Airplane, Car, and Bike

I have made my way to Mango, Togo (pronounced "Mongo")!
Everything with travel went smoothly and I met some very interesting people on the plane rides. After a long day of flying on Thursday I arrived Friday evening in the capital, Lome, where 3 missionaries from the Hospital of Hope greeted me.The third missionary who is a nurse, Laura (who is from Ireland), was on her way out of the country to visit her family for a week. Gary and Deb are from Michigan and they are such warm people. Gary, Deb, and I woke up and hit the road at 6 am Saturday morning with our driver Pariko.  I enjoyed getting to talk to them about the Hospital because they're involvement with it dates back to its very beginnings. They have taken trips to literally build the hospital and its facilities and they have been a part of sending supplies from the states. I loved getting to hear about their love for the Hospital and the people of Mango. Talking with them really made me excited to be a part of something that is so obviously bigger than myself. We had a 8-9 hour drive to Mango which is in the northern part of Togo. We drove through villages and over mountains with a lot of patches that had insane number of giant pot-holes! I have no idea how these vehicles function in this kind of terrain! We arrived in Mango mid-afternoon. Most of the missionaries that weren't working were at a pool party on the hospital grounds for a birthday of one of the missionary's sons. I got a quick tour of the grounds and then I was driven to the house where I am staying with a bunch of other single ladies. Most of the ladies are about my age and everyone is incredibly welcoming and kind! Here I learned that I do not have an option for air conditioning which I thought would be the case...but when on mission flexibility is the name of the game! Like the other women in the house, I will be taking lots of cold showers to stay cool when at home. I also learned that I will not have an individual interpreter. There are so many different dialects that it wouldn't even really make that much sense to have an interpreter. So I will have to grab a local nursing assistant whenever I need something translated. This just means that I will have to be creative in my communication! Tomorrow, Monday, I will start my orientation at the hospital. Today, Sunday, is a great day of rest for me. I slept about 8 or 9 hours last night and it was glorious! The electricity kicked off twice during the night which was basically like an alarm clock because my standing fan turns off too.
But with so much sleep I felt like a new woman this morning. This evening I will go onto the hospital grounds to join the other missionaries for some wiffle ball and then we will have a church service. We had pizza for lunch which is quite the treat. My main form of transportation while here will be bike so I should be in good shape when I return to the states!

I pray that I will continue to be able to sleep well, that orientation will go well tomorrow in the hospital, and that I will be able to retain French phrases to use while here.
Merci beaucoup.... for all of your prayers!

Everyone who comes to the hospital flies into Lome and then travels north to Mango.

Can you see me?...Just kidding, we were following this vehicle (but not for long because everyone passes each other like a continual game of "chicken").

Cars would have wood or luggage piled high like this. Not sure how these vehicles last any length of time.

My bedroom on the 2nd floor of the "Beyonce house" which is a joke just because all of the ladies there are single.

The bathroom that I share with Monan who is from Wyoming.

Unlikely

I'll tell you what...God is so good. The sermon this weekend at Lifehouse Church by Pastor Patrick about Deborah the judge spoke directly to my fears and insecurities about going to Togo. "God chooses the most unlikely people to do the most unlikely things." I know my weaknesses and strengths and I can tell you that I am not the most qualified person to go to Togo. I am not brave, I don't know any French, I adore my coworkers, family, and friends, I really appreciate comfort, and I don't really usually like international foods. Even more than those things, I have been listening to the voices of people in my past and my own fears. These words drill deep insecurities into my heart about doing medical missions. I don't have the strongest faith and I'm not the smartest nurse. I have recently felt very underqualified to go to Togo because of these whispers.

BUT

the most awesome thing about serving God is that these things actually qualify me to be used by Him. In my weaknesses He is strong. At the end of this month I can only give God the glory for whatever transpires in Togo. I am chosen by God and I am chosen for His purpose. I can have God-confidence in place of self-confidence because He wants to work in and through my weaknesses. He alone will deepen my faith and understating of His grace and character. He alone will use me and my skills to help heal. He alone will give me the words to speak truth into the lives of others. I don't have to be qualified. I don't have to be anything other than obedient. This reassurance has been like a weight lifted off of my shoulders as I prepare to go to Togo.

I will also add that when following Him scares me, and requires faith, it is probably a God-size dream that He has placed in my heart. This comforts me in knowing that I am going where I am supposed to go. I am going where only He can lead me. 

I am evidence that God really does lead us on the wildest and most amazing adventures.

What is your God-sized dream?

Stay tuned for more about Togo!

Here is a link to watch the sermon that I reference...

http://www.lifehousechurch.org/sermons/series/43/