patient must be watched for several days.
Later that afternoon, things finally slowed down. Our patient was getting his 4th vial of anti-venom because he was still bleeding. With the outcome of his bite still unclear, I realized that this man needed to hear the gospel that day. Even if his outcome was poor, he could still have eternal life if he accepted Jesus. Of course, most of you could probably guess speaking Kabie is not my strength nor is tongues my spiritual gift. Fortunately, after asking around, I found a nurse who spoke this man's language. Using him as interpreter, I began to ask this man about his spiritual beliefs. He had never heard much about Jesus but was interested in learning more. So I shared how the true Creator of this world was God, that God had made man, but man had rejected God by disobeying God. As I began to explain how God justly punishes men and women for sinning against him, my interpreter began to go ahead himself and share how God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross and that if we trust in Jesus alone (not our own good deeds) we can receive salvation. After hearing this, the man said that he wanted to receive Jesus as his Savior. So we prayed with him, there at his hospital bed, and this man put his faith in Christ.
By God's grace, the man stopped bleeding and was discharged from the hospital yesterday. I had several opportunities to talk with him during his stay, and he continued to affirm his new faith in Christ. What a great opportunity to be a part of God's changing this man's heart and making him one of His children (and I am humbled that God uses us to play a role in salvation). One day, he will still face death, but a life in heaven with Jesus now awaits because of his new faith. I was struck by the ability of our sovereign God to take evil events and through His grace turn them to good. Through an unfortunate snake bite, God brought this man to our hospital so the man could hear of Jesus' love. Thousands of years ago, sin (along with sickness and death) came into the world by a serpent who deceived Adam and Eve; now God, in His sense of humor, used another serpent to start a series of events that brought this man to know His Savior.
So pray for this man and his new salvation; and praise our God who is lovingly at work to bring men and women to Himself!
We identified the perpetrator as a saw-scaled viper (I would post pictures if internet was faster...it was 3 feet long, and fortunately it was fully dead, because my pictures are from a few feet away). Its venom causes victims to bleed to death, and when the man arrived he already had some bleeding from his mouth and nose. Fortunately, the hospital's anti-venom covers this snake, though even when treated there is still the risk of bleeding to death and the patient must be watched for several days.
Later that afternoon, things finally slowed down. Our patient was getting his 4th vial of anti-venom because he was still bleeding. With the outcome of his bite still unclear, I realized that this man needed to hear the gospel that day. Even if his outcome was poor, he could still have eternal life if he accepted Jesus. Of course, most of you could probably guess speaking Kabie is not my strength nor is tongues my spiritual gift. Fortunately, after asking around, I found a nurse who spoke this man's language. Using him as interpreter, I began to ask this man about his spiritual beliefs. He had never heard much about Jesus but was interested in learning more. So I shared how the true Creator of this world was God, that God had made man, but man had rejected God by disobeying God. As I began to explain how God justly punishes men and women for sinning against him, my interpreter began to go ahead himself and share how God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross and that if we trust in Jesus alone (not our own good deeds) we can receive salvation. After hearing this, the man said that he wanted to receive Jesus as his Savior. So we prayed with him, there at his hospital bed, and this man put his faith in Christ.
By God's grace, the man stopped bleeding and was discharged from the hospital yesterday. I had several opportunities to talk with him during his stay, and he continued to affirm his new faith in Christ. What a great opportunity to be a part of God's changing this man's heart and making him one of His children (and I am humbled that God uses us to play a role in salvation). One day, he will still face death, but a life in heaven with Jesus now awaits because of his new faith. I was struck by the ability of our sovereign God to take evil events and through His grace turn them to good. Through an unfortunate snake bite, God brought this man to our hospital so the man could hear of Jesus' love. Thousands of years ago, sin (along with sickness and death) came into the world by a serpent who deceived Adam and Eve; now God, in His sense of humor, used another serpent to start a series of events that brought this man to know His Savior.
So pray for this man and his new salvation; and praise our God who is lovingly at work to bring men and women to Himself!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Children everywhere... and 225 kool-aid cups
It turns out Sunday afternoons have been a good time for reflection... they are nice and quiet, and usually the hardest decision is whether to take a nap or go to the pool! (yes, they have a pool here... it was donated by a US pool company, and in heat like this it is wonderful)
This past week has been eventful. For one thing, the hospital has had so many deaths – and too many of them children. There's been a lot of malaria (especially cerebral malaria), a lot of stillbirths, and a lot of trauma. On a normal month they average 12-13 deaths here, but we have topped that just in the past week. I won't forget standing with one young mother, trying to comfort her in some way as her 1 yr old baby lay dying from malaria. I knew the baby would die before the mother had figured it out (based on the babies blown pupils, low pulse ox and heart rate, and the futility of bagging a baby like that indefinitely). At first I was amazed at her composure, but when she realized the baby was really dying she fell apart. I helped hold the mother until the chaplain came and walked her away. Death may be common place here, but they love their children just as much in Togo as anywhere. In fact, in some ways perhaps more – the commitment and care families show to their loved ones is something I often only wish for at my hospital back home.
