February 8, 2004
Dear Friends:
Within two weeks we will be again on our way to Africa, returning
to work in hospitals in Kenya for a period of nine to ten weeks.
We want to go in God’s strength and wisdom, not our own.
It can be no accident or coincidence that in book of Acts, that
document of growth and expansion of the new church, we see 22
references to prayer. Please pray for us and the situation we
are facing. Our expected return to Montreat, North Carolina, is
about May 15.
Here are some specific matters for prayer as the Topples face
these coming weeks:
Thanksgiving
- The Kikuyu Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Center seems to be healthy
with good leadership, an all-time high patient volume, a greater
number of orthopaedic volunteer surgeons than ever before, and
young African doctors who are now coming there for orthopaedic
training.
- The country of Kenya seems to be more stable and free of corruption
than it has in some decades. We thank God for President Kibaki,
a Roman Catholic, who came into office nearly one year ago.
- We have an open door to return to two other mission hospitals
where we have served before. We have identified younger doctors
and leaders who welcome us to teach and work in harness alongside
them, expanding their knowledge and skills in dermatology and
orthopaedic surgery.
Pray for:
- A spiritual vitality to be maintained and fostered in the
Kikuyu Hospital and the Orthopaedic Center. This is a precious
flame that must be treasured and nurtured, never taken for granted.
- That Kenya will be steadily brought up from the spiral of
poverty, Christian nominalism, and greed that has been pulling
its people down. Establishing a new constitution that will establish
the nation on a solid base is a major current struggle.
- We just learned of a grave tragedy in the Maua Methodist Hospital,
where we plan to give service during the month of March. Dr.
Dietmar Ziegler and his wife Birgit were killed in a head-on
collision last October, leaving four orphaned children and a
hospital suddenly cut off from its fine, energetic Christian
leadership. Now we understand why there were no answers to our
Ziegler-directed emails. Pray for that hospital and that we
will be a source of encouragement and direction.
- Pray for St. Elizabeth Hospital and their fine Kenyan surgeon,
who is the medical officer in charge. Dr. Angila carries a heavy
administrative as well as clinical load and is seeking to bring
a Christian emphasis to staff doctor gatherings. Dr. Angila
lost his father about six months ago.
- Pray that Mia and Stan will have safety, wisdom for every
situation, and a word in due season for the lost and suffering.
We thank God for this opportunity to go once again in Christ’s
name to a needy part of the globe. We thank you for your partnership
in prayer and encouragement.
Sincerely,
Stan and Mia Topple
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
55
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