Doors Opened in a Mighty Way: God Answers Prayer; We Need a Church

The Benin team arrived safely in Cotonou, Benin Sunday evening. The next 2 days provided time for orientation, final planning, and recovery from jet lag. Tuesday the team traveled north to Glazoue in preparation for their days in the Mahi villages.

Today, Wednesday, the team was scheduled to conduct soccer clinics in two villages that have absolutely no evangelical presence. The Christian nationals have told us they have been unable to work in these villages and the doors were shut to them, but they believe the presence of Americans would open the doors. The two villages, Agouacon (a-goo-a-gon) and Thio (chee-oh) are very dark and deeply penetrated with voodoo. The team was praying that the soccer balls would be used to open doors and establish some relationships in order for the Gospel to be shared at a later date. God answered our prayers in ways we never imagined.

How God blessed and surprised us! The soccer balls were never even taken out of the vehicle! When the team arrived in Agouacon and word got out that Americans were present, people started to gather in the center of the village. One person, essentially a town crier, went around the village and called the entire village together. The team was able to present the Gospel, and several people either prayed to receive Christ or expressed an interest in knowing more. The results were "much more than we even dared to hope for". Phillippe, the evangelist in nearby Glazoue, was able to meet with the town leader and establish a strong connection. This personal, one on one meeting not only established a relationship, but created a solidly open door for both Christian nationals and future Beech Haven teams to minister and evangelize in the vision.

God accomplished all of this without a single soccer ball! Before the team left Agouacon, one villager remarked, "We need a church here."

When Beech Haven voted to engage in a 5 year commitment to reach the Mahi for Christ, our expressed vision was to intercede through constant prayer for the Mahi, to establish trust, build relationships, present the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and ultimately plant a viable church in Benin. Perhaps the seeds that were sown today in Agouacon are the beginning of that church.

Later the team experienced a similar warm welcome in Thio and once again never took the soccer balls out of the car. Team members had the opportunity to share with villagers here as well. In the afternoon, the team travelled to Save (sah-vay). Here, Linda and Susan conducted a mini teaching conference with the women in the small church. The believers are so hungry for Bible study and guidance on being godly women. Linda and Susan report a sweet, blessed time with these women. Squeaky and A.B. spent some time evangelizing in the village and had the opportunity to share with several men. They also spent some time encouraging the men who are leaders of the small church in Save.

God continues to use Beech Haven to bring light, His light, to the dark, voodoo filled world of the Mahi in Benin. Keep praying for the physical and spiritual safety of our team as they continue to minister and share the Gospel. Pray that God will continue to open doors and work in ways that can only be attributed to His power.

I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me. Acts 26:17-18