Yesterday there were 5 births – all of them by c-section. Stephen and I were present for 2 of them. In the first one we received the baby, and together got to suction her, dry her, cut her cord, do her exam, etc. I'm no labor and delivery nurse but that has become one of my favorite things to do here! The second delivery was twins. Dr. Ebersole (the pediatrician) told me “you take baby A, and I'll take baby B – baby B is always in worse shape”. Famous last words. Well, it turned out Dr. Ebersole couldn't be there so while Stephen did the delivery with Todd, the surgical physician's assistant here, Jeff (the other medical student) took baby B while I took baby A. Of course it was baby A who decided to be blue while baby B was perfectly fine! Jeff helped me out with her, and though it took her awhile eventually she did figure out how to breath and the mama had two healthy little girls. Nothing makes you appreciate God's handiwork more than seeing it so closely in newborn life!
Every Wednesday the Ebbersole family has a kid's Bible club in their home. So I think to myself “Ah, that's familiar ground. I've done lots of those!” Right? Ha! This club started with one little boy from Adeta (one of the larger villages a couple of miles away) who was brought to the Lord by this family. They started having him over weekly to disciple him. Of course he invited his cousins, who invited their friends... long story short, there were 225 children who came to the club this week! This family single handedly buses most of these children over to their house from Adeta every week, where they invite them inside (though now they are of course spilling out the doors), single Bible songs, play games and have kool-aid and cookies, and of course are taught the Bible. The classes are divided into little kids, big kids, and those who have accepted Christ and are now being discipled. While of course some of these kids just come in order to get inside a “yovo” house and get a “yovo” snack, so many young lives have really and truly been changed by meeting Jesus Christ at this club. Most of the afternoon I spent just in awe at the sheer volume of children, and as I poured kool-aid into 225 cups and in the process flooded Mrs. Ebersole's kitchen with red and purple punch, I could not help but think of the kids clubs I had done at home and feel humbled. What a difference in response!!! And I confess that a good part of me was wondering if it was really necessary to serve every child kool-aid, but I realized later they did it because they were determined to make a gesture of hospitality and generosity that would be meaningful to these kids. I was also humbled by Mrs. Ebbersole opening her home and life like this. It would be so difficult for me to open my life to that kind of chaos, and here she was willing to do it week after week because she loves Jesus and loves children.
Along those same lines, one of the best things about being here has been getting to pick the brains of the missionaries. All the families here are so different, yet what a pool of wisdom that we get to glean from for a little while! I was able to spend Tuesday driving to Lome with Jennifer, Beth (fellow short termer, nurse, and doctor's wife) and 2 of Jennifer's kids. Jennifer's husband is a surgical physician's assistant, and they are about to move up north to where ABWE is building a new hospital in a Muslim area. I learned so much from her- about being a wife and mom here, about reaching out to women, about learning a language and supporting your husband's ministry. And yesterday the Ebersoles took us and Jeff to the market in Kpalime, and then out to dinner. I respect this family so much for their continual sacrificial giving! Perhaps more than anyone else, their home is continually open – it seems there are always Togolese going in and out of their home. In so many ways this place is a model for us- a model of evangelism, a model of compassionate ministry, of giving. We want to emulate this – whether back at home or wherever in the world we end up – perhaps even here!
This past week has been eventful. For one thing, the hospital has had so many deaths – and too many of them children. There's been a lot of malaria (especially cerebral malaria), a lot of stillbirths, and a lot of trauma. On a normal month they average 12-13 deaths here, but we have topped that just in the past week. I won't forget standing with one young mother, trying to comfort her in some way as her 1 yr old baby lay dying from malaria. I knew the baby would die before the mother had figured it out (based on the babies blown pupils, low pulse ox and heart rate, and the futility of bagging a baby like that indefinitely). At first I was amazed at her composure, but when she realized the baby was really dying she fell apart. I helped hold the mother until the chaplain came and walked her away. Death may be common place here, but they love their children just as much in Togo as anywhere. In fact, in some ways perhaps more – the commitment and care families show to their loved ones is something I often only wish for at my hospital back home.
Yesterday there were 5 births – all of them by c-section. Stephen and I were present for 2 of them. In the first one we received the baby, and together got to suction her, dry her, cut her cord, do her exam, etc. I'm no labor and delivery nurse but that has become one of my favorite things to do here! The second delivery was twins. Dr. Ebersole (the pediatrician) told me “you take baby A, and I'll take baby B – baby B is always in worse shape”. Famous last words. Well, it turned out Dr. Ebersole couldn't be there so while Stephen did the delivery with Todd, the surgical physician's assistant here, Jeff (the other medical student) took baby B while I took baby A. Of course it was baby A who decided to be blue while baby B was perfectly fine! Jeff helped me out with her, and though it took her awhile eventually she did figure out how to breath and the mama had two healthy little girls. Nothing makes you appreciate God's handiwork more than seeing it so closely in newborn life!
