Ok so I guess I'm becoming a blog mooch. I keep running across blog posts that my friends have written and wanting everyone else to read them too. I'm going to have to do it again.
This morning I found my new church home for my time here in Togo. I could expound upon the vibrant worship, grace-filled message, and open-armed welcome we received from our Togolese brothers and sisters, but I just don't think I could say it as well as my friend Jenn already has. So, please don't stop reading as I close this post. Please click here to read her humorous and insightful thoughts on our worship time this morning. If you're anything like me, you won't want to read just that post; you'll want to read the rest of her thoughts at When I grow up I want to be a nurse in Africa...or a ballerina.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I needed that.
My friend Megan wrote a very insightful blog post today, and I was so thankful to run across it tonight because it was just what I needed to hear. (I love it when God does that!) My guess is that there are probably others out there who might need to hear it too. Check it out by clicking here. (You can read all of Megan's posts on her blog, Finding Joy.)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Togo!
We’re here!!! I’m so excited to finally be in Togo! Praise the Lord for a safe sail and arrival! We saw our first glimpse of land this morning and pulled into port around 10:30 a.m.
Because this is a new country, I thought I’d give you a bit of an overview. Togo is located in West Africa between Ghana and Benin. It’s the tiny yellow country in the map below.
Capital: Lomé
Population: 6,031,808
Language: French
Religion: African traditional religions (mainly voodoo) 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10%
If you want to learn more, check out Togo on the CIA World Factbook at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/to.html
Our Purpose for Being Here
Just like in Benin, our primary ministry in Togo will be the hospital. We hope to begin screening patients next week, and the first surgery is scheduled for the 26th. An off-ship eye clinic and dental clinic will soon be up and running as well. During the six months we will be in Togo, the doctors will provide care for the following: cleft lip and palate, cataract removal, maxillofacial tumors, orthopedics, and VVF repair, as well as general surgery, dental, and eye care.
Another goal for this outreach is to focus more attention on training local professionals. Local doctors will work alongside Mercy Ships doctors to learn the skills necessary to perform the surgeries themselves. Outside of the hospital, Mercy Ships crew will train local workers in agriculture and construction. Our goal is to invest in the people of Togo in such a way that they can continue to provide healing and change for their own country long after our ship is gone.
Of course, the overall purpose of our mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus for the people of Togo. Please pray that our actions will be a witness that will create opportunities to share the gospel.
An Important Prayer Request
On February 28th, Togo will hold a presidential election. Please pray that the 2010 election will be fair and peaceful for the people of Togo. Please pray that no problems arise that could delay or slow our outreach here. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Ok, I'm done. Goodnight from Togo! :)
Danae and I waiting to dock
five of my students with their Togolese flags
Togolese people welcoming us to the dock
They were playing an African worship song, "You Are the Most High God."
Becca, Leah, and me...so glad to be here!
Capital: Lomé
Population: 6,031,808
Language: French
Religion: African traditional religions (mainly voodoo) 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10%
If you want to learn more, check out Togo on the CIA World Factbook at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/to.html
Our Purpose for Being Here
Just like in Benin, our primary ministry in Togo will be the hospital. We hope to begin screening patients next week, and the first surgery is scheduled for the 26th. An off-ship eye clinic and dental clinic will soon be up and running as well. During the six months we will be in Togo, the doctors will provide care for the following: cleft lip and palate, cataract removal, maxillofacial tumors, orthopedics, and VVF repair, as well as general surgery, dental, and eye care.
Another goal for this outreach is to focus more attention on training local professionals. Local doctors will work alongside Mercy Ships doctors to learn the skills necessary to perform the surgeries themselves. Outside of the hospital, Mercy Ships crew will train local workers in agriculture and construction. Our goal is to invest in the people of Togo in such a way that they can continue to provide healing and change for their own country long after our ship is gone.
Of course, the overall purpose of our mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus for the people of Togo. Please pray that our actions will be a witness that will create opportunities to share the gospel.
An Important Prayer Request
On February 28th, Togo will hold a presidential election. Please pray that the 2010 election will be fair and peaceful for the people of Togo. Please pray that no problems arise that could delay or slow our outreach here. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Ok, I'm done. Goodnight from Togo! :)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Westerly Swells
This is my classroom.
This is my classroom after a rough night at sea.
It's a good thing child labor laws don't apply on the Africa Mercy.
My students' reaction to skipping the first lesson to clean...
My classroom was nothing. You should've seen the galley! I barely peeked in the door, but I could smell the souring milk (oh 'xcuse me, milch) from the hallway. Rumor had it there was a giant "pancake potential" covering the floor.
Ah, life on a ship. Sometimes you've just gotta go with the flow. Literally.
It's a good thing child labor laws don't apply on the Africa Mercy.
My students' reaction to skipping the first lesson to clean...
My classroom was nothing. You should've seen the galley! I barely peeked in the door, but I could smell the souring milk (oh 'xcuse me, milch) from the hallway. Rumor had it there was a giant "pancake potential" covering the floor.
Ah, life on a ship. Sometimes you've just gotta go with the flow. Literally.
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