Togo's ANC gathering
Hello,
I feel I should let many of you know how my and your
prayers regarding my life have been answered.
I have prayed for a few things, none of them simple
and none of them beyond the ability of out God. As a result of prayer, reading
and conversation I believe that my somewhat harsh view of God is beginning to
change. I believe that this is vital to progressing in relationship with God. I
am by no means finished this reconstruction and continued prayer, emails of
your experiences and wisdom are and will be very appreciated. I believe that my
issue is almost like a bad habit that needs to be broken through repetition.
For this reason I have stuck prayers and helpful verses above my bunk so that I
read at them when I sleep and wake.
The words of encouragement that I received regarding
my next year were most encouraging. I feel I need to constantly pray,
committing these fears and anxieties to God in order to keep them from flooding
my mind at certain undistracted times. I believe God has a great plan for my
life and I need to constantly remind myself of his promises when feeling
overwhelmed. Prayer support is always appreciated and felt!
Lastly, my eczema that I reported on last week seems
much unchanged. I did resort to cortisone as it prevents the aggravation of my
skin. I will continue moisturizing my hands and being grateful that I don’t
work 5 days in a row. Since it only surfaced recently, it is conceivable that
it may not be due to the soap so I will see the crew physician ASAP next
week. Please continue to pray that
a solution is found!
Last Friday I was kindly invited to a friend Jenneke’s
(the Dutch girl who couldn’t believe my eating with my hands) birthday dinner
at a popular French restaurant. Having spent most of that afternoon in front of
the deep fryers I felt like something fresh and simple and had vegetarian
couscous that was pretty decent. The atmosphere outside was fairly casual but
there was something unnerving about the place. It was the older men around the
bar who were, in my opinion, sordid, that made me feel uneasy. Seeing one man
with a local prostitute epitomized the exploitations of Africans by others.
This week I had my blood sampled so I hope to be
called to donate sometime soon. Being O-Negative, I can donate to anyone but a
perfect match is preferred so I may not be asked. Apparently after your blood
is taken you can walk it to the operating room!
I also attended a bible study for the first time this
week. It was very diverse which I enjoyed. It was the bible study leaders’ last
one as they are leaving the ship next week. There were brownies, cake and
snacks… I’m sure I will continue to go! ;)
‘My’ new patient arrived this week and I visited him
before his operation. His name is Moukaela and he had Noma, which destroyed his
lower lip. His operation went well and thankfully his mother is with him (a
family member is able to sleep on a mattress below the hospital bed). I visited
him on Friday again, the day after his OP and then last night. He is not in pain but has a tube in his
nose through which he is fed. We play Jenga, match cards and with his toy cars.
He has just turned 8 years and will probably be discharged in about ten days. He
is really such a sweet child, possessing patience and understanding. Prayers
for his speedy healing and for his body to accept the food he needs are
welcome!
For fun, some of the guys and I will be growing (or
attempting to) moustaches this month (watch out Simon). I’m quite looking
forward to it. The girls are generally against facial hair but this is one FTB.
Let Moustache March begin!
I will be
working a 7-day week starting Monday, as a friend in the other team wants to go
to Benin for the week. I will also work my first day as a dental sterilist on
Wednesday, which I am exited for. I hear from Josh, whom I alternate weeks
with, that it is a good experience and fun. The best part is that I get to don
scrubs! I will hopefully get my chance to go to Benin in 2 weekends time but
sadly neither passport will get me in without a visa.
Yesterday I spent much of the day at the beach with two day-worker
colleagues. There was a political gathering on the beach for a fairly new
party- the ANC! So I bought a very bright orange party shirt J
Some friends and I also made Chinese garlic turkey (we had
no chicken breasts in the meat fridge). This was the first meal I have made
since arriving and we hope to do it more often- it really helps having very
many ingredients in the galley that I am welcome to J
next is butter chicken!
Please pray for diligence and rest going into this long work
week J
Love ben
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