Togo News Update:  Pray for the People of Togo!
Many of you are aware of the political changes that have taken place in Togo over the past week. We want to assure you that we are safe and that things are very calm here in Tabligbo. We are in contact with the American embassy and they are advising us as to the best measures to take for our continuing security.

Last Saturday night, the long-time president of Togo, Gnassingbe Eyadema, died while on route to Europe for medical treatment. According to the nation's constitution, he would have been succeeded by the speaker of parliament, with new elections to follow within sixty days.  The army, however, moved quickly to swear in the former president's son, Faure Gnassingbe as president. By Sunday night, the parliament had named the son as the speaker of parliament and amended the constitution to allow him to serve out his father's term, until 2008.

Other African presidents are trying to convince the Togolese authorities to adopt a more democratic process of change. Political rallies have been banned within Togo and some radio stations that broadcast leaders of the opposition have been closed down. Despite these measures, a demonstration is planned in Lome today. One of the best sources of news has been the BBC. Follow the links at BBC News.


The political uncertainty this week led the Watchi leaders to postpone the men's conference, which had been scheduled for this weekend. Hopefully we will be able to hold it in early March. With all the activities cancelled, we had no choice to but to party this week! Monday night the adults played Guesstures at a birthday party for Brenda and Christine. (Maureen pulled out a last-minute win for the women!)

Tuesday night brought the team to our house for our Chinese New Year "Family Reunion" dinner. We welcomed in the Year of the Rooster with a Chinese meal and ang pows (red envelopes with a little money inside) for the kids. Maureen baked traditional cookies that everyone has enjoyed this week. It is during this time of year that she misses her family and friends in Singapore the most, since she is the only Chinese person in Tabligbo.

Thursday night the Crowsons shared a meal at our home as we say goodbye to them as they leave on their furlough. Today, the kids are having their Valentine's celebration at school and Sunday night, the teacher's are hosting them for a lockin at school. Life goes on.


We enjoyed worship with the Ahepe church with the Koonces. This is a church that was pretty much dead a year ago, but is now starting to regain its focus. There weren't as many people there because of the death of President Eyadema, but it was still encouraging to worship with this church.

With the recent death of President Eyadema, we were not able to go to Lome on Monday. We stayed in Tabligbo for extra precaution. The whole situation is a little weird. It's hard not knowing exactly what's going on. We are thankful that we are here with experienced missionaries who can advise and encourage us. Please continue to pray for the country of Togo.

The team had a birthday party for Christine and Brenda on Monday. We enjoyed playing games and laughing a lot. It was one of the last times we'll all be together before the Crowsons leave to go on furlough. Kyleen has really enjoyed teaching Stephen. He has improved so much since the beginning of the year. She is really going to miss him when he leaves. She will miss his smile, his silliness, and when he would tell her, "I love you Mrs. Kyleen!" We have enjoyed being with their family. They have been such a blessing to us.

Josh was blessed with a day of prayer and fasting on Wednesday with Marty. He has had a lot on his mind concerning our job search. Josh had a wonderful communication with God. He hopes to do this more often. He is grown a lot spiritually in the last month. Thank you so much for your prayers and emails that we have received. You don't realize how much that means to us. Blessings to you!

Jeremy and I have had a wonderful week.

Jeremy has been out exploring and getting to know Tabligbo. He walks up and down the streets and has actually made friends with a few people who speak some English. He has found it frustrating at times that he doesn't know the language, but that doesn't stop him from going out. He is adjusting well to the culture here!

School is going well for both of us. Rae's students are working so hard and have dealt with her absence from school. (They may have even hoped that her sickness this week would keep her at home more, but she attempts to make it whenever possible!) Jeremy loves his preschoolers. They are such fun to have around in the school--a great addition!

Jeremy and Rae are hosting a lock-in at the school for all the boys this Sunday night. We are looking forward to having everyone pile into the school house for games and movies and a late night! Pray for us!


