The Old Year Ends, God's Faithfulness Continues

January 2021

“All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided.”

Dear Friends,

Although 2020 was bizarre and in many ways a difficult year, the transition to a new year is a good time to remember the faithfulness of God. The last few months of 2020 brought a new chapter of our lives in Mango, Togo. We are really just at the beginning of what we pray will be many long years of work in the African vineyard of our Lord. But we have also finished what has been a very long road of preparation, and we reflect on all the stages and how God has been so faithful to supply every need, whether academic, health (several times!), leading us to our churches and to ABWE, the friendships He has provided, etc. He has led us to new understanding of our dependence on Him and of His character that is bedrock solid. What a sovereign Savior!

As we establish a new budget for a new culture, we note God’s faithfulness to us financially. There were a lot of expenses associated with living in France, and the transition itself incurred fees that thankfully had been anticipated and supplied in advance. Every single need has been met. We thank you, our faithful supporters, for making it possible to be here and to have the tools we need. We are tremendously blessed to have reliable transportation that can handle the crazy roads around town and on the main highway. We are so blessed by the beautiful house that was built here for our use, and paid for in part by you, God’s servants. There are smaller things, too, like school books for our kids and plastic boxes that protected our household goods during the two years they sat in storage waiting for us to catch up to them. Many thanks to each of you who have invested in this ministry.

You might wonder what a typical week looks like for our family. Steve invests many hours working in the hospital, doing surgery, seeing patients in clinic, and responding to emergencies like moto accidents and c-section deliveries. In his free time he leads his family and builds relationships with each of us one-on-one and as a group. He reads “exciting” tomes about fractures and congenital malformations and how best to wire shut someone’s mouth. Patients often arrive in much more serious condition here because the lack of healthcare facilities and the lack of funds often cause them to delay seeking care, even for things like broken leg bones. There are fewer diagnostic tools available, and the surgical tools are often scant or worn. But God is using the hospital here in a big way to help meet physical and spiritual needs. The line of patients seeking care often requires them to wait for days, which they patiently do because the need is so great. A man discharged recently, having had his leg amputated, said he was glad that he experienced such great physical difficulty because it led him to receive the hope that is found only in Jesus Christ.

While Steve is at the hospital, I am the family coordinator, making sure everyone

has what they need in terms of food and shelter (and laundry!) I care for the younger children at home while the older ones are at school, and I am exploring options for other ministries. Hospitality is another important part of my week. I have also begun studying the local tribal language, and it is a joy to try out my feeble phrases with women in the market. They are very kind and love to help me learn!

The four oldest kids are in school here, so they leave at 7:50 for the three-minute walk (or 1-minute bike ride) to school with Aunt Amanda and Aunt Megan. They usually come home for lunch and then run back to play with their missionary-kid classmates. At three o’clock they rotate through French lessons with a talented tutor named Issa. Sundays after worship includes group sports for kids and adults, which they look forward to in the afternoon.

Irene enjoys drinking “tea,” and watching the cows and sheep wander through our yard, and reading books with someone, preferably on the porch swing. She also loves handing the money to the ladies in market. She was very excited about the January arrival of another three-year-old named Ellie.

As the new year progresses, we pray that God’s presence will encourage you no matter what external circumstances are playing themselves out in your life. We would love to hear from you and to pray for you according to knowledge. We hold you in our hearts!

In Christ,

Bethany and Steven Chmil

BP 10 Mango, Togo

steven.chmil@outlook.com