2011 Trip Recap

Wow! God is a mighty orchestrator. At ALL times, in ALL things. I see how He brought me to Togo last year to experience, grow and prepare me for this year. When you look at the big picture and how He puts the pieces together it is quite amazing. It is so much easier to see that in Africa away from America’s distractions and drama. For this reason, EVERYONE should go on a mission trip sometime in their life. You think in doing so you will be helping others, but the reality is, God blesses you in ways you cannot even imagine. For me, it’s the only time, when I am able to GIVE GOD COMPLETE CONTROL. It’s the only time, when I KNOW I’m doing what I was MADE TO DO (GLORIFY HIM). In fact, when it was time to come home, I was so torn about leaving, b/c I know how America’s distractions so easily consume me and my mission.

This year, Pioneers International created a new “How” to their vision. Their organization plants missionaries and then churches in indigenous hard to reach areas around the world. In the country of Togo, there are 45 different people groups (dialects) and approx 95% are animist (idol worship. Some claim to be Christians.), 1 northern area is 95% Muslim. Pioneers Togo currently have 13 missionaries working to reach the lost and find those among them to impact their village for Jesus.

Last Year Update: Some may remember Oda, the little girl who I built a special connection with. We didn’t have clinic in her village this year, but the Pioneer area missionary, Sylvester, brought her to see us for the day. She has grown up. Was really shy when she first came, but soon opened up. We showered her with the gifts we brought and snuck her into the bus for lunch (in which she proceeded to eat two whole plates of rice!). Sylvester, tells us that being in school has brought her great happiness. We were able to see first hand how she’s fitting in better with the area children. We learned that to continue to help her, we need to help the family. She has 3 other siblings, no father around, and an uneducated mother. This means they have NO income. Her mom is sad and feels hopeless. Pioneers suggested that she needs money (which they manage) to start a business (teach her to make something and sell) so the family can begin receiving income. The startup money was taken care of while we were there (praise God) and I am excited to receive updates on how the family is doing. We will also make sure Oda stays in school. And are praying about her siblings. Did you know that $30 can get a child into school? Once the child has a UNIFORM (which is part of the cost), only then can they attend school. After that you are looking no more than $20 per year to keep them in school.

This Year Recap: Our medical team took on the challenge to be more intentional in sharing the gospel this year. I have no doubt that God was at work in mighty ways. In 5 days of clinic (3 different areas), over 2000 Togolese were exposed to the gospel, through the team skit, pioneers sermon, ministries (men, women, children’s), and interpreted prayer.
- 540 patients saw a provider (5 sent directly to hospital, others being considered for surgery*)
- 300 more received just glasses, another 200 received sunglasses
- 1000 more came to the clinic just to see the show (“yovos” – white people at work)
*5 of whom were sent directly to the hospital – hours away on a bumpy road; many others are being considered for future surgeries. Seacoast allocates a sum of money per mission trip to go towards surgeries, wheel chairs, etc. This year most was given for the 5 sent to hospital while we were in clinic. There are more in need and our team is prayerfully considering how to help. As an extended part of our team, I pray you will do the same. It’s amazing how far $200 will go in Togo Healthcare.


DIVINE APPOINTMENTS (Just like last year, God was all about this. Makes me wonder if he does it just as much in America but we are too busy and distracted to see it…)

Children’s Ministry – Instead of just blowing bubbles, singing songs, taking pictures and letting them see themselves for the first time, we shared a lesson about ways to KNOW GOD LOVES ME. The first day we did this, it was only the unschooled children (which mean they didn’t know French, therefore, couldn’t understand our interpreters). There just so happened to be a man waiting for his medication who heard us. He was a teacher, and even a Christian and he not only interpreted their dialect through our interpreter, but he preached to them … and without us even asking for help. These children eyes shined when they listened to him. They were even taught how to pray. Now tell me that was not God!!!

