Read eNews from: Rachel, Murphy, Christine, Emily, Marty, Louise, or AgMin
~ 2008 Interns (This week's entry written by Brian) ~
 I knew about the news letter and didn't like the idea of writing in it, thought maybe it would pass over me, and maybe one of the others would do it twice. Matt really seemed to like doing the entries, so I thought that maybe he would, but it didn't work out that way. There was a conversation at lunch one day about the newsletter and I expressed that I didn't see the point in me writing anything. Coincidentally, the next morning Murphy asked me to think of something to write for this newsletter. I told him I really didn't want to, but he said I had to. Later, I asked him the purpose of writing it and he told me it was for prayer from those who have an interest in supporting those of us here.
I spent the rest of the morning thinking about if/what to write. While me and another intern were at one of the wells being dug here we discussed the newsletter. She tried to explain the purpose of writing, but I wasn't getting it. Some of my concerns were these: "If you want to write to an audience, you have to know the audience. I don't know these people we are writing for. How can one newsletter be a sincere communication between me and others? They don't know me. In order to write anything substantial wouldn't these first two concerns have to be taken care of ? I don't want to write anything if it doesn't mean anything."
While me and the other intern discussed all of this, a third intern became very frustrated with me and all of it came to silence. There was a lot of tension, and a clashing of personalities. At this point God stepped in and began teaching us about being a team.
Team is a concept that we discussed ever since we began preparing for this trip, and all of us agreed that since we've gotten here we haven't really been a sound team. Matt went and talked to Aaron about this, then Tulisha to Matt, then Matt and me, and then me and Aaron. And I think we all learned a lot. In order for a team to exist there has to be communication, and in order for there to be communication, there must be a level of trust, and in order for there to be a level a trust there must be no secret barriers dividing the members and we had those (barriers). Part of all our talking on this day was tearing down old barriers we had placed between ourselves, talking with openness, and trying to understand each other. I think it's important that we tried. I would not say that I understand how the others think now, and I would not say that all of us agree on everything, but I can say that we are all now postured to love each other deeper than before, to be a productive team, a family that leans on each other for whatever. Trust is so important.
God answered my desire to want to write something. I wanted to feel good about what is written and not like it was an obligation. I want you to think about your relationships with other Christians as being on a team, a family, because we all are. Are we trying to trust each other, or are we leaving barriers up without any thought of taking them down? The incorrectness of the attitude, "You can't love someone and not like them," is something that Frank Bunner helped me to realize a couple of years ago. I talked with Matt about this some while at the well. That is not the attitude that God wants us to have. Let's search for more than just tolerating each other. Let's look for trust that creates a productive team. While Aaron and I talked, I found an idea that I can apply to myself here. It is that Gods truth can be brought to the table for anyone to present to anyone else. I don't have to know you the audience and you don't have to know me other than the fact that we both have decide to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
What God told me while I was praying with Aaron was that having unity as people is a second chance God has given us. He is redeeming us so we can be ONE (…that they may be one as we are one… John 17:22-23). Having unity together is an opportunity he has blessed us with, and I realize that I have taken this precious blessing of opportunity for unity and have thrown it to the ground. What an awful thing I have done to God! So awful. Inexcusable. It made me ask him for His grace and made me so thankful that He is being so, so patient. We should want to pick up this blessing we have tossed aside, and embrace it for the greatness that it is: the opportunity to be unified with each other. God did not bring me out of darkness to be relationally lazy like those who do not know Him. He wants me to fight for the unity that He represents in Himself. I think that unity is a truth of God that can be laid on the table and presented to all. I ask that you take note of those around you and see if there is any work you can do to be more of a team with them.
Please pray for our team: Aaron Saunders, Matt Bull, Tulisha Jackman, and Brian Scott. Ask God to bless what he has started collectively in us.
Please pray for the Koonces, Crowsons, and the other families who will become a team as they move to Rwanda to start work in a new place together.
Pray for the people of God in general, that we realize the severity of rejecting good gifts from God, and that He continues in giving all of this grace and patience that we absolutely do not deserve.
~ Murphy and Christine Crowson ~ Crowson's Blog
 From Murphy - Yesterday was my last teaching/mentoring time with the Kpotonou leaders. We began the Train & Multiply training series in March 2004 and now four years later have finished. I gave them their diplomas, huge plactic cups, to remind them that they received many, many, many blessings of wisdom, truth, mentoring, skills, lessons, testimonies, etc. these past few years and now they must past those on to others, who are trustworthy, so that they can in turn pass their blessings and mentoring on to others. In this way the discipleship chain will continue to grow and churches will continue to be planted until the Lord returns! Pray that God will bless them in every way, with all of His Power and Wisdom so that they can fulfill the Great Commission in their area!
 After my last mentoring meeting on Friday with the Kpotonou leaders, I asked them to pray for the interns one by one. Aaron, Matt and Brian wrote out specific prayer needs and then Joe, Kokuvi and Mawuko prayed passionate prayers for each of them. Afterwards, they switched and Aaron, Matt and Brian for the prayer needs that Mawuko, Joe and Kokuvi had written out. God is listening and answering our prayers and I know that futures where changed and faith encouraged as a result of our time together on Friday. We praise God for our family: Americans and Togolese, together, united in Christ!
Please continue to ask the Lord to provide all that we need financially for our Rwanda transition. You can find a list of our Rwanda Transition Needs on our blog. You can find out more about our future ministry in Rwanda by visiting our Musanze Team's website @ http://rwanda.harvestfields.net.
