October 1, 2005                                      

During the fall of my senior year of High School, I played in the “cross-town classic”, this is the last football game of the season and it was the last game of my High School career. We all were really up for the game, plus we couldn’t bear the thought of losing to the school across the river. We all played well, and we won. After that game there was total exhilaration. Even though we didn’t win conference that year, we were the champions of the town! One thing that I didn’t expect however was that this was the last time I would ever play “real football”. I think that many of us would like to play that last game once more so that we could savor the significance of that win, knowing there would be changes in our lives so that we could never go back again. 

On my flight up to Vanga from Kinshasa early this last August, I was realizing that another one of those changes was ahead of me. At least this time, with the experience that I have gained through the years, I knew it was coming before it happened.

Sandy has been having health problems this past year that have become more and more of a concern. We came back to the States this summer in hopes that we could find a solution, so that we could return to Vanga with hope that her health would improve. However it didn’t work out as we hoped, and Sandy even had a cardiac rhythm episode in the States that would have been life threatening if it had occurred in Vanga. We prayed and discussed our options, but in the end, we knew there was only one that made sense. With heavy hearts we announced that we were resigning from International Ministries effective Sept. 30, 2005. So, alone I was returning to Vanga to help us all have some closure. I returned alone since Naomi would be starting school shortly and Sandy was recovering.

During the 2 weeks that I was there, I had the chance to approach in a new way every operation that I was privileged to be involved with. There were some really interesting Orthopedic cases that the Lord sent my way so I taught even more fervently than ever before. 

I cherished the meals that I had with my MAF colleagues as well as with our German brother neighbors. I savored my times with my friends, Hospital director Dr. Mpoo and Head Pastor Kothoe. And I was so honored by nursing staff at Vanga with a farewell gathering.

I was concerned that the news of our leaving would be taken in a negative fashion. However, when I explained the circumstances for the decision that we made, all were in agreement that God had called us elsewhere, and that He would in His timing fill the needs that exist at Vanga in our absence. Next to the last day, the hospital, church, and school at Milundu hosted a heartfelt goodbye ceremony for not only me, but for Sandy, as well. I could only think during that time that we had been so blessed by the chance to serve at Vanga during the span of our 9 years.

After that special, but short 2 1/2 week stay at Vanga, I found myself on a MAF plane, knowing that my time at Vanga had ended, and that we were being called to serve God elsewhere. The goodbyes that I felt were so heartfelt, with real tears, both from me as well as from my Congolese friends. It was especially moving to say “adieu” to the Resident Family Doctors on whom I had invested much of my energy and resources in order that they might develop into effective Christian doctors.

Please pray that God raises up others, both Congolese and missionaries who will fill the needs that are so evident at Vanga. I have confidence that our Lord, who has been so faithful to Sandy and me during these past 14 years of missionary service (both in Haiti and in Congo), will again prove Himself faithful to those who serve Him.

As to the aftermath of my last football game, yes it was an end of an era in my life, but it was also the beginning of new adventures and opportunities that that have made life so fulfilling. I am convinced that the Lord will give us new areas of ministry that will satisfy our wanting to serve the less fortunate. In fact already we are seeing His hand at work as I write.

In Christ’s Service, Mark and SandyJo Thompson

Heartfelt thanks go to the following:

* Our God and Father who called us to serve abroad and who always provided what we needed each day.

*International Ministries which had faith in our abilities.

*Our Parents who were willing to let us serve far, far away.

*The Prayers of Friends and Family, which sustained us since we began in1991.

*Churches and Friends who supported ministries we were involved in and others who supported us personally.

*Our Missionary Colleagues who became like family to us.

*Our Congolese and Haitian brothers and sisters who taught us so much.

Family update:

Our Son Drew is in his last year at Wheaton College. His major is Math and he is in the pre-med program.

Our daughter Naomi is adjusting to her senior year at the same High School she went to her freshman year when we were on furlough. She is busy applying to colleges in the Midwest.

Mark has begun working part time as a Family Doctor at the Greater Family Health Care Clinic in Elgin, which serves the underprivileged in the area. 

(in keeping with church policy we do not print addresses or phone numbers on web pages except for staff members. Please contact Missions or the church office for their current street address)

Our new address is in Elgin IL. We are only 40 minutes from O’Hare, Chicago airport. So, we hope to see many of you whenever you are passing through. Just like in Vanga, you are always welcome at our home! Our email address is: moketsj@hotmail.com