The applause on the big stage is for the actors and the actresses. While the playbill will note the stage crew, set designers, lighting crew, sound team, and various others, those people often are not often lauded by or even known to the audience. The stage crew are the ones dressed in black, slipping around in the shadows moving set pieces in and out of scenes and getting the right stage lights and sound effects or music tracks ready in order to prepare for the next act. Their job is to create as little distraction as possible while doing their jobs so that the actors and actresses can hit their cues and so that you can enjoy the story unfolding before your eyes. We have people just like that on the mission field.

You may have read the story of how a church began in a village after Faro Faro heard the Gospel at HBB where his daughter-in-law received medical care. You applauded the medical staff loudly and gave glory to God through this work and others similar to it. You have rightly given praise for the fruits of such hard labor. Yet, there were more people aiding in God’s glorification than just the doctors and chaplains. Just as the actors and actresses will sometimes credit the stage hands, we need to “pull back the curtain” to show you a very important set of people that work behind the scenes every day making the jobs at the hospitals possible. We need to praise God for the amazing men and women who are using their “odd” skills to allow ministries like our hospitals to run well. Maintenance workers are such an integral part of these ministries!

It is all too common today to hear people say things like, “I think God is calling me into missions, but I am just a ____________ and not a doctor, pastor, or teacher. How can He use me?” People too easily doubt that God is able to use them as He created and gifted them simply because they have no clue how those dots seem to connect. Are you not grateful that God does not work based on your vision or understanding?

Right now, the teams in Togo are in need of people willing to serve as short and long-term missionaries who are NOT doctors, teachers, or pastors. Both of our hospitals - Hôpital Baptiste Biblique (south) and Hospital of Hope (north) - as well as our Village of Light School for the Blind (also south) - are in urgent need of more folks who can come and assist with manual labor. Our “behind the scenes” maintenance teams need YOU!

Scott Wolford, mid-term missionary with ABWE, is serving at Togo’s southern hospital as a maintenance worker. In the States, Scott worked for a largely successful electric company. He says, “God showed me through His word that the Great Commission is for all Christians, not just certain ones. And since my skill set is working with my hands, I had to learn what it meant to use these skills to bring glory to God.” Scott said yes to serving a 2 year term in Togo, West Africa by using his unique skills for the Lord’s work. He is one of a very limited number though. At this time, Togo needs more people who are willing to also say yes to God’s call; those who are willing to come and work behind the scenes so that people like the doctors and chaplains can work without being distracted by technical issues. Our maintenance crews currently have more work in front of them than they can handle alone. Without more people, projects will continue to pile up and it could begin to affect the work being done on the “front end” of various ministries.

What areas of skill sets can be used?

Carpentry; Masonry; Construction; Metalworking; Electrical; Plumbing; machine repair & more

Hannah Strayer is a missionary using media on the field to communicate stories of need with others God may be calling to help resolve them. You can learn more about her or begin partnering with her today! You can also follow her on social media (just scroll to the very bottom of this page!)

Scott & Stephanie Wolford are mid-term ABWE missionaries. Scott works maintenance and Stephanie is an RN at HBB. They committed to serving a two year term in Togo, West Africa. They are now seeking God’s direction for future ministry as they have reached the halfway point of their commitment.

Judy Bowen oversees the Communications Resource Center, which is responsible for translating Christian materials into French and Ewe. They also write and print their own tracts, booklets, and other evangelistic tools.