ABWE - Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

When ABWE’s mission hospital, the Karolyn Kempton Memorial Christian Hospital (KKMCH), opened in Togo, West Africa, the nursing department was staffed mainly by missionary nurses. It was soon discovered, though, that ministries, illness, or family difficulties often pulled those missionary nurses in many directions. Nursing shortages were frequent.

Seeing a new opportunity for ministry, missionaries Annette Williams and Ann Den Uyl began a program to train Togolese believers as nurses. Since 1997, 27 graduate nurses have been trained and employed at our mission hospital. These nurses help us meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the patients. They have been a huge blessing to our ministry.

A NEW HOSPITAL, A NEW NEED

When ABWE began building the Wendell Kempton Medical & Ministry Center, a ministry post in northern Togo, we knew immediately that more nurses would be needed. For $80,000 (approximately $4,000 per student) we could provide training for 20 nurses—and eventually staff this new medical and ministry center.

I could tell story after story of how God provided that $80,000, and then some, during a time of economic crisis. In one instance, I received a phone call from a woman I had never met. She had read about the need in one of my prayer letters. “God touched my heart to give to the nursing program,” the woman told me. “Can you give me the information that I need for sending in a donation?”

I was delighted! Two days later she called again. “I want to tell you what I did. God touched my heart to send in $100 for the next nursing program. But I thought, ‘As long as I am sending in $100, why not add another $3,900 to support a whole nursing student?’ ”

Seriously—those were her words! This had not been an easy decision for her. She had repeatedly told the Lord that she could not send in that much; she did not know what was ahead in her own life. But she sensed the Lord saying, “Trust me. I will take care of you.” She later testified of God’s wonderful peace as she wrote that $4,000 check.

Then there was the note I received from a young couple in Indiana who indicated that they wanted to support “half a student”—the equivalent of $50 per month for 40 months. I wrote to them to find out how our paths had crossed since I had never spoken in their state. Apparently, this couple had been visiting family in Washington and had heard me talk at a church they attended while in the area.

EVEN MORE BLESSING

Just prior to returning to Togo, I visited a different supporting church in southern California. Following the morning service, I went with two friends to lunch. One turned to the other and said, “Do you want to tell Sharon now, or should we wait until we eat?”

I was rather curious by that time. My friend told me that at the end of Sunday School, her husband had poked her and said, “Why don’t we buy one of Sharon’s nursing students?” Another $4,000, just like that! We laughed with absolute joy over what God had done!

Shortly after that, a pastor wrote me saying that he had hoped his congregation would vote to give about $1,000 for the program. Instead, his church gave $4,800.

These are only a handful of the stories of God’s faithfulness. We’ve received support from individuals and churches, former nursing students, nursing faculty, individuals who have served short-term in Togo, and people that I had never met. I’ll never forget how these people gave generously and faithfully. Each gift was important and will change the medical and spiritual landscape of Togo.

Looking back, I can only remember, and smile, and thank God, Who alone has provided! Once again I am reminded of Ephesians 3:20–21, “Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think . . . to Him be glory!”

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