5 Cent Mission: September 2021

Shopping at a fruit and veggie stand in Lome

We arrived in Togo almost a month ago. In that time we have begun settling into our roles here and have been introduced to new teammates and have greeted old ones. Our boys have begun cultivating relationships with new and old friends. We're blessed to have so many kids here!

Testing out some new equipment

Enjoying a break from the heat in the pool

Stripping protective shipping film from the roof
of the Land Cruiser we are fortunate to be able
to use.

We have been regaining what bit of French language we had and have been trying to expand on it. Our Togolese friends and co-workers are so gracious as I'm sure we make so many blunders they can't correct them all! I'm sure they go home at the end of the day and tell stories of how we messed up again today.

VBS at Patatoukou

Pa-ta-too-koo... kind of rolls off the tongue - once you get the hang of it. The junior high and high schoolers held a one day Bible school at a tiny local church. About 60 kids were counted in attendance, but that number grew throughout the morning. There were songs, games and a Bible story taught by a local lady, so the kids could fully understand. The little bamboo-walled, tin-roofed church is one that was established in the community because of the services provided by the hospital.

This is the church building.

Kids enjoying lunch at the end of the session

In the Hospital

Sadly, the OB wing has been closed because of a lack of medical staff (OB doctors, midwives, etc.) for the time being. We are praying that staff will come out so we can open this important part of the hospital. It is now acting as the isolated, Covid-positive patient wing. Definitely not as much fun as the new baby ward!

The lights are out in the OB wing...

Repairing one of the OR gas machines with John K.
(Technically, it's a NarkoMed anaesthesia
gas delivery machine, from around 1986 or so, for
those keeping track at home.)

So - a fun story... A couple of years ago, a short-term doctor working here had an endoscope break while she was using it. After trying to fix it here, her husband (also a doctor, but still back in Hong Kong at this point) was able to assist by contacting the very man who developed this particular scope. The man was able to source a replacement cable - from the museum the scope was in - in exchange for our broken cable. This allowed us to keep using the scope and keep his museum piece intact! Here's a picture of the museum piece we are still using here at HBB!

Infected breast cancer patient, after surgery

Thirty-three week premature infant
on a CPAP machine.

And, the Leftovers

A few leftover photos and stories to give you a glimpse into life here in southern Togo.

Ice Cream!!

Who would have expected Dairy Queen soft serve ice cream in Tsiko, Togo??? An Ebay auction win of $202.50 and a container ride is all it took. Now we have monthly ice cream Saturdays! Check out the smiles on the givers and receiver!