Hiland Park Team in pictures - part 1

I had wayyy to many pictures of our March team from Hiland Park to include in our newsletter. So, I figured I'd post many of them here along with a few stories. Note: if you don't get our newsletters and would like to, please comment with your email address or talk to a minister or staff member at Hiland Park and they will get your info to us.

The team arrived on a Monday night after a long trip. They came with 7 bags of goodies for us!!! How awesome. Our cabinets were (and still are) stocked with yummy American food! And since it was Chandler's birthday, she had lots of goodies in there too. The first two days we stayed in Cotonou and did touristy things - Ganvie, Artist Village, trip around town, Touraeg tea with a friend, and a birthday party for Chandler.

 

Thursday morning we headed to Ouidah. Thursday afternoon, Friday, and Saturday, David and Carl lead a Pastor's training on Baptist Doctrine along with Trey. The others on the team went into the surrounding areas sharing stories from the Bible and the gospel. Chandler and I went back and forth between the two groups. On Saturday, we visited a slave fort together. While Trey, Chandler, Carl, and I ran some errands, the others visited a snake temple and the "Point of No Return." We believe it's important to see these things while in Ouidah. Ouidah is one of the birthplaces of voodoo, and where they worship cobras. When one is found they are brought to the snake temple. Also, it's where all the slaves were put on boats to head to the western world, which is why it's called the "Point of No Return."

 

While out and about on the first day, I spent time with Sally and Savannah. The first fisherman village we stopped at Savannah shared an overall story of the Bible starting with the fall and all the way to Jesus. At the end, the group had grown tremendously in number. Some were trying to cause problems, some were distracted by other things, but there were still those few who were very focused on the story. One asked about faith. Sally did a great job explaining how we have faith in the chairs we sit in, not knowing where they were made or who made them. At the end, one man said he wanted to follow Christ. We prayed with him and for him. Today, we pray that God will continue to work in his life.

We went further down and found a group of men pulling in nets. The women were sitting by waiting. Here, the men fish and the women buy the fish from the men and then sell it in the markets. This was a perfect opportunity for us women to share with the women waiting. Sally started sharing a story with a group of women. One was very intently focused and listening, while the others were there and listening, but really just waiting for the men to say they're ready. And then it happened... the men were ready and the group of women ran off... all but that one. The one woman encouraged Sally to continue sharing and catch up with the group. As the group was getting their fish the woman explained that she is a believer, but her friends weren't. She's tried sharing with them before, but they didn't want to listen. After the women had their fish, some came back over. They were there to be nice, but weren't really hearing what Sally was saying. We finished by praying for the woman, her health, her family, and to continue to give her boldness to share.

Kristen and Cory had similar stories from that day where the numbers started out with two or three people listening to the story and ending with 15-20. That day was an eye opener to the entire team. They saw how sharing stories from the Bible can lead to a gospel presentation. They saw how people would focus, stop what they're doing, and listen. And they also saw how many distractions can pop up while sharing.

The next two days were similar. The team got to meet some people who are very wrapped up in voodoo. They got to meet people who thought their religion saved them. It was a great time of sharing Christ with the people of Ouidah, encouraging the church there, and learning how to better pray for the people of Benin. We finished the weekend attending a local, small Baptist church. Carl and David shared the sermon that day and did a great job doing it by way of telling a story. It was awesome to see them learn the culture, and then share a sermon according to that culture. Telling stories is a huge part of peoples lives here. To hear a Pastor share a story encourages the church members to do it as well.