As we approach our first furlough, a wide range of thoughts, memories and emotions have been surging through us. We look back over the last two and a half years and can see many ways the Lord has blessed us. We often remember that our very presence in Benin is only possible through God’s providence. Those of you who have supported us with your finances and prayers have been a constant reminder to us that Jesus wants us here, and we are humbled and inspired by your continued faithfulness and sacrifice.
Although all of us have suffered from various illnesses, our health is generally good, and we are now getting sick less often than we did during our first year in Africa. The Lord has blessed our family with little Petra, who constantly makes herself known with her baby banter. Petra was born in our house here in Natitingou in 2012, and she is probably the healthiest person in the family. Reuben and Kaia are well adjusted to African life, too. They spend most of their days playing in the dirt and mud in our courtyard with boisterous groups of neighborhood friends. Africa has become home to all of us.
We are also thankful for divine help in learning French. Our entire family can now communicate in French, and I hope to be able to focus on learning one of the many local languages in our region after we return from furlough. Even when we struggle with French grammar and vocabulary, we can share books and literature with people and let it say what we wish we could say ourselves. Through a small book called The Great Hope, a condensed version of The Great Controversy, the Adventist message is available to many people who wouldn’t be able to afford a larger book. Through a subsidy program, the book only costs about 33 cents per copy. With help from friends in Norway, we have been able to purchase and distribute more than 4,000 copies here in Benin. Many church members also purchased copies of the book when it was first offered, and they have happily shared the message they love with their friends. Actually, most of the books we purchased have been given to church members for sharing with others. A lady in Switzerland sent us several other books, and we have also distributed most of them to the church members in and around Natitingou. I keep a few books in a small lending library so that even more people can have access to them.
The Adventist Mission in Cotonou has allowed me to open a branch Adventist bookstore. From that small stock of books, four colporteurs have been able to purchase books for resale. Their sales were few in the beginning, but in the last few months they have seen a great increase in sales. In January alone, three colporteurs purchased more than $1,000 worth of books, a huge amount of money in the local economy. I thank God that this project, which started out very small in late 2012, has grown to something that can support three families in the Natitingou church. I am even more grateful as I see the growth in their characters, as they learn to be good stewards of the time, strength and money the Lord has entrusted to them.
God is using this influx of books to strengthen His church. Members are reading more, and the books are bringing new people into the church. Although the AFM Otammari team was only one of the growth factors in the church in 2013, we all celebrate the fact that the Lord more than doubled the size of the Natitingou church last year! Most of the new members have remained faithful, and with the help of the pastor who is now permanently stationed in Natitingou, the church is growing in spiritual maturity and education as well as size.
The highlight of my week, and the highlight of our first term here, has been our lay-evangelism training sessions. As we gather each Monday with a group of evangelists, church leaders and active members, we learn much about the Otammari culture and the way that people think. We also have opportunity to share what we know and to discuss with the participants how the ideas and theories we have can be applied practically in this cultural context. As the participants learn to apply Bible teachings in their lives, they are growing and changing along with us, and the Lord is making us all into better Christians.
Our team recently had the opportunity to take our training to a larger audience when all the Adventist Mission officers and pastors of Benin accepted our invitation for a three day seminar. During that seminar, we were able to share AFM’s model of evangelism and talk about how the Benin mission might be able to implement some of the methods and principles in their own evangelism. We hope that, as a result of this seminar, AFM will have an even closer relationship with the local Adventist Mission and Union.
We are grateful as we see the work of the Lord here in Benin. We are still rookie missionaries with much to learn, and we thank God for continuing to teach us. We are grateful that He has called us here and keeps us here through the generous giving of so many of His children. Thank you for helping! We look forward to meeting many of you on our furlough. Whether we are able to meet with you or not, we thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support. May God bless you as much as He has blessed us!
