Would you be my neighbor?

We have new neighbors! I feel a little like Mr. Rogers, could you be would be my neighbor? Well these people accepted the invitation, even I never told them. I am sad that Roland had to move, but he’s not too far away, and now there is someone new to reach for Christ (that was Manny’s immediate reaction). I have not quite figure out if their parents live with them, but in any case the young man I talked to is name Louie and he’s from Perma, a village about fifteen minutes drive down the road from here. He is going to school at a local Catholic high school. He has several sisters and one little baby brother. I do hope they feel welcome to the neighborhood!

The Big Dipper Flipper

I cannot remember ever seeing the big dipper upside, but this time of the year here in Benin it is. There it is up in the sky upside, I guess that means it becomes the big pourer. It made me think about what God wants to do here in Benin, in Africa, in the world, and even in each of our hearts; He wants to pour out His love, pour out His goodness. The Holy Spirit wants to spill into us and over all the world. I hope that each one of will us will be filled by God, so that we can pour out to others!

A Model for the Faithful

Two weeks have flown by for me. As you may perceive there is never a lack of responsibilities here, but these past weeks have been particularly full. It’s the kind of time when you are excited for it to happen but cannot wait until it is over. I cannot remember if I had mentioned it before but the team here decided to do a youth initiation program for the youth of the Natitingou church. The church members really wanted this as well. It is often the case that when Christianity comes in a replaces a former religion (especially if it is animist), that there are many holes that need to be filled. Unfortunately the life of a fetisheur (or Satan worshipper) is usually more filled with spirituality than when that person becomes a Christian, but that does not mean it should stay that way. Every part of an animists life is filled with spiritual things, at birth, marriage, harvest, and the rest. In the North American world, being a Christian is a title and usually prayer is a last resort before marriage, if a birth is going wrong, etc. (Dale Goodson is the one that did a lot of research on this, he works at AFM.) So as missionaries we want to fill those holes with Christ and Christian acceptable replacements. One big part of the Ottamari culture, and really any culture around the world is youth induction. Thus we sought to do something that the church can do every two or three years to replace the traditional ceremonies in the villages. Since a lot of our young people do not have Christian parents, the pressures are great upon them to do the ceremonies, some have, some have not, and some have not faced the choice yet. Our initiation will be a way for them to counteract those pressures, as well as help them learn what it means to be a Christ Follower and Adventist, as well as bring to a place of greater responsibility in the church. The program certainly is not meant to replace baptism, that is still held as the Biblical way to become a member of the church as well repent of sins and receive the Holy Spirit.
Well then what did happen? The preparations were really almost a nightmare. Because we did not leave much time to prepare we were all in a semi-panic getting it all together. The biggest issue was that we planned the time for the only vacation the students get between now and exams, meaning lots of catch-up, unfortunately teachers with classes of 90+ can’t get all they want done, so during breaks they have extra classes, especially the classes that have big exams for to enter high school or finish it. Four of our youth are in exam classes, one is in grade 12 which is extremely intensive, he was not able to join us, the other two missed parts when they had to be at school, and one from another village missed also because of classes. We had planned four days of teaching on a variety of subjects (spiritual warfare, prayer, stewardship with time and money, marriage, dating, health, being a good citizen, etc.) and then having two days that we deemed, the Rolling Fire (the only phrase I could find akin to Running the Gauntlet in French), a time of team building activities as well more physical training. But with the school we changed it to have the Rolling Fire before teaching, then there was a mix up and we changed it back, obviously creating some headaches.
We all knew the great importance of the program and that Satan surely would not wish it to succeed. Much prayer was poured over it. The week went very well in the end. There were difficulties with the food, it was usually late. We asked a church lady to cook, and one day it rained which made it late, another day she ran out of something so we gave some more money, but in the end it worked out. I saw amazing miracles. I realized that we were disadvantaged; we wanted to take the youth through a quite intense week of teaching and training during their vacation. We had to ask them to do it, sometimes really almost beg. That meant they would be less willing to do some of the tougher challenges, than if they had signed up for it. Also this was the first go for the program meaning that while the church wanted it to be successful; it really is not established as a church institution you could say. But despite my doubts, God brought the youth each day, and some who I was very skeptical about were devout listeners. I can honestly say that during 4 days of at least 6 hours of classes a day, no one had to quiet them or tell them to stop talking to each other. It was a struggle to get them to start class again when they took breaks, but that’s no surprise for any group.
They did almost mutiny when we started the Rolling Fire. Perhaps I thought at first it might be a little too hot, but they pulled through. The first activity was a sort of amazing race. They had to go all through town doing different tasks. I was stationed at the third place, and when they arrived half of them were fed up. They did not understand why they were perusing through town doing “useless” activities, and in the sun as well. Well we had a good discussion for 10 minutes or so and finally by God’s grace, they were convinced to continue. The rest of the weekend there were some complaints, but they pushed through and did very well. I see they learned lots about conflict resolution, teamwork, and their own personal struggles. I learned much about myself as well. In the end we were tired, but I was especially happy, that it was a success.
Sabbath afternoon we had a Consecration service at the church. Each youth signed a commitment to maintain a pure life and be an active member of the church. They also were each assigned a member of the church to be their spiritual mentor, and these mentors also signed the commitment paper agreeing to spend time in prayer and discussion together at least twice a month and whenever else it was needed. We ate some great rice and fish afterwards to celebrate. After all this the youth wanted to watch the rest of the pics, since we could not show all the pics to everyone, the Rolling Fire, is the secret part. I almost shed a tear as I watched the pictures. Just to see how far we’d all come together, was really inspiring. And to know that I was helped to set a lasting program at the church that will surely be an aid to many young people in the future makes me sing praises to God!

