This week I went to one of the local deaf schools after my shift. A group of us – about 16 - went in the land rovers, leaving at about 5:30pm. I found out that there IS rush hour traffic in Lome, Togo and that I don’t like it. Cars are bumper to bumper with zimees (motor bikes) cutting in and out. Additionally there are people in the midst of it all attempting to cross the street! Note to self, bigger is better – at least for safety. J We arrived after about an hour of travel on mostly red dirt roads with a few scattered pot holes. Just fyi – the trip home was about 25 minutes long.
A group of about 40 children greeted us immediately when our white Mercy Ships vehicles pulled through the gate that lead into the schools open court yard. All the children had huge smiles on their faces and energy oozing from their bodies as they made welcoming hand gestures. It was almost silent, but the joy from our arrival was evident - even if you couldn’t hear it in their voices.
One of the teachers for the Mercy Ships’ academy is fluent in sign – and apparently this school uses American Sign Language. So we told/acted out a story with Christina (the teacher) as she translated into sign. Painting was next on the agenda. The children were told to paint their hearts desire. My heart was touched as I looked at their creations. There were motorcycles, airplanes, and for a number of them – a painting of the whole world. The world – that was their hearts desire. For these children, for the people here in Togo - their opportunities in life are far less then mine. What a gift I have been given, and how easily I forget!
I thought I was coming on a mission trip – to do medical work, to share the love of Jesus with those I cared for. But every day I am realizing more and more that this trip isn’t just about others – it’s about me drawing near to God and growing as a person – becoming the woman He desires me to be. It’s scary and humbling - and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds!
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