This week we spent in the tiny village of Koutie. This small village has an Adventist church planted by the past missionaries here. It was real refreshing to be out in the fresh air. Although the guinea heans just about drove us nuts (Manny and I) we had a nice time. We were following a middle aged man in his daily activities part of the culture study. We got a taste of alot. We farmed, hunted, and looked for gold, and went to the market too. Hunting was especially neat, as we hiked out with a bunch of men into the grasslands, burning grass and trying to throw clubs at escaping birds and rabbits. On one of the two hunts everybody in the area came 40+ men and teens. Not much catch though. But real fun. Walking through the forest with our clubs (they gave Manny and I two each, although we were not that great, I threw one once only), felt like in a war, approaching the enemy. Kind of sobering to think about people that actually go through war, intense and suspenseful.
We ate alot, they are very generous and we got to know many new friends!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Canadian Pride and Obamania
Just a few interesting happenings on nationality I wanted to share with you. I am not sure if all Canadians share
my thoughts, but to me I really have grown up proud to be Canadian, a small people, but great in hockey,
peacekeeping, and healthcare (for the most part), and being kind and having great traveling respect worldwide.
So I have had to swallow my Canadian pride on coming here. If people ask where I am from I do say I am Canadian.
But to them there is no difference between USA and Canadian. I have people ask me if Canada is run by the US.
I am learning to give up my nationality in a way. At first I would stand up for my country, when church members
would call me American I would correct them and say no I am Canadian, but now it's water off the ducks back.
You may be more interested in how Africa is dealing with Obamania. You have probably seen on the news
celebrations across Africa for the first African-American president. Here there has not been much really jubilous
times, but people have talked about it. In the bigger city like Cotonou, the bars have special Obama night. There is
a friends of Obama in Benin club which had a party after his inauguration. Around the same time there was the naming of
new University to built in Benin, called the Obama Barak Afro-American University. What the new president means
for the future of Africa and the world, I will leave that to time and God's hands.
my thoughts, but to me I really have grown up proud to be Canadian, a small people, but great in hockey,
peacekeeping, and healthcare (for the most part), and being kind and having great traveling respect worldwide.
So I have had to swallow my Canadian pride on coming here. If people ask where I am from I do say I am Canadian.
But to them there is no difference between USA and Canadian. I have people ask me if Canada is run by the US.
I am learning to give up my nationality in a way. At first I would stand up for my country, when church members
would call me American I would correct them and say no I am Canadian, but now it's water off the ducks back.
You may be more interested in how Africa is dealing with Obamania. You have probably seen on the news
celebrations across Africa for the first African-American president. Here there has not been much really jubilous
times, but people have talked about it. In the bigger city like Cotonou, the bars have special Obama night. There is
a friends of Obama in Benin club which had a party after his inauguration. Around the same time there was the naming of
new University to built in Benin, called the Obama Barak Afro-American University. What the new president means
for the future of Africa and the world, I will leave that to time and God's hands.
Life is Beautiful
Worry is a common human problem, but the fact is some of us are worse worriers than others! Everyday I see
around me need. Benin is not a country at war or famine or anything, but like much of Africa there is still much
need, much suffering. There are poor people lacking clothing, food; there are confused people wondering why
they are sick or a loved one passed away. The most common difficulty, that I see, is lack of love. This is really
the common human problem, people are not loved genuinely by those around them and even worse
they do not know or have been taught incorrectingly about God's amazing love. Can't say it is all hopeless. I have
seen glimpses of special moments. Like when my landlord's son takes time to play with his little sister (he is the
oldest and she the youngest), or when a grandmother defends her toddler grandchildren when they are being scolded for playing
around, "that is there job isn't? to play, have fun." But overall you do not hear encouragement or words of love
in most families. At school it is the same, teachers find themselves being condescending more than encouraging.