Women’s’ Ministry – We made 3-bead bracelets explaining the trinity (3 persons, 1 God)
Red – God the Son (Jesus). He loved us so much, he died and his blood covers our sins.
White – God the Holy Spirit. Once Jesus died and returned to the Father in heaven, he sent us a helper, comforter, counselor, bestfriend. We are NEVER alone.
Green – God the Father. He created you. He is in control and bigger than anything and everything.
We did this lesson twice.
First time, it was interpreted for all woman to come over – and 50 came. After we shared the lesson, their questions were about whether they would be seen in the clinic now. Explained that if they didn’t receive a card that day, then they needed to come back the next morning and try again. They weren’t too happy, but it gave us a chance to explain that medicine can only help your pain, but Jesus, it the only one who can heal your pain. 20 of the 50 ended up staying with us to be prayed over. Seeds were planted (Adjo-see below) and all 50 walked away with a reminder of who God is with their bracelets.
Second time, was at the very end of last clinic. We were all tired and medical was finishing up. I felt a prompting to ask the 10 women still around if they would like to come over for a bible lesson. They all came. There was definite interest and good questions including “How good do I need to be before I can come to him?” I was able to share that he wants you to come RIGHT where you are. In fact, you cannot change without him! One woman even prayed with the village missionary for the first time.

Akoua – Clinic Day 1 (Ditriamé village) my role was medicine teacher (same as last year). Felt much more comfortable sharing my faith and praying with those who came through. Midway through the day, Akoua, a young mother, came through with depression written on her card (“going mad” was written as well). I felt prompted to address the subject and let her know that I to struggle with sadness. I will never forget the look of hope on her face. It broke my heart to know that those with mental struggles were rejected and seen as crazy among the Togolese culture as a whole. When you already believe this about yourself, how much harder is it for you to “break free” when the world around you won’t forget. From then on I felt a calling to reach out to those who came through clinic with this struggle.
Clinic Day 2 (in the Djon village), I was walking to the clinic with a team member who speaks French and struggles with similar things. No sooner than I could get out of my mouth that I hoped that the two of us would see Akoua again and be able to talk with her, she appears behind us. She had walked all the way from her village. Tell me that is not God!!! We wrote down bible verses in French for her to say and claim when she was weak. (Just as I had learned to change my thinking by 1) believing the “truth” and not lies; and, 2) by speaking it). She came back again the last day of clinic to tell me she spoke the verses we gave her and feels better! We are getting her a bible of her own. I plan to stay in touch and encourage her.

Adjo – Another young woman was sent to me after being seen in the clinic because “depression” was written on her card. By the time she got to me, she was truly hungry for the word. She wanted a bible, but couldn’t read. I prayed the salvation prayer with her (first time ever for me) and shared a little about how I combat my depression. Through the Pioneers, we are working on getting her a bible AND teaching her how to read. Get this! She just happened to be one of the Togolese women who were mad about coming yesterday to women’s ministry and not being seen medically. She however, was one of the 20 / 50 who stayed for us to pray over. God is good and working all around us!

Now that I am back, what do I do with it?
My prayer throughout my trip was how to continue God’s work at home. He revealed to me early in the trip, that it was in same way I was doing here - being a friend to those who struggle with similar things as I. He was calling me to step out of my comfort zone and be transparent not only to close friends but to all. You never know who needs to hear your story. Over my life, I have struggled with depression and looking back I have a wonderful testimony that needs to be shared AND a passion to do so. I am seeking ways to be used in a few different ministries. Please pray I will be patient and continue on this exciting journey God has taken me on. `

Countdown to Togo 2011

Less than two weeks to go! It will be here before I know it. Twenty-One Team Members will be leaving on Monday, November 7th around 5pm and will return Thursday, November 17th. Our trip will consist of 4 full clinic days and two half clinic days in 3 different areas in the north. I want to thank you all again for your help and support, as well as let you know what God has been teaching me for this journey. So first, anybody who has played a part in this, whether, financially, prayerfully, helping with the kids or George’s sanity while I am gone. …. THANK YOU SEVEN TIMES SEVENTY  You are all involved in missions through this and should count yourselves as blessed! Please continue to pray for our safe travels (to and while we are there because there will be travel between clinics), safety and our impact on the country as well as aiding the pioneer’s mission there.

