The following letter was written by our day volunteer Grace who kept us well fed while we were in Togo. We met Grace through a friend of her pastors. We interviewed her as best you can when we speak English and she speaks only French (we did have a translator). She was warm and friendly and worked for a 5 star hotel up until the birth of her son. We asked her to prepare for Mark and I and the advance team a lunch to taste her fare. She made us African chicken, pate rouge, french fries and a salad. It was wonderful and we hired her. Grace started in December of 2009 and stayed with us through to September 2010. Some days she cooked for only our family and on other days when we had teams or a special event she cooked for up to 20 people. I acquired a new appreciation for traditional African fare and Mark loved her pepper sauce!! HHHHHOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTT! She could make the best tasting fresh salads and soups and she was willing to learn how to make enchiladas, scalloped potatoes and an assortment of other family favourites! Her husband is an English teacher and we were able to have the family on board the Africa Mercy for a dinner, tour and Sunday night service. Joan, who was part of the advance team that Grace cooked for, shared her testimony the night Grace, Oliver and Livingstone attended. Thankfully her husband could translate for her!
Over the past couple of years Mercy Ships has been transitioning into a more incarnational (modelling Christ) method of reaching people with the love of Christ. Many have been opposed and want to remain proclamational (Procaiming Christ in words) in approach. I won’t go into the pros and cons or the whys but I will share with you this letter written to our family from Grace.
August 14, 2010
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Mark,
You can never guess how glad we, that is my husband Oliver, my son Livingstone and I Grace are when breifing you this message in order to express our gratefulness and our farewell.
In fact, during your stay here in Togo, numerous are the good things our dear country benefits in general. But we particularly have been blessed through the behaviour of your beautiful family. From her we have learnt some virtues such as humility, patience and love which are bettering our marital life.
For that reason we are indebted to thank Mercy Ships in general and your family in particularly. Sincerely words are inadequate to express you our warm gratitude. That is why we are entreating the Almighty God to reward you with good health, prosperity and long life according to 3 John 2 and Philippians 4:19.
Furthermore, we would like to encourage you to keep doing good and serving the Lord for we hope that your deeds will not be in vain. I Corinthians 15:58. We shall never forget you. We shall keep praying for you.
Finally, as Joseph told Pharoahs cupbearer in prison to remember him, we do want you also to remember us. Genesis 40:13-14
Once again, accept our sincere gratitude.
Receive our dear farewell!
Have a safe journey!
See you one day!
May God bless you richly!!!
Yours sincerely,
Woedoe Grace
I enjoy hearing about all you endeavours. Keep up the good work and congratulations on your new post. Love and prayers. Jean.