This morning our team loaded up, said goodbye to Oudeme and drove to Glazoue where they will stay until Sunday afternoon. After lunch they went to Ekpa--a small village nearby that a Beech Haven team visited in Sept. 2010. At that time, the team hosted soccer clinics, somewhat on the Upward Basketball format, and shared the gospel. Ekpa had only a few believers who were walking to Miniki (a village several kilometers away) that had a Baptist church. These believers told the Beech Haven team that they wanted a church building in Ekpa. Having a physical building goes a long way in the African culture toward giving validity to the church.
As a matter of protocol, the team met with the chief of Ekpa when they arrived. This man is not a Christian, but he is openly supportive and cooperative of our work in his village. The chief's brother is a Christian and had donated land for a church building. The believers in Ekpa have constructed their church and today they put the roof on the building. OUr team was able to assist with "raising the roof" in Ekpa. Afterwards, the team met with the church members in their new building for prayer and worship. It was a special time of worship and celebration, and the story of Jesus Walking on the Water was shared.
For those of us who have been involved with the Benin Engagement from its beginning, hearing of a new church that grew out of seeds we planted almost 2 years ago is very special. While we didn't have to see results because we were told to just go and tell, it is satisfying, rewarding, and truly exciting to hear how God is blessing this new church. Please continue to pray for the church in Ekpa that God will grow their numbers, that God will grow their faith, and that God will grow their witness.
The team is resting at the Bethel--with air conditioning, cold water and cokes, and electricity. They will be working with Phillippe in the morning at one of the new churches in the Glazoue area then spend a little time recharging. Everyone is doing great physically and continues to have confidence in the mission and gratefulness for our prayers. Keep praying!
Barbara Porter a.k.a. Bush Mama
As a matter of protocol, the team met with the chief of Ekpa when they arrived. This man is not a Christian, but he is openly supportive and cooperative of our work in his village. The chief's brother is a Christian and had donated land for a church building. The believers in Ekpa have constructed their church and today they put the roof on the building. OUr team was able to assist with "raising the roof" in Ekpa. Afterwards, the team met with the church members in their new building for prayer and worship. It was a special time of worship and celebration, and the story of Jesus Walking on the Water was shared.
For those of us who have been involved with the Benin Engagement from its beginning, hearing of a new church that grew out of seeds we planted almost 2 years ago is very special. While we didn't have to see results because we were told to just go and tell, it is satisfying, rewarding, and truly exciting to hear how God is blessing this new church. Please continue to pray for the church in Ekpa that God will grow their numbers, that God will grow their faith, and that God will grow their witness.
The team is resting at the Bethel--with air conditioning, cold water and cokes, and electricity. They will be working with Phillippe in the morning at one of the new churches in the Glazoue area then spend a little time recharging. Everyone is doing great physically and continues to have confidence in the mission and gratefulness for our prayers. Keep praying!
Barbara Porter a.k.a. Bush Mama
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