The Road to Mango

April 2020

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

Dear Friends,

During our last couple of years in the U.S. we visited many of your churches and presented the work God has called us to in Togo. Part of that presentation was titled “the Road to Mango” and detailed the financial and training milestones necessary to leave for the field. Well, after many years of preparation (college, medical school, surgery residency, seminary, etc), several months of support raising, and language school in France, a month ago we finally took that road to Mango. After a short quarantine, our first weeks were spent setting up our new home. It was with joy we unpacked totes last seen two years ago, which largely survived trips across two countries, an Atlantic crossing, and two years spend in a hot cargo container.

Our arrival in the north of Togo came during the rainy season. Our colleagues have told us that the first part of the season was abnormally dry which hurt some of the crops. However since our arrival, an overabundance of rain has come, bringing flooding. It is reportedly the heaviest rainy season since 2007. While it has brought some challenges to the hospital compound as our leach fields flooding, it has been disastrous for many of the nearby villages. Several traditionally-constructed Togolese homes have collapsed, injuring some and leaving more without shelter. Pray for the people who have been affected as they need to rebuild.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have started my work in the hospital. It is a challenge to see such wide scope of surgical problems, many of which have been present for years. There are also numerous challenges with communication and culture. African French is quite different than the European version and many patients don’t speak it at all. Thankfully our Togolese colleagues speak numerous tribal languages. One of my associates in the clinic speaks seven tribal languages plus French.

Life is busy for Bethany and the kids as well. The kids have begun school in the missionary school. It is their first real experience with multigrade education. Bethany is busy in the home where almost everything has to be prepared from scratch. She has also paid a visit to the hospital laboratory, where they not only remembered her, but had her picture up from when she visited four years ago.

As with all of you, the COVID pandemic has affected our daily lives. Togolese regulations currently forbid all large gatherings which includes any church meetings. Travel between cities is subject to checkpoints and mask checks. It is limiting. Our family is currently learning about the opportunities for Gospel ministry and hope to be involved soon.

After such a long time, we rejoice to be where the Lord has led us. He has been faithful through each step of the way. His grace was abundant during the struggles during Hudson’s burn. Despite the economic effects of the pandemic, the Lord has continued to provide for us through so many of you. As some have had to reduce or stop their support, others have increased or begun supporting us. May the Lord be praised. We thank you for your love, prayers, and support of our family.

Love in Christ,

The Chmils