Guest Blogger: Humble.

Anthony is Trey's good friend from high school & church. He is now on staff as a Ministry Associate at our home church, Hiland Park Baptist. He and our Pastor, Steven, had the opportunity to come here and train pastors and leaders in our churches. The first training took place in Cotonou and the second further north in Bohicon.  Steven had to leave suddenly due to a death in the church. Trey jumped in and helped Anthony teach on 2 Timothy. On Sunday, they hosted a seminar on Islam, the view Christians should have, and how to share their faith. I asked Anthony to share a little something about his trip here.

As I think back on my time in Benin, the feeling that continues to pop into my head is one of humility. It was a humbling trip for many reasons. First of all, I do not speak French. I had to be completely reliant on a man I had just met to communicate. It’s tough to be proud when you have no way of communicating with anyone! I was humbled by God’s grace in letting me have such an opportunity. I am undeserving of such an opportunity, but I am grateful that it was given to me. I am grateful for a church that desires the name of Christ to be spread across the earth.

Most of all, I was humbled by the love the pastors we spoke to had for God and his Word. Some of the men traveled as far as 6-7 hours on a motorcycle on terrible roads to listen to us. Most of them slept on the concrete floor of the church at night. At some points when our messages were being translated into two different languages, the men were only able to understand what was being said one-third of the time. It’s not a mere desire for knowledge that causes a man to do such things. It is a love for the God that dramatically changed their lives. These men had experienced the love of Jesus Christ and as a result wanted to know as much about him as they possibly could. They wanted to better understand his commands. They wanted to better serve their Savior. It was humbling to see their love for God and compare it for my own. I often found myself feeling inadequate to teach them. They were so receptive to what we had to say. That thought. The thought of their love for the Bible and the God who gave it to them will stay with me forever.

Photo with the attendees of the first session

Anthony trying his first real African food

the best hat he's ever purchased for $2

Ganvie trip 

He's now an African King!