Christmas 2006
The Big Gift
Dear Friends and fellow Citizens,
A recent article in the press reported the extravaganza of gifts
offered for sale by upscale stores in the United States for tens
and hundreds of thousands of dollars. Truly, this must be a symptom
of a materialistic society looking for true significance. However,
gifts and giving are wonderful themes of Christmas. “God
so loved the world that he gave….” No more extravagant
gift could have been conceived.
It has been our privilege in this eighth year of retirement to
again witness to and savor God’s love in several parts of
the world. The highlands of Kenya (Maua Methodist Mission Hospital),
the Gobi desert in Mongolia, the outskirts of Nairobi (Kikuyu
Hospitals), and the capital of Ethiopia at 7,000-feet of elevation
were all venues for service and exciting vistas of a world where
God reigns in spite of man’s fallen estate.
Stan was the Stewart lecturer at the Christian Medical and Dental
Society Continuing Medical Education Conference at Brackenhurst
(outside of Nairobi) in February 2006. Left to right: Dr. Dorothy
Barbo (convener), Dr. Sissel Topple (the Topples's second daughter),
Mia and Stan Topple.
We didn’t see a cross lifted on any horizon in Mongolia—but
just wait for another five or ten years. In contrast, the Coptic
cross could be seen everywhere on the domes of churches in Addis
Ababa. More exciting was to see Christ in the hearts of his people.
In Ethiopia we were working alongside Korean Presbyterian missionaries
sent to establish a new, gleaming mission hospital in a city where
modern medical care is scarcely to be found. Stan had the challenge
of preaching to a Korean gathering one Sunday and an Ethiopian
congregation the next.
Our eight weeks in Kikuyu Hospital this past fall was heavy duty
but very satisfying, as Stan filled in for the Kenyan surgeon,
Dr. Kingori, who had not had a leave from work for over a year.
We are thanking God for the restoration of that orthopedic facility
to an active, self-sustaining state after the loss of leadership
and chaotic upheaval of staff that was imposed a year earlier.
Mia was grateful to find her dermatology trainee, clinical officer
Nicholas, not a victim of the earlier dismissal environment in
the hospital but firmly in charge of the clinic for skin disease,
HIV, and tuberculosis. The dermatology section of the hospital
has a brighter outlook than ever, as a medical doctor is also
to join the clinic.
Speaking of leadership and staff upheavals, do pray for the PC(USA)
mission program headquartered in Louisville. With financial constraints,
there has been a major revision of the organization. I cannot
remember in recent years when we have seen such focus on delivering
the gospel and reliance on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Topple family looks back over the year 2006 with much for
which to be thankful. Anne and Sissel have moved into new homes
in defiance of 2006 real estate prices. Our four children and
their families are all in good health and walking in the light.
We do however have a brother-in-law in Norway for whom we solicit
your prayers, as he struggles with advancing cancer.
As we think of gifts, we are especially thankful for the gift
of love and friendship and encouragement that we have received
from you who will be receiving this letter. May you receive “the
good and perfect gifts from above” this blessed season.
Stan and Mia Topple
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