Thursday, June 30, 2005
By BosNewsLife News Center
LOME, TOGO (BosNewsLife)-- In "a blow" to Christian pioneer work in the troubled African nation of Togo, a native missionary was seriously injured when he was thrown from his motorbike, Christian Aid Mission (CAM) said Tuesday, June 28.
US-based CAM, which supports indigenous missionaries in the area, said Gospel preacher Doh Kossi "miraculously survived" but sustained "multiple injuries after being thrown 16 feet" in heavy traffic. Kossi was on his way to villages that were unreached by missionaries when the incident happened, the organization said.
Referring to the Bible story about the "Good Samaritan", CAM said a passing car picked him up and headed towards a local hospital, where he remained Tuesday, June 28. However as often happens in Togo "the vehicle broke down en route. Kossi, suffering broken teeth and numerous internal injuries, was transferred to another vehicle, which after a short distance got a flat tire."
Kossi finally reached the hospital but "only to find that an electrical problem had plunged the facility into near darkness." In a CAM statement obtained by BosNewsLife Kossi reported that by "God's grace the doctor did a successful surgery, though we remained in darkness during the operation."
KOSSI'S NEPHEW
CAM said it was informed of the accident in an email sent by Kossi's nephew because the injured man is unable to move from his hospital bed. "The incident comes as a blow not only to Kossi and his family, but also to the pioneer missionary work he was starting
in northern Togo."
The organization claimed the purpose of Kossi's early June trip was to survey unreached tribal groups and prepare a strategy for reaching them with the Gospel. The organization had provided the missionary with funds to purchase the motorbike, which is now destroyed, and to reinforce his work in northern Togo.
"I ask you to pray for me, for the devil does not want to yield, for the people living in darkness will soon have the light," CAM quoted Kossi as saying through his nephew. It comes at a time when Christians in Togo are suffering because of the recent political upheaval following the death of Togo's president, "as well as the onslaught of Islam", CAM said.
ELECTIONS VIOLENCE
Violence erupted in Togo following presidential elections on April 24 and the announcement that Faure Gnassingbe, the son of former president General Gnassingbe Eyadema, had been elected to succeed his father as president. Observers claimed the election was fraudulent.
Citizens took to the streets in protests, many of which reportedly turned deadly. "Over 100 people, most protesters armed with slingshots and machetes, have been killed since the election. Thousands of Togolese worried about escalating violence have fled to neighboring Ghana and Benin," added CAM.
"Togolese Christians may be in even more danger than other citizens because, according to one native mission leader, the new government perceives them as unsupportive." Christians comprise about 29 percent of Togo's roughly 5.5 million strong population, according to official estimates.
CONTROVERSIAL GOVERNMENT
Despite pressure from the international community to form a government that would include the opposition and people of different (religious) backgrounds, most key posts have gone to supporters of Gnassingbe.
The new government announced by Togo's newly appointed Prime Minister Edem Kodjo late Monday, June 27, will be made up of 30 ministers, 22 of whom are new.
Members of the international community, including the West African political bloc, ECOWAS, had been pushing for a government of unity to end months of violence and turmoil following the death of late longtime-leader Gnassingbe Eyadema in February, the Voice of America (VOA) said.
CAM urged its supporters to help missionaries like Kossi survive in the turmoil. His treatment has incurred medical bills he is unable to pay and it said $1500 was needed to cover these costs and up to $1000 to purchase a new motorbike for ministry travel.
Potential donors were advised to call: 1-800-977-5650 or write to rae@christianaid.org. (With BosNewsLife Research and reports from Togo).