It’s good to be back in Togo safe and sound. It really feels like we’ve never left. (One of our veteran missionary colleagues has warned us not to let the surface fool us, though.) Pray for us as we integrate back into life in Togo and pray that we will be able to set some sort of boundaries so that we won’t wear ourselves out and so that we may remain effective for Him. We’re in this for the marathon, not the sprint.
We’d like to share with you just a few of the amazing stories that we’ve encountered since we’ve been back. Just before we arrived, there was a taxi that went off the side of the mountain behind the hospital one night. Since there is no “911” and very few ambulances out here, some of our Togolese staff went to rescue the injured. The taxi had held 4 Europeans and one Togolese taxi driver. Many were thrown from the taxi. Here they were in a foreign country where there are not very many choices for good medical care and where should they end up? Almost at our hospital door where there was good medical care! God not only had them “literally” fall into our hospital, but the most serious injury was that one of the ladies, Italian, broke her pelvis. The others were shook up and had cuts and bruises. None of the people were believers. So they got good, compassionate medical care and a chance to hear about spiritual health. Later, when one of our missionaries was transporting them to Lomé so that they could fly out, the lady with the broken pelvis kept asking questions about God and His plans for us. God desires that no one perish, no not one! And we’re convinced that He’ll use very creative ways to get our attention. Pray that they will accept Christ from the seeds that have been planted.
Also, shortly before we arrived, a young Togolese boy decided that the lye in that bottle in the house looked good enough to drink, so he drank it. Of course the lye pretty much dissolved his esophagus and he was unable to get nutrition. But…..there was a thoracic surgeon, Dr. John Yee, scheduled to arrive in Togo (from Vancouver) within a few days. And it just so “happens” that Dr. Yee performs a lot of esophageal repairs where he pulls the stomach up to make a “new” esophagus so that one can eat again. The little boy had successful surgery and was able to eat fufu and rice within a few days. God’s provisions are boundless and unending.
Right after we arrived back to Togo, there was a 3 person group from the Mercy Ship that arrived at our hospital in order to screen patients for possible orthopedic and GYN surgeries to be preformed when the Mercy Ship docks in Lomé for 6 months starting in February 2010. We had a great time getting to know the crew. They left with lots of potential surgeries to be done. The next Sunday, we were in Lomé to buy supplies for our house, and we had the opportunity to visit one of the Independent ABWE church plants there. At the end of the service, one of the men came up to Michael to ask if he could bring a relative of his to the hospital the next Friday for an evaluation for an orthopedic problem. Michael said sure, but he was thinking “too bad we didn’t’ know about this before the Mercy Ship volunteers came.” Friday arrived, and the man arrived with his relative at 7:30am. Michael walked to the hospital to see the relative. While he was going in to greet them, a van full of “visitors” pulled up to the hospital. It was about 10 Mercy Ship volunteers, including two from the original group, just stopping by to say, “Hi” on their way to a different site. Michael was able to get them to help him evaluate the little girl and get their input that “yes, they could indeed help her when the ship is in Lomé and put her on the list.” His timing is always amazing! It’s great to just rest in Him!
No, He doesn’t always heal somebody or prevent somebody from dying or have the right person there at the right time, but He does provide many opportunities and miracles in our lives. When is the last time that you saw a miracle? Are you looking? Do you appreciate what God has done in your life? Do you appreciate that He died for you to give you eternal life? When is the last time that you thanked Him for His Indescribable gift? And when is the last time you told somebody else about this amazing free gift?
Thank-you for praying for us and for being part of His Team for Togo. We miss you all already, but we’re content to be back in His Will for us at this time.
For His Glory,
Michael & Cheryl Gayle, Medical Missionaries to Togo, W. Africa
ABWE
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