From Christine - We have had a good week. Tulisha and I had a nice walk around the Batoe area on Wednesday. We were able to visit with Abrahamno and see her new baby Julianne. Most of the women were out farming now that the rains are coming regularly. They are praising God because their corn is ready. Tulisha and I were even given corn to eat and fresh corn to bring home.
The boys had a great time at the field day hosted by the interns. They especially loved the water balloon contests. I think that the interns had nearly as much fun as the boys.
~ Emily Dunnagan ~
We had a busy Sunday on our own. We traveled by bush taxi in vans meant for 7 passengers which in Togo they squeeze 12-14 people into. We went out to the village of Glei (pronounced GLEE), where one of our other peace corp. friends lives. It was her birthday and she had invited us out to her village birthday party. It took us 3 hours to get there, we had a nice Togolese lunch, and then in took us 2 1/2 hours to get back to Tabligbo.
 It rained off and on all day Friday and Saturday making temperatures very cool! I wore pants and socks and my sweat shirt jacket! I am starting to think I may really love living in Togo during the rainy season. Tuesday was field day and it rained then too, but boys had a great time anyway. The boys really treasured the ribbons the interns brought and loved the water balloon events.
~ Marty and Louise Koonce ~ Blogs: Marty, Louise, 4T's
From Marty - Things are continuing to roll along for us here. Having the interns among us seems to be making our time go more quickly with the Watchi. It is as though we have just returned from furlough, but in reality we now have only six months left among the Watchi. So, here we are trying to make the most of every opportunity amid them to encourage and equip the family here with faith.
The presence of the interns has been a big boost for us as well as the Watchi. I heard testimony after testimony this past Sunday in Togbonou Kope of prayers prayed by interns, while they were out living amongst the Watchi, being answered immediately. As well, they encourage us to consider our lives now and reflect on the ways God has led us to this place.
Please continue to pray for our training of leaders in Tabligbo, Atitogon, Adankonou Kope, Amouzouglita Kope, Togbonou Kope, and Ahepe. It continues to go well as they grow daily in wisdom and faith.
It seems almost weekly that we have to get something repaired on the car, so please pray that we get a break from this and that the money holds out.
As well, we ask you to pray for God to provide the necessary funds for our transition to Rwanda. Pray also for us to continue to grow in faith and courage that we would share Jesus tirelessly. Thank you for your prayers.
 From Louise - Another busy week has flown by. Thank you for the prayers for our health, we seem to be mending. We are enjoying the rains and the cooler temperatures they bring. Trevor has turned seven and we had a Tabligbo Trevor (instead of Indiana Jones) party.
 The boys gave their all at a field day hosted by the interns, complete with ribbons for participation. This weekend, we took some time as a family to talk about our impending move to Rwanda. We made lists of things we will miss about Togo and things we are looking forward to about the other side of the continent. It was a good time for all the boys to put feelings into words.
~ Rachel Baker ~
It's still raining in Tabligbo and I must say that I am still loving the cool weather the rain brings with it! It rained all day Friday and Saturday and then again Sunday night, which made for an exceptionally cool weekend. I finally got to sleep with my fan on a level lower than the highest one! (it's funny what little things make you sooo excited!) The couple of viruses that have been going around the team – a head cold and a stomach bug – have finally struck the teacher house. I have successfully made it through both of them and now it's Emily's turn, but she's on the upside of it already!
It's been a kind of busy few days. After the rain slowed down on Friday, Murphy came by to look at the "Galloper", mine and Emily's car that is completely out of commission. It's officially starting the process of it's recovery. Murphy had me tow him and the Galloper across town to his house where the mechanic can pick it up. I have to admit I was kind of nervous since it had just rained… but we made it.
 We also had field day this week. The interns were completely in charge and they did a great job with the boys. It was nice to be somewhat of a spectator rather than the gals in charge. The boys seemed to absolutely love it. They all did such a great job and were awarded some pretty fancy ribbons at the end of the day.
Just this Sunday we started out our new week with a ride to Glei and back with Lauren. It made for a great day, even though it was long. We got to ride in bush taxis and experience a Togolese style birthday party. It amazes me how many people can fit in one of these vans we were in. One was meant to hold 14-15 and I'm almost positive we had 27 at one point. Murphy always tells us that there's always room for one more… it was ever true on Sunday!
~ Agricultural Ministry - Laté Lawson-Simlen ~
The well drilling in Kpokede came to a stand still last week. At 21 meters they ran into a very hard rock. After a day or so trying to pound through the rock, the drill bit broke off. They tried for several hours to reattach it to the bottom of the drilling pipes to no avail.
They tested the water at this level but there was not enough water coming out to meet the villages needs.
So, they decided to give up on this whole and begin again. Many were discouraged and some of the villagers just walked away, giving up hope that this process would work.
However, six men, the Christians in the village, recommitted themselves to the work and they decided to try again in a different place.
Please pray that God would encourage the Christians in Kpokede to continue to work hard. Most especially, please ask the Lord to bless the drilling so that the next place that they choose to drill will be the best place where they can find water. We are committed to seeing this process through, not mater what it takes to provide good, clean drinking water for the Kpokede village.
On a more encouraging note, the Adangbe cluster has put together enough funds to buy 40,000 more pineapple plants to be planted this July. When harvested next year, this will provide over $3000 for this area's farmers. Praise God!
We are also praying for 40 tons of soy beans this year. God is answering this prayer by motivating the largest number of farmers since the beginning of the Ag Ministry to plant soy beans! Pray that God would bless the dozens of farmers who will plant soya for the first time. Pray that glory will go to Him as He provides an abundant harvest. Most of all pray that as these blessings continue to multiply among the Watchi that God would receive more and more praise! |
