Saturday, October 1, 2005

Jenna Stephens
God has blessed another week here . . . His goodness knows no bounds! I praise God along with the missionary families and the people of Tabligbo and surrounding areas for the incredible rain we have been receiving! In His time, God has given this good gift which the land has needed so desperately.

His hand is always over all . . . from Sunday celebration with the Koonces, to a purposeful day Monday at home, to our women’s meeting on Thursday—everything has been wonderful, and is teaching me so much. I am even learning from my students; their responsiveness and eagerness, their openness to try and learn new things, their wonderful (most of the time) attitudes, even when something is difficult or not what they would prefer—I see God using it all to teach and remind me of His ways . . . that they are much, much higher than mine!

This week I was also able to speak with several more friends back home, which was so encouraging. It reminded me that the work we are able to do here is shared in large part by our prayer warriors back home, who so faithfully petition God on our behalf. So to all of you, I say THANK YOU, and pray that God would bless you continually! My love and prayers to each and every one of you.

Marty and Louise Koonce
The Koonce house is doing well. We have been blessed with very little sickness since our return to Togo. We are so thankful for that. School continues for the boys and they are enjoying the teachers and even the workload. Tae Kwan Do has gotten rolling again on Thursdays. They are having fun with the sparring equipment we brought back from the states. We have an exciting addition to our family: Marty found a chameleon on the road and brought her home. Camilla seems to be adjusting to her new cage home and hand fed meals of dragonfly and praying mantis.

Sunday, we were blessed to get back to Adakonu Kope for worship and it was such a joy to be with the Christians there. Marty's work week has been a little off schedule due to a trip to take a friend to the hospital in Kpalime, and then a rush trip to take the truck to the shop. It appears that the 4 wheel drive has gone out. The mechanic was able to disconnect it so we can drive, but without 4 wheel drive capabilities. Since it is the rainy season, please pray that we will not get stuck somewhere and that we can get the new parts quickly. It seems that we have been hit with a string of things breaking in our house since our return: dryer, computer monitor, camera, and now the truck. Please pray for quick repairs and our patience. These luxuries sure make life easier when they are working, amazing how debilitating they can be when they are not.

Anthony and Maureen Parker
We were reminded once again this week of God's protective hand upon us. Maureen had a close encounter this week with three semi-trucks, from which she emerged unscathed, with only a few minor scratches on the car. We praise God for watching over us. You can read a full account at maureensmusings.blogspot.com.

Otherwise, our week has been routine--which means leadership training, office work, study, a trip to Lome, school for the kids, and continued good health. We now have two broken down refrigerators, and are thankful to the Crowsons for the loan of their small "guest house" fridge that is getting us through right now.

The Tabligbo area has enjoyed good rains this week, but still no rain has fallen in the southern part of the Watchi area. Please pray that God will send rain for all the farmers who need it so desperately.

Jeff and Brenda Holland
This was a good week. Everything is going well for our family. As it has warmed up, Ellianna wants to be wet all of the time. She goes to get the water hose and fills up her little blow-up pool. Becca is growing like a weed. She is a cute chubby little thing. Josiah is doing well in his studies and seems to be back in his school groove.

As far as the work goes, there is no new news. Keep praying for churches to grow numerically and in maturity. Also pray for leaders being trained and churches being planted. Jeff is working with two men on corrections on a new series of evangelistic hand-outs. Artwork will be ready for it soon, and we hope to put it in the hands of church planters and other members as a tool to expand the Kingdom.

Stacey Sexton
First of all I want everyone to know that the goat, well...I later found out it is actually a sheep, is A.....OK. It still looks pathetic, but I think it will live! So school has been very rewarding. The children are active and soaking everything in. It's really neat....I have never known a child whom loves school as much as Matthew does! It makes a huge difference in the classroom. He even gets the others all excited about their ABC's. Matthew and I sing this song to help us learn our vowels and the others can't help but join in. Even when I tell them that they need to get busy and do their work I catch them singing under their breath. Taylor has been helping Matthew with his work for about 30 mintutes a day and is a huge help. I think he enjoys it just as much as Matthew. They work great together. I think Taylor is trying to challenge me as a teacher :).

Jeremy and Stephen are flying through their material like they're eating cake. They are two very bright students. Tanner is such a focused student. He picks things up quickly and gets right to work until he is finished. I do think that the drive of not having homework is what keeps him so focused......works for me!

I couldn't have been blessed with a greater class. We were having Bible study the other day and I told my class that they have taught me so much and they looked at me with disbelief. "How could students teach a teacher, " was written all over their face. Teaching a class full of such innocent and loving children just gives me a greater of understanding of what God is talking about in Luke 18:17 and Mark 10:15, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." God has reminded me each and everyday being with these children how important it is to have such a tender heart. I wouldn't change one thing about these children, but I do hope and pray that they will help change me.

All the teachers and parents that have taught this group of children have done an exquisite and exceptional job. Thank you!