The team had a very long and exhaustive day of travel from Cotonou to Glazoue today. Along the way, 1/2 the team stopped in Bohicon at the Benin Baptist Seminary to make plans for the establishment of a satellite campus in the Mahi region. John led the discussions with the leaders of the seminary and great progress was made toward making this happen so the pastors in the Mahi region can have some formal and in-depth training in Bible study and pastoral ministry. Beech Haven will be funding this satellite campus--providing this training is part of our master plan and strategy for reaching the Mahi. Praise God--the agreed upon tuition price was much less than the seminary officials first quoted us a year ago. This is a huge answer to prayer and strong evidence of God at work. We are all very excited about this agreement on tuition! We continue to see prayers answered as these plans solidify--we are hoping the first classes will begin in the fall of 2011.
The other 1/2 of the team, led by Kathryn, met with some Benin contacts to discuss plans for helping some of the pastors become chicken farmers. Establishing chicken houses for these men would allow them to be truly bi-vocational and have more time for ministry. Right now, these men of God are having to spend the majority of their time and energy providing for their families and their ministerial work is limited. Our assistance in putting them in the chicken business will allow for a better balance of time. Isn't it amazing that God can work through poultry experts in Athens, connected to Beninese pastors by college students and young adults who most likely know almost nothing about raising chickens?
The team is preparing for the beginning of the Leadership Camp Tuesday morning. The camp will be very intense and exhausting. The team will be teaching evangelism through storying to these lay leaders. The plans are for 3 full days of teaching and then a half day on Friday. Pray for stamina--the team members are already very tired from the long travel. Pray also that the camp participants will quickly learn the stories and will use them effectively to evangelize in their villages.
On Thursday evening the team will assist in the showing of the Jesus Film in a village near Glazoue that is predominantly voodoo. May the message of salvation be broadcast loud and clear through the movie!
The team reports that the sun is shining--no rain--which makes the heat worse but the travel easier. We are grateful for the sun. It is very hot and everyone is very tired. Pray for sleep that is bountiful and restorative.
Keep praying that Satan will be bound up, that those who are in the darkness of voodoo will see the Light of Christ, and that our team continues to be instruments of God during this trip.
More posts as we hear from the team.
Bush Mama Porter
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Very grateful for these updates! Praying that God is at work, as He always is, giving strength of purpose and physical stamina to each member of the team! Y'all are always on our hearts and minds!
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