5 Cent Mission: Technical Issues Resolved!

Let's Play “Disconnected”

We had recently been without internet service for about 3 weeks. Let's play a fun game: Don't receive or send any emails for days. Don't check your favourite team's site for a couple of weeks. Don't watch a YouTube video for 19 days. Don't stream any music online for days (wait... we can't do that here at the best of times. Never mind.). Don't look at SnapBook or FaceChat or Instagram for two weeks. And don't visit Amazon or Ebay or try any online shopping, either. (Did you know Amazon Prime doesn't deliver to Togo!! Ridiculous.) WhatsApp and Facebook messaging don't work, so don't bother with those. Being 'off the grid' is fine for a while - even healthy, but then it gets old.

Now, we're used to the frequent interruption in internet service but it makes it hard for a doctor to request a second opinion on an xray or a treatment option with no connection. It's hard to send an email asking for help repairing a piece of equipment when emails and pictures can't get through. It's hard to chat with family back home when you can't get a connection. Transferring money from a Canadian or US bank account to a Togolese account is impossible. Everything is just harder. Don't feel sorry for us, we just invite you to play along for days and days! It's fun!

Oh, and one excuse given for the interruption in service – 'technical issues'... That's fairly broad. So we can rule out the internet being low on oil, or needing it's blades sharpened, or being grounded for violating it's curfew. Mechanical - or family issues - were not the cause!

Three blue lights - we're connected again!

(Christine told me to apologize for the 'spinning wheel of death' above. We just got to see it so often I thought it would be nice to share. I aologize... but not really)

Farewells

We have been blessed to meet many really great people who pass through the hospital and compound at HBB. Visiting doctors, nurses, IT technicians and just regular visitors – whether they are here for two weeks or two years, or something in between - all have an influence on life here in our little bubble. We are saddened when it's time for goodbyes, as many of these people become friends and not just co-workers.

We're have said goodbyes to some awesome people in the past month or so. Not only did we lose excellent doctors and workers, we lost friends we have come to appreciate. Not only will the hospital and guest house have holes left to fill in their absences but we'll be missing smiling faces and conversation, as well. Such is the life here. We can't replace them, but we're prayerful that we can have equally awesome people come in to fill their roles at the hospital.

Farewell to Dr. Chuck & Donna, Dr. 'Stove Killer', Dr. Ed and to Dr. K!

Christy, Christine and Dr. Stove Killer - the red coat gang

Birthday Boys

Both Hudson and Logan had birthdays in April, so we were able to celebrate them over the past weeks. Unable to just run out to a restaurant or mall to have a special dinner or buy a birthday card or present, special events take on a different twist here.

Logan wanted some kind of electronic device, but he also wanted a more practical gift. He wanted something he could work on, reap the benefit of caring for, and take some time to fill up his day. So, for his birthday he got chickens! A rooster and six hens; to go along with our monkey. Now we have 11 chicks running around to go along with the adult birds...

Hudson was a little more traditional in his birthday wishes. Although, a chocolate pudding pie was his preferred birthday 'cake'. A pool party at night, complete with glow sticks and LED-lighted balloons made it fun for all of the kids.

Gathering up the glowing balloons after the party

The two older boys have expressed interest in seeing what goes on in the operating rooms. They were invited to attend a couple of surgeries with Dr. K and other surgeons. It's fun to hear about what they saw and what they think of it all. Perhaps we'll have a couple of medical professionals in the family in the future? They could be working on you!!

Keenan and Logan attending surgery.

Keenan posing with the finished product after a C-section.

Logan getting ready to go into
the OR

And checking out some xrays
with Dr. Rod.

Pig Roast

Before she left, Dr. Tebo organized a party and chose a Hawaiian potluck theme with a pig to be roasted as the centre of the feast. A pig was brought in early in the morning (via moto-taxi, of course), was killed in the yard at one of the doctor's houses, mounted on a bamboo rack, seasoned and slow roasted over a charcoal fire for about eight hours. It was a delicious event!

Photo credit: Dr. Kristi Tebo

Slow-roasting over the fire!

Family Visit

We had brother-in-law Grant and nephew Gavin come for eight or nine days in mid-May. They visited us for a couple of days and then went up to Mango to spend time with the Westons. A quick trip, but they got to see the whole country as well as were we live and work – and maybe helped out a little bit, too. They were privileged to meet some of the people we get to live around. They brought some snacks from home, as well as other requested supplies! It was great to have family visit, bring news from home and also give them a glimpse at life here in Togo.

Coming out of the airport in Lome

And with the whole gang together

If anyone else wants to come and do some work, we're more than willing to find work for you to do. If you are a doctor, nurse, respiratory therapist, teacher, accountant, IT tech, worship leader, pastor, carpenter, mason, painter or cook – we have a spot for you. If you want to get in touch with us we can direct you to the right people.

Email us at: penny.mission@gmail.com (if the internet is up and running, technical issues aside, we'll reply!)