All this does not make me think that they are evil people, just lost people, hurting people, that's why I am here,
to help them not be lost or hurting! In any case, I do find myself getting downhearted at times. There is always
so much need, and I can't help them all directly, I can surely be a positive example, sharing kind words, doing
helpful things, loving others, but still. So I can get worried wonder about my impact, anxious that I may
not be able to help in all ways that I can. Last Sabbath afternoon (Feb. 7) I should be have more joyful. I had
come home from prayer and fasting. The first Sabbath of every month is prayer and fasting. Church in the morning then
a time of prayer in the afternoon. A lot of people came in the afternoon, and we prayed through the armour of God
in Ephesians 6. I try to make the prayer time creative, dispersing group prayers, individual prayers, partner prayers, and
Bible prayers (ie from Psalms), to keep people focused and engaged. At 4PM I cam home and was hungry but
satisfied. Yet I wasn't sure what to do. Then I started worrying. Maybe I should go visit a friend I haven't seen in a while,
but I'd also like to do this, and there's the end of that Jesus movie I'd like to see. I did go visit my friend who was not home.
So I came back and since my laptop's sound doesn't work, I went to Manny's room to use his computer. Before I started I
browsed through some of his music library. I found some songs by Michelle Tumes, not really familiar with her material,
so I checked it out. One song caught my attention. The words really interested me and the melody was calm and enjoyable.
It was about a little girl as she grew up. A sort of biography; and the the end of the song revealed it was actually
Michelle's own biography. The chorus was this line, "Wouldn't you say, wouldn't you say Life is beautiful." I was kind
of awe struck. As she described it, her upbringing was not in a rich setting, but yet she was loved. I thought about
my worries and struggles, and those words seem to bring about healing and some new perspective. Life is beautiful.
Not life as we live it, with sin and sorrow and pain, but life, the gift of breathing, the beauty in a new born, the wonder
of a child's smile. The life that God gives, abundant life. I can say life is beautiful. "He has made everything beautiful in its time, and He has put eternity in their hearts..." (Eccl.4:11) I am thankful to God for providing me with another
encouragement, I do not need to worry, life is beautiful with Christ.
around me need. Benin is not a country at war or famine or anything, but like much of Africa there is still much
need, much suffering. There are poor people lacking clothing, food; there are confused people wondering why
they are sick or a loved one passed away. The most common difficulty, that I see, is lack of love. This is really
the common human problem, people are not loved genuinely by those around them and even worse
they do not know or have been taught incorrectingly about God's amazing love. Can't say it is all hopeless. I have
seen glimpses of special moments. Like when my landlord's son takes time to play with his little sister (he is the
oldest and she the youngest), or when a grandmother defends her toddler grandchildren when they are being scolded for playing
around, "that is there job isn't? to play, have fun." But overall you do not hear encouragement or words of love
in most families. At school it is the same, teachers find themselves being condescending more than encouraging.
All this does not make me think that they are evil people, just lost people, hurting people, that's why I am here,
to help them not be lost or hurting! In any case, I do find myself getting downhearted at times. There is always
so much need, and I can't help them all directly, I can surely be a positive example, sharing kind words, doing
helpful things, loving others, but still. So I can get worried wonder about my impact, anxious that I may
not be able to help in all ways that I can. Last Sabbath afternoon (Feb. 7) I should be have more joyful. I had
come home from prayer and fasting. The first Sabbath of every month is prayer and fasting. Church in the morning then
a time of prayer in the afternoon. A lot of people came in the afternoon, and we prayed through the armour of God
in Ephesians 6. I try to make the prayer time creative, dispersing group prayers, individual prayers, partner prayers, and
Bible prayers (ie from Psalms), to keep people focused and engaged. At 4PM I cam home and was hungry but
satisfied. Yet I wasn't sure what to do. Then I started worrying. Maybe I should go visit a friend I haven't seen in a while,
but I'd also like to do this, and there's the end of that Jesus movie I'd like to see. I did go visit my friend who was not home.
So I came back and since my laptop's sound doesn't work, I went to Manny's room to use his computer. Before I started I
browsed through some of his music library. I found some songs by Michelle Tumes, not really familiar with her material,
so I checked it out. One song caught my attention. The words really interested me and the melody was calm and enjoyable.