Now, I want to share my WHOLE experience with you … even before I leave.

Struggles - This trip is sneaking up on me quickly and I want to be prepared in all areas before I leave… Interesting that our team devotional this week is on procrastination. Let the cramming begin!!! As far as struggles go, mine are silly – for someone who doesn’t normally deal with anxiety, I’ve had a little this time about while I am there (i.e. getting sick or catching something, not sleeping, not getting to shower and being grumpy, not being in the right mind set, etc.) Again, I will say silly things. When they creep in my head I push them out and recognize them for what they are. This trip is not about me but HIM.

Learning – Last year, God placed a bible verse on my heart that you may remember.

Luke 12:48 “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”

This verse touched me last year from a material standpoint, but recently in a women’s bible study, I was shown that it goes much further. Americans have so many privileges we don’t even think about. We have so much access and freedom to God’s word (bibles, book, teachers, churches, tv, radio, internet, etc). It is “Much” and it “has been given…” to America. This challenges me to be more intentional about EVERYTHING (not just the material) that I have been given and to become more missions minded. With that said, I have a growing anticipation to see what God will do through this trip. This year, we are taking an extra focus on loving the Togolese above and beyond the medical care. We have plans to be more INTENTIONAL in the children’s, women’s and men’s ministries. As far as men’s, other more qualified team members will be handling that one .

In children’s ministry, we are doing a skit to music to show the gospel. Its very moving and I invite you to view the link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSwCOs-uXzU&feature=related) where we got our idea. Of course some of the skit will be changed to their cultural struggles… i.e. idol worship (which is my part in the skit). The best thing about this approach is that it not only relieves us of some of the language barriers we will face, but also that not only the children will see this, but everyone who comes to the medical clinics. And when “Yovo’s (white people) in scrubs come” EVERYONE comes to see the show. 

This year, I was felt called to step out of my comfort zone and be a part of the women’s ministry as well. I along with two other team members will be leading them in making a bracelet with three beads (symbolizing the trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit and how it relates to them). It will be a tangible way to show them the Gospel that they can take along with them everyday. When we get the whole lesson together, I look forward to sharing it with you.

Togo, West Africa Medical Mission Trip 2010

It is now the holidays, and what better time to share my 12 Day Medical Mission experience to Togo, West Africa with you. I’m not sure who was most affected, the Togolese people we helped or myself. It’s really hard to put my whole experience into a few words. I will try my best. This is my first blog, yes, im pretty old school, but trying, go to my albums on facebook to see pictures from the trip.

The Partnership: For the last 10 years, Seacoast church has partnered with Pioneers Togo, an African missionary team who goes to the poor, hard to reach villages and spreads the gospel. They are true servants who go where no one else wants to. This group looked out for all of our needs despite many inconveniences by providing us with 16 Christian Interpreter students, transportation, accommodations, food, water, protection, etc. I believe they worked harder than we did. I didn’t know much about this group before I went, but now I have so much respect and admiration for them. For more info on this group, http://www.pioneers-africa.org/

Our Mission was to meet the medical needs of the Togolese with the hope of telling them about the one true cure – Jesus Christ. We aided Pioneers Togo in serving these villages by providing a different way for them to continue building trust and showing service to their people. We performed 7 medical clinics in 7 different villages in 7 days. (We were in hospitals – not quite like ours, schools – again, not quite like ours, and one was outside under a big tree offering shade.) Over 500 patients were seen, reading glasses were given out, medications were prescribed and necessary surgeries were planned. Many of the people believed that we wouldn’t help them if they weren’t a Christian. Our goal was to also show Christ’s love and his free gift, no strings attached.

