We play this game in Togo. We will be sitting in our house and you hear a sound and you have to decide if it’s a sheep, a goat, or a child. Sounds pretty easy but actually they can all sound pretty similar.
I have been back in Togo for a little over a week now….there are so many familiar things here that are just so foreign to the things that happen in the States. I was asked so many times when I was Stateside about day to day life and about living here that I thought I would try to explain as much as I can as since I just returned all of the “shocking” things are still fresh in my mind.
It is the rainy season in Mango, which means it rains almost every day. This gives cooler temperatures but turns the dirt roads into ever-changing rivers and gullys. I ride a moto here everywhere I go so the drives are never boring. There have already been quite a few times of sliding or slipping trying to navigate these roads but so far I have managed to remain upright. Oh I haven’t even mentioned the constant worry of goats, chickens, or sheep that are always in the roads and threaten to dart in front at any given time. It’s always entertaining to say the least.
I also moved into a new place this time around and so this past week has been filled with unpacking, washing, and rearranging. I started back to work to this week too, so no rest for the weary. One of the doctor’s said, “Oh it’s like riding a bike.” To which I quickly replied except the bike has a flat tire J. So here I am, attending C sections, doing exchange transfusions, treating seizing children. All just a touch out of my norm of ER medicine at home. It keeps me humble that’s for sure. I wouldn’t trade it because by caring for patients in the hospital gives me the opportunity every day to show a patient, a family member, someone who Jesus is.
But really the sweetest times since my return have been the reunions.
As I am sure most of you remember, there was a sweet, sweet child (nicknamed “puddles”) here that died that me and another doctor had cared for for many months. Just before I left for the States, a Bible study was started in the village where this child’s family lives. Also, “puddles” mom found out she was pregnant again just before I left as well. I prayed so fervently for her to have a good pregnancy and to have a healthy child. Well, I received a photo in June that she had another boy and had named him Soloman. Needless to say, I was excited to get back and to visit.
Well a picture is worth a thousand words so…….
That smile is his brother’s smile for sure…..
I asked the chaplain that has been doing the Bible study in this village if he knew why she chose the name Soloman. This is definitely not a traditional name in their tribe. He said they chose it because in the Bible, when David lost a son and God gave him another one he called him Soloman.
The Lord is moving in Togo folks…..this family had a great loss when “puddles” died and they are also a very dark and really demonic tribe so for Soloman to receive that name and for that reason is truly astounding. Deuteronomy 30:6 says, “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”
So please join me in praying that the Lord would do just that so this family can truly love the Lord with all of their hearts. This study happens every Wednesday morning so please join me in praying for this sweet family and this sweet new boy.