And now for November

Good news! After much deliberation I have decided to stay here in Benin, forever! Jokes, I amsure a piece of me will always be here in Benin with these wonderful people, but what I havedecided is to stay until the middle of November. One reasons is that the culture study is lookingto need more time past June, so I'd like to help the team finish that, and also I would liketo put more time into developing Pathfinders at the local church and possibly get the clubsestablished in the smaller villages. I am planning, Lord willing, to be back at CUC in January, to completethe diploma in Adventure based counselling. Thanks for your continued prayers and support!

In Cotonou for visa again, but it all worked out!

Going to Cotonou I am always taxed by the white man has money theory. In Cotonou there are quite a few foreigners, and many do have money. It is especially difficult when dealing with the motorcycle taxi's. They are not selfish, they are businessmen looking for the highest prophet possiblebut for me they will start higher, although I think they do try to rip eveyrone off. Nonethelessthe difference is that if I try to lower the price they'll beg me to help them, that life is hard and gas prices high. It is somewhat true (not the high gas prices though). I was once tryingto lower the price and the guy just kept say my friend, white man, help us, help us. I wouldn't budgeand he consented to the lower price. In the end you have to detach yourself and say it's all business.But once after a bargaining session, I climbed on the motorcycle and breathed a sigh, thinkingto myself, why should I have to bear the burden to their problems. I had nothing to do withcolonialism, the economy, and the like. But then I thought that really that's why I camehere to help share their sufferings. I like Paul in 1 Corinthians 9 have given up my rights and beallthings to all people. When it is appropriate I do try to help people be moreracially senstive. Here since the major majority is black, they do not how to think culturally diversebeyond different tribes, so if it's appropriate, I may teach someone, mostly those younger thanme to be kind to everyone, to treat all people the same. I realize it is easier for me, since I amused to a dealing with a diversity of people I can look at everyone as equal. for them they are usedto people of their own skin colour. So no one is racist here, just a little misguided. But all in stride!

Difficult time for friends

Long time no hear! My apologies, time is like a feather in the wind sometimes, flies away sometimesand is hard to catch and for sure impossible to regain. Manny, Uli, and I spend this past weekin Cotonou getting our visas again! Always an exciting adventure! The traffic in Cotonou is probably not more than many big North American city, but the driving rules make it thrilling,or should I say chilling sometimes! Lots of motorbikes and throw in a few cars, makes forstrategic driving. I will skip back a little. You may remember my friend Fidard. I went over there the other day to visit him, he was doing well. I went over a few days later and found him in a bar (bars here are littleopen air huts or closed in sqaure buildings with usually at bench coming out from the wall) They all servethe local grain beer, naturally brewed). When his children said that's where he was I should havejust said I'd come back, but I promised to stop by so I went to see him. We talked there a few minutesand then went back to his house. When he is drunk it is like talking to a different person, andit's a little annoying, because the next day he won't remember anything. That was Monday and on Wednesdayour neighbor came and said that Fidard had been banging on our door at 11PM. We were apparently very sound asleep,we heard nothing, Roland told him to go away, he did. On Thursday I went to see him, and he was bruised, and had a nasty cut on his hand. He explained that he came home that night and got into a fightwith his wife and she beat him up pretty good. He got his wife to come in and all of a sudden I was mediator. They did not agrue, and I said I was not a professional, so I'd help, but to continue helpfor their marriage they'd need a real counselor (which actually does not really exist here, unfortunatley),we talked it out, and they seemed ready to try to start over with their marriage. But that's whereI can't help them more, so pray for them and as well that we might someone to counsel them! Roland who I mentioned had a recent breakthrough is going through some rough times. His familycannot afford rent in our compound and they is some friction between them and the landlord. He saidthat the landlord's children are rude, and the landlord does not like when his children are insulted.When he told me that I really sorry for him. Think about, no father likes their children to be insultedbut Roland thinks that if their rude they should be rude back and no one should have a problem with it!Both sides are obviously not be very kind, but it doesn't not occur to anyone to "heap coals on your enemies head". It's the mentality here and everyone if you think about it, an eye for an eye.Whatever the case Roland said they'll be moving so by the time we get back, they will probably be gone,but hopefully nearby so we can keep our friendship and Bible studies going!

Update: Roland did move, but only a five minute walk away. We still plan on continueing lessons, although April is a very busy month for me, so prayers again!