My Role, besides playing with the kids, was “medicine teacher.” I was the last person that the patient would see who gave them their medicine, and educated them on what it was for and how often to take it (with an interpreters help of course). Throughout the week, I began to realize that this wasn’t a numbers game to get through as many as possible, but instead time to allow God to speak through me before each one left. I didn’t personally bring anyone to Christ, but I SAW seeds being planted and throughout the week, many came to know Christ, including one of the
village chiefs (this will have a huge impact on their whole village).

Some things I learned:
1. We had many obstacles along the way, such as, 40 of us as a whole team with different personalities, bus breaking down often causing delays, hard living conditions (sometimes not any water to shower at night), etc. Amazingly, there was never any complaining. Just knowing that we were in God’s will made the way for perfect peace and divine appointments. I hope to bring this type of outlook back to America with me, because it is a rare thing.
2. I experienced prayer at a different level and realize that there is so much that I’m missing out on. I hope to grow in this area and experience the blessings.
3. I learned how the rest of the world lives compared to America. We take so much, especially our conveniences for granted. A wise team member of ours said that God doesn’t want us to feel bad for having much, but instead, to act and do good with what you have. Luke 12:48 “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” I will write this verse on my heart.
I do hope to continue my mission experiences, both locally and globally. I eagerly wait for God to show me what’s next. Thank you so much for your support, prayers, and friendships.

Christie Michaud


Highlights from the Trip
Divine appointments
1. Sitting next to a Muslim passenger on the airplane – 5 minutes before we land from
ATL to NY. He starts a religious conversation asking about our trip and why we are
doing this. His religion is based on a point system that he doesn’t agree with. I told him,
Jesus is our free gift and wipes away the points system.

2. Bus’ first brake down on the side of the road next to a few huts. We ended bringing joy
to children by singing and playing games with them.

3.I met a precious 8 yr old girl, Oda Edudzi, while singing with children during one
of the many waits for our team and the bus. She clung to me and I noticed village kids
young and old were picking on her. Adults even would shoo her away and say she was “not normal.” She seemed perfectly normal, just shy. We had clinic there the next day in and she found me. (Wasn’t too hard, I was the one out in the sun jumping rope with the kids.) I was on a mission to make her feel special and let all the onlookers see it. We got
the Village Pioneer missionary involved. He picked her up like a baby in front of all the stares
and the look on her face told me she’s never felt love like this. I plan to stay in touch and help.

The Togo culture
Carry EVERYTHING on their heads … except their
babies which are wrapped on their backs all day.
Driving – no order, no lanes, 90% motorcycles with
whole families (yes that means children to) on board;
Out of the big city - No electricity, mud huts, water
is scarce and brown. Even in the city, A/C is a rare luxury.
Your village is your family. Everyone is together all the
time. Children run around together unsupervised.
The eyes and smiles of the children – have so little,
but are so happy. Taking pictures of them and seeing
the smiles when they look at themselves.
When children do get something, it’s a fight for it
because they aren’t used to having things. However,
if its food or water. There’s a sense of sharing.
Amnesty, idol worship, is common among the
Togolese. Some even incorporate it into Catholicism. You can find idols on the side of the road.
The man of the family makes all major decisions, if
the wife wants to become a Christian and not worship idols,
she only can if her husband says its ok.


Most Memorable Experience: Riding on a motorcycle with 2 (yes 2) African interpreters through “the bush” on
my way to a village named “Hell” for clinic on Halloween. Smiling and waving like a celebrity and being called “Yovo” (white person) while riding through the bush.
Then attending a church service in “Hell” where God is doing amazing things. Thankfully, the name will soon be
officially changed to Shitope (Place of Refuge).

One of my favorite things about our trip was making friendships and
worshiping cross-culturally with the Pioneers Togo team and interpreters.
We rode “Samson”, the bus, together on our way to clinics. There was
no A/C, LOTS of vehicle trouble, delays, and no complaints, just prayer and singing. The interpreters taught us a favorite song of theirs, “Jesus is tha Winna Man.” It’s very catchy. It soon became our favorite song of the trip!

Thank You for letting me share my experience! If you’d like to hear more, please contact me.