Every Wednesday the Ebbersole family has a kid's Bible club in their home. So I think to myself “Ah, that's familiar ground. I've done lots of those!” Right? Ha! This club started with one little boy from Adeta (one of the larger villages a couple of miles away) who was brought to the Lord by this family. They started having him over weekly to disciple him. Of course he invited his cousins, who invited their friends... long story short, there were 225 children who came to the club this week! This family single handedly buses most of these children over to their house from Adeta every week, where they invite them inside (though now they are of course spilling out the doors), single Bible songs, play games and have kool-aid and cookies, and of course are taught the Bible. The classes are divided into little kids, big kids, and those who have accepted Christ and are now being discipled. While of course some of these kids just come in order to get inside a “yovo” house and get a “yovo” snack, so many young lives have really and truly been changed by meeting Jesus Christ at this club. Most of the afternoon I spent just in awe at the sheer volume of children, and as I poured kool-aid into 225 cups and in the process flooded Mrs. Ebersole's kitchen with red and purple punch, I could not help but think of the kids clubs I had done at home and feel humbled. What a difference in response!!! And I confess that a good part of me was wondering if it was really necessary to serve every child kool-aid, but I realized later they did it because they were determined to make a gesture of hospitality and generosity that would be meaningful to these kids. I was also humbled by Mrs. Ebbersole opening her home and life like this. It would be so difficult for me to open my life to that kind of chaos, and here she was willing to do it week after week because she loves Jesus and loves children.
Along those same lines, one of the best things about being here has been getting to pick the brains of the missionaries. All the families here are so different, yet what a pool of wisdom that we get to glean from for a little while! I was able to spend Tuesday driving to Lome with Jennifer, Beth (fellow short termer, nurse, and doctor's wife) and 2 of Jennifer's kids. Jennifer's husband is a surgical physician's assistant, and they are about to move up north to where ABWE is building a new hospital in a Muslim area. I learned so much from her- about being a wife and mom here, about reaching out to women, about learning a language and supporting your husband's ministry. And yesterday the Ebersoles took us and Jeff to the market in Kpalime, and then out to dinner. I respect this family so much for their continual sacrificial giving! Perhaps more than anyone else, their home is continually open – it seems there are always Togolese going in and out of their home. In so many ways this place is a model for us- a model of evangelism, a model of compassionate ministry, of giving. We want to emulate this – whether back at home or wherever in the world we end up – perhaps even here!
Friday, April 23, 2010
New Friends (Pt 3)
One exciting experience has been working with the national believers in clinic. One of the physician’s assistant is also a pastor at a local church. Pastor Gaglo has been at the hospital since its conception. He started working as a mason when the hospital was built. He later became a believer and started helping out with the clinic. Because of his hard work, he later became a translator. Then, in 1996-2000, he was trained as a physician assistant at the hospital. One of the missionaries said that he is one of the best PAs at the hospital and also a very godly man. “I’ve learned a lot from him – some medical and much spiritual” this missionary related. Several years ago, he began serving as a pastor and hopes to gradually work less as a PA so he can focus more on his church ministry.
Another hospital worker is the translator Aquele. Not only does she help translate for me in clinic, but she has a passion for evangelism. Many times, I have asked her to see if a patient is a believer, and she is quickly sharing the gospel with them. One patient we saw has bad liver disease, and likely will not live very long. However, after hearing Aquele’s witness, he asked if he could pray to receive Christ. How exciting to know that even though this young man’s physical outlook is grim, he has received eternal life. What a blessing to be there for that prayer and know that while I cannot speak the language, I can be a part of God’s plan to reach the people of Togo. It reminds me of I Cor 12…that we are all part of the body and each has its own unique part in extending the kingdom of God.
Finally, we have had the pleasure of meeting many short term missionaries like ourselves serving at the hospital. One couple, Josh and Beth are here for a rotation as part of Josh's surgical residency. Beth is a pediatric nurse like Lisa. They both desire to serve in missions. At the missionary church service, the just shared how during this trip they have felt God's calling to serve at a new hospital being started in northern Togo at the city of Mango. Their passion for missions is infectious, and it is exciting to see God's leading in their lives. Another medical student, Jeff, is also doing a rotation like I am. His passion for missions can also be seen, whether through his recounting growing up in Paraguay as a missionary kid or talking of his desire to pursue medical missions in the future.
