The Harvest is Plentiful

The other side of the island

It has been a dream for some time to see another team come to our island.  In particular there have been great hopes for a medical team to start on the other side of the island.  The medical needs here are great.  For several years, we have prayed and hoped and surveyed and encouraged, but still we wait for a team.  Last week we were joined by some colleagues who have been doing medical work on the little island.  They had come to do their own survey—another shot at the medical team.  We are the ones with the most experience on Clove Island and we are quick to help out in any way we can.  So that’s how I found myself (Tom) chauffeur and guide along with another teammate for a handful of days last week.

Here were some of my takeaways from the time:

Car trouble

I’m glad we don’t have a car! I discovered that I don’t really like driving on our island.  We don’t have a car, but we rented one for the survey (one of only two cars advertised for rent on the island).  I don’t mind the city driving, but driving over crumbling roads with enormous potholes or a strip of asphalt only wide enough to accommodate one car going in one direction—not “Fahrvergnügen.”  Plus there is the pain of cars breaking down and needed parts rarely being available. Thankfully the rental car only broke down once and island mechanics were able to improvise with what they had even though they didn’t have the part. Overall, I am glad to walk, take a taxi or sit on a bus.  Sure there is greater freedom with a car, but is it worth it?  After two days driving around the island, I’d say no!

Photos thanks to S.P.  on survey trip

Five years of English teaching means we know lots of people. It didn’t seem to matter where we went, or what kind of establishment we were in, even on the other side of the island—somebody there always knew us.  “Teacher!” We would hear it over our shoulder all the time, and turning around would be a student from years gone by.  They may have forgotten most of their English, or they may be eager to show how they can still use it, but they’re happy to see us! In Africa it is often about “who you know” and it certainly helps to know someone when navigating a new place. So we are excited to see medical work get going here, but English teaching still opens lots of relationships.

You can do a lot by just showing up.  We did the whole survey without making one official rendezvous.  We tried to call and set up some meetings.  We tried to go and come back at one office, but none of the official meeting plans seemed to work.  It was much more effective to just go and meet people and talk.  Could you imagine trying to tour a hospital in the States without an appointment?  Here, we tried to make an appointment. Failed.  Showed up anyway and were welcomed into every area.

There is so much opportunity. One thought struck me more than any other as we toured around the island.  We spent a good deal of time in a number of towns and villages.  We walked the streets and talked to people many people.  All the time the surveyors were asking themselves, “Where is the right place for a medical team?”  But I found myself looking around and thinking, “We could put a team here.” 

Exploring a town

We moved to the next town and I thought, “We could put a team here too.”  We drove past three large villages and the thought occurred to me, “You could spread a team through these villages.”  By the time the survey was done I had seen three or four strong places where teams could be formed.  Imagine, three or four more teams!  Imagine the impact! Imagine the possibilities!  We went looking for a place to put a medical team, but I saw opportunity after opportunity.  It was an “Open your eyes, the fields are ripe for the harvest” moment.  If only we had people to fill those teams and leaders to lead them.  If only this island could be filled with good people serving and loving islanders, not only in one place, but in four, five, six places.  Imagine the island filled with teams of people reaching out to help islanders. This place could be deeply effected.  
The harvest is plentiful. The opportunities are there.  If only more were willing to come.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Last week we asked you to pray for better relationships and people being more genuine and open in their communication with one another.  Although many problems still persist, we have seen at least one breakthrough in communication with brothers and sisters which is very encouraging.  We are hope that it is the start of something very good.  May it continue.  The survey trip went very well.  They were able to talk to many people and logistics went well.  (we are thankful that the rental car only broke down once!)  The language consultant had a rough trip getting here, but we are thankful that she has arrived and was able to get a good night’s sleep last night.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
The language consultant will be here for two weeks.  They hope to cover a lot of ground.  Pray that it goes well and for clear communication.  It’s Thanksgiving this week!  Pray that we would be able to share a blessed day with our team and bless others as we give thanks to God.  At the same time, there is a big local religious holiday this week and extending through the month.  Pray that even this could be used to open hearts up to a search for truth.  May we be sensitive to those who are searching.  One of our teammates is getting ready to leave on home assignment in mid-December.  Pray for her preparations this month.