It was about a little girl as she grew up. A sort of biography; and the the end of the song revealed it was actually
Michelle's own biography. The chorus was this line, "Wouldn't you say, wouldn't you say Life is beautiful." I was kind
of awe struck. As she described it, her upbringing was not in a rich setting, but yet she was loved. I thought about
my worries and struggles, and those words seem to bring about healing and some new perspective. Life is beautiful.
Not life as we live it, with sin and sorrow and pain, but life, the gift of breathing, the beauty in a new born, the wonder
of a child's smile. The life that God gives, abundant life. I can say life is beautiful. "He has made everything beautiful in its time, and He has put eternity in their hearts..." (Eccl.4:11) I am thankful to God for providing me with another
encouragement, I do not need to worry, life is beautiful with Christ.
Life and Times of Manny and Eric
I thought some of you may have been wondering how Manny (the other student missionary here) and I have been getting along here.
I was finishing my third month when he arrived and he's already been here two. It has been a real blessing to have a companion especially
in tasks like market shopping and traveling. The culture study definitely is much better with his help. We have accompanied each other to markets
and next week to a small village for more studying. It has almost been my privilege to help him learn the language and teach him how
to do this and that in this culture. While it would have been nice for him to be here from the beginning. It was an advantage that I learned
the ropes and now can pass it on to him. He also helped me gain perspective as I look at the society here. His fresh ideas and suggestions
are great. Indeed I am more of a thinker and Manny is a bit more of a get it done person. So working together we can make great decisions.
The challenge has been learning to live together, cooking is the main thing. I had been on my own three months and the three years before that
at high school and college. Sure I lived with a roommate, but you do not have to work your schedule around each other, you eat when you want
and such. Here we take every other day to cook and then the days you don't cook you do dishes. It has worked out nice, but it has challenged me.
If I go someone I let him know, or if it's market day we have to plan when we will both be available to go. I have much more respect for marriages
now let me tell you that, especially in my case food is really our only common point, in the sense of working it out together (for the most part), but a
marriage encompasses your entire life. It's a good perspective to have, especially here the ideas on relationships and marriage are not
that great (very loose you could say) and thus being a youth leader, I am to train them on these things for the most part! In conclusions,
Manny and I are getting along well, and we both know without doubt God brought us here and is using us greatly! That's the most important part.
I was finishing my third month when he arrived and he's already been here two. It has been a real blessing to have a companion especially
in tasks like market shopping and traveling. The culture study definitely is much better with his help. We have accompanied each other to markets
and next week to a small village for more studying. It has almost been my privilege to help him learn the language and teach him how
to do this and that in this culture. While it would have been nice for him to be here from the beginning. It was an advantage that I learned
the ropes and now can pass it on to him. He also helped me gain perspective as I look at the society here. His fresh ideas and suggestions
are great. Indeed I am more of a thinker and Manny is a bit more of a get it done person. So working together we can make great decisions.
The challenge has been learning to live together, cooking is the main thing. I had been on my own three months and the three years before that
at high school and college. Sure I lived with a roommate, but you do not have to work your schedule around each other, you eat when you want
and such. Here we take every other day to cook and then the days you don't cook you do dishes. It has worked out nice, but it has challenged me.
If I go someone I let him know, or if it's market day we have to plan when we will both be available to go. I have much more respect for marriages
now let me tell you that, especially in my case food is really our only common point, in the sense of working it out together (for the most part), but a
marriage encompasses your entire life. It's a good perspective to have, especially here the ideas on relationships and marriage are not
that great (very loose you could say) and thus being a youth leader, I am to train them on these things for the most part! In conclusions,
Manny and I are getting along well, and we both know without doubt God brought us here and is using us greatly! That's the most important part.
Dream Discoveries
had an interesting
dream the other night. I cannot remember what the dream was about, all I remember was at the
end I was reaching for something and in my dream I saw a form, not really visible; I could feel it more than I could see it.
The presence surrounded my hand and I heard a voice saying that it wanted what I was grabbing.
I then wanted to say in the name of Jesus and command the presence.... but all I could do was call out my Father, my Father, and woke up.
It's not really different than other nightmares I have had before in any place, intense and waking up heart beating, but
the immediate fear that came over me in my dream really was interested. Gave me a little glimpse that no human can stand alone. The Devil
is not to be taken lightly, but with God victory is sure.