In all of the relationships, we have been challenged be the desire we see in others to honor God through their lives. We have been encouraged by their friendship and hope that we can be a blessing to them. I hope hearing these snapshots of the friends we are making can also challenge you who are keeping up with our blog as they have us. Living for Christ requires sacrifice, but the joy given in return far outweighs anything given up. We are seeing others daily learn to live this out, and I pray that we all grow in our service for Him.
Another hospital worker is the translator Aquele. Not only does she help translate for me in clinic, but she has a passion for evangelism. Many times, I have asked her to see if a patient is a believer, and she is quickly sharing the gospel with them. One patient we saw has bad liver disease, and likely will not live very long. However, after hearing Aquele’s witness, he asked if he could pray to receive Christ. How exciting to know that even though this young man’s physical outlook is grim, he has received eternal life. What a blessing to be there for that prayer and know that while I cannot speak the language, I can be a part of God’s plan to reach the people of Togo. It reminds me of I Cor 12…that we are all part of the body and each has its own unique part in extending the kingdom of God.
Finally, we have had the pleasure of meeting many short term missionaries like ourselves serving at the hospital. One couple, Josh and Beth are here for a rotation as part of Josh's surgical residency. Beth is a pediatric nurse like Lisa. They both desire to serve in missions. At the missionary church service, the just shared how during this trip they have felt God's calling to serve at a new hospital being started in northern Togo at the city of Mango. Their passion for missions is infectious, and it is exciting to see God's leading in their lives. Another medical student, Jeff, is also doing a rotation like I am. His passion for missions can also be seen, whether through his recounting growing up in Paraguay as a missionary kid or talking of his desire to pursue medical missions in the future.
In all of the relationships, we have been challenged be the desire we see in others to honor God through their lives. We have been encouraged by their friendship and hope that we can be a blessing to them. I hope hearing these snapshots of the friends we are making can also challenge you who are keeping up with our blog as they have us. Living for Christ requires sacrifice, but the joy given in return far outweighs anything given up. We are seeing others daily learn to live this out, and I pray that we all grow in our service for Him.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
New Friends (Pt 2)
(cont from yesterday)
Pastor Jeremie is a Toglese believer who helped plant the church the Gayles serve at. We first met him when taking his family (he has a wife and two children, including a cute 5 year-old boy named Jean) to the Tsavie church. Only on our ride back did we learn that he spoke English...he had been hiding it the whole ride up. Talking with him, I have grown to appreciate his passion for evangelism. Not only does he serve at the Tsavie church, but works as a chaplain in the hospital and will go preach at the hospital's Mobile Medical Clinics. It is so encouraging to see that, in a place where the gospel was hardly present half a century ago, God growing up mature leaders within His church who are spreading His work among the people here.
Another missionary we have gotten to know is Jesse, an 79 year-old lady who works providing teacher training for Togolese Christian school teachers. Not only does she always seem to have a smile on her face, but her story of coming to Togo could challenge us all. At the age of 74, she felt God call her to Togo for a year to help serve at the school. She told us over dinner last night how when she made the decision, a great peace swept over her. “I only asked Him that if I were to go, He would keep me from encountering any snakes,” she told me. “So far he's answered that.” During Jesse's first 10 months here, she enjoyed it so much that she decided to keep coming each year for 9-10 months to help at the school. Most people in their 70's think it's time to retire. Jesse decided that it was time to serve God by serving in missions. What a challenge this can be to us, that each moment of our lives is a gift that we can give to the Lord's service. We are always useful if we give ourselves humbly to Him.
On Saturday, Lisa and I hiked to a nearby waterfall and swimming hole with a group from the hospital. Hiking through the midst of the forest/jungle as we continued to come upon different houses and farms of the local village made the trip memorable, as did the incredible view of the valley and mountains as we hiked up to the falls. Along the way, I got to talk with Mawuli, a Togolese believer who is a close friends with some of the older missionary kids. He told me of the impact of the gospel upon his family, and how he became a believer as a teenager in the Awana program that his mom ran. Now, he hopes that he can be a missionary within Togo either as a pilot or mechanic, because he desires to share Christ's love with those in his country.
Pastor Jeremie is a Toglese believer who helped plant the church the Gayles serve at. We first met him when taking his family (he has a wife and two children, including a cute 5 year-old boy named Jean) to the Tsavie church. Only on our ride back did we learn that he spoke English...he had been hiding it the whole ride up. Talking with him, I have grown to appreciate his passion for evangelism. Not only does he serve at the Tsavie church, but works as a chaplain in the hospital and will go preach at the hospital's Mobile Medical Clinics. It is so encouraging to see that, in a place where the gospel was hardly present half a century ago, God growing up mature leaders within His church who are spreading His work among the people here.
