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The month of February was has been nonstop presentations and seeking support. Some of the highlights are talking with many of the Mango team members who are in the USA on furlough or prefield, meeting a conspiracy theorist from Roswell, implying during a presentation that I wasn’t a Baptist, and
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After a getting back to the US from a short trip to South East Asia advising another hospital about setting up a digital system I have settle in to the not so normal life of deputation.
The work at the hospitals is never far away. A few days ago I received news of a major problem at HBB, the southern hospital. The server had experienced a hardware failure that brought the entire system down. The medical staff scrambled to revert to a paper system while the IT techs worked out what was wrong. Many frantic emails and phone calls later the on-site techs were able to nurse the server back to a usable state (A failure of two physical drives, and probably part of the motherboard were the root cause.)
The situation was not over however even though the hospital systems were functioning again. The system is running at limited, slowed capacity until replacement parts can be delivered and installed. I am thankful for Tim, a short-term IT missionary, who could respond in this critical situation. Short-term people are vital to fill the gaps when long-term missionaries are away.
I have many upcoming events and prayers are appreciate as I travel throughout February and into the first week of March visiting supporters and speaking at churches. I leave at the begin of February to Seattle for a few days and then on to Boise for a multi church missions conference for the rest of the month to present at six (and maybe more) churches. Please pray that during this time individuals would also be burdened to help financially, materially, or by volunteering time. Also pray that God would use this to encourage and burden others toward becoming missionaries. Truly the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. (Luke 10:2)
I am excited to see what God has planned for this next year!
In previous updates I had made brief reference to starting computer labs – called Mobile Educational Technology Labs. While I have been Stateside preparing and organizing, visiting and presenting, and raising partners the teams in Togo have been helping with a trial run of the first of these labs. This first lab has 14 laptop computers and was allocated to the Christian schools partnering with ABWE Togo.
First, a big thank you again to everyone who helped to make this possible.
Most of West Africa’s computer literacy is comparable or worse than that of Western countries during the late 80’s and early 90’s but it’s reliance on technology is quickly become as heavy as in any other place in the world. Continue reading »
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“I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” –Psalm 63
Dry season here lasts for eight months. The wells go dry and the Oti River runs low. The Hospital of Hope and city of Mango both depend on the river for water. As that source dries up water supply becomes an issue as has been the case several times already. We are searching for long-term solution for water problem. Recently the team tried drilling two more wells – both dry. We trust that God will provide despite our disappointment and frustration in diligently searching for a solution. Thank you to all who have been praying. Please continue to pray for a long-term answer.
This area is dry spiritually. Islam, Fetishism, and false Christianity are everywhere. The gospel message is like clean, cool, refreshing spring water. Continue reading »
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Welcome to Hôpital de l’Espérance! The hospital in Mango officially opened on March 2nd with much international fanfare.
Hospital of Hope Employees
The month passed since opening has been one of transitions. The workers are doctors instead of bricklayers; the work has changed from building structures to making disciples. Thousands of people have been treated and as many as were listening have heard the message of God’s good gospel. Most people hear this message for the first time through any combination of our doctors, nurses, chaplains, and the Jesus film. Despite the many reached the need is so great that many more have been asked to return another day because we simply don’t have the capacity to care for everyone in the daily arrivals. Truly, the fields are white for harvest. Join us in praising the Lord our God daily for so many opportunities to share His good news and praying that He will provide for the continued work here. Our team and specifically the church planters continue to invest in discipling local men and women to be ministers and leaders for fledgling local churches. Continue reading »
Here’s the newsletter for August.
Click here to read the August newsletter (pdf).
Unable to open a PDF? Get the Word 2007 Document instead.
Here’s the newsletter for June.
Click here to read the June newsletter (pdf).
Unable to open a PDF? Get the Word 2007 Document instead.
Here’s the newsletter for March and April.
Click here to read the Mar-Apr Newsletter (pdf)
Unable to open a PDF? Get the Word 2007 Document instead.
I am. It is a statement of belonging, of association, of identity. Humanity is polarized by identities. Identity tells us who we are and where we belong. You might say, “I am English. You are French.” Nowhere, recently it seems, has this polarization become so pronounced as in the debate about homosexuality, marriage, and the church. But is seems that the church has lost itself. It is divided over whether to embrace, accept, or condemn. While some open the pulpits others raise protest signs.
But lets look at it from a personal perspective. I frequently hear someone say it like this; “I am a Christian and I am gay.” Or, “I know that God say that I shouldn’t feel this way, but I can’t help it.” Or the assumption that if you are a true Christian then you can’t feel as you do toward the same sex.
Christians stumble over the question of whether someone who is homosexual should be permitted in a church. The question is asked, can they really be Christian? There is no shortage of opinions and there is a seemingly great disconnect between what the bible commands and what is acted out. But surely an all-knowing God was not so ambiguous on an issue over which He utterly destroyed two cities and thousands of people (Gen 19). 
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“Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.” (Psa 105:119)
I’m a planner, a thinker, a problem solver. I don’t like driving blind. I like to see the whole road ahead before making decisions and moving forward. I’m not risk averse, but rather risk mitigating. The same is true when going to a new field. There are many unknowns. I can plan; I can prepare. God gives direction and I do my best to follow it but the best laid plans of men are only the plans of men. It is at these times that God speaks in a small, quiet voice and says, “trust me.”
A few years ago my family and I were enroute to weekend backpacking spot in the Allegheny Mountains . Due to our work schedules we had a late afternoon start for a drive that would take several hour. In the beginning the interstate was broad and we could see the road ahead for miles. But, inevitably night fell and clouds blanketed the dimming sky concealing any hint of light. Continue reading »