From Baltimore togo to Benin & beyond… month #1 Carried by Grace (Is. 46/3-4)
After leaving Baltimore the 13th, I landed in Lome: Togo in the night – the 28th July. In the journey through Ireland, N. Ireland, Wales, England and France I had the witness and sense of God carrying me & also preparing me. It was a full and precious time & we were there for the first service in the new church building w/ P.Jean Cartier & those dear folks in Nimes.
Some first impressions from Lome: Daniel and I are residing with a sweet married couple & their family (from the church) – who live above the Christian school for the little ones. I didn’t initially like the idea of sharing a room w/ anyone; but I’ve come to realize that staying with Daniel (his portion, his keen Spiritual fellowship and his joyous jokerishness) is an awesome blessing from God! Enjoying this family, and also the African cuisine (The wife/mother, “Carol” is more than eight months pregnant w/ their second child.)
I think God is easing us in: the weather has been mild, breezy and even cool at times!
From the beginning there’s been plenty of adventure and new experiences also:
army check point in the night; big bats; little lizards, evading mosquitoes (somewhat), speeding to radio after evening church service, Street soccer experience: “Baptized into the African soil” – 3mins / 2goals / 3(small) injuries (African leaf mix to stop bleeding); flagging down “motos” to get rides through crazy streets / crazy roads (anybody can be a taxi); singing like sardines in the back of a “Cargo” van; bartering in the market place; poor homeless boys that live (and summersault) on the beech; feeding baby-banana to pet monkey; eating spicey & soupy “foo-foo” w/ our bare hands; meeting many; getting visa; guys that “guard” your car; “fresh” shower; bucket shower!; sea swimming; coals stove; damp pages; joyful songs; much jokes& laughter; great messages; personal words; and to mention last: YOVO AMIGAN = my African nickname = “Big-white-guy”.
The Togo-Conference and Summer Classes w/ pastor Scibelli and many others has been a beautiful time and testimony of the work and fruit of God in peoples lives. There is great joy here in the church – and many men of God have been raised up to pastor the churches in Lome and beyond. The word of God is with power!
A quote of the month - Pastor Paul (Lome): “Even if I am not conscious of God, God is conscious of me” (w/ Isa 41:10)
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