So where in the world is Keith – TOGO

Photo:  Africa Mercy in the background, standing with the national flag of Togo  

Togo was the first nation in Africa to welcome our hospital ships and that goes back to 1990 with the Anastasis, while I was serving as Accountant at the Mercy Ships office in Texas.  In 2006, Togo was the second country in Africa I visited but we were really only passing through from Ghana to Benin to the east of Togo.  I spent two field services in Lome, Togo with the Africa Mercy in 2010 and 2012 and now the Africa Mercy is returning and I am here to make the necessary preparations. 
I continue to serve in the Port Liaison role and we have a new title of our team – ‘Field Service Advance Team’.  I was not able to be with the port assessment team in May of this year when they visited, but I have his report and contacts.  Togo is a French speaking country.  I am still in contact with some former crew members, former day crew members, partners and others in Togo – so I look forward to connecting with them while I am there.  Our team will be based in the capital and port city of Lome.  Our Patient Selection Team have already visited Togo and are working on their plan for the recruitment of surgical patients, adults and children, for all of our surgical specialities. 

Prayer Requests: 
**Africa Mercy – all the surgeries in Madagascar continue to go well and healing is restored before our hospital on the ship closes in December.  Plus for the annual maintenance period in January and February before coming to Togo.
**Global Mercy – in Tema, Ghana – for the surgeries, all the volunteers necessary, for the training opportunities in our operating theatres and through short courses taking place with one of our trusted partners
**Personal – safety and security, health, and divine opportunities,       

May we continue to follow the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus bringing hope and healing.