Hiland Park team in pictures - part 2

We left Ouidah Sunday afternoon to head to Bohicon. This is the same place we went with Anthony when he came last year. This time Trey and Carl taught at the Bible school while the rest of the group went into surrounding villages. David headed back to Cotonou to take a flight home as he couldn't stay longer. Again, the guys taught on Baptist doctrine. It's a little different doing training here. Bohicon is further north, granted, not that far north. Anyway, they don't get much Biblical training. And the students at the school really enjoy having teachers outside of the norm. Everyone, students and wives, were focused and taking notes. They had great questions. They really wanted to understand Baptist doctrine and be able to follow the Bible as closely as possible. Trey and Carl really enjoyed teaching there.

The team was able to partner with a local Baptist church. In fact, it's the first Baptist church that was ever planted in all of Benin. The pastor of the church is the president of the Bible college. In the year 2020, he wants to invite all former IMB missionaries back to Bohicon/Abomey (the neighboring city) to see all that God has done in that community. His vision is to plant churches in every cartier (area or neighborhood) and surrounding village. He also wants to see his church grow. They are doing this by being active. The church members are going into their community and sharing the gospel. This area is also very wrapped up in voodoo. Also, it's a place known for royalty. It was the royal capital of Benin, before Benin was known as Benin. Got that?! That being said, there are many kings. Every small neighborhood and village has their own king. The people living there will follow what their king says. It's important to reach out to the leaders in order to reach the rest of the community.

The best part of this for the storying team was being able to go out with church members. We were able to encourage each other, even though some of us couldn't communicate. I went out with a group where no one spoke English. My French was tested! At the first house in the village, the pastor greeted the woman and then looked at me and in his broken English told me to tell a Bible story!! Thankfully I had been practicing a story in French, but all of the sudden I couldn't remember a word. I took a breath and started. My story was then translated into Fon, the local language... so if I messed up, the translator could correct it :) I did that again with another group of women, 2 of whom accepted Christ. Then, I told them I needed a break. It was very encouraging for me to see that I could tell a story in French... maybe not grammatically correct, but the point got across. But the most encouraging thing is that the Lord can use my broken French translated into Fon to bring people to Him. I'm so honored to be used by Him.

The other groups had similar stories. Many people coming to Christ. The church members were agreeing to come back and do Bible studies with them. Many from our group shared with kings or leaders of the villages. Some of those accepted Christ. We saw God at work in that community. The kids also really enjoyed having us around. It was great to be able to play with them, when many only speak Fon. Some of us even tried teaching "Jesus Loves Me" in English to them. They loved that.

The last day in town, Sally and I had the opportunity to share with a group of women. We taught on the Book of Esther and how God is at work through the entire story. Sally also shared her personal testimony of how God was at work in her life even in the small details. Often, the women were listening in the midst of children at the nearby school causing a ruckus. Honestly, at the end, I was surprised when the women had questions. Not because I didn't think they were paying attention, but because it was really loud at times and even hard for us to focus. We closed with a time of sharing prayer requests. We were challenged by the hurt in these women's lives. There were many struggling with health issues, one who's husband had been called to ministry many years ago but was running - now they had accepted the call and are now looking for exactly where, some who were struggling with fertility issues, and others who longed for their children to follow Christ. It was eye opening, to say the least. We considered ourselves blessed to be able to teach this women.

We were able to do some sightseeing. We visited the old king's palaces, which are almost in ruins now. The UNESCO organization has made a wonderful museum at one of them. It is said that in a certain building the spirit of the king still lives. Offerings and sacrifices must be made. And in one of the buildings, you must walk around it in a certain direction or the spirit will kill you. This just shows you what kind of a world the people live in in these towns. The spirit world is very really to them. They need salvation.

We were really thankful for the team from HPBC. It's great to have family and friends here. It's awesome for them to see our lives here. It's different. It's hot. It's challenging. But this is where God has us. We continue to pray for those who were trained during this trip and also those who came to Christ. We also pray for those who heard and did not accept, or heard and absolutely refused. We pray God will remind them of those Bible stories and bring them to Him. We have a team coming next week from University of West Florida BCM who will be going to the same area. We are praying now that some of those difficult people will be encountered again and hear a new Bible story.

And we need to end this with one of the best pictures from the entire time....

they said difficult days would happen

Remember when I told you about Frances? Well, she needs some prayer again.

She's back in town, and divorced. She returned a few weeks ago and came by to visit. She started helping watch Chandler while I worked with my language tutor. It was nice when Chandler would take a nap and she'd come listen to my language lessons... especially when I was reading Bible stories over and over again. I read them so much that she basically memorized them. One day I had her stay so I could study some with her and working on my grammar in conversation. I had her tell me a Bible story. She repeated the story of the demoniac that I had been practicing in Mark 5. I asked what she thought about the story and she said it was good. It's good that he was healed and normal. I then asked if she knew the story of the woman at the well in John 4. She didn't so I let her read it while I wrote sentences for practice. Again, I asked what she thought about the story. Again, she said it was good. I asked her what she thought about Jesus saying He is the Christ and she agreed that it was true. I was taken back. She claimed the Koran says that... and that He is a prophet. I then explained to her that there is a difference in Jesus being a prophet and being the Savior of the world. She didn't really agree with me about that, so instead of arguing... and well, because I can't really argue in French... I moved on. I continued with my homework and let her read the story of the Fall in Genesis. A few minutes later she said she wanted to ask me a question. I thought, ok, Lord, give me the words in French to understand and answer. And then she asked me for money for a new cell phone. I was a little disappointed, but that's a very cultural thing here. I told her she would get paid on Friday.

