We cannot fix it!
As a young person I saw my dad, a cheesemaker by trade, do everything from book-keeping to electrical work to carpentry work and more. If he didn’t know exactly how to do it, he would prepare the project to such a point that the professional would have minimal work to do. My dad was involved in the fixing of everything. This left an impression on me to such a point that I never thought I could not do something and that the world could be made a better place. This has been a driving force of who I am. On the other hand, when I struggle and cannot do something and/or I have trouble understanding something, which is fairly often, I feel inherently “not good enough”, I feel inadequate. And if I am told by someone that “it cannot be done,” I struggle with understanding this response and usually respond with a thousand questions. This has affected me deeply as it has caused me to reflect, maybe too much at times, on my experiences in life with the goal of becoming better. It is in this state that I heard the message of justification and sanctification at Grace Fellowship in Florence KY that started my walk with Christ. Justification is the concept that we, as Christians, are accepted, freed from condemnation, guilt and the penalty of sin, through belief alone in Christ and through his death. Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ through study and prayer. As Easter comes and goes, I am reminded again of God’s story in the Old Testament, Christ’s life and death through the New Testament; His commands to love the One who sent Him and to love one another as He loved us; how He invested in people (the twelve disciples, people’s lives through healing, conversations, action); how he prayed for future Christians; how He died; and the power of sin. The Pharaoh chose not God but sin despite the evidence and signs to the contrary. And according to my impression of Revelations, we too, or at least a good majority of us, will choose not God but sin despite the evidence and signs to the contrary. I am coming to the conclusion, in all this, that “we cannot fix it.” It is only through Jesus Christ that this world and we can be “fixed.”
Sherbrooke
The weather is changing here. The snow on the ground is all gone but we are still experiencing a weekly snow fall.
At the beginning of April, we were blessed with a visit from Lydia’s mom, brother, and his family for a weekend. We spent time playing soccer, talking (in English), and visiting Quebec City.
French studies are continuing. We have written 8 sets of French exams and our grades are improving. At the end of April, we will be taking a final level B1 exam which consist of oral and written assessments and a grammar test. For the months of May and June we are planning to participate in a French language conversational course here at Parole de Vie while our kids finish the school year. (The last day of school for the 3 younger kids is June 23rd.) For the month of July, we will be making a trip to Michigan, Indiana and possibly Tennessee. Planning and timing for a future departure from Sherbrooke to Togo will depend on a few things such as our language proficiency, language clearance from HBB, immunizations (may take ≥ 3months), passports, VISAs, housing availability in Togo and the arrival of our stuff to Togo. Currently we are projecting a departure date of Dec 2025 or Jan 2026.
HBB – “More than just a hospital”
A meeting: we had a zoom meeting with one of our supporting churches. We were encouraged by the conversation and the desire to be more involved in our ministry and the ministry at HBB. We are not sure of what the future holds, but are excited for the possibilities.
Newborn supplies: we had communication with a women’s group at a supporting church that is knitting blankets, hats and other supplies for the OB/newborn unit at HBB.
Ventilators. We understand a missionary couple has secured 5 additions ventilators for HBB. Thus, when they arrive, HBB will go from 1 to 6 ventilators. We are excited for this addition to HBB and what it could means for the treatment of acute respiratory emergencies (from snake bites for example) but we are also nervous at the challenges it may bring (when do you take someone off the ventilator).
A newsletter: we read a newsletter from Dr L (FP/OB doctor at HBB). The once-a-month OB meeting with the nurses to discuss treatment protocols has started and is being well received.
Praises – Thanking the Lord for:
- Noll -we were able to establish care with a local pediatric cardiologist. His repeat echo shows that his heart is doing well. We have a follow up visit in Dec prior to our departure.
- Noémi -she is adjusting to grade 2.
- Nathanael -he was able to give a Bible to a friend at school.
- Noah -he has been able to access some French tutoring through the school.
- Fred and Lydia’s language study -their test results continue to improve.
- A good visit with Lydia’s mom and brother and his family and for their safe travels. Also, for our neighbor who allowed us to use his apartment during their stay which simplified the logistics of their stay, allowing us to spend some good time together.
- A women’s group who is working on making hats, blankets, etc. for the newborns at HBB.
Prayers for
- Opportunities for Nathanael to read and talk about the Bible with his friend at school.
- Fred and Lydia -able to continue to learn French well (B1 exam May 2nd).
- The kids –continued adjustments to their schools, their learning, and being able to make friends (this continues to be a weekly challenge).
- Our friends and colleagues who are going through very challenging situations.
- Togo, Hôpital Baptiste Biblique –the team, the vision project (expansion from 50 to 75+ beds), the new FP/OB, and the growing of the OB service.
- The people of Sherbrooke (& Quebec) -the ministry of PDV and the local churches in sharing the message of Christ and any role that God might open up for us here.
- The safety and wisdom of our colleagues at ABWE’s northern hospital in Togo with safety concerns which is/will be straining manpower.
- Prayer & Praise that our financial needs are being met. Prayer for wisdom and responses as we hope to reach out to some churches in Northern Vermont once the snow disappears.