Evil evokes shear fear, but when I awoke as I prayed and asked in the name of Jesus for whatever caused the dream to leave,
I soon was back asleep. Beside having the opportunity to exercise my faith in Jesus' power I do remember (the part I remember anyway),
was in French. So it may have been a nightmare, but it's encouraging to know that at least in some way I am becoming like
the people, I am dreaming in French. Maybe not much to get excited over, but interesting nonetheless.
dream the other night. I cannot remember what the dream was about, all I remember was at the
end I was reaching for something and in my dream I saw a form, not really visible; I could feel it more than I could see it.
The presence surrounded my hand and I heard a voice saying that it wanted what I was grabbing.
I then wanted to say in the name of Jesus and command the presence.... but all I could do was call out my Father, my Father, and woke up.
It's not really different than other nightmares I have had before in any place, intense and waking up heart beating, but
the immediate fear that came over me in my dream really was interested. Gave me a little glimpse that no human can stand alone. The Devil
is not to be taken lightly, but with God victory is sure.
Evil evokes shear fear, but when I awoke as I prayed and asked in the name of Jesus for whatever caused the dream to leave,
I soon was back asleep. Beside having the opportunity to exercise my faith in Jesus' power I do remember (the part I remember anyway),
was in French. So it may have been a nightmare, but it's encouraging to know that at least in some way I am becoming like
the people, I am dreaming in French. Maybe not much to get excited over, but interesting nonetheless.
My Bad
Since arriving here I have had only a handful of times when I have caused some upset because of cultural
confusion. Part of the reasons there aren't too many times is that I can speak French, so that means I can
get across what I am trying to say well. But French is just the language it doesn't solve being from a different
culture! Today (Feb. 6/09) I had a Bible study at a home only a few minutes from my home. I arrived late and
no one knew where the lady was. I asked her mother and all I got was a wave of the arming, meaning I do not
know. I came back an hour or so later and found out when I had come she had been in the washroom. Her mother
was sitting there and she said she was upset with me. I half realized what was coming. In this culture greeting
people is a right they have. People do not even start conversations without saying hello. And on top of the fact
I had not greeted her, this lady is an elderly lady, due much respect. She asked me, "Did you say hello to me
when you came in? No, you just saw me and asked where is she? That's not good." She went to say that even
I a stranger have been here long enough to know that custom. I had wondered why she hadn't spoken. It was so ingrained
in her that as soon as I did not greet her she wouldn't talk to me. I kindly said sorry, that I was human, and she was
willing to forgive. A few minutes later she brought up another issue however this time I was not so sure about the validity.
I saw her at the market in Tigniti (the day we walked back to Nati) almost two weeks ago. I had seen her daughter, Bladin the
middle aged lady I do the Bible studies with, a few days after seeing her at the market, and she was not happy
that I had not told Bladin that I had seen her mom at the market. I do see how that is cultural. In lots places of the world
it's accepted to say, "Hey I saw your cousin, mom, brother, whatever at the mall or at the market or at Church the other day."
But with all the people I saw at the market was I to remember. Seems a bit ridiculous. But again I apologized.
And I am glad to learn about how to live in this society and pray that I will not make mistakes that will be harder to forgive!
confusion. Part of the reasons there aren't too many times is that I can speak French, so that means I can
get across what I am trying to say well. But French is just the language it doesn't solve being from a different
culture! Today (Feb. 6/09) I had a Bible study at a home only a few minutes from my home. I arrived late and
no one knew where the lady was. I asked her mother and all I got was a wave of the arming, meaning I do not
know. I came back an hour or so later and found out when I had come she had been in the washroom. Her mother
was sitting there and she said she was upset with me. I half realized what was coming. In this culture greeting
people is a right they have. People do not even start conversations without saying hello. And on top of the fact
I had not greeted her, this lady is an elderly lady, due much respect. She asked me, "Did you say hello to me
when you came in? No, you just saw me and asked where is she? That's not good." She went to say that even
I a stranger have been here long enough to know that custom. I had wondered why she hadn't spoken. It was so ingrained
in her that as soon as I did not greet her she wouldn't talk to me. I kindly said sorry, that I was human, and she was
willing to forgive. A few minutes later she brought up another issue however this time I was not so sure about the validity.