Fast forward to Thursday night... I'm frantically searching for my iPad. The last time I used it was early that morning and then Chandler played with it for a few. Now, I couldn't find it, anywhere. Trey and I tore apart the entire house, searching for 2 hours... I even made him look in the washing machine. You never know, right?! We called 3 of the 4 people who were at our house that day (and every day) asking if they saw it, and getting no helpful answers. With much hesitation and heart ache we came to the conclusion that someone had taken it from the home. I was devastated. I was heartbroken. My feelings were genuinely hurt. It wasn't the fact that the iPad was missing. It really had nothing to do with the item. It was the fact that someone I trusted would take something.

The next morning we waited until all of the same people came to the house and Trey talked with them. He gave an opportunity for someone to admit what happened anonymously. No one did. He then let them search the living room and talk amongst themselves about what happened at the house yesterday. We stayed out of the room. Again, no answers. Talking with our house helper, Rigobert, and Trey's language helper it was becoming clear that Frances' story wasn't making sense. She had acted strange the day before, but some people have off days. But... lies were starting to appear in her story. Trey decided to call them one-by-one into his office. After an hour sitting with her, and a translator to make sure everything was clearly communicated, the truth came out. She said she was playing on the iPad and thought she broke it. She was taking it home to get it repaired and would then return it. We got the iPad back.

Like I said in the beginning... this long story is all about your prayer. We feel this situation has given us the opportunity to show Christ's love and forgiveness. Also, to show how God is just. Pray for us as we continue our relationship. Pray that we can forgive. Pray as we decide what changes need to be made in our household so that we don't run into this again. Pray for me as I use this to clearly present the Gospel to her. We long for her and her family to know Jesus. We long to see a radical change in their lives. Pray that this difficult situation for us, is only the beginning of their walk with Christ.

2013: a look back

Wow. 2013 has been one of the most incredible years ever. The theme of our marriage has not stopped. Still lots of traveling and moving this year, but we are at least settled for a while.

This year started with us in Nigeria. After an unsettling event, we began to question if we were in the right place for us. We returned to the states to have Chandler, not knowing what we should do. After much prayer, conversation, and reflection, we decided to look for other positions in our organization that were in a less tumultuous place. We settled on Benin and then focused on our baby coming!



Chandler was born March 13. The day that forever changed us. There are small details of the day I may forget, but for the most part I can remember everything. Trey tells me that I've already forgotten about the pain of the contractions. I mean, they weren't that bad, right?! I was determined to have her on the 13th, though, because I thought it would be a cool birthday - 3.13.13 - cool, right?!

Two and a half months later we boarded our plane to Benin. We landing in French speaking Africa and already felt a peace. It was very different than Nigeria. Still a very lost area, just a different kind. We immediately jumped into language study and worked on getting our house ready to move in. With in two weeks we were moved in and doing full time language study.


Shortly after our arrival, we headed to Kenya for a retreat. The time with other workers from our organization was amazing. And the weather was absolutely wonderful on top of the mountain! Seriously, it was freezing at night. Chandler slept in footie pajama's, two swaddling blankets, a fleece blanket, and a hat! After the retreat was over we had the opportunity to go on a Safari! Once in a lifetime opportunity. I encourage anyone who EVER has the opportunity to go on a safari - jump on it. Seriously, incredible. And we didn't even see all the animals.

We made it back to Benin and back into French study. We were able to help with a few volunteer teams here. That gave us great insight in to Benin and the people here. We also got to do the touristy things with them and had the chance to visit Ganvie for the first time. We got introduced to Frances early on in our arrival to Benin. We also met her family. Her uncle has become a good friend of ours and through him Trey had the opportunity to share the gospel with his friend and see a new believer. We also had a volunteer team come from Hiland Park Baptist to do a pastor's training. It was nice to have friends visit.

In August, I experienced my first time driving in Africa. Seriously, that's a feat worthy of mentioning in the yearly post. In October, we took a trip to Ghana for a short break. We really enjoyed our time with friends. In November, we celebrated Thanksgiving at the American Ambassador's house! It's as close to America as we could get. We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, football, and ate turkey & ham and other American classics made by guests.

December started with us preparing to come to the states for Christmas. We headed to Florida and had a great time with family & friends. The whole time we were back and forth between Panama City & Pensacola. We celebrated the marriage of one of my best friends, Michelle (and Jeremy), at the end of December in Dothan. Then, Trey's birthday on December 29th. New Year's Even was simple since we had a sick kiddo, but she quickly got over that.

This year really has been incredible. We are so thankful for the opportunities the Lord has provided us with this year. We are so thankful for your support, prayers, and encouragement as we strive to do what we have been called to.