I saw so much compassion, love, mercy, grace, and most of all hope. God's presence at and around the hospital and villages of Mango (Mon-go) was overwhelming. I had the privilege of getting to know the missionary staff (long term and short term) while only there for a short time. We would have meals together and in the evenings get together for fellowship with either worship or playing games. I also had the perspective of becoming a patient due to an illness that happened while I was there. The staff at the hospital were so warm, welcoming, and actually care about the work they are doing. It was completely different then the care I would have received in the United States. During my tenure as a patient, I felt the warmth and care from all of the providers, including the local staff. This is important to note, because not all of the local staff are believers, they just work there.
Thankfully before I got sick, I was able to attend a church service in a village about 30 minutes south of Mango, called Kpayo home of the GanGam tribe. The service was held in a small clay building, with about 40 people packed in (not including children), and led by Nakim, who is also a chaplain with Hospital of Hope. Most of this area of Togo are Muslims and have strict policies regarding men and woman worshiping together. It was great to experience a Christian church in this region where men, woman, and children were not only worshiping together, but were sitting together as well. The part that affected me the most, was these people have nothing, yet when offering came around, they gave it ALL. I was in shock and so moved to see how grateful these people were to provide whatever they could to God willingly.
Before the end of my trip, I was feeling much better and was able to visit a local Christian school. Not all of the children that attend come from Christian families. A lot of the children are raised in Muslim homes, but because this school actually teaches education and learning, the families send them here. The class sizes range from 10-40 kids, with the younger grades being larger. Currently, there are ten 5th graders who will need to advance to middle school, however there isn’t a middle school portion for the school yet. Thankfully, they have plan to build more to the school so these children will still be able to attend next school year! Lastly, most of the teachers are believers and it just so happens their husbands also work at the hospital.
I have a lot of feelings about visiting the Hospital of Hope. I have only been back for a week and haven’t been able to fully process everything yet. But, here is what I can say. I felt at home at Hospital of Hope. I felt warmth, love, and compassion on a level I have not experienced before. I look forward to returning to Hospital of Hope on a regular basis, however, it’s ultimately God’s plan.
Please pray for the chaplains, the Christian villages, the missionaries, and the staff of Hospital of Hope, so that God can continue to use them as a vessel to spread the Good Word.
Thankfully before I got sick, I was able to attend a church service in a village about 30 minutes south of Mango, called Kpayo home of the GanGam tribe. The service was held in a small clay building, with about 40 people packed in (not including children), and led by Nakim, who is also a chaplain with Hospital of Hope. Most of this area of Togo are Muslims and have strict policies regarding men and woman worshiping together. It was great to experience a Christian church in this region where men, woman, and children were not only worshiping together, but were sitting together as well. The part that affected me the most, was these people have nothing, yet when offering came around, they gave it ALL. I was in shock and so moved to see how grateful these people were to provide whatever they could to God willingly.
Before the end of my trip, I was feeling much better and was able to visit a local Christian school. Not all of the children that attend come from Christian families. A lot of the children are raised in Muslim homes, but because this school actually teaches education and learning, the families send them here. The class sizes range from 10-40 kids, with the younger grades being larger. Currently, there are ten 5th graders who will need to advance to middle school, however there isn’t a middle school portion for the school yet. Thankfully, they have plan to build more to the school so these children will still be able to attend next school year! Lastly, most of the teachers are believers and it just so happens their husbands also work at the hospital.
I have a lot of feelings about visiting the Hospital of Hope. I have only been back for a week and haven’t been able to fully process everything yet. But, here is what I can say. I felt at home at Hospital of Hope. I felt warmth, love, and compassion on a level I have not experienced before. I look forward to returning to Hospital of Hope on a regular basis, however, it’s ultimately God’s plan.
Please pray for the chaplains, the Christian villages, the missionaries, and the staff of Hospital of Hope, so that God can continue to use them as a vessel to spread the Good Word.