I saw her at the market in Tigniti (the day we walked back to Nati) almost two weeks ago. I had seen her daughter, Bladin the
middle aged lady I do the Bible studies with, a few days after seeing her at the market, and she was not happy
that I had not told Bladin that I had seen her mom at the market. I do see how that is cultural. In lots places of the world
it's accepted to say, "Hey I saw your cousin, mom, brother, whatever at the mall or at the market or at Church the other day."
But with all the people I saw at the market was I to remember. Seems a bit ridiculous. But again I apologized.
And I am glad to learn about how to live in this society and pray that I will not make mistakes that will be harder to forgive!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Visa Limbo
The bus is threatening to rattle apart as I write this entry. We are on the road to home, Natitingou.
That's nice it is become like home, but really any place I live is just a transitional residence.
Home is up above. Just got to wait a while. It is a little hard to think any coherent thoughts, as the bus
speakers blare the TV shows and music videos being shown on the screens. It is easy to see why so many
Africans do not know how to show kindness, how to encourage each other. Most media and popular TV programming
is filled with conflict, someone fighting over this or that, you don't often see any ecouraging once, Not that I watch much TV
around here, but when I am, for instance, on the bus, it's on for hours, unfortunately.
We are finally finishing a week long stay in Cotonou, that including more than Manny and I imagined, which
in reality is not unusual in mission life. We had planned to leave Thursday morning, but we went to see if our Visas were
ready Wed. morning as they should have been, they were not ready, so we said we'd come back in the evening.here
The evening there was nothing again. So we asked at the kiosk, and we were directed inside. Normally visas are rewarded
easily, but there's is always that chance that something could go wrong. So what would it be? It turns out
that we could not just renew our 3 month visas over and over without have a resident card. It's the law
they said, if we didn't we would not be under Benionoise law, and that was a probelm if we broke the law
or something happened to us. So they agreed to renew our 3 months aa long as we put in the papers for our resident
card before we came back for our visas, no problem! That just means we now had to wait until
Friday evening for them to process the visas.I wondered why that had not told me this the first or
second time I renewed my visa. My friend stipulated that the problem was money! They didn't tell me
until it was absolutely neccessary, and because Manny was with me they told him to, but since it was his first
renewal they may not have told him otherwise. Could be a possible reason, nonetheless that how it worked out for us
But this was not so bad, because during this time we were able to
get the papers in Cotonou that we needed for the resident card, only one paper left which we will obtain in Nait.
Praise God. And because of confusion in ordering a car part, we had not paid the full sum, since we had
to only pay a down payment to reorder it, so we had enough funds to last until now! Praise God. And with
His leading, we smoothly got the papers we needed. At the hospital we were waited for the blood test doc, when
a lady passed and asked us if were here for resident cards, yes! She was the Doc's secretary and got us all
set and then we came back later in the day for the results, and papers. Then there was the courthouse.
We went to the wrong one first and then got a ride to the right one. At the right courthouse we were to get a proof
of residence, but the lady said, to come back Monday night! We couldn't wait that long. We politely asked
if if could be ready Friday evening, the next day. She said she'd try, and the next evening it was ready!
We had the opportunity to go to the market. I had only been in a little part of it. But we met an Adventist brother
there who showed the whole thing. It was massive. There were hundreds of booths sellig everything from pants, to hand bag,
to soccer jerseys, to shoes all you could want in clothing and such. I always wondered where all those used clothes
that don't even get sold at value village go. Also it seems the cloths some retailers can't sell, they send here.too. Someone
told me that some of the clothes are intended for humanitarian distribution,but logisitcs make it so that the clothes are just
sold cheap instead. Our Adventist brother took us to vistt different Adventists that work at the market. The next day we also went
back to see them the next day (Wednesday). We had pop and a tapoica dish, it was sweet and delicious, and the tapioca was
not like it is is tapioca pudding which I like too).
