The Home Page Network

Our guest for this broadcast on The Home Page Network is Ron Butler. Ron is a mentor and advisor to many. He’s the former president and CEO of Laurel Health Systems. Ron currently volunteers for several non-profit organizations. He sits on our Home Page advisory board and is a dear friend and supporter of our vision for positive media. Ron is officially retired, or as Ron puts it, repurposed. Ron’s story is a testament to the profound impact of living with purpose, faith, and a heart dedicated to service in a world that often measures success by titles and accolades. His journey is not just about the milestones achieved but the lives touched, communities uplifted, and the unwavering belief that every season of life has a divine purpose.

For those retiring or thinking about retirement, Ron encourages us to be mindful and consider what retirement could be like. It’s interesting how, after a couple of years of retirement, many are not happy and are looking for something to put their heart into. Ron did things differently and took time to plan for his retirement. Ron says that Wellsboro has many people working together and many really worthwhile non-profit organizations, so there are plenty of opportunities. Regardless of your work abilities, skill level, or interests, there’s always an organization in our community that can use your help.

So, for those who are getting close to retirement—or maybe you’re in that transition right now—it’s essential to be mindful and to think ahead. Ask God to lead you through the process. It can be a very exciting time. Ron’s trip to Togo is a great example of the kinds of things that can be done, giving one a deep sense of joy and fulfillment.

So, how does a trip to Togo happen? Did Ron wake up one morning and say, “I think I’ll go to Togo!”

Ron stated that he has volunteered several times with Samaritan’s Purse for disaster relief work in the United States, but he has always been interested in medical missions. Samaritan’s Purse has a ministry called World Medical Mission, and they deploy Christian healthcare providers worldwide to support partnering mission hospitals, dozens of partnering mission hospitals in 30 different countries. So Ron applied to see if, other than clinical professionals like doctors and nurses, whom they usually deploy, they would ever need someone with his administrative experience, and God opened the door.

Togo is a direct flight from Dulles to Lome, the capital city of Togo, and the largest seaport in West Africa. Togo is about the size of West Virginia, so it’s not a large country. Ron said that he has seen statistics indicating that nearly half the population of Togo is now Christian. There were very few, if any, only 50 years ago.

During the broadcast, Ron shares about the incredible things that God is doing in this part of the world. There is always a need for volunteers with a heart for people. Ron also shares some pictures from his trip and highlights a couple of standouts that are very meaningful to him.

Ron shares that his most significant takeaway from the trip is that Togo has a wonderful Christian atmosphere. The doctors meet at seven on Monday morning to start their week with Bible study and prayer. They have another Bible study at 11 o’clock on Wednesday mornings before lunch. All missionary families there have another Bible study and prayer on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. They don’t have church services there on Sunday morning because they’re all encouraged to go out into the surrounding communities where they’ve planted churches and support the planted churches. And some of them teach Sunday school or preach at those churches in addition to attending and supporting those churches. The atmosphere in that compound must be what God intended for us. It was a peaceful, cooperative, collaborative, caring, and compassionate atmosphere where everybody worked together. The kids played together. Families work together to teach the children school lessons, and the doctors all work together, which they had to do to provide care in that challenging environment.

Ron’s next great adventure will be with his brother and family in Chicago.

If you would like to support World Medical Mission, you can send a gift by mail at:
Samaritan’s Purse
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
Or call:
Phone: (828) 262-1980
Fax: (828) 266-1056