Another missionary we have gotten to know is Jesse, an 79 year-old lady who works providing teacher training for Togolese Christian school teachers. Not only does she always seem to have a smile on her face, but her story of coming to Togo could challenge us all. At the age of 74, she felt God call her to Togo for a year to help serve at the school. She told us over dinner last night how when she made the decision, a great peace swept over her. “I only asked Him that if I were to go, He would keep me from encountering any snakes,” she told me. “So far he's answered that.” During Jesse's first 10 months here, she enjoyed it so much that she decided to keep coming each year for 9-10 months to help at the school. Most people in their 70's think it's time to retire. Jesse decided that it was time to serve God by serving in missions. What a challenge this can be to us, that each moment of our lives is a gift that we can give to the Lord's service. We are always useful if we give ourselves humbly to Him.
On Saturday, Lisa and I hiked to a nearby waterfall and swimming hole with a group from the hospital. Hiking through the midst of the forest/jungle as we continued to come upon different houses and farms of the local village made the trip memorable, as did the incredible view of the valley and mountains as we hiked up to the falls. Along the way, I got to talk with Mawuli, a Togolese believer who is a close friends with some of the older missionary kids. He told me of the impact of the gospel upon his family, and how he became a believer as a teenager in the Awana program that his mom ran. Now, he hopes that he can be a missionary within Togo either as a pilot or mechanic, because he desires to share Christ's love with those in his country.
Monday, April 19, 2010
New Friends (Pt 1)
A week has gone by in Togo, and already God is bringing new friends into our lives to encourage and challenge us. What a blessing Christian fellowship is, and how great to see on a daily basis that the bond we have in Christ extends beyond continent and culture. Many of these new friends are missionaries here. We have also made friends with several of the Togolese believers, though the language barrier often limits us to befriending those who speak English. If we could have one thing different , both Lisa and I wish we could speak French or Ewe so we could develop relationships with the dear brothers and sisters here as well as reach out to the many who do not know Christ. Still, this is where God has us these 6 weeks, and we are thankful for the friends we can make. And we are convinced that investment in language training in the future is a vital skill as God leads us towards full time missions.
While time does not permit us to share about all our new relationships, I wanted to highlight a few of the people we have befriended to give you a picture of our life and hopefully challenge you.
The first week, Lisa and I stayed with Michael and Cheryl Gayle (we just moved into the guest house yesterday). Michael is a Family Medicine doctor, and one of the main people who influenced me into pursuing Family Medicine. He and his wife Cheryl sold their practice in West Virginia about 8 years ago to begin a second career, this time serving God in Togo. While Michael works mainly in the hospital and clinic (though he wishes he had more time for evangelistic mobile medical clinics), Cheryl overseas logistics for the short term people staying in the guest house and helps with translation work in the Christian Resource Center. They both serve at a church in Tsavie (pronounced “Cha-vee-ay”) about 30 minutes from the hospital, where they have been involved in since its conception. Whether sharing meals or just chatting, we were encouraged by their heart for God's glory and the Togolese people and thankful to learn from their wisdom. Our time together is showing us that missionaries aren't supersaints nor are they perfect (Michael is a Yankees fan), but are normal people who love the Lord and sacrifice other pursuits to build Christ's kingdom.
Pastor Jeremie is a Toglese believer who helped plant the church the Gayles serve at. We first met him when taking his family (he has a wife and two children, including a cute 5 year-old boy named Jean) to the Tsavie church. Only on our ride back did we learn that he spoke English...he had been hiding it the whole ride up. Talking with him, I have grown to appreciate his passion for evangelism. Not only does he serve at the Tsavie church, but works as a chaplain in the hospital and will go preach at the hospital's Mobile Medical Clinics. It is so encouraging to see that, in a place where the gospel was hardly present half a century ago, God growing up mature leaders within His church who are spreading His work among the people here.
(Check back in the next day or two for the second part of this post.)
While time does not permit us to share about all our new relationships, I wanted to highlight a few of the people we have befriended to give you a picture of our life and hopefully challenge you.
The first week, Lisa and I stayed with Michael and Cheryl Gayle (we just moved into the guest house yesterday). Michael is a Family Medicine doctor, and one of the main people who influenced me into pursuing Family Medicine. He and his wife Cheryl sold their practice in West Virginia about 8 years ago to begin a second career, this time serving God in Togo. While Michael works mainly in the hospital and clinic (though he wishes he had more time for evangelistic mobile medical clinics), Cheryl overseas logistics for the short term people staying in the guest house and helps with translation work in the Christian Resource Center. They both serve at a church in Tsavie (pronounced “Cha-vee-ay”) about 30 minutes from the hospital, where they have been involved in since its conception. Whether sharing meals or just chatting, we were encouraged by their heart for God's glory and the Togolese people and thankful to learn from their wisdom. Our time together is showing us that missionaries aren't supersaints nor are they perfect (Michael is a Yankees fan), but are normal people who love the Lord and sacrifice other pursuits to build Christ's kingdom.