We want to thank you for your prayers concerning the political situation in Togo. As you may know, the president of the last 38 years died on Saturday the 5th (until his death, he was the longest ruling head of state in Africa and 2nd in the world only to Castro). Although, according to the constitution, the successor was to be the head of parliament, the army pledged allegiance to the president's son. Then, the parliament met and arranged for constitutional changes. They also made the son the head of the parliament so that he could immediately be recognized as president. Many nations, including most African countries, most of Europe, The United States and Canada have called for a return to the original constitution.

For now, we praise God that peace has been maintained. The government and military have a firm control on country and chaos has been limited. Things are tense particularly in the south near the capital of Lome. We are fortunate to live just far enough from Lome to avoid any problems. Life in our area goes on as normal. For that we are thankful. We ask you to please pray for peace in Togo and for the leaders to rule well.

The only way we felt the effects of the presidential transition was in relation to our annual men's conference. The nationals who organize the conference decided to postpone the conference, which had been scheduled for this week. We had looked forward to being with leaders and other men of the churches for four days in the village of Sedome. Because of the postponement, we had a normal week of leadership training and other activities. But, again, we praise God that we were able to go about life as normal. God is in control, and we feel secure in his presence.

Last Sunday we had a 'unique' worship time with the Adangbe cluster. They're in the process of finishing their building. So, they're meeting in a 'school hut' across the road for worship. This school house is right next to a soccer field which is 100% dirt. During worship a storm came up and the wind blew extremely hard and you guessed it, it blew mountains of dust and dirt right into our worshipping crowd. The preacher kept on preaching while everyone else was covering their eyes and heads with their shirts and any other cloth they could find.

The wind didn't just blow for a few minutes. Rather, it blew for a solid hour!!! Stephen and Matthew's ears where black because they had so much dirt in them. Our faces were dark brown because of all the soot. We were looking more and more like the Africans, at least in skin color.

When the time came for the collection, they had to take the collection bowl and dump out the dirt before people put their money in it. It was amazing! I realize that you'd have to 'see it to believe it'. It was a bonding experience for our family to say the least. Stephen's comment summed it all up when he said: "Dad, this is dirty church."

You've all heard of the recent political events in Togo. God is watching over us and we are safe. Please pray that the Lord will continue to bless Togo with peace. Pray also that He will bless our travels next Monday as we leave Togo and travel to Accra, Ghana where we will depart on the following Thursday for our much needed furlough! Blessings to you in your service to Him!


Family and friends, we thank you all so much for your prayers over us and the political situation here. Please continue to pray that things will be sorted out in peaceful ways and that the Togolese will be filled with hope for their future.

As for us our lives here have pretty much continued on as normal. All four of the boys are really enjoying school. Yes, even Trevor is now going three days a week with his buddies Jonathon and Matthew. Things could change for us though if issues don't get resolved soon. Louise's already difficult job of preparing meals for us and guests is about to get even more difficult if we can't get to Lome next week and get some provisions. Marty was able to get the car worked on today in Lome and things were peaceful but everyone seemed really on edge and fearful.

As for prayer requests, please remember the Vogan church as their is beginning to be some turnover in their group of leaders. Pray for Tabligbo as the elders admitted last week that the church has fallen asleep and they, as leaders, know their duty in waking everyone but have not risen to that responsibility. Topeglo is primed for the evangelism there. Pray for its success. Afakomi, like Tabligbo, is asleep but is starting to stir a bit. They desperately need to be trained but are not willing to invest the time into it as of yet. The Atitogon cluster asks for you to pray for the evangelism in Togbonou Kope and the future evangelism in Hompou and Amouzouglita Kope that will give renewal to those churches.

Our family has had a season of good health for which we praise God but we ask you to pray for Louise who has experienced problems with her ears for the last two years. The E.N.T. in Ghana said it was some old congestion due to previous infections that had never cleared out. God bless you in every way.