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.

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!

  

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!  :)