Pastor Jeremie is a Toglese believer who helped plant the church the Gayles serve at. We first met him when taking his family (he has a wife and two children, including a cute 5 year-old boy named Jean) to the Tsavie church. Only on our ride back did we learn that he spoke English...he had been hiding it the whole ride up. Talking with him, I have grown to appreciate his passion for evangelism. Not only does he serve at the Tsavie church, but works as a chaplain in the hospital and will go preach at the hospital's Mobile Medical Clinics. It is so encouraging to see that, in a place where the gospel was hardly present half a century ago, God growing up mature leaders within His church who are spreading His work among the people here.
(Check back in the next day or two for the second part of this post.)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Life is worth the living just because He lives
I’ve been meaning to update this blog every day this week, and I think I could write a long post on each day and still not be able to really fill you in on all we are doing and seeing. But… I’ll try to fill in the highlights!
On Sunday we worshiped at a little church in a village about 20 minutes away. The whole service was in French and Ewe (pronounced Eh-vay), so we understood… um… about 2 words. Cheryl Gayle was kind enough to translate a little for us now and then, so we at least knew a bit of what they were talking about. But it is still beautiful to hear the Word of God preached in other languages, and to look down at our own English Bible and know it is the same thing! I’ve found one of the most touching things is to hear them sing. Some of the songs are familiar ones to us, because they are English songs translated into French or Ewe. I love that, because our hearts can sing along =-) But I also love hearing their own songs in their own tribal languages. It almost brings tears to my eyes, as I can easily imagine I am hearing a little bit of heaven where people from every tribe and every tongue sing praises to our common Savior. Of course, maybe then we will understand Ewe?
We started in the hospital (Hopital Baptiste Biblique, or HBB) on Monday morning. The hospital has about 35 beds, and though advanced for Togo it operates like medicine in the US about 30+ years ago. Some of the patients have conditions that are quite familiar to us, but much of what we’ve seen is either completely different (for instance, I’ve never seen malaria or TB before). Most often the patients are much sicker than you’d ever see at home, because they come in much later. HBB is a tertiary care hospital, meaning a lot of people have already brought their loved ones to a government clinic or fetish priest before they come here as a last resort. I could write pages and pages on what we’ve seen, as the needs are tremendous and the patients (for me, especially the children!) are heart wrenching, but I don’t know where to start or where I would end with that. But this is what I come back to: every human being born on this planet will suffer and die, at one time or another. The whole reason this hospital exists in this place is so that we can use medicine as a means to share the love and compassion of Christ, and that by doing so the people may have a chance to know their Savior and understand the gospel before they (one day) die. Please pray for the medical staff here, that Christ’s love will be made obvious through their actions. Pray for the chaplains and missionaries (the ones who are here all the time and can speak the language), that they will be able to use the medicine as a platform to share the gospel and impact the community. Pray for the church planters (both national and American), that churches will be planted and grown from those who come to know Christ. And above all, pray for the hearts of these people. They are so open and friendly, but so gripped by darkness.
Most days Stephen has spent in the hospital, while I’ve been able to come and go. I am mostly observing and occasionally participating (this is because they have trained Togolese to do the bedside nursing here, and therefore those roles are filled). Because of that I’ve had the opportunity to do other things such as going to the market, visiting people, playing with the kids, etc – which has been great! Yesterday we went to the Village of Light, a school for blind children they’ve started in nearby Kpalime.
One more thing before I need to go… a few nights ago after dinner we began to hear the sound of drums and faint chanting, coming from the village just outside the hospital wall. For a few second I was enjoying the sound, until I was told that was the beginning of some kind of fetish ceremony (fetish means spirit worship – think witch doctors, animism, etc.). That made me sad, and also brought home the reality of the darkness and fear most of the people here still live in. Last night we were at an African “barbeque”, put on by one of the missionary couples for all of us short termers that are here right now (which, by the way – Stephen and I both ate snake last night!). At the end of the night a couple of the Africans that were there picked up a guitar and then a couple small drums and began singing. Beautiful sound, singing praise songs to our God. Some of the songs we could sing along with in English – like “Amazing Grace” or “I’m Forever Grateful”, sung simultaneously by us yovos in English and the Africans in Ewe. But my favorite was “Because He Lives… because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know, He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives”. What a contrast between darkness and light, between fear and hope! That is the key to why it is worth it for us to be here.
P.s... Stephen is going to try to post sometime this weekend, so you can read his thoughts too!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
We are officially "yovos"!
