Anthony just returned from Sedome where he and about 70 other men participated in the annual men's meeting. This is a time of great blessing and unity-building for the Watchi churches. It also stretches the missionaries in our cross-cultural identification as we take public transportation (rusted out 100 year old vans), sleep on the ground (OK, I borrowed an air mattress from Marty), eat local food (plus some pizza and banana bread that Maureen sent), and shower and take care of other hygienic needs under the stars (surrounded by palm fronds).

The cross-cultural stretching is more than compensated by warm fellowship, exuberant worship, and just relishing in how the Watchi Christians have taken ownership of the movement.  They are almost to the point of being excited about the missionaries' disengagement plan. Anthony was especially encouraged because five men from one of the Fon churches in Benin came over to participate in the conference (even though they didn't speak the language) and establish a relationship with their Watchi brethren.

Last Sunday, our family worshipped with the Sedome church and also visited the nearby church at Batoe. Maureen was encouraged to see the main leader's wife, Melanie, and her baby doing well. Maureen and Christine had visited Melanie a few weeks ago when she was sick following the birth.

Jeremy and Jonathan are doing well. Jeremy just came home with a straight-A report card, so we are proud of him and thankful for our teachers for doing such a great job. Both the boys have been happy to spend some extra time with the Tanner and Trevor while Louise has been away and Marty attended the men's conference.


The main event of our week was Josh going to Sedome for the Watchi Men's Conference. Josh was prepared to go to this conference in February when it was originally scheduled, but he was as excited this time. However, Praise be to God, he had a wonderful, uplifting time with his fellow brother's in Christ. He left Wednesday afternoon and returned Saturday morning. Josh was very excited to see all the Christians who had traveled many miles to come to this conference. Most of them traveled by bicycle or came with a taxi. Some came as far as forty miles to attend this conference.

Only the leaders came on Wednesday. Jeff, Marty and Anthony encouraged them to keep up the good work, for the Harvest will continue to come. The leaders were excited about the long-term responsibilities that they have when the missionaries phase-out. It was an exciting moment to experience! The leaders were in charge of the conference on Thursday when everyone else showed up. The theme was spiritual gifts and how to use them to edify the church. They focused a 1 Corinthians 12; 13, and Ephesians 4:11-14. The main point was to be unified through each other's unique gifts. Josh was thankful for the missionaries translating for him when needed. He really enjoyed the praise and worship time! He was moved to tears several times by the passion that they had for worshipping our LORD! One night, some of the children who gathered around during a break began singing some worship songs. It was so beautiful and wonderful to see the joy they had in singing. Though Josh didn't understand some things that were going on, he had a deep spiritual experience.

Kyleen had a wonderful week at school. It went by fast considering Josh was gone for half the week. The highlight of her week was Saturday when they celebrated an early St. Patrick's Day. The boys did a shamrock art project, modeled old Gaelic soldier games like pitch forking paper wads and long distance pencil flipping. They learned an Irish jig which was the most amusing of all the events and a "leprechaun" left clues for the boys to find his pot of gold. The boys got their report cards today. They had another nine weeks of great grades.

Click images to enlarge

2005 Men's Conference

Komlan speaks to men

Chilling out during free time

What is Josh doing?