With so much going on around the hospital and on the compound it's hard to condense things sometimes. I want to tell stories about the work we're doing, enjoying seeing our part of the country, frustrations we get to celebrate - and how God helps us through so many more aspects of living in Togo.
 |
| I tried to sneak this little guy into the pocket of one of our workers. He didn't go for it. |
Carte de Sejour
One of the joys for Canadians wishing to extend our visas into residence permits is a fun 'scavenger hunt' called Carte de Sejour. It's basically a game of gathering documents, stickers, stamps and signatures to compile and finally submit to the government department in charge of well, permitting Canadians to extend our visas.
My sister (who is in the north of Togo at another mission hospital) has a great story about one experience she had which highlights the red tape and bureaucracy, and silliness at times, of applying for the Carte de Sejour. You can read about her experience here: Please God, Not Africa
We are currently going through this same scavenger hunt. We have been asked for documents no one else has been asked for, been told some of the other documents are unnecessary (only to be called back and asked for said documents as they were most definitely required).
 |
| Buying stamps at the local government office, indicating we have paid another fee. |
 |
| A good sign, the stamps match! |
 |
| Waiting in the taxation office... |
 |
| This is why she's waiting - YouTube is more important. |
Christine has been working through this very diligently and has been reveling in the fact that it is nearing the end. At the local taxation office she had the joy of being 'assisted' by four staff, two of whom were content to watch videos on their phones while sharing a desk. I was able to sneak a photo of them, not that they would have noticed or cared if I set up a tripod and snapped dozens of pictures!
A Day's Work
 |
| John and Mawuli working on the grader |
 |
| Ingenious? Need to drill a pilot hole for a nail? Use a nail. (I bought more drill bits for the carpenters after seeing that.) |
 |
| Cutting keys for a new lock |
 |
| Broken wheel studs on a hospital vehicle |
 |
| How many guys can we cram into one tiny washroom? |
 |
| A short story: While digging a trench to replace an electrical cable going to a house, one of the guys hit a septic line with a pick axe. That septic line may or may not have been on the map. That created a whole lot more work. |
Restrictions Being Eased
 |
| The new church building |
 |
| The first Sunday inside. |
(Photos of the church courtesy of John and Tabitha Groeneveld)
Left-over Pictures To Share
 |
| These big, nasty bugs are noisy. A high-pitched buzz or squeal comes from them vibrating their wings. They like to vibrate late at night, when all decent critters should be sleeping! |
 |
| Moto rides and views. We get to see some beautiful countryside! |
 |
| Not Australia, not Uluru - but a pretty sweet rock formation none the less. So we rode up it! |
 |
| The view from on top. Look at the scenery... |
 |
| There is a guy inside those rolls of conduit! |
 |
| Bed, Bath and Beyond - your order has shipped. |
 |
| And finally, a taxi doubling as a hearse, outside the hospital morgue. A stark reminder of the reality of death and our need for salvation. |
 |
| A strenuous 2-hour hike can offer views like this! Imagine climbing 150 flights of stairs... |
 |
| On the left, tumble to your death. On the right, the more direct route. But the view, oh, it's totally worth it! |
 |
| Wli Falls, claimed to be the highest in West Africa at 80m / 260ft, straddles the border of Ghana and Togo. |