It is hard to believe that I am sitting here in a little hospital compound in the middle of a tropical forest in Africa, but I am. We arrived in Kpele Tsiko, Togo this afternoon… and I have to say, we have absolutely no horror stories from our 2 days of traveling. We made all our flights by a long shot (including our bags!) and everything worked the way it was supposed to. A few interesting things from our travels so far…
1.) At our gate at BWI they kept paging a “Mr. Harry Merican”. If you don’t find that funny, you are no good at Mad Gab… we have been cracking up about it ever since. Of course, we are nerds and therefore easily amused ;-)
2.) When we were waiting at Heathrow, Stephen took out his Bible to read. A couple of Indian men came over and asked if he was a pastor. It turns out they were pastors themselves, one from PA and one from India. The one from India spoke very little English, but from what we could gather he had suffered greatly for Christ. He kept asking me to pray for him and his ministry, and gave me his business card. If you think of it, pray for Bishop Majji – I don’t know many details, but God does. And besides, I promised I would tell my friends to pray for him too!
3.) Stephen was able to share the gospel with a man on our flight from London to Ghana (the man had nowhere to run!). He was from Ghana – very friendly, and loved to talk. But he had very firm opinions that the Bible was in no way literal and therefore “religion” was of no real use – unless of course you happened to like it, then it was ok for you. You can pray for him too – his name is Barry. And we seem to be good at collecting business cards… he wanted to give us one too!
So after absolutely no hardship, a few fun adventures, and a lot of bored sleepless hours (well, for me! Stephen drugged himself with Benadryl and slept like a baby), we arrived in Accra, Ghana last night. A missionary couple (the Gayles) met us at the airport and took us to a missionary guest house where we spent the night. This morning we headed out in a rickety old van with no shocks, over roads that were mostly not paved, among cars and people who followed no rules. I actually loved it! Once we left the city we drove through some coastal plains and then eventually tropical forests, passing through many little villages. It is beautiful here, but the part I really loved was watching the people – especially the children. I wish I could relay to you the many mental pictures I have from today – the colorful women with gigantic baskets on their heads and cute little babies tied to their backs, the shanty houses and grass huts, and the children with huge smiles. When some people saw our van with “Hopital Baptiste Biblique” emblazoned on the side and us nosy white people peering out, they responded in one of two ways. They either stared stony-faced with an expression I could not read, or (more often) their faces lit up with a huge smile (especially the kids!) and they shouted “Yovo!” and “Bonjour!”. Yovo means white person, and it is so strange to stick out so utterly and completely, and to be at such a loss for a way to communicate. It kind of makes a strange impression on you, and makes you feel rather small. But smiles work in all languages, and I especially loved smiling and waving at the children.
After about 6 hours and several stops later (at a hotel, a French restaurant with excellent food, and the market in Kpalime), we finally made it to the hospital. We are staying with the Gayles for our first week, until there is room for us in the Guest House. Don’t feel sorry for us – we are not roughing it at all! All the buildings are quite nice, made out of stone and plaster with many of the conveniences of home. We settled in a little bit and then got a quick tour of the compound before heading over to the hospital… which I am going to have to save for another post. Our introduction to the hospital made quite an impression, but this post is already too long and we have not fully processed or absorbed all that we saw there this afternoon.
Tomorrow morning we will go with the Gayles to their church in a little village a few miles away – which we are super excited about! Please pray for us as we settle in here and learn to serve. There is so much to process and learn, so many attitudes and impressions to form – and we want them to be God-honoring ones! Thank you brothers and sisters for your prayers. We will try to keep you updated as much as possible, and maybe post some pictures too… as soon as we have the chance to take them! ;-)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Arrived safely in Ghana
Just wanted to let everyone know that we have arrived safely in Ghana (bags included). We're staying in a missionary guest house tonight and will be driving to Togo tomorrow. Thanks you for all of you prayers! We will try to update more soon.
Friday, April 2, 2010
About Our Trip, the Hospital in Togo and How You Can Pray
Praise God for the gift of His Son, as we remember this Easter that Jesus in His mercy died to bring us salvation. We owe everything to Him, and because He is of such great worth it is a privilege for all believers to be ambassadors for His gospel.
Lisa and I are excited that we leave for Togo in less than a week. There are still some details to take care of, but praise God that the majority of the needed preparation has come together.
Having recently learned more about the hospital and it's ministry, we wanted to share about it with you, so you might be encouraged by God's work in Togo and know what we will be doing there. Hopefully, this will enable you to better pray for us.
On April 8th, we leave this USA, fly to Ghana via London, and from there travel by land to Togo. We will be serving at Karolyn Kempton Memorial Christian Hospital (aka Hospital Baptiste Biblique or HBB) until we return on May 25th. This hospital opened 25 years ago and is located in the southern region of Togo. Today it is the 3rd busiest hospital in the country. The hospital has 35 beds, with 3 full time doctors, one full time physician assistant, and other short term volunteers. The hospital has many outpatient visits a day, takes care of adult, OB, and pediatric patients who stay in the hospital, and also performs many surgeries. There is a school that trains Togolese nurses at the hospital. In addition to the ministry directly at the hospital, there are many mobile clinics serving in nearby villages where local pastors can provide follow up with those who show spiritual interest.