Sabbath we spent at the church I did all the Red Cross training in. I have a number of friends there, and for one of them
it happened to be his birthday, so we went to his home for lunch, and celebrated with hymns,prayer, sparkling red grape
juice, and pineapple. The afternoon also had an AY program which mostly discussion on what would happent throughout the year,
But Manny shared the beginning devition, and I shared a little meditaiton near the end as well. It all ended with a vespers service
and then we spent some time talking and that was it, time to go! A long adventure almost ended.
That's nice it is become like home, but really any place I live is just a transitional residence.
Home is up above. Just got to wait a while. It is a little hard to think any coherent thoughts, as the bus
speakers blare the TV shows and music videos being shown on the screens. It is easy to see why so many
Africans do not know how to show kindness, how to encourage each other. Most media and popular TV programming
is filled with conflict, someone fighting over this or that, you don't often see any ecouraging once, Not that I watch much TV
around here, but when I am, for instance, on the bus, it's on for hours, unfortunately.
We are finally finishing a week long stay in Cotonou, that including more than Manny and I imagined, which
in reality is not unusual in mission life. We had planned to leave Thursday morning, but we went to see if our Visas were
ready Wed. morning as they should have been, they were not ready, so we said we'd come back in the evening.here
The evening there was nothing again. So we asked at the kiosk, and we were directed inside. Normally visas are rewarded
easily, but there's is always that chance that something could go wrong. So what would it be? It turns out
that we could not just renew our 3 month visas over and over without have a resident card. It's the law
they said, if we didn't we would not be under Benionoise law, and that was a probelm if we broke the law
or something happened to us. So they agreed to renew our 3 months aa long as we put in the papers for our resident
card before we came back for our visas, no problem! That just means we now had to wait until
Friday evening for them to process the visas.I wondered why that had not told me this the first or
second time I renewed my visa. My friend stipulated that the problem was money! They didn't tell me
until it was absolutely neccessary, and because Manny was with me they told him to, but since it was his first
renewal they may not have told him otherwise. Could be a possible reason, nonetheless that how it worked out for us
But this was not so bad, because during this time we were able to
get the papers in Cotonou that we needed for the resident card, only one paper left which we will obtain in Nait.
Praise God. And because of confusion in ordering a car part, we had not paid the full sum, since we had
to only pay a down payment to reorder it, so we had enough funds to last until now! Praise God. And with
His leading, we smoothly got the papers we needed. At the hospital we were waited for the blood test doc, when
a lady passed and asked us if were here for resident cards, yes! She was the Doc's secretary and got us all
set and then we came back later in the day for the results, and papers. Then there was the courthouse.
We went to the wrong one first and then got a ride to the right one. At the right courthouse we were to get a proof
of residence, but the lady said, to come back Monday night! We couldn't wait that long. We politely asked
if if could be ready Friday evening, the next day. She said she'd try, and the next evening it was ready!
We had the opportunity to go to the market. I had only been in a little part of it. But we met an Adventist brother
there who showed the whole thing. It was massive. There were hundreds of booths sellig everything from pants, to hand bag,
to soccer jerseys, to shoes all you could want in clothing and such. I always wondered where all those used clothes
that don't even get sold at value village go. Also it seems the cloths some retailers can't sell, they send here.too. Someone
told me that some of the clothes are intended for humanitarian distribution,but logisitcs make it so that the clothes are just
sold cheap instead. Our Adventist brother took us to vistt different Adventists that work at the market. The next day we also went
back to see them the next day (Wednesday). We had pop and a tapoica dish, it was sweet and delicious, and the tapioca was
not like it is is tapioca pudding which I like too).
Sabbath we spent at the church I did all the Red Cross training in. I have a number of friends there, and for one of them
it happened to be his birthday, so we went to his home for lunch, and celebrated with hymns,prayer, sparkling red grape
juice, and pineapple. The afternoon also had an AY program which mostly discussion on what would happent throughout the year,
But Manny shared the beginning devition, and I shared a little meditaiton near the end as well. It all ended with a vespers service
and then we spent some time talking and that was it, time to go! A long adventure almost ended.
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