au revoir

This is likely my last entry from this trip to the "Forgotten Triangle."

Our time here in Benin has been terrific.  It was brief, but we have had the chance to see some wonderful ministries.  Yesterday morning I was able to visit a farm where Josue is helping to grow crops and one day offer training in farming to young people.  The goal is one day to house 25 students who will hear about the Good News of Christ while also learning how to farm effectively.  They will then return to their villages to work their own plot of land both physically and spiritually.  By God's grace they will plant churches in their villages.

I then had the chance to meet with a small group of individuals in a church who had received micro-loans to create small businesses.  They were grateful for the loans and growing their businesses.

Then, we got to meet with a Pastor who is an advisor to the president of Benin and also the president of the organization of all the evangelical churches in Benin.  Afterward, I taught some young leaders on godly motivation in ministry and enjoyed a time to praise and pray with them.

Today has been a pretty full day too with a visit with other micro-finance borrowers and a visit to an amazing school for deaf children.  Wow!  What a ministry to those who would otherwise be rejected by society and have no hope for their future.  The children were precious.


God is on the move here in West Africa!  The people here and the Church here is far from perfect just as we are in the US.  But, the Church and God's people will prevail.  As Pastor Ali says, the light advances and the darkness retreats.


Thank you for reading.  I look forward to catching up with each of you when I return.

Burkina

Bonjour.  It has been a great stay in Burkina.  We have been plenty busy, but God's grace has always been sufficient!  It's been so cool to see how God has given strength and courage each step of the way.  At moments when I was struggling and tired and very hot, He would send a gentle breeze to give temporary relief.  And when I wasn't sure how I was going to make it after 5 hours in the back of a non-air-conditioned SUV, we were blessed with a beautiful rain and much cooler temperatures. 

Most days in the US I missed God's gifts of sufficiency.  I'm so independent and lacking need.  I've managed to create such pervasive comfort that I don't rely on Him.  This is sad.  Somehow, I must take steps of faith so I can walk with Him because I know that God is in the places that require faith.

We're off to Benin tomorrow.  I'm eager to see Amy, Aeva and Pearce!  I'm glad that we're on the last leg of the trip. 

off to Burkina...a demain

Our time in Niger has been very full.  What a great combination of spending time with expats and our Nigerien friends.  I'd say that this trip, the African way of life and the Christians faith has really started to sink in.  I have been able to step back more than in the past and really consider what life is like for our partners here.  It has made me evaluate how I live, what I pursue and what is important in life.  The life here is very difficult but our friends have a clear view of God's blessings.  And so have I this trip.  We have gotten the dreaded intestinal bug and so even this has contributed to my sense of blessedness.  When I'm feeling fine, I consider how blessed I am.  And when I don't feel good, I consider that it's a blessing to participate in the sufferings of Christ and the sufferings of the thousands and thousands of children here in Niger.  What must it be like to live each day with an intestinal bug, in 105+ degree temperatures, with only one miniature meal in your belly and no clean drinking water?  How do you start a business?  How do you pay attention in school?  How do you find a job? 

It's just so hard to imagine this life.  I feel like such a wimp.  I'm SO comfortable in the US. 

Anyway, those are just some brief thoughts.  Thanks for all of you who support me and for reading this.

Arrival

Here we are in warm Niger!  The trip was without incident and went very smoothly.  We had to fly around the volcanic ash cloud from Atlanta to Paris which added about 2 hours of flight time.  But I actually preferred that because it gave us a little more time to sleep (in between all the food they kept serving us).

Once in Paris, we discovered that the construction on the airport had been completed.  I would now say that it's a pleasure flying into Charles de Gaulle.  But, we didn't have to change terminals so it might be a different story on the way home.

In the airport, we were able to get some more sleep on the benches.  I laid down near a Jewish man who was praying and reading what I assume was the Torah.  He was a serious Jew.  He had the box dealy that went on his forehead and he had the leather strap around his arm and a shawl over his head.  After he completed his prayers and reading, he kissed the Torah a couple of times.  I thought this was cool.  We should treat the Bible that way.

After reading and praying he ate an apple and I was off to dream land.  I was evidently so out of it that Marcia couldn't wake me.  This put my bags at considerable risk.  I was surprised at how deeply I was sleeping.  But, all was well and we boarded the next plane to Niamey.

Upon arriving in Niamey, there were at least 100 people here to greet us.  It's always so welcoming and kind of everyone to come out to greet us.  It's also a little uncomfortable...kinda like showing up at your surprise party when everyone is looking at you and you're not quite sure what to say.  But, thankfully Marcia did the talking and I just stood by.

I'm not sure exactly what we'll do today, but it won't be much.  Probably just dinner with Ali's family and then to bed.  Then we'll hit it hard with planning for the mission trip in October, visiting Peniel, catching up on other projects, visiting the Cure hospital, etc.

Thanks for reading my blog.  Hope each of you is well! 

On board our flight to Paris. All is going smoothly. Thank you for your prayers.