Yet the hospital is much more than this series of facts we have related; it is a work God is using to spread the gospel in Togo. HBB was born out of the prayers of missionaries who saw a significant medical need in Togo and realized that showing compassion through caring for the sick was an incredible way by which God opens people's hearts to His gospel. Today, in the midst of many medical demands, the hospital staff (including doctors, nurses and chaplains) is committed to sharing the gospel of Christ with their patients. Evangelistic video tapes are played in the clinic waiting room. At an ABWE medical missions conference Lisa and I attended recently, one missionary shared that 2000 professions of faith had been mad during the last year. Obviously, it would be naive to assume that all of these are genuine, yet the fruit of the work at the hospital has been undeniable. This has lead to the planting of new churches across Togo in areas that would have been reached much later (and many would have died without hearing of Christ) if they had to wait for missionaries to come first to deliver the gospel. One missionary, Kay Washer, who with her husband was the first missionary into Togo from ABWE, attests in her book One Candle to Burn: "More people receive Christ by means of a hospital stay than through any other missionary endeavor in Togo. Many who come to Christ at the hospital return to their villages eager for their neighbors to hear the good news." Today, there is even a Bible Institute in the same town as the hospital to help train future church leaders. Additionally, having seen the work of the hospital in Togo, the Muslim elders of Mango, a city in northern Togo, asked that the missionaries start a similar hospital in Mango. Already, construction work has begun in Mango, and in a few years this hospital will be caring for people's needs and sharing Christ as they reach out to this area.
During our time in Togo, we will be staying at the guest house at the hospital. Stephen will be taking care of patients and assisting with surgeries and deliveries. This will be quite an adventure, including nights were he is on call and has to (with supervision) make decisions about patient care. Lisa hopes to help with teaching of the Togolese nurses as well as assist with mobile clinics. Yet we see missions as more than providing medical care; through all of this, we desire to be a light for our beloved Savior by sharing His gospel and showing His love to open up doors for the missionaries and national believers that work at the hospital. Ultimately, we are all part of Christ's work, so whether we see someone saved directly by our witness or open up doors for others to share by prayer and love, Christ is the the one glorified. There are other areas where we will be serving. We plan to be part of one of the Togolese churches during the 6-7 Sundays we are there to worship with, fellowship with, and encourage the believers there. We also pray that we can serve and encourage the missionaries serving at the hospital. There are other ministries active in Togo, such as a school for the blind, the printing of Christian literature, community health outreach, and pastoral training. Through all of this, we look forward to God using this time to prepare us for medical missions in the future, should He continue to lead us down that path. It will be especially exciting to see faithful men and women using their gifts in medicine to provide spiritual as well as physical healing.
We know we have shared a lot of details, but we hope that it enables you to praise God for the work He is doing in Togo and better pray for us during our trip. Above all, pray that we would be humble and faithful to serve Christ. This trip is not about us. With all the challenges of being in a new place and culture, it will be easy to focus on ourselves...what a waste that would be! Pray that we would keep our eyes on Christ, trust fully in His strength, daily die to self, and through it all bring honor to Him.
To our Blessed Savior be the glory!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Partnering together for the gospel
It has been humbling to realize that our time in Togo will be an extension of the ministry of many here in the US who are supporting us. We recently had the opportunity to briefly share at our church about our upcoming trip and how we would be serving in Togo. Afterwards, many people came up to us to express how excited they were about our trip. Several mentioned it was a blessing to be sending one of their own. It can be tempting to take pride in such comments, and I will admit I've had to confess this to the Lord. But as I've thought more about it, I realize that the support we are receiving is a proof of God's truth - that we are all part of the body working together to share the glory of our Savior. Lisa and I are so dependent upon the prayers and support of other believers as we go out in this endeavor, and there is no way we could go without the help of others. God has made it this way - that each part of the body plays an equally important role. In doing so, our serving in Togo really is an extension of our church and all the people who have lifted us before the God's throne and given financially to see the gospel go forth.
So, we want to say thank you for all your support. You are a vital part of our ministry, and we can already see God beginning to work through you in this endeavor.
Practically, please be in prayer for us as we prepare to leave. We need to go to DC to get our visas next week or two. Because residency begins soon after we get back, we are moving out of our apartment before heading to Togo. This means that not only will we have to pack for Africa, but we will be putting all our possessions into storage and trying to solidify moving and housing plans before we fly to Africa. Lisa and I joke that we're doing a test run for when we go to the missions field long term. There are many details to be taken care of, and we will need the Lord's strength in all of them. Additionally, we are praying that He would be preparing our hearts to serve, and love, and be testimonies of His glory during our time in Togo.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We are blessed to be part of Christ's body with all of you.
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