Not an accident

Hundreds of people pass through Mango on short-term missions trips for a lot of different reasons (a majority are hospital workers). It is incredible to meet and serve alongside people from all over the world. I feel like I could legitimately travel to almost every state in America (and several countries as well) and have a Togo reunion. As I talk to new volunteers, there are a few Frequently Asked Questions that come up in almost every conversation: Where are you from? What do you do here? How long have you been in Mango? Then it moves to questions like, How did you become a missionary? My recent answer- mostly just to get a good reaction- has been a tongue-in-cheek "by accident". 

Obviously, it was no accident that the Lord brought me to Mango. These past 5 (!) years have shown me that God did this whole thing very much on purpose. Nevertheless, when this all started, I had really no idea of what I was getting myself into, or that I would fall in love with the ministry and people of Mango, or how God would move my heart to keep coming back for the next 5 years. (I do explain all of this to short-termers!)

This past spring brought several challenges. There were some rough moments. I wish I could say that I handled it all by always trusting and surrendering it all to God; but in reality, it led to quite a bit of grumbling and doubting on my part. Despite the challenges and despite my response, God was still moving and working. Now that we're a couple of months out, it's easier to get some perspective and see that none of it was an accident. 

There are actually a lot of accidents at our hospital...moto accidents. We offer the best ortho care in the region, and we have patients traveling hours and hours following a vehicle/moto accident to get quality care. When they're discharged and have frequent follow-up care/wound dressing changes/IV medications, these patients often stay on hospital property in our 'cuisine'. Sometimes the patients stay for months, and some of the most incredible testimonies come from our chaplains and missionaries who go to the cuisine to visit, encourage, and share the Good News. 

A few weeks ago, there was a baptism and a new church building dedication in a village near Mango. Just 10 years ago, there were no believers, but a man heard about Jesus at the Hospital of Hope and accepted Jesus. Through him and his connections with the hospital ministries, there is now a growing church. 

A colleague told me a story this week about a woman who shared how before our hospital opened, one of her children had gotten sick. She took him to the local hospital, but when her child had a seizure, she couldn't find anyone to care for him. She knocked on every door of the hospital, but no one answered, and her child died. She compared that experience to what she observed at the Hospital of Hope and shared her gratefulness for our hospital. She thanked us for prioritizing taking care of the sick and the poor. 

Back in April, 8 missionary kids were baptized. I gotta tell you, the kids on my team are simply the best. Investing in their lives is a privilege and one of my favorite things. Their testimonies brought me to tears as they sincerely shared of how God moved their hearts to love Him. 

The nursing students have entered their third and final year of the nursing school program. They have come so far and have learned so much. Having them working in the hospital has become truly helpful as they can take a load off of the staff nurses.  Recently, we got to experiment with our Sim (simulation) man for the first time. I will be teaching the critical care course later this fall. 

Even if it was by 'accident', I love being part of medical missions. Seeing people come to Christ and grow in their faith as a result of the work at the hospital is what keeps me going in hard times. Because of the hospital, we can reach people who may otherwise be closed off to the Gospel. This is what medical missions is all about. It takes a significant amount of people, resources, time, and prayer to keep things running, but through it all, there is a Healer who works despite our failings. With Him, there are no accidents. 

Signing off,

-C-