I can't think of a title for this post.

    As a volunteer nurse in rural West Africa for a majority of 2019, I think that technically, I fall into a very low tax bracket back in the States. While Uncle Sam may take pity on me this April 15th, I have to admit that never in my life have I felt so incredibly rich. 

    This week was the 5th anniversary of the Hospital of Hope. In my time here, I've continued to be impressed with all that it took to turn the vision of the hospital into reality. So much thought and work went into coordinating a massive effort to build, staff, and start the hospital. The team has persevered through heartbreak and struggle. And in the last five years, the hospital has served over 60,000 patients. God has been faithful and is at work here. There are so many stories of seeing God working and giving hope in seemingly hopeless situations. I feel incredibly privileged to be have this unique opportunity and to be a part of this team.

    

Staff of HOH at the 5th anniversary celebration (I'm on the right towards the back)

    I feel a little sheepish saying this, but most of my Togolese friendships have essentially been handed to me. God has provided relationships with neighbors and new believers and a flock of teenage girls and previous patients that are real and meaningful and extend beyond the language barrier. We had our sewing school/Bible study girls over for some games about a week ago. If laughter were currency, I could afford a Lamborghini. No one has ever had so much fun playing hot potato and duck duck goose. The more relationships I invest in, the more richly I experience this culture.  I still make cultural flubs all the time. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I have learned.

Our porch. This makes me happy. 

My mom and my African Grandma

   
   The most unexpected blessing of coming to Togo has been the missionary kids. On my team, all of the kids call the adults either 'uncle' or 'aunt'. I am Aunt Caroline. Now I know that most of them are instructed to call me that, but it feels right. These kids are thousands of miles away from their biological aunts and uncles, and with the small missionary community, I feel like I do get to step into the role of aunt. Earlier this month, I watched three of the greatest kids while their parents were out of town. Even after 5 days of saying no and enforcing rules, they still liked me (see pics below). We all live life in very close proximity together. It fosters a feeling of family and community that I never expected and is incredibly special.

   Sometimes I just want a big bowl of chocolate ice cream. Sometimes it's really really hot. Sometimes I get annoyed when our water and/or internet stops working. Sometimes I wonder what my life would look like right now if I had never heard of Togo. But when I think of how full and rich my life is, I wouldn't change a thing. 

-C-