Guest Blogger: It's all part of the adventure

Recently we had a team from the Baptist Collegiate Ministries of the University of West Florida. Trey and I met at BCM, so there is a special place in our heart for BCM's. The team was 9 people - 1 leader and 8 college age students (5 girls and 3 guys). One of them was Emily Erland. She did a fabulous job taking you inside a few moments of their trip here. This blog post is worth the read!

Emily is from Nashville, Tennessee and is 23 years old. She graduated from the University of West Florida in the summer of 2013 with a degree in English, while also playing on the women's basketball team. She currently serves as the BCM Associate at UWF. She's been on some overseas mission trips with FCA in Europe leading sports camps for kids, as well as some mission trips in the states. Earlier this year, during Spring Break she went on another mission trip with BCM to Miami. In her spare time she loves to read, write, and go to the beach. You can follow her blog here.


It’s the question that I’ve been dreading answering ever since we got back to America: “How was Africa?”

Don’t get me wrong; it’s not that I didn’t enjoy my time there. No, the problem is, I just don’t know where to begin. I can’t sum it up in a few words or sentences or even in a blog post. I won’t be able to show you what I’ve seen – a picture isn’t enough. And I can’t make you feel what I felt over there. I can’t fully communicate the things that the Lord taught me while I was there – mostly because they’re things that He is still teaching me and will continue to teach me.

So here’s my best shot at it.

 

We landed in the Cotonou, Benin airport in a haze –we’d been travelling for probably about 30 hours. The drive to Trey and Kristen’s house was surreal for me. Even in the darkness of night, it was evident that I was in a place like nowhere I had ever been before. The poverty was evident: trash in the streets, buildings and homes made of scrap materials, bumpy dirt roads. And there were people everywhere: women carrying baskets on their heads, children mostly naked or in the streets or strapped to a mother’s back. And so many motorcycles – only inches from our car, driving on every side of us.

We spent most of our mornings in the bush – deep in the jungles/forests of Bohicon, a few hours north of Cotonou. The people there were even more impoverished. Most lived in tiny huts side by side. We broke into groups and went hut to hut, where the people would invite us in. I was so humbled by the kindness and hospitality we were shown by these families – though they had next to nothing, they would offer us everything they had. They would bring out stools and benches, giving us a place to sit, while they would sit on the floor. Many of the families passed around a bowl of water for us all to drink from. One man even offered our group money to buy fresh water with as we were leaving his home.

When we were in the houses, we told them that we had come thousands of miles to share something with them. We often started from the beginning – that we were all created in the image of God, but that sin had caused us to be separated from God. We shared about Jesus – and that He came so that humanity could again be in perfect relationship with God. We shared that they, too, could have a personal relationship with God. Many of them believed the message of God and received it with joy.

On the last day that we did evangelism, some of the church people brought instruments and we all walked down the dirt roads singing and dancing. It was so beautiful to hear the high-pitched voices of the African women and to see their strength as they danced, moving their shoulders and their backs to the rhythm of the music. It was such a beautiful worship to the Lord. And, as we worshipped, a crowd would form. Kids and adults alike would run from their huts and begin following us. It might have been both the worship and our white skin – rarely seen in their village – that peaked their curiosity. Excited shouts of “yovo” (which means “white person”) were heard throughout the village. When a large crowd would form around us, we would stop the music and one of us would walk into the middle and begin speaking to the people.

I was able to speak to one of the crowds. I shared with them the simple message of the Gospel. I also told them that we had not come to condemn them, but to share love and life with them. I told them that we hadn’t just come to share with them our beliefs – it was much more than that. We had come to share with them the God-given purpose for all of our lives. At the end, I asked if anyone wanted to believe and begin following Christ. And honestly, I didn’t really expect anyone to say yes. I assumed that they probably didn’t understand what I was talking about – that I hadn’t made any sense to them. But about 25 kids and a few adults, too, raised their hands. But I still doubted. I clarified, telling them that this was a serious decision – that they must live for God and not for themselves now. Still, they looked me straight in the eyes and their hands remained in the air even when I explained the costs of following Jesus – waiting, perhaps, for me to believe with the same simple and childlike faith as they had. So we all prayed together. The Gospel really is simple – we just so often try to complicate it.

We were able to experience the African church while we were there, too. I was inspired by the faith of those at church – many had walked miles just to be there and to hear the message. There were many kids there, too – some of whom had come to church on their own accord, without their parents at all. The worship was really beautiful – much like the singing and dancing in the streets. Some of our group even joined in the dancing.   

On one of the last days, we went to visit an orphanage. I was so inspired by the vision of the missionaries, Jon and Ashley, who keep the orphanage. They have about thirty kids there, all from different backgrounds – some who have lost both parents, some who have lost one, some whose parents didn’t want them or couldn’t afford them, some who have been sex-trafficked. Jon and Ashley said that their purpose was not to pack the orphanage out and fill it with as many kids as possible, but that their purpose was to invest in the kids who were there – giving each of them a real life. They are literally making disciples.

And that’s what Jesus commands us to do – to go and to make disciples. He tells us to go to the nations – and I’m convinced now that the call is not only to spread hope and truth to those to whom we are sent, but it is also to bring a change within us who are going. It’s amazing to be in a place so unlike America and so unlike anything you’ve ever known before. It makes you have to strip away everything you once considered normal. There are a lot of cultural “norms” that we have in America, and so we believe that everyone MUST live this way or think this way or understand this way. But it’s not true. Stripping away all “normalcy” allows you to get to the core – the core of humanity and of life itself.

It makes the Gospel that much more real. Africa opened my eyes to the poverty of the world – not just physically, but spiritually. It may look a little different in America than it does in Africa, but we are all desperate for love, for purpose, for truth. We all want and need something – Someone – to put our hope in.

The Gospel transcends culture. It allows a privileged American girl from Florida to connect with a poor African child from Benin. Nothing and no one but Jesus can bridge that gap.

There’s a lot more I could say – I could talk about the African cuisine, not least of which was the pounded yam and the goat and the bush rat. I could mention the underground village and the king’s palace and the “fetish” market, where they sold voodoo statues and animals to sacrifice to the voodoo gods. I could talk about the boat ride in and through Ganvie, a village built entirely in the water. (Yes, IN the water – all of the houses and buildings are on “stilts.”) I could also mention the 40-hour trip home, which included renting a big, white church van to drive from Houston to Pensacola after 30 hours of plane rides and little to no sleep.

But, as we learned to say – it’s all part of the adventure.

Guest Blogger: Where's my Diet Pepsi?

After his second trip to West Africa, I asked Carl, my father-in-law (or Beau Père - handsome father - as they say in French) to make an appearance on our blog again. The first time he was nervous, but in the end enjoyed it. So, here we go again. Another post from my Beau Père...

Wait, No Diet Pepsi! Before I continue with that thought, let me share a few other thoughts with you. It is amazing to me what you learn about and how much you personally learn when you take a step of faith and trust God with a journey of love.

I was blessed to travel with five other individuals to Benin, West Africa. We had one common goal and that was to make a difference. I know that this is a common adage that is used, but it was true for us.

I want to share about the chemistry of a team of 11 (12 if you count the grandest of grand children, Chandler). This trek began at the Panama City Airport on Sunday afternoon March 16^th. We met with 12 large pieces of luggage plus all of our carry on’s (we were a sight to behold). To say we were excited is to under state the true emotion of what we were feeling. We finally were checked in and on our way to Benin. We skyped Trey, Kristen and Chandler from the airport, just to make sure they knew we were coming. They were ready for us to be there and they had made incredible preparations for us. So after a few hours (23 or so) we arrived in Benin.

Ready or not, Benin, we are here! After we gathered our luggage (the last piece of luggage off the plane was ours) and after walking into the sauna of the night, I began to realize that this team, group, comrades, friends, family, traveling companions, etc. were pretty impressive. Trey and Kristen had a great game plan laid out for us. The one word that still sticks in my mind that they emphasized was flexibility. This group of sojourners took that to heart.

Flexibility is really God’s call to get out of the boat and go where it’s not always comfortable, where your plans will change and where your faith is stretched.  Flexibility took our team into the small villages and the humble homes of the people who live in the West African country of Benin.  God gave us the opportunity to work with pastors and churches as they seek to carry out the Great Commission in their homeland.  I watched in awe as team members shared the stories of God’s Word to people who did not even speak their language.  They were constantly flexible.

As I flew home, I thought about the story of Abraham. God called him out to go to a land he did not know but God would show him.  Abraham ‘s journey was one of flexibility. I watch Trey and Kristen as they follow that same example going to an unfamiliar place and obedient to their calling.

Diet Pepsi is my drink of choice.  On this adventure I could have seen flexibility as drinking Coca light (diet coke).  However, true flexibility is the ability to bend my will to God’s will. To follow Him to those unknown places He leads.  To be His instrument, be it in Benin or Panama City.

Guest Blogger: Most Challenging Trip EVER

After our recent team from Hiland Park I asked if anyone would like to share about their experience. Sally quickly volunteered. She was wonderful to have here. She was extremely challenged on her trip.. well, I'll let her share more about it.

"I have been on many many mission trips, and this adventure to Africa was by far the most intense trip that I have ever been on, in every aspect one could imagine. One would think that after being on so many trips that you could handle most anything and be prepared for whatever happens. God really challenged me on several levels. One thing He challenged me in is my knowledge of scripture. Yes, I read the Bible all the time, and have to read over and over sometimes due to my retention challenges. But this trip challenged how well I know the Bible.

Passing out stickers at church

I love the fact that we were able to tell actual Bible stories to people who either did not know how to read or did not own a Bible. How very cool it was to go to each village, introduce ourselves, get to know a little about each family, and then ask to share a story from the Bible. After that, a comfortable environment was created and we were able to share the gospel. Because we showed interest in the people we were talking to, we gained their trust. We were able to explain who Jesus really is - that He was a real person, like you and me - and that we can have eternal hope forever. To know that death is not the end, but only the beginning. There were some people that understood what we shared, but did not want to change their lives. There were some people that didn't want to hear what we had to say. And there were several who made life-changing decisions to follow Christ.
I believe that I have been plated on this earth to tell all who will listen to me about Jesus. I absolutely love traveling to other countries, other cultures, sharing who Jesus is, because wherever you are Jesus is the same. He takes us just as we are. How great is that?
Even though Benin was my most challenging trip so far, I would not have changed one thing. Everything that happened or did not happy was absolutely in God's design. I learned many lessons on this trip: to pray more, to read more, how I can apply storying in the states, to continue to pray for my new African friends who have so many needs, to continue to pray for the Fondren's, and lastly, how I can continue to further the Kingdom for His glory. I am so honored to have been a part of this team and this trip. As long as I am breathing on this earth, I will continue to have a passion to bring Jesus to people wherever God places me."

Sally helped Kristen lead a women's conference
studying the book of Esther

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!

Guest Blogger: Ministry

Well, I am writing the third of three blogs. It has been more difficult than I anticipated it would be. My desire was to share about “Firsts” in my journey to and time in Nigeria. The previous blogs described my travel to Nigeria and the culture which I witnessed Trey and Kristen living in daily. This last blog in the series (I can’t believe I penned a series of blogs. Thanks Kristen, for this opportunity) shares about the ministry in Nigeria.

Now remember, as one of Trey and Kristen’s family members, I believe that I can speak for the family. We live in a world of emotions that combat each other. First, like any parent or family member we want them with us, but as believers in the Almighty God and Creator, we believe that they are in the center of God’s plan for their lives and we are comforted by that fact. I can honestly say that I would rather have them in Africa in the center of God’s will (yes, I still believe that with the addition of Chandler) than living next door to me out of God’s plan for their lives. The reason they are in Africa is to minister to the lost and hurting people of West Africa. It is this first hand experience that I want to share about.

One of the greatest illustrations that I can share is one that the kids shared with me. They shared of a church that was burned to the ground by enemies of the Gospel. They began worshipping under a tree at the location of the former church building. They brought cement blocks and 2 by 12’s to sit on. It was not long before the enemies of the Gospel came at night and destroyed the cement blocks. The church continued to worship at this location, now however they brought logs to sit on as they heard the teachings of our Lord and Savior. Question - how will they keep these logs from being destroyed? Answer – the Deacons of the church carry the logs home to their houses and brings them back at the next time of worship.

I am thankful to Trey and Kristen for showing and providing ministry opportunities while I was in Nigeria. There is a ministry there that is fascinating to me. It is a ministry to women who are outcast and hurting. They teach them the skill of sewing. One part of this was making clothes. I spoke with the missionary there about buying a shirt that was tailored for me. I had just experienced them selling a shirt, measuring the individual for the size and promising them the shirt would be ready in two days for their departure. I thought that was a good idea, I said “I am also leaving in two days” and then I asked, “what would it take for me to have a shirt made to take back home with me?” She measured me and said, “A miracle.” Needless to say Kristen brought the shirt back to the states to me when she came a month later. I want you to understand this, for almost a week I had been seeing people who showed lostness and hopelessness on their faces.  In this place of sewing, I saw hope and faithfulness.

In the marketplace I saw an ocean of people who did not know the Lord. A flood of emotions flowed through my body as I saw people who visually showed lostness and hopelessness. I can say with 100% confidence that I have not seen that in my life in the states. An experience opened my eyes to the pain that is a part of daily life in this land. We were in the marketplace and as a six foot, white American, I stood out. A group of children approached and I saw that they were well organized in their persistent requests for money. It became obvious why, when their master came into the picture. All I could see at the moment was this non-believer and follower of a false religion having complete control over these children. I pray that God’s light is seen in this dark place. It is sad, but yet not unlike our own country where many times false gods dictate the lives of people. Our co-workers, our next door neighbors many times live under a dark master. The enemy is well organized and has a plan, but “greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world!”

I had an experience on a Thursday night in Nigeria that transformed the way I pray for missions. We had the great privilege of eating dinner with 12 missionaries and family members. After we ate, they gathered together as they always do on Thursday nights and prayed for their ministry partners. I pray daily for all Christians around the world who face persecution (in a all encompassing prayer). This night as they spoke prayer requests they mentioned individuals who lost their home for their faith, they mentioned people who were beaten because of their faith, and then they mentioned individuals by name who gave their lives for their faith. They spoke of individuals that they had just seen a week earlier. My life will forever be changed because of this night. I know we don’t experience persecution in the states, and we have the freedom to share Christ whenever we want. The Christians in northern Nigeria don’t, but in persecution they find strength in the Lord. My prayer is not only for them, but for us. “God in our homeland of freedom, may we experience the urgency of sharing the Gospel as our brothers and sisters do around the world who experience life threatening persecution.”

 Our days on this earth are numbered. We choose each day how we live our lives. It has been said that we make 1000 decisions a day. Yet each person makes one decision that is for eternity.  How dare you or I walk through our day without an urgency to share the Gospel.  How dare we share our lives with people around us, and not share the meaning of life as God’s child.

As I finish this third blog, let me go back to the phrase “Go big or go home.” Let’s all “go big” for Christ (whatever that may be for you; missions, sharing about Christ, using your place of employment to tell others of God’s love, etc.) because our home is not of this world.

Guest Blogger: Culture

It is an amazing thing in our world today that you can get on a plane; travel thousands of miles in a relatively short time, and step off into another world.  Yet, God has given us this great opportunity to see life not just from our perspective, but with His eyes.

So many times I forget that the rest of the world does not live like I do and in ministering to them we must meet them where they are. My trip to Nigeria opened my eyes to another culture, one in which I was the stranger.

As it happens, my first cultural experience outside of the airport dealt with food. After flying into the capital city, the next morning we set off for Jos. Trey assured us that as we left the busy city, we would find a place to eat. After a while, we came to a roll of shacks. Trey let us know this is where breakfast was. With some reservation, I followed my son as he led us past the first row of shacks to the shacks behind the shacks.  Trey proceeded to order an egg sandwich. The man pulled out a fresh egg and cooked it over an open flame.  Following a long trip and now a ride on a hot dusty road, I decided to drink my Diet Pepsi and wait. My son looked at me like “suit yourself” and we continued our trip. Actually, I didn’t go hungry in Nigeria and tried some new foods at different places. I was continually amazed at my son and daughter-in-law’s ability to adjust to their surroundings and meet people where they are.

There are many things that are just a part of daily life in Nigeria but completely different from my life in the United States. I like to think of myself as a person who can “rough it.” In my younger days, I enjoyed camping and hiking for days at a time. I have however, become accustomed to living my daily life knowing I can turn the lights on when I want, wash clothes, turn on the air conditioning, or use various appliances whenever I wish.  In Nigeria, the only thing certain about the electricity is that at some point in time it will go off. You might be sleeping in bed with the ceiling fan running and suddenly everything goes silent.  The silence may last a few hours or many days, but as if a surprise at Christmas suddenly everything will be running again. This inconsistency in electric power has influenced how people in Nigeria live their lives. They perform those tasks that require electricity when they can, not knowing how long it will last.  They aren’t particularly bothered or annoyed by it; it is just a part of life. On a daily bases, there are many things I have learned to rely on, but few of which really matter in task of carrying out God’s mission. They are simply things I have grown accustomed to. God asks us to meet people where they are not considering our needs, but their needs as we share God’s love.

Being from Arkansas, I am a great fan of Wal-Mart. Everything you need in one place. If you can imagine, the Nigerian marketplace is an even bigger economic/social gathering than Wal-Mart. It is a narrow, dusty road and crowded with wall-to-wall people all who have gathered to either sell or buy.  They were selling everything from raw meat to fresh milk and fresh milk is the hot item. Milk seemed to be a luxury item in Nigeria and is only sold in the market when available. The buyer must be at the “fresh market” at just the right time, if they want the white nectar and if they are fortunate to get some they get on their Nigerian network of communication to let others know. Trey and Kristen had made relationships with some of the locals and they were able to guide us through the marketplace.  I was definitely thankful for the help, but even more amazed at how these relationships had been formed in such a short time. In this culture, relationships are key to sharing the Gospel. The missionaries are strangers in a foreign land. God uses different relationships each day to work His plan in this crowded and sometime challenging culture.

Culture - The dictionary defines “culture” as “the behaviors and beliefs characteristic to a particular group.” That definition leads me to question the culture of “the church” today.  Do our behaviors reflect the belief that we believe Christ return is imminent?  Do we cross any barrier in the belief that that we must carry out the Great Commission? It is humbling to know God has called us to reach our culture. It is our turn.

Guest Blogger: Travel

I asked my father-in-law (a.k.a. Trey's dad, a.k.a. Carl) to share some stories about his experiences in Nigeria. He came to visit (and bring goodies) in January. Being his first time to really travel internationally, he had some really hilarious stories. Not to mention, most people don't choose to visit Nigeria with so little traveling experience. So he's written a series of blogs to share some of those stories with you and give you insight into our lives here.

I will admit up front that this is the first attempt of writing a blog. When Kristen asked me to write this blog , I began to think of what my topic would be and decided on “Firsts”. I want to describe my first overseas travel adventure.

I often heard the quote “go big or go home” as it described different types of adventures.  Let me describe the different emotions that I experienced before this adventure began; apprehension, do I really want to travel 26 hours in economy seating; fear, can I handle this trip; questioning, do I have what it takes to go into a country like Nigeria; uncertainty, I have never done this before; but the emotions of love for family and excitement to see God at work in their lives nullified every negative emotion I had. So I decided to go big and the trip began.

The plane trip was bearable and we arrived in Nigeria. Our layover in Paris was cold with blizzard like conditions and when we arrived in Abuja, Nigeria it felt like walking into an oven. I was anticipating a grand reunion with Trey, as I knew he was outside the gates waiting on us, but that was to be delayed. Evidently, the Nigerian immigration officers also heard the quote “Go big or go home” because they told this big boy to go home. This was a first. I had never before been told I was not welcome in a country. After about 45 minutes of conversation, begging, and convincing that I was going to be a grandfather and I have to get the 6 bags of gifts and baby items to Trey and Kristen, they finally let us in.

Let me describe traveling in Nigeria. Picture a driver’s education class of 100 extremely competitive fifteen year olds with the task of arriving first at a destination point. Now, picture the road as a mountain road of Arkansas with major pot holes every few yards; this was what it was like. Oh, by the way, the 6-hour trip from Abuja to Jos also included about 10 – 12 checkpoints with armed military and local authorities controlling your forward movement.  Got the picture?  I sat in the back seat on the passenger’s side and at every checkpoint all these people (children and adults) would come up to my window. They would try to sell me items, etc.  I could not figure it out, until I was told that the person in that seat was seen as the one in authority. At one particular checkpoint, the armed authority provided us with memories. As our driver was out of his car arguing with him (remember he is armed) and my son in his kindest voice (right) saying he was not getting our passports, I felt that I would have a great illustration for my next sermon, JAIL. We made it through and continued our journey to Jos.

Arriving in Jos at the compound, the gates closed behind and the driver unloaded our luggage. To say I was excited and thankful is an understatement. The next day was an adventure because I experienced riding with Trey for the first time. I tried to forget the time that I taught Trey to drive when he was 15 years old, but it all came back to me. My ultra-competitive son was behind the wheel in Nigeria and he was going to win the game of being first to the destination. A new emotion now occurred on this trip. I will let you figure that one out. God spoke to me in a very clear voice, let go and rely on those who I have placed before you. Now remember, I am in the rear passenger seat, the seat of authority and I am suppose to rely on others, the kids. But I did, and Trey and Kristen were not only my guides and they were the leaders.

Let me jump ahead to our return home. This time the journeyman in Jos was our driver. She had been there for 2 years. I thought we needed our driver from before, I was wrong, she and Trey were more than capable of handling the roadblocks. One stop I was called the long lost Commander, I was impressed for a short time, but I came to believe that he was saying I looked like his Commander, let’s just say a big boy. Another stop was humorous; I was in the front passenger seat, because that is where us big boys sit when it is a full vehicle, and the huge armed authority came to my window. Picture this, he is taller and bigger than I am, he has this intimidating machine gun, he is not happy, he is Nigerian and my communication in Nigeria is not great. He said, “Are you coming from Jos?” I heard, “My name is John.” So I responded, “My name is Carl, how are you,” with my biggest smile. I thought he was being nice. I think it tickled him because he smiled large and let us go. Hey if you are ever in trouble in Nigeria, just say “My name is Carl,” you will be ok.

We made it to the airport, said our tough goodbyes, and began our travels home. This was the first time I ever entered our home country through customs. What a safe and incredible feeling it was to be back home. I am one who takes that for granted. What a first! I will share with you in a later blog about the Culture and Ministry that I